How you get the girl

Kelly's cozy, standalone queer sports romance finds East Nashville High women's basketball coach Julie Parker surprised by a late addition to the team--and even more shocked to discover that the new girl's foster parent is Julie's teen idol, former WNBA player Elle Cochrane. When Elle offers to co-coach the Bobcats, Julie eagerly agrees. The women soon bond, with Elle even offering to help Julie figure out her fledgling queer identity in light of her lack of dating experience. Two established queer couples--Julie's nonbinary twin, London, and their fiancée Dahlia, the protagonists of Love & Other Disasters, and best friend Ben and his fiancé, the heroes of Something Wild & Wonderful--function as role models for Julie's personal growth. Meanwhile, interactions between the teens and their coaches add authenticity and heart. Readers will appreciate how Kelly sidesteps the power dynamics of a typical celebrity romance, and though the connection between the leads is more emotional and cuddly than hot and heavy, there's definitely some chemistry both on the court and off. Julie and Elle's exploratory slow dive into intimacy keeps the pages turning. Agent: Kim Lionetti, BookEnds. (Feb.)

High school basketball coach Julie Parker loves her job but desperately needs an assistant coach. Things only get busier when she gets a late addition to the team, Vanessa Lerner. Julie soon finds out that Vanessa is the niece, and current foster child, of former University of Tennessee basketball star Elle Cochrane--Julie's hero and crush. Though star-struck and tongue-tied, Julie convinces Elle to be her assistant. Elle has stayed far away from basketball since a blown-out ACL sidelined her career. For Vanessa's sake, though, Elle agrees to take the coaching job--and gets to spend time with Julie as well. When Julie reveals that she's never dated and is scared to try, Elle offers to fake-date her as practice. Over the course of the season and Julie and Elle's practice dates, it becomes more and more difficult to remember that their relationship is a put-on. VERDICT Kelly's (Something Wild & Wonderful) latest has emotional depth and exceptionally well-drawn characters with instant chemistry; their slow-burn romance will keep readers on the edge of their seats.--Heather Miller Cover