Ana Huang never fails to amaze with her writing and The Striker is no exception.
She has been on a kick since releasing her popular Twisted book series in 2021. Huang is my favorite author and every time I am in a reading slump with no motivation to read, her books will get me out.
The Striker is the first book in the Gods of the Game series.
The book focuses on the main couple Scarlett DuBois and Asher Donovan. Donovan is a famous football (soccer for Americans) player in London, and Scarlett is a ballet teacher at a prestigious ballet school.
Huang finds a way to interconnect all of her books and characters in each story.
I adore seeing characters from other books pop up.
Their football coach sets up Donovan and his rival, Vincent DuBois, to attend a Ballet School as a bonding experience.
The players do not get along on or off of the field, and it is ruining their team’s winning streak.
Donovan shows up at the ballet school and starts flirting with his cute new teacher, but moments later he finds out she is his rival’s sister, Scarlett DuBois.
Immediately after the revelation, Donovan shuts down any flirting that was going on, and she is made completely off limits. Donovan has his hands full, wanting to punch his partner and kiss his teacher.
Huang has such a way of captivating her readers and giving them exactly what they want.
This book expresses how wonderful it is to find someone who is willing to love you no matter your faults.
I love how fast-paced this book was compared to her other slower books.
I have been anticipating the release of The Striker and wanted to waste no time getting into right into it.
Trying to avoid the obvious chemistry and tension between them, Donovan and DuBois try not to act on it in an inner, losing battle.
Both characters have past traumas and issues they are trying to overcome and while their different views on life and love caused a momentary rift in their relationship, they ultimately learn how to grow together.
Huang creates such a wonderful dynamic between characters. They are passionate and funny, and they go so well together.
I enjoyed the tension but also the emotional depth of the characters.
As much as I loved this book, it does not top my all-time favorite from Huang, Twisted Lies, a romance story about a billionaire, social media influencer, and a stalker.
Nonetheless, I’d recommend The Striker to anyone who likes enemies-to-lovers and forbidden love.
I can’t wait for The Defender, the second book in the Gods of the Game series that will be released Fall of 2025.
