Books, Boots and Bakeries

I received Futbolista by Johnny Garza Villa as an ARC from NetGalley. This was my first time reading this author, and I figured, why not? Let’s give it a shot. Then, of course, I spiraled into the obligatory ARC panic—am I supposed to say I didn’t pay for this? Is there official wording? HELP. I think I figured it out… maybe. We’ll see if NetGalley kicks me out for not doing it right.

This book was a few solid hours of MM fun. It opens with a joke about balls (classic) and keeps that energy going throughout. This one delivers if you’re into sports romances with some humour and charm. Its pacing and dynamic characters hooked me, making it an easy, enjoyable read. And it’s the ‘real’ football, even if I would also call it soccer. I’m not going too much into the plot as it has not yet been released.

The story follows Gabi, a talented young football player. He’s disciplined yet charming and driven, and then he crosses paths with Vale at a house party. Vale challenges Gabi in unexpected ways, sparking a chemistry neither of them can ignore. Their romance unfolds through playful banter, tension-filled practices, and stolen moments, making their connection feel authentic and earned. It was a fun friends-to-lovers story, and I enjoyed it, even if it won’t stay in my head a long time.

For some reason, I kept randomly renaming Gabi as Theo in my head. Why? Who knows. Maybe my brain just decided to cast a different lead. Regardless, as a non-Spanish speaker, I did have to Google some phrases, but that didn’t take away from the experience. It added to the immersion—like I was right there (probably on holiday!) trying to keep up with the banter and culture.

The story flowed well, and while it didn’t crack my top-tier MM reads, it was absolutely worth the time. A solid, fun ride that made me curious about the author’s other books, I will do an Insta stalk.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted sports romance with queer rep and cultural depth, Futbolista is worth picking up when it releases in April. And if you see me reading more Johnny Garza Villa in the future, you’ll know this one did its job.