Backhanded Compliments
A Novel
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3.8 • 11 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
A steamy sapphic romance with a fantastical twist about two bitter tennis rivals who realize they are reluctant soulmates—perfect for fans of Expiration Dates and Here We Go Again.
Juliette Ricci dreams of only one thing: being the best women’s tennis player in the world. She’s worked nonstop with her strict father/coach to prepare for her big chance in the Australian Open. Unfortunately, she’ll be playing Lucky Luca Kacic, an aloof player whose unorthodox style and reigning popularity deeply irritate Juliette.
For months they’ve traded sly insults in their press conferences leading up to their showdown on the court, and their first ever match is the most anticipated of the season. But Juliette refuses to let her nerves—or Luca’s annoyingly perfect abs—get the best of her.
Meanwhile, Luca seemingly has everything Juliette desires but there’s one thing missing from her life: love. When she shakes hands with Juliette after an agonizing match and sees her rival’s name appear on her wrist, it feels like a cruel joke. Juliette is a spoiled, arrogant brat who wants absolutely nothing to do with Luca or a soulmate.
But despite their personal and professional clashes, the two grow closer after late-night massages and one too many shots of limoncello. Their chemistry is tangible, but Luca’s anxiety tells her that Juliette is just messing with her head to throw her off her game, and Juliette can’t understand why Luca is so hot and cold. With the pressure of the world scrutinizing their every move, they will have to decide what’s more important—being together or being number one.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Chandler debuts with a magnetic queer enemies-to-lovers romance with a fantastical twist derived from a popular fan fiction trope: what if everyone was born with a "soulmark," the first name of their soulmate tattooed on their wrist? Rising tennis stars Luca Kacic, who has a "Juliette" mark, and Juliette Ricci, whose mark reads "Luca," come face-to-face for the first time when they compete against each other in the final of the Australian Open. When they shake hands, the electricity of their touch confirms their suspicions that the names on their wrists refer to each other. While Luca would be happy to get to know Juliette, Juliette longs to make her own choices. So she bucks destiny, refusing Luca's attempts at friendship. What follows is a well-plotted, steamy sparkler of a romance that will reward readers who can suspend their disbelief about the premise. Tennis buffs will especially enjoy the in-depth look at the professional circuit. Chandler is off to a great start.
Customer Reviews
Could’ve been something
The book started pretty promising. Luca and Juliette had a lot of potential separately and together. But as the book went on, it became repetitive but also had close to no actual plot at the same time somehow. I ended up dnf around 50% of the way in. It didn’t feel like it was going anywhere and the excitement of Luca and Juliette’s relationship had fizzled out. I also think the book was wayyyy too long. A lot of text and characters could’ve been cut to make the book more precise and fast moving. Over 500 pages is a lot for a type of book like this, especially when not much happens almost 300 pages in.