Brittany Kelley delivers a pitch-perfect romantic comedy, Relationship Goals, that seamlessly blends the glitz of Hollywood with the gritty passion of professional soccer. Relationship Goals follows Abigail Hunt, an aspiring actress preparing for her breakout role, and Luke Wolfe, the notoriously grumpy star player of the LA Aces, as they navigate a fake relationship that becomes all too real.
The premise is deliciously twisted: when team owners coerce Luke into fake-dating Hollywood starlet Abigail to boost ticket sales, neither expects the publicity stunt to evolve into genuine feelings. Kelley masterfully orchestrates this enemies-to-lovers dance with her signature blend of humor, heart, and heat that keeps readers thoroughly entertained from the first page to the satisfying conclusion.
Character Development: More Than Meets the Eye
Abigail Hunt: The Perfectly Imperfect Heroine
Abigail emerges as a refreshingly authentic protagonist who defies the typical Hollywood starlet stereotype. Kelley crafts her with endearing quirks—from her ADHD-fueled tangents about underwater topography to her infamous Gollum impressions in bed—that make her feel genuinely human rather than polished perfection. Her mismatched eyes (one hazel, one green) serve as a beautiful metaphor for her uniqueness in an industry that demands conformity.
What elevates Abigail beyond typical rom-com heroines is her resilience. When she discovers Luke’s deception, her transformation from heartbroken to vengeful feels entirely justified. Her elaborate revenge scheme involving a rented Maserati and live lobsters showcases both her creativity and her refusal to be a victim—a character trait that resonates powerfully in today’s cultural landscape.
Luke Wolfe: The Grump with a Golden Heart
Luke Wolfe could have easily fallen into the tired “alpha male athlete” trope, but Kelley imbues him with vulnerability that makes his character arc compelling. His grumpiness stems from genuine pain—his mother’s illness, his desperate desire to return to Seattle, and the owners’ manipulation of his career. The author skillfully reveals his softer side through small gestures: fostering a kitten named Princess, sending daily flower arrangements, and his protective instincts toward Abigail.
The internal conflict between his growing feelings for Abigail and his inability to reveal the truth creates authentic tension. Luke’s character demonstrates that sometimes good people make terrible choices when backed into corners, and his eventual redemption feels earned rather than convenient.
Plot Structure: A Masterclass in Romantic Tension
Kelley constructs the narrative with precision, building romantic tension while maintaining comedic momentum. The fake dating trope gets fresh treatment through the author’s clever use of misunderstandings and miscommunications that feel organic rather than contrived.
The Setup Phase
The opening chapters establish both characters’ motivations clearly. Abigail’s meeting with the LA Aces owners to research her upcoming film role feels purposeful, while Luke’s reluctant agreement to the fake dating scheme creates immediate conflict. The tour scene where Luke asks Abigail out crackles with electric tension, setting the stage for their complicated relationship.
The Development Arc
The middle section excels at showing rather than telling their growing connection. Their dinner dates, soccer game attendance, and quiet moments at home reveal compatibility that transcends their initial arrangement. Kelley particularly shines in depicting their physical chemistry—the paparazzi kiss outside the Italian restaurant sizzles with authentic passion.
The Revelation and Revenge
When Abigail discovers the truth through Tristan’s drunken confession, the emotional devastation feels genuine. Her subsequent revenge plot—complete with rented sports cars and restaurant disasters—provides both comedy and catharsis. However, some readers might find the revenge sequence slightly prolonged, though it ultimately serves to demonstrate Abigail’s agency in reclaiming her narrative.
Writing Style: Kelley’s Signature Voice
Brittany Kelley’s writing voice sparkles with wit and warmth, perfectly suited to contemporary romance. Her dialogue feels natural and character-specific—Abigail’s rambling enthusiasm contrasts beautifully with Luke’s terse responses. The author excels at internal monologue, particularly Abigail’s stream-of-consciousness observations that range from profound to hilariously absurd.
The soccer elements are well-researched and integrated seamlessly into the story without overwhelming non-sports fans. Kelley’s background research shows in her accurate portrayal of professional soccer culture, team dynamics, and the business side of sports entertainment.
Themes and Emotional Depth
Beyond the surface romance, Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley explores deeper themes of authenticity, vulnerability, and the courage required for genuine connection. Both protagonists struggle with being truly seen—Abigail battles industry expectations and past relationship trauma, while Luke grapples with his public persona versus his private self.
The family element adds emotional weight, particularly Luke’s relationship with his sick mother and his desire to return home. This subplot grounds the romance in real-world concerns and elevates the stakes beyond mere romantic entanglement.
Supporting Characters: A Strong Ensemble Cast
Michelle Oxford, the team director who becomes Abigail’s unlikely ally, provides both comic relief and wisdom. Her evolution from professional colleague to genuine friend feels natural, and her role in exposing the owners’ corruption adds satisfying comeuppance to the story’s resolution.
Darren, Abigail’s best friend and makeup artist, delivers perfectly timed comedic moments through text exchanges and FaceTime calls. His unwavering support provides Abigail with the emotional anchor she needs throughout her tumultuous journey.
Even secondary characters like Tristan Gold serve important narrative functions beyond mere plot devices, creating a lived-in world that enhances the central romance.
Areas for Improvement
While Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley succeeds on multiple levels, some elements could benefit from refinement:
The pacing occasionally feels uneven, particularly during the revenge sequence. Some of Abigail’s schemes, while entertaining, border on over-the-top and might strain believability for some readers.
Additionally, the resolution comes perhaps too quickly after the emotional climax. While the six-month time jump in the epilogue provides closure, more exploration of their reconciliation process might have strengthened the emotional payoff.
The secondary romance hints between Michelle and other characters feel underdeveloped, though this may be intentional to maintain focus on the central couple.
Comparative Analysis: Standing Among Sports Romance Greats
Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley holds its own among contemporary sports romance favorites. Like Rachel Higginson’s Love and the Game series, it successfully balances athletic authenticity with romantic comedy elements. The fake dating premise recalls Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners, but Kelley’s execution feels fresh and unique.
Compared to established sports romance authors like Meghan Quinn or Vi Keeland, Kelley demonstrates particular strength in character development and comedic timing. Her approach to the grumpy/sunshine dynamic rivals even the best examples in the genre.
Heat Level and Steam Factor
Romance readers will appreciate the well-paced intimacy progression. Kelley builds sexual tension effectively through meaningful looks, charged touches, and carefully constructed romantic scenes. The physical relationship between Luke and Abigail feels organic to their emotional connection, with steam that enhances rather than overshadows the romantic development.
The author handles intimate scenes with taste and emotion, focusing on the characters’ connection rather than explicit detail. This approach makes the book accessible to a wider romance audience while still satisfying readers seeking passionate love scenes.
Final Verdict: A Goal-Scoring Romance
Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley succeeds as both sports romance and romantic comedy, delivering laughs, tears, and satisfying romantic resolution. Brittany Kelley demonstrates impressive growth as a storyteller, crafting characters who feel authentic and a relationship that develops naturally despite its contrived beginning.
The book works particularly well for readers who enjoy:
- Contemporary romance with strong comedic elements
- Sports romance featuring soccer/football
- Fake dating tropes with genuine emotional stakes
- Heroines who fight back against manipulation
- Heroes who grow and change throughout the story
While not without minor flaws, Relationship Goals offers an entertaining and emotionally satisfying reading experience that showcases Kelley’s potential as a rising voice in contemporary romance.
Similar Reads for Fans
Readers who enjoy Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley should consider:
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas – Features fake dating with academic setting
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – Enemies-to-lovers with emotional depth
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – Workplace romance with sharp banter
- Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy – Sports romance with second chances
- Off-Limits by Claire Kingsley – Sports romance with family complications
- Game Changer by Rachel Reid – LGBTQ+ hockey romance with similar emotional themes
Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley earns its place among contemporary romance favorites through genuine heart, sparkling humor, and characters readers will champion from first meeting to happy ending. Brittany Kelley has crafted a winner that scores on every level that matters in romance fiction.