The Story
The nostalgic, swoon-worthy romance of BETTER THAN THE MOVIES blended with the competitive edge of CHECK & MATE. This sports romance would especially appeal to fans of LYNN PAINTER, JENNY HAN, and K.L. WALTHER.
Rose Alterman has long avoided the mile run in gym class. She only signed up for her high school golf team to fulfill her sports requirement, graduate on time, and join her best friends at their dream college.
After family health complications diminish her college fund, she is forced to find a new way to secure her future. Rose's friend, Jeremy, tees up an unexpected solution: a golf scholarship.
The prospect, at first laughable, proves to have unexpected perks when the dreamy new boy in town, Darren, offers to completely transform her game in just a couple of months.
Despite a lifelong aversion to competition, Rose begrudgingly dedicates herself to a season riddled with cheating scandals, intra-team betrayals, and unexpected alliances. But when the persistent competition extends into her personal life, she must confront the looming dilemma of who belongs at her side when the final scores are tallied - her new beau or the best friend that brought her dreams within reach.
Author: Alana Robin
Publisher: ARB Press
Published: 03/31/2026
Pages: 278
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.61lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.63d
ISBN: 9798990435339
Audience: Young Adult
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2026
Description
The nostalgic, swoon-worthy romance of BETTER THAN THE MOVIES blended with the competitive edge of CHECK & MATE. This sports romance would especially appeal to fans of LYNN PAINTER, JENNY HAN, and K.L. WALTHER.
Rose Alterman has long avoided the mile run in gym class. She only signed up for her high school golf team to fulfill her sports requirement, graduate on time, and join her best friends at their dream college.
After family health complications diminish her college fund, she is forced to find a new way to secure her future. Rose's friend, Jeremy, tees up an unexpected solution: a golf scholarship.
The prospect, at first laughable, proves to have unexpected perks when the dreamy new boy in town, Darren, offers to completely transform her game in just a couple of months.
Despite a lifelong aversion to competition, Rose begrudgingly dedicates herself to a season riddled with cheating scandals, intra-team betrayals, and unexpected alliances. But when the persistent competition extends into her personal life, she must confront the looming dilemma of who belongs at her side when the final scores are tallied - her new beau or the best friend that brought her dreams within reach.
Author: Alana Robin
Publisher: ARB Press
Published: 03/31/2026
Pages: 278
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.61lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.63d
ISBN: 9798990435339
Audience: Young Adult
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2026
