Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Friends-to-lovers romance has little steam, or substance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In THE CHEAT SHEET, Bree and Nathan have been best friends since high school. Sure, Bree's been in love with Nathan, a star NFL quarterback, for just as long, but she's convinced herself that it's better to keep her feelings to herself rather than risk upsetting their close friendship. But then Bree drunkenly announces her true feelings for Nathan to an undercover reporter who blasts the news across social media. To manage the potential publicity fallout in the weeks leading up to the Superbowl, Bree and Nathan agree to fake-date while in public. As their physical intimacy heats up, Bree has to figure out a way to stay cool and remain safely in the friend zone, even as Nathan seems determined to cross every line.
Is It Any Good?
A light and quick read, this book is an unexceptional take on the friends-to-lovers and sports romance genres with a bit of fake relationship drama thrown in. A closed-door romance, The Cheat Sheet is a fine, if predictable, read for those who prefer romance without the explicit sex often found in similar stories.
While the story is fairly straightforward, it feels that the entire conflict could be resolved if the characters would have just one honest conversation, which makes the plot feel contrived. The characters are fine, but not terribly relatable. The football team members break the stereotypical jock persona. While not entirely believable, this is a fun change of pace for romance fans. The scenes where Nathan's team helps navigate the fake-dating breaks up the scenes of sexual tension and avoidable misunderstandings that make up most of the story. The ending is a bit too pat, which made the book less enjoyable overall.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the problems the characters in The Cheat Sheet face because they refuse to be honest with one another. What do you think about risking a friendship in hopes of gaining a more intimate relationship?
What do you think about how the football team is portrayed? Do they feel like realistic characters?
There are a lot of physically fit bodies being lusted after in this book. Why do you think the author chose sports players as main characters?
Book Details
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