Book Review: Catching Feelings by Emily Charlotte

Official Synopsis: When Sabrina and Tyler meet by accident outside (okay, inside) the football locker rooms, it’s not a big deal. After a rocky summer, Sabrina is focused on leading the Spirit Committee to its best year ever, while Tyler is eager to leave behind the mess from his old school with a second chance playing football as a transfer. Neither is looking for romance.

But as the team’s newest (and most eligible) varsity athlete, Tyler is suddenly the center of attention. And Sabrina is busy dodging Ryan, her longtime flirtationship who is determined to take her to the homecoming dance. Ryan is exactly the kind of chaos Sabrina doesn’t need, so she asks Tyler to go as friends instead. Eager to fend off other unwanted advances, Tyler is happy to accept.

Of course, this was before Sabrina realized Tyler is Ryan’s cousin. But as long as they’re just friends, everything should be fine. Tyler is less willing to ignore the connection he feels toward Sabrina, but he’s also desperate to keep his past buried. When the chemistry between them becomes impossible to deny, can their carefully laid plans survive the fallout, or will secrets and social pressure threaten everything they’ve built?

From the moment I finished her first book Heart Check, I have found that I really like Emily Charlotte's writing style. I enjoy the way she is able to bring sports romance into a young adult space without it feeling too out of this world with issues or drama. When we are introduced to Sabrina and Tyler, he is new to school and she is in charge of the Homecoming Spirit Committee. Sabrina is determined to have him involved in things, and Tyler just wants to remain under the radar, after having a rough go during the last season at his old school. Despite their efforts to stay away from, then not fall for, each other, Sabrina gives him multiple rides home and have shared a lot of themselves with each other. Tyler isn't sure he wants to start a relationship in the new school, especially with dreams of playing college football, but he can't seem to stay away from Sabrina.

As they work together on Homecoming, along with just enjoying spending time with each other they start to wonder if avoiding a relationship is a good idea. But Tyler has reasons for leaving his old school, reasons he doesn't really want to share; and Sabrina is coping with her parents recent divorce and the way that has changed her life. I liked how this dynamic worked into the story, with the secrets not being too big but being just big enough to make a difference to the two characters. Sabrina is definitely a character who could have used someone to talk to, especially since she just threw herself into homecoming instead. Tyler is also avoiding sharing parts of himself with his new team and friends, but being able to see him figure out that he can trust other people.

Like I stated at the beginning, I really like how Emily Charlotte works sports romance in a way that fits the young adult drama without pushing the boundaries of what is believable for young adult. These two teens are worried about very teenage things, while also still looking at each other slyly an having strong feelings. I think book would also be a great option for anyone looking for a sports romance that doesn't have any spice to it, because again, they are teens.

I rated this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!

Catching Feelings comes out September 1, 2026!

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