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Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite
Alive and Kicking by Kathryn R. Biel is book four in the Boston Buzzards series. Readers follow Rachel Cramer, who is grieving over her sister’s death, as her life takes on loss and obligations all at once. After her sister passes from glioblastoma, Rachel is left a note that says “Live Like You’re Dying.” It’s actually a bucket list filled with risks she would never do on her own, from parasailing to forgiving her mother, and meeting the midfielder of the Boston Buzzards soccer team, TJ Doyle. Soon, Rachel is forced out of the only home she’s ever known when her grandparents insist on her relocating to run the family’s new company in South Shore. This pushes Rachel to reluctantly step into independence. Meanwhile, TJ Doyle is consumed by social media to cover up his insecurities about aging out of the sport. But he agrees to participate in Soccer for Sibs, a charity event that puts him and Rachel unexpectedly in the same circle.
Kathryn R. Biel's story allows us to see the weight of Rachel’s grief and the professional pressures that TJ Doyle was up against. This is the type of sports romance that goes beyond the game-day moments. It actually balances the characters’ personal battles and identities. I enjoyed getting to know both Rachel and TJ through this dual-perspective narrative. Rachel’s anxiety and TJ’s fear of becoming irrelevant were realistic. The pacing was moderate, and the emotional scenes and funny moments were well-balanced. Readers who enjoyed similar sports romances like Sarah Adams’ The Cheat Sheet would equally enjoy Alive and Kicking.
