REVIEW: Legend by Isla Olsen & Willow Thomas (Pride FC #1)

LEGEND

by Isla Olsen & Willow Thomas

Release Date: June 5, 2023

Review

An excellent start to a new series and collaboration between two fabulous authors, Willow Thomas & Isla Olsen. It’s a football series (the one you actually play with your feet!).

I love me a grumpy a MC, and Tom Whitford fits the bill. A grumpy closeted footballer whose mood is not improved by the constant speculation as to when he’ll retire—and made worse by the attractive rookie who’s poised to eventually be his replacement, who’s constantly trying to be his friend.

Archie Milligan is a wide-eyed rookie who’s excited to be playing alongside his first crush and mentor. What he doesn’t expect is for that man to be everything he could want and Tom not to want anything to do with him. Tom is confusing AF. But a tentative working relationship turns to tentative friendship, to lovers, to everything!

With some exceptional British humour, the sexy push and pull of two men who are at opposite ends of their careers, and a hilarious and spirited child, you’ll be happy to have read this story.

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Synopsis

Tom

Legend of the Game. That’s me, apparently. I suppose it’s meant to be a compliment, but to me it just sounds like one of those labels people slap on you when you’re on your way out.

Legend. Stalwart. Dinosaur. It all sounds the same to me.

I’ve been in the Premier League for over twenty years and I’m not ready to leave. I’m definitely not about to let myself get pushed out by a flashy upstart like Archie Milligan.

The kid is way too shiny, way too bouncy…and way too attractive. And if I have to spend any more time training one-on-one with him, I’m going to go insane.

Archie

Playing for Croydon Pride has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. The circumstances that led to me switching clubs weren’t ideal, but I’ve always been a bright side kind of guy, so I plan to make the most of it.

There’s just one problem. Tom Whitford—AKA the not-so-secret object of all my youthful fantasies, and my current training partner—is a total arsehole.

He thinks we’re rivals, but all I want is to be mates. Okay, maybe that’s not all I want, but it’s what I’ll take…after all, what are the odds the legendary player I’ve been swooning over for years is not only secretly attracted to men, but to me in particular?

Legend is book one of the Pride F.C. series. Expect soccer (ahem, football!), shenanigans, sexytimes, British humour, British slang, British spelling, and men falling hopelessly in love.

About Isla Olsen

Well, she’s the USA Today best-selling romance writing alter-ego of a YA Fantasy author, but I can assure you her books are about as far away from Young Adult as you can get. Hence the pseudonym!

Isla writes steamy adult contemporary romance, mainly MM but you can also expect some MMM, MMF and other queer romantic combinations in the future. Her books are on the lighter side, with situations sometimes bordering on downright ridiculous, but they’re also full of sweet moments, true love, and scorching hot sex scenes.

Where to find them:

About Willow Thomas

Willow Thomas is a MM romance author who loves to write stories that will leave you smiling. When she isn’t writing, she loves to read, go on walks through the British countryside, and spend time with her family.

Where to find them: