REVIEW: Playing to Win by Kristian Parker (Love Goals #4)

- April 23, 2026

PLAYING TO WIN

Love Goals - Book Four

by Kristian Parker

Release Date: April 20, 2026

Review

I love it when a young, overconfident and slightly arrogant guy grows and settles into himself. And while it’s ultimately about Tito and Ewen falling in love, Tito becoming more settled in himself is a beautiful win.

It, of course, has a lot of fun moments as these two butt heads and drive each other mad, but as they spend more time together, practice being friends, they develop something special.

And together they become better players and better partners.

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Synopsis

Brockton FC are almost in the FA Cup Final and top scorer and out gay player Tito Lopes wants to finish his first season with the club by lifting that trophy. But he has a fight on his hands.

All year he’s been butting heads with Brockton’s other striker, Ewen Armitage. Sick of it, management have decided when one is on the pitch, the other isn’t.

The humiliation of being on the substitute bench hits hard. Tito realises the only way to beat it is to do the unthinkable: he’s going to have to make friends with his mortal enemy.

Ewen knows this too. Deep down, Ewen knows younger Tito is the better player. This could be Ewen’s last chance to walk out at the iconic Wembley Stadium in front of his beloved Grandad. He’s willing to bury the hatchet. Preferably not in Tito’s back.

They say hate and love are similar emotions. When both players drop their guard, they discover something neither expected. But can Tito keep his emotions in check to win? And is Ewen having the sort of feelings for another man that he never dreamed possible?

About Kristian Parker

I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.

I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.

Where to find them: