Romantic Revelations: Rock Bottom Girl Review

The review

Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score introduces us to Marley Cicero, a 38-year-old woman who finds herself at a low point in life: jobless, broke, and recently dumped. She reluctantly returns to her hometown of Culpepper, a place she was eager to escape from two decades ago. The town and its citizens are still entrenched in their old ways, their collective memory still vividly recalling a homecoming scandal Marley inadvertently caused during her high school years. Embarking on a journey of redemption and reinvention, Marley accepts a temporary teaching position and becomes the coach of the high school's hapless girls' soccer team.

As Marley navigates her new job and the trials of trying to unite her soccer team, she crosses paths with Jake Weston, a former high school bad boy and old crush, who has now changed his ways and is the school's ‘Teacher of the Year’ and boys track coach. Faced with the adjustment of returning to her hometown and navigating old enemies, Jake proposes a unique arrangement to Marley - he will help her coach the soccer team and learn how to better engage her students, if she helps him navigate the complexities of a relationship. The pair enter a fake relationship as part of their agreement, providing an alibi for Marley and a relationship experience for Jake. As their relationship progresses, the line between fiction and reality becomes increasingly blurred, leading to unexpected feelings and surprisingly real encounters.

Marley's return to Culpepper is fraught with challenges. The town and its inhabitants, stuck in the past, remain judgmental and largely unwelcoming. Her new job is demanding and her soccer team, the school's most unsuccessful, is in desperate need of guidance and unity. Additionally, Marley's reputation from her high school years still casts a long shadow, and she has to contend with an uncompromising nemesis, a humorously disastrous run-in with a high-school crush, and the pervasive rumor mill of the school and the town. Despite these challenges, Marley's journey is filled with heartwarming moments and valuable life lessons. Her relationship with Jake, initially based on a mutually beneficial deal, evolves into a fun and fulfilling connection.

Personal thoughts

Have you ever started reading a story and get halfway through and have a sense of déjà vu? That was me with this book, when I recently purchased it, and after reading realized I had already read the story when it first came out in 2019. Needless to say, that while this novel fits the general format of contemporary enemies to lovers/fake-dating romance trope, the story is worth a read (and a re-read). The authenticity and warmth between Marley and Jake serve as a stark contrast to the artificiality of their initial agreement, and their rapport adds a delightful, humorous edge to the narrative. Marley's experiences with the soccer team and her rekindled friendships with other characters also contribute to the story's depth. These relationships, especially her role as a soccer coach, teach Marley the importance of authenticity, resilience, and mutual support. Her journey encourages readers to embrace their true selves, rise above past mistakes, and support others in their struggles. This endearing tale of second chances, redemption, and personal growth is simultaneously entertaining and endearing.

Book details

Author: Lucy Score

Genre: Romance

Length: 532 pages

Series: Standalone

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, fake dating, small town romance

Rating: 💡💡💡💡

Spice rating: 🔥🔥

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