Ready to Score

Slaughter (Play to Win) delivers a playful sports romance slightly more concerned with the sports than the love story. Assistant coach Jade Dunn wants nothing more than to be the first female head football coach in Greenbelt Senior High history. With her boss retiring at the end of the season, she has a fighting chance. She just needs to focus and prove she’s the best person for the job. Enter Francesca “Franny” Lim, who, after battling her way to a coaching position in football-crazed Texas is ready to do the same thing in Greenbelt, S.C.—even offering to work with the team for free. Jade sees Franny as competition and is less than welcoming. As the bitterness between the two grows, however, so does the sexual tension. Conflict comes when Jade goes a little too far to ensure the team wins its first game against a fierce opponent, jeopardizing her chance at becoming head coach. The romance takes a bit of a backseat to the coaching drama and as a result the women’s path from animosity to affection feels rushed. Still, Slaughter makes the on-field action fun and delivers some steamy sex scenes along the way. It’s not perfect, but there’s plenty to cheer about. Agent: Kim Lionetti, Bookends. (June)