This is a long overdue note and it's taken me this long to write because I actually, genuinely, truly never thought this day would come. Huge, huge thank you to anyone who has stuck with me and made it this far!
I started this story in April of 2020, back when the world had shut down and I'd moved back home and needed an outlet during my online classes. A lot has happened since then: I broke a flash drive and lost most of my old writing, graduated college, started a new job, found and lost friendships and people, binged all of Star Wars, saw Taylor Swift live, saw 5SOS live (twice!), busted my ankle in my first soccer game since high school, consumed copious amounts of boba, got accepted to medical school, and finally accomplished my New Year's resolution since third grade—to finish writing a novel.
Four years ago was also the first season I really started following Real Madrid closely. I always loved watching soccer, but I was a casual watcher who would tune in every four years for the World Cup. That changed in 2020. As cheesy as it sounds, the club chose me—I can't explain how or why I became such a Madridista, only that I did.
I am so, so unbelievably blessed and grateful to have attended my first Real Madrid match in person earlier this year, which was also Toni Kroos's final game at the Santiago Bernabéu. It was an unforgettable experience and it reminded me why I started writing this story in the first place. And then a week later I got to witness the Champions League celebrations in the same stadium after our 15th UCL. I truly couldn't have asked for a more perfect ending to this journey.
That being said, as much as I love soccer, I personally was never the best player—mostly because I didn't put in the effort I needed to become the best. Abby, Finn, Kieran, and Eden represent the dreams I wish I'd had the dedication to pursue, the "what if" I'd chosen a different path.
I write parts of myself into every character, but they also get to direct their own stories, and I enjoy every moment of the adventures we go on together. I hope these characters resonate with and inspire you in whatever you choose to do in life. This novel is a love letter to the sport that's been part of my life since I was a child, whether I was playing or watching or even officiating, and I'm so glad I get to share it with you.
Historia que tú hiciste, historia por hacer.
All the best,
Reina
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Dangerous Play
Teen FictionIn soccer, a dangerous play is defined as any action by a player deemed dangerous to themselves or to another player. Both of the McMahon twins know this very well, having been awarded far too many yellow cards to claim otherwise. But when it comes...
