Not only is the show funny, there is a real investment in the characters and their wants, as well as great scenes of soccer playing. Despite the fact that I agree with critics of the show who are a little put off by the “white man who knows nothing comes to save the town and succeeds, despite still knowing nothing” narrative, I can’t bring myself to be anything but charmed by the team and the town (and Ted’s relentless confusion about British versus American culture). It’s like how I watch Gilmore Girls for the town of Stars Hollow, not the Gilmores. The show is so appealing, especially for those who have spent the past year dealing with terrible news every day, because it feels like a warm hug and every character gets a moment of success or personal growth. There’s a perfectly drawn love connection between Keeley and Roy, while Ted uses his consistent ability to find the positives to help all of the players do their best at the game. The two major parts of Ted Lasso that resonated with me were the sports success plot line and the fish-out-of-water narrative. Moving to a new city is hard anyway, but moving to a new country with the entire community bearing down on you and calling you a “wanker” ratchets up that tension. These books like Ted Lasso capture some of those same feelings.
Feel-Good Sports Books Like Ted Lasso
Fish-Out-of-Water Books
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When we love something as much as so many people loved Ted Lasso, we get hungry for more media exactly like the thing we loved so much. While we’re all waiting on the second season, you can find a ton of Ted Lasso read-alikes with Book Riot’s TBR service! TBR bibliologists are incredible at getting a hyper-specific recommendation and giving you a ton of read-alikes to satisfy your bookish appetite. If you’re hungry for more books like Ted Lasso while you’re waiting, TBR is the perfect place to get your media recommendations. For even more books like Ted Lasso, we have covered books that are like a warm hug, feel-good fantasy, and sports romances.
