Play It Off

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher/author. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

I love this series so much and this book was even better than the first one!

Monica Murphy is one of my favorite storytellers. Her witty banter, relatable characters, and endless intrigue always leaves me satisfied. Her writing style is personable and easy to read. I always feel immersed in her stories effortlessly. The plot of this book was so compelling. I was on the edge of my seat with the back and forth between the characters. The only critique I can muster is that I wish the story had been longer and had a little more depth. Everything was there but I wish that some things had been explored further. I think that the emotional impact of the story would have been greater if they had been.

These characters were fabulous! I felt such a visceral connection with them. They were raw and relatable. The character development was executed well. I felt engrossed in the lives of these characters and felt very attached to them and invested in their story. I was already hyped to read Gavin and Sienna's story after all the tension in the previous book. All of the characters are distinct and well-rounded. I love the found family aspect in Murphy's books. She makes the reader feel like they are a part of the extended friend/family group.

Gavin and Sienna had undeniable chemistry that felt easy and natural. I liked that their chemistry wasn't simply based on lust. They were able to talk to each other about real things and felt comfortable being vulnerable with each other. There was a bit of back and forth between these two but eventually Gavin was all in. Gavin was such a darling and didn't hold back his feelings once he realized the depth of his feelings for Sienna. I loved his alpha moments but his sweet moments were equally riveting.

Overall, this was an engaging college sports romance with memorable characters and a romance equal parts sweet and spicy. This story locked me in immediately and held me hostage. I love all of these characters so much and can't wait for more books in this series. This friend group has imprinted on my soul.