What a cute read. I was intrigued from reading the synopsis about how this would turn out between Katie and Alex. Katie and Alex met at the Hospital while Alex’s brother was dying. Alex decided to stay away from Katie as anything more than friend because of his brothers feelings towards her. Katie however had more than friend feelings for Alex. They developed a deep friendship and even started gaming together, the problem was that Katie seems to like Alex more than Alex likes her, right?

In order for Alex to remind himself that Katie was just his friend and the girl his brother had liked he decided he needed to get a serious girlfriend, and asked Katie to help, after seeing all the articles that Katie had in her room about how to get a boy. Katie, however, has other plans, plans to snag herself a boyfriend and finally stop being picked last for everything. What ensues from this is a hilarious amount of stolen moments, new friends and a chance to fulfill one of Alex’s brothers dreams by winning the biggest gaming competition for the online game they play.

I really enjoyed taking this journey with Alex and Katie and see how each of them felt about each other, new friends and their online gaming world. I think my favorite other character was Lexi, she moved to the town recently and right in next door of Katie. Seeing their friendship develop was great, giving Katie a little girl time away from all the time she spent with Alex.

All in all a cute fun read.

PLAYING HER SECRET CRUSH is an enjoyable, swoonworthy contemporary teenage romance. I like that Katie decided to move on from Alex, since he wouldn't/didn't reciprocate her feelings, and that she had that date with Ben and the realization that even if her "the one" isn't Ben, at least she's moving on and doing something about it. Other than the romance, I like that Katie's growing into herself, into her own identity and becoming her own person apart from Alex.

Another thing I like is the utter geekiness of the story, where the characters banded together as a team in a role-playing game and even went to tournaments. Alex too has his own growth to do and realizations to discover, particularly with respect to his brother and Katie. The push-pull of his attraction to Katie and vice-versa went on a tad too long, in my opinion, but other than that, the romance was believable and unfolded naturally. The addition of Lexi was unique and fresh, and I like that they remained friends after.

**To be posted on July 26

It's a sweet YA friends to more story and Alex and Katie are adorable characters. Both Alex and Katie are attracted to each other but neither has tried to take the relationship beyond friendship. Now spending so much time together preparing for a huge gaming competition proves to much and it's hard to keep their feelings under wraps. It's a predictable young YA read that is fun and fluffy.

Playing Her Secret Crush is a cute, friends-to-lovers YA romance. The "playing" in the title refers to the online RPG that Katie and Alex play as part of a team--it's actually a huge part of the story, even though the blurb doesn't really reveal that. It was a fun part to read--probably even more fun if you're a gamer yourself :)

The biggest roadblock to Katie and Alex being together was the fact that Alex's older brother had (kind of, maybe? He seemed a bit fuzzy on the details at times on this) said he liked Katie just before he died, which for Alex seemed to mean that she was therefore forever his brother's girl--this was more than a little annoying. Since pretty much all of Alex's self-destructive tendencies came from what he thought he "should" do for his brother, though, he fortunately gets over them all at once in pretty dramatic fashion--and just in time, of course.

New gaming teammate and neighbor Lexi provided a fun distraction throughout--geesh, though, Katie and Alex were super slow to figure out what was perfectly obvious to the reader--she got an HEA of her own too (probably, we didn't really see it all to the end but it's strongly implied) which was a nice touch.

This was my first book from this author, but probably not my last!

Rating: 4 stars / B

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

So cute! I loved this story and the feels. It was really sweet and I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

I gave this book 4 stars. It was cute and an enjoyable quick read. I would definitely recommend to friends. Espically if you like angst and friends to lovers stories

This book was a cute contemporary young adult romance. I enjoyed it for the very short read that it is.

I received a copy of PLAYING HER SECRET CRUSH on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and author.

Five stars and here's why:

PLAYING HER SECRET CRUSH rocks! I love a good friends to lovers romance! Casey Griffin delivers a great YA romance that will appeal to geeks, gamers, and besties everywhere.

Alex loves Katie, but she’s off-limits because his brother crushed on her. When his brother dies, Alex tries to live the life his brother would lead, but keeps Katie at bay because in his mind, she’s her brother’s girl. Alex’s the perpetual player and she’s his faithful sidekick. Until one day, Katie makes a move and take herself out of the friend-zone. What happens next is hilarious. Fantastic read. I read this book in one sitting.

If you love hella-hot nerdy guys, savvy girls, and a side of sweet romance, then this book is for you! Highly recommend!

Playing Her Secret Crush was a fast and fun read. As a fan of contemporary books, this is a must read. Katie feels like she always chosen last. Her father left, at school she is last and even her secret crush doesn't seem to notice her. Her senior year is going to be different. Katie is a brand new person and wants to show the world. Alex's life has been turned upside down. After a tragic loss, he's trying to find his way in life. Living with no regrets and doing everything is getting tiring. A girlfriend could be something to calm him down? Casey Griffin wrote this book from Katie and Alex's POV and it was so cute! I loved the gaming aspect in the story as well. In a lot of books the main characters that game are boys. Playing Her Secret Crush represents the girl gamers and just shows that girls can love it just as much. I don't game myself, but always think it's fun to watch someone game. Katie and Alex have been close for awhile and it's fun to read that they both have feelings for each other but don't think the other feels the same. Alex wanting a girlfriend and Katie trying to flirt give some funny situations. I loved that Katie realizes that she is good the way she is and doesn't have to try and be someone else. This book may be a bit predictable, but the gaming element made up for that. Another fun summer read! I defnitely recommend this book to contemporary lovers!

3.75 stars
This was a super-cute and fluffy YA romance, perfect for a quick summer read. Although not mentioned in the blurb, Alex and Katie are very into an online game and much of the book is centered around the game and their teammates, which was really fun to read about.

Playing Her Secret Crush was a cute story with a synopsis I couldn't resist. The fact that Katie and Alex are gamers had a lot to do with my interest in reading this book, I must confess. Plus I just love a good friends-to-lovers story!

Playing Her Secret Crush is told in third person alternating between both Katie and Alex. I've read some reviews of this book in which it's mentioned that knowing both characters' feelings made the ending of the book too predictable, and I'm afraid I have to agree.

Katie feels like she comes in last for everything with family, friends and school. She knows her father didn't fight to share custody of her, and that's where much of her insecurity lies; however, not much else is done with this knowledge. I think it could have been explored further because it played a huge role in Katie's unhappiness and her desire to change herself.

Instead of taking time to grieve his brother, Alex is busy living the way he thinks his brother would want him to by taking risks and becoming a player. His risk taking is out of such desperation, however, that it soon begins to spiral out of control, and there were several times when it becomes clear that Alex wasn't truly living life to the fullest like he thought. I hoped for more exploration of his grief and how it affected his decision making.

When Lexi was introduced, I was so surprised that she and Katie became good friends. It's so easy to write female characters who hate each other, and it was refreshing to see a real friendship between these two. There was a subplot here that I won't spoil but will say I wish it had been delved into. So, would it be too much to ask if Lexi can get her own book??

So as I mentioned earlier, it isn't a spoiler to say we know from the beginning how Alex and Katie feel about each other, but I would've preferred to be kept in some suspense. Nevertheless, Playing Her Secret Crush kept my interest, and I enjoyed the gaming aspect of the story. I believe the characters will stay with me even if the plot may not.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

When I asked to read and review Playing Her Secret Crush by Casey Griffin, I thought it would be your average YA romance about a secret crush on your best friend. And while that the crush part was correct, nothing about this book was average. Katie and Alex are gamers, which through me for a loop because you generally don't see that as a "cool" thing to do in YA books, but I am so glad the tide is turning with that. So many of my students love gaming and really relate to it, so I love that addition to the book. The parts that dealt with Alex's brother's death was hard, but also explained a lot of Alex's behavior. I also liked that they added LGBTQ characters--another trend I'm seeing in YA literature and really loving how inclusive authors are being now. I highly recommend this romance for my students (and adults who love a good secret crush HEA!)

Playing Her Secret Crush by Casey Griffin is a cute young adult romance but not one of my favorites. I did not dislike this book, but all the gaming made me personally lose interest. I found this book to be a quick read, and people who enjoy gaming and YA romance should give this book a try.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sometimes, there are words that are better left unsaid… This was totally not one of those times! Katie and Alex have had a crush on each other for quite some time. For good reasons, they never said anything. Now that senior year is here, it’s time to turn over a new leaf. Katie wants to be more outgoing and get a boyfriend, Alex wants a steady relationship. Can they overcome their own obstacles and get out of their own way?

What I loved is this book is every nerd’s dream! Who doesn’t love talking about gaming!? Both Katie and Alex are sweet and endearing, but at the same time, they do frustrate you as a reader. You know there are things they should say but don’t, but you also know and understand why. Their chemistry was great, even with the secondary characters. I would love a second book… if it’s written in the stars!

A very sweet, cute, unique YA. I loved this one so much. I don't think I've ever read a book involved with online gaming. It reminds me of a lot that goes around in my own house. Katie I love. She wants to make changes so she is seen and no longer invisible. Which I could relate to from my own high school experience. She is sweet and in love with her best friend Alex. Now Alex is a bit of a player and adrenaline junky. He is still trying to heal from the death of his brother in many ways. I love how close Alex and Katie are. They are so cute together. It such a heartwarming read. I couldn't put this one down. You'll love Katie and Alex.

This was a cute story, girl likes boy but doesn't think boy likes her so she tries to build her confidence and change her appearance to snag said boy. Although I am not a fan of changing to capture attention (then he likes the you you made up, not the real you.. doomed) I also felt like there were two plots going on simultaneously. The on line gaming is almost a plot of its own. It took focus from the characters. It was a cute story, although somewhat predictable.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

This book was a nice change from what I've read recently!

Katie and Alex have been friends for 2 years. They met when Alex's brother was in the hospital. They both have feelings for the other but for their own reasons have kept them a secret. Katie feels like she's been last to everything and now that senior year is starting, she's determined to reinvent herself. Alex thinks that it's time for him to find a girlfriend and asks Katie to help him.

What makes this book even better is the whole game storyline. It is an interesting addition to the storyline!

Katie and Alex went through many things together. They know each other like no other. Throughout the book, the characters meet new people, find love, learn to leave the past behind and accept themselves for who they are and learn the importance of a team. After all, all it takes to put everything into perspective is a life-threatening situation.

A really cute book about real friendship and two best friends that become more!

3.5 Stars

Katie and Alex have been best friends for years. They have so much in common but they both have been hiding their feelings for each other for a long time. They both have their reasons but it doesn't stop them from trying to find someone else so they can move on.

I really liked Katie and Alex but my favorite character in this story is Lexie!! I would love to see a book about her!! This story was cute and the gamer plot was interesting but there were way too many details about the game that didn't really seem like they added anything to the story.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

Playing Her Secret Crush by Casey Griffin is a friends to relationship story. Katie has a thing for her serial dater friend Alex and Alex has feeling for her too, but not only is she his friend, she is the girl his brother liked before he he died. They like each other, but are off limits. When Alex asks Katie to help him find a serious girlfriend feelings kept hidden are getting more complicated.

The gaming setting was a nice added aspect of this story and the reason behind their not getting together makes it seem the blinders that Alex has put up are grounded in a real reason. I felt that they developed a lot during the course of the story and that each became a better person in general and for each other as the story progressed.

Overall Playing Her Secret Crush by Casey Griffin was a fun, quick and quirky young adult story that takes a friends to relationship theme and adds its own thing.

(I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

Katie is our main character and she is just your regular girl who just happens to be crushing on her best friend Alex who is completely oblivious to this but what Katie doesn’t know is that perhaps Alex is feeling the same way and you can tell something is holding him back but what? As the story progress we learn more about Alex and what he is really thinking and feeling and it all makes sense.

But before getting there Alex asks for Katie’s help in finding a real girlfriend that will last instead of what he was doing in the past with going through girls like they were kleenex. This breaks Katie’s heart, because you can tell she just wants him to know that hey your looking at her and that she is in for the long run. She manages to put that all to the side because she wants him to be happy even if that is with another girl so be it. But can Katie truly be happy with that decision?

Katie is a totally reliable character and I could relate to her. As I am reading the book certain aspects I was sitting there and saying hey that was be 20+ years ago in high school and at times you feel like you were always meant to be just the friend and nothing more. I know I personally love reading Friends to lovers in books. I mean who knows you better but a friend?