Member Reviews
DNF
I'm sorry. As much as I wanted to love this, I couldn't. I struggled with this one, unfortunately. I was bored for the most part (of what little I managed to read) and I couldn't care less about what was happening or about the characters.
Received a copy in exchange for a fair review thank you to Chapter Books. I really loved this book, it has been a while since I have last read anything. I always find something interesting to read but I don't have the time to read, I am hoping that changes next year. I am currently in final year so this was a nice break from it to read the book.
I loved both Avery and Lucas, I found myself constantly wanting to mother them (which is new for me) especially Avery I can't imagine losing a parent like that. But the chemistry between them sure set the pages on fire.
This book was sooo good that I ended up reading this in one sitting, although my back is complaining I couldn't imagine a better way to lose sleep on #bookwormproblems. I know the plot of the story line is not unique, I have a read a handful of novels now with sport being the main emphasis. I did find Lucas's dilemma quite unique though, and I am glad he got the happing ending he deserved.
Without giving it too much away, I enjoyed the story line, the characters and Avery's simple way of trying to solve problems and cope with pain is something we can all relate to. If you enjoy athlete contemporary novels and are looking for something to relax with then be sure to give this a try.
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I'm sorry, but I just didn't love it. So much of it felt forced, and the main characters were kind of idiots. Yes, both Avery and Lucas went through some hard things (her mother passed away a year before, and he was banned from football because a university overstepped what was appropriate). But each of them made some really selfish decisions. And I find it really hard to believe that what happened with Lucas would cause his mother to lose his job and force the two fo them to leave town and assume new identities. Honestly.
I struggled with the romantic elements of the book, as well. It's not that Avery and Lucas didn't work well together (lying aside). But their relationship moved way too quickly. I don't have anything against people that fall in love quickly (after a week of dating, my husband and I dropped the L word). What I do take issue with is that their physical relationship moved at lightning speed. The first time they really kissed, Lucas groped Avery. I really didn't need to know every time his nether regions physically reacted to her. They had hardly been dating before they were close to having sex. Not okay.
On the positive side, the book contained several good supporting characters. Lexi and LaVonn were both excellent friends. Avery's father was a good coach and good father.
Note: Swearing, including so many f words I quickly lost count. Lying. Teenagers doing stupid things in a romantic relationship.
I normally enjoy Entangled Crush novels very much, but somehow I was just not able to connect to this one at all.
The two main characters, Avery and Lucas both come with major issues.
Avery lost her mother and is scared that her dad will lose his job as coach at the high school.
Lucas is banned from playing high school football and is just as scared as Avery. He is just scared it will be found out, since he plays despite the ban.
Honestly, I just didn't like either of the two characters. Sorry, it was just not a book for me.
Ahhhhhhh this was just such a wonderful book and I just thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn’t want to put this book down. I just fell in love with this wonderful story and it’s wonderful characters. I will most definitely be reading more stories from this wonderful author.
Sometimes you just need an easy, enjoyable sports romance. This fit the bill well. Likable and cute. 3.5 stars
Classic high school romance. The book was okay, there wasn't really anything particularly surprising that caught my attention though. I wouldn't re-read it, but I'm happy I read it.
A classic YA football romance - and one that didn’t disappoint! One character fleeing from his past and another working to move forwards from her own past. When we meet both of the protagonists - Lucas and Avery - you know that you’re going to love them and you know that you want them to just be happy for gosh sakes. They each have a bit of ‘trauma’ in their pasts which affects them and their own actions.
Characters:
Avery, as far as lead heroines - was really fantastic to follow. She was strong and admirable, even with all of the things that had happened in her life. As for Lucas? You really just wanted to give him a big hug. He had been through some stuff that definitely wasn’t his fault and was a fantastic match for Avery. I genuinely loved him - he was so kind and caring.
Storyline and Plotting:
It was okay and provided enough explanations for some of the quirks that each of them presented as well as a fairly satisfying storyline. Was it anything that was particularly out of the ordinary, or somehow revolutionary? No, I wouldn’t say that. But - it worked. The writing was smooth and fluid, even though there were moments where I felt it was a bit too melodramatic.
Overall - a really chilled novel with cute characters and a great story that is perfect as a read on a cosy afternoon
N.B: I was very kindly sent an ARC of this novel by the publisher and the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This is a normal high school romance but with a bit of depression and family problems mixed in. Both of the main characters have had trauma they have to overcome and maybe together they can do just that.
The book is Dual POV and switches between chapters and sometimes in a break in the middle. It was a tad jarring to start but you do get use to it.
Overall it was a decent read with romance and overcoming our own past to head into the future.
If youre a fan of Abbi Gline’s Field Party I think you’ll be a fan of The Love Playbook. It was so cute but not young kid cute. It was a good junior/senior book. I really enjoyed it and so happy I got the pleasure of reading it.
Cute but a tad too predictable. Avery was a very vanilla character. I wished she were stronger or more impassioned. Lucas was sweet and more interesting with his moral struggles.
I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have to say I honestly really enjoyed this book.
The whole storyline totally drew me in.
Avery and Lucas were really relatable characters who were going through a lot and helped each other.
The romance was amazing and at the start it felt very insta lovey but it grew and developed beautifully.
The writing was witty and hilarious at times I really enjoyed it.
Overall an amazing book that shows the power of family love and friendship.
4 stars.
I will not be posting a review for this book because I have a personal policy to not post negative reviews for YA novels. I will only post a review if I can give an honest 4-5 star review. Unfortunately, for me, this book was a 2.5-3-star read. I did not find the premise believable and the ending, with the hero in a dead-end job, was depressing.
This is the story of Avery and Lucas. They’re the same yet different. Both are struggling with their own problems but have to come together to try and solve a very big problem.
Avery is still struggling with the death of her month a year after it happened with the help of her brother and her father who happens to be the football coach at the local high school. The only way she can cope is with the help of her daily planner that has her every move written down from when she wakes up and until she goes to sleep. She has no room for anything else in her life and that includes Lucas but when she accidentally learns that her father might get fired from coaching the football team if they don’t succeed this year, she has no choice but to ask for help from Lucas.
Lucas is the new transfer student. With only his mom in the picture to support him, times are tough and he does all he can to help her out whenever he can. All he wants is a fresh start and to play football. It’s not as easy as it seems. With lies and drama this story has you guessing what will come next for Avery and Lucas.
Although I feel like I am too old to read a semi high school romance with added drama, I did enjoy this book and the switch between characters.
I've just finished this sweet book. Lucas and Avery will melt your heart❤️❤️.
After being on the spotlight for an scandal, Lucas and his mom move to a small town.
And there, he meets Avery, the football coach's daughter.
Both of them have secrets. And the more they keep them, the more their dreams are in danger.
It's a story very easy to read.
The Love Playbook by Suze Winegardner is a sweet, fun, and delightful YA contemporary romance and part of the Entangled Teen Crush series. Avery Stone is worried about her father, because if he doesn't get the high school football team to the playoffs, he will be fired. Lucas Black is a transferred student, a star player who has lost his catching skills. Can Avery help him? I love this genre, there is something so innocent about first loves. I love the quirky people and situations in this book, and watching the characters grow. I found this book to be a quick read, and recommend it to all readers who enjoy a YA sweet romance.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Thank you.
I didn’t see this story coming. Luca has lost everything but is determined to get a glimpse of what he could have. Avery is the girl who is struggling to function. Her daily planner marks down every activity from morning to night. She doesn’t have time for Luca, but if she wants to save her dads job some of her day has got to give.
The love playbook is a romance with a difference. Both characters are broken but the fix is anything but straightforward. This is a story of moving on. Changing to make a difference and love when all you want to do is shut the world out.
Luca isn’t the typical transfer kid. He only has his mum and times are hard. For him to move forward with his life he has to work through his past.
Avery and Luca need a distraction. They need something more than their usual world.
This is well written and both characters are interesting. I liked the twists to this tale. It isn’t the usual guy needs help with a football book.
4 stars out of 5.
My Thoughts:
The Love Playbook was a sweet and fun read! Lucas has transferred to Hillside High School. Football is his passion, but after he got caught taking expensive gifts from a university, he is banned from ever playing again. He decides to fly under the radar by playing for a small town football team where he won't get noticed. However, all of a sudden, he can't seem to catch the ball!
Avery, the coache's daughter, agrees to help Lucas improve his game. She overheard a secret conversation that if the team doesn't make it to playoffs, her father will most likely lose his job. Football is important to Avery's family, and after losing her mother to Cancer last year, she doesn't want them to lose anything more.
Both Lucas and Avery are struggling emotionally, and are going through very difficult times in their lives. As they spend time together, they find a friend and ally in one another, but will their secrets catch up to them, and tear apart the relationship they've built?
I enjoyed reading about the struggles, friendship, and love of Lucas and Avery. Both of them went through huge challenges, and were able to grow and mature from their experiences. I loved the way they were always there for one another, supporting, encouraging, and guiding. The Love Playbook was a fast-paced, light, sweet, fun, and feel good romance! I enjoyed Lucas and Avery's story, and look forward to reading more books by Suze Winegardner!
This was technically my first sports romance and while I didn’t fully know what to expect, I really enjoyed it and definitely want to read more of them.
That being said, this was definitely more than just a sports romance. It was a story about second chances and forgiveness. The ultimate outcome wasn’t about football or scholarships but accepting what has been and learning to move on and heal (for both of them).
I also loved the supporting characters and their friendships. They were sort of the comic relief to the heaviness between Lucas and Avery and it added a nice lightness to it.
The romance itself was a bit insta-lovey and definitely high-school, but still cute. I was interested the whole time and despite a few technicalities and issues, it was still unputdownable.
If you’re looking for a short, sweet YA sports romance with a bigger message, then you have found your book.
This is the first book I've read from this author and I really liked it. I'm always a sucker for football romances. Lucas and Avery had great chemistry and I enjoyed their relationship. Pretty good book.
Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.