I don't love the cover of Play for Me, and I don't usually read many sports books. But coming off of baseball/softball season for my kids, I was in the mood to read about someone who loves the sport. I finished this book three weeks and four books ago, and I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to write my review of it. This has become my new blogging-normal since I don't have time or access to sit down at my computer every day like I did when I worked or even when my kids were tiny and my computer was in our dining room.

I felt for Sophie. She worked extremely hard to get her dream job. She worked with a professional, major league team and athletes for the exact team she loved the most. She had memories of her dad taking her to the Red Sox games. Her literal dream job. And because she pulled a player to prevent further injury and the team lost she got fired. And not just that but an entire city blamed her for the loss. Her boyfriend at the time also broke up with her, and since she was living with him, she is now homeless. That's a lot to lose at one time. Thankfully, her friend gets her a job at a boarding school as an athletic trainer.

Jonas has similarly lost his dream job. He was once a professional pianist. But he's quit playing. Now he teaches music at the same school as Sophie and they are suitemates along with another two teachers at the school. Jonas seems annoyed with Sophie from the very beginning. He apparently doesn't open up easily even though everyone seems to like and get along with him. Sophie riles him up more than normal. These two have one of those enemies-to-lovers arcs even if you can't really claim them to be full-fledged enemies.

Sophie and Jonas work together to get Jonas to play the piano again. He's terrified of hope. And Sophie is determined. The side characters and stories were just as important to the overall story. I liked Tyson, but my favorite side character was Sophie's dad. I love seeing well-written parental characters as they are often missing from stories. It's a contrast to Jonas's father and family. Not everyone has a loving support system built into their nuclear family.

There were many questions driving me forward in my reading. And that helped me not want to put this book down. Well, that along with this wonderful romance. Would Tyson choose music or baseball? Would his choice damage Sophie and Jonas's relationship? Can Sophie and Jonas survive long-term if they end up going back to their old dream jobs? Is there a happy medium or place of compromise to be found? What would that compromise be? And would one or both of them feel regret for making their choices? While it's hard to make career choices based on a relationship, what's the point of life without those we love to share it with?

Favorite quotes:
-"A girl can only be spit on so many times before she needs a change of scene..."

-"I find it challenging to breathe around you."

-"You are like a song that my heart has been waiting for. I recognized your melody the moment we met."

Ultimately, I give Play for Me 4 Stars. I loved the relationship. I didn't want to put this book down when I had to. I read it as quickly as possible, and if I remember correctly, I even stayed up late one night to finish it. The questions about the outcome pushed me forward just as much as the relationship did, in the best way possible. I did have a few questions about the logistics of Sophie's athletic trainer job, but those were probably best to chalk up to something I shouldn't think too deeply about. Have you read Play for Me? What did you think? Let me know!

When athletic trainer Sophie Doyle loses her job in spectacular fashion and needs to leave Boston in a hurry, she retreats to the anonymity of a position at an arts focused boarding school. One of her roommates is orchestra teacher Jonas Voss who has his own reasons for leaving the spotlight to move to New Hampshire and is not too happy with his new roomie.

This was a quick, light read perfect for summer reading. I enjoyed the dynamic between Sophie and Jonas and seeing them work through their past issues. The story features:
--grumpy /sunshine
--forced proximity
--workplace romance
--closed door
There are several great secondary characters and an epilogue to round out the story. Add it to your summer TBR.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

Play for Me is a delightful read that mergest sports and music to build a symphony that hits it out of the park!

Play for Me is an utter delight. It crosses a sunny sports obsessed trainer with a grumpy classical pianist. And let’s just say they don’t get off on the best of terms. If you love forced proximity enemies to lovers then you need to read Play for Me. This was my first read by Libby Hubscher and I can’t wait to dive into her backlist.

Sophie and Jonas are two characters who I enjoyed spending time with. Play for Me is written from Sophie’s perspective only so we unravel Jonas slowly with Sophie. Both Sophie and Jonas have baggage they are carrying - from parental death to verbal and emotional abuse and failures in their respective careers. I loved watching the two of them fall for each other while helping each other work through their baggage. After all, as adults our lived experience does impact our interactions with others and I love romance stories that highlight that we come into adult relationships carrying our wounds from past traumas - it isn’t up to our partners to fix us but rather to support us as we work on healing ourselves. Sophie and Jonas are a shining example of this.

There’s so much I could gush about the books: the setting (boarding school!), the characters (incredible cast of secondary characters!) and the sexy tension between Sophie and Jonas (just kiss already!) but one of the things that really delighted me was the analysis of similarities and differences between sports athletes and artists. As someone who went to an arts focused highschool I found many of the conversations to ring true - especially musicians and dancers who weren't’ allowed to play sports in case they hurt themselves, for example. I loved the discussion of how artists, like musicians, should treat their bodies the same as athletes, as well as Jonas and Sophies many conversations about students' futures and how to mentor them. I would have loved a Sophie or Jonas at my school when I was a teenager!

Play for Me hits all the right notes.

Thank you to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This ended up being a book that's marketed as a romance but is really more of women's fiction, chick lit, whichever name you prefer to call it. The romance was a minor point in the story focusing on Sophie after she's dealing with the backlash of getting fired from the Red Sox. She moves to a boarding school in New Hampshire where she becomes the trainer for the kids there. She ends up living with 3 guys, which gave me a little bit of New Girl vibes. One of them was the grumpy Jonas who is the music teacher at the school. The book is mostly them saying snarking comments back and forth to each other, which was funny at times, but I struggled with being convinced of their chemistry.

It was a little too quick going from their dislike of each other to admitting they felt something for the other. Jonas was a pretty big jerk at the start to be honest. I would probably feel differently about him if we had his POV, but this was just from Sophie's. Overall it was cute, it just wasn't really a romance in my opinion.

Tropes:
😠 dislike to lovers
👥 forced proximity
⚾️ trainer FMC
🎹 musician MMC

single POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
0/5 spice level 🌶️

Happy Sunday, you crazy kids…

It’s Father’s Day for a select few and I hope y’all celebrated with cold beers and grilled burgers. For those of you who suffer through this holiday as I do, I see you, I feel you. It doesn’t get easier but together, we can support one another.

Since losing my dad suddenly, I use today to remember him, do stuff he would want to do with me (taking the dog out on the boat) and then relaxing with a good ole heart warming romcom…

Enter, Play For Me.

Thank you for the laughs, Libby Hubscher, you truly don’t know how much I needed it.

What did I love?

These characters were incredible, I laughed alongside them the entire time. This was a heartfelt book that hit on all emotions. Not corny, not a “full house” like sitcom but true genuine emotions that really had you all up in your feels.

What I didn’t like..

Gahhh, I’m a Yankee fan so the Red Sox just aren’t for me but hey we can agree to disagree.

Teaser:

When her new job takes her to a New England boarding school, she’s surprised to find her roommates are all men – including a very handsome one who plays by his own rules.

Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she’s forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates.

Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she’s used to. She wasn’t expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own—Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn’t want her near him or the precious piano he never plays.

With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she’s growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps.

This was a new and refreshing romance. It gave a bit of new girl vibes with our main character moving in with 3 male roommates. It is a nonspicy romance for those who prefer no spice. I really enjoyed the first 60 percent of the book. I felt like the tension between the characters was building well and the other plot points were progressing nicely. I did appreciate that there was no third act break-up, however, I did feel that the last bit of the book moved rather slowly.

Sophie is starting over in a place she never expected to be but she's making the best of it- and then she realizes how good it is. She's an athletic trainer who was fired by the Red Sox after she declined to allow one of the stars to play due to injury. Oh and her boyfriend dumped her AND she was arrested. A boarding school for kids in the arts- why not? Room mates with three men? Huh. One of them is Jonas, a brooding piano teacher who (fans of this genre know) has a secret and a big heart. She helps him and he helps her- and then they become, well, more than friends. I liked that Sophie, who had only thought about sports discovered how she could help heal kids (and adults) in the arts and that she worked on healing herself. There's more depth here than I expected, I liked the characters, and the storytelling is good. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.

Read if you like:
⛅️ Grumpy x Sunshine
😤 Enemies to Lovers
🛏️ One Bed Trope
⚾️ Workplace Romances
🏡 Roommates to Lovers
😘 Forced Proximity
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ Rep with side Characters

The side characters were absolutely everything to me in this book! I absolutely adored Sophie’s roommates and how they added so much to the plot!

Sophie after losing her job and then loosing it in a bakery needs a new place to live as the reason she lost her job was tied to her boyfriend and he kicked her out all in that one fell swoop.

I loved all the tropes in this one, but I was expecting steamy goodness after reading Libby’s 2022 release and sadly this one is not steamy, so that was a let down as that’s what I was anticipating.

However, despite the lack of steam, this one was still well written and I loved the journey Sophie and Jonás went on to find their love story and how they both had to address their pasts in order to come together.

Thank you Berkley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Review: I absolutely loved this book! Sophie was a fantastic main character, and I loved reading about her growth throughout the book, and her realizing what her dreams really were. And Jonas!! I loved him. His romance with Sophie, and how their relationship grew throughout the book was really lovely. And my heart broke for him with how his life had been when he was young. I loved Sophie's relationship with her father, and her best friend. Sophie and Jonas' roommates were great. And the ending made me smile so much! Overall, I would highly recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

This was a great read about Sophie who was a trainer for the Red Sox until she has to train at the boarding school and join three male roommates, one who is a handsome orchestra teacher. This was a good read that shows a lot of character development. I have read Hubscher's book, If You Ask Me, in the past which I enjoyed. I really love the storyline that Hubscher creates as it's very entertaining. The pacing was perfect for this book and I loved the setting of the story. There weren't as many cute memorable moments as before but I still enjoyed the story in this book. There are many heartfelt moments and learning experiences that made up for it. This book is only told from Sophie's pov but I wish we also got Jonas as I also love knowing what is going inside the guy's head.

Sophie just lost her job at Red Sox and her boyfriend so she ends up at a boarding school with three men roommates. I loved reading about her trainer journey and seeing how many people she can help be themselves. She's a great character and I loved how sunshine of a person she was. She was very well written and my favorite from this book. Jonas is the main side character in this book and honestly, I thought he was a jerk throughout the book. I can see how he was in love with Sophie but sometimes I hated the comments he made. There were other side characters but my favorite was the gay cinnamon roll roommates who were just perfect for each other. The romance was okay in my opinion for the book as I didn't really love Jonas. There are no steamy scenes but has enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, and forced proximity.

The ending was well done and overall it was a great book. I loved how it was a learning experience for the characters and the relationships they grew like Sophie and her father, Jonas and Sophie's father, etc. It was a cute book and the perfect read for the summer. It's light and calm that you can read it when you want to get away from reality. I recommend checking this one out when you have time.

*this e-arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

A beautifully written romance that shows the possibility of second chances - even though it happens in unexpected ways. The romance is a slow burn.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: death of a parent (past), grief, chronic injury

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-sports adjacent
-roommance
-hard one/soft one
-so much New England nostalgia

I listed to this one on audio and couldn't recommend it more. As a former New Englander this just hit all the right spots. Rooting for the Red Sox, the New Hampshire boarding school. All of the wicked good fun.

Sophie got on the wrong side of all of the Red Sox fans, left without a job. Forced to take a position at a boarding school, her new housing involves living with all boys including a British stoic grump Jonas. They do not get off to a great start and are put in a rivalry with the sports students vs the music students. I love how the drive it takes for both was contrasted, the injuries, how involved and the passion both take is.

Jonas was a great grump, and just so soft on Sophie. Their relationship was a soft lovely burn and I just really enjoyed this one. As Sophie figured out what she wanted out of life, and Jonas rediscovered his own passion. The narrator was amazing at both Sophie's voice and Jonas' British accent. Just a great summer read.

Steam: 1.5

Play for Me is not only humorous and heartwarming, but it also leaves a lasting impression. The characters are charmingly flawed and full of life, making them easy to love and root for throughout the story. Hubscher's writing is both witty and touching, creating a perfect balance of laughter and emotion. Play for Me is a must-read for anyone looking for a delightful and unforgettable literary experience.

Play For Me by Libby Hubscher is a sweet fun romantic standalone novel. We meet Sophie Doyle, our heroine, at the start, when she is fired from her job as head trainer for the Boston Red Sox, after she made the decision to not allow the team’s star pitcher to play due to an injury. The Red Sox lost the World Series, and Sophie, despite her making the correct decision lost her job, as well as her boyfriend. Sophie, with help from her friend, Astrid, accepts a job at a school in New Hampshire, to be their sports therapist/trainer.

When she arrives at the school, the only room opening is an apartment with three guys, Andy, Ravi and Jonas. Sophie is given a room, which is a bit small, but she is satisfied; until Jonas, who is the orchestra teacher, is nasty and tells her not to touch the piano. Andy and Ravi were wonderful, especially since they are a gay couple; they do tell Sophie to ignore Jonas’s behavior.

Jonas, our hero, is totally grumpy with Sophie, but in a short time, she begins to open the walls he has built around him. Sophie learns about his damaged hand, that does not allow him to play the piano, with doctors diagnosing his disability, and his unwilling to discuss it. Sophie is very knowledgeable about all kinds of injuries, and is determined to find a way to fix Jonas’s issue. They begin to work together, with Jonas doing everything Sophie shows him, and soon their relationship fully changes, with Jonas opening up his heart, falling in love with Sophie. The chemistry between them was hot, and I loved them together. It was great to watch Sophie work hard in helping Jonas, as well as a young violinist, who was also an amazing pitcher, with a future in both fields.

Play For Me was a wonderful enemy to lovers’ story, with a wonderful couple, fun secondary characters. Sophie was a fantastic heroine, who was always sweet, friendly, competitive, determined, and good at what she does. The banter between Sophie and Jonas was great, especially once their feelings escalated. Play for Me was a fun romantic story, so very well written by Libby Hubscher. I fully recommend the you read this book

I really loved this grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity romance. I quickly connected to both Sophie and Jonas. Though, It took me awhile to invest in their romance because of how much of a grumpy jerk Jonas was, but once I did I was really rooting for their HEA!

The setting was perfect with the forced proximity of the boarding school. All the references to the gourmet meals they ate made me hungry. I enjoyed the side characters in this story too. Revi and Andy were such fun roommates. Astrid was a great addition to the story too.

Oh that ending, it was perfect. Even got me a little teary eyed.

This was my first Libby Hubscher romance, but it definitely won’t be my last. I look forward to diving into her backlist.

I have seen mixed love for this novel and I gotta say I'm fully in team like for this one.

Sophie made a call and was kicked from her spot on the baseball team that she works for. She needs income though!

Her BFF tells encourages her to join an elite prep school to be their sports manager. When she gets there though there is only a small bedroom available in an apartment with three men. One of which, is very hot, but grumpy!

Jonas is that grump and he is magnetic!

Sophie navigates many trials throughout this story and each obstacle brings her closer to finally being free of so much that holds her down.

Also, the grump may have reasoning for his constant foul mood!

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one in advance! I liked it a lot and have thought of it a few times since completing it.

Do I love reading about a slow-burn romance book with a grumpy sunshine trope in the mix? Yes, I do. I will devour this romance book in one sitting, as I did with Play for Me by Libby Hubscher. You can’t expect me not to.

Let’s get into why you should read this slow-burning, grumpy sunshine romance book!

First, it’s a slow-burn romance story. Who doesn’t love reading about two characters slowly falling in love with each other with stolen glances and highly anticipated tension between them? I know that I do. That’s what makes the romance so much better to read.

Second, it’s also a grumpy sunshine romance story. I’m sorry, but grumpy sunshine tropes are the top tier in romance books. Who doesn’t love to read about a grumpy character falling in love with a sunshine character? And they only cater to the sunshine character and no one else? That makes the romance so juicy and entertaining to read.

Third, we love an underdog coming back on top. Sophie was heavily disappointed when she relied on her instinct, which cost her dream job, but it gave her the opportunity to figure out what she truly loves. She has always been a champion for her people's health, no matter what. And she will take players off the field if they aren’t fit. But you know that management doesn’t appreciate losing when they could have made money despite the players health.

Fourth, I love the chemistry between the two characters, Sophie and Jonas, with each other. They truly don’t get along with each other; well, it’s more of Jonas being his grumpy self with Sophie. Anyway, their interactions are so entertaining to read. You can see how much Jonas wants her, but he refuses to express himself because he really doesn’t know how to. It doesn’t stop him from being grumpy with Sophie, helping her when needed, or being there for her no matter what.

All of these reasons should convince you to pick this book up immediately. Don’t expect spicy scenes in this romance book. It’s more closed scenes between Sophie and Jonas.

This book follows Sophie Doyle after she seemingly loses everything all at once. Thanks to the help of a friend, she finds herself as a teacher at the boarding school, with 3 roommates, 3 male roommates. Jonas is one of those roommates and comes off as a total grump upon their first meeting.

I really enjoyed the banter between Sophie and Jonas. I loved how much Sophie genuinely cared about people and wanted to help them. I really enjoyed how the story played out with character development from both of them. Parts of this were giving me Kulti vibes (iykyk), and I just loved how the story ended.

The book had my emotions all over the place and was worth the wild ride.

Melli’s Book Breakdown
🤍Enemies to Lovers
🤍Grumpy/Sunshine
🤍Slow Burn
🤍Workplace Romance
🤍LBGTQ Rep (secondary characters)

I read this book as part of a tour/buddy read. It was just okay for me. It wasn’t bad, I just didn’t feel that it stood out, it seemed very “average”

I love a Boston area romance, but this one really just didn't hold my attention (which honestly might be my own stuff going on right now). I will say that I generally prefer a love interest whose reaction to falling head over heels isn't to be obnoxious, but I really liked Sophie's dad as a character and the whole nursing home crew and I thought Sophie's journey to discovering her passion was really interesting and felt realistic.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.