Thank you NetGalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, and Deanna Faison for the early access copy of Playmaker.

Playmaker is a college football, brother's best friend, spicy romance written in a dual point-of-view. It follows Maddie and Cameron as they both return home during their spring break. After years of avoiding interacting Maddie and Cameron make a truce to be friends again. The truce sparks underline tension that has built since the two were younger. Maddie having been hurt in the past by Cameron after he experiences emotional trauma, is cautious, but when the two start an affair that is hidden from everyone, the two need to figure out if they can work things out.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
DNF 51%
2 stars

This book isn't bad. It's just also not good. I found that it was really easy to read, which is why I managed to get 51% in despite never super enjoying the book.

I could say this is a very enjoyable brain-off read if you enjoy high-spicy college sports romance. It was too brain-off for me, so I just found myself cringing at so many things. From Maddie constantly being called a bore for simply not being a partying extrovert to Cam using sex as therapy and people just rolling with it. Maybe he gets called out for it later, but there's not really been any address to it except Cam keeping himself away from Maddie. Their relationship is also meh, with it relying purely on being *told* they have history where they fell in love. We never really see it. All of this makes it even harder to buy that Maddie would accept "exploring" with him when she supposedly has a good head on her shoulders.

I'm not judging anyone who likes this, so if these things sound like stuff you'd enjoy even if I don't, feel free to check it out for yourself.

Cameron's a hot NFL prospect, and a total player on and off the field. But his moves don't seem to work on Maddie. While she once crushed on him hard, that crush has since faded. She’s got big plans of her own and they don’t include him. Then Spring Break turns their plans, and their feelings, upside down. Maddie and Cameron start a steamy affair, sneaking around behind their families’ backs. But there's one big problem: Maddie’s WAY overprotective brother–who happens to be Cameron’s BFF. Will Cam be able to admit he's got real feelings? Will Maddie ever be able to stand up to her brother and make her own decisions?

This book was adorable, while also having a good amount of spice to it. I really liked Maddie and Cameron. This book was a blast to read and I look forward reading what Deanna Faison writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a VERY spicy book and I was so here for it, it's pure smutty goodness!! That's not to say the story wasn't good, I was super invested in Maddie and her brother's best friend, Cameron! Of course they have both loved each other forever but due to some trauma in Cameron's past he pushed her away and was a total dick after. But now the timing might just be right! I loved the bonds in this book, from the romantic to platonic and familial, it really showed the power of leaning on those you love. My only gripe would be some of it was very repetitive, like the amount of times Cameron was like I can't do anything with Maddie she's my best friends sister, he'd be so upset, etc. like we got it man! Other than that though I absolutely loved every piece of this book!

i LOVED this one so much - the characters, the TENSION, the flow of the writing was so easy to keep up with, there wasn’t any cliche third quarter endings and it was so entertaining to read!

Thanks for the opportunity to read this. I’m rounding it up for a 4 but it’s more like a 3.5 for me. Didnt love the tropes but the author still did a nice job!

🏈 Dual POV
🏈 Brother’s best friend
🏈 Reformed bad boy
🏈 Virgin
🏈 Third act breakup

The cover of the book makes it seem like a sports romance but it all occurs while he is in spring break. Besides an occasional workout and call from his dad to make sure he is training and eating right so he can make it into the NFL there is not a sports aspect to it. It felt like there was most smut than plot so I do wish there were more conversations that helped build the relationship.

Maddie and Cameron have known each other since childhood and Maddie always had a crush on him. Now they are home from college for spring break and they end up together. Cameron is the best friend of Maddie’s brother so they keep their relationship secret. There is a lot going on in Cameron’s life and he has a lot of inner demons so doesn’t do relationships but it feels different with Maddie. Both of these characters really mature during the book and it was interesting to go along on their journey. The pacing was good and the characters had great chemistry. I really enjoyed this romance story and will look for more from this author.

3.5 stars

Playmaker is a contemporary sports romance, with brother’s best friend trope. This book follows the dual perspective of Maddie and Cameron. Maddie was definitely hard to love at first she came across snobbish and judgemental. I did like how she was dedicated to her studies and working hard but was a little over the top at times. She did grow on me and loosen up a bit. Cameron was typically full of himself, a ladies man heading to the big leagues, which again was a little over the top. The story, pace and writing did smooth out the second half and I had an enjoyable time reading this romance in the second half. There was miscommunication and sneaking around, the ending was a bit predictable, but it was just a light enjoyable read for the most part so if that is what you're looking for check this book out.
I received an advance ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

TROPES
🍕 Brother’s Best Friend
🍕 Sports Romance
🍕 Friends to Lovers
🍕 Dual POV

Anyone that knows me knows I’m not a fan of football and sports romances can be a struggle for me. I love that in this one it wasn’t a rinse and repeat of us watching the MMC’s football games at school and the focus is more on how the sport has impacted the MMC Cameron’s life rather than just watching him play. It was an awesome balance of why the sport has controlled so much of his life without all that exposition coming out through an important game.

I love that this whole story takes place over spring break. It is the perfect excuse to force two people back together and cause tension while also giving them the time to explore it. Cameron and Maddie attend different universities, and it was nice that rather than see things play out across a screen or from afar, they were squashed back together during spring break just like they always are.

There were a lot more chapters from Cameron’s POV than I was expecting, which was great. I feel like, even in dual POV stories, the time is still spent more with the FMC. I’m a fan of getting to be in both heads equally, and I love that when we are in this story, it is usually for more than a single chapter at a time. Often it was two or three chapters before a POV switch, so I felt like I really got to know the characters and their thoughts throughout the book.

And, I love Maddie and Cameron’s dynamic. While it takes them a minute to find their groove again, their love and appreciation for each other is clear.

I couldn’t put this book down! My favorite tropes in one super cute story! I absolutely loved Cameron and Maddie. I especially liked the flashbacks to their younger years. The spice was perfect and not too much and I just completely fell in love with Deanna’s writing. I can’t wait to read more from her!

If I was lucky enough to have a brother, I would want his best friend to be Cameron so I could crush on him just like my girl Maddie! This is the type of book I crave and will never stop loving! Cameron and Maddie are the perfect mix of sweet and spice! Deanna Faison hooks you from the very beginning with the forbidden brother's best friend trope and keeps you engaged with the heart of the story.

Maddie and Cameron have known each other since they were kids. When they were teens, Maddie thought he too shared feelings for her but when he shut that down, their friendship came to a halt. That made things awkward over the years since he is her brother's best friend. Flash forward to spring break a few years later and the chemistry is back at the forefront. Can these two with a tortured past stick to their friends-with-benefits affair or will they admit their true feelings?

I loved getting the dual POVs from the present and past. I got to see Cameron and Maddie through the years and I enjoyed getting to see their friendship before and after tragedy struck Cameron and his family. I loved how sweet and caring Cameron is with Maddie. Yes, he is a star athlete and playboy, but he is willing to try for her. And my girl Maddie is the best. I feel like a best friend cheering for her to get her man!

It's a great romance to read during this time of year!

Playmaker by Deanna Faison

This was such a fun, quick, steamy, sports romcom! This had it all, and more and I gobbled it up in 2 days. Not only was it cute, but it was spicy with a side of heartfelt (a really great combo!) The Audiobook just came out too so double bonus! I have been deep in Fantasy and Dark Romance books and when I picked this up, it was such a breath of fresh air.

If you love:

🏈Sports Romance
👯‍♂️Brothers Best Friend
💞Second Chance
🎀Virgin FMC
💋Good Girl vs Playboy Athlete
😈Possessive MMC
💧Troubled Past
☀️Spring Break Romance
📚College Romance

I highly recommend you give this one a read!

#playmaker #netgalley #netgalleyreads #bookreview #deannafaison #sportsromancebooks #brothersbestfriend #secondchance #booklover #bookaddict #honestreview #bookrecommendations #kindle #ebook #audiobooksofinstagram

If you like brother's best friend, football player MMC, main characters in college and lots of spice, Playmaker is the book for you! Cam may start out as such a player, but I enjoyed watching him fall for Maddie and becoming a one woman man!

I really wanted to enjoy this one as the cover is super cute and I like sports romances. However with that said I feel the book needed more substance, and the characters needed more development.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this a 2.5 stars

This was an entertaining, dual POV, forbidden, older brother's best friend college sports romance that takes place over spring break and has lots of spice but an equal amount of emotional depth. Cameron is grieving the death of his mother and trying to pursue the NFL dreams she had for him, while also resisting his attraction to his best friend's little sister, Maddie. Things heat up over spring break and the two give in to the long time desire they've had. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Grace Reilly or Rebecca Jenshak. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was so good! It was like someone took The Summer I Turned Pretty and spiced it up, which is a very high compliment from me!

What I liked:
1. I go feral for brothers best friend, childhood friends to lovers, enemies to lovers and this had all 3!

2. The introduction to the characters was very well done. We start the scene at a party held at Maddie’s parents house while her and her brother are on spring break (she of course is not partying, but studying). We get to see her interact with Cameron, her brother’s bff and we get a great feel for their relationship. We also get enough background details in the first couple chapters to really understand the dynamics between everyone, her brother and her best friend included. It’s not an info dump but we definitely get all the key info soon and smoothly.

3. All the childhood flashbacks to when they were just kids running around town on their bikes, almost first kisses, and just being friends are so great! I love seeing the “dorky” side of Cameron through these and how the two developed feelings for each other when their lives were much simpler.

4. Oh good lord, the spice in this thing was so good!!! The intimate scenes were varied and frequent enough to keep this smut slut happy 😊

5. The vibe was just perfect. The timing of their relationship, their backstory, their baggage, their falling in love, it was all so great. The pace was probably what drove this because it didn’t lag at any point, nor did I feel it was rushing too fast.

Overall, this was such a great, spicy read and I can’t wait for Ethan and Maya’s book next!

Thank you to Wattpad Books and Deanna Faison for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

The highlights: brother’s best friend, childhood friends, dual POV, college aged, spicy.

The tension at the beginning of the book was sooo good, as was the spice. Then Cam dropped his flirty player vibe as soon as they hooked up. Tension, gone.

Deanna can write spice scenes though. Like, damnnnn. If you like Elle Kennedy and Tessa Bailey, this is like a mix them.

The first half was easily five stars. After the 60% mark it kind of dropped off for me. Maddie became insecure and whiny.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

4.5/5 stars
This book follows a young woman who’s focused on her studies and is in love with her brother’s best friend but after he broke her heart, she stayed away from him. I love a cute romance novel and this was just that. The story was well written and I was instantly hooked in the beginning. The pacing was great and there were different conflicts along with some very cute scenes to keep you entertained. This book is told from dual povs of both Maddie and Cameron.

Maddie’s focuses on her studies more and perfers not to go out. She has had a crush on Cameron for a while but he missed everything up. I really liked her character and seeing her commited to her goals. Then we have Cameron who is the football player and knows he broke Maddie’s heart which he wants to fix but also doesn’t want to lose his friend. I would say that he focuses more on himself then others but he also has dealt with his mother’s death and his father is rarely in this picture which made his character develop later. There are many other characters in this book and I wish we got a book 2 for Maddie’s brother and best friend. The romance is friends with benefits, brother’s best friend, and childhood friends to lovers with a some steamy scenes.

The ending was well done and this was a greatly written book. I really enjoyed the story. There will also be a book 2 so I’m excited to see who that book will be about. I do have to say that I went into this book thinking it was a sports romance but sports in not involved in this book as much so I would label it as contemporary romance. I recommend checking this one out!

*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

The book has a lighthearted, romantic, and enjoyable spring break feel throughout. Maddie and Cameron grew up together. These two clicked right away, and as I read on, I too thought it was great to watch these two develop together. As the story went on, their views on relationships and one another changed. Because of the dual point of view, the reader can completely immerse themselves in the characters' current emotions. The romance was nice and hot, and I thought the story was entertaining.

Thank you to Deanna Faison, NetGalley, and Wattpad WEBTOON for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.