This was cute! It was filled with classic romance tropes, also an easy and quick sport romance. I didn’t love the main characters but it was still a good book overall.

overall an entertaining read
fell in love with sports romance a while ago and this one did not miss

Overall I had a good time reading this book, it was a cute easy read that I finished fairly quickly. I was under the impression this was a sports romance, but besides Cam being a football player we don’t actually get any football content. Cam had his issues that he had to work through and Maddie was there for him through it all which was nice to see, but with the short time frame it all just felt a little unrealistic. Cam had major red flags and Maddie had no personality besides being into Cam. I also would have enjoyed if there was an epilogue so we could get a little more insight on how their relationship worked out in the future.

This was a super cute rom com read. After reading the book and seeing the characters descriptions, the cover is a wonderful representation of what I envisioned Maddie and Cam to look like. While it’s too spicy for me to put in my middle school classroom, I thoroughly enjoyed watching their relationship develop from awkward ex friends enemies to lovers type situation.Cam had some emotional trauma that he had to work through and Maddie example is needed to help those around you heal.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a great book. Such a quick and easy read. I enjoyed this book. All of the characters are great. Also great story and awesome writing style.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the ARC of “Playmaker” by Deanna Faison.

I like a good college romance novel and when I saw the cover and read the description, I thought I was getting a sports romance novel. Unfortunately, aside from the fact that the MMC Cam is a football player, there is no mention of sports (aside from when he goes to work out or goes on a run).

This story follows the classic trope of childhood friends-to-lovers and the brother’s best friend. Given that they grew up together, I can understand how quickly they end up falling in love with one another. However, I did find the timeline for this story a bit absurdly tight. It’s supposed to take place over a few weeks on spring break and the sheer volume of outings and activities that take place over this time period seems implausible.

I feel like the flashbacks that were written into the story did a nice job of adding a bit of backstory to the characters and their motivations, but I would have liked to see a bit more of these sooner.

There are major flaws with both characters - <spoiler> it’s clear that Cameron really needs to go to therapy. The fact that he hasn’t spoken to a therapist after his mother died and he’s using alcohol and sex as coping mechanisms are major red flags. Maddie is also not without her faults - she is delusional when it comes to Cam and refuses to acknowledge any of the glaring red flags he’s giving off. She also needs therapy if she’s truly as “breathtaking” as Cam consistently claims she is and yet she doesn’t seem to have any real life aside from pining over him. She definitely gives off low-key stalker girl vibes with Cam. </spoiler>

Overall, it was a cute story and it had some good points, and if you’re looking for a bit of fun, you can give it a read. If you’re into sports college romances, however, I definitely would suggest looking for another book, because this one isn’t it.

Holy passion & a little swoon can be found in Deanna Faison's debut book Playmaker. Maddie & Cameron have been friends for years, but through grief, they lost each other until the time was right for them to reconnect & then the fun began. Red flags & baggage were all over their relationship, but their love for each other was strong & communication became key to working through their issues.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book on #NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own, but please add this to your TBR list, especially if you enjoy reading romances with a little heat .

3.5 stars

The book was light and overall fluffy, and the hint of football makes it feel like a solid fall read even though it takes place during the spring. The leads were enjoyable and the side characters we are introduced to were more fleshed out than typical, but I just didn't find myself connecting to the romance. In the end they were all too emotionally mature at extremely young ages while also having a real commutation issue which lasted years despite basically living together.

Lastly I wish an epilogue was included so we could get glimpse of the future: Did she make it into med school? Was he drafted?

Thank you Deanna Faison, Net Galley, and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for the ARC.

This was such a cute story. I’m a sucker for a childhood friends to lovers story, and this one didn’t disappoint. I love seeing them grow and change. The relationship between Cameron and Maddie made me happy. I wish we got a little more flashbacks, as they add to the story. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a feel good story.

The Playmaker is a cute, entertaining romance novel that I deem would be best for young adults.

The plot is cute in that the love between Cameron & Maddie stem from childhood. Their childhood stories is super cute, especially the popsicle 🥰.

I will say, the plot is unoriginal & something I’ve read over & over again & it was very repetitive. However, I did enjoy seeing the development of the characters. How they basically grew up & needed to learn to be strong & capable adults.

✨Thank you to Netgalley, Wattpad & of course the author, Deanna Faison for the ARC! ✨

This a new to me author that discovered on netgalley. This story is brother best friends trope that’s as the fmc hating him due to how he treated her in her in high school. She is a book worm all but her studies while his on his wall to become the nest NFL star higher is party player. The premise of the story is the three of plus her best friend spending spring break together since they go to different schools. This story wasn’t my favorite the boys treated her in the beginning suck. Maddie decided to change and was to have a fun spring break but of course Cameron has to be the to protect and be the to show how it done . I’ve reads many stories with the same concept this one good but didn’t keep engage enough

this is a simple and enjoyable college sports romance! it felt like a grown up version of the summer i turned pretty. it is not anything revolutionary or special but i read it in a day so do with that what you will.

you might enjoy this if you like:
- college sports romance
- dual pov
- childhood friends (and brother’s best friend)
- open door spice

The Playmaker was a fun book! It was a little spicier than I feel like I’m used to and felt like a lot of the book focused on their physical relationship. However, I enjoyed Maddie and Cameron’s story, how their relationship came together, and especially how Cameron grew as a person throughout. I felt there could’ve been more character growth to Maddie’s story, and the ending felt a little rushed.

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

It was simply adorable. The story catches your heart and the humor makes you smile as you read. It was quite enjoyed, a brothers best friend with sports.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

Steamy and cute. However the storyline was not very original. I did enjoy the character growth in Mads and Cam. The writing was also well done. I'd continue the series.

💖 Sports Romance
💖Best Friend’s Little Sister
💖Childhood Friends

Playmaker shares a story of Maddie who got a crush on Cameron since she was young. Cameron happened to be her brother’s best friend. Maddie is home for Spring Break, something happened between them and they decided to take a chance and explore their feelings.

Well, this book was adorable. It got me smiling and giggling through the book. I had a good feeling since I first started and thankfully it didn’t disappoints me. I’m hooked with the story, writing and the characters. I’m rooting for both Maddie and Cameron. Their chemistry was amazing. It was easy to read and I really love Maddie and Cameron.

Brother’s best friend x sport romance, I couldn’t say no to them. Though I wish for more background from their childhood to make me understand more about their story.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for giving me this book to review for my honest opinion.

I LOVE football and this book was amazing! The characters, brothers best friend, all of it was a 10/10!!

I'm such a sucker for these sports romances, and this one was so cute (I also love the coverart and want it to live on my shelf). NFL, big brother's best friend, spring break, it's got all the best ingredients. It was originally a webnovel "My Brother's Best Friend" but has received some editing and updates. Oh and the spice!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Perfect book for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty without the love triangle, but with all the spice of your brother’s best friend.
This is not a “what in the Watypad?”, but MMC Cameron needs therapy.

I thought this would a sports romance, especially based on the cover, but it’s a friends - strangers - lovers story between FMC Maddie, and her brother’s best friend, Cameron during a two week spring break.

Overall, cute story. Could see this being a 90s/00s coming of age movie.

What kept this from being a 5 star read for me:
- V!rgin FMC who has magical natural skills
- Absent father with the purse strings
- Being a first round NFL draft but no scholarship??
- MMC needed therapy following his moms passing and his behavior and outlet was 🤢
- A “third act” breakup at 94%?!

TW: mother dying of cancer.

Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.