I love sports romance, specially when they are well build, I really liked the story I think the author made a wonderful job in building this characters. I liked the reverse situation where she is the one who plays sports, I did enjoyed that because is not the cliché, anyway, the author did a good ob and I'm not disappointed

This was my first sports romance and I absolutely loved it. Gabe and Miri are fantastic together and they both play hard to get however they are both looking for the happy ever after. Even through scheming and people being against them splashing everything all of the press they manage to miscommunicate. This make the intensifies their relationship and they end together and I love it all.

This was a light and enjoyable romance with a charming premise and likable characters. The author creates an easy-to-follow storyline with moments of humor and chemistry. However, the plot feels predictable at times, and the emotional depth could have been stronger. While it doesn’t break new ground, it’s a fun read for fans of straightforward, feel-good romances. It wasn't my favorite but I had a great time reading it.

This book was a very enjoyable read. I read it in a few sittings and was hooked after just a short time reading. The story was well paced and the characters were well developed.

Playing the Game is the first novel in the Playing the Field series by Sasha Lace. This was my first book by this author.
Miri is an aspiring professional footballer player. Juggling her sick mother and pressure building after falling into debt she is more desperate than ever for something to change.
Gabe Rivers doesn’t have a fantastic reputation. After the death of his father and being blamed for it, the press is attacking him even more for his womanising ways. Desperate to be taken seriously as the heir to the Calverdale empire, Gabe agrees to take over and revamp the ladies team and his first mission is recruiting Miri, and not only as striker for the women’s team.
This was a fun, short and spicy read. I found Gabe’s pursuit of Miri at the beginning to be slightly too incessant and pushy but their chemistry eventually appeared more mutual. There were some more serious undertones throughout the book which Sasha Lace handled nicely.
I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series but I definitely did not dislike this book.
Thanks for the eARC!

Miri is an incredible soccer player, hindered by an old enemy and the fact that she's a woman in woman's sports. Gabe Rivers is a playboy who has been waiting years to inherit his father's soccer club, but after his tenuous reputation has been made even worse by accusations that he killed his father, he's been put in charge of the struggling women's team his family also owns. His first step to making it great? Getting the greatest striker he can find...without also getting her in bed.
Miri is like a wet paper towel. Maybe even less substantial than that. Gabe is wildly unlikeable and a spoiled man child. Also, the strip club meeting was ridiculous and felt so beyond contrived.

Miri

I’ve always dreamed of playing professional football, so when the new director of Calverdale Ladies wants to sign me, I should be ecstatic. But renowned billionaire playboy Gabe Rivers doesn’t just want me as his new striker…

I need to get to the top because of my talent on the pitch, not in the sack. So I can’t be another prize for Gabe. Even if he is infuriatingly gorgeous.

Gabe

Do I care that the press have decided I’m a heartless womanizer? Not one bit. I’ve never given up anything I want, and that includes Miri Forster.

She’s the most talented player I’ve ever seen, and sexy as hell. I know I can get her out of my system—I just need one night. And I don’t care what it costs me…

When it comes to playing the game, her billionaire boss might be out of Miri’s league, but it’s Gabe that’ll find himself out of his depth…
Loved it. Will recommend to others.

Fun and spicy with a twist of football. Loved it! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Again super freaking obsessed. Devoured every page. I love these characters and setting so much. I need more instantly

Thank you Montlake and Sasha for an e-arc!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

🩷 sports romance
🩷 billionaire mmc
🩷 athlete fmc

This is the first book I've read by Sasha, and it definitely won’t be my last!

Gabe is a billionaire with a mission to carry on his father’s legacy. Used to getting what he wants, he sets his sights on Miri, a talented soccer player juggling her career while caring for her ill mother.

I absolutely loved this book! The writing was engaging, and the drama and tension kept me hooked. It was refreshing to see the FMC as an athlete. Miri spent so much time taking care of others, and it was so rewarding to see someone finally taking care of her!

I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

I’m about to spam yall with this series - spoilers - it was GREAT.

This is the first in a series of standalone books and I felt like it was an amazing start. The author did an amazing job at introducing us into this new world. We learn about the woman’s soccer league that the series is surrounded by and get an immediate intro to the two MCs. Since the books are shorter, I do love the pacing throughout the series. Everything is pretty quick as far as how the plot is stretched out but we still get lots of detail shoved in.

I loved Gabe. He was so extra, demanding, and desperate. This man did not understand his own emotions and was completely obsessed with Miri from the start. I’m so happy that he pops up throughout the series because he’s my favorite character (I think, don’t quote me) and I loved him with all my heart. Yes, he was stupid at times, but overall, he was simply amazing. He was willing to do anything for his girl and he kept his promises.

Miri was simply great honestly. She had a lot of difficulties in her life but stayed positive and I really respected that. Not once did she choose money over her morals or values and that really spoke of her character. Miri was extremely loyal and seemed to have a natural talent for the sport. The way she interacted with Gabe was simply perfect. The banter between the two of them was hilarious and I was so happy when they got there happily ever after.

The only reason this was not a 5-star for me: I absolutely HATED the ending. I didn't like how she worked so hard to make the team and in the end, she just ends up pregnant. That always ruins a book for me, when a strong and independent woman ultimately ends up as a baby maker. That's a personal thing for me, but if you don't mind, you'll love the entire book!

3.5⭐
Steamy romance between a struggling footballer and the billionaire teamer director. Beset by financial concerns from healthcare for her mom, Miri borrows money from a loanshark that forces her into some unpleasant situations. If you're coming for the steam, you won't be disappointed. However characters and plot points were a little under developed. Decent read, just not great.

A sports romance meets workplace romance meets billionaire romance. This one was spicier than I expected simply because Gabe has a filthy mouth lol. I binged this in one workday because the audio was good.

This book was so good! Sasha is an amazing writer. I don't usually really care for sports romance but I could not put it down! The way she makes you fall in love with the characters is just amazing!

Playing the Game was an absolute delight from start to finish! I loved seeing a female football player in the spotlight—it was such a refreshing twist, and Miri’s character brought a lot of depth and heart to the story. Her strength and determination made her instantly likable, and I found myself rooting for her the whole way. Gabe was charming and persistent in his pursuit, and while he could be a bit headstrong, their chemistry was undeniable and kept me hooked.

Sasha Lace's book Playing the game was a perfect blend of romance, humor and drama. The pacing was spot-on, Making it an easy it easy to read, There was the sizzling tension between the characters. Even the third-act breakup, while not my favorite trope, was well-executed and added a layer of realism to their relationship.

Overall, Playing the Game was outstanding. Thank you to netgalley for letting me find Sasha Lace. It was my first book from this author, I can't wait to read book 2! If you’re a fan of sports romance with amazing characters and and a storyline that makes you wanting "read just one more chapter.

Firstly, a huge thank you to Montlake, Netgalley and Sasha Lace for allowing me access to this ARC. I rated this a 3/5 because I felt the storyline lacked a bit of depth and I was wanting more.

We have a billionaire x sports romance on our hands and I love them. They're one of my favourite tropes to read. However, I felt this read quite rushed and that we skimmed over a lot of things that were happening throughout the book. I felt Gabe was quite immature and pushy at times so it made me feel a little uncomfortable. I also felt that the position Mari held wasn't spoke about a lot after the fact and I wanted more into how it was so hard for her and a bit more of why she was in the position she was.

I wanted more of the sports element throughout the book, we only had a few times where we the pitch was noted but not really much to do with the game; the wins; the players etc.

I enjoyed it I just felt like there could have been way more added to it to make it EVEN better!

Playing the Game by Sasha Lace was a fun and quick read!
This sports romance series is going to be fire!
This book was so damn good! It was everything I could have wanted.

Given it’s a “sports romance” I was hoping for a little more focus on sports. However, it was a quick, fun read!

I liked the reformed party boy and pro-athlete approach, especially with the FMC being the athlete; it was a nice change.

I wish we had gotten a little more into some aspects of the story, like a more into the strip club portion, that was very quick and I would have loved to see that "conflict" continue a little longer. Same with the drama with Emma towards the end. It would have added some more depth to the story, but was fine without it.

4 Stars!

First I want to say thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC!

Miri is an athlete but is struggling to balance her ambition with taking care of her mother who is very ill. Gabe is a rich, spoiled boy who always gets what he wants, except Miri. lol

This was a fun romance with spice! I really enjoyed and am so excited to read the next book.

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy of Playing The Game.

Miri has always dreamed of playing professional football and when she hears the new director of the team wants to sign her she is over the moon. Then she meets the new director Gabe who is a rich playboy she is hesitant he will actually stick around to help the team. Gabe has his eyes set on Miri and wants more than just a professional relationship. They both have scars from there past and are unsure if they can trust one another.

This is the first book in this series. This was a tough read. I felt like the plot and storyline was a little bit far fetched. It was hard to connect with the characters and it was just not my favorite read.