I enjoyed this book, it was easy to follow an the main characters were easy to love. Sports romances are one of my favorites, so I was excited to get to read this just wish it had a little more of the sport. Overall it was a fun read.

3.5 stars for this lighthearted and sweet story!

Miri Forster is the best striker Gabe Rivers has ever seen- he wants her for his team (and for himself) and is willing to do anything to make that happen! The two are drawn together like magnets and despite some challenges, the two finally allow themselves to be drawn together!

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, quick read with cute moments, some sizzling chemistry, and some fun English soccer (football I guess) vibes, this is the book for you!

Thank you so much to Sasha Lace and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book, it was easy to follow an the main characters were easy to love. Sports romances are one of my favorites, so I was excited to get to read this just wish it had a little more of the sport. Overall it was a fun read.

Need a quick romance read? This book is for you! I adored the main characters, and their development. I wish there was more aspect of the sports side though!

This was my first sports romance book, so I don’t have much to compare it to. Things I loved: forbidden, spicy, romance, and the authors humor. Things I didn’t love: Gabe. If you’re into lusty sports stories, this one might be for you. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my opinion.

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨ Feel good romance, age gap (slighting🤣), stripper , woman football.



✨ First few chapters are quite sloweburn,
Miri as the heroine in this story with so much debt looking after her mum and taking the risk to accept a stripping option. On the other side she is one of the best striker for a football team and Gab wants him.
But what happens when he found out that she did strip for sometime? Will Gab forgive Miri? Would they be together?


✨ story was slow burn. Not a fan of slow burn but this one is making an exception.
The ending was all of a sudden, I want more details🤣 but yes it was a lovely story. I gave a smile at the end for a lovely story.

🌶️🌶️🌶️


✨ Thankyou for the opportunity to read this arc for a honest review.


❤️shaye.reads

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!