I am so glad i got to read this as ab arc from net galley. I read the entire series and overall the series is a 4 star for me. I definitely enjoyed this book. The romance was perfect, i loved both of the main characters and i loved how it dealt with so many different problems that celebrities and women face in their life. The reasons that it wasn't a five star read its because it didn't give me that feeling and i there were some small cringe moments.

2ish stars for most, but that epilogue is awful so Im droppping it down to 1. Most of this didn't work for me.

Gabe is a bad hero and not in a good bad boy kind of way. He's used to getting what he wants, demanding, doesn't listen or communicate. He's a spoilt child and that's just not sexy. Yes he had a rough time family wise but he also never had to care about consequences for any of his actions. No accountability.

Miri had potential but she was so dumb. Taking a loan from a drug dealing family and not expecting any kind of consequences when you dont pay on time is just pure stupidity.

Its supposedly a sports romance but there wasn't much time spent on the field. A short scene or two and that was it. Mostly it was just for Gabe to drool over Miri in her shorts and bra too. I expected more than just continuously being told she is the best and he used to play.

The issues for the relationship were never really dealt with. There's the want to keep it professional that lasts all of 10 seconds and how this is such a big deal but nothing comes of it. Their whole relationship was a rushed, lust filled mess. And the sex scenes weren't even good.

I appreciated how the misogyny was dealt with. There are huge discrepancies between women's and men's sports. Plus the way woman can have their careers destroyed by men in power over them was done well here.

This was my first book by the author and I dont intend to read another. Not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This was such a good book. I really enjoyed it. More than I thought I would. I loved the writing style. This book had me hooked from page one. This is a first for me by this author but will not be my last!!

I absolutely ate this book up in the space of 24 hours, it was everything I want from a sports romance and I loved how the roles were reserved. Miri and Gabe were a delight to read about, I loved the complexity that came from both of their stories and how all of that brought them together. I loved Miri's family and the dynamic they have going between them. I had such a fun time with this book and I can't wait to eat the rest of this series up, four books just doesn't seem like enough!

Slow at times but overall an entertaining romance story. I liked the combination of sports, work, and love. I think Lace did a good job developing the story and characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a fun, spicy sports romance series! Loved the interconnected characters and how they had real problems, but it was still an escape read.

If you are looking for a great sports romance this book is for you! The romance was perfect and so cute!

Just over a year ago, I read this book for the first time and fell in love with a debut author. Getting to read it again, with the same story but some new scenes, had me falling in love with this story and these characters all over again. Funny, heartwarming, heart breaking, and all kinds of swoony sexy, this book plays with all your feels.

- sports romance
- woman athlete
- billionaire mmc

Miri is a football (soccer in my country) player who has a lot on her plate - including taking care of an ill mother and sharing responsibilities with her siblings to take care of her. Gabe is a cocky, spoiled billionaire who is trying to prove that he can take over his dad's legacy. He gets what he wants. And he decides that he wants Miri on his team.

I enjoyed this book SO much. The writing, the pacing, the dramatics of it all. I finished it in one sitting. I loved that it was a sports romance with the woman as the athlete, it was a fun dynamic. Gabe was a little shit at times but I think it added a lot to his character (plus, who can really blame him for the things he's gone through?) Miri, though naive at times, really had the best intentions and it was heartwarming to see someone taking care of her after she seems to be taking care of everyone else.

I can't wait to continue this series!

"𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚔𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚜𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚢, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛."

Never thought I'd enjoy this story so much, but I did. Read in one sitting, it was addictive, full of feeling, tension, humor and sweetness.

I loved Gabe and the fact that he's not the man everyone describes as a rich, heartless womanizer allergic to any kind of commitment. I loved the more damaged and insecure, funny man who fiercely defends and protects those he loves, watching him break free from toxic chains and fully be who he wants to be.

I really liked Miri. Discovering her dreams and aspirations kept in the background, her fears and insecurities, protecting her heart from being damaged again, her family as crazy as they are close, her determination and sense of sacrifice, putting blood, sweat and tears into protecting her family.

I loved the fact the series focused on women's football, reading about its recognition, the differences in treatment, the sexist and sexualized attitudes women face in this world, the inequalities and preconceived ideas that exist between a men's and a women's team playing the same sport.

It was gripping, tender, funny, sensual and romantic, then more explosive, poignant and full of tension. I bonded quickly with the characters, intrigued by Miri's complex life, worried about how things would turn out, succumbing to and looking for every moment she spent with Gabe, deeply disliking Gabe's family and loving Miri's one. Some of the themes are déjà-vu, but the author handles them so well that I devoured it.

Playing the game was quick and easy read. There was some plots in the story that didn't make sense. *Review contains spoilers.
For example: Gabe didn't realize that Mari and Violet were the same person. In the beginning of the book, it was believable that Gabe wouldn't realize that Mari was violet in the strip club. However, toward the end of book Gabe was shocked to find ou that Mari was violet.
I would have loved to see more about Mari's experience on the soccer field.

This was my first book by this author. I really liked Miri as a lead and rooted for her to find her happy ending. Gabe was also a well-developed and intriguing character. The dynamic between them was sizzling hot yet sweet. I enjoyed this book so much I immediately started the second book as soon as I finished this despite having no interest in sports. Definitely an author to keep an eye on.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this arc!

I loved this, it was a fun romance with a twist. I really loved it, it was short and sweet which is what I needed for a holiday read. I loved that it wasn’t dragged out and it felt real.

Solid 4 stars!!

I have been enjoying sports romance series lately. The Playing the Field series is my latest read. Book 1 was fabulous!

This was my first Sasha Lace book and it was the perfect companion for a road trip. It’s fast paced and short enough that I was able to finish it in the one sitting. I appreciated the plot and enjoyed the billionaire/sports romance tropes.

Thanks NetGalley and the Publishers for this ARC

The plot had so much potential, and reminded me of the TV Series Footballers Wives meets Ted Lasso - both of which I really like.
However I couldn’t warm to the hero. I thought he was pretty aimless and frankly unemployed until his Dad died - at which point he inherited his Dad’s fortune and the football club.

This was a fun if slightly unmemorable romance. I was initially wary of the power imbalance, which can be hit or miss for me, but it worked well in this case.

The story centers on a forward, Miri, playing for an underperforming squad, while Gabe, heir to his late father's soccer legacy, finds himself in charge of a women's team. Gabe is determined to elevate the team to new heights, and as he sets his sights on success, he can't help but notice Miri's talent and determination. But as their professional relationship deepens, Gabe must grapple with the question of whether pursuing her will ruin everything.

The book was decent overall. It followed the familiar trope of a wealthy, entitled man who’s used to getting whatever he wants, including the girl. What stood out most for me was Miri's journey, especially her strength in overcoming past hardships. Gabe had his frustrating moments, coming off as a spoiled rich boy who had rarely faced rejection. There was one particular scene where he was especially unlikable, and I almost gave up on the book. However, the second half redeemed itself, and the resolution of Miri and Gabe’s relationship felt satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC!

It was a fun quick read. I did like how the tables were turned and it was a female athlete rather than a male. Gabe was an ok love interest, his past and struggles were not that interesting. Miri was about the same, she is trying to help her family and will do it by any means possible. The end of the book was predictable. Not sure if I would continue the rest of the series. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for the ARC Montlake & Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hmm, this review is hard because I enjoyed the book to an extent. I loved the characters and the idea of plot however, for me I felt like this book predominantly focused on the relationship between the two main characters and whilst that absolutely was not laking the rest of the book sort of fell away and was lost?

Yes, we got to know the characters and I fell in love with them all but this book is supposed to be a sports romance and whilst there was mentions of it here and there, it didn't really go anywhere. It was there at the start but then once Gabe had secured Miri onto the team there was no development/mention of the team.

The epilogue was what I had the most trouble with I mean, they just had his awful mother playing Monopoly and Miri was all of a sudden pregnant and the team still hadn't progressed and we don't know where they stand in the league or if they've been promoted?

Sorry, no. First Gabe and Miri's relationship didn't feel fast paced enough to result in pregnancy so soon. It felt way too rushed. And also, from what I gathered this book was supposedly set in the UK therefore, year later to where the team should have been/where the were made absolutely no sense.

I want to stress, I really think this book had/has potential and I enjoyed the book but lack of substance and plot holes is making me question whether or not I want to continue the series.