I really wanted to like this book. It is well written I just think this is not the book for me. I had a really hard time getting into it.

3 stars

OBSESSED. This was so good. I listened to it practically in one sitting, because I needed to know how it would end!

I think this is my last attempt to read a book written by Ali Hazelwood. I enjoyed her first few books, but eventually they all came to sound like the same book. I had high hopes for this book, but it was much the same. I’m sorry, I wish I have a better review to give. I’m certain others will enjoy it. It just wasn’t for me.

Really cute i loved it i understood it meant to be short, but it felt too short to me I needed more from these too

This is lighthearted romance that brings a bit of charm to the workplace romance genre. The characters are likable, and the storyline is engaging, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The chemistry between the protagonists is enjoyable, but there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, which affects the flow of the story.

While there are several funny and heartwarming scenes, some of the plot points feel predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. Despite these minor issues, Its still enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a few laughs along the way.

Rating: 3/5

I’m surprised I genuinely liked this audiobook.
I have not been a fan of Ali Hazelwood’s books, not since Love Theoretically. There appears to be a focus of quantity over quality and I don’t like it because Hazelwood has the potential to write a fantastic romance. And I think Two Can Play demonstrates those aspects I love from Ali Hazelwood’s novel.
However, my only gripe with this audiobook is that it short which is a given since it is a novella. I think that the concept was so interesting that I think it would’ve worked well as a fleshed out novel but I understand why Hazelwood didn’t. I think that because it is a novella, the entire book is rushed and it was hard to savor it.
Overall, I enjoyed it but it was missing something.

This is a hard one to write since I usually find Hazelwood's books clever and fun and this was neither for me. I thought the premise sounded good and a different kind of technical/computer sciencey kind of field for her to put some smart banter so I was surprised at how little there was. It left me wondering if this was supposed to be a longer book and she gave up on it and they turned it into a novella? Also, for a short listen, this was made longer by me having to take a break from the person that they chose to narrate it. While I thank Spotify Media and NetGalley for the early listen in exchange for my honest opinion, if this will be a series, please choose narrators better in the future.

Such a cute story, this one is another win for Ali Hazelwood. I wish it were longer so I could see more of the romance unfold at a slower pace, but a solid choice for a romance.

Two Can Play is an irresistible novella that encapsulates everything fans adore about Ali Hazelwood’s storytelling. Viola and Jesse, rival video game designers, are forced to collaborate on a project, igniting a dynamic blend of tension and chemistry that makes for a captivating read. The story effortlessly weaves together elements of forced proximity and rivals-to-lovers, with Jesse harboring a long-standing crush on Viola that adds layers of complexity to their interactions.

What truly sets this novella apart is its clever integration of the gaming world and the characters’ shared love for the book they’re adapting, creating a rich backdrop for their developing relationship. The side characters are vibrant and add an extra layer of fun, enhancing the overall narrative without overshadowing the main plot.

Hazelwood’s signature charm is evident throughout, and the pacing is spot-on, making it hard to put down. The narrator brings the story to life, drawing you into Viola and Jesse’s witty banter and emotional moments. Honestly, I found myself wishing for more—100 extra pages wouldn’t have been too many!

With its perfect mix of steamy romance and playful rivalry, Two Can Play is not just a great read; it’s a testament to Hazelwood’s knack for creating engaging stories that linger long after the last page. If you’re looking for a cozy escape, this novella is a gem you won’t want to miss.

I typically love Ali's books - the steminist ones in particular, but even Bride - but this one unfortunately fell flat for me and was a DNF.

I loved this book, The narrator was amazing and The story was very fun to listen to and. You cant help but love everything she writes.

Ali Hazelwood is the queen of a miscommunication trope and I wish that as she does these, for once she can have it where the male character thinks the female one hates him instead of him hating her. But as it is with most of her novels, the girl figures it out, the guy is happy, and they finally get together. This was short and sweet, and a good listen for a long car drive, but I do feel her full novels tend to flow better than her novellas.

Classic Ali Hazelwood! This was everything that I wanted from a gamer romance and more. I hope she does more audiobook exclusives in the future. It was really unique

3 stars! ⭐ This was such a fun, refreshing read after being immersed in darker, fall-themed books, most of which have been fantasy! It’s my second Ali Hazelwood book, and it reminded me just how much I love her light-hearted writing and storytelling.

Though it was a shorter story that didn’t dive too deeply into the characters, I still felt a strong connection to Viola and Jesse and loved their journey. The premise of their companies collaborating on a video game was so engaging! As a huge fan of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (even though I know the vibes are totally different—I’m still chasing that same feeling, okay? 😭), I was excited to explore their world!

The best part about the short format? No time for a third-act conflict! I could just enjoy their relationship without being blindsided by an unnecessary argument or miscommunication. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys Ali’s writing and is looking for a light, fun romance to listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ARC of Two Can Play! 🎮

Two Can Play is a cozy novella featuring two rival video game designers trapped together on a wintery work retreat. The set-up for this spicy romance was adorable- the forced proximity, the pining, the mutual connection over a beloved book series- I loved it. I am also thriller to report that there is not a second act breakup- once they confess their feelings, the rest is just a big, long spicy scene. This book feels like the perfect story to listen to in one sitting with a mug of hot chocolate on a snow day- it screams cozy! I felt that the characters were well developed and the story was well-paced, especially for such a short read!
I haven't loved all of Ali Hazelwood's novellas, but I really enjoyed this one. A great winter read!

This was my first time experience an Ali Hazelwood book in audio format and while I adored Two Can Play, I don't think it would have had as much of an impact as it did if Kelsey Navarro Foster was not the one narrating this book, she was absolutely brilliant (her cache of voices was impressive) and made the experience all the more immersive. I was fully invested in Viola and Jesse's story and though the plot feels familiar, in the classic Ali Hazelwood-he-fell-first-which-led-to-a-lot-of-misunderstandings kind of way, I still ate this book up and it had me giggling, squealing, blushing and full on crying on my morning walks. I could listen to another 10 hours of their story and found myself rewinding to the beginning after it had ended, I did not want to say goodbye to Viola and Jesse. Two Can Play was an absolute delight from start to finish and made me believe that Ali Hazelwood can actually write a great novella. That being said, Ali needs to actually write the Limerence series, please and thank you.

I think this was too New Adult for my personal tastes. Aside from that, I felt this one didn't flow too well and wasn't very interesting. The main characters weren't very fascinating either, Jesse was major blah to me and I'm starting to see that all of Hazelwood's main women are pretty much the same person (not necessarily a bad thing, but some variations would be nice).

First a BIG THANKS to NetGalley, the Author, the Narrator and the Publisher for this ARC.

Let me start with. I'm NOT a fan of Ali Hazelwood. And after "BRIDE" I promised myself to never read another book of hers UNLESS it was about Serena & Koen. But then NetGalley presented me with this audiobook and I caved. The Narrator is just perfect to listen to and the book itself wasn't too bad.

At 70% I had my first panic "attack" (take these lightly, I wasn't that invested) since nothing, literally NOTHING, had happened and I was still waiting for the smut and the "third act" break-up.
At 90% we got our smut....
At 99% I figured that there wouldn't be a "third act" break-up.
And then there was our happy ending, but I guess a second book is also an option...

So all in all it was spot on.
The chemistry was VERY palpable.
Jesse was COMPLETLY AND UTTERLY obsessed with Viola.
Otto was apparently British, although I thought at first he was German. 🤷‍♀️

I enjoyed.
So, yes...

Ali Hazelwood hits another one out of the park! this audiobook was amazing.

The novella blends humor, tension, and romance as Viola starts to understand Jesse's seemingly distant behavior while sparks fly between them in unexpected ways. The setting of the wintery lodge and the gaming references add to the charm, with the audiobook narration by Kelsey Navarro Foster praised for bringing the characters and their chemistry to life

Two Can Play is more office romance perfection from Ali Hazelwood. She totally shines when it comes to colleagues to lovers love stories and this one is no exception. It’s a novella that dropped first as an audiobook on Spotify yet felt like a full length novel that had me hooked from beginning to end.

Of course, you ultimately always want more of her characters, but this audiobook was satisfying in its length. Her characters are also always so much fun to fall for, but I love how she made them video game creators/designers who were both obsessed with the same book that served as the inspiration for the new project they would both be working on together. Their shared passion was evident and a great hook to illustrate their compatibility. Gaming nerds for the win!

I will say however that this book reminded me of how much the miscommunication trope just breaks my heart when it keeps two people so obviously meant for one another, a part. That being said it just took a little forced proximity for these two staying at the same retreat center to finally talk to one another and discover that they had feelings for each other all along.

It will also be a favorite for fans who adore her enemies to lovers books because the miscommunication sets up an enemies to lovers vibe which only fuels your anticipation for these two to get together and have their chemistry heat up the sheets!

I also love how Ali always gives great examples of consent in her books and how that manifests when the love interests finally give into their feelings. It’s never cheesy or unnecessarily awkward, but what it “should be” in the real world.

Ali Hazelwood can do no wrong in my mind. I absolutely adore her books, including this one, and cannot wait for the next. I highly recommend it.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.