In general, I am not a fan of books released only as audiobooks or as audiobooks first because I like to be able to switch from listening to reading.But, as a huge Ali Hazelwood fan I had to listen to her new novella. This, like her YA novel deviated a bit from her usual characters working in STEM (though technically video game design would fall within it). The novella was quick and included some great tropes, like snowed in and neighbors. Definitely would recommend it to anyone who is already a fan or for anyone looking for a romance novella. Don't know how I feel about Spotify originals, last I heard authors are only compensated if users listen to an entire book which seems like a unfair system. Hopefully that is something they are working on improving. (Thanks to Spotify and Netgalley for the ARC)

Two Can Play just proved that Ali Hazelwood never misses for me! Hands down she is the master of writing characters who are giant simps for each other, especially the love interest, and tossing in the miscommunication trope (a trope I usually despise) in a way that just ensues a chaotic, fluffy, fun read and I eat it up every single time.

I adored Viola and Jesse and their whole story gave me such Love on the Brain vibes (as many know that is my absolute favorite Ali book). Honestly, I didn't want it to end and could read a whole book about the two of them or more novellas that showcased the process of them developing video games together and just their lives in general.

Not to mention that I really enjoyed the side characters and their stories and would actually love books or novellas for each of them too.

This one is definitely a must read for all who are fans of Ali's books.

Ali Hazelwood never misses! I absolutely adored this novella. Viola and Jesse are two lead video game designers from "rival" companies who must work together on a new game based on Viola's favorite book series. This leads to both companies participating in a team building retreat where they must learn to work together. Or else. I loved these characters, even though it was a novella I really felt that we got to know them and what makes them tick. I believed the romance between the two main characters, it didn't feel rushed or instalovey like some novellas do. I didn't even mind that it was only in Viola's POV. I usually prefer reading dual pov, but I felt that we get enough insight into Jesse's thoughts and feelings. I also laughed out loud at certain points- the rivalry between the two studios was hilarious. I very mush also want a book for Otto and Mike.

The narration was excellent, I got swept up listening to the story and was enaged in it the whole time.

I love every single thing written by Ali Hazelwood and was so, so excited when I saw this one! Two Can Play was absolutely precious - it had a lot of the missed communication trope that Ms. Hazelwood loves, but each time that the MMC confesses what really happened, it's pure gold. Viola has to work with arch rival Jesse "F-ing" Andrews to create a new video game based on a beloved book series. It means so much to her because she read it with her dad when she was growing up, then again when he was sick. It HAS to be her that brings this tale to life - and that means working with Jesse.

Spice, sweetness, nerdiness... LOVED IT!

Kelsey Navarro Foster is absolutely wonderful, as always. She switches seamlessly between her feminine and masculine voices - and Jesse's voice was HOT!

They are such cutie patooties! This is the one time I have been OK with miscommunication trope. I think Ali just cooks way harder when her books are novel length and have time get all the feels in. I would have loved to see this one as a full blown novel, BUT I really did enjoy this one! 🫡 4/5 ⭐️

I am such a sucker for Ali Hazelwood. I will read anything and everything by her that I can get my grubby hands on. This was just as I expected and love from Ali.

The narration was phenomenal and just perfect

I was so excited about a new Ali Hazelwood that I forgot about her track record with novellas... genuinely Ali Hazelwood should not be legally allowed to write novellas. Everything that she does so well... detail, long drawn-out pining, and realizations does not translate well to 150 pages or less. My girlie needs time and PAGES!

Besides that, this novella also felt like someone found an unfinished draft that she wrote prior to The Love Hypothesis, slightly edited it, and decided to release it. I've felt like Ali only gets better with each book, but a lot of her forward momentum died with this novella. It genuinely felt like something she wrote 3-4 years ago and is just now releasing. It leaned so far into her usual tropes, size difference to name one, that I was cringing so hard and was honestly annoyed. I had 20 minutes left in the audiobook and was considering quitting because I was having such a piss poor time.

The one bright light of this audio novella was the narrator. Kelsey Navarro Foster did an excellent job... as always.

Thank you to Netgalley and Spotify Audio for this ALC.

Cute little tech novella. The length was great for the story- never felt too long/short. Very reminiscent of Hazelwood's earlier books, so fans will love it. If you liked the work-on-location vibe of A Merry Little Meet Cute, this may be a good pick for you.

“Two Can Play” by Ali Hazelwood is a delightful novella that offers a quick and engaging read, especially for those who appreciate a mix of gaming culture and bookish charm. While my personal experience with gaming is limited, I found the narrative accessible and enjoyable, largely due to my love for books, which allowed me to connect with the characters on a deeper level

The romantic tension between Viola and Jesse is a highlight of the novel, although it does rely on some well-worn tropes. That being said, the classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic is a beloved trope for a reason, and Hazelwood executes it with skill and charm.

One minor criticism I have is with the audiobook narration. While Kelsey Navarro Foster does a great job overall, the pronunciation of Viola’s name was a bit confusing at first. Maybe this is a regional thing, but I’m used hearing the “o” in Viola pronounced more distinctly. However, this is a minor quibble and didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, “Two Can Play” is a fun and lighthearted read that I would recommend to fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope, as well as those with an interest in gaming and literature.

Thank you to Ali Hazelwood, Spotify, and NetGalley for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

There’s just something about the way Ali Hazelwood writes thats sucks me in. I live for cheesy romcoms and this one lived up to my standards.

Rivals to lovers who had a miscommunication years ago? Gimme gimme gimme.

This is a short audiobook, one you can finish while doing housework or going on a small drive and it will leave you giggling with a smile on your face. Super cute, super good.

Great romance! If you loved The love hypothesis or Love on the brain then you are definitely going to love listening to this. It is short and sweet with some of the classic love to hate/miscommunication all along style that is known in Ali Hazelwood novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an ALC of this title.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was fun! Short, sweet, to the point. I enjoyed the miscommunication trope more than I thought I would, and I was glad that they weren't full out enemies for the whole book (that can get old fast.) I think the narrator really sold it for me, she had the perfect mix of dry sarcasm and pace. Makes me want to read more Ali Hazelwood!

This was a cute Ali Hazelwood romance, meaning I knew what I was going to get and I enjoyed it. It has the classic Ali Hazelwood oblivious heroine and stoic, lovesick love interest who also just happens to be ridiculously tall. The video game developer / designer backdrop was a fun addition to the other STEM fields portrayed in her books. Short, sweet, and steamy.

Our narrator did a great job with this story. I enjoyed the performance with the confusion and tension between the two characters. The slight difference in voice between the FMC & MMC was subtle yet perfect.

'Two Can Play' was short and deliciously sweet.
Miscommunication is a trope I love to hate but when Ali Hazelwood is involved I always do a 180 and LOVE the trope. She will make me scream with frustration but then after the reveal, it has me craving the trope.

As someone who is going to marry a Quality Lead in video game, this was a fun book to read. I love seeing all the S.T.E.M and gaming/nerd books getting more love.

This is a cute short read and is more similar to Ali's first couple of books. It has the classic he hates her, she doesn't know why miscommunication that is in these books. The main characters are rival video game designers and to foster a collab they attend a working retreat organized by both of their video game companies. The main characters are forced to interact and get to know each other better and clear up misconceptions and miscommunications about things that happened in the past. There are quite a couple of spicy scenes and overall this despite the length I feel like it covered a lot and was a good listen. The narrators were good in this, there wasn't a special production or anything but it fit the characters. If you like AH older books you will love this one!

Thank you Spotify Audiobooks for this arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an ALC of this title.

So fun, pure Ali Hazelwood-- will definitely be a hit with fans who love her style in The Love Hypothesis and Love, Theoretically! Can't wait to recommend this one to my STEM romcom-loving patrons!

5 stars.

This was such a fun little audiobook novella by Ali Hazelwood. I feel like we all know what to expect from Ali and that’s exactly what you got here but in a cute, short and sweet audiobook!

As always, I always appreciate that Ali writes about women in STEM. And I really enjoyed Viola’s character. And Jesse🥹 he was just great. Adored him.

Kelsey Navarro Foster did such a great job narrating this book! I always enjoy her work.

Thank you Spotify and netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Ali Hazelwood for allowing me to listen to this novella via audio early in exchange for an honest review

OLD ALI HAZELWOOD IS BACK!!!! This very much gave the energy of ‘The Love Hypothesis’ Ali! I feel like her last two previous books (Bride and Not in Love) kinda shifted in both tone and just overall vibes than Ali’s previous works (her STEM series) but this brought us right back to all those vibes.

A very fun, fast paced novella that I think any Ali fan will absolutely adore🖤

This story was fantastic and so bingeable! It will leave you with a smile on your face the entire time. I loved how forward the FMC was — she wasn’t as innocent as previous ones by this author.

I will say the male love interest is very large, and it’s repeated often… which is noticeable. But that didn’t take away from the story in my opinion.

I honestly was rooting for them both from the start! I love that their first meeting was a miscommunication as it felt so real! This is definitely worth a listen even if you are not an audio person. Just speed it up slightly so your brain can follow better and not drift :)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood is a Spotify exclusive audiobook that follows Viola, a video game designer who is trying to secure her dream project-making a video game inspired by her favorite book series. The only catch is that her team has to join forces with another developer that is coming off of just putting out the game of the year. This other developer also employs Jesse Andrews, Viola’s sort of crush, sort of nemesis. What better way for the groups to get to know each other than by spending time together at a resort? As temperatures drop, heat rises between Viola and Jesse.

This was exactly what I love in an Ali Hazelwood book. A FMC that is a little oblivious and a MMC that has some undiscovered feelings the reader learns about through the book. I don’t think the romance was anything new but it was fun. I loved the video game aspect. I loved that it was based off of a book that meant a lot to Viola and what the reader learns of the book, it sounded so interesting. I would love to actually read that book series.

There are a few side stories going on alongside the romance that weren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked but there really wasn’t enough time in this short of a book. The main romance was sweet and very believable and very Ali Hazelwood coded.

Since this is an audio exclusive, I was expecting a bit more from the production. There isn’t anything wrong with this, the narrator does a great job but I thought there might be music and sound effects to really enhance the experience and make it worth the audio only initial release.

This was a fun time and a quick read and I would recommend it to people who enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s other novellas.