***Trigger warning: Loss of a parent***

Two Can Play follows Viola who has the chance of a lifetime to design a video game based on her favorite book series. She is thrilled about it until she finds out her co-lead Jesse is going to be working with her. Jesse is her arch-nemesis. He has made it clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with Viola. They both work for different companies. So their bosses insist on a wintery retreat for a team building exercise. Neither Viola or Jesse is looking forward to it. But they spend time together and realize they might not actually hate each other.

I mean if Ali Hazelwood writes it I am going to read it. This is just your typical run-of-the-mill Ali Hazelwood book. BUT I LOVED IT! I will say I am not really into video games so some of those references went over my head. But if you are an Ali Hazelwood fan you will love this one.

Thank you Ali Hazelwood, Spotify Audiobooks, and Netgalley for this ARC.

I don’t know when Ali wrote this particular book but it’s more like her first novel than recent releases so that is something to keep in mind going into this, but honestly? Ali is my girl and I love everything she does

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a short, fast listen but in true Ali Hazelwood fashion it did not disappoint. Sounds like it will be specifically Spotify content.

“Two Can Play” is another good Ali Hazelwood novella. It follows a very similar pattern to her “Loathe to Love You” series, except it’s about video game designers instead of engineers. It was enemies to lovers who maybe weren’t really enemies in the first place. It is a quick and easy read for anyone looking for a steamy romance.

The narrator did a good job. I enjoyed her interpretation of the story.

I am in my audiobook era, and I loved seeing an audiobook exclusive from one of my favorite authors Ali Hazelwood. In Two Can Play, Viola Bowen has been given a chance of a lifetime to design the video game adaptation of her favorite book series, but the only way to do it is with a partnership with her company’s rival firm and their lead designer Jesse Andrews, her arch nemesis—if only she knew why he hated her when she’s had a secret crush on him for years. But a winter retreat for the two companies forces them into each other’s paths where things heat up. I loved this forced proximity/enemies to lovers story. My only issue is that it’s short, so to me, I just wanted more. It happens in such a short span of time, I wanted more space to see Jesse and Viola outside the lodge. But this is steamy and sexy, and I loved these two. The love of the books they shared was so sweet, and Jess is just so reverent about how he feels for Viola and I loved him. And Viola is so sharp and smart. They’re just a great pair, and it’s a great audiobook to get lost in!

Yes! A new Ali Hazelwood novella that was created for Spotify. I assume a published version of the story will be available at some future time. Viola Bowen is a talented video game designer. Her favorite book series is being made into a video game and her firm has the chance to develop it. But they must design it with another firm that includes Jesse Andrew who has all but ignored her every time their paths have crossed. The two small companies spend a snowy retreat together to show that they can work and get along together. Trapped in close quarters, Viola can figure out why Jesse avoids her.

So many typical Hazelwood tropes are included and I love it. Forced proximity, miscommunication, both smart and talented, he’s big, she’s petite and of course he wears glasses. Kelsey Navarro does a great job with the narration which is told from Viola’s POV. Being a novella the story clips along at a nice pace. The audio book is just under 4.5 hours. I will be listening to this more than once.
(5 Stars)

This enemies to lovers novella was a quick read that left me wanting a little bit more. Set in the world of video game design with bibliophiles dedicated to doing their favorite book justice, there is something for everyone. Misunderstandings are afoot along with forced proximity and secret liaisons. I always enjoy a story from Ali Hazelwood!

Thank you Ali Hazelwood, Spotify Audiobooks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this audiobook! The sound quality was great, and the narrator, Kelsey Navarro Foster, did an excellent job bringing the characters to life.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio ARC. This was too quick of a read. That is my only complaint about this book. Otherwise, I loved the characters and found myself quickly engrossed in the story. It will leave you wanting more!

I don’t understand how Hazelwood creates these MMCs that I immediately always fall for. IMMEDIATELY, I don’t know what it is, the way they care and pay attention and love their FMCs! Agh! Every. Time.

This little novella is satisfying and sweet. A dose of forced proximity and miscommunications that have left both parties confused and somewhat at odds, it was really fun to watch them eventually fall for one another. This was a great use of miscommunication— because it’s before the actual novella, and so it sort of becomes a mystery to the reader as it unravels. If you’re a fan of Hazelwood, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up!


CW/TW: parental death before the book; drinking; sex on page, skippable;

ALI HAZELWOOD CAN DO NO WRONG! Two Can Play (out on October 1) continues what Ali Hazelwood is famous for: enemies to lovers + main characters in STEM + broody, hot, book boyfriends + so much more!!! 🥳
This audiobook was SO GOOD! The narrator was amazing and I loved listening to this story! There were so many adorable moments that gave me butterflies which is so hard to find when I listen to audiobooks but there were so many butterfly/stomach flipping moments that were the BEST! Now, are there a lot of miscommunications? Yes BUT this novella is so fast paced that there really isn't any annoyance with the slow pace that can sometimes come with a miscommunication trope. But yeah, this story was so amazing, I was giggling, laughing, and kicking my feet because there were so many adorable moments, hot moments, and almost an aspect of suspense because, as the listeners, we're trying to figure out why the main characters, Violeta and Jesse, haven't gotten together and why Jesse and Violeta kinda hate each other?!?! I don't really know how to convey how much I'm obsessed with this audiobook but just lemme tell you, its ADORABLE and steamy and made my heart flutter and I 10 out of 10 recommend!!!! Even if you're not a big audiobook listener, this is a GREAT story to start out!
Thank you SO much to Spotify Audiobooks for an early copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review! I'm a BIG Ali Hazelwood fan and thought I would COMBUST if I had to wait until October 1 to listen to it! 💖

Even when I think there is no way that I will be able to love another Ali Hazelwood book as much as I have her others, she does it again. I was so excited to read this book, but apprehensive since I'm not a gamer. I think for a moment I wanted to become one thanks to this beautiful story. This story gave me everything I didn't even know I wanted. My only regret is that the story is now over and I can't live in the snowy world Ali created for just a little longer. I want and need more. Fantastic from start to finish. I loved it! Spice 3/5

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood is an absolute delight! It was short and sweet, and while I don’t know what else could have been added to the plot, it made me wish there was more. It is no secret that I will read anything that Hazelwood writes, and this audiobook is another fantastic addition to her growing list of must-reads.
I have never been into video games, but even if you, like me, aren’t in the know, the story never feels bogged down in technicalities. The video game aspects seemed more of a creative endeavour instead of a robotic technological one, and it almost made me want to pick up a controller.
I loved the characters and wished I could spend more time with them, especially snowed in at the retreat. Viola and Jesse were mature and, after the initial unravelling of a six-year long misunderstanding, communicated well. It was also refreshing to not have a contrived third act breakup or fight.
If you are looking for a quick, fun listen that seamlessly blends humour with electric chemistry, I recommend checking out Two Can Play when it is released!

This book was the Ali Hazelwood hit I needed until Deep End coming out in February 2025. I loved the characters and the video game aspect. Also, the narrator was top tier.

I desperately want this to be more than a short story! I loved the story and the characters. There was just enough spice to keep things interesting. I didn’t particularly enjoy the narrator, primarily in the beginning.

Cute steamy love story. This is a miscommunication trope done well. I loved the characters and themes. Perfect length.

It's simple, if Ali writes it, I'm gonna read it.

This one was so much fun! Its got workplace rivals to love, miscommunication, forced proximity, a hot tub scene, cozy snowy setting and a good ole ‘it’s always been you’-ish moment.

It's fast paced, but not lacking in any way. I adored Viola and Jesse’s story and I’m kinda hoping we get to see them pop up in a future Ali book…

If you have spotify, keep an eye out for this one, it’s exclusively available there. It’s short, sweet and spicy… kinda like me.

I enjoyed this novella about two lead designers from two competing video game companies having to work with each other to design a new game together. The companies take their employees on a retreat together so they can get to know each other and prepare to begin work with each other.

Tensions are on the rise, and when Viola thinks the other company is sabotaging her company’s chance at success, she confronts their lead designer, Jesse, and they reluctantly team up for the remainder of the retreat, and they end up becoming more familiar with one another than they ever planned on. I liked these two main characters, and I liked their backstory and banter together.

This is not my favorite book by Ali Hazelwood, but it was still a fun reading experience that I would recommend to STEM romance readers. Ali’s fans are sure to love this story and these characters.

So did this audiobook follow every trope that Ali Hazelwood is famous for …. absolutely.
Did I enjoy every second of it …….absolutely.
He is tall. She is tiny.
He’s pining for her, but she thinks he hates her.
All of their problems could be solved by having a simple conversation.
I DON’T CARE BECAUSE IT HITS EVERY TIME.

Thank you, #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for non-review.

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.