Whitney Grandison’s Playin’ Hard is a delightful blend of young love, personal growth, and emotional depth, and a standout in the YA contemporary romance genre--and also, contemporary male friendships (think Jason Reynolds) and fabulous book about Black teenage life that also is NOT here to be "an issue book". It follows Cree Jacobs, a strong-willed dancer with no patience for the arrogant Ballers Club, and DeAndre Parker, a basketball prodigy and son of a retired NBA star. What begins as a clash of personalities evolves into a poignant friendship and a romantic connection that’s both tender and exhilarating.

Grandison masterfully balances humor, teenage angst, and heartfelt moments. Cree and DeAndre are fully realized characters whose emotional journeys feel authentic and relatable. Cree’s resistance to DeAndre’s charm and her disdain for the Ballers Club create a compelling tension, while DeAndre’s persistence and vulnerability add layers to his character. Their slow-burn relationship feels organic, with each moment of connection deepening their bond.

The narrative also delves into important teenage (and human) themes, including parental dynamics, loss (again—without being a "sad" book or an "issue" book, just a real life with real mixtures of feelings and experiences), and self-discovery, making the story a "romance," yes, but also contemporary literature. (Which I say as a lover of both genres, and mixes of them! Clarifying for the booksellers out there who will also be thinking about where to shelve this—I'll put it in YA fiction.) Supporting characters, like DeAndre’s brothers and their complex family backstory, enrich the world of the novel, and readers will find themselves just as invested in these secondary arcs.

Playin’ Hard is a perfect pick for fans of enemies-to-lovers stories, sports romances, and those seeking heartfelt representations of Black love. With shades of Talia Hibbert’s Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute and the nostalgic vibe of late ‘90s teen movies, this book is both timeless and timely. While some readers may find certain subplots less developed, the overall narrative is compelling, emotionally resonant, and immensely satisfying.

Whether devoured in a single day or savored over time, this novel leaves readers yearning for updates on Cree, DeAndre, and the crew. Grandison’s ability to craft characters with raw emotions and make them age-appropriate is impressive, and Playin’ Hard is a testament to her talent.

Though i usually do love a good YA book, I think I need to be in the mood for one and this one just wasn't catching my attention like I thought it would. But it doesn't mean I didn't like it, i will have to try and come to it!

Playin' Hard by Whitney D. Grandison is an engaging and dynamic romance that blends humor, passion, and personal growth. The story centers around two characters who, despite their initial differences and emotional walls, find themselves drawn to each other in a whirlwind of chemistry and unexpected connection. Grandison’s writing is sharp and witty, with realistic characters and an authentic portrayal of modern relationships. Themes of self-discovery, love, and vulnerability are explored throughout the narrative, making it both fun and emotionally resonant. Playin' Hard is a perfect read for fans of contemporary romance that balances lighthearted moments with deeper emotional stakes.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

I loved this book. I could not put it down until I finished it in about a day. We meet Cree and Dree when they are juniors in high school. Cree is an only child whose Mom passed away during childbirth and her Dad raises her. Dre’s mom left him and his 2 brothers along with his Dad. His Dad is also a famous pro basketball player whose goal is to have his sons in the NBA.

At first, Cree and Dre don’t care for each other. But over time, they become best friends not realizing they are falling for each other, They both went through some emotional moments that only strengthened their bond.

I don’t want to give anything away with this book because it was just that good. You got to see the characters’ evolve and their love come to life. His brothers stories as well as their Dad’s story could have been separate books by themselves. The supporting characters you became just as invested as you did with the main ones. Very well written book with fantastic character development. I hated for this story to end!

I really enjoyed this book. Cree and DeAndre were such good characters. On one side, you have Cree, who is strong-willed and hates the Ballers because of how they treat the girls at their high school. On the other side, you have DeAndre, who is the king of the Ballers and a famous NBA players son. These two clash in class over what the meaning of love is. Somehow, these two end up being friends after DeAndre places himself in Cree's presence multiple times. While building their friendship, they fall in love but fight it all the way. Reading how these two teenagers were with each other was perfection. I could feel their emotions coming off the pages. The situations each of them faced was hard, but they came through and eventually ended up together. For a moment, I didn't think they would get it right, but they did. I loved this book and wouldn't mind and update on them and the crew in adulthood. Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read this before the release date.

I ate this book up. This book's involved characters are well-crafted, inviting and incredibly loveable, immersing me in their story. Thus making it easy to connect with their experiences. The storyline is also compelling and well-paced, offering a satisfying mix of depth and enjoyment.
4.5

Popular boy and his friends notice the cute girl that goes against the grain and see a challenge. I’ve seen way too many Lifetime teen movies and kept waiting for something nefarious to pop off but was pleasantly surprised with the author’s skill at writing teen characters with raw emotions and still making it age appropriate. There was a point or two where I thought I knew where the plot was going, but it turned in another direction and am not sure if it was a red herring or undeveloped plotlines, but I finished the book feeling like I gained more than I lost. This gave me late ‘90s teen movie feels and is definitely something I would’ve dug into when I was younger but still enjoyed now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley letting receive this as ARC. I devoured this book in one day. This is considered a YA but it kinda a few heavy subjects. It follows DeAndre a big basketball star of his team. Basketball is the most important thing to him.He meets this girl name Cree. Cree is a dancer. she has been dancing her whole life. It was her passion. He has his eyes on her since they met at party. Later on she found out he sex with another girl. He has pregnancy scare with another girl. In the end he was still in love with Cree.

4.5⭐️ I ATE THIS UP!! Absolutely loved it! I'm so honored to have gotten to read such an amazing ARC. 🥰🥰