Danielle Allen has once again captured my heart with her approach to Black romance in her upcoming traditional release, Plus Size Player. Experiencing this book as an audiobook, narrated by the captivating Wesleigh Siobhan, I was immediately drawn into Nina's story. Set within the same timeline as Curvy Girl Summer, this book centers on Nina, a bold and unapologetic woman who confidently pursues her desires in all aspects of life. Her high standards have led her to cultivate a roster of eligible bachelors, as she initially has no interest in a serious relationship – until she meets Russell Long. Attentive, passionate, and utterly smitten with Nina, Russ will have you eagerly anticipating their connection. As their steamy romance unfolds, Nina must confront her need for control and learn to trust. Allen’s portrayal of Nina is a refreshing and vital representation of a plus-size Black woman with high standards, dreams, deserving partners who fully respect them, and a fulfilling life that transcends the focus on weight. I especially appreciated the contrast between Nina's supportive family and Aaliyah's in Curvy Girl Summer, with her parents readily displaying love and encouragement for her goals and choices. Nina’s journey beautifully reinforces the idea that even the most commitment-resistant individuals can find their happily ever after. I thoroughly enjoyed Plus Size Player and eagerly await the next installment in this series.

Audiobook Commentary:
Wesleigh Siobhan is a truly masterful narrator, and it's evident in her work on this audiobook. She imbues each character with a unique and authentic voice, making them instantly recognizable. Prepare to love the sexy banter between Nina and Russ and have a cold drink near if you need to cool down.

First, thank you to Net Galley, MacMillan Audio and Daniel Allen for this opportunity. Secondly, OMG!! This was not what I was expecting and in the most delicious way ever!! Nina was definitely a favorite from Curvy Girl Summer, so I was quite excited when it was announced that she would have her own story. And BABY, Danielle did not disappoint!

I knew that Nina liked to play the field and had very strong opinions about settling down. Usually when you read stories about women dating it’s always equated to her having whore-like ways. The way that Danielle wrote Nina’s story so elegantly and rooted in love and respect was chef’s kiss!

And Mr. The Fun One had me from the very beginning! He was so attentive and charismatic. And he definitely exuded BDE lol! I love that Danielle writes these stories with drama but very much so without the all the crazy cheating and such! Black folks can have healthy-ish relationships too!

And the narration is always on point, can’t go wrong with Wesleigh Siobhan! She always gives a stellar performance!

An awesome book she never thought that she would fall in love. She was just out dating the 4 of them because each one gave her what she was looking for in a man the four of them made one…

Fun, Steamy, and Totally Empowering!

I had such a great time with this listen! Nina Ford, a plus-size model with a no-strings-attached dating life, is living her best life balancing four different men who each offer her something unique, while her career finally starts to take off. But when the “fun one” Russ in her lineup starts making her feel something real, things get interesting in the best way.

This story is the perfect spicy escape sexy without being over-the-top, and refreshingly low on drama. Nina is smart, funny, confident, and totally in control of her life. I loved seeing a woman get to be the player for once, without any shame or judgment. The plot is light, the relationships are respectful, and the body positivity throughout is so satisfying.
The audiobook performance by Wesleigh Siobhan is a standout! She gave each character a distinct voice and made the story come alive. Minus male voices I didn't care for them. I’ll definitely be looking for more books she narrates.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a feel-good, steamy and spicy romance that celebrates women and lets them have it all!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for this ARC

I loved Curvy Girl Summer so I was really excited to see this one. Nina was such a confident FMC and I loved her spunk as a plus size model and influencer. She was in her dating around era and I loved reading about it and how she described her different guys. Russ, the fun one, was definitely trying to win Nina's heart with his fancy dates. They had tons of chemistry and the spice was definitely there between Russ and Nina. I really liked how Nina wanted to support everyone and was not mega competitive, but wanted to cheer everyone on. This was such a good, quick read!

I absolutely loved Curvy Girl Summer so when I saw there would be a book two I was super excited. Then when I saw Wesleigh Siobhan was narrating I was even more excited. After listening to Plus Size Player I can honestly say I am a Danielle Allen fan. This topped Curvy Girl Summer. I loved how the FMC was so confident in the skin she was in. It's nice to see a curvy girl who doesn't suffer from self-esteem issues. Nina Ford didn't let other people's fat phobia define her. She had no qualms about putting people kin their place when they stepped to her incorrectly. Russell Long was a man able his business. Nina called him "the fun one" but there was so much more to him. Seeing Nina and Russell go from casual dating to a serious relationship was interesting.

I like how the author showed that women can enjoy casual relationships too. And this wasn't the typical woman juggling multiple men in secret. Nina was upfront with each of them about what she wanted and the fact that they weren't the only ones. The author showed how sometimes men are the ones who catch feelings and women are the heartbreakers. Nina didn't purposely try to hurt anyone. In fact, she tried not to hurt anyone by being upfront and when things started to get too heavy she reminded them of what they agreed to. Eventually, her time with Russell became more than just casual. He became her person.

I went through so many emotions with this story and the characters. Wesleigh Siobhan made me feel all of them. Her narration was definitely chef's kiss.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I've been wanting to dig into a new romcom, and this is a top-tier listen! The chemistry between Nina & Russ is too palatable. The banter, the passion, the attraction, the sẹxxx; I enjoyed every moment of it. Nina is lovable, especially with her wit, sass & confidence. I think I'll add Russ to my book boyfriend roster because he gave high vibrational effort in every way imaginable. A huge thank you to danielle allen for sharing this cute yet sexy read!

I was really looking forward to this follow-up to Curvy Girl Summer, and Plus Size Player delivered in so many ways.

Nina was such a fun, refreshing main character. She’s confident, sexy, and fully owns her identity as a plus-sized woman, model, and influencer. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to live her life on her terms—dating for fun, not commitment, and being unapologetically herself. You don’t often see a female character embracing her “player” era, and it was so empowering to experience that through her lens.

Enter Russ—the fun one—who slowly shifts Nina’s perspective on love and connection. Their chemistry is undeniable, and let me just say… this book is very spicy! Their relationship felt passionate and real, with its fair share of complications (which you’ll have to read to find out!).

I also appreciated how the friend group from Curvy Girl Summer remained a part of Nina’s world. Their presence added warmth and consistency to the story. It’s always a treat when authors continue to nurture friendships across books—it helps the world feel grounded and full.

Now let’s talk about the narration—because that was a major highlight. Wesleigh Siobhan absolutely brought Nina to life. Her voice is so animated and expressive that listening felt like having a good girlfriend share her wildest dating stories over wine. She nailed Nina’s confidence, sass, and softer moments. The pacing was natural, the tone matched each moment perfectly, and the emotional range in her performance elevated the entire story. Honestly, this is the kind of audiobook that enhances the experience beyond the page.

The only drawbacks for me: the beginning was a bit slow, and the ending felt a little abrupt. After everything Nina and Russ went through, I would’ve loved an epilogue or some kind of closure to round things out.

Still, this was a fun, sexy, and empowering romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. A solid four stars, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience it as an audiobook!

Huge shoutout to NetGalley for the ALC—y’all really came through! Okay, let’s get into it because Danielle Allen?! She did it again!

From the jump, I knew I was gonna be all in because Nina! BABY, she was that girl. Confident, unbothered, and living her best single life with a whole roster! Yes, please. In my opinion we don’t get enough stories where women are dating for fun and owning it—and I loved seeing that play out here. It gave very much Curvy Girl Summer vibes in the best way—realistic, refreshing, and fun.

Of course, she had a fave (and listen, he was giving what needed to be given), but what I really appreciated was how the story didn’t fall into the usual romance traps. It was perfect, low stakes with just a dash of drama—enough to keep it spicy without the stress.

The career-versus-love tension hit, but Nina handled it like a boss. She didn’t fold or shrink for a man—and that was everything.

And can we talk about the narration for a second? Wesleigh Siobhan ate this up. I love her voice! Per usual, her delivery was flawless. She brings characters to life in a way that keeps you locked in from start to finish.

I need all the girlies to read or listen to this book when it drops!!

This love story was everything I needed! Russ and Nina were HOT and HEAVY in love. Love the whirlwind romance along with a wine and dine of a fmc. This book gave me both! The way Nina stood up for herself in trying times, particularly in the stereotypically skinny fashion industry, i also loved how Russ was always there to reassure/stand up for her. Seeing him fall in love in real time throughout this book was heart warming. Literally was swooning, kicking my feet while listening to these two laugh, joke, get to know each other, dirty talk, and everything else between.
The audio was fantastic, I was able to easily follow along when a new chapter/character was speaking. I also realllllly enjoyed the AAVE being used in proper context and pronounced authentically!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Danielle Allen for giving me the opportunity to listen to this advance listening copy of Plus Size Player.

This read a breath of air fresh air! I had so much fun with Nina! I was over here kicking my feet and giggling the whole time. I listened while I cooked and cleaned, sweating more from the spicy scenes than the chores! 😂

Russ--my goodness. 🤤

This is a perfect release read for the summer!

Thank you to @authordanielleallen, @netgalley, @macmillan.audio for the opportunity to listen in advance for my honest review in return.

@wesleigh_siobhan rocks the audiobook narration!

Highly recommend this book! Plus size model and tall dark and handsome man energy. Great supportive friends and family throughout!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️

this is a slow one. it is more believable than the first in the series. I would still recommend it.
The narrator does a good job but also her voice got to me sometimes and i would have to take a break.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this ALC.
The excitement I felt when I received this ALC was unmatched. I loved “Curvy girl summer” so I was anticipating loving this one as well.

At first, I really thought, where is this gonna go. It was different and refreshing to have an FMC who doesn’t settle down just because she feels she has to.
She had her professional life figured out and had a dating roster that was exceptional but Rhee just had to be someone to come and show her everything she did t know she wanted or needed.

When I tell you this book had me laughing, gasping, mad as hell at some people! That one photographer can catch these hands 😩 iykyk.

Nina knew what she had and wasn’t gonna let anyone tell her different and when you can bask and shine in that confidence and knowledge, no one can ever tear you down.
Russ is gonna be up there as far as book boyfriends, but he was making me mad trying to act like he could resist her! He knew he couldn’t resist my girl!! The way he loved her..wheww!!!!!!

I will say, it did feel a little too long, i think there was a bit of fluff in between but that is just me being nitpicky.

Do yourself a favor and get this book, and if you can get it on audio, even better, because Wesleigh Siobhan is unmatched and I could listen to her narrate all day everyday.

This was my first Danielle Allen novel and WHAT A KNOCK OUT!

Nina is a plus sized GODDESS! She’s confident, successful, and has men tripping over themselves for her attention.

Russ is an infatuated love drunk dream. The way he cares for Nina, worships her, oh to be on the receiving end of his love!

This book was HOT HOT HOT and a lot of fun!

Thank you so much Net Galley, Danielle Allen, and McMillan Audio for an ALC of this phenomenal story!

I really enjoyed this! I love Nina's story and her journey to love, and Russ and her are a great match. I think the ending was kinda rushed tho, like okay he's her CEO and now he's stepping down. I did find some of the dialogue was a bit repetitive like she said " my stomach fluttered" bout 50 11 times lol. Wesleigh is top 2 and not two when it comes to audiobook narration and think she really moved the plot and added to the enjoyment of the book! I didn't read Curvy Girl Summer, but now I'm def interested in checking it out!

i loved this book from start to finish!!! the way danielle allen creates such beautifully flawed characters in a way that feels so vulnerable and relatable seriously needs to be studied because these characters stole my heart! the banter was too tier! the chemistry was off the charts. the audiobook itself was so well done. the narrator brought all of these characters to life making them feel so real.

This was cute. Definitely not a slow burn like book 1 in the series. I felt like this was a good follow up to the sensation that was book 1. It was nice to learn about Nina’s story while catching up a little with Aaliyah. This book gave us another swoon worthy MMC in Russ, whom I adored. It also tackled tough topics like how women in bigger bodies are treated personally and professionally. The humor was still present in this series and it didn’t skimp on the spice. Kudos to Danielle Allen for this follow up!

Super fun and steamy romance! Plus-size model Nina has her life figured out - dating 4 men, all giving her different aspects of satisfaction, without any commitment or real feelings. Her modeling career is starting to really take off when the "fun one" in her rotation of guys starts making her feel something serious.

I really enjoyed this romance, it's a perfect escape into something really spicy, body-positive, and seeing a woman get everything she deserves! Nina is a fun main character and it's great to see a woman be a "player" without anyone truly getting hurt (or even misogyny that comes with it! Perfect escapism). She's funny, smart, passionate, and treated very well by all the guys in her life. The spice is great without it being too much of the focus. This has little drama, which I appreciate, mostly small issues that get resolved reasonably and don't drag down the fun plot.

I also have to commend audiobook narrator Wesleigh Siobhan, who did fantastic as each character! All the voices for men and women were well done and unique, the performance was really engaging and brought me into the story. I'll have to listen to other books she's done because this was great!

Overall a great steamy, women-positive, diverse romance!

Danielle Allen’s latest romance hits different. Her heroine, Nina Ford, treats life like an investment portfolio – diversified. Multiple jobs, various hobbies, and a carefully curated roster of men, each serving a distinct purpose. It’s a strategy that’s worked like a charm, until those pesky feelings show up uninvited.

What makes this book shine is how real it feels. Nina isn’t your typical romance protagonist – she’s messy, complex, and completely unapologetic. Allen writes with the kind of wit that makes you snort-laugh in public, while delivering steamy scenes that’ll have you checking if anyone’s reading over your shoulder.

The book nails body positivity without preaching. There’s no dramatic transformation or “learning to love yourself” montage. Instead, Allen weaves self-acceptance naturally through Nina’s story, making it feel authentic rather than forced.

Sure, the middle drags a bit, and some interesting subplots get left hanging. But these are minor bumps in an otherwise smooth ride. Allen, drawing from her background as a professor and life coach, gets people – their quirks, their fears, their desperate attempts to keep love at arm’s length.

At its heart, Plus Size Player is about finding love on your own terms, even when it messes with your carefully planned life. It’s smart, sexy, and refreshingly real. If you like your romance with a side of actual human behavior, this one’s for you.

4.5/5 stars – Highly recommended for anyone who’s ever tried to spreadsheet their way through relationships (you know who you are).