A Play for the Heart

by Nicole Cubba

Henry Parker knows two things to be true:
1) Playing in the NFL is everything he hoped it would be.
2) Sawyer Jones is the love of his life.

Henry has quietly loved his best friend for years. Tired of riding the bench, he decides it's time for a jet sweep of Sawyer's heart. Pumped up on the adrenaline of being drafted, Henry plans to make his move, until he finds out someone else did before him. The worst part of that devastating scenario? Sawyer's new boyfriend is Henry’s teammate. But when momentum shifts and Sawyer is suddenly single, Henry decides it’s time to throw a hail Mary and test the waters.

After his teammates draft a brilliant (or incredibly stupid) game plan, Henry decides to steal some plays from some of the most famous romantic romantic comedy movies. One lost tube of chapstick and a tension-filled day of baking later, Henry has a choice to make. Tell Sawyer how he feels and risk destroying the friendship, or stand aside and love her from the sidelines forever.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Sports Romance, Romance, Sports, Football

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

Nicole Cubba writes romance with the belief that every person deserves a happily-ever-after and her favorite stories are ones that reflect that sentiment. Nicole works as a marine biologist and has a deep passion for the ocean and the planet. When she isn’t in the lab, you can find her searching for new coffee shops, wandering in nature, and spending far too much time watching sports. She was born and raised in Michigan, but now lives in Massachusetts, close to the ocean.

Reviews

[Brittany selken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and I don’t know why I did not pick up her books any sooner than this I love this whole series so far. This the first book and it about two people that had feeling for each for the longer time and did not act on it till event had happened and everything had changed when they both had open up to each other and told each other how they felt about each other it was a love story in the making and it was so freaking funny like everyone knew but them. I’m so happy that after everything that had happen that they got to be happy together .

[Jessica Samuels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read, I love the best friend lover trope! 🔥

[Raianna Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good friends to lovers book. Henry is the SWEETEST MMC (his mouth tho? Phew). I loved Declan’s character growth. Sawyer is adorably awkward
I loved how real? In a sense this was for sweet awkward not perfect love story. 80% Henry I’m not friends with. I LOVE Maren & Nathalie and what good friends they are.

🏈 Sports Romance
💗 Friends to Lovers
🏈 Mental Health Rep
💗 He Falls First

[Paige Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

friends to lovers, sports romance, self-love & mental health. this book has it all. Henry Parker is textbook golden retriever. perfect amount of spice & gentle love. So excited for book 2 & my ARC of book 3! I also love how the author has a song lyric at the beginning of each chapter to kind of set the mood!



I am not a fan of the whole breakup then makeup. didn’t fully seem in character for him, which is what drops this down to 5 stars.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is absolutely adorable and gave me all of the warmest feelings! Nicole does such an amazing job of reminding us that love is awkward and silly, and we don't always need to be sure of ourselves - sometimes we'll say or do the wrong things (or panic and then correct!). It's definitely one of the more realistic love stories I've read and makes me want to curl up under a blanket with all the snacks and a cup of tea (or wine!).

This book sets the tone for a found family, sports romance novel, as we get introduced to (what seems to be) all the main characters, and their personalities.

I did read the third book (as an ARC) prior to this one and absolutely loved it, so I knew I had to start the series from the beginning. I loved Sawyer and Henry's story, and their evolution from friends to lovers. Henry is the sweetest and I loved being immersed in his and Sawyer's story - all the ups and downs, and just figuring out who you are.

There are some plot holes and minor things that don't fully connect (hence the 4 stars), but I honestly didn't care to much (I think the main one was the Declan story line - it came off a bit strange and not all the way flushed out), and still enjoyed the book and would pick it back up for a re-read.

I do recommend the series and this book, especially when you're looking for that cozy love story, and characters you just want to be a part of. I can't wait to dive into the second book, and then probably re-read the third!

[Emma Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

henry and sawyer
this was sooooo good until the ended ruined it.
i loved the best friends to lovers, they become bffs in college and have been super close but he’s always secretly loved her. he plans to tell her the night he gets drafted but she tells him she’s going on an date with his teammate instead. they break up. he decides to see if feeling are mutual and gives subtle hints. she realizes she may be in love w him but doesn’t know if he feels the same. they finally get together and it’s so cute and he takes her virginity how special. then he gets injured (torn achilles) and decides to break up with her bc he’s nothing without football. so so so stupid. mostly bc it wasn’t a career ending injury, they said 9 months of rehab and his coach said they supported him. so he wasn’t losing football anyway but he doesn’t want to “drag her down with him” like bro get a grip but whatever so the third act break up just plan dumb and ridiculous but ofc they get back together and live happily ever after (-:

[greenapplemojito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have so easily been a four-star read, but I have to go with three stars, unfortunately, and here is why: I love that we have an MMC who is also shown to "cry". This might be funny or weird to hear me mention, but I am grateful to books where the heroes are especially when it comes to "hockey" books, the heroes are portrayed as macho men almost all the time, so I am glad whenever they show the vulnerable side of MMCs in such books or even in general, for that matter. I found the book funny as well and I loved the supporting characters who were by the MCs side. What I didn't like about, or rather, what I wish were or weren't there, was understanding a bit more about the MMC's relationship with his dad or parents, as it had a bit of a major role in the story, I couldn't figure Declan out at all or understand him, there was third act breakup and what was even worse was that I would have never seen that coming out of all things and the excuse for the fallout made no absolute sense. I also felt that the characters didn't act like their age at times.

[Tiffany W · Rating 4 out of 5]

super cute!!

Oh, this was a really cute story Sawyer, and here we were college best friends Henry was our cinnamon roll MC. He’s been in love with Sawyer forever, however, Sawyer had no idea.

Sawyer decides to move to Seattle to be near her best friend Sherry and her boyfriend Declan little does she know more than just her ZIP Code is about to change.

I love the chemistry between Sawyer and Henry, like you could really tell they genuinely had fun today, and for me that important in a relationship. I also was obsessed with Maren and cannot wait to find out more about her( and Jake) lol

[Unique Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an arc of Fumbled into Love and realized it was book #3 of this series so immediately I started reading to get caught up. I love sports romance books and so far I’m enjoying it. Sawyer and Henry are so cute. A true friends to lovers story (even tho I felt Sawyer forgave Henry too quickly) but also so cute. I loved getting to know all the characters and can’t wait to see how Maren Jack Nathalie and Deons love story unfolds… still confused how Declan plays a role but hopefully with the next few books there will be some clarity.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute, fun story. If you need that hit of dopamine to get through the day - this is worth the read. Henry and Sawyer will remind you of those best friends that could have been. Henry is just the perfect sweet book boyfriend. This is like the book version of a Hallmark movie. No real stomach dropping angst, which sometimes we just need. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the next characters.

[Laurynn East · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me so pissed off near the end, like excuse me Henry, how could you?? After Henry makes everyone fall in love w his sweetness.
Henry and Sawyer’s chemistry is unmatched. I love them. And Maren is the type of friend I wish I had. Their platonic chemistry is also unmatched. The spicy scenes in this book were also on point. Anyway, great read, characters (minus, Declan, prick.) and plot. Super cute, Henry was literally the sweetest, even though he did piss me offffff.

[rhy.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Play for The Heart, has my heart

The friendship and adoration from this couple pulled on my heartstrings, Henry would do anything for sawyer.
Has anyone ever wondered how to make a boy come back just to see him for a couple more minutes, just to spend more time together… we’ll forget your chapstick (that doesn’t exist) in his car and make him come back!

I really enjoyed this book and was eager to read more from @authornicolecubba

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75 stars)

Play for the Heart was a cute debut and a fun addition to the friends-to-lovers, football romance. The best friend trope felt natural and believable, which made the romance easy to root for. There were a few moments where the pacing dragged, but I have a feeling that’s partly because this book is laying the groundwork for future stories in the series. Overall, it’s a sweet, easy romance read that sets up a promising start for the series!

[Erin Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this trope so I knew I would love this story. The 3rd Act BU seemed a bit out of place just based on the character traits we learned of Henry. He didn't speak to his dad often and he knew that he was always speaking negatively. For him to all of a sudden think everything dad said was right, thus causing the break up seemed a bit odd to me.

[Kayla Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m in love with my Bestfriend, and she has no idea?

SIGN ME UP.

First off, Henry is a GOLDEN RETRIEVER.
A tiny bit of a chicken shit, but so is Sawyer.

So many times I wanted to just yell at them to GET IT TOGETHER! 😅

I’m glad Declan didn’t have to be a complete waste of character.

My favorite is the Amazonian Maren and Jack.

[Kate Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this best friends-to-lovers slow burn until the 3rd act break up. Like they were so good together and Henry was so sweet, but a sports injury?! MADE HIM LEAVE HER?! Rude. And then he does the bare minimum to get her back?

It was still a good read and I loved Maren and Jack enough that I'll read book 2 but dang

[Kimberly Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for books from the MMC’s POV and I loved that this was a he-fell-first situation as opposed to most other friends-to-lovers I’ve read. While i’m not a huge fan of certain tropes used in this book, it was still a pretty cute and easy read overall!

[Lauren Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet love

It’s a best friends to lovers romance. It gives you the excitement of first love and pain in the pit of your stomach when they experience their first fight. You know it’s going to end with a happily ever after because they were best friends first. The first book is a set up for more romance to follow in their friends group. Overall, an enjoyable read!!

[Brittany Steminist Booknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book out of order because I found love on the line first, but knowing the ending and some details going in didn’t ruin the story. This was a good friends to lovers. The third act breakup really broke my heart, lots of tears. Good spice, good plot, and well written.

[Christian Pagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story, loved the characters and their chemistry! Can’t wait for the other books in this series!!!

[Maria Bologna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally picked it up and could not stop reading! I fell in love with Sawyer and Henry right from the start, and am looking forward to see how the story will continue :)

[Doush · Rating 5 out of 5]

so freaking cute

[hotmessmargreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not usually a huge fan of friends to lovers BUT this one was pretty good.

-1 star for 3rd act break up
-2 stars for not enough groveling

[Aynslee Gavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very very cute! It was weird (but good) reading this book after already reading book 2, and having some new stuff click into place. Would definitely read another book by this author!

[Kayla Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute feel good story

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry is dramatic

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these two so much. Friends to lovers worked in this book and I loved how they fell into it. Definitely worth reading

[Bre ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved Henry and Sawyers story <3

[Shay McDonell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6

[Laurel Tonti · Rating 4 out of 5]

so cute! def enjoyed it