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Playing with the Bad Boy
*Please note the release date is a placeholder. The book will be released in 2024*
Blake’s best friend Everett is the hottest tight end in the NFL with a rock hard body, a panty melting smile, and a casual attitude about love. He can have anyone he wants, and that’s exactly why Blake will never date him.
Everett
No one understands my friendship with Blake because they don’t believe a guy and a girl can just be friends without catching feelings.
What they don’t know is that Blake put me in the friend zone back in high school. But when she becomes my temporary roommate, everything between us shifts. Now she isn’t just the girl I’ve always been able to trust without question.
She’s the woman I’m in love with, and losing her is more than I can take.
Blake
Everett’s penthouse is my haven to take a break from my soul-crushing job. We’ve always been just friends, but that was before I saw him walking around in a towel and my brain melted.
We’re spending the holidays together, and he unexpectedly kisses me on New Year’s Eve. Now neither of us knows where to go from here. I planned to finally get started with my life by putting down roots and finding the guy I’m supposed to be with.
But what if Everett is that guy?
Playing with the Bad Boy is a steamy friends to lovers romance with delicious forced proximity. If you love redeemed bad boys, Everett will definitely be your next book boyfriend. It’s the second book in the New York Dark Horses series, and it can be read as a standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after and no cheating.
Blake’s best friend Everett is the hottest tight end in the NFL with a rock hard body, a panty melting smile, and a casual attitude about love. He can have anyone he wants, and that’s exactly why Blake will never date him.
Everett
No one understands my friendship with Blake because they don’t believe a guy and a girl can just be friends without catching feelings.
What they don’t know is that Blake put me in the friend zone back in high school. But when she becomes my temporary roommate, everything between us shifts. Now she isn’t just the girl I’ve always been able to trust without question.
She’s the woman I’m in love with, and losing her is more than I can take.
Blake
Everett’s penthouse is my haven to take a break from my soul-crushing job. We’ve always been just friends, but that was before I saw him walking around in a towel and my brain melted.
We’re spending the holidays together, and he unexpectedly kisses me on New Year’s Eve. Now neither of us knows where to go from here. I planned to finally get started with my life by putting down roots and finding the guy I’m supposed to be with.
But what if Everett is that guy?
Playing with the Bad Boy is a steamy friends to lovers romance with delicious forced proximity. If you love redeemed bad boys, Everett will definitely be your next book boyfriend. It’s the second book in the New York Dark Horses series, and it can be read as a standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after and no cheating.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2025
11 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Peters
27 books196 followersOlivia Peters is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance. She’s based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, but spends as much time as possible at her lake house dreaming about her next story.
Olivia writes unapologetically about hot, dirty-talking alpha men, and the strong, sexy women who bring them to their knees. Readers can count on angst, steam and guaranteed happily ever afters.
When Olivia isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family, enjoying the great outdoors, and cooking up a storm in her cluttered kitchen.
Subscribe to Olivia's newsletter at https://www.oliviapetersbooks.com for the latest updates on her books, upcoming sales and fun giveaways.
To find Olivia on social media, click here: https://www.linktr.ee/opwrites
Olivia writes unapologetically about hot, dirty-talking alpha men, and the strong, sexy women who bring them to their knees. Readers can count on angst, steam and guaranteed happily ever afters.
When Olivia isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family, enjoying the great outdoors, and cooking up a storm in her cluttered kitchen.
Subscribe to Olivia's newsletter at https://www.oliviapetersbooks.com for the latest updates on her books, upcoming sales and fun giveaways.
To find Olivia on social media, click here: https://www.linktr.ee/opwrites
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 26, 2025
great Friends to Lovers Romance
always enjoy a friends to lovers romance and this one kept me entertained from start to finish. I liked Blake quite well and identified with her workaholic life. Everett was sweet to Blake and treated her very well. However, he also he refused to consider that his drinking was impacting his play and was not a healthy way to deal with stress. I liked that even though Blake didn’t approve of his drinking, she didn’t end their relationship and agreed to give him time to work on his issues and regain her trust. They kept their tight friendship and supported each other throughout the tough days. Their HEA was well worth it.
Even though the team is not playing their best, they are starting to come together as a family and have each other’s backs. I can’t wait to read Ryker and Corrine’s story and get to know the better as well as the rest of the players.
I am interested in finding out why Dakota has such a grudge against the team and why she goes out of her way to catch them doing something that she can report on and show them in a bad light. I am sure all will be revealed at some point.
The characters Olivia wrote in this book are realistic, they aren’t perfect but also try to do what is right. Solid sports romance.
I received a free copy of this book via BookFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
always enjoy a friends to lovers romance and this one kept me entertained from start to finish. I liked Blake quite well and identified with her workaholic life. Everett was sweet to Blake and treated her very well. However, he also he refused to consider that his drinking was impacting his play and was not a healthy way to deal with stress. I liked that even though Blake didn’t approve of his drinking, she didn’t end their relationship and agreed to give him time to work on his issues and regain her trust. They kept their tight friendship and supported each other throughout the tough days. Their HEA was well worth it.
Even though the team is not playing their best, they are starting to come together as a family and have each other’s backs. I can’t wait to read Ryker and Corrine’s story and get to know the better as well as the rest of the players.
I am interested in finding out why Dakota has such a grudge against the team and why she goes out of her way to catch them doing something that she can report on and show them in a bad light. I am sure all will be revealed at some point.
The characters Olivia wrote in this book are realistic, they aren’t perfect but also try to do what is right. Solid sports romance.
I received a free copy of this book via BookFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 25, 2025
I could not put Playing with the Bad Boy down. Ms. Peters has given us a friends-to-lovers romance where secrets are revealed, truths hurt, and love heals all. Blake and Everett's story is one of caring and taking a stand even if hearts get hurt, but ultimately, it is about how love can survive what life throws at you.
Everett is dealing with being traded and a crappy playing year for the New York Dark Horses football team. In walks Blake back into his life and the sparks they both hid for years ignite. The only thing is there is a problem that Everett refuses to see or acknowledge. Here is where I fell in love with Blake's character. She takes a stand, and tells it like it is even though her heart breaks. Everett's character had me frustrated over and over but in the end, he redeemed himself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. To see the character development of both Blake and Everett was incredible.
I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series.
Everett is dealing with being traded and a crappy playing year for the New York Dark Horses football team. In walks Blake back into his life and the sparks they both hid for years ignite. The only thing is there is a problem that Everett refuses to see or acknowledge. Here is where I fell in love with Blake's character. She takes a stand, and tells it like it is even though her heart breaks. Everett's character had me frustrated over and over but in the end, he redeemed himself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. To see the character development of both Blake and Everett was incredible.
I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series.
February 23, 2025
I love a good best friend to lovers' romance. Olivia gave me just that and more with this book. She brough the angst as well! Every time that Blake and Everett thought about the other one in a way that was more than friendly but would not speak it out loud, I wanted to throw something at them both and yell "You are both idiots!". This is how you know you are fully invested in the characters and story when you want to scream at the characters (LOL).
There is a point later in the story that test these twos' relationship. I applaud Blake for having the strength to stand and be honest with Everett, even if it means it could be the end of them.
If best friend to lovers', angst, sports, cinnamon roll MC, and spice, then, you NEED to pick up this book today! A must read.
There is a point later in the story that test these twos' relationship. I applaud Blake for having the strength to stand and be honest with Everett, even if it means it could be the end of them.
If best friend to lovers', angst, sports, cinnamon roll MC, and spice, then, you NEED to pick up this book today! A must read.
February 28, 2025
Loved this book!!!!
Book two in the New York Dark Horses series is an absolute knockout! Olivia Peters has truly outdone herself with Blake and Everett’s story—a captivating friends-to-lovers romance that had me hooked from the very first page. Their chemistry is undeniable, the sparks between them flying off the charts with every interaction. This story is packed with heart, passion, and just the right amount of tension to keep you turning pages late into the night. If you love a romance that’s equal parts fun, emotional, and completely unputdownable, this one is a must-read! 💜💙
Book two in the New York Dark Horses series is an absolute knockout! Olivia Peters has truly outdone herself with Blake and Everett’s story—a captivating friends-to-lovers romance that had me hooked from the very first page. Their chemistry is undeniable, the sparks between them flying off the charts with every interaction. This story is packed with heart, passion, and just the right amount of tension to keep you turning pages late into the night. If you love a romance that’s equal parts fun, emotional, and completely unputdownable, this one is a must-read! 💜💙
February 23, 2025
I absolutely loved this best friends to lovers story by Olivia! This is book two of a delightful series of misfit footballers. Everett is a running back with a secret crush on his best friend Blake who is finally returning home after years of working abroad. Sparks fly with these two as they navigate their relationship change as well as outside influences. This book was well written and totally enjoyable. I am excited to read more from this series. I received this book as an arc for my honest opinion.
March 17, 2025
This is one of the best friends to lovers romance stories I have read all year! This troupe is not normally one I prefer but this book is my exception. I loved how this author pulled me in and I finished this book in a single sitting. Definitely a must read if you love romance!
March 12, 2025
Loved it!
I love this book! Olivia did a great job with Blake and Everett's story! A really good friends to lovers romance that I enjoyed. There's chemistry, spice, and banter! I loved seeing it come off the pages between these two.
I love this book! Olivia did a great job with Blake and Everett's story! A really good friends to lovers romance that I enjoyed. There's chemistry, spice, and banter! I loved seeing it come off the pages between these two.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews