Play On: A Soccer Romantic Comedy

Stonebridge United #1

by Aven Ellis

He’s a professional footballer with the nickname Saucy Shorts and is known for his dedication to the game.
Me? I’m called a butterfly by my own family, flittering from project to project on our historic ancestral estate, abandoning them for something new.
So why do I feel as if Mr Saucy Shorts might be a safe place for me to land once and for all—if I can be brave enough to let him in?

We’re opposites. Noah Darby blushes at the nickname TikTok has coined for him. He’s quiet. Noah has known what he’s wanted to do since he was a little boy, and he’s lived his life with one goal—becoming a world-class footballer.

Meanwhile, I, Lady Violet Banfield, am known for my bubbly personality and non-stop talking. However, I’m floundering in the gift shop at my family’s estate, held back from pursuing an art career in London out of my own fears and doubts.

But when I talk to Noah, opposites attract—and the chemistry is palpable. But how can I possibly live up to what he already sees in me? Dare I take a chance on this footballer and risk my heart? And if I do, will I find more than a love story as a result?

If you like green-flag MMCs and when he falls first—and hard—with no third act breakup, you’ll love this heartwarming romance.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2024

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Aven Ellis began her publishing career in 2013 with her debut release, Connectivity. She currently writes romantic comedies featuring royals, billionaires, aristocrats, and athletes.

Her books are designed to make readers laugh out loud and fall in love. Happily-ever-after endings and good-boy heroes are guaranteed.

Aven lives in the Dallas area with her family. Aven loves shopping and fashion and can spend hours playing with fragrances in any department store. She can be found chatting it up on social media, eating speciality M&Ms, and crushing on the latest outfit the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing.

Reviews

[Marcia Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book.

Aven has done it again! The latest Modern Aristocrats/ Stonebridge United HEA romance featuring Lady Violet and “Saucy Shorts” Noah Darby is a sweet story with cameos from favorite characters from previous books (Carl and Roy, anyone?!) Violet is a butterfly, and learns that she can be taken seriously as well. Noah is just so sweet and is the book boyfriend we all need!! Follow Aven on Facebook and Paetron-she is adorable and so are her characters (well, most of them anyway! (IYKYK!!)

[Kelly (kelsreads.andotherthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When beautiful aristocrat, Lady Violet Benefield, and professional footballer, Noah Darby, bond over Pick and Mix sparks fly. However, Violet is unsure if her indecisive ways will ever be enough for the uber dedicated, Noah. She’s always been seen as a butterfly, beautiful and happy, flitting from thing to thing, but only Violet knows the underling fear that keeps her from driving forward to pursue her dreams. Noah sees her as a vibrant, positive light who is brave in the face of helping others and he makes it his mission to help Violet see her worth and move forward in pursuing everything she’s ever wanted. Noah seemingly has everything he’s ever wanted, a single-minded focus to be the best in his sport but, nothing is worth achieving if you don’t have someone to share it with and Violet is determined to be that person!

For me, Aven is synonymous with characters who cheerlead each other toward their dreams. Her characters have realistic flaws that make their struggles and triumphs throughout the book relatable and heartwarming. I loved Noah, the big swoony, tattooed man with a teddy bear heart. He falls hard and fast for Violet and his unwavering support and grand gesture, in kind, squeezed my heart, wishing he was real. Likewise, Violet’s support of Noah’s when he needed it gave me the biggest smile because Noah wasn’t the only one with grand gesture moves! These two had a relationship full of fun and flirty texts, adorable inside jokes, and a hilarious nickname Noah just couldn’t seem to escape!

As always, Aven does her research, including details that make you feel like taking a vacation to enjoy the actual experience inside her pages! If you want to feel transported to London for a bit this summer, I would definitely pick up Play On! It has plenty of laughs, sweet heartfelt moments, and some spice!

Thank you Aven Ellis for this ARC of Play On. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

[Jillian Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to the Stonebridge United series and a wonderful addition to the Modern Aristocrats world that Aven Ellis has created. I loved Noah and Violet and how something so simple as a shared love for a specific movie snack brought them together. As always with Aven's books the range of emotions you feel while reading, the fanning yourself with your kindle that is absolutely necessary during specific scenes (at one point I also grabbed a bookmark to fan myself with that's how hot this book is), the revisitation of characters from other books within this world and the modern royals world. It's just absolutely amazing. I also know very little about soccer (football) but enjoyed this very much as it focused more on their relationship than the soccer though soccer played a big integral part in it.

[Liz Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aven Ellis is a treasure. So thankful to have discovered her swoon worthy HEAs several years ago. I’ve enjoyed all of her books and Play On is no exception. While Violet and Noah are not my all time favorite Aven Ellis Characters, they are enjoyable, well developed, have interesting back stories and nice tie ins to characters from other books… that left me eager for more Stonebridge United / Modern Aristocrat novels. I enjoyed reading about Violets journey of self discovery and seeing how she supported her man, Mr Saucy Shorts himself. Another winner in my book.

[afreak19 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don't know how Aven Ellis keeps doing it, but her books are just getting better and better!
Noah & Violet are absolutely perfect for each other. Their first time gave me chills, it was so beautiful and uniquely fitting. After reading the book "grand gestures" need to be redefined.
A simple recommendation of this fantastic book feels like not enough, however I can only strongly encourage you to read and fall in love with it, the story, the characters and the whole "Aven-verse"!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story and I absolutely adored Noah. He was such a sweetie and a total green flag. The whole opposites attract vibe that he and Violet had going on made this such a fun story and I am really starting to love soccer (football) romance stories. I may have found a new favorite sports romance author. Thank you Aven Ellis for the opportunity to read this story.

[Mercy Limpo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I lost interest the moment the male lead was like I can't believe you like mythology, I've never met anyone like that. Really? I find that hard to believe. I hate it when authors portray common interests as these really fringe interests that only the main characters like because they are special or something.
Also I was bored.

[Pieter deWaart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soccer star

Loved this book! Always hard to convince people that you have changed. Getting stuck in a rut is never fun, but being kept there is unbearable. When you have someone who loves you and believes in you it makes all the difference! Really a fun read. Doesn't hurt that I love soccer!!!

[Cindra Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

What a brilliant beginning to what I know will be a beyond brilliant fantastic new series where new and beloved characters abound. Noah and Violet were all the feels everything and more yet adorably flawed in only the best way perfection.

[Amy Malek Concepcion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Play On.

Noah and Violet had a sweet story. I enjoyed this one. I would have liked a little bit more at the end with her parents though. The issues with how they saw her did not seem fully resolved.

[Daneen Schmunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read

Aven did it again! A wonderful, swoony, can't put the book
down read. If you loved the Royal series this is a must read.

[Mariana]

DNF at ~60%. This is so boring, I don't have the mental capacity to continue reading just to give this book a bad rating.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the beginning but stuck with it as I like the author. This is a romance novel but it's also a novel about self discovery.

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t love this.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet coming of age style story!
Violet is unsure of... well, everything. She never comments because she's scared to fail. A point I can totally understand. When she meets Noah, who's so incredibly sure of himself, she panics and pushes him away despite the mutual interest in one another...
I loved seeing Noah and Violet come together and become whole through one another. When he stood up for her it was so unbelievably cute and I fell for him a little myself!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute story by Aven but definitely not one of my top stories. It was missing drama that is more present in the older books and a little *too* lovey dovey squishy sweetness. It also kind of irked me how almost every single chapter ended with an “and” statement. Overall it was a sweet story and held my attention but probably not one I’d re-read time and time again.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, quick read, and one you won’t want to put down, Play On is Book One in the Stonebridge United series by prolific author, Aven Ellis.

If you enjoy books with a sports-related theme, you will love Play On. Noah is a star player for Stonebridge United, a football team in England. A lover of Greek mythology and the pick and mix at the cinema, it might seem as though he’s surrounded by people and has it all. But actually, deep down Noah is harboring a secret that he’s never told a soul.

Lady Violet has been managing the gift shop at Wintersmith House, her family estate, since she graduated from university with her art degree. Never able to figure out what she wants to do next, Violet has also been hiding something from everyone, even her twin brother Nicholas. Upon meeting Noah, she realizes he will never understand and decides she can’t date him. Quickly changing her mind, she sets out to explain and through doing so, Noah opens up to Violet, and ultimately, Violet to Noah.

The story of Violet and Noah is an expression of what it looks like when someone shows you how much they care about you more than anything in the whole world.

Violet and Noah are characters we have met in previous books by Aven Ellis, but you do not have to read those first in order to enjoy Play On. However, I would highly suggest you check out all of her series of books. I could not wait for the next book of each series. She weaves the characters into each of the different storylines in some way, yet you are still able to enjoy them as standalone books.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since discovering Aven Ellis's swoony romcoms, "A Royal Shade of Blue" has long been my favorite book. Christian and Clementine are such special characters, however, after meeting Noah and Violet in "Play On", I think ARSOB will have to step aside.
"Play On" is the story of the footballer Noah "Saucy Shorts" Darby and Lady Violet Banfield. These two characters have been introduced in Ellis's previous stories, but this is the first time we have the chance to take an in-depth look into their character.
Noah and Violet have a strong connection and early chemistry early on, yet as with every romance book, the road to happily ever after is never easy nor is it straight forward.
The way Aven has woven together the angst, humor, heat, and heart is masterful. I couldn't put "Play On" down and found myself dying to know how their story was going to end up. I laughed. I cried, And at the end, I smiled.
"Play On" is one of those books that will stick with you for a long time because its so deep and beautifully written. I wasn't a football fan before meeting Camden and Noah, but now on my free Saturdays, I try and catch a few Premier league games.
I can't recommend "Play On" highly enough. If you are debating on where you'll enjoy it, I'll answer that question for you....yes....you will. 
10/10 stars.
Thanks to Aven Ellis for the ARC copy. All opinions are my own.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Play On is the story of Lady Violet and football star Noah Darby. While both characters, along with several others that appear in the book, were previously introduced in other works by this author, this book can be read without having read the stories.

Noah and Violet have an instant connection, and it was a joy to watch their relationship develop. The story is a blend of humor and angst, but the author does a wonderful job of not letting one overshadow the other. The result is a well-rounded book that will take readers through a rollercoaster of emotions.

The characters are likeable and relatable. I could sympathize with Violet's fear of failure, as I often have the same fear. I loved how Noah accepts that about her and encourages her to step outside of her comfort zone. She, in turn, proves to him that he's worthy of having the support that he doesn't get from his family. They're both fiercely supportive and protective of one another, and their romance is as sweet as their pick and mix choices. I believe they may be my favorite couple yet by this author.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC**

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute romance, but I had some quibbles.

It took several chapters to get into the story for me. I was not a fan of Violet’s nonaction after her mistake. She annoyed me because she could’ve done something instead of wallow in self-pity. Luckily after a few chapters Violet redeems herself and fixes her mistake. Thank goodness, because I loved Noah. He was such a sweetheart. Shy and quiet and all-in when he really likes someone. The romance really started to heat up after that. And they build a lovely relationship. But things did get a bit sappy for me sometimes. The reactions they had to sweet, thoughtful things they did for each other or when they shared about their past just felt like too much and a bit cheesy.

I also thought there should’ve been some emphasis on therapy or a hint that maybe Noah at least goes to therapy. His past traumas seem to disappear once Violet says “it’s not your fault” and that just seems unrealistic. He needed therapy.

Overall, I did enjoy this romance. It was a fluffy, contemporary read with a bit of spice.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an ARC in exchange for providing an honest review.

I love Aven Ellis' books. They are fun, engaging, and usually have very relatable characters, even when they are royalty, billionaires, or professional athletes. Play On is no different, and is an absolutely joyful read.

That being said, it was a bit hard to get into at first. We're thrown right into the early stages of Violet's relationship with Noah, and it was a bit jarring, with a flashback immediately, before I could even figure out what was happening in the present. It took me awhile to reacquiant myself with these characters that have been introduced to us in other books. With this being the start of a new series in the Aven-verse, I would've liked to have a bit more lead-up.

Once I got a few chapters in, I fell more into a flow with reading Violet's book. I enjoyed her character growth and the role Noah plays in helping her find her path. I also liked getting more of the family dynamics for Violet, her twin brother (Nicholas), and their parents.

A great addition to Aven's catalog, but not my favorite.

[The Nashville Bookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read every one of Aven’s books, I always love the unique things that make each book and it’s characters special and memorable. The nicknames in this book were definitely a personal favorite 😂 saucy shorts and Daddy Darby will stick with me for a long time!

I really loved getting to be back in the Football and Royals world! Violet and Noah navigate a long distance relationship so beautifully and it was sweet to see a committed relationship put in the work to make it successful. Both characters had their moments of grand gestures, which is something I love in fiction as well as real life!

I felt the conflict was realistic and not blown out of proportion just for the sake of a tense moment in a book- Aven always does that so well!

I definitely recommend this for anyone looking to escape in a fun world filled with pic and mix, sweet love, family drama, peacocks, and ultimately two characters rewriting what they’ve always believed as true about themselves.

[Akshatha Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so delighted that I got an ARC for this amazing book!!
Aven Ellis gets a goal again! Pun intended.

This book is the latest in the Stonebridge United series while having multiple references to previous favourites ❤️
We first meet Violet, the sister of Nicholas and Noah, Camden Tremblay’s best friend in Lord of the Manor.

Violet is a beautiful character. She is given a non flattering moniker - Butterfly because of her tendency to jump from one interest to the next. Enter Noah, the shy superstar footballer who turns it into a beautiful meaningful nickname. Anyone who is familiar with the Aven-verse knows that the minute the heroine is given a nickname, we are guaranteed to have a swoon worthy book in our hands.

I loved this book, as simple as that. And I encourage all of you who want happy endings and happy beginnings and happy everything to start reading this. Because it’s bound to leave a smile on your face ❤️

[Elizabeth Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another score from Aven Ellis! Violet and Noah have absolutely become one of my top couples in the Avenverse. I love how her characters really grow and develop throughout their relationship, and help one another get through life’s obstacles, while sprinkling in her clever humor along with some steamy and swoony moments. I felt Violet’s struggles with her family truly speak to me; her characters seem so real and just come alive off the pages. I couldn’t put this book down and didn’t want it to end at the same time. Thank you, Ms Ellis for sharing your brilliantly creative mind with us once again!

[Chelsea Baute · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I love about an Aven Ellis book is the way she brings back past characters. It is such a delight to dip back into the world of royals while also being a part of a new series. Violet and Noah have met before, but at a weekend at her family home there is an instant connection when they start talking about pick and mix. Sparks fly between the two, but Violet, the family “Butterfly”, doesn’t believe she’s good enough to be with a serious footballer like Noah. This is a classic Aven book full of love, nicknames, and familiar characters. Read Violet and Noah’s love story and get sucked into a swoony world, crafted flawlessly by Aven.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an Absolutely incredible book. This book has so many feels in it. Love, acceptance, showing up for who you love and found family. How absolutely incredible. I loved Violet and Noah together. They had chemistry from the frt fi, and also a lot of baggage. I loved how it took them a bit to come together because of insecurity. It was amazing to see Violet grow so so much in this book and realized very quickly what she wanted and fought to get it . This was an amazing book. I loved it as always with any Aven Ellis book! 5 stars

[Msb · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Aven Ellis delivers a sweet n spicy romance novel (but not too spicy) that has characters that feel real. The heroine is intensely relatable and the hero is as swoon-worthy as any of her previous ones. Who wouldn’t want a Noah in their life? Getting glimpses of previous couples in the series is an added bonus. Have I mentioned before that her books make me hungry? Because every time she describes food, I feel like I need to go find that food and this book was no exception.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Aven Ellis! We’ve seen Violet and Noah separately in the background of Aven’s last few releases so it was great to finally get their story. I loved this intro into a new series, Stonebridge United, which still having cameos from familiar characters we saw in the Modern Royals, Modern Aristocrats and British Isles Billionaires series. If you’ve liked any of the recent releases from those series you’ll love this one too! Add to cart and don’t look back!

[Tricia Van Handel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aven Ellis wrote another gem! Noah and Violet was worth waiting for. Noah, a famous baller falls for Violet, a girl trying to get out of from her brother and parents' shadow. Just like a butterfly!

[Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the one about her twin… lots less cursing.