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Campus Players #1

Grooming the Player

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Don't hate the player...
Bainbridge University sophomore, Emma Rae, embraces her title of perpetually single. All the guys at BU are total players, and if there's one thing Emma hates more than anything, it's a player.
 
Learn to play the game...
Ryan is tired of being the embarrassment of his frat house. Being a Delta means he should be playing the field, a different girl every night, just like the rest of his frat brothers. But he's the king of nerds, as they constantly remind him, and has never even had a real girlfriend. Hell, he isn't even allowed to live in the Delta house, instead living in a mod behind it.
 
He begs Emma to turn him into a player. In return he'll bring her to the Delta DASH--the party of the year. As an underclassman, Emma isn't allowed to the DASH without a Delta escort. She quickly agrees, knowing she can turn him into anything, as she's done with so many of the ghosts of boyfriends past.

She updates his image, teaches him how to flirt, how to kiss, and even how to drive a girl wild with his heated touch. She's groomed Ryan into the ultimate player, which is exactly what he wants.

The problem is she turns him into exactly what she wants too and must now decide whether this Project Em's Way is her greatest creation... Or her ultimate downfall.
  
"If you are looking for nonstop, heart-racing action and sizzling romance, look no further. Allie K. Adams will take you there—and more!" —Lucy Monroe, USA Today bestselling author

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2013

6 people are currently reading
269 people want to read

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Allie K. Adams

49 books181 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Kjen.
490 reviews35 followers
May 28, 2014
This was a quick, simplistic read. The ending actually had a bit more depth than the rest causing me to add a star. The sex scenes were well done. I just felt that the drama was forced and could have been easily avoided, and the characters reactions didn't always make sense. Of course, they were college students, so that may be realistic;)
Profile Image for Lisa Filipe.
Author 5 books250 followers
May 26, 2014
As a fan of CAN'T BUY ME LOVE (Yes, Patrick Dempsey Throwback), I simply loved GROOMING THE PLAYER by, book one in the Campus Players, a New Adult Series by Allie K. Adams. For all of you Susan Mallery fans out there, if you remember the Bakery Sisters Series, and you loved SWEET TROUBLE (Book Three) as much as I did, you will fall for Emma and Ryan in GROOMING THE PLAYER.

Emma meets Ryan, a semi-nerdy frat boy, who is only in the frat because he has to keep up family tradition. Emma agree's to help Ryan become "Hot" in exchange for being invited to one of the "exclusive" parties thrown by Ryan's frat. Except these two might have just bitten off more than they can chew.

Emma felt a strange attraction to Ryan even before the make-over, and now that he is lookin F.I.N.E., she is thinking he might need some lessons in the bedroom as well. Emma and Ryan fit together like PB & J, but neither can admit the feelings they have for the other are the REAL DEAL...and things head south after some villainous bitch causes some problems between the young couple.

I won't give away what happens, but just know that I finished this book in a few hours, it was that much fun, and I turned the last page of my kindle with a warm, giddy heart and a huge smile on my face. Allie K. Adams reminded me of all the things I love about the New Adult genre, and I am so so glad that I gave GROOMING THE PLAYER a chance!

Don't forget to grab your copy, which is on sale for ONLY $.99!
Profile Image for Darla Lee.
179 reviews7 followers
January 13, 2014
Grooming the player is what I consider a short, power-packed, romantic comedy and those are the kind that I love the best. This book reminded me of the updated college version of the 80's movie, "Can't buy me love" and the star cross lovers of "Romeo and Juliet".
Emma is trying become a big woman on campus and Ryan is a nerd trying to fit in.
The love scenes are set your panties and whatever piece of furniture you're sitting on, will be on fire hot, and the Emmaisms are hilarious and of course the tear jerker scenes are heart warming.
This one book that I highly recommend! I want more! I'm looking forward to the sequels!
Profile Image for Natalie Norwood.
254 reviews11 followers
July 20, 2016
Overall, this book was short but entertaining. I adored Ryan, but two things bothered me. First, just because he's a nerd doesn't mean he doesn't have friends. Why wasn't he friends with the people he worked with? Or some other nerds on campus? That stereotype bothered me a bit.


SPOILER ALERT:





Second, when Emma makes out with Brad at the party. I know she's mad at Ryan and she's hurt, but why does she make out with him? And the fact that she reacts and wants to have sex with him was a complete turn off for me. She could have kissed him and realized that even though he was skilled, she didn't feel anything. But no, instead she completely forgets about Ryan. The only reason she didn't sleep with Brad was because he offered her a bathroom or right there in the kitchen. She lost a lot of respect from me.

Idk, those two things just didn't float my boat.

On the plus side, the writing was fun, the hero was adorable, and the sex was hawt. It was a bit on the short side (I wanted to see them interact with people more, and I wanted to delve deeper into their characters), but I know this was just a novella. Good job to the author for making me want to read more =)

I'll definitely read book 2 when it comes out.
Profile Image for Paula  Phillips.
5,662 reviews340 followers
June 3, 2014

This book had held high hopes for me as I love my College fiction and as I started reading it , I thought this is going to be one of those love stories where the main two characters are opposites and they will realise they are supposed to be together. It was, but it definitely took it's sweet time in getting there and by the end of the book and even during it I wanted to continually scream at the main character Emma as she was so irritating and such a selfish cow who only did things she wanted to do and if anyone tried to reciprocate with her, she would bite their heads off. Grooming the Player is like the female version of the movie "She's The One" starring Freddie Prinze Junior and Rachel Leigh Cook as Emma takes it as her project to turn Ryan into a Delta Frat Boy from the nerd he is all before the big Delta Bash . Of course, by the end of it she finds herself falling for Ryan. Can Emma and Ryan overcome their insecurites and ask each other out or has Emma completely changed Ryan into something he isn't?
Find out in Book #1 of the Campus Players Series "Grooming the Player".
Profile Image for Twin Sisters Rockin' Book Reviews.
884 reviews93 followers
June 11, 2014
Overall Rating: 4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

What happens when an aggressive red-head decides to turn a shy geek into a player? Unbelievable fun with unexpected events that make you want to laugh and at the same time empathize with the main characters. Harold “the geek” Ryan has watched Emma Rae from afar and wished that she would look his way and see him for the man that he is but girls like Emma don’t see guys like Harold. It takes a chance encounter at a bar to move them forward into relationship that involves Emma turning Harold into a Ryan. What’s a Ryan? It’s a player that will fit perfectly into his fraternity.

Who am I kidding? Even if this insane plan works and she turns me into a player, I’d never be high enough on the hotness scale to get with her. I have to remember that. This whole fake relationship is just that-fake.

Emma cannot understand her instant attraction when her gaze is caught by a pair of steely dark gray eyes. On a closer inspection she knows that he is so not her type, the way he dresses, his haircut with a mullet and dark thick glasses. No definitely not her type, so why does she feel a need to help him, protect him from his Delta brothers? Why does she want to make him over and turn into a player that will fit right into his fraternity? Her friend Britt says that’s what Emma does always finding guys that are so not her type and then try to fix them, ‘Project Em’s Way’.
“Yep,” I snap back, irritated that I can’t stop sneaking glances at Mr. Steely Eyes. Clearly, I’ve either had too much to drink or not enough. Or I’m exceptionally lonely. This guy doesn’t even rate on my first date scale. And yet, I can’t stop staring at him.

The next thing Emma knows is that she is on her way home with Harold, renamed “Ryan” and starting his makeover. This where the fun really starts, Emma agrees to take Harold from a zero to player in a week and all she wants in return is go to the DASH, The Delta Annual Spring Hookup. Ryan agrees to take her to the DASH, let her make him over if she will date him during that week.
“How about this? You turn me into a true Delta and I’ll get you into the party. It’s going to take more than turning me into a player. I need to show them I can keep a girl, too.” I eye him cautiously. “What exactly are you asking me to do?” “Go out with me.” He brings a hand up when I take a breath to protest “It doesn’t have to be a real relationship. For the week you’re grooming me into this player guy, pretend to be my girlfriend…”

There always has to be a fly in the ointment and this fly is Nancy Pettigrew the TA in Emma’s computer lab. She is constantly trying to cause problems and now has zeroed in on Ryan and Emma. Emma is no take anything type of person and that really doesn’t endear her to Nancy. Emma starts Ryan’s makeover by first getting rid of the glasses, replacing them with contacts. Next she restyles Ryan’s hair and works on his wardrobe. The only problem is that all of a sudden others are really looking at Ryan.
“Ryan and I are dating.” “Ryan?” Nancy blinks at me. “HP was his boy’s name.” I flip my hair and make a big production of it. “Now that he’s a man, he’s going by a man’s name.” Nancy’s attention bounces Ryan and right before my eyes, something transforms in her expression. She no longer looks at him like he’s a bug she wants to squash. She has interest in her gaze and even licks her lips.

Will Ryan win Emma over to the “geek” side or lose her. Can Emma believe that he is real and not playing her?
He can’t be real. No guy is this good at digging deep enough to get me to actually feel. I’m positive he’s playing me…


Hero –Harold Ryan: 4.5 stars
Heroine –Emma Rae: 4.5 stars
Steam: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Yes! This book is like street smart valley girl meets revenge of the nerd totally hilarious and sweetly romantic.

Would I read other books by this author: Yes! I totally love the way this author tells a story and cannot wait for more.

***Received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***

Grooming the Player
Allie K. Adams
Profile Image for Vettech.
529 reviews14 followers
May 20, 2014
This was such a sweet humorous love story.....and I really loved it!!

The story takes place on a college campus. With lead characters Emma, a strong no-holds-barred young woman....then we have the computer nerd Ryan. Emma meets Ryan in a local bar where the college students hang. She's approached by nerd "HP" and she gets a wonderful idea. Watch the amazing transformation of "the frog" HP, into the "Prince" Ryan...from a nerd to a player in one short week!!

As Emma meticulously alters Ryan's appearance (haircut, clothing & contact lenses), you notice something else starting to happen. As they spend every hour of every day together, a bond, a friendship develops between them. Emma comes to the realization, that in her attempt to transform Ryan, she herself has also been altered in a way. Gone are the days of her wanting a busy social life. Replaced by the desire to stay in on a Friday night and just watch TV or play video games. On a side note, Emma's BFF Britt was a totally awesome character too.

However, Emma is afraid to let anyone get too close to her, to love her...because when they do they always leave her, abandon her. That doesn't stop Ryan. He's a man on a mission & he has Emma in his sights...she is in his heart & in his soul...and he's never going to let her go!!

This was such an amazing love story. I loved how the author throws in all these quirky little, what I call "Allieisoms"...like 'holy Jesus on a pogo stick"!! Ms.Adams has such a fantastic sense of humor and is reflected in all of her works. I'm a forever Allie K. Adams fangirl!!
Profile Image for Wendy Hodges.
2,890 reviews41 followers
August 11, 2023
I don't read many Y/A stories these days unless it's military or MC, I find uni, college young and a bit naive now but saying that this was well written and interesting. Yes the characters are early 20's and haven't matured yet in their thoughts or behaviour, but you get the changes in growth as the story progresses. Both change in some ways and I think in the end they find a happy middle ground between them, looks are only skin deep but behaviour, thoughts and how you treat others is something that comes from instinct or learning. Ryan was already a decent guy but his looks didn't fit, his name a bit outraged for the times, he certainly didn't deserve the teasing or derogatory treatment. Unfortunately family have impact on how we grow up and can have lasting affect on how we see others and this was very much the case here. It was enjoyable and a page turner and I shall definitely read the next book because I do love this author, her Trex series I adore.
Profile Image for Chu.
1,459 reviews72 followers
June 1, 2014
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Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak

Emma Rae isn’t the type that can cause heads to turn – unlike her best friend Britt, she’s basically a normal girl in the crowd who embraces her state of singlehood. At Bainbridge University, guys are players, and Emma just loathe these types of men – until she sets her eyes on Ryan.

HP – a geek, a nerd, a Delta. He’s her passport to the most-sought after party in the campus, and she’s his only hope in transforming himself in becoming one of them, yes, a player. I already loved this guy the first time I saw him. I think he’s adorable – and a sheep amidst all those lions that are surrounding him. He’s a Delta and he’s meant to play – but he doesn’t know the rules nor the game itself. He doesn’t have a girlfriend as well.

A situation have brought these two together and settled on a deal – make him a player, in return he will take her to the Delta DASH. But as the transformation occurs, Emma found herself mesmerized by her creation, and what’s underneath it. Being with a nerd wasn’t that bad after all – especially when this nerd is a fast learner and has really talented hands, and ummm.. mouth. YAH! He can be sooooo hot in bed – and I was like, are you sure this was your first time? Because heck! I think I couldn’t stop squirming when the steamy scenes comes along. Did he got those information just from Googling it?!

They were just fine, until this girl – argh. I totally hate the TA, I don’t know why she hates Emma, and why she’s after her – but what she did was downright despicable, and it broke my heart when Ryan was pushed into doing it. He didn’t have a choice, or he thought so. He didn’t want to hurt Emma, but the consequences were severe, so he did what he needed to do…

I fell in love with this series right after I finished reading the first book, Grooming the Player. It’s sexy, it’s hot, and it’s sweet - three combinations that would make a book swoon-worthy in my eyes. I love the characters in this story, and even the plot!!! The ‘nerdiness’ of Ryan – it was really cute. I was thoroughly entertained while falling in love and watching the frog turned into a prince.

✪Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.✪

More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Casey.
2,650 reviews47 followers
May 2, 2016
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

Grooming the Player is a short humorous romance by Allie K. Adams. This one was novella length and was cute but predictable. Emma Rae is not one for relationships, but she does tend to pick up guys and turn them into projects. When she meets Ryan at a bar, he is wearing clothes that don't fit him correctly, he has a mullet and glasses. He can barely make a coherent sentence when it comes to speaking to her, but yet she is drawn to him and decides to help him out. They make a deal that she will teach him to be a player and be successful with women and she will get to attend the Delta DASH with him. It is the most exclusive party of the year, and she has always wanted to go. But the more they get to know each other, the closer they become. Soon real feelings are developing between them, and their relationship isn't as fake as it started out as. Can they take their fake relationship and turn it into something real?

I liked Ryan and Emma. They were cute together and I really enjoyed their playfulness. They were a great couple and I liked seeing them start to develop real feelings for each other. They had a lot of chemistry together, and were really hot for each other. Ryan really surprised me with his dirty talk! I knew he was sweet, but his sexy side was completely unexpected! Emma annoyed me at times with her mood swings. She came across as really bitchy one minute, and yet the next she was almost insecure and thought that Ryan was playing her. Besides that though, I thought that these two were really great together, and they seemed to be a great balance for each other. They were opposites in a lot of ways, and yet that is what made them work so well.

Overall, this was a cute and short new adult read. I enjoyed it despite my criticisms. I would say that this one wasn't anything really new or original, but it was a fun read regardless. I liked that it kept me laughing throughout, and things weren't all angst and drama. It was refreshing to get some comedy with my romance, and I am glad that they got their HEA. I will be interested to see what Allie K. Adams has in store for the next installment of the Campus Players series. I would recommend this story if you are looking for a quick and funny romantic read, especially if you are a fan of new adult books.

**Copy provided by Tasty Book Tours**
Profile Image for Jody.
2,089 reviews60 followers
June 5, 2014
This was a quick yet enjoyable read that reminded me of some of my favorite movies, Can't Buy Me Love and She's All That, in its transformation of a zero to a hero. From start to finish this book left me with a smile on my face courtesy of its delightfully entertaining characters and their realistic banter. Ryan may start out nerdy but he was always endearingly sweet with flashes of sexiness. He desperately wanted to make his father and brother proud though so he undertakes a journey, with Emma as his teacher, to become a worthy member of his family's fraternity. He always had a thing for Emma and being in close quarters with her gives him the chance to finally win her over. He won me over from the moment he came on the scene and I was sometimes left frustrated by Emma's treatment of him. She's had back luck with relationships, dating many superficial men, that her hearts now become hardened and she's hesitant to embrace what Ryan offers her. She's a bit outspoken at times and driven to be in the popular crowd. She sometimes a bit too abrasive as well but I couldn't help but like her honesty and forthright nature. Late in the story she does make a poor decision in the heat of a moment of jealousy that really disappointed me, but I couldn't stay angry with her as it ultimately leads to some soul searching that leads her back to where she belongs.

This is a sexy story with an engaging storyline that leaves you rooting for the adorkable Ryan. The secondary characters add to the fun and the banter and emotions expressed are realistic for college students and had me remembering my own time at the University. Ultimately I was sad to see this story end but found it a great start to the Campus Players series and look forward to the next installment.
Profile Image for Clever Girl.
231 reviews124 followers
August 9, 2016
Grooming the Player was full of awkward and embarrassment, of sweet and tender moments, and had me laughing out loud. I loved the characters and the vibe of college, of the stupid and insane things you do.

Emma is forthright - she'll say anything - she's strong and vulnerable, confident and terrified, pragmatic and hopeful, and she's hopeless with computer passwords and intimidated by eggs. I loved Ryan. Smart and brave and sweet and a gentleman and the way he sees Emma, looks at her, the things he says to her? Swoon. I enjoyed them together. Though Emma thinks Ryan needs to be groomed, both Emma and Ryan have lessons to learn, what really matters, who matters, who they really are.

It's a fun story but it's also a very sexy story. Sexy with a good amount of awkward - I won't spoil that part but it had me laughing and cringing and rooting for them to get it right.

Disclosure: ebook provided in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Save Your Money For Books.
192 reviews21 followers
May 27, 2014
Grooming the Player brings a humorous twist to the normally angsty new adult genre. This was a super fun, upbeat read that kept me turning the pages

I loved the way the relationship develops between Emma and Ryan, if this book was a made for TV movie, I would be watching.. I can't resist a make over story! At the time of this review Grooming the Player is on-sale for the rock bottom price of .99! You can't go wrong with this 4.5 STAR read.

This was my first book by author, Allie K. Adams and it certainly won't be my last. She has a talent for drawing you in quickly, her characters are endearing and I love finishing a new adult read with a smile on my face. I plan on reading the next book in the Campus Players series, Hiring the Player (review forthcoming).
Profile Image for Charmaine.
760 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2015
Ugh! I had so much hope that they'd all become better people! But I could barely finish this book at the end when I realized a few things:
1. Emma was selfish, annoying, rude, and didn't deserve anything that she got.
2. Seriously, it was all "too good to be true." The sappiness killed me.
3. This story was so, so shallow. All their emotions were surface-level, and none of their conflicts were well-developed. Don't have a sob story there for no reason. There was way too much unanswered baggage and angst.
Profile Image for Mars ☼.
151 reviews
June 8, 2023
This was my third re-read of this book because I just love Ryan. He's shy, doesn't really know what to say but he just totally gets Emma. Emma in my opinion is kind of intolerable but that's overshadowed by how much I adore her dynamic with Ryan and how ultimately they both change each other for the better. Growing with someone in a relationship, well that's one of the best things.
5,411 reviews
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March 28, 2014
Unfortunately I couldn't get past the first chapter. I felt like I couldn't keep up with Ryan and Emma, their back and forth was painful, and Emma was hard to like.
Profile Image for G.
218 reviews
January 31, 2015
This writer had me laughing so many times. Great YA novel with a realistic storyline. I truly enjoyed reading this
Profile Image for Elle.
109 reviews
August 24, 2015
Didn't enjoy the story. Never connected with any of the characters esp the girl who was secretly jealous of her supposed bf and whose motivations I find quite shallow.
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