Play the Game

Masked Desires #1

by Tilly Ridge, C.S. Silverne

Taking candids turned into so much more...

Marriage never looked easy on the outside looking in, but with Simon, life had been better than ever. I found my soulmate in a man who cared for me, loved me feverishly, and protected me against all odds. But regardless of the love we shared for each other, our eyes often roamed to others. Even at night, when we spent time in each other's arms, we mused over the ideas of what it would be like to explore happily again, while remaining committed to each other.

But fear always held us back.

Then they entered the picture.

Nyx. Asher. And Rhodes.

Our best friends.

One daring video to my husband later, and I found myself at the mercy of all four of them days later. All under the disguise of their cosplays’ personas—the outfits and attitudes that started it all in the first place.

Taking candids turned into so much more...

What if we can’t go back to just friends?

Even if it was just supposed to be one night of fun.

Genres: Why Choose, Dark Romance, Novella, Friends To Lovers, M M Romance, Romance, Erotica

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2025

About the author

Tilly Ridge is a romance author who resides in the middle of nowhere, Kentucky, with her husband, two kiddos, and two dogs. She loves to dabble in a variety of romance topics, themes, and subgenres, but you’ll typically find her writing in the dark and polyamory sections of the shelves. Tilly can be easily identified by the pink slush clutched in one hand while her laptop is in the other, ready to write whenever the mood—or the character—strikes! In her free time, she enjoys playing sand volleyball in her local rec league. But what she finds most exciting is her podcast, Releasing Romance, where she shares her knowledge and experience about indie publishing, often bringing on guests to discuss the ins and outs of indie publishing from different professional points of view! This podcast is a passion project of Tilly’s as she finds true joy in helping and educating others in a way that is easy to understand.

Join Tilly’s readers group for exclusive BTS, art drops, first looks at pretty much anything, and even chapter-by-chapter releases of her ongoing projects at: Tilly’s Thots

The newsletter is where the fun is, and maybe even a free ebook will hit your inbox after—along with a first look at the big news.

Find everything you’ll need to stay connected at https://www.tillyridgeauthor.com/links

Reviews

[Paige (wingsandsmut)]

ONE HAND READ. That's all you need to know lol. This is hella spicy and such a freaking hot novella. I truly couldn't get enough of them and love that this couple were so on board to invite their friends to play. And damn was it worth it! If you need something that's worth the spice, check this out but read the CW if needed.

Audiobook:
Narrated in dual by Amy Hall and Ash Beverly- they both did a wonderful job at narrating this book and it was even hotter to listen to! It’s perfectly bingeable and if you want some smut with minimal plot, this audio is definitely one to add to the TBR!

What to expect:
-MMMFF
-Gaming buddies turned COD masked fantasy
-Sharing is caring
-Super Bowl party & snowed in
-Breath play
-Knife & blood play
-Age gap
-Praise & degradation

Thank you so much to Tilly Ridge & C.S. Silverne for letting me alpha and ARC read this in exchange for my honest review!

[Kendra Renae]

⭐️5 🌶️5


whew baby let’s just say the rose made an appearance and I was virtually added to this poly relationship 😩👏🏾

This is the first why choose novella I’ve read that has two women and three men and I ate this right tf up omg it was so good from start to finish and oh boy did we finish multiple times 😏 lol .

[Kimberlylovesreadingbooks]

If you like COD cosplayers on tiktok you're going to LOVE THIS!!!!🤭

This also has a female cosplayer and the spice is spicing 🙇🏾‍♀️🙈.

This novella didn't disappoint 🤭👏🏾. I WANT MORE 😭💔

[naima]

idk wtf i just read 😞

[Ash’s reading corner ✨🌈]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
-Why-Choose
-MMMFF
-Masked men/woman / COD cosplayers
-Daddy / Mommy kink (no age-play)
-Breeding, knife play, breath play, CNC, degradation, pegging and much more

My friends breeding my wife shouldn’t turn me on … but I fear it is.

My review:

This is a hot and short spicy novella about a couple who have been wanting to open their marriage to their three hot best friends.

I was scared the FF would be mixed with the guys but THANK GOD it's not. Don't get me wrong; they don't run out of the room so they won't see them, and the second FMC pegs one of the guys, but she's not romantically involved with them and isn't interested in any of their parts. I loved the FF in this, it was so filthy and perfect!

The MMM was also chef's kiss + we get a sexual awakening that just fits perfectly. (Let's all ignore that the good boy shares my name........... IT ONLY MADE IT BETTER LMAO)

To anyone who also has a mask kink.... I mean, we're in this together, and I'm telling you to pick up this damn novella right now. Just be sure you're sitting comfortably because you'll be reading with only one hand free.

Anyway, this is a spicy novella, nothing really going on but spice and then falling in love.... so go and read it.

“ What? I already called her Mommy before. I just get to call her that every day now, fuckers. ”

[kiari.j]

was it good? not really. am i a whore? yes

[Tia]

All spice no plot and a LOVED IT!!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[litlindseyreads]

The spice was the plot and it was a fun quick read. I read it one sitting.

[Nikki]

Ummm. Phew that was HOTTT. Mommy kink unlocked. Jesusss. Ghost from COD anyone? If you’re looking for a pure smut, quick little gamer cosplay group number… THIS IT IT! Recommend!

[Shelby (spice.girlsbookstore)]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

TROPES:
•Gaming Buddies turned COD Masked Fantasy
•COD Orgy Party
•MMMFF
•Sharing
•Age Gap
•Breath Play
•Praise & Degradation

Holyyy hell. A married couple playing with their gamer friends? Hot damn. That was every girls dream…. Ever. This was short and sweet and so spicy I ate it up.

"It's not about the parts, it's about the hearts."

[Hannah Rae]

this is exactly what i wanted it to be *nodding aggressively*

you’ll be hard pressed to find a plot in here, but i was sweating so that’s what matters.

big fan, tilly, big fan.

[Leanna]

INSANE?! 🙀

[Kenzey]

5/5 ⭐️

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. This was so so so good.
Sloane and Simon had been wanting to add someone else into the bedroom for a while now but were both too anxious to make the first move. Finally, something snaps inside of them after Sloane takes pictures of the four in COD cosplay. (I would snap too, sis 🥵) They all seem to think they’re just in for one night of fun until the fun actually begins.
Definitely go check out this book when it releases on March 10!!
I love both of these authors, they are absolute sweethearts and I’m so happy to have been an arc of this book 🫶💕

ETA 7/2/25:
The audiobook was so so so good. And to think I was obsessed with these characters the first time reading this. Amy and Ash did a phenomenal job narrating this! As always, Tilly & C.S. do an amazing job with this one 🥵🥰 thank you so so much for sending me an ALC 🫶

[Randinicole_reads]

a pansexuals dream come true.

holy fuck this was hot

did a reread on audio & yup still hot as fuck 😂

[Oh dear]

Skeleton fingerless gloves are mentioned multiple times.

Did not know that this was a Call of Duty thirst trapper romance so I guess that’s on me.

[tane'a]

4.25⭐️ tilly, c.s, yall have a new fan🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

[Sammy]

This book??? PURE FILTH!🥵🥵 all I gotta say is prepare to read this novella one handed. It was so freaking perfect with masks and polyamory? ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY😍 as soon as I seen C.S. And Tilly’s name on this book I knew I was going to be in for a treat. I was not disappointed one bit. And the NARRATORS FOR THIS WERE 🤌🏻🤌🏻 Amy Hall and Ash Beverly SLAYED IT😍

[sam]

I don't even know how I ended up here but respectfully, I wish I would not have.

[destiny]

“my friends breeding my wife shouldn’t turn me on … but i fear it is.”

sloane and simon are such a power couple. holy fuck i literally love them and i wish to be a part of this friend group 🙋🏻‍♀️
i saw the galaxy while reading this book and god popped in giving me a heads up i wouldn’t be entering through the pearly white gates 💀 BUT IDGAF !! I’LL GLADLY STRUT THROUGH HELL AND ANNOY THE DEVIL WITH MY KINDLE LIBRARY

this is a dark why choose romance, mmmff, scenes with mf / mmf / ff / mmm / mfm / fmf, masked call of duty characters, consent check ins, praise, “mommy” “daddy” “good boy”, age gap, open marriage, cnc, degradation, breeding kink, use of toys, pegging, sexual awakening, found family, duo pov 💋

what happens when you are thinking about opening your marriage and have a friends’-fuck-fest 👀 oh … and they’re all masked up 🤩

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Toni]

Not as dark as I expected but that's good!

KU Read
153 Pages
Dark Romance
Best Friends-to-Lovers
Masked Play
MMFFM
Triggers
Kinks
Infertility issues

This book packs a fair bit in considering it is a novella. It's very spicy and covers a lot of different kinks and specialities while they are playing their game.
Behind it all tho is a really sweet story about a couple who open their marriage to include their small friend group and get more than just a night of fun and fulfilling fantasies. It's actually a little sweet and heart warming with real feels too.

[Alyssa Albanese]

I only read this for the smut, everything else is super cringe 😂 Also I’m okay with having children in my books now but I didn’t think we needed a pregnancy epilogue after the hot poly sex LOL

[Marley Ghostfern]

“This is quite the set-up, ya know. You didn’t tell me I’d be walking into a gamer-girl’s walking, wet fantasy.”

Short, super spicy and HOT. Devoured it and may do that again.

A married couple enjoying some spicy time with their group of friends, masked (C.O.D.) cosplayers, several sexual orientations, the dynamic between the characters was well written, as was the spice. I really enjoyed this novella.

Something was very clear in the CW page, one of the things I REALLY do not enjoy in a book. Thankful that it was just in the epilogue and very clearly stated on the CW page.

“𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬.”

In this novella you'll find:
🎮 𝙶𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙱𝚞𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝙲𝙾𝙳 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝙵𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚢
🎮 𝙲𝙾𝙳 0rgy 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚢
🎮 𝙼𝙼𝙼𝙵𝙵
🎮 Sharing is caring
🎮 𝙰𝚐𝚎 𝙶𝚊𝚙
🎮 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝙿𝚕𝚊𝚢
🎮 𝙿𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎 & 𝙳𝚎𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
🎮 🔪 𝙿𝚕𝚊𝚢
🎮 🩸𝙿𝚕𝚊𝚢

PS: Asher is so sweet 🥹

[Mackenzie]

✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨

I’m struggling to choose just one quote for my hook, so I’m just not going to. You’re welcome.

“I’ll beg for you… You can call me a good boy inste⁠—” 🫦
Today… it’s the perfect time for a friends’-fuck-fest. 😈
“How are we doing, pretty girl?” 🌊

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

If Tilly writes it, I’m gonna read it, and it’s gonna be a 5 plus 🌟 review from me. Hate me if you want, I don’t care, she’s just one of those authors for me, and I refuse to stop my yapping. I also definitely had a migraine when I started this, but physically could not stop, so there’s THAT!

Don’t lie, you were asking questions when you found out your favorite TikTok Call of Duty cosplayers were women (if you didn’t already know yourself). Tilly and C.S. have taken *real* good care of your fantasies. Go download (or buy) and say thank you for another masterful one-handed read. 😘

This is also my formal request for another book already, because I desperately need more Mommy (Daddy?) Nyx in my life. 😮‍💨

Thank you Tilly & C.S. for letting me read it before the rest of world 🖤



Original review immediately after reading:
5 stars. Review to come this week when I have a functioning brain, but 5 stars. Just read it.

[Eliza]

Audiobook 5 ⭐️
Spice 4🌶️
Story 5⭐️

Play the Game by C. S. Silverne & Tilly Ridge is a very spicy MMMFF novella, with masked cosplayers and delicious mommy/daddy kink. This is such a quick and satisfying story. We have a couple that want to open their marriage with their best friends, and the husband is planing the perfect night! This is spicy, I didn’t have enough, the FF was absolutely perfect and the MMM was the most delicious. Now let’s add the incredibly talented voices of Amy Hall and Ash Beverly who will get you drooling in no time, baby I promise your tights won’t be wet from tears. This is a dual narration style, but I promise is one of those ones you won’t feel it, is good, dripping in talented performance and perfect character voices. Amy and Ash match so perfectly together and their cadence is so smooth! This is a very bingeable novella and I want more!

[Lucie]

je sais pas comment je me suis retrouvée à lire ça mais ME JUGEZ PAS

[Jillian Day]

I devoured this read🥵 it was very steamy and I enjoyed it so much! I just wish there was more because I really started liking the characters and I just need more of them!

[onemorechapterisaid]

Why, for the love of God, am I so stubborn about DNFing books I don't like, why... This was such a disaster 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️.

[Chelsea fitzgerald]

3.75 ⭐️

Short, fun, smutty read 🔥

LOVEEEEEE a why choose 😏😈

[Tonya ✨]

I just need this... same concept... in a full length novel, please and thanks 🥵

[Laylabaylabooks]

This is the HOTEST book i have ever read OMG i need more of this pleas and thankyou