Your Secret to Keep

The Play Caller #3

by Rachel LaBerge

Brooks Pittman’s heart has been broken by his first love: basketball. An ACL injury sidelined him right before the playoffs, and without him, the New Jersey Jaguars fell short of a championship. Now, with a new NBA season, Brooks is determined to redeem himself and outrun the darkness that consumed him during recovery.

Lia Stone is sports obsessed and a die-hard Jersey Jags fan. So when a disastrous first date takes an unexpected turn—thanks to none other than Brooks Pittman joining her for dinner—she can’t believe her luck. Their chemistry is undeniable, as if the universe itself brought them together.

But things are never that simple. When Lia lands her dream job with the Jaguars, she knows getting involved with Brooks is off-limits.

Brooks is healing, in more ways than one, and Lia is finally learning to slow down. But when their connection refuses to sit the bench, will they stick to the playbook or take a chance on something real?

YOUR SECRET TO KEEP is a spicy basketball romance with a secret relationship. It's the third book in the Play Caller series and can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Basketball, Sports, Workplace Romance, Workplace, Contemporary Romance

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2025

Reviews

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 📖 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙗𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡 𝙇𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚

I think this book may be my new favorite in the series! Lia & Brooks relationship made for such a sweet & spicy read!

“𝘚𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭.” 😮‍💨❤️‍🔥

When Lia & Brooks first met, they had crazy chemistry and a pull towards each other that they couldn’t fight. When Lia ends up getting her dream job working as a social media manager for the Jersey Jaguars, she starts seeing a whole lot more of Brooks.

I loved Brooks so much. When we first met him in Zack’s book, I was so curious to know more about him. This book was everything I could ever hope for in a Pro Basketball romance! I loved his teammates and how supportive they were of him and his comeback after his injury. Brooks is still trying to cope with discovering who his father is and his new half siblings. I loved getting to see Zack and the bond he started to build with Brooks.

Lia was a great FMC. She represents all women who are worried that they are too much. I feel like a ton of women will be able to relate to her. Her character is suffering from a chronic illness that she isn’t quite sure what is wrong but knows it has to be something. This representation is so important and I’m so thankful Rachel wrote Lia just the way she is!

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵… 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦.”

If you love books with a guy that’s down bad and gives you all the swoon worthy golden retriever vibes, go add this one to your TBR asap!

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
🏀 𝘗𝘳𝘰 𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭
🖋️ 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
💪🏼 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴
🤭 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨
✨ 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘦𝘱
❤️‍🩹 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘱
🐶 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘔𝘊
🔥 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 + 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺
👕 𝘑𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵
👏🏼 𝘕𝘰 3𝘳𝘥 𝘈𝘤𝘵 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘶𝘱
🫶🏼 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺

[Rene Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute and fun! Brooks is an NBA player, recovering from a recent injury. He and Lia meet at a bar and hit it off. Very shortly after, Lia starts working for the media group for Brooks’ team. They decide to keep it on the DL so it won’t interfere with her new job.

Check this out if you like:
💜 workplace romance
💜 sports romance 🏀
💜 she wears his jersey
💜 forbidden romance
💜 secret dating
💜 autoimmune disorder rep

🏀 “She laughs like she means it, kind of loud but in the best way. She doesn’t cover her mouth or try to stifle it.”

🏀 “I think of things that could happen in the future, and you’re there. You’re always there.”

[Amee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lighthearted and fun, Your Secret to Keep is a fast paced read that kept me entertained throughout. Lia and Brooks had one of the best “meet cutes” I’ve read and it just set the stage for an even cuter beginning to their relationship. Both had issues from their past, but I wouldn’t say they were too triggering for people to worry. The angst was low on this one.
Read as a standalone , but is 3rd in this series. I’m planning on going back and reading books 1 and 2 later on. Some of those characters were also in this book and just from those scenes I know I’ll enjoy them too. Some really great characters.
BookSirens offered me this copy for free for leaving my thoughts.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Secret to Keep is a steamy and emotionally grounded sports romance that had me hooked from the very first page. It follows Lia Stone, a lifelong basketball fan whose chance encounter with NBA star Brooks Pittman turns into something much more—until she lands a job with his team, making any romantic involvement strictly off-limits.

What I loved most about this book was the balance between heart and heat. Lia is a strong, driven woman carving her place in the world of professional sports, and Brooks is not just a swoon-worthy athlete—he’s kind, respectful, and working through his own personal healing.

The secret romance trope is executed perfectly here, full of tension and chemistry without feeling overdone. There’s also a beautiful focus on personal growth, with honest portrayals of mental health and the challenges of balancing career ambitions with emotional vulnerability.

This is the third book in the Play Caller series, but it reads perfectly as a standalone. If you’re a fan of forbidden love, strong female leads, and stories with substance beneath the steam, Your Secret to Keep is a must-read.

[Nicole Darius · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of sports romances, are looking for a book to cure your Running Point hangover and enjoy romances with realistic relationship growth this is the book for you. I have read this series from the beginning and it continues to get better and better. Lia and Brooks are now my favorite couple of the series. I appreciated that they each had their own struggles, supported and cheered each other on and were strong in their own ways. I loved that there was a nod to all the couples in every series, even Ivy and Holland 😊 I wish their were more in this series however cannot wait to see what is next!

Thank you Rachel Laberge for this amazing ARC❤️

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ I feel like this book got better and better the deeper I got into it!

Brooks is a pro basketball player who is coming back from a serious injury when he meets Lia at a bar. Sparks fly, but before they know it, they’re working very closely together on a project for their basketball team…

🏀Basketball player x Social Media/Content Creator
💜Secret dating
🏀Workplace romance
💜Women in sports
🏀Right place, right time

Absolutely want to read the rest of this series! Loved this one so much. 🥰

[Leilani Lopes-Haslam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5⭐️/5

I haven’t read a lot of sports romances and I didn’t read the first two books, but this one was so good I’m definitely going back to read the first two. I was lucky to get my hands on an ARC of YSTK.

Brooks and Lia’s love story is so well written. Tropes of co-worker romance, crazy ex-gf, feel good romance with notes of dealing with grief and some adorable puppies.

Give this one a read!

[Nora A · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Lia makes this place feel like a home."

This man, Brook Pittman reads books, specifically romance books. Hot. Hot. Hot. But more than that Lia is my girlie, tall, plays basketball, the older sibling and confident. I loved their relationship so much and how fast they could get over the miscommunication. This guy didn’t once feel threatened by her, like most men would he admire her so much. One thing i loved the most is how they played the same sport.

- secret relationship
- Sport romance
- Chronic illness rep

[Toni (fictionbooknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

This was such a cute fun book! Lia and Brooks have an absolutely adorable meet cute as he defends her from an absolute DipshitTM that she’s on a date with. Lia happens to be the Jags’ biggest fan and Brooks is one of their All-Star players. After they meet, Lie is hired to work as part of the Jags team and so they choose to keep their relationship secret.

I absolutely loved how well both mental and physical illnesses were handled in this book! I think that there was a big focus on having a love for a job rather than just doing it because it’s what you need to do as an adult, and reading about Lia‘s passion for basketball was absolutely wonderful. Rocky was my favourite character, that dog is the cutest thing on earth!

Thank you Rachel for an early advanced copy of this book and exchange for my honest review!

[bookbaefae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Launch day review! Your Secret to Keep

YS2K is a 5 star ⭐ spicy sports romance with secret dating featuring NBA star Brooks Pittman, jack of all trades and basketball knowledge guru Lia Stone, and their rescue dog.

This was my first ever ARC and the first book I've read by @rachellabergeauthor. If it tells you anything, I immediately purchased the signed paperback after finishing it. 💜

I give a star when each of the following are excellent: Characters, plot, world building, originality and writing/flow. YS2K earned ALL of these easily.

🏀 I LOVED not just Brooks and Lia but also the supporting cast of characters. I felt like I was right with them as they experienced struggles, growth, open communication, and both loveable and humorous quotes. Fantasy readers, you may have much more in common with this couple than you realize!

💜 The plot was A++ . I'm usually a fantasy reader. I'm new to sports and contemporary romance. I don't generally expect twists that take me by surprise. I got that here, and so much more.

🏀 World building was stellar. I loved the way Rachel wrote so many scenes in ways that showed me what was going on and what the characters were thinking and doing without outright telling me. There's a really special nuance there that really brought their world to life and sucked me right in.

💜 Originality
This was my first basketball romance, but I can guarantee nobody has written one the way Rachel did. I repeat - I thought I predicted something and was totally wrong. Like wildly wrong. In the best way. As for what happened, well, that's my secret to keep. 🤫😉

🏀 Writing and flow
I had an early copy as it was an ARC. Even still, in case the above didn't make it obvious, that Rachel's writing was *chef's kiss*. I'll add that the convos, character thought processes and spice were all very natural and compelling to read. It was so hard to put down!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
- Some open door scenes, one closed door. All very well written, believable, and fit perfectly with the plot.

Tropes
🏀 Sports romance
💜 Women in sports
🏀 Secret dating
💜 Chronic illness & mental health rep
🏀 Workplace romance
💜Right time, right place
🏀 Spicy jersey moment
💜 Found family

[Rose DeVault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with Rachel's writing and I eat up every book she releases!!

This book is no different. From the moment I met Lia & Brooks I was hooked. Their meet cute was to die. This entire book is swoon worthy thanks to our man Brooks. From the moment he laid eyes on Lia and got her out of that horrible date, he has been so attentive to her and her needs. Brooks is definitely book boyfriend material.

The communication in the book is top tier, which plays a super important role with mental health and chronically ill characters. Every concern or problem is dealt with together and it truly shows how much they care about each other on a deeper level.

Thank you Rachel for allowing me to be apart of your Alpha & ARC team!

[Emma (thecaffeinatedbookaholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I love Brooks & Lia!! I absolutely fell head over heels for another Rachel book boyfriend–she writes guys who are down bad for their girls, and I can’t get enough! Lia was so cool and determined, and I loved how she was able to connect with Brooks over sports. It was awesome to see her in a field typically dominated by men! I also enjoyed seeing Brooks’ relationship with his dad and his dad’s family, and how they navigated the new dynamics, as well as getting to see Brooks’ mental health struggles throughout the book. I loved the way they both showed up for each other. The connection with Brooks & Lia was so sweet, spicy, and so meant to be. This one just has that giddy, swoony, spicy, warm fuzzy feeling, and I just really loved it.

[ARC review]

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I loved returning to the Play Caller series with Your Secret To Keep. This workplace basketball romance features Brooks an injured NBA player when we first meet him and Lia who ends up working for his NBA team. Brooks and Lia have instant chemistry after a chance meeting than due to them both working for the same team they have to keep their romance a secret. I adored the relationship Lia has with her brother Wes and Brooks with Zack and Emilie who we met in Your Rule To Break. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and the whole series. I received a complementary copy from the author.

[❅ Karen ❅ · Rating 5 out of 5]

No third act break up?? Sign me up!!
I don't think I have read a basketball romance before. This was a blast to read. As weird as it sounds, I liked reading about their lows just as much as their highs.
It was this instant connection that allowed them to be themselves. And the character growth was so natural in their relationship. This book made me cry happy and sad tears. I truly think this is the epitome of a healthy relationship.
This is part of an interconnected series and I enjoyed seeing previous characters again.

🌶️🌶️/5

[Kendra Hornsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book in this series happens to be exactly what I need as I am receiving the ARC for it. Either Rachel is the puppet master to my life so she can continue to sell me more and more books, or she has the most incredible way to tap into hard-hitting emotions and struggles that people go through on a day-to-day basis.

Brooks and Lia may possibly be my favorite in the series because I am truly desperate for at least 300 more pages of their story. And Rocky?? Seriously one of the cutest book dogs ever. I simply need more.

Read if: you love sports romance, basketball, women in male fields, dogs, secret dating, on page text communication (I think it’s the cutest thing), male mental health, or if you just want to feel the most fuzzy cutesy feelings.

[Anna Cason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first ever sports romance and it was so cute! I absolutely loved it!! Such a fun quick and easy read. I loved the characters and their growth. Loved the depression awareness and autoimmune awareness as well. I highly recommend!!

I received an ARC of this book and am reviewing this of my own volition. 🥰

[Lauren Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Secret to Keep is a fast paced read that will keep you entertained throughout. Both MC’s had issues from their past, but I wouldn't say they were too triggering for people to worry. Can be read as a standalone, but is 3rd in this series. Really great characters and just an overall great read!

[ChristinaReadsOnTheRoad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Secret to Keep (thank you to the author for the ARC!) - it can be enjoyed as a standalone. I love everything Rachel writes, but this book really holds a special spot in my heart.

Brooks is an NBA all star but is wonderfully kind and thoughtful, and when a beautiful woman is on a date from hell, he doesn’t need to be her knight in shining armor to save the day because she can save herself — Lia always has. They have instant chemistry yet Brooks knows this is bigger than a fling so they take things slow, which would be great if Lia didn’t end up getting an offer to work for the team shortly after this magical night. There’s no rule against saying, except the unwritten rules of male dominated careers, but Brooks and Lia are inevitable and compliment each other in ways that are indescribable so they decide to find out if their feelings are real — in secret.

I feel like the best way to explain this book is in emojis:
😮😍🥰🥹🥵😘🥹❤️‍🔥😍👏🏼🥰

@rachellabergeauthor is so talented writing characters that are full of depth, emotion, and heart, who live with chronic illnesses and mental health struggles that are relatable. If you love sports romance, green flag heroes, badass women in male-dominated industries, grief and anxiety handled with genuine care, and some blush worthy romance… Your Secret to Keep needs to be on your TBR. You can read on KU, ebook & paperback now.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book, it was such a cute read. There were moments that made me tear up, and other moments through out I personally could relate too. I think the author did a great job with this book, and there were several moments that genuinely made it difficult not to smile (and I’m the type that keeps a straight face while reading normally).

[Amanda • ReadingWithMyGolden · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ “You can tell me that you’re a lot all you want… but you still feel like the right amount for me.” - Brooks Pittman, the prototype of a man written by a woman 🤩
When I say I swooned reading that sentence… I loved this book! I absolutely ate it up.

Your Secret to Keep brings us Brooks Pittman, an NBA player for the Jersey Jaguars who is just coming back to basketball after an ACL injury and battling his way through the darkness that came along with being sidelined from the sport he loves.

Lia Stone is a sports-loving, Jersey Jags-obsessed fan who is working multiple jobs to make ends meet and continuously having bad luck with the dates she goes on. That is, until a first date going disastrously long leads to the star of the Jags, Brooks Pittman, inviting her to dinner with him and rescuing her from the bad first date. They hit it off immediately… but then Lia lands her dream job with the Jersey Jags and knows that dating Brooks isn’t an option. When Lia’s job involves increased time spent in close proximity to Brooks, and the tension between them feels irresistible, will they be able to play it cool or take a chance on a forbidden romance?

read if you love: sports romances, forced proximity, forbidden romance, secret dating, workplace romance, mental health representation, chronic illness representation

Thank you to Rachel LaBerge for the gifted eARC + finished copy!

[georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing about Rachel? She never misses with her stories. Anything that was missing from this book? Absolutely nothing. It was perfection. I’ve said it already but i’ll say it again, I am a HUGE fan of any and every work that Rachel produces, and this one was no different (who’s surprised because i’m not)!

I don’t know what about this one but THIS ONE has been the one that’s called out to me and impacted me the most of the books in this series thus far. I see myself in both of these characters so much, and soooooo seen through it all it felt like Rachel was picking apart my brain and putting it into words and making a movie out of it. Out of all the books i’ve had the pleasure of reading of hers so far, Your Secret to Keep is the one I cherish and hold close to me the most.

I’ll gush about it until I die about how good this book is — not only is it insanely well written, well thought out, has the cutest + swoon worthy moments, Rachel also brings to life Lia and Brooks’ relationship in such a beautiful and realistic nature with real like situations like injuries, mental health and autoimmune disorders while also combining it with the dream-like elements of contemporary romance that we all know and love (of course with all the emotions and angst that play into it at the same time because of course!). Also there’s a dog and he’s quite the cutest thing ever — you can’t pass up my guy rocky the bulldog!

What to expect in Your Secret to Keep
💜 woman in sports!
💜 secret/forbidden relationship
💜 close proximity
💜 he falls first
💜 she wears his jersey
💜 autoimmune disorder rep
💜 injury recovery
💜 on page texts
💜 he’s a dog dad to the cutest rescue pup <3
💜 spice + aftercare
💜 male mental health rep
💜 cutest, cozy, fluffy feelings
💜 strong female friendships!

I had the honor of being both an alpha + arc reader for Your Secret to Keep and I’ll never shut up about how amazing Rachel is and how much I LOVE this book! It’s been truly amazing to see how both Rachel, and this book have grown and blossomed! I just know this is gonna be the one that’s makes it big :) As always, a huge thank you to Rachel for just being the most amazing human ever and providing me with this advanced copy in the coming of its release!

Your Secret to Keep releases April 17th, 2025!

[Sarah Guzak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book by Rachel to date!

Our FMC, Lia, and our MMC, Brooks were so perfect together. Brooks is a star NBA player recovering from an ACL injury. Lia is working odd jobs as a yoga instructor and bartender, while also navigating the slim pickings that is the dating pool in her city... After a first date goes terribly wrong, karma seems to have Lia's back when she runs into Brooks Pittman at the bar where her disaster date occurred. Not only is Brooks handsome, successful, and talented, he's kind and down to earth, and basically Lia's dream man. After their first date together, Lia gets an unexpected phone call from the Jags and gets offered her dream job doing PR for the team. This is certainly an opportunity she cannot pass up. But with her new relationship blossoming with Brooks, can they keep this all a secret?

Let me tell you - this book has so many swoon worthy moments. My man... Brooks mf Pittman. PHEW. Talk about a man who CARES for his woman. He's attentive to ALL her needs if you know what I mean. But seriously, Brooks is the type of book bf you'd want as a partner in real life. Not only does he say the swooniest things, he also cooks for Lia, gets her medical care when needed, is vulnerable with her, treats her brother like his own family, and he communicates openly with her.

If there's one thing I love about Rachel's books (and there are MANY) it's the mental health rep as well as the incredible communication between her characters. See, I told you I couldn't pick just one thing. Rachel's characters always communicate like true adults, and it's one of my favorite things about Brooks' and Lia's relationship. They solve problems together and their love shines through even stronger because of it.

Highly recommend Your Secret To Keep for lovers of:
- NBA/sports romance
- workplace romance
- secret relationship
- mental health rep
- chronic illness rep
- dual POV
- woman in sports
- he falls first
- spice
- HEA

Thank you so so much to Rachel for the opportunity to Beta + ARC read this book!

[morganinpages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly the only words I have to describe this ARC book is that it was so outrageous and random. It was honestly really fun and cute in the beginning, but got more and more random as the book went on. Like this book literally read as if it was a college basketball book rather than the NBA basketball book it was supposed to be. Also Lia having psoriasis was such a random and unnecessarily large part of this book. Like I understand the representation of psoriasis, but at the same time it was such a large part of the book in such a weird way. I mean it honestly came out of nowhere and was talked about as if the author kept forgetting and then would add it in bc she remembered. Idk I just found that whole thing weird. Also the whole thing with Brooks’s ex was so unnecessary and I feel like it was just added in order to create a third act breakup type situation, but it was so unnecessary and random. Like your telling me his ex of one year texts him randomly, is able to get past the security at a NBA game, and then hires people to creep around on him??? And for what reason? Like I just don’t buy it. Also can we just talk about how Brooks randomly wouldn’t tell Lia things and then act like he didn’t know why she was upset when she found out? And how he stopped talking to her for like 3 days and it wasn’t talked about once???? Like that was just so weird. Idk this book was cute, but also so weird and I just don’t know how to feel about it. Like both the MMC’s literally were so awkward and talked as if they were in high school. I honestly wish we would have seen more of them in a relationship and dating. Overall this book was definitely an adventure and honestly left me unsatisfied and left with a ton of questions.

[Jenny’s Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get’cha Head in the game 🏀⛹🏻‍♂️📸 Your Secret to Keep by @rachellabergeauthor Easy paced and sporty romance novel. Brooks our main character only focus and forever loved is basketball after an injury sidelined him right before the playoffs. Now the New Jersey Jaguars new NBA season is coming, Brooks is determined to redeem himself and not let the darkness that consumed him during recovery. As for our lead female Lia loves the sport so much she decides to become journalist/social media content for the Juguars her dream job. Unexpectedly she meets Brooks Pittman joining her for dinner-she can’t believe her luck. Their chemistry is undeniable, as if the universe itself brought them together. But this means getting involved with one of the biggest stars of the Juguars is off limits. Can they keep the secret hidden from others.

My thought

The song Get’cha Head in the game from High School Musical came up while reading however this goes for all books and no hate to the author I am not a fan of books now on days adding social media into their writing for me although this book was not for me I hope you might give it a try maybe it will be your favorite read.

Thank you @rachellabergeauthor for the advance reading

Rate 3.5 ⭐️ Spice 🌶️

[Elizabeth Mazzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Rachel’s newest book. You meet NBA star Brooks after he suffered an injury that took him off the court for a while. You meet Lia when they run into each other by chance and then she lands her dream job working for his basketball team. The catch? She isn’t working for his team yet when they meet, so they keep their relationship hidden from everyone around them. They work so well together that no one’s me knows about them as could expect one teammate that catches on quickly. In a turn of events, she has to move into his house and things heat up. They then get caught when his ex starts to cause trouble. Jokes on her, makes them realize they are completely in love with each other and they are the perfect pair. The one thing that could ruin it all, is what with the team management thing of them?

While I enjoyed this book, I think it ended to quickly at it seems like it’s missing something at the end. Either more of their relationship while working together, or including more of her brother game into it more it could have used something else. If you like a basketball romance definitely give this book a try or any of her books a try!

[ChlosterReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

TFW you meet the love of your life in a bar as she's reading her terrible date to filth.
Brooks is an NBA player that is recovering from an injury. He meets Lia in his favorite bar as she's waiting for a date. Guy ends up being a total prick and Brooks offers to take his place and have dinner with Lia instead. My lil synopsis does not do it justice. It's a really cute meet-cute, I promise!
With this being the third installment in the series, I'm used to seeing some sort of mental health rep. This time though, we also get an autoimmune condition. And it was one I don't see talked about often, especially in books. But it really stuck with me cause my sister has a variation of it. So I may have teared up about that. Who's to say!
ANYWAY, I loved Brooks and Lia. They had such great chemistry. And they both recognized that they are people that find it hard to ask for help, and step up for each other. Jalen is top tier bestie material. Loved getting glimpses of the previous couples.
Thank you so much Rachel for sending me an ARC! This series of definitely being added to my list of comforts.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I’d like to thank the Author for allowing me to have an ARC of her book! I truly appreciate it❤️

I liked this! For my first basketball romance I loved how sport focused it was! I loved just being in the basketball world and majority of the book surrounded that. I will say, it feels more SPORTS than romance in the sports romance genre.
I feel the reason this isn’t a five star was cause I wanted to see more of the conflicts and issues that occurred. I would say the day to days in the middle of the book felt it got repetitive.
And I was upset that you didn’t get more of Lia’s chronic illness. Yunno of her navigating it after being originally told and then her talking with Wes and Brooks about it. It all felt rushed at the end.
Lia’s chronic illness diagnosis, the big conflict, and the resolution all happened in the last maybe 85%.
Don’t let this make you think I didn’t enjoy the book, I did! I love sports so this was right up my alley!

I truly recommend this series for quick, fun, cute sports romances!

[Lizz_reads._ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhhhh I missed this series so much and to be back felt so greatttt!!😍😍😍😍 Brooks and Lia are just so incredible and incredibly written the characters made me want to hug them 🫂 ❤️ Also Racheelll did it again!! Stole my heart 😭❤️❤️ This series has been my fav since I started it and here we are again with another lovely couple who now have my heart 💗 lol idk which couple I like the most in this series right now 😭 so can I have them all? yeah I think I’ll have them all cause they all are special in their own way especially brooks and Lia my babies 🤍🤍 The overall plot was storyline was very well written. Also hehehehehe the tropes were definitely troping and made the reading even more enjoyable. ❤️ The moment I read the prologue I knew I’m gonna love this one and I did 😍 Rachelll ate with this one and has been doing it w all her books heheheheh 🤍🤍

💜Tropes : 💜

Sports romance
Secret relationship
Forbidden romance
Women in sports
Aftercare
Basketball romance
Text on page
Dual PoV

Book 3 in an interconnected standalone series 💜

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is the third book in the Play Caller series, and I’ve seriously loved every single one—but Your Call to Play might just be my favorite.

Lia and Brooks are absolute magic together. Lia is one of those FMCs who’s always taking care of everyone else and never letting herself accept help. Watching her slowly open up and let others in—especially Brooks—was such a heartwarming journey.

And Brooks? Whew. An NBA star with a heart of gold. He’s working through some heavy doubts after an injury, and Lia becomes this grounding, encouraging force in his life. The way they build each other up? Chef’s kiss. There are so many moments where it feels like destiny is pulling them together, and it’s just so good.

This book is a breath of fresh air—sweet, emotional, and full of that slow-build magic that makes you believe in soulmates. If you love sports romance with depth and heart, you need this one on your TBR.

[Sierra | FictionalWanderluster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queue the giddy squeals for this book! I'm a huge fan of Rachel's books and absolutely loved this one! Brooks is an NBA star who is returning after an injury. Lia is the newest member of the Jersey Jaguar's media team and a diehard basketball fan. They first meet during Lia's disastrous dinner date when Brooks unexpectedly stepped in and their chemistry is undeniable from the start. When they realize they are now working together, they have to decide if their connection is getting benched or just warming up.

🏀 Basketball Romance
💜 Workplace Romance
🏀 Women in Sports Rep
💜 Secret Dating
🏀 Cute Bulldog named Rocky
💜 Mental Health Rep
🏀 Autoimmune Disorder Rep

As someone who always wanted to work in sports, this book is spot on for women in sports rep! The challenges to get in and stay in professional sports as a woman is very real and I loved that our FMC Lia has the determination and grit to do it! As a bonus to landing her dream job, Lia finds love from an interesting meet cute that turned into a dream-worthy workplace romance. Brooks is a swoony book boyfriend, probably thanks to his own romance book reading. As always from Rachel, the mental health rep and the chronic illness rep (autoimmune disorder) in this book are fantastic. If you love basketball, want to read more about women going after their dream to work in sports, or just an adorable bulldog named Rocky, definitely pick up this newest installment of The Play Caller series up!

Thank you so much to Rachel for the advanced copy! 💜