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King of the Court #1
Game Changer
A steamy, grumpy sunshine sports romance featuring a woman down on her luck, a star basketball player with a filthy mouth, and a connection neither of them can deny.
After being dumped and losing my job the same week, the last thing my broken heart needs is a rebound.
I’m escaping across the country to help my perfect sister plan her dream wedding, and to prove to both of us everything is under control.
But a combination of tequila and turbulence on the flight there lead to word-vomiting all my troubles to the huge and handsome stranger in the first-class seat next to mine.
Only his whispered dirty diversions keep me sane until landing.
Despite the spark of attraction, we go our separate ways.
Or so I thought.
Turns out the tall, muscular, tattooed tower of a man from the plane is the star player on my future brother-in-law’s pro basketball team.
Clay is the last person I should gravitate toward. They’re called “players” for a reason.
Grumpy and cynical, he carries a weight on his shoulders I can’t possibly fathom.
He’s also the only one who knows my secrets and gets my heart racing.
The more we’re thrust together, the stronger the chemistry between us becomes.
Hooking up with the all-star athlete isn’t the way to get my life on track…but it could just be the game changer we’ve both been searching for.
After being dumped and losing my job the same week, the last thing my broken heart needs is a rebound.
I’m escaping across the country to help my perfect sister plan her dream wedding, and to prove to both of us everything is under control.
But a combination of tequila and turbulence on the flight there lead to word-vomiting all my troubles to the huge and handsome stranger in the first-class seat next to mine.
Only his whispered dirty diversions keep me sane until landing.
Despite the spark of attraction, we go our separate ways.
Or so I thought.
Turns out the tall, muscular, tattooed tower of a man from the plane is the star player on my future brother-in-law’s pro basketball team.
Clay is the last person I should gravitate toward. They’re called “players” for a reason.
Grumpy and cynical, he carries a weight on his shoulders I can’t possibly fathom.
He’s also the only one who knows my secrets and gets my heart racing.
The more we’re thrust together, the stronger the chemistry between us becomes.
Hooking up with the all-star athlete isn’t the way to get my life on track…but it could just be the game changer we’ve both been searching for.
300 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2023
1275 people are currently reading
10468 people want to read
About the author
Piper Lawson
53 books2,547 followersPiper Lawson is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of smart, steamy romance! She writes about women who follow their dreams (even the scary ones), best friends who know your dirty secrets (and love you anyway), and complex heroes you’ll fall hard for (especially after talking with them). Brains or brawn? She’ll never make you choose. Piper lives in Canada with her tall, dark and brilliant husband. She believes peanut butter is a protein, rose gold is a neutral, and love is ALWAYS the answer.
Join her VIP list now ➜ http://www.piperlawsonbooks.com/subsc...
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Stalk her on:
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Books by Piper Lawson:
DENVER KODIAKS SERIES
Hard to Fake
Hard to Take
Hard to Break
Rookie Season
KING OF THE COURT SERIES
Game Changer
Shot Taker
Play Maker
Game Day
WICKED SERIES
Good Girl
Bad Girl
Wicked Girl
Forever Wicked
RIVALS SERIES
A Love Song for Liars
A Love Song for Rebels
A Love Song for Dreamers
A Love Song for Always
ENEMIES SERIES
Beautiful Enemy
Beautiful Sins
Beautiful Ruin
Beautiful Salvation
OFF-LIMITS SERIES
Crave
Collide
Claim
Tempt
TRAVESTY SERIES
Schooled
Stripped
Sealed
Styled
Satisfaction
PLAY SERIES
PLAY
NSFW
RISE
MODERN ROMANCE SERIES
Easy Love
Bad Love
Twisted Love
Join her VIP list now ➜ http://www.piperlawsonbooks.com/subsc...
Hang with Piper in her Facebook reader group! ➜ http://www.facebook.com/groups/884510...
Stalk her on:
The Interwebs➜www.piperlawsonbooks.com
Bookbub➜https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper...
Books by Piper Lawson:
DENVER KODIAKS SERIES
Hard to Fake
Hard to Take
Hard to Break
Rookie Season
KING OF THE COURT SERIES
Game Changer
Shot Taker
Play Maker
Game Day
WICKED SERIES
Good Girl
Bad Girl
Wicked Girl
Forever Wicked
RIVALS SERIES
A Love Song for Liars
A Love Song for Rebels
A Love Song for Dreamers
A Love Song for Always
ENEMIES SERIES
Beautiful Enemy
Beautiful Sins
Beautiful Ruin
Beautiful Salvation
OFF-LIMITS SERIES
Crave
Collide
Claim
Tempt
TRAVESTY SERIES
Schooled
Stripped
Sealed
Styled
Satisfaction
PLAY SERIES
PLAY
NSFW
RISE
MODERN ROMANCE SERIES
Easy Love
Bad Love
Twisted Love
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 800 reviews
May 9, 2023
Read this whole not so great book to THEN FIND OUT ITS NOT A STANDALONE. SAVE YOURSELVES
April 25, 2023
i was JUST saying i wanted more basketball player romances 🗣️
this is book one of what will be three for clay & nova so it ends not on a cliffy really but it’s not their happily ever after.
nova and clay meet when they’re seated next to each other on a plane. nova’s clueless to the fact that clay is the NBA’s star player and he’s just the grumpy, hot guy who helpfully gives her a tour of his tattoos to distract her from her fear of flying (when is it my turn). except she runs into the man she never thought she’d see again at practice for her brother-in-law’s team.
i don’t usually love multiple books for one couple but i’m hooked on clay and nova. their tension was great (and the spice was though no doing the deed in book one but a fair amount of other stuff) and clay did so many sweet things for her. the side characters were all super interesting and i’m dying to know more. i can’t wait for book 2.
this is book one of what will be three for clay & nova so it ends not on a cliffy really but it’s not their happily ever after.
nova and clay meet when they’re seated next to each other on a plane. nova’s clueless to the fact that clay is the NBA’s star player and he’s just the grumpy, hot guy who helpfully gives her a tour of his tattoos to distract her from her fear of flying (when is it my turn). except she runs into the man she never thought she’d see again at practice for her brother-in-law’s team.
i don’t usually love multiple books for one couple but i’m hooked on clay and nova. their tension was great (and the spice was though no doing the deed in book one but a fair amount of other stuff) and clay did so many sweet things for her. the side characters were all super interesting and i’m dying to know more. i can’t wait for book 2.
January 17, 2026
She cocks her head, surprised. “What was I supposed to wear?”
I take her chin in my fingers, lifting it so she’s forced to look me dead in the eyes.
“Wear mine,” I murmur. “Next time you wear a jersey to a game, you fucking wear mine.”
that about summarises it, i’d say.
3.7 ✨
i’ve never considered myself someone who’s into sports romances, but this book pleasantly surprised me.
the characters weren’t shallow, there was some plot, but I was surprised to discover it wasn’t a standalone and ended on a cliffhanger. now idk what to do with myself.
but yeah 🙏🏼
“Are you laughing?”
“A little.”
”I didn’t know you laughed.”
”Once a day. You’re lucky I didn’t hit my quota yet.”
July 6, 2023
3.95⭐️
A CLIFF HANGER!? I did not know this book ended on a cliff hanger and I am regretting every life decision as the next two books aren’t out yet! Now do I think this book could have just been one book, yes, but will I be reading the whole series, absolutely because I love me some good groveling. Clay and Nova meet in a plane and once they cross paths again their chemistry is undeniable. The question that leaves their relationship at bay is whether Clay will pick basketball or take a shot at a relationship with her. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was sweet, cute, and all the above so it was a win for me! Excited to see what groveling is to come!
Favorite Quote:
“Three…I’m falling for a girl. I never expected it to happen. I never looked for her. But she found me anyway. And I’m really fucking glad she did.”
A CLIFF HANGER!? I did not know this book ended on a cliff hanger and I am regretting every life decision as the next two books aren’t out yet! Now do I think this book could have just been one book, yes, but will I be reading the whole series, absolutely because I love me some good groveling. Clay and Nova meet in a plane and once they cross paths again their chemistry is undeniable. The question that leaves their relationship at bay is whether Clay will pick basketball or take a shot at a relationship with her. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was sweet, cute, and all the above so it was a win for me! Excited to see what groveling is to come!
Favorite Quote:
“Three…I’m falling for a girl. I never expected it to happen. I never looked for her. But she found me anyway. And I’m really fucking glad she did.”
May 23, 2023
4/5 ⭐ but only because I'm invested in how this ends, otherwise for that ending I would have given it a 2/5. I hate myself for not noticing this was not a standalone before I started to read 😞
Want to read
April 1, 2025Pre-Readˏˋ°•*⁀➷
The height difference here makes it look like they’re on opposite sides of the “do I get to stay up late?” debate.
The height difference here makes it look like they’re on opposite sides of the “do I get to stay up late?” debate.
September 25, 2025
REVIEW
Rating: 4/5
POV: 1st; dual
Tropes: Sports- Pro Basketball; Artist FMC; Grumpy/Sunshine; Friends to Lovers;
Heat Level: 2/5
Kinks: N/A
Likes:
* The writing! The relationship building, the chemistry, the sport… all of it was so believable and well written!
* Clays (MMC) dirty mouth! 🥵 really good sexual tension in this book
* How supportive the MCs are of one another
Dislikes:
* The ending was frustrating , not because it ends on a cliffhanger (even though yes that was a shock) but because of just how it all plays out. I won’t say anything more.
Conclusion:
So I picked this book up completely blind! It was a book I downloaded at some point on my kindle and I needed a book that started with the letter G for bingo. This was the first book on my list. So I didn’t read the blurb nor any reviews. I just immediately opened the book and started reading. So it came to me as a shock that this book is a 4 book series for the same couple! I found this out at like 65% in, lol. I deducted a star rating for that because it’s not clear in the blurb that it doesn’t end in a HEA. So even had I read the blurb I wouldn’t have known!
Alright moving on -
I really really enjoyed this story! The beginning is one of the best beginnings in a book, it immediately grabs you, because of how sunshiny Nova (FMC) is and how grumpy Clay is. We get an immediate look into this dynamic and it was really funny.
The story proceeds with Clay and Nova spending time with one another but more as friends even though internally they are both highly attracted to one another. So this book is a slowwwww burn but it’s so good! The chemistry is A+!
Nova is in town for a while to assist her older sister with her wedding preparations (not at the request of her sister 😒) because things have recently gone a bit downhill for her at home (Boston). So off she goes to Denver to try and be a good sister and sort of find and ground herself.
Clay has been a professional basketball player for at least around 6 years and just recently had his first major injury. When the story starts he’s just returning back to playing. He dealing with a lot of internal struggles regarding his career, how much longer of a career it’ll be for him, and a lot of trust issues.
Nova and Clay feel as if they’re soulmates but life and some not great choices have gotten in their way.
So off I go to continuing this series because of course I’m hooked. 🙄 I’m rolling my eyes because of course I have to get hooked to a freaking 4 book series hahah.
Thank you for buddy reading with me Lori and Olga! Glad yall jumped onto this really long ride 😂.
4/5
Rating: 4/5
POV: 1st; dual
Tropes: Sports- Pro Basketball; Artist FMC; Grumpy/Sunshine; Friends to Lovers;
Heat Level: 2/5
Kinks: N/A
Likes:
* The writing! The relationship building, the chemistry, the sport… all of it was so believable and well written!
* Clays (MMC) dirty mouth! 🥵 really good sexual tension in this book
* How supportive the MCs are of one another
Dislikes:
* The ending was frustrating , not because it ends on a cliffhanger (even though yes that was a shock) but because of just how it all plays out. I won’t say anything more.
Conclusion:
So I picked this book up completely blind! It was a book I downloaded at some point on my kindle and I needed a book that started with the letter G for bingo. This was the first book on my list. So I didn’t read the blurb nor any reviews. I just immediately opened the book and started reading. So it came to me as a shock that this book is a 4 book series for the same couple! I found this out at like 65% in, lol. I deducted a star rating for that because it’s not clear in the blurb that it doesn’t end in a HEA. So even had I read the blurb I wouldn’t have known!
Alright moving on -
I really really enjoyed this story! The beginning is one of the best beginnings in a book, it immediately grabs you, because of how sunshiny Nova (FMC) is and how grumpy Clay is. We get an immediate look into this dynamic and it was really funny.
The story proceeds with Clay and Nova spending time with one another but more as friends even though internally they are both highly attracted to one another. So this book is a slowwwww burn but it’s so good! The chemistry is A+!
Nova is in town for a while to assist her older sister with her wedding preparations (not at the request of her sister 😒) because things have recently gone a bit downhill for her at home (Boston). So off she goes to Denver to try and be a good sister and sort of find and ground herself.
Clay has been a professional basketball player for at least around 6 years and just recently had his first major injury. When the story starts he’s just returning back to playing. He dealing with a lot of internal struggles regarding his career, how much longer of a career it’ll be for him, and a lot of trust issues.
Nova and Clay feel as if they’re soulmates but life and some not great choices have gotten in their way.
So off I go to continuing this series because of course I’m hooked. 🙄 I’m rolling my eyes because of course I have to get hooked to a freaking 4 book series hahah.
Thank you for buddy reading with me Lori and Olga! Glad yall jumped onto this really long ride 😂.
4/5
November 6, 2025
The Playmaker and the Pixie
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂🤨🤣🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
🛡️ Audiobook Review: Game Changer
Series: King of the Court, #1 (book 1 of 4, not a standalone)
Genre: Sports Romance
Narrators: Carly Robbins and Lance Greenfield
🦸🏼♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Nova
Nova’s month-long trip to Denver isn’t just about wedding prep — it’s a quiet act of redemption. She’s trying to reconnect with her sister Mari, whose life she’s drifted from, and bury the emotional fallout of her own breakup. Raised on the road by free-spirited parents, Nova’s used to chaos, but this time she’s determined to be the steady one. She’s an artist with a heart full of guilt and a head full of color — including the pink pixie cut that catches Clay’s eye.
🦸🏻♂️ Hero Spotlight: Clayton “Clay” Wade
Clay’s the Kodiaks’ top scorer, but his career is teetering after a brutal injury. He’s got beef with the new GM — who just happens to be marrying Nova’s sister — and a chip on his shoulder the size of the championship trophy he’s chasing. But the pink-haired stranger on his flight to Denver? She stirs something in him he thought was long gone. Clay’s guarded, driven, and unexpectedly vulnerable — especially when Nova starts peeling back his layers.
📃 Plot Pulse
The tangled web of personal and professional drama kicks off when Nova discovers her future brother-in-law is also Clay’s nemesis. Cue wedding chaos, locker room tension, and a slow-burn romance that simmers with emotional stakes. Nova’s artistic soul and Clay’s relentless ambition clash and complement in equal measure, especially as she helps him navigate the pressure cooker of pro sports and self-worth.
💘 What Hit Home
• ✈️ Their meet-cute on a plane? Adorable. A spicy one-night stand would’ve added heat, but the emotional spark was real.
• ☀️ The grumpy/sunshine dynamic shines here — Nova’s optimism is hard-won, and Clay’s brooding feels earned.
• 🎨 Nova’s advice to Clay about anxiety and self-pressure was surprisingly poignant. Her creative lens brings depth to his internal battles.
🧐 What Fell Flat
• 📚 That cliffhanger! I expected a standalone sports romance, not a series about one couple. Piper Lawson’s rockstar series should’ve tipped me off, but I still felt blindsided. If you’re diving in, be ready to commit to the full arc.
🎧 Narration Notes
Dual POVs are voiced by Carly Robbins and Lance Greenfield. While neither narrator tops my favorites list, they deliver solid performances with expressive emotion. Carly’s tone skews older than Nova’s vibe, and Lance’s voice doesn’t quite match Clay’s imposing presence — but they still capture the heart of the story.
📝 Final Takeaway
This book blends emotional depth, sizzling tension, and a heroine who heals as much as she helps. Just don’t expect closure in book one — this is a slow burn with a long game.
---
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂🤨🤣🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
🛡️ Audiobook Review: Game Changer
Series: King of the Court, #1 (book 1 of 4, not a standalone)
Genre: Sports Romance
Narrators: Carly Robbins and Lance Greenfield
🦸🏼♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Nova
Nova’s month-long trip to Denver isn’t just about wedding prep — it’s a quiet act of redemption. She’s trying to reconnect with her sister Mari, whose life she’s drifted from, and bury the emotional fallout of her own breakup. Raised on the road by free-spirited parents, Nova’s used to chaos, but this time she’s determined to be the steady one. She’s an artist with a heart full of guilt and a head full of color — including the pink pixie cut that catches Clay’s eye.
🦸🏻♂️ Hero Spotlight: Clayton “Clay” Wade
Clay’s the Kodiaks’ top scorer, but his career is teetering after a brutal injury. He’s got beef with the new GM — who just happens to be marrying Nova’s sister — and a chip on his shoulder the size of the championship trophy he’s chasing. But the pink-haired stranger on his flight to Denver? She stirs something in him he thought was long gone. Clay’s guarded, driven, and unexpectedly vulnerable — especially when Nova starts peeling back his layers.
📃 Plot Pulse
The tangled web of personal and professional drama kicks off when Nova discovers her future brother-in-law is also Clay’s nemesis. Cue wedding chaos, locker room tension, and a slow-burn romance that simmers with emotional stakes. Nova’s artistic soul and Clay’s relentless ambition clash and complement in equal measure, especially as she helps him navigate the pressure cooker of pro sports and self-worth.
💘 What Hit Home
• ✈️ Their meet-cute on a plane? Adorable. A spicy one-night stand would’ve added heat, but the emotional spark was real.
• ☀️ The grumpy/sunshine dynamic shines here — Nova’s optimism is hard-won, and Clay’s brooding feels earned.
• 🎨 Nova’s advice to Clay about anxiety and self-pressure was surprisingly poignant. Her creative lens brings depth to his internal battles.
🧐 What Fell Flat
• 📚 That cliffhanger! I expected a standalone sports romance, not a series about one couple. Piper Lawson’s rockstar series should’ve tipped me off, but I still felt blindsided. If you’re diving in, be ready to commit to the full arc.
🎧 Narration Notes
Dual POVs are voiced by Carly Robbins and Lance Greenfield. While neither narrator tops my favorites list, they deliver solid performances with expressive emotion. Carly’s tone skews older than Nova’s vibe, and Lance’s voice doesn’t quite match Clay’s imposing presence — but they still capture the heart of the story.
📝 Final Takeaway
This book blends emotional depth, sizzling tension, and a heroine who heals as much as she helps. Just don’t expect closure in book one — this is a slow burn with a long game.
---
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May 3, 2023
“We’re all doing our best, Mar. What looks easy from the outside isn’t always and even when things aren’t perfect… They can be really good.”
FUN. FUN. FUN.
Some books are just fun to read. And this one is one of those. Fast paced, amazing characters, not one dragging or cringy moment!
And while Clay might be the king of the court, Nova is the queen in this book. (And Brooke!!! I LOVE BROOKE SO MUCH! Please oh please, Book Gods… please let it be a book on Brooke &🤐🤐🤐)
But before you leave me to go read about Nova and the grumpy baller (which you should!), let me tell you a few things.
First, I have to admit I had to yell at myself a few times because I kept picturing an ice rink but in my defense it’s really hard to read about basketball while fully on Stanley Cup playoffs mode. Worry not, I had a BLAST with this 🏀 romance.
Second, this is book 1 in the series. Series. Not interconnected standalones. Which it’s not the norm for me when it comes to sports romance. But that ending — THAT ENDING — just made me crave book 2. So much so, I’m posting this today when I had planned a wrap-up post instead just so I can then jump onto Valentine PR website and sign up (BEG! I’m going to BEG) for a book 2 ARC.
Third, I didn’t know Piper Lawson nor did I know about this book until she and Valentine PR surprised me with this in the mail (THANK YOU!). Well, too bad for them because now I’m going to annoy both with my posts (and all of you) because I’m obsessed and officially a Kodashian. 👀
What’s inside:
🖤sports romance - 🏀
🖤grumpy x sunshine
🖤boss’s sister-in-law
🖤secret dating
🖤first in the series
Adult. 5 stars ⭐️
FUN. FUN. FUN.
Some books are just fun to read. And this one is one of those. Fast paced, amazing characters, not one dragging or cringy moment!
And while Clay might be the king of the court, Nova is the queen in this book. (And Brooke!!! I LOVE BROOKE SO MUCH! Please oh please, Book Gods… please let it be a book on Brooke &🤐🤐🤐)
But before you leave me to go read about Nova and the grumpy baller (which you should!), let me tell you a few things.
First, I have to admit I had to yell at myself a few times because I kept picturing an ice rink but in my defense it’s really hard to read about basketball while fully on Stanley Cup playoffs mode. Worry not, I had a BLAST with this 🏀 romance.
Second, this is book 1 in the series. Series. Not interconnected standalones. Which it’s not the norm for me when it comes to sports romance. But that ending — THAT ENDING — just made me crave book 2. So much so, I’m posting this today when I had planned a wrap-up post instead just so I can then jump onto Valentine PR website and sign up (BEG! I’m going to BEG) for a book 2 ARC.
Third, I didn’t know Piper Lawson nor did I know about this book until she and Valentine PR surprised me with this in the mail (THANK YOU!). Well, too bad for them because now I’m going to annoy both with my posts (and all of you) because I’m obsessed and officially a Kodashian. 👀
What’s inside:
🖤sports romance - 🏀
🖤grumpy x sunshine
🖤boss’s sister-in-law
🖤secret dating
🖤first in the series
Adult. 5 stars ⭐️
July 18, 2023
WHY is this a trilogy again?
September 26, 2025
First and foremost readers who are not familiar with Piper Lawson need to know that her books are usually trilogies with a fourth book which is a novella. That said ***Book 1 ends on a cliffhanger.***
Piper Lawson writes very realistically. There's right decisions and bad ones. Warm fuzzy feelings and smack on the forehead moments. Little gestures and grand ones.
26% still no complaints! I love that he is not a manwhore. Of course I love that he has a dark past which we are oblivious to and that he's not in a happy place right now. I like how though life has thrown so many lemons at her she still sees the glass half full. I like that there is attraction between them but it is not sexualised rather it's a connection between two misunderstood lonely souls.
Their first meet was very engaging. She was an adorable bundle of nerves. And he was a broody grump who doesn't know where this whirlwind of pink came from.
But then of course the author needs to include a stupid thought.
I never cared for MCs who think random hookups, rebounds or casual sex is the way to make them feel better about themselves or their situation.
Clay is a man burned in love so he doesn't trust that easily but he feels and craves the connection he has with Nova. He doesn't want his relationship with her to be a random hookup which will turn then into an awkward one. He wants her in his life.
Nova, has been recently burned in love and to get over her current existential crisis she tries to sleep with Clay. Clay is trying to be a gentleman and doesn't give her what she wants so what does the author and subsequently Nova do, tells him she wants to sleep with his teammate! 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
It was too much to think that I might actually get flawless MCs.
After that monumental mishap, the book gets better. Their relationship takes its course again. It's lovely to see how Nova starts breaking down Clay's walls and how Clay believes and actually sees Nova.
Favourite scene, their underwater kiss at the lake. Hot 🔥
Most hated character, her sister. 😒
Funniest moment, Clay has the biggest case of blue balls to ever exist 😂.
And then we get to the cliffhanger, the ending.
Oh no he didn't!!!!! What an asshole! You know I am talking about you you stupid excuse of a man! 😤
And the way Clay handles the situation? Clay baby, disastrous move. What the hell were you thinking?!
I really loved this book, I don't get why people gave it a bad rating just because it ends on a cliffhanger! I mean yes the book should come with a warning but other than that it is very enjoyable, the MCs are very likable and I haven't been bored one second reading it.
Best of all was BRing it with CB and Lori. It was such a fun time sharing our thoughts and comments.
Piper Lawson writes very realistically. There's right decisions and bad ones. Warm fuzzy feelings and smack on the forehead moments. Little gestures and grand ones.
26% still no complaints! I love that he is not a manwhore. Of course I love that he has a dark past which we are oblivious to and that he's not in a happy place right now. I like how though life has thrown so many lemons at her she still sees the glass half full. I like that there is attraction between them but it is not sexualised rather it's a connection between two misunderstood lonely souls.
Their first meet was very engaging. She was an adorable bundle of nerves. And he was a broody grump who doesn't know where this whirlwind of pink came from.
But then of course the author needs to include a stupid thought.
I never cared for MCs who think random hookups, rebounds or casual sex is the way to make them feel better about themselves or their situation.
Clay is a man burned in love so he doesn't trust that easily but he feels and craves the connection he has with Nova. He doesn't want his relationship with her to be a random hookup which will turn then into an awkward one. He wants her in his life.
Nova, has been recently burned in love and to get over her current existential crisis she tries to sleep with Clay. Clay is trying to be a gentleman and doesn't give her what she wants so what does the author and subsequently Nova do, tells him she wants to sleep with his teammate! 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
It was too much to think that I might actually get flawless MCs.
After that monumental mishap, the book gets better. Their relationship takes its course again. It's lovely to see how Nova starts breaking down Clay's walls and how Clay believes and actually sees Nova.
Favourite scene, their underwater kiss at the lake. Hot 🔥
Most hated character, her sister. 😒
Funniest moment, Clay has the biggest case of blue balls to ever exist 😂.
And then we get to the cliffhanger, the ending.
Oh no he didn't!!!!! What an asshole! You know I am talking about you you stupid excuse of a man! 😤
And the way Clay handles the situation? Clay baby, disastrous move. What the hell were you thinking?!
I really loved this book, I don't get why people gave it a bad rating just because it ends on a cliffhanger! I mean yes the book should come with a warning but other than that it is very enjoyable, the MCs are very likable and I haven't been bored one second reading it.
Best of all was BRing it with CB and Lori. It was such a fun time sharing our thoughts and comments.
September 23, 2025
•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•★◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•
- it was good... but not perfect. ིྀ
𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴:
"(𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 - 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘐𝘴𝘢𝘢𝘬)"
1:27 ━──●──────── 4:50
----------------˖⁺. ༶ ❤︎ ⋆˙⊹ 𐦍 ˖⁺. ༶ ❤︎⋆˙⊹---------------
he's stoic and grumpy and she's quirky and energetic. kinda typical.
but I'm not sure I like basketball romances.. the height difference is throwing me way off, he described her like "an energetic hyper child" and with her being so much shorter than him I found that a little predatory.. but maybe that's just me. I mean- he called her a child and she's extremely short (compared to him❗️) 🤷♀️.
a lot of people either hate or love this book and I think I'm right in the middle 🥱.
I did like the wedding aspect tho!!
and the tension? ❤️🔥🙂↕️
I'd say that you should read this just for the experience! I think it was good enough. but tbh I'm not sure I wanna read the 3 others in the series
(っ◞‸◟ c). the ending was just a bit too cliche for me.
/---------------------------------------------------\
💬 ౨ৎ "𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮.. 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠."
(3.5/5)⭐️🏀
- it was good... but not perfect. ིྀ
𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴:
"(𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 - 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘐𝘴𝘢𝘢𝘬)"
1:27 ━──●──────── 4:50
----------------˖⁺. ༶ ❤︎ ⋆˙⊹ 𐦍 ˖⁺. ༶ ❤︎⋆˙⊹---------------
he's stoic and grumpy and she's quirky and energetic. kinda typical.
but I'm not sure I like basketball romances.. the height difference is throwing me way off, he described her like "an energetic hyper child" and with her being so much shorter than him I found that a little predatory.. but maybe that's just me. I mean- he called her a child and she's extremely short (compared to him❗️) 🤷♀️.
a lot of people either hate or love this book and I think I'm right in the middle 🥱.
I did like the wedding aspect tho!!
and the tension? ❤️🔥🙂↕️
I'd say that you should read this just for the experience! I think it was good enough. but tbh I'm not sure I wanna read the 3 others in the series
(っ◞‸◟ c). the ending was just a bit too cliche for me.
/---------------------------------------------------\
💬 ౨ৎ "𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮.. 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠."
(3.5/5)⭐️🏀
April 15, 2023
I LOVE the way Nova and Clay met… it’s simply fate and meant to be. Nova is leaving her past behind while coming to spend the next month with her sister planning her wedding. She has no idea who Clay is until she realizes he plays basketball for her new brother in law. While Clay tries to maintain that basketball is his first and only love, there is something about the pink-haired pixie that he can’t stop thinking about.
I love that there are backstories for each one and that they are both trying to be more for each other despite the trust issues, despite their future goals. And just when we think there could be something more for them, BAM! It’s not and we are left broken-hearted and wanting more 😭😩
Lawson sure knows how to draw out the emotions and put you through the wringer but that’s what makes reading so fun. I am DYING to find out what happens next…
I love that there are backstories for each one and that they are both trying to be more for each other despite the trust issues, despite their future goals. And just when we think there could be something more for them, BAM! It’s not and we are left broken-hearted and wanting more 😭😩
Lawson sure knows how to draw out the emotions and put you through the wringer but that’s what makes reading so fun. I am DYING to find out what happens next…
September 23, 2023
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT ENDING THOUGH?
Why would you ruin a perfectly good book with this kind of clichéd bs? Ugh.
Why would you ruin a perfectly good book with this kind of clichéd bs? Ugh.
May 30, 2023
They are cute okay? And i didn't see that ending coming okay? Now when's the second book coming? Cos i hate being left hanging like this.
I might as well become Basketball girl from Ice Hockey girl....idk
I might as well become Basketball girl from Ice Hockey girl....idk
July 10, 2023
this book was so… rushed??? And the cliff hanger wasn’t even enticing.
With that being said I will be reading the second bc I’m not a quitter. But.. it just wasn’t that great. Hope the others are better.
With that being said I will be reading the second bc I’m not a quitter. But.. it just wasn’t that great. Hope the others are better.
April 22, 2023
First thank you to Valentine PR and Piper Lawson for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first book in Piper's new series King of the Court. It does end on a cliffhanger.
Game Changer follows Nova and Clay. Nova is recently single and jobless and spending an entire month out in Denver to help her sister with her upcoming wedding. Clay is complicated. He has a rough past that leaves him untrusting and grumpy most of the time. He is coming back from an injury, doesn't care for Denver, and doesn't think this is the place where we can get that championship.
I absolutely loved the way these two meet each other. Clay and Nova are so devastatingly perfect for each other! Their banter had me cracking up and smiling like a goof. Clay's past broke my heart yet there are still more secrets he is hiding. I just wanted to see him give in to Nova so badly.
This was my first book by Piper and it won't be the last. The ending had me so upset and desperate for more! I cannot wait for book 2, Shot Taker! I'm dying here!
Tropes:
Basketball
Grumpy x Sunshine
Forbidden
Age Gap
Close Proximity
Opposites
Overall: 4.5
Spice: 1
This is the first book in Piper's new series King of the Court. It does end on a cliffhanger.
Game Changer follows Nova and Clay. Nova is recently single and jobless and spending an entire month out in Denver to help her sister with her upcoming wedding. Clay is complicated. He has a rough past that leaves him untrusting and grumpy most of the time. He is coming back from an injury, doesn't care for Denver, and doesn't think this is the place where we can get that championship.
I absolutely loved the way these two meet each other. Clay and Nova are so devastatingly perfect for each other! Their banter had me cracking up and smiling like a goof. Clay's past broke my heart yet there are still more secrets he is hiding. I just wanted to see him give in to Nova so badly.
This was my first book by Piper and it won't be the last. The ending had me so upset and desperate for more! I cannot wait for book 2, Shot Taker! I'm dying here!
Tropes:
Basketball
Grumpy x Sunshine
Forbidden
Age Gap
Close Proximity
Opposites
Overall: 4.5
Spice: 1
January 2, 2024
🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧
OVERALL: 5 STARS
I LOVE THIS UNIVERSE!!! This trilogy is kind of connected to Tempt (Off-Limits series) via Kat (FMC of Tempt) and we got a tiny little crumb of what’s to come for Clay at the end :) So, yeah, to me, the Off-Limits trilogy, Tempt, and King of the Court trilogy are interconnected, and I LOVE THEM ALL! Lol
PERFORMANCE: 4.5 STARS
Lance Greenfield has never been a top-pick narrator for me before but I gotta say that his performance along with Carly’s was ridiculously good! I’m used to Carly already and have loved everything I’ve listened to by her, but this is a brand-new Lance for me, and I am loving him!
STORY: 5 STARS
Game Changer was such a great combination of character building, romance journey building and storyline building that for a hot-minute, I forgot who I was reading and let my guard down. It was all so ridiculously blissful and then BAM, Piper Lawson strikes again. Dear Piper, STOP.IT. LOL She is the queen of trilogies and cliffhangers. She doesn’t just write stories that need a break or come to a fork so a *pause* is necessary for the impact of the story, nooooooooooo, she almost always upends everything like a tiny tornado and leaves you slack jawed, like ... ”wait, what now?”!!
Nova & Clay have a really great meet-cute and their story is pretty much easy-peasy, until it isn’t, which if you’ve ever read Piper Lawson before, you should be ready for. DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN! lolololol I can’t wait to dive into the next installment!
OVERALL: 5 STARS
I LOVE THIS UNIVERSE!!! This trilogy is kind of connected to Tempt (Off-Limits series) via Kat (FMC of Tempt) and we got a tiny little crumb of what’s to come for Clay at the end :) So, yeah, to me, the Off-Limits trilogy, Tempt, and King of the Court trilogy are interconnected, and I LOVE THEM ALL! Lol
PERFORMANCE: 4.5 STARS
Lance Greenfield has never been a top-pick narrator for me before but I gotta say that his performance along with Carly’s was ridiculously good! I’m used to Carly already and have loved everything I’ve listened to by her, but this is a brand-new Lance for me, and I am loving him!
STORY: 5 STARS
Game Changer was such a great combination of character building, romance journey building and storyline building that for a hot-minute, I forgot who I was reading and let my guard down. It was all so ridiculously blissful and then BAM, Piper Lawson strikes again. Dear Piper, STOP.IT. LOL She is the queen of trilogies and cliffhangers. She doesn’t just write stories that need a break or come to a fork so a *pause* is necessary for the impact of the story, nooooooooooo, she almost always upends everything like a tiny tornado and leaves you slack jawed, like ... ”wait, what now?”!!
Nova & Clay have a really great meet-cute and their story is pretty much easy-peasy, until it isn’t, which if you’ve ever read Piper Lawson before, you should be ready for. DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN! lolololol I can’t wait to dive into the next installment!
April 14, 2023
Game Changer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Arc Review*
Move over Nathan Scott. There's a new baller in town and he's taking your number one spot!
“To love that finds us when we need it, not when we’re looking. May your hearts always surprise you in the best ways.” (this quote made my eyes leak fyi)
Just when I thought I couldn't get over Tyler Adams, Clayton Freaking Wade entered the game and boy oh boy what a debut he made!
I AM IN LOVE.
Not just with Clay but with Nova too and their entire relationship.
They both came into each others lives when they needed each other the most. They changed each other in the best ways possible.
Their little private jokes and banter between them had me giggling, trying not to wake up my kids at 3am.
Even though I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room near the ending, I know Clay and Nova are perfect for each other and I can't wait for their future books so I can see them finally get their HEA. But on the meantime, I am FULLY INVESTED in their journey along the way with the next book in the series. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!
I even loved the side characters. (Also ma'am, Brooke and Miles? Yes please!! Brother's best friend is my damn kryptonite and I will eat that book up, so I'll be begging you to make that happen 😁)
Piper Lawson is slowly becoming one of my favourite authors. I don't know what she laces her books with but damn they are addicting! The writing is beautiful and so easy to read. I read this book in 4 hours and I didn't even notice I finished it, until I couldn't turn the page anymore.
If you are anything like me and you love a good sports romance then I highly, highly recommend you pick this one up. Who doesn't love a sexy, tattooed basketball player to drool all over? Oh, and did I mention he has a dirty mouth?
Alexa, play Cotton Candy by Yungblud (IYKYK 😉)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Arc Review*
Move over Nathan Scott. There's a new baller in town and he's taking your number one spot!
“To love that finds us when we need it, not when we’re looking. May your hearts always surprise you in the best ways.” (this quote made my eyes leak fyi)
Just when I thought I couldn't get over Tyler Adams, Clayton Freaking Wade entered the game and boy oh boy what a debut he made!
I AM IN LOVE.
Not just with Clay but with Nova too and their entire relationship.
They both came into each others lives when they needed each other the most. They changed each other in the best ways possible.
Their little private jokes and banter between them had me giggling, trying not to wake up my kids at 3am.
Even though I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room near the ending, I know Clay and Nova are perfect for each other and I can't wait for their future books so I can see them finally get their HEA. But on the meantime, I am FULLY INVESTED in their journey along the way with the next book in the series. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!
I even loved the side characters. (Also ma'am, Brooke and Miles? Yes please!! Brother's best friend is my damn kryptonite and I will eat that book up, so I'll be begging you to make that happen 😁)
Piper Lawson is slowly becoming one of my favourite authors. I don't know what she laces her books with but damn they are addicting! The writing is beautiful and so easy to read. I read this book in 4 hours and I didn't even notice I finished it, until I couldn't turn the page anymore.
If you are anything like me and you love a good sports romance then I highly, highly recommend you pick this one up. Who doesn't love a sexy, tattooed basketball player to drool all over? Oh, and did I mention he has a dirty mouth?
Alexa, play Cotton Candy by Yungblud (IYKYK 😉)
April 19, 2023
“Game Changer” is a sexy, sweet basketball romance that had me gripped from the first chapter.
“Game Changer” follows Nova, an artist from Boston. She’s flying to Denver for her sisters wedding when she meets Clay, the mysterious passenger who sits next to her. While scared of flying, Nova makes small talk to Clay to distract her, which leads to an unlikely friendship mid-flight.
Over the course of a month, Nova grows closer to the man from the plane, who she now knows as basketball star Clayton. Nova brings a sense of normalcy to her relationship with Clay, and he’s equally as drawn to her.
I loved reading about this couple, despite them only just scratching the surface of a relationship. I loved that they both brought out the best in each other, and also encouraged them to be the better person. The book also moves very quickly and this is certainly one you could read in one sitting. I love the easter eggs of which couples Lawson will write about next, as interconnected standalones are my absolute favorite.
In short, an excellent dip into basketball romance! I love Lawson’s writing and this is my favorite book of hers to date.
“Game Changer” follows Nova, an artist from Boston. She’s flying to Denver for her sisters wedding when she meets Clay, the mysterious passenger who sits next to her. While scared of flying, Nova makes small talk to Clay to distract her, which leads to an unlikely friendship mid-flight.
Over the course of a month, Nova grows closer to the man from the plane, who she now knows as basketball star Clayton. Nova brings a sense of normalcy to her relationship with Clay, and he’s equally as drawn to her.
I loved reading about this couple, despite them only just scratching the surface of a relationship. I loved that they both brought out the best in each other, and also encouraged them to be the better person. The book also moves very quickly and this is certainly one you could read in one sitting. I love the easter eggs of which couples Lawson will write about next, as interconnected standalones are my absolute favorite.
In short, an excellent dip into basketball romance! I love Lawson’s writing and this is my favorite book of hers to date.
December 18, 2024
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this one to anyone but I’m intrigued
July 3, 2023
Sveikos, kliteratūrinės kekšės. Pašnekėkim apie dar vieną aukštos meninės literatūrinės vertės šedevrą 🫡.
Nova – mergina rožiniais plaukais, kurią apvogė ir paliko sužadėtinis. Clay – krepšinio superžvaigždė, kamuolio genijus.
Žinot, nors save laikau feministe, bet pirmiausia esu etatinė heiterė ir su aistra nekenčiau šitos mergos. Ji galvoja, kad yra unikali dėl savo rožinių plaukų ir vaikiško durnumo, kuriuo didžiuojasi, bet omg! 😬
Autorė siekė mums įkalti į galvą, kad Nova absoliučiai nieko neraukia apie krepšinį. Ji nežino kaip atrodo kamuolys ir ką ant parketo veikia žaidėjai. Porelės dialogai durni. Clay stebina, kad Nova nesižavi jo karjera ir jame mato tikrą žmogų o ne lėlę su kašės kamuoliu vietoj galvos. Net pirmųjų gvaltavonių metu jis sako: "tu esi pirma moteris, kuriai nerūpi mano kašės karjera ir turtai. Man tai patinka, aš tave myliu 😚". Nu seni, pasaulis nesisuka apie tą kamuolį oranžinį ir tavo karjerą tik, sustok gal jau 😬.
Šita knyga turi N dalių, kurių net nesivarginsiu skaityti, nes nuobodu ir aš nemanau, kad mergina, nežinanti kokios spalvos yra kašės kamuolys ir unikali ir "ne tokia kaip visos merginos".
BA NA LU! Gvaltavonių ir praktiškai nebuvo, tad kliteratūrinės kekšės, neskaitykit, nes nusivilsit.
Nova – mergina rožiniais plaukais, kurią apvogė ir paliko sužadėtinis. Clay – krepšinio superžvaigždė, kamuolio genijus.
Žinot, nors save laikau feministe, bet pirmiausia esu etatinė heiterė ir su aistra nekenčiau šitos mergos. Ji galvoja, kad yra unikali dėl savo rožinių plaukų ir vaikiško durnumo, kuriuo didžiuojasi, bet omg! 😬
Autorė siekė mums įkalti į galvą, kad Nova absoliučiai nieko neraukia apie krepšinį. Ji nežino kaip atrodo kamuolys ir ką ant parketo veikia žaidėjai. Porelės dialogai durni. Clay stebina, kad Nova nesižavi jo karjera ir jame mato tikrą žmogų o ne lėlę su kašės kamuoliu vietoj galvos. Net pirmųjų gvaltavonių metu jis sako: "tu esi pirma moteris, kuriai nerūpi mano kašės karjera ir turtai. Man tai patinka, aš tave myliu 😚". Nu seni, pasaulis nesisuka apie tą kamuolį oranžinį ir tavo karjerą tik, sustok gal jau 😬.
Šita knyga turi N dalių, kurių net nesivarginsiu skaityti, nes nuobodu ir aš nemanau, kad mergina, nežinanti kokios spalvos yra kašės kamuolys ir unikali ir "ne tokia kaip visos merginos".
BA NA LU! Gvaltavonių ir praktiškai nebuvo, tad kliteratūrinės kekšės, neskaitykit, nes nusivilsit.
March 12, 2024
This book is fantastic,but had I known it would end on a cliffhanger,and be a four book series before I get my HEA?!!!…I may have reconsidered. The art of the stand-alone is lost these days. Kinda tired of cliffhangers and having to buy multiple books.
February 5, 2025
I guess this is my first DNF of 2025 because WTF was that?
I wanted a cute cheesy romance book because it’s February and the world sucks so I wanted a cute distraction but I only made it 40% of the book. The Writting was so weird and not for me.
This ain’t it!
Ok bye!
I wanted a cute cheesy romance book because it’s February and the world sucks so I wanted a cute distraction but I only made it 40% of the book. The Writting was so weird and not for me.
This ain’t it!
Ok bye!
December 21, 2023
Addicted hooked whatever!!! gimme all of this right now. Onto book 2!
June 7, 2023
This year I'm on the hunt of new to me authors. The blurb intrigued me, while seeing this book being promoted of my facebook book friends. And I haven't read a basketball romance in a while. And tbh with you, I wished I had payed closer attention. Because until the end of Game Changer, I wasn't aware of the fact that Nova and Clay's story goes over three books, with the other two being published end of June and end of August 2023. And I HATE waiting. :-D
Game Changer doesn't end with a traditional cliffy but yet there is still one that left me hanging and sad that I can't continue right away. If I'd known that before starting this book, I would have waited until all three books are published. :-)
Now, let's talk about the book. Even though the blurb is intriguing, I went in without any expectations. And it took me only very few pages to be sucked into the story. I really like Nova and Clay as induvial and also when they are together. I love how Clay is there for Nova even though is a grump through and through. But he just can't help himself with Nova. I enjoyed their interactions and banter and I think Game Changer is a great start for what's about to come.
Oh, and the side characters! I wish I'd seen more of them. And I hope I get to read Miles and Brook's story as well as Jay and Chloe's! Please tell me they'll get their own books!?
This book was definitely one that was hard to put down. I read long past midnight because I kept saying myself "just one more chapter. you'll stop after the next one", but I couldn't. And then I got hit by this cliffy. *sigh*
The thing that keeps me from giving more than 4 stars is that I think the complex relationship between Nova and her sister Mari could have been explored a little deeper. And what happened to their parents. I get the feeling that these are important points that shaped Nova into the person she is. I also don't get in the end why Harlan (Mari's husband) did what he did and why he thought it was his business to do so. I can't quite get a grip on him and it feels weird. Hopefully this will kind of clear up in the next books.
Game Changer doesn't end with a traditional cliffy but yet there is still one that left me hanging and sad that I can't continue right away. If I'd known that before starting this book, I would have waited until all three books are published. :-)
Now, let's talk about the book. Even though the blurb is intriguing, I went in without any expectations. And it took me only very few pages to be sucked into the story. I really like Nova and Clay as induvial and also when they are together. I love how Clay is there for Nova even though is a grump through and through. But he just can't help himself with Nova. I enjoyed their interactions and banter and I think Game Changer is a great start for what's about to come.
Oh, and the side characters! I wish I'd seen more of them. And I hope I get to read Miles and Brook's story as well as Jay and Chloe's! Please tell me they'll get their own books!?
This book was definitely one that was hard to put down. I read long past midnight because I kept saying myself "just one more chapter. you'll stop after the next one", but I couldn't. And then I got hit by this cliffy. *sigh*
The thing that keeps me from giving more than 4 stars is that I think the complex relationship between Nova and her sister Mari could have been explored a little deeper. And what happened to their parents. I get the feeling that these are important points that shaped Nova into the person she is. I also don't get in the end why Harlan (Mari's husband) did what he did and why he thought it was his business to do so. I can't quite get a grip on him and it feels weird. Hopefully this will kind of clear up in the next books.
April 23, 2023
I can always, always count on Piper Lawson to deliver a great, feel-good, and steamy read! From the first few pages, I had a smile on my face; I cracked up at some of the main characters' interactions. I love how they met! Clay and Nova are two strangers seated next to each other on an airplane.
Clay is a typical grumpy, closed-off hero who doesn't want to engage in a conversation, yet Clay's seatmate, Nova, piqued his interest. Nova is a bubbly, caring yet anxious (she's nervous and afraid of flying) heroine who will instantly warm your heart with her babbling/chatter.
Despite her fears, Nova is travelling to see her sister, Mari, who she hasn't seen for a while to help with her wedding. But there's also another excuse for her last-minute travel plans. Nova doesn't want to burden her sister with her problems; she had enough of being "saved" by her big sister. Nova wants to prove to her sister and to herself that she can take care of herself.
Clay is the superstar of his basketball team. Recently recovering from a knee injury, Clay is re-evaluating certain aspects of his life. Clay and Nova are surprised to meet again. Clay doesn't easily trust people, and Nova always sees the good in people. It's refreshing to Clay that he can just be "Clay" around Nova; there's more to him, and Nova can see it.
It shouldn't surprise me that I would immediately fall in love with Clay and Nova. From Clay distracting Nova when she was so close to having a panic attack to cheering her up after certain fiascos/or incidents. Nova opening her big heart to Clay and making him see that he is a good person. And of course, we can't forget they are attracted to each other. It's sizzling between them! Clay and Nova are good for each other; they are so comfortable together. The tropes in this book are elite! My heart dropped when I read the last few chapters. I was like, why, why!! Now I have to wait for book #2! I can hardly wait!!!
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Clay is a typical grumpy, closed-off hero who doesn't want to engage in a conversation, yet Clay's seatmate, Nova, piqued his interest. Nova is a bubbly, caring yet anxious (she's nervous and afraid of flying) heroine who will instantly warm your heart with her babbling/chatter.
Despite her fears, Nova is travelling to see her sister, Mari, who she hasn't seen for a while to help with her wedding. But there's also another excuse for her last-minute travel plans. Nova doesn't want to burden her sister with her problems; she had enough of being "saved" by her big sister. Nova wants to prove to her sister and to herself that she can take care of herself.
Clay is the superstar of his basketball team. Recently recovering from a knee injury, Clay is re-evaluating certain aspects of his life. Clay and Nova are surprised to meet again. Clay doesn't easily trust people, and Nova always sees the good in people. It's refreshing to Clay that he can just be "Clay" around Nova; there's more to him, and Nova can see it.
It shouldn't surprise me that I would immediately fall in love with Clay and Nova. From Clay distracting Nova when she was so close to having a panic attack to cheering her up after certain fiascos/or incidents. Nova opening her big heart to Clay and making him see that he is a good person. And of course, we can't forget they are attracted to each other. It's sizzling between them! Clay and Nova are good for each other; they are so comfortable together. The tropes in this book are elite! My heart dropped when I read the last few chapters. I was like, why, why!! Now I have to wait for book #2! I can hardly wait!!!
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review
June 2, 2023
this one felt very insta love. like that one scene in the airplane bathroom i was like 🧐 but the scene with clay ripping the page he was on from the sports magazine, so nova wouldn’t know who he was was funny
mari, the heroine’s sister, what a pain in the ass oh GOD just give nova a fucking break… like the whole cupcake situation i was just sighing left and right
for the life of me i couldn’t get a feel of the whole friend group did they really like nova or was there some kind of agenda behind them being nice to her ? no fucking idea
i wish i knew what i was getting myself into because i didn’t realize this wasn’t a book that follows one couple’s story and the rest of the series are other couples' stories - this one ends on a cliffhanger 🥲 the whole ending and the scene with clay and harlan was just confusing which made the whole ending messy and as i said confusing but i’m curious about how it’s going to be between them and have a peak at the next books when the series is finished
„I know you’re not Harland’s biggest fan, or Mari’s” I say. „So, thank you. For what you did for my sister.”
„I didn’t do it for her. I did it for you.”
mari, the heroine’s sister, what a pain in the ass oh GOD just give nova a fucking break… like the whole cupcake situation i was just sighing left and right
for the life of me i couldn’t get a feel of the whole friend group did they really like nova or was there some kind of agenda behind them being nice to her ? no fucking idea
i wish i knew what i was getting myself into because i didn’t realize this wasn’t a book that follows one couple’s story and the rest of the series are other couples' stories - this one ends on a cliffhanger 🥲 the whole ending and the scene with clay and harlan was just confusing which made the whole ending messy and as i said confusing but i’m curious about how it’s going to be between them and have a peak at the next books when the series is finished
March 12, 2024
This is the first book int he King of the Court trilogy. Pre warning.. ends in a cliffhanger. Piper does it to us again. lol
Clay and Nova met on a plane heading the Denver. She is going for her sister's wedding and he is a basketball player the the Kodiaks. They are both a bit broken. Nova from just getting dumped by her ex and lost her job. Clay has had a rough past and dealing with a knee injury that could ruin his career.
Nova feels she can live up to her sister Mari and always feels like a failure. They have a hot encounter in the bathroom of the plane but part thinking they will never see each other again. How wrong they were. Harlan is marrying Nova's sister and Clay plays for his team.
They can't seem to stay apart from each other. They have very hot encounters in a cabin at Kodiak Camp for kids, backs of limos and hotel rooms.
One of my favourite scenes is when they have a 3 on 3 baskball pick up game with Nova, Brooke and Chloe, Jay, Clay and of course Miles.
This book is very hot and funny and so much heart. Piper it's an amazing start to what will be another amazing series. Can't wait to find out what happens.
Clay and Nova met on a plane heading the Denver. She is going for her sister's wedding and he is a basketball player the the Kodiaks. They are both a bit broken. Nova from just getting dumped by her ex and lost her job. Clay has had a rough past and dealing with a knee injury that could ruin his career.
Nova feels she can live up to her sister Mari and always feels like a failure. They have a hot encounter in the bathroom of the plane but part thinking they will never see each other again. How wrong they were. Harlan is marrying Nova's sister and Clay plays for his team.
They can't seem to stay apart from each other. They have very hot encounters in a cabin at Kodiak Camp for kids, backs of limos and hotel rooms.
One of my favourite scenes is when they have a 3 on 3 baskball pick up game with Nova, Brooke and Chloe, Jay, Clay and of course Miles.
This book is very hot and funny and so much heart. Piper it's an amazing start to what will be another amazing series. Can't wait to find out what happens.
May 4, 2025
I didn’t realize book 1 would end and this would be a romance “series.” I’m used to interconnected romance standalones, or series in fantasy romances or paranormal; however, this is the first contemporary romance that is split into multiple books. I’m not a fan of this format.
Now I’m going to finish the series because otherwise I will go insane not knowing what happens 🙃
Now I’m going to finish the series because otherwise I will go insane not knowing what happens 🙃
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