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Miami Piranhas #2
Playing the Player
Center Logan Banks didn’t come to Miami looking for a best friend.
He came for football and for a chance at freedom—the freedom to live out of the closet.
But after a water main break, he lands an unexpected roommate, the new Piranhas kicker, Dylan Leonard. Between practices, games, and too many late nights on the couch, a best friend is exactly what he gets.
When Logan’s past rears its ugly head and threatens to destroy the freedom he’s hoped for, Dylan becomes more than just a friend. He becomes a lifeline.
But then their friendship gets incorrectly labeled as something more, and Dylan shocks Logan by suggesting they play along with a fake relationship.
Logan knows it’s off limits to fall in love with Dylan. He’s supposed to be straight, he’s his best friend, his roommate, and his teammate. But the closer they grow, and the more he and Dylan fake falling in love, the more real it feels.
The more real Logan wants it to be.
Making a play for love is the biggest risk he’s ever taken, but he wants it all and he wants it with Dylan.
He came for football and for a chance at freedom—the freedom to live out of the closet.
But after a water main break, he lands an unexpected roommate, the new Piranhas kicker, Dylan Leonard. Between practices, games, and too many late nights on the couch, a best friend is exactly what he gets.
When Logan’s past rears its ugly head and threatens to destroy the freedom he’s hoped for, Dylan becomes more than just a friend. He becomes a lifeline.
But then their friendship gets incorrectly labeled as something more, and Dylan shocks Logan by suggesting they play along with a fake relationship.
Logan knows it’s off limits to fall in love with Dylan. He’s supposed to be straight, he’s his best friend, his roommate, and his teammate. But the closer they grow, and the more he and Dylan fake falling in love, the more real it feels.
The more real Logan wants it to be.
Making a play for love is the biggest risk he’s ever taken, but he wants it all and he wants it with Dylan.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2022
230 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
77 books665 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
August 2, 2022
MY FAVOURITE ONE YET IN THIS NEW FOOTBALL SERIES FROM BETH
Friends to lovers is such a delicious trope when done right, what tips that feeling of happiness at bring friends over into something more?
Throw in a bisexual awakening and it adds up into a relatively angst free romance between two teammates who start as roomies, have an instant connection as friends and end up in a fake dating situation.
Dylan is supposedly straight when he agrees to fake date his bestie Logan to help with the fallout from a hook-up outing him.
However, it’s fairly clear soon into the faking that his curiosity is being stirred with thoughts of kissing Logan…
…and more.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was that when things got muddled or confused, they talked. There’s no stupidly overlong pining or wondering about feelings.
The tension points in the book come not only from Logan’s ex hook-up’s behaviour, but also from the internal pressures Dylan has of being the team’s kicker.
It’s interesting to see the journey he goes on, along with the rest of the Piranhas, as they try to rebuild their side.
There’s all sorts of stuff going on behind the scenes and I am desperate for the next two books to come in this series.
Up next are quarterback Pax and his coach Davis, and I’m dying to see how Beth handles that ‘out of bounds’ nature of that relationship!
This also gets a bonus +1* to make it a 6* read because it has my all time favourite characters Colin O’Connor and his hubby Nick making a guest appearance 😁
Friends to lovers is such a delicious trope when done right, what tips that feeling of happiness at bring friends over into something more?
Throw in a bisexual awakening and it adds up into a relatively angst free romance between two teammates who start as roomies, have an instant connection as friends and end up in a fake dating situation.
Dylan is supposedly straight when he agrees to fake date his bestie Logan to help with the fallout from a hook-up outing him.
However, it’s fairly clear soon into the faking that his curiosity is being stirred with thoughts of kissing Logan…
…and more.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was that when things got muddled or confused, they talked. There’s no stupidly overlong pining or wondering about feelings.
The tension points in the book come not only from Logan’s ex hook-up’s behaviour, but also from the internal pressures Dylan has of being the team’s kicker.
It’s interesting to see the journey he goes on, along with the rest of the Piranhas, as they try to rebuild their side.
There’s all sorts of stuff going on behind the scenes and I am desperate for the next two books to come in this series.
Up next are quarterback Pax and his coach Davis, and I’m dying to see how Beth handles that ‘out of bounds’ nature of that relationship!
This also gets a bonus +1* to make it a 6* read because it has my all time favourite characters Colin O’Connor and his hubby Nick making a guest appearance 😁
January 28, 2024
3/5 stars
August 4, 2022
Fake boyfriend romance
Totally loved this, was so in the mood for a virtually angst free story, with lots of heart and feels. Logan is absolute perfection in written form, he’s loving, affectionate, kind, sweet, funny and the best friend/boyfriend you could ask for. As for Dylan, his just adorable, he's honesty and straightforwardness was perfect. I liked how he and Logan just worked together, there was no misunderstanding scenario at 60%.Their relationship just developed as it should've. So, a great story, full of wonderful characters and lovely interactions between them. Dylan and Logan smouldered together, I did like how Beth kept the chemistry between them at a very low simmer, until it finally blew up. I do enjoy this lady's writing, and look forward to the next book!
Totally loved this, was so in the mood for a virtually angst free story, with lots of heart and feels. Logan is absolute perfection in written form, he’s loving, affectionate, kind, sweet, funny and the best friend/boyfriend you could ask for. As for Dylan, his just adorable, he's honesty and straightforwardness was perfect. I liked how he and Logan just worked together, there was no misunderstanding scenario at 60%.Their relationship just developed as it should've. So, a great story, full of wonderful characters and lovely interactions between them. Dylan and Logan smouldered together, I did like how Beth kept the chemistry between them at a very low simmer, until it finally blew up. I do enjoy this lady's writing, and look forward to the next book!
August 29, 2022
Friends to lovers has been my favourite trope lately and this was just such a cute one. I just loved seeing all of their interactions and seeing them spend time together. It was just so cute to read about it.
This book just had such a sweet romance that made me swoon a lot and that really worked for me.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
This book just had such a sweet romance that made me swoon a lot and that really worked for me.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
November 2, 2023
Roughly 50 pages too long. I will never understand why authors of m/m romances think some dude who has never even thought about being with a man before will immediately become a big ol' bottom. (Oh wait, I know why! It's called heteronormativity. A reference to an off-page Han Solo/Leia role play scene makes this even more egregious.) Also, and I'm gonna be honest, this book is excellent right up until the fake-dating sequence begins. What's the point? It's completely unnecessary - they were basically already in a relationship ffs. And like how the first book in this series uses homophobia as a plot point, this one uses the outing of a gay man as one. Very icky.
I think this author has great potential, but she doesn't seem to know how to construct a good plot without cramming in too many unnecessary (and problematic) tropes. I'll try more of her books but I'm not expecting much...
I think this author has great potential, but she doesn't seem to know how to construct a good plot without cramming in too many unnecessary (and problematic) tropes. I'll try more of her books but I'm not expecting much...
June 13, 2023
Logan Banks came to Miami for two reasons: a chance to start over on a new football team, and the chance to live a life outside of the closet. He's the kind of person that can make friends with almost anyone, and, after hearing the the team's apartments had a water break, he invites the new kicker to come stay with him. He never came looking for a friend, but he quickly found one.
Logan and Dylan are practically inseparable, which leads a few of the guys and fans to think that there is more to their relationship than strictly platonic feelings. When something from Logan's past gets brought into the spotlight, Dylan helps in ways that most people would never imagine, but it does nothing to quiet the dating rumors. After a while, neither guy is sure that they want the rumors to be untrue, but it all depends on what the other one is feeling.
I absolutely loved this one! Logan and Dylan were so sweet and so realistic. I loved the fak(ish) dating in this, and this whole series is full of found family, and it's hard for me to say no to either trope. There were a few times that I wanted to lock them in a room and not let them go until they figured their problems out, but they were such lovable characters.
Logan and Dylan are practically inseparable, which leads a few of the guys and fans to think that there is more to their relationship than strictly platonic feelings. When something from Logan's past gets brought into the spotlight, Dylan helps in ways that most people would never imagine, but it does nothing to quiet the dating rumors. After a while, neither guy is sure that they want the rumors to be untrue, but it all depends on what the other one is feeling.
I absolutely loved this one! Logan and Dylan were so sweet and so realistic. I loved the fak(ish) dating in this, and this whole series is full of found family, and it's hard for me to say no to either trope. There were a few times that I wanted to lock them in a room and not let them go until they figured their problems out, but they were such lovable characters.
January 22, 2024
Although I really liked Logan and Dylan, this fake boyfriends book is overly long with too many technical aspects of football that drags the story down. I would read for nearly half an hour and look down to see I had only covered maybe 5% on my Kindle. I've been busy with work and travel, but still, it shouldn't take me almost two weeks to finish a book.
There was a lot of our guys thinking the other wasn't really into him and just plain scared to say that things had changed. It was obvious, however, as the rest of the team (and the reader) could see that Logan and Dylan liked each other a lot more than they were saying. Why couldn't the MCs see that? It wasn't obtuse at all.
Needlessly dragged out, but I like this series so far (overall) and want to continue. Bolden does a good job of foreshadowing what it going on with other couples who will receive their own book, as each book is happening more or less simultaneously. Fortunately, she doesn't repeat herself and each scene is freshly presented.
There was a lot of our guys thinking the other wasn't really into him and just plain scared to say that things had changed. It was obvious, however, as the rest of the team (and the reader) could see that Logan and Dylan liked each other a lot more than they were saying. Why couldn't the MCs see that? It wasn't obtuse at all.
Needlessly dragged out, but I like this series so far (overall) and want to continue. Bolden does a good job of foreshadowing what it going on with other couples who will receive their own book, as each book is happening more or less simultaneously. Fortunately, she doesn't repeat herself and each scene is freshly presented.
October 18, 2022
I really loved these two, and was especially happy to see that Dylan made another appearance after liking him in Jamie’s book 🫶🏻
Read
August 4, 2022DNF pretty quickly. I keep trying with this author because I do like some of her books and I think she has potential, but she tends to be right at the line of soothing and boring.. and this one was definitely boring.
August 11, 2022
Check out our full post for PLAYING THE PLAYER on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆☆
PLAYING THE PLAYER is the second installment in the Miami Piranhas series. It can be read as a standalone without issue.
PLAYING THE PLAYER is a bisexual-awakening, friends-to-lovers, football read.
Dylan Leonard wasn't exactly thrilled about getting traded, but it was part of the game. Arriving in Miami to find out he's going to have to stay in a hotel since the apartment owned by the team has water damage. It isn't an ideal situation but he's going to have to make do until Logan Banks happens to walk into the office and offers up his spare room. Logan tells Dylan he's gay hoping it won't make things awkward. Dylan is straight – well mostly – but doesn't have an issue with how Logan is living his life.
Logan Banks figures he has the room, why not let Dylan have it. It's what a good teammate does. Logan is still in the closet even though the league for the most part, but this team especially, is very accepting. When he's outed by a past hookup, Dylan agrees to being Logan's fake boyfriend. The problem is the line between what's fake and what's real is getting blurred.
I loved the angst between Logan and Dylan. Knowing where that fake/real line blurred. There was so much chemistry between them that most of their team thought they were involved long before they were. Being together was such a natural progression of their relationship.
I love this Miami Piranhas world Beth Bolden has created and I absolutely cannot wait for more!!
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
August 2, 2023
That book was the sweetest friends to lovers, fake relationship, bi-awakening, teammates romance !!
I loved every bite of this story, first Logan is sooooo nice, proposing to his new teammate to be his roommate because the prepared apartment wasn’t available, but he has one issue, Dylan is totally his type and he really tries to only be his friend. It was approximately working until one movie night and the dreadful day he got outed by his last F-buddy.
Dylan doesn’t really know what to think anymore, he feels conflicted, falling on Logan's lap made him realise that he might not be that straight. Sooo when the opportunity arises, he jumps in to help his best friend and starts a fake relationship with him.
And we all know how fake relationship ends 🤣 just to say that they’re both cute and sweet, supporting each other through everything and being true to themselves.
I love my Piranhas, but I’m anxious for the book since it’s Pax and D’avis which means drama and forbidden relationship… but can’t wait to read it still.
I loved every bite of this story, first Logan is sooooo nice, proposing to his new teammate to be his roommate because the prepared apartment wasn’t available, but he has one issue, Dylan is totally his type and he really tries to only be his friend. It was approximately working until one movie night and the dreadful day he got outed by his last F-buddy.
Dylan doesn’t really know what to think anymore, he feels conflicted, falling on Logan's lap made him realise that he might not be that straight. Sooo when the opportunity arises, he jumps in to help his best friend and starts a fake relationship with him.
And we all know how fake relationship ends 🤣 just to say that they’re both cute and sweet, supporting each other through everything and being true to themselves.
I love my Piranhas, but I’m anxious for the book since it’s Pax and D’avis which means drama and forbidden relationship… but can’t wait to read it still.
August 3, 2022
It’s fun and rewarding to read a friends-to-lovers romance where the friends in question fit each other beautifully. Logan and Dylan click together from the start, and the minimal-to-negligible angst in the story comes not from any unnecessary misunderstandings between them but from outside forces, which I also loved. They’re both deeply likable, and watching them go through all the different phases of their relationship: be it fake dating, friendship, or more, is a chance to see the best facets of both their personalities in different lights. I also enjoyed how carefully the team dynamics are drawn, and how much of a vibrant, complex background it provides for their story.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
August 4, 2022
This is the second book in this series and once again I loved it, although the language of this football is not familiar to me
Dylan is transferred to the Piranha team in Miami and has no accommodation in the city, but one of the team's players, Logan offers him a room at his home.
While Dylan is an out, proud player, Logan is not, but the attraction is notorious from the start
When an ex-hookup threatens to out him, Logan is forced to come out and Dylan offers to fake a relationship between them.
But the fake relationship turns out to be reality and the rest you have to read
You can read this as a standalone romance, but I recommend the whole series as cameos are made and you can check up with these guys
I was given an ARC but the words are from the heart
Dylan is transferred to the Piranha team in Miami and has no accommodation in the city, but one of the team's players, Logan offers him a room at his home.
While Dylan is an out, proud player, Logan is not, but the attraction is notorious from the start
When an ex-hookup threatens to out him, Logan is forced to come out and Dylan offers to fake a relationship between them.
But the fake relationship turns out to be reality and the rest you have to read
You can read this as a standalone romance, but I recommend the whole series as cameos are made and you can check up with these guys
I was given an ARC but the words are from the heart
November 18, 2024
I liked this book. I like this series. It just feels good.
I had a huge A-HA moment when I realized this was Dylan, Jamie's friend Dylan from The Riptide. 😀 (Silly me didn't make the connection in the last book☺️🤪) I'm so glad we get his story ☺️🏈🌈
Well alrighty, friends to lovers, fake boyfriends to lovers. Not my favorite tropes, I don't do well with cluelessness and figuring stuff out, but this was a not that bad. My eye rolling moments are just me, cause I'm jaded😁😜 But after that bit it all fell in place quite nicely.
✔️I'm really glad that the Neal Fisher (kicker, Superbowl miss, Riptide) thing was addressed, finally. That book had left a really bad taste. Perhaps too little too late but still good, what was said.
I had a huge A-HA moment when I realized this was Dylan, Jamie's friend Dylan from The Riptide. 😀 (Silly me didn't make the connection in the last book☺️🤪) I'm so glad we get his story ☺️🏈🌈
Well alrighty, friends to lovers, fake boyfriends to lovers. Not my favorite tropes, I don't do well with cluelessness and figuring stuff out, but this was a not that bad. My eye rolling moments are just me, cause I'm jaded😁😜 But after that bit it all fell in place quite nicely.
✔️I'm really glad that the Neal Fisher (kicker, Superbowl miss, Riptide) thing was addressed, finally. That book had left a really bad taste. Perhaps too little too late but still good, what was said.
August 4, 2022
absolutely loved Logan and Dylan
Dylan and Logan became instant best friends when Dylan moved in with Logan upon being traded to the piranhas. Best friends very quickly led to mutual feelings but both far too scared to pursue said feelings while both roommates AND teammates until a past hookup of Logan’s threatens to upend his world. While Playing the Player could be read as a standalone, it is so much more enjoyable if read after the prequel and book 1 which gives you the love stories of the friends and teammates of Dylan and Logan. I am truly enjoying this entire series and can’t wait for the next two books. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Dylan and Logan became instant best friends when Dylan moved in with Logan upon being traded to the piranhas. Best friends very quickly led to mutual feelings but both far too scared to pursue said feelings while both roommates AND teammates until a past hookup of Logan’s threatens to upend his world. While Playing the Player could be read as a standalone, it is so much more enjoyable if read after the prequel and book 1 which gives you the love stories of the friends and teammates of Dylan and Logan. I am truly enjoying this entire series and can’t wait for the next two books. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
July 26, 2022
I love love love bi awakening stories! And for it to be a sports romance is just awesome. These two started as teammates, immediately became roommates, fast friends, and Dylan got all these new feelings like right away. That first kiss was a highlight for me. So good. And a gala they attend was such a silly, awesome scene that showcased the lighthearted bond of their team. I'm loving this series, and Logan and Dylan were so adorable and sweet to read about.
July 19, 2023
Great and lovable characters
These characters are engaging, fun, flawed and loveable. I like Dylan and Logan but I think I liked all the background characters more. There was more intrigue and set up for the next few stories with characters like Pax, Coach, Davis and more that kept me going through the book
Unfortunately, I felt this story started and ended strong but the middle was a mess of repetition. "I like him but can't" seemed to bounce between each main character too often and with little to no communication which would have fixed the issue before it started.
I will say the characters and sense of family and loyalty was great. It has made me want to read the other books in the series even if this one wasn't quite "it" for me.
These characters are engaging, fun, flawed and loveable. I like Dylan and Logan but I think I liked all the background characters more. There was more intrigue and set up for the next few stories with characters like Pax, Coach, Davis and more that kept me going through the book
Unfortunately, I felt this story started and ended strong but the middle was a mess of repetition. "I like him but can't" seemed to bounce between each main character too often and with little to no communication which would have fixed the issue before it started.
I will say the characters and sense of family and loyalty was great. It has made me want to read the other books in the series even if this one wasn't quite "it" for me.
August 3, 2022
A great story about finding yourself and friends that have your back no matter what problems you are facing. Dylan and Logan are playing football for the same team and become friends. Once they get to know each other their feelings change but they have problems with letting themselves believe.
I did receive an Arc for a review.
I did receive an Arc for a review.
September 20, 2022
This was so cute. Well written friends to lovers with the fake dating trope. The way they both were hesitant and i giggled like a school girl the whole time. Loved it OH and that scene from Asa’s book i cannot wait. But also the chemistry and buildup for Pax and Davis i know its going to be amazing cannot wait
October 7, 2023
i love intimacy when it’s not sexual!
March 23, 2025
it's Beth so it's cute, smutty, and has a bit of sports. I was charmed!
January 14, 2023
(2,5 stars) I just recently discovered this author after hearing about Playing for Keeps recommended on Big Gay Podcast. So I went to read the prequel and the first book in the series and found myself pleasantly surprised by the story and the potential for a couple of football series to catch up on (as the characters mentioned as past football players all star in their own Riptide series) and follow in the future.
I'm a big fan of friends to lovers trope and I was really excited for Logan and Dylan's story since they made their first appearances in Playing for Keeps. I really enjoyed the beginning of their story, their initial meeting right after Dylan was traded to Piranhas and found himself without a proper place to live and Logan offering one of his many spare rooms without even knowing him, and their fast developing friendship with glimpses of hidden attraction between the two. Then Logan got outed by his ex hookup (on TikTok) and Dylan volunteered as his fake boyfriend in order to put a positive spin on the story and as their relationship slowly but surely turned from fake to real I started getting more and more bored with it. I am not even sure why this was the case, maybe it was the change of focus from their easy friendship to relationship and all the insecurities that went with it, maybe it was the lack of tension now that they stopped resisting the attraction between them.
Either way I had to force myself to finish the story and was really disappointed by the fact that my enjoyment went downhill. There were still uncertainties on both sides, as Dylan was just discovering his bisexuality and Logan did not do relationships in the past, about the future of their relationship. There was the annoying background presence of Logan's ex hookup and his pitiful attempts at getting attention (which was resolved rather anticlimactically that made me wonder what was even the point of dragging that plot line after it has served its purpose). And there was Dylan's battle with having enough confidence in his kicking game and not letting his relationship with Logan become a distraction on the field. But nothing of the above was making me all that invested in its outcome.
Near the end there were more and more mentions of Pax and Davis' forbidden romance and I did not find myself as intrigued as I've been by Logan and Dylan's potential in Playing for Keeps. But I will keep following the series and hopefully with lessened expectations I will find it once again an enjoyable read.
Themes: dual POV, friends to lovers, roommates, teammates, fake dating, bi-awakening, being outed, NFL
I'm a big fan of friends to lovers trope and I was really excited for Logan and Dylan's story since they made their first appearances in Playing for Keeps. I really enjoyed the beginning of their story, their initial meeting right after Dylan was traded to Piranhas and found himself without a proper place to live and Logan offering one of his many spare rooms without even knowing him, and their fast developing friendship with glimpses of hidden attraction between the two. Then Logan got outed by his ex hookup (on TikTok) and Dylan volunteered as his fake boyfriend in order to put a positive spin on the story and as their relationship slowly but surely turned from fake to real I started getting more and more bored with it. I am not even sure why this was the case, maybe it was the change of focus from their easy friendship to relationship and all the insecurities that went with it, maybe it was the lack of tension now that they stopped resisting the attraction between them.
Either way I had to force myself to finish the story and was really disappointed by the fact that my enjoyment went downhill. There were still uncertainties on both sides, as Dylan was just discovering his bisexuality and Logan did not do relationships in the past, about the future of their relationship. There was the annoying background presence of Logan's ex hookup and his pitiful attempts at getting attention (which was resolved rather anticlimactically that made me wonder what was even the point of dragging that plot line after it has served its purpose). And there was Dylan's battle with having enough confidence in his kicking game and not letting his relationship with Logan become a distraction on the field. But nothing of the above was making me all that invested in its outcome.
Near the end there were more and more mentions of Pax and Davis' forbidden romance and I did not find myself as intrigued as I've been by Logan and Dylan's potential in Playing for Keeps. But I will keep following the series and hopefully with lessened expectations I will find it once again an enjoyable read.
Themes: dual POV, friends to lovers, roommates, teammates, fake dating, bi-awakening, being outed, NFL
August 7, 2022
instant love , fake boyfriend romance, liked the team dynamics
Rating 3.5🌈
This was almost a book I put down within the first quarter. I’ve just read so many of the same type of romances recently with the same themes.
Roommate/Fake boyfriend, discovers he’s actually queer because he’s has a crush/lust/affection for the fake boyfriend/roommate. Who feels the same back immediately. Within the story there’s a drama or something. HEA. Sports NFL/NHL universe. The End.
I believe Bolden has written a few herself but they are all blurring together at the moment because it’s such a familiar trope that unless the characters have exceptionally interesting or strong characters and the storyline is very different then any of the usual that’s out there, then it’s hard to pick one out from another.
Dylan Leonard, kicker, has been traded to the Miami Piranhas and instantly (just walked into the office) acquired a bestie and roommate in Logan Banks. Logan is another recent trade. Another factor ? The Miami team, a queer friendly organization, knows he’s gay, but not out to the public. Dylan? Straight at the moment he becomes a roommate in Logan’s home.
Fast forward, and I mean blink and they go from introduction to best friends, with no exposition within the book, except a few scenes of cooking and vid game playing. Nothing to give them or a relationship any depth.
Still under 35 percent.
And they’re discovering feelings and attraction towards each other. Maybe Dylan’s not so straight. A question or two answered from a queer player about sexuality and Dylan’s ok with his feelings and new status on the spectrum.
I wouldn’t have a issue with that except that there’s no foundation laid for anything that’s happening here. We and the characters are just zooming along the author’s story zip line. Foundation and depth is the stuff whizzing past us underneath.
At 40%, Logan and Dylan are moving past fake. But I’m still waiting for something other than cute. Both men are sweet but I keep waiting for something of substance.
Halfway, Bolden’s storyline and characters gets more dimensional and with the arrival of the foundation we’d been missing at the start.
These men are starting NFL players in a new team in a changeover framework, with a coach under scrutiny. There’s a team that needs to work on its dynamics and line chemistry. A team that needs to win. This is where the story energizes, as it locates back to the locker room, the playing field, and the team’s players.
This section of the book felt believable with Dylan’s search for stability and confidence in his role, Logan’s not exactly being comfortable with his public face as a out gay player after being outed by a hookup, and the player ‘s issues as they work to pull together as a team.
What fell flat was the resolution about the person who’s been creating such a huge media embarrassment and potential legal issues that all the following storyline were fabricated to counterattack him. But he’s just a nonentity that’s handled in a few paragraphs. Basically a disposable villain. SMH.
So back to what did work.
Bolden has a good grasp of the issues and stresses that press in on players at this level, and her writing conveys that emotional and physical cost to each of them.
As cute a instant couple Dylan and Logan prove to be, it’s the team and their problems and battles to win that finally kept me reading.
I believe most readers who love contemporary romance will enjoy Playing The Player (Miami Piranhas#2) by Beth Bolden. They will find the roommate/fake boyfriend/sexual awakening theme a favorite trope and grab it immediately.
For me, a small wish. That authors decide to take a new path, maybe create a whole new trope, to bring their characters to romance and whatever else is in store.
That’s a really exciting thought. I’m just casting it out there!
Meanwhile, here the Miami Piranhas series so far.
Miami Piranhas:
- [x] Playing for Keeps #1
- [x] Playing the Player #2
- [ ] Playing by the Rules #3 -Release Date: October 12,2022
Rating 3.5🌈
This was almost a book I put down within the first quarter. I’ve just read so many of the same type of romances recently with the same themes.
Roommate/Fake boyfriend, discovers he’s actually queer because he’s has a crush/lust/affection for the fake boyfriend/roommate. Who feels the same back immediately. Within the story there’s a drama or something. HEA. Sports NFL/NHL universe. The End.
I believe Bolden has written a few herself but they are all blurring together at the moment because it’s such a familiar trope that unless the characters have exceptionally interesting or strong characters and the storyline is very different then any of the usual that’s out there, then it’s hard to pick one out from another.
Dylan Leonard, kicker, has been traded to the Miami Piranhas and instantly (just walked into the office) acquired a bestie and roommate in Logan Banks. Logan is another recent trade. Another factor ? The Miami team, a queer friendly organization, knows he’s gay, but not out to the public. Dylan? Straight at the moment he becomes a roommate in Logan’s home.
Fast forward, and I mean blink and they go from introduction to best friends, with no exposition within the book, except a few scenes of cooking and vid game playing. Nothing to give them or a relationship any depth.
Still under 35 percent.
And they’re discovering feelings and attraction towards each other. Maybe Dylan’s not so straight. A question or two answered from a queer player about sexuality and Dylan’s ok with his feelings and new status on the spectrum.
I wouldn’t have a issue with that except that there’s no foundation laid for anything that’s happening here. We and the characters are just zooming along the author’s story zip line. Foundation and depth is the stuff whizzing past us underneath.
At 40%, Logan and Dylan are moving past fake. But I’m still waiting for something other than cute. Both men are sweet but I keep waiting for something of substance.
Halfway, Bolden’s storyline and characters gets more dimensional and with the arrival of the foundation we’d been missing at the start.
These men are starting NFL players in a new team in a changeover framework, with a coach under scrutiny. There’s a team that needs to work on its dynamics and line chemistry. A team that needs to win. This is where the story energizes, as it locates back to the locker room, the playing field, and the team’s players.
This section of the book felt believable with Dylan’s search for stability and confidence in his role, Logan’s not exactly being comfortable with his public face as a out gay player after being outed by a hookup, and the player ‘s issues as they work to pull together as a team.
What fell flat was the resolution about the person who’s been creating such a huge media embarrassment and potential legal issues that all the following storyline were fabricated to counterattack him. But he’s just a nonentity that’s handled in a few paragraphs. Basically a disposable villain. SMH.
So back to what did work.
Bolden has a good grasp of the issues and stresses that press in on players at this level, and her writing conveys that emotional and physical cost to each of them.
As cute a instant couple Dylan and Logan prove to be, it’s the team and their problems and battles to win that finally kept me reading.
I believe most readers who love contemporary romance will enjoy Playing The Player (Miami Piranhas#2) by Beth Bolden. They will find the roommate/fake boyfriend/sexual awakening theme a favorite trope and grab it immediately.
For me, a small wish. That authors decide to take a new path, maybe create a whole new trope, to bring their characters to romance and whatever else is in store.
That’s a really exciting thought. I’m just casting it out there!
Meanwhile, here the Miami Piranhas series so far.
Miami Piranhas:
- [x] Playing for Keeps #1
- [x] Playing the Player #2
- [ ] Playing by the Rules #3 -Release Date: October 12,2022
July 27, 2022
I read the first book in this series and I really enjoyed it, so I was really eager to read this one. Logan's character is so sweet and charming, he offered to share his home with a stranger. He didn't ask for anything in return, he just offered. Dylan couldn't believe that this guy, this stranger, would let him into his home. Neither of them expected to not only become best friends but to become ever more than that.
This is such a cute friends to lovers romance, with football being as big of a deal as the actual romance. Now I'm not a sports person, I couldn't tell you what would be happening if I went to football game, however, despite me not being a huge fan of sports I really enjoyed this book.
The sports scenes are written in a way where even I can understand what's happening, I hate that while this story if fiction a lot of this components written are actually true. The NFL chews players up without really caring about them, the players get injured or suffer from all of the publicity all around them and they just have to deal with it. Like what's happening to Davis? That could happen to one of the players now. Honestly, this series could be happening in the real world.
Beth knows how to write football characters and knows how to write about football in a way where it doesn't drag on. It's necessary to the overall story for that to be there. I personally loved being able to read about past characters while reading this book. Tristan, Wade, Sea Bass, Beau, Pax... They all added new dynamics and dimension to this story, all of the characters belonged. I am so eager to read about Pax... I really want him and Davis to have their happy ever after.
Overall, wonderful book! Terrific writing, you could feel how much research the author did to write this book. Funny, sweet and relatable characters that made me smile like a loon several times. A wonderful setup for the next book in this series, Beth... I don't know if I can wait that long.
I also loved the date box element, I didn't even know that was a thing. Now I do.
I highly recommend this book!
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
This is such a cute friends to lovers romance, with football being as big of a deal as the actual romance. Now I'm not a sports person, I couldn't tell you what would be happening if I went to football game, however, despite me not being a huge fan of sports I really enjoyed this book.
The sports scenes are written in a way where even I can understand what's happening, I hate that while this story if fiction a lot of this components written are actually true. The NFL chews players up without really caring about them, the players get injured or suffer from all of the publicity all around them and they just have to deal with it. Like what's happening to Davis? That could happen to one of the players now. Honestly, this series could be happening in the real world.
Beth knows how to write football characters and knows how to write about football in a way where it doesn't drag on. It's necessary to the overall story for that to be there. I personally loved being able to read about past characters while reading this book. Tristan, Wade, Sea Bass, Beau, Pax... They all added new dynamics and dimension to this story, all of the characters belonged. I am so eager to read about Pax... I really want him and Davis to have their happy ever after.
Overall, wonderful book! Terrific writing, you could feel how much research the author did to write this book. Funny, sweet and relatable characters that made me smile like a loon several times. A wonderful setup for the next book in this series, Beth... I don't know if I can wait that long.
I also loved the date box element, I didn't even know that was a thing. Now I do.
I highly recommend this book!
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
July 27, 2022
Playing the Player by Beth Bolden is another great addition to her Piranhas football series. Dylan is a kicker and has just been traded to the Miami Piranhas. The condo he was supposed to go to has become inhabitable. While talking to the travel coordinator, Logan, the center for the team, stops by and offers him a room in his house. They sense that they are both good guys so Dylan agrees. This begins their friendship that over the next few weeks turns them into best friends, a situation that they both cherish. As they continue to live and work together they both feel something for each other, although Dylan is straight, or so he thinks. Then an ex of Logan’s outs him which causes a lot of angst, but Dylan is willing to be his fake boyfriend for the press. They tell their team members but most of them think they really are together and before long they kiss and realize they want a real relationship and as it grows they find themselves in love. I am really enjoying this series. I like football and have learned more about its logistics and how a team functions from it, especially during a game. This book also explored the feelings of the players, especially how rough it can be if they don’t perform up to standards and how easily careers can be ended by a few missed plays. I also like how Ms. Bolden developed the characters and how they slowly grow and change. Others on the team have been in previous books so I feel like I know them and how they help Dylan and Logan when they most need it made those scenes more enjoyable. There was some angst with both men worrying that taking their relationship to the next level could hurt their friendship, Dylan getting into his head when he missed some kicks, and the shenanigans that Logan’s ex got up to and when he was confronted. There were also some very hot love scenes. I highly recommend this book and if you like football, or sports in general, then this one is for you. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the next one in series and can’t wait until it comes out.
February 16, 2024
Perfect score!
Playing the player is the second book in the Miami Piranhas series (however there is a prequel) and could be read as a standalone; but I would recommend reading the whole series.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it to all fans of the romance genre as a delightful, surprisingly emotional, sexy romance that is definitely a new favorite of mine!
Even though I know basically next to nothing about the sport, I could honestly relate to how Dylan felt. This is so much more than a sports romance book: it’s about equality, acceptance, believing in yourself and found family. There was one scene in particular that had me crying which honestly shocked me.
Sports romance is one of my favourite tropes and this series is one of the best sports romance series out there.
Continued perfection! Totally hot, but with a beauty and gentleness you can’t always find. Just absolutely perfect!! Pick it up today. You won’t put it down until you’ve read the last page.
*Spoiler* This book does have sensitive content such as panic attacks.
Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
Narration by Darcy Stark: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
Audiobook review (26/10/23): 4 stars
The audiobook is narrated by Darcy Stark, he does a good job but I just couldn’t connect with it. I’m not sure what caused this, which is a first for me. I liked his voice, he did different voices for each character so well but I felt like it fell flat.
Listening to Playing the Player I would rate it 4 stars and wouldn’t listen to it again which was so not how I felt reading this the first time, I didn’t even cry this time. I don’t know if this book just isn’t as good listening compared to reading or if it’s one of those books that are just better when you first read it.
On a more positive note the cake/ football scene at the gala is still awesome! Before I listened to it I could still vividly remember the scene even though it was a year ago I read it so that’s how awesome it is. Also this was the start of the dating boxes!
Playing the player is the second book in the Miami Piranhas series (however there is a prequel) and could be read as a standalone; but I would recommend reading the whole series.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it to all fans of the romance genre as a delightful, surprisingly emotional, sexy romance that is definitely a new favorite of mine!
Even though I know basically next to nothing about the sport, I could honestly relate to how Dylan felt. This is so much more than a sports romance book: it’s about equality, acceptance, believing in yourself and found family. There was one scene in particular that had me crying which honestly shocked me.
Sports romance is one of my favourite tropes and this series is one of the best sports romance series out there.
Continued perfection! Totally hot, but with a beauty and gentleness you can’t always find. Just absolutely perfect!! Pick it up today. You won’t put it down until you’ve read the last page.
*Spoiler* This book does have sensitive content such as panic attacks.
Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
Narration by Darcy Stark: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
Audiobook review (26/10/23): 4 stars
The audiobook is narrated by Darcy Stark, he does a good job but I just couldn’t connect with it. I’m not sure what caused this, which is a first for me. I liked his voice, he did different voices for each character so well but I felt like it fell flat.
Listening to Playing the Player I would rate it 4 stars and wouldn’t listen to it again which was so not how I felt reading this the first time, I didn’t even cry this time. I don’t know if this book just isn’t as good listening compared to reading or if it’s one of those books that are just better when you first read it.
On a more positive note the cake/ football scene at the gala is still awesome! Before I listened to it I could still vividly remember the scene even though it was a year ago I read it so that’s how awesome it is. Also this was the start of the dating boxes!
July 18, 2023
This book has allll the best tropes - roommates, teammates, friends-to-lovers, fake dating, straight best friend, bi-awakening… *le sigh*
Logan and Dylan show up as side characters in the previous books in the series (and come on Dylan, did you really think you were "not queer"?) and it was OBVIOUS there were some major vibes there, so I was thrilled to get to their story! The chemistry between Dylan and Logan is so great from the very first moment, when they meet and Logan offers to let Dylan stay with him while he looks for a place. A few days turns into a few weeks then months as these two become besties... and then more. I really appreciate the way these guys actually TALK to each other when there are issues (mostly - there is of course the obligatory miscommunication tension you basically have to have in a fake dating romance). Their friendship is amazing and so fun to read, and when it develops into MORE... *heart eyes emoji*
Audiobook specific comments:
I listed to this on audiobook, narrated by Darcy Stark, so this bit of the review is just about the audio version. While I did mostly appreciate Darcy Stark's narration, for some reason he decided to give Dylan's voice this super annoying tone. The first time he narrated some of Dylan's dialogue, I thought "Well that sounds super annoying and super nerdy." And I guess Dylan is kind of nerdy, but geez, did he really need to make him sound as nasally as Kermit the Frog? The entire rest of the audiobook I liked - he does a great job on the actual text (non-dialogue text? - I don't know what to call it) and I appreciate how he makes each character's dialogue/voice distinct and unique - but MAN, I sure wish he'd made a different stylistic choice for his portrayal of Dylan - it really grated on my nerves through the entire book.
This is the second book in the Miami Piranhas series, and can be read as a standalone. That being said, there are spoilers for earlier books in the series, as well as connection to events that happened in another of Beth Bolden's series, The Riptide (I assume, I haven't read that series yet). There's also a fair amount of lead up in this to Miami Piranhas book three, Playing by the Rules.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
Logan and Dylan show up as side characters in the previous books in the series (and come on Dylan, did you really think you were "not queer"?) and it was OBVIOUS there were some major vibes there, so I was thrilled to get to their story! The chemistry between Dylan and Logan is so great from the very first moment, when they meet and Logan offers to let Dylan stay with him while he looks for a place. A few days turns into a few weeks then months as these two become besties... and then more. I really appreciate the way these guys actually TALK to each other when there are issues (mostly - there is of course the obligatory miscommunication tension you basically have to have in a fake dating romance). Their friendship is amazing and so fun to read, and when it develops into MORE... *heart eyes emoji*
Audiobook specific comments:
I listed to this on audiobook, narrated by Darcy Stark, so this bit of the review is just about the audio version. While I did mostly appreciate Darcy Stark's narration, for some reason he decided to give Dylan's voice this super annoying tone. The first time he narrated some of Dylan's dialogue, I thought "Well that sounds super annoying and super nerdy." And I guess Dylan is kind of nerdy, but geez, did he really need to make him sound as nasally as Kermit the Frog? The entire rest of the audiobook I liked - he does a great job on the actual text (non-dialogue text? - I don't know what to call it) and I appreciate how he makes each character's dialogue/voice distinct and unique - but MAN, I sure wish he'd made a different stylistic choice for his portrayal of Dylan - it really grated on my nerves through the entire book.
This is the second book in the Miami Piranhas series, and can be read as a standalone. That being said, there are spoilers for earlier books in the series, as well as connection to events that happened in another of Beth Bolden's series, The Riptide (I assume, I haven't read that series yet). There's also a fair amount of lead up in this to Miami Piranhas book three, Playing by the Rules.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
August 1, 2022
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
PLAYING THE PLAYER is the second installment in the Miami Piranhas series. It can be read as a stand alone without issue.
PLAYING THE PLAYER is a bi-awakening, friends to lovers, football read.
Dylan Leonard wasn't exactly thrilled about getting traded but it was part of the game. Arriving in Miami to find out he's going to have to stay in a hotel since the apartment owned by the team has water damage. It isn't an ideal situation but he's going to have to make do until Logan Banks happens to walk into the office and offer up his spare room. Logan tells Dylan he's gay hoping it won't make things awkward. Dylan is straight, well mostly but doesn't have an issue with how Logan is living his life.
Logan Banks figures he has the room why not let Dylan have it. It's what a good teammate does. Logan is still in the closet even though the league for the most part but this team is very accepting. When he's outed by a past hook up Dylan agrees to being Logan's fake boyfriend. The problem is the line between what's fake and what's real is getting blurred.
I loved the angst between Logan and Dylan. Knowing where that fake real line blurred. There was so much chemistry between them that most of their team thought they were involved long before they were. Being together was such a natural progression of their relationship.
I love this Miami Piranhas world Beth Bolden has created and I absolutely cannot wait for more!!
PLAYING THE PLAYER is the second installment in the Miami Piranhas series. It can be read as a stand alone without issue.
PLAYING THE PLAYER is a bi-awakening, friends to lovers, football read.
Dylan Leonard wasn't exactly thrilled about getting traded but it was part of the game. Arriving in Miami to find out he's going to have to stay in a hotel since the apartment owned by the team has water damage. It isn't an ideal situation but he's going to have to make do until Logan Banks happens to walk into the office and offer up his spare room. Logan tells Dylan he's gay hoping it won't make things awkward. Dylan is straight, well mostly but doesn't have an issue with how Logan is living his life.
Logan Banks figures he has the room why not let Dylan have it. It's what a good teammate does. Logan is still in the closet even though the league for the most part but this team is very accepting. When he's outed by a past hook up Dylan agrees to being Logan's fake boyfriend. The problem is the line between what's fake and what's real is getting blurred.
I loved the angst between Logan and Dylan. Knowing where that fake real line blurred. There was so much chemistry between them that most of their team thought they were involved long before they were. Being together was such a natural progression of their relationship.
I love this Miami Piranhas world Beth Bolden has created and I absolutely cannot wait for more!!
July 10, 2023
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
I’m really enjoying this series in audio format!
I loved these two MCs right from the beginning. Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and this one is really great.
Dylan is unexpectedly traded to the Miami Piranhas and he’s feeling pretty down about it. When his new team has to put him up in a hotel temporarily, instead of a condo, he’s feeling even more down. Along comes Logan Banks, who is also relatively new to the Piranhas. He overhears the team travel coordinator telling Dylan that he has to go to a hotel and offers him a place to stay. Dylan and Logan click right from the start and become great friends.
Dylan agrees to become Logan’s fake boyfriend to help him out of a jam that a previous hookup has created by outing him on Tik-Tok where he also says nasty things about Logan. Dylan has already been having some unexpected feelings towards Logan and has no problem agreeing to the fake relationship. The real relationship between Dylan and Logan develops gradually and is really sweet and hot.
I never read the books in this series with my eyes so I have really been enjoying listening to Darcy Stark’s wonderful performance of the stories. It was also nice to get to spend more time with other characters in this series. I especially like Coach Dawson and his attitude towards his players. The voice that Darcy Stark uses for him seems very appropriate as does the ones he uses for the other characters.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of the books will come out on audio very soon.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
I’m really enjoying this series in audio format!
I loved these two MCs right from the beginning. Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and this one is really great.
Dylan is unexpectedly traded to the Miami Piranhas and he’s feeling pretty down about it. When his new team has to put him up in a hotel temporarily, instead of a condo, he’s feeling even more down. Along comes Logan Banks, who is also relatively new to the Piranhas. He overhears the team travel coordinator telling Dylan that he has to go to a hotel and offers him a place to stay. Dylan and Logan click right from the start and become great friends.
Dylan agrees to become Logan’s fake boyfriend to help him out of a jam that a previous hookup has created by outing him on Tik-Tok where he also says nasty things about Logan. Dylan has already been having some unexpected feelings towards Logan and has no problem agreeing to the fake relationship. The real relationship between Dylan and Logan develops gradually and is really sweet and hot.
I never read the books in this series with my eyes so I have really been enjoying listening to Darcy Stark’s wonderful performance of the stories. It was also nice to get to spend more time with other characters in this series. I especially like Coach Dawson and his attitude towards his players. The voice that Darcy Stark uses for him seems very appropriate as does the ones he uses for the other characters.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of the books will come out on audio very soon.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
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