Playing the Field: A Brother's Best Friend Soccer Romance

by Stacy Travis

A delicious Forced proximity, Brother’s Best Friend, Sports romance by bestselling author, Stacy Travis.

I didn’t expect my first week with the Devils soccer team to involve saving a career.

But when the team’s hot-headed center back—aka my brother’s best friend, Hunter Reyes—blows up in front of management, it’s my job as the head Data Analyst to keep him on the field.

That’s as close as I plan on getting to the gorgeous, bad-boy soccer god until he shows up at the house I’m temporarily sharing with my brother, needing a place to stay.

Hunter is the epitome of the grumpy, ridiculously muscular, and infuriatingly confident man fans love. I’m the girl who color-codes data sets and stress-bakes muffins. We are opposites in every way. We shouldn’t share the same Wi-Fi, let alone an address.

But late nights with spreadsheets turn into late nights sharing takeout.
Eye rolls turn into inside jokes. And every time his hand brushes mine, I swear the air between us crackles like lightning before a storm.

But he’s my brother’s best friend. A player on the team I work for. And completely, absolutely not my type. Too bad my heart can’t compute our differences.


Best friend’s sister. Forced proximity. Workplace sparks. And a slow-burn attraction that refuses to stay buried.

Genres: Sports, Romance, Audiobook, Slow Burn, Sports Romance, Soccer, Forced Proximity

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

About the author

Stacy Travis writes charming, spicy romance about bookish, sassy women and the hot alphas who fall for them.

Writing makes her infinitely happy, but that might be the coffee talking. She drinks a LOT of it.

She's worked as a journalist, camp counselor, TV writer, SAT tutor, corporate finance researcher, education technology editor, and non-fiction author. When she's not on a deadline, she's in running shoes complaining that all roads seem to go uphill. Or on the couch with a margarita. Or fangirling at a soccer game.

She's never met a dog she didn't want to hug. And if you have no plans for Thanksgiving, she'll probably invite you to dinner.

Stacy lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and a poorly-trained rescue dog who hoards socks. And she's serious about the Thanksgiving thing.


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Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟, 3.5 🌶️

From the very first page, I knew this story was something special.

Playing the Field was such a fun and heartfelt read that I devoured it in a day. It's the perfect blend of sports romance, brother's best friend, secret crush, and opposites attract — all wrapped in plenty of chemistry and emotion.

Hunter and Gracie grew up together but never confessed their feelings. Years later, fate reunites them when Gracie becomes the data analyst for his soccer team. He's the fiery, misunderstood athlete working to better himself, and she's the witty, confident woman who sees beyond his reputation. Their connection felt effortless, their banter sharp and charming, and the slow burn between them was pure perfection.

I loved watching them challenge and heal each other while falling in love. The story felt genuine and uplifting, with just the right mix of humor, steam, and sweetness. The ending was adorable and so satisfying — a perfect start to series, and I can't wait for more. 😍

~~~~

Grateful to Stacy Travis & Valentine PR for the Advanced Reader Copy. All views expressed are solely my own. ✨

[BookishMarineMama03 · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author for me and she absolutely hooked me from page one! Devoured this book in a day 🥰Playing The Field by Stacy Travis is book 1 in a brand new series, The LA Devils. If you love sports romance, brother’s best friend, secret crushes, total opposites attract with lots of yummy spice, this book is for you!

Hunter and Gracie grew up together. Hunter is Gracie’s brother's best friend. They both had HUGE crushes on each other but neither ever knew! First off, I love an age gap especially when it’s the girl! Love that whole dynamic of she wont like him cause he’s just her younger brother's best friend. Hunter has gone on to be a huge soccer star known for his playboy ways and fiery temper on the field. Gracie is a brainiac, a self described nerd who loves to stress bake, has a feisty sense of humor and curves that she owns! Total opposites in so many ways! She is hired to be the players data analyst for his team and after a chance meeting in the airport, (which he doesn't recognize her), they are thrown back together as he comes to live with her and her brother. This story follows these two as they slowly come together enjoying each other’s company and finding out they have so much in common and get along so well. The chemistry and slow burn between these two is so hot, you just knew when they finally did, he would bring it all and he o so does in every hot and passionate way🔥

Just such a sweet and spicy story. I loved how it just felt so natural and authentic. Loved the absolutely fun banter between these two. Loved how they came together, how they both dealt with their own issues, especially in accepting who they were. Loved the romance, loved how she stood up in the end for what she truly deserves and this man treating her like the queen she is! Loved how she made him see that the labels put upon him by his father and the media/fans weren't at all who he is or what defines him and that he took the steps himself, like therapy, to find himself worthy! Loved how their being opposites brought so much to each other, just bringing out the best in each other. And the ending, what he does for her at the game, it’s precious💙⚽ Absolute great start to a new series!

Rate: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 4/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

💙 Soccer Romance
⚽ Opposites Attract
💙 Forced Proximity
⚽ Grumpy/Sunshine
💙 Roommates to Lovers
⚽ Workplace Romance

*TRULY THANK YOU Stacy Travis and The Author Agency for my ARC!🖤

#ladevils #stacytravisromance #ContemporaryRomance #SportsRomance #FamilySaga #SiblingsBestFriend #OppositesAttract #ForcedProximity #RoommatestoLovers #Athlete #Grumpy/Sunshine #WorkplaceRomance #Sports #Soccer

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunter is a soccer player, Gracie is a data analyst. They try to fight feelings because they work together and this drags out throughout the whole book.

This book got me with the cute cover and especially the dog. However this book fell flat for me. I felt like it was very long and not a lot happened. At first I couldn't get into "Playing the field" but ended up finishing it. The premise was cute but I could have used more character development and I would have liked to see more of the sport and the team friendships.

Tropes:

-Small Town Romance
-Sports Romance
-Soccer Romance
-Swoony Romance

[ana lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read anything by this author before, and now I’m definitely going to! I clearly want to dive into the rest of the books in this series…

This is a sports romance with characters that will leave you swooning and full of heart eyes.
This is the story of Hunter and Gracie. He’s Gracie’s brother’s best friend, so they’ve known each other since they were kids, when she started developing a secret crush… The problem? She’s older than him, and best friend's sister.

But destiny always puts us on the right path (at least I like to believe that!). Gracie, a smart nerd and data analysis specialist, gets hired to work for Hunter’s team. And more than that, he ends up needing a place to stay at his childhood friend’s house—where Gracie also lives. Oh, and the brother has to travel, leaving his friend and sister alone, sharing a house… Everything perfectly set up to go right!!

This story is beautiful. The character growth is fantastic, and the chemistry and slow burn between them is so hot that you just know when it finally happens, he’s going to give it his all, and he really does, in every passionate way.

I melted when he called her Tinkerbell… the fairy who saved him, the one who lights his path!!

I want more of this world, more of this author, and give me all the sports romances because I love them!

💙 Sports Romance
⚽ Opposites Attract
💙 Forced Proximity
⚽ Grumpy/Sunshine
💙 Roommates to Lovers
⚽ Workplace Romance

A HUGE thank you to Stacy Travis and Valentine Pr for my ARC! 🖤

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gets a 4.5 stars from me. I listened to the audiobook as I was provided an ALC.

This is a cute soccer romance book. It starts off with our MFC who got in a relationship with a guy and this guy caused her to loose her job which then causes her to switch jobs and starts to work on statistics on the soccer field. She runs into her brothers best friend who come to find out, they both had a thing for each other. As the story progresses, we find out our MMC had a past where he would be a wham bam thank you ma'am but then a couple years ago changed his tactics. As we get to know more of our MMC and MFC and their relationship together and the struggles they encounter. He is a cinnamon roll guy hidden under his butt butt attitude and she is guarded (which is expected).

I would like to say more but anything more would cause this to have a bunch of spoilers. Let's just say this ends with a HEA.

If you want a sports romance that has a HEA and is predictable, then this is your book. Honestly I enjoy this type of book as a pallet cleanser from my romantacy books.

Also the audiobook is fantastic! I highly enjoyed it. I think the story it self gets a 4 stars but the audio gets a 5 so went in the middle with 4.5 rating. Also I couldn't put this down, I had to finish it in one day.

[AW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing the Field is a fun mix of sports, STEM, and slow‑burn tension. Hunter is every bit hot-headed pro athlete with a reputation he can’t quite shake, while Gracie brings sharp wit and a grounded, analytical mind that makes their dynamic interesting. The younger brother’s‑best‑friend trope adds an easy layer of familiarity, and the forced proximity and roommate setup give their chemistry plenty of room to build.

I liked how capable Gracie is in her career and how Hunter respects that drive. Their connection grows in a way that feels steady and believable, especially as they navigate working together and living under the same roof.

Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue deliver a strong duet performance that fits the tone of the story and brings both characters to life.

Huge thanks to Valentine PR and Stacy Travis for the ALC copy!

[Pà · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book and I could not put it down, I finished it in one day. Hunter and Gracie completely stole my attention. Hunter was a hot soccer player with a bad boy reputation, but he had a sweet, caring side that made you fall for him. Gracie was smart, sassy, and confident. They had known each other for years, secretly crushing on each other, and seeing them finally come together was so satisfying. I loved their banter, it was funny and natural, and the chemistry was seriously spicy. The ending was adorable and perfect, with so much heart and a little sweetness too. I will definitely read more from this series. Thank you so much to the author and Valentine PR for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing The Field was the perfect opposites attract romance with forbidden vibes, healing, and so much heart.

Hunter is known for being a hot head on the soccer field, but he's so much more than that. My heart broke for him because he was so hard on himself. I love that he takes the time to work on his inner thoughts. He had such a good heart and was so sweet and attentive. Then there's Gracie. I loved how smart and passionate she was. I loved that she was patient with Hunter when he was struggling. She really bloomed and found her home with him.

These two have crushed on one another for years in secret. I loved when they confessed that together. They really fit so well. Their relationship was perfection with witty banter, steamy chemistry, and all the feels.

ARC review.

[K Webz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacy creates a sweet and spicy forced proximity romance with a soccer player with a temper on the field and a nerdy data analysis who saves his spot on the team.

Hunter and Gracie were so delightful. I loved how they had history with him being her younger brother’s best friend. Hunter has always had a thing for Gracie but felt she was out of his league. As these two spend time together, the slow burn romance sizzles until it ignites into something amazing!

Hunter was so misunderstood and I loved the way Gracie had him seeing himself for who he really was. It was also eye opening for Gracie, who had some wrong ideas about the soccer player. But the way they brought out the best in each other was so beautiful.

[Lisa T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Hunter and Gracie's story. Gracie is the older sister of Hunter's best friend and he had had a major crush on her since he was a teenager. He is a superstar soccer player and she is a timid data analyst but they absolutely fit together.
When Hunter's house catches on fire, he goes to stay with his best friend and his sister. Because Gracie happens to be working in the same town now, but she hasn't sold her last home before relocating. She wasn't sure if she was going to stay or return to her old place initially. Of course falling in love sealed that fate.
I really liked that the couple acting like mature adults and faced issues head on without any miscommunication.

[Bárbara Moody · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review

I enjoyed this story! It’s one of my favourite tropes, and I liked the plot!
However, it wasn’t my favourite. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cute and I love that is has a dog, but the writing itself didn’t pull me as much as I expected and so I took ages reading this 🫣

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute and heartwarming romance! It’s about a soccer player and a data analytics pro with a bit of an age gap, she’s the older one. They’ve known each other since high school/college, but when they randomly meet again at a bar, they don’t even realize who the other person is. Fate totally takes over from there.

I loved how their connection felt both natural and full of chemistry. He’s working on becoming a better person and a better player, and she challenges him in all the best ways. They make each other better without even realizing it until they’ve already fallen. The ending was absolutely adorable — the perfect wrap-up for a couple that just fits.

[Aly | Thealylifestyle ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⏦ﾟ♡︎ ⋆ 𐙚 ̊. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 This was such a cute sport romance! I loved the brothers best friend trope it is seriously one of my favorites. Gracie and Hunter are a great couple and Bogie is the cutest, I always love it when there’s a doggie 🐶

I wish I would’ve like the couple more than I did, something just didn’t click for me with them. The Devil’s soccer team is intriguing and makes me want to learn more about them.

Same with Kyler, I liked the LA references even though I’ve never been. I enjoyed how much Gracie loves her job.

I found myself skimming through the end as this felt entirely too long 🥲 Overall a cute romance book.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon



Gracie learned her lesson about not letting a man derail her career. So now that she's a data analyst for the LA Devils, there will be no more problems, no more men. Especially not her brother's best friend, Hunter, whose own career is the one that needs to be saved. But when Hunter needs a place to crash while his house is rebuilt, and he ends up living with her brother and her, Gracie starts to see a whole different side of him, a side she's falling in love with.



Hunter always wanted his friend's older sister to notice him as more than just her brother's friend, but she barely gave him the time of day. He didn't realize she more than noticed him, but just thought he was the one who didn't see her as more. Now that he's living with Gracie and her brother, he's going to shoot his shot, and make sure Gracie knows they belong together.



Hunter may have been a bad boy on the pitch, but inside he's a total cinnamon roll who likes books and his friend's smart af older sister. How could I (and Gracie) have not fallen head over heels for him? Their chemistry is so freakin hot, and they ended up being so perfect for each other, being each other's steadfast rocks. I love this introduction to the Los Angeles Devils, and I'm so excited to see which player falls next.



ARC provided by the author for an honest review.

Review: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Audio book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚽🔥 Brother’s best friend, forced proximity, and a hot-headed soccer star who never stood a chance against the nerdy data queen. 🔥⚽

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet
Series: Los Angeles Devils, Book 1 (interconnected standalone)
HEA: No cliffhanger

Playing the Field by Stacy Travis was my first book by this author and let’s just say, she understood the assignment. A professional soccer romance? Yes please.

The Story

Gracie is the head Data Analyst for the LA Devils. She color-codes spreadsheets, stress-bakes, and thinks in algorithms. Hunter Reyes a hot-headed center back, fan favorite, and her brother’s best friend, thinks with instinct and emotion. They should not work. On paper, they’re incompatible.

Which is exactly why they work.

I loved the reverse age gap and the STEM representation with Gracie. She’s shy, introverted, quietly brilliant, and carrying the remnants of an old crush she never acted on. As teenagers, they were wildly into each other but timing, insecurity, and the brother-shaped obstacle kept everything buried.

Now they’re adults. She’s five years older. He’s still ridiculously muscular, confident, and slightly temperamental. And suddenly? They’re sharing a house.

Forced proximity never fails when it’s done right. Late-night data sessions turn into takeout. Eye rolls become inside jokes. And every accidental touch carries weight. The tension simmers rather than explodes, which fits the lower spice level but still keeps the emotional stakes strong.

He might be the hot soccer star, but with Gracie he softens in ways that feel earned. And while he has that classic sports-hero ego, it never crosses into unlikeable territory. He’s protective without being possessive, intense without being toxic.

For a first entry in the Los Angeles Devils series, this sets up the team dynamics well. You get glimpses of future characters without it feeling forced. It’s light, fun, and emotionally satisfying.

🎧 Narration

Performed in duet by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue, both new to me. An let me tell you, they absolutely delivered.

Hannah brings a softness and intelligence to Gracie that fits her introverted, numbers-first personality. Aaron captures Hunter’s confident athlete vibe while still layering in vulnerability when it counts. Their performances make the slow-burn tension feel natural and grounded.

Strong casting choice for this couple.

Tropes & Vibes

✔️ Brother’s Best Friend
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Workplace Romance
✔️ Reverse Age Gap
✔️ Sports Romance (Professional Soccer)
✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ Secret Teenage Crush
✔️ STEM Heroine
✔️ Slow Burn

Final Thoughts

Playing the Field is a fun, refreshing sports romance with heart and just enough tension to keep you invested. It’s not heavy on spice, but it doesn’t need to be, the emotional build and character dynamic carry it.

If you love brother’s best friend, nerdy heroine meets confident athlete, and that “we’ve always wanted each other but never acted on it” energy this one’s worth drafting onto your TBR.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This is such a sweet read! A brother’s-best-friend, teenage crush, forced proximity sports romance with chemistry, heart, and the most gorgeous love story.

After a career misstep, Gracie has moved from San Francisco to LA and has accepted a job as the senior data analyst for the LA Devils soccer team to get herself back on track. She has moved in with her younger brother while she’s in town, and is determined to focus on her career and redeem herself.

Hunter is the best friend of Gracie’s brother, and is a soccer player for the Devils. He’s a gifted player but is volatile and unpredictable, and his reputation off the pitch is as a bit of a player, but he’s trying to do better. When his house is damaged by a fire, he temporarily moves in with his best friend, putting him up close and personal with Gracie, the object of all of his teenage fantasies.

Gracie and Hunter crushed wildly on each other as teenagers, but they hid it from each other well and nothing ever happened between them – he was the popular soccer star, and she was the nerdy STEM girl who was five years older. Now, they’re suddenly all up in each other’s space, and the attraction from all of those years ago still burns brightly. But Gracie doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardise her career, and Hunter knows she can do better than a troubled soccer player.

There’s so much standing in their way, but their chemistry is undeniable, and when put to the test, they can’t stay away from each other.

“This, you … I didn’t expect it. Didn’t even know how much I needed it. Gracie. I didn’t see you coming. Not at all.”
I nod.
“But now that I have you, all bets are off.”

I love the feeling of tingly anticipation waiting for a couple to act on their feelings, and I felt all of that with Hunter and Gracie. There’s plenty of intense staring, flirting, little touches, and wild overprotectiveness on Hunter’s part, and it all feels so natural! They talk, they’re open about it, they don’t play games, and their coming together is easy, sweet, sexy and gorgeously swoony.

“Back when we were younger and you used to come home from college. I was crushing hard and totally intimidated.”
I grin and reach for his hand. “I had a thing for you too.”
“Yeah?”
I nod.
“And now?”
“Better than I imagined.”
“So much better … You were worth the fucking wait.”

Those issues are still there, and there is some drama they need to deal with, but I enjoyed watching them work through it and the book ends in a great place with a happy ending that left me satisfied.

I really enjoyed this book. I’m looking forward to more from the series.

4 stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story by Stacy Travis.
Playing The Field is the 1st book in a new sports romance series about the Los Angeles Devils Soccer team.
The first characters to get the romance treatment is Hunter Reyes and Gracie Allbright.
They have known eachother since they were young as Hunter is Gracie's brother Kyla's best friend so they are familiar with one another.
This is an age gap, opposites attract story as Gracie is older by 4 years to Hunter she is also a data nerd and Hunter is a sports fanatic..They have crushed on one another for years..
Now all grown up Hunter is a Professional Soccer player for the Devils and Gracie has just been given a job at the Devils as a Data analysist..Her job is to see if The Devils should keep Hunter or Trade him,
Hunter has a reputation as a hot head on the field he has a temper that keeps getting him red cards.
A fire leaves Hunter homeless and Kyla offers him a room at his house,were Gracie is staying also.
Its living together that brings all the complications.
I Love Hunter he may be Volatile and aggressive on the pitch,but he has a gentler,calmer,softer side..he loves reading romance books..How amazing is that!!
It hurts him that Gracie believes his bad reputation and he has to prove that he is not what they portray him to be in the media.Living together Gracie begins to see the real Hunter and its so sweet,they do have a passionate night together and decide to secretly date.
Gracie has reservations and has been hurt before her previous relationship ended badly and she lost everything.
Hunter though has a vunerable side and doesn't feel good enough for Gracie...This is were Gracie shines because she believes in Hunter and their connection,even when Hunter doesn't believe in himself or his worth...Gracie adores him...But is it enough or will Hunters lack of confidence and faith destroy them before they even have a chance?.
The Narration is Fabulous by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue they are a delight to listen to and their performance as Gracie and Hunter is AMAZING.Their voices were easy to listen to and they gave an emotional and playful portrayal of these characters.I LOved listening to them both.
I love Sports romances and I loved Stacy's writing and how she inserted some great Soccer scenes in the book(I am a huge Football/soccer fan)..so relished Stacy's view on the sport that I love watching...I will forgive her for mentioning Liverpool boooo yuck..My team Everton's rivals...Because she has written such a wonderful,sweet and steamy romance.
Loved it.
5 Stars.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story by Stacy Travis.
Playing The Field is the 1st book in a new sports romance series about the Los Angeles Devils Soccer team.
The first characters to get the romance treatment is Hunter Reyes and Gracie Allbright.
They have known eachother since they were young as Hunter is Gracie's brother Kyla's best friend so they are familiar with one another.
This is an age gap, opposites attract story as Gracie is older by 4 years to Hunter she is also a data nerd and Hunter is a sports fanatic..They have crushed on one another for years..
Now all grown up Hunter is a Professional Soccer player for the Devils and Gracie has just been given a job at the Devils as a Data analysist..Her job is to see if The Devils should keep Hunter or Trade him,
Hunter has a reputation as a hot head on the field he has a temper that keeps getting him red cards.
A fire leaves Hunter homeless and Kyla offers him a room at his house,were Gracie is staying also.
Its living together that brings all the complications.
I Love Hunter he may be Volatile and aggressive on the pitch,but he has a gentler,calmer,softer side..he loves reading romance books..How amazing is that!!
It hurts him that Gracie believes his bad reputation and he has to prove that he is not what they portray him to be in the media.Living together Gracie begins to see the real Hunter and its so sweet,they do have a passionate night together and decide to secretly date.
Gracie has reservations and has been hurt before her previous relationship ended badly and she lost everything.
Hunter though has a vunerable side and doesn't feel good enough for Gracie...This is were Gracie shines because she believes in Hunter and their connection,even when Hunter doesn't believe in himself or his worth...Gracie adores him...But is it enough or will Hunters lack of confidence and faith destroy them before they even have a chance?.
The Narration is Fabulous by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue they are a delight to listen to and their performance as Gracie and Hunter is AMAZING.Their voices were easy to listen to and they gave an emotional and playful portrayal of these characters.I LOved listening to them both.
I love Sports romances and I loved Stacy's writing and how she inserted some great Soccer scenes in the book(I am a huge Football/soccer fan)..so relished Stacy's view on the sport that I love watching...I will forgive her for mentioning Liverpool boooo yuck..My team Everton's rivals...Because she has written such a wonderful,sweet and steamy romance.
Loved it.
5 Stars.- Cat W.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Playing the Field, Stacy Travis delivers a captivating "opposites attract" sports romance that is nearly impossible to put down. Narrated with incredible chemistry by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue, the story follows Hunter Reyes, a professional soccer player with a hot-headed reputation, and Gracie, a brilliant data analyst who also happens to be his best friend’s sister.

When Hunter’s temper puts his career in jeopardy, Gracie is the one tasked with using her data sets to save his spot on the team. This leads to a forced-proximity situation that quickly sizzles, especially once Hunter moves into the house Gracie is temporarily sharing with her brother.

The dynamic between them is built on years of secret crushing, hidden behind the "brother’s best friend" barrier. Hunter, while portrayed as a "bad boy" on the field, is revealed to be a deeply misunderstood and sweet man who is remarkably hard on himself. Watching him work through his inner struggles while Gracie patiently supports him provides the story with a beautiful emotional depth.

Gracie herself is a standout lead—smart, sassy, and comfortable in her own skin. She balances her color-coded spreadsheets and stress-baking with a fierce passion for her work and for Hunter. As they share a home, the slow-burn tension evolves from eye rolls and late-night takeout into an undeniable, lightning-crackling attraction.

Their banter is natural and witty, providing a lighthearted contrast to the "forbidden" workplace vibes and the steamier moments of their relationship. Gracie helps Hunter see his true worth beyond his athletic performance, while Hunter proves that he is exactly the kind of attentive, caring partner Gracie needs.

The narration by Chiclana and Donahue elevates the experience, perfectly capturing the "grumpy vs. sunshine" energy and the high-stakes world of professional soccer. It is a heartfelt, healing romance that culminates in an adorable and satisfying ending, proving that these two opposites were always the perfect fit.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elif Hazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪᴇʟᴅ || ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ

"𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽.”

⚽️Brother’s Best Friend
⚽️Workplace Romance
⚽️Opposites Attract
⚽️Grumpy x Sunshine
⚽️Roommates to Lovers

Here I am with one of the sweetest sports romance novels in the world. Hunter's admiration for Gracie, both in the past and present, and his willingness to do anything to win her over… Especially that black dress—if only it could speak! 🤭 Gracie, my dear, has completely lost herself and become Hunter's heroine, even as he fears he might lose his job. Their relationship blossoms over time, and our little family, with our sweet little dog…

Gracie Albright saved my job.

I’m your guy.

“You’re not a robot.”
"Tink. You can call me a robot all day long. I'm fascinated by this shit."

If I had a photo of the look on Gracie’s face, I’d tuck it away in my wallet for those times when I need reminding that sometimes life gives you everything you ever wanted.

“You look fucking great.”

I don't want to think about mixing work and romance. I just want this man.

“Fuck, Tink. You are everything.”

“I want to be the guy taking you out. I want to be the one you kiss at the end of the night. I fucking wanted you, pure and simple."

“Gracie likes me.And that makes me really fucking lucky.”

I feel like Hunter is digging deep into my soul and connecting to me on an elemental level

“You impress me more and more every minute, soccer star.”
“I don't want to leave anything to chance when it comes to you. I want it to be right."

Gracie found me.

“I don't want to hurt you.”
“Then don’t leave. Ever.”

“I missed you. And I haven’t stopped loving you.”
“I love you so fucking much, Gracie. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you always know that.”

“How do you do that?”
“What?”
“Look even more gorgeous every time I see you?"

[JanFromNJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

childhood friends to more, a sports romance with so much heart you’ll adore this couple. promise.

Gracie and Hunter are the most unlikely pairing. Analytical data is her world. Now she’s in LA with a new job to help rebuild her reputation. Let her walls down. Begin to trust again. Hunter is a star soccer player with a hot temper and demons from his past that he’s constantly fighting. Gracie and Hunter have known each other since childhood but haven’t seen each other in years. They have an unlikely meeting in an airport but don’t recognize each other. Now she works for the team he plays on and both have secret crushes. On each other! Oh and her brother is Hunter’s best friend. Complicated? Sure. An intriguing story from page 1? Absolutely.

As unlikely a pair as they are, they couldn’t be more adorable. This story is a sports romance of course, but it’s so much more. The writing is sharp, the humor and romance well placed and Gracie’s job is written to entice the reader to want to know more. It’s brilliant really. The data she analyzes of the players actions and the way she does it all is actually fascinating. Who knew? Hunter is definitely intrigued.

Bad boy soccer star Hunter Reyes is really an undercover golden retriever. He makes Gracie dinner and it’s amazing. This boy can cook! He takes a honest interest in her job, in the data analysis. And makes her swoon. He finds romantic ways to spend time with her. Now if he can only realize he’s worthy of her.

Hunter tends to self sabotage so there’s plenty of angst in this story but I was absolutely enthralled with the storytelling showing their struggles and ultimately, a heartfelt HEA. There’s a totally epic conclusion to this heart-tugging romance. Was their meeting in that airport fate?

This book was a fabulous beginning to a new series. I’m definitely here for the next book!

[Liz Callahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
Playing the Field by @stacytravisauthor
4.25⭐ / 2.5🔥🌶

This one of my first sports romances by @stacytravisauthor and she did not disappoint! Playing the Field was so much fun especially since its not often we have a professional Soccer romance. I loved the reverse age gap here and the STEM representation with Gracie.

Gracies our broken hearted FMC is starting over in a big way… new city, new job and rebuilding. She reluctantly moves in with her brother who is Best Friends with our MMC, Hunter. Hunter is the hot headed soccer player who happens to play for the team Gracie was just hired to do analysis for.

As fate would have it… unfortunately Hunter’s house burns down and Gracie’s brother lets him crash in the spare room adding some amazing tropes to our story, with forced proximity, tension and of course the siblings best friend “forbidden romance”.

Behind the hot headed facade, we find a bookworm and golden retriever in Hunter and with him favoring the classics you can only imagine the swoon factor it brings to the table. His care for her in little moments like making sure she was eating well just shows he is more off the field then on. Their dates were adorable and Hunter once again makes us swoon with how carefully he has planned everything out. I cannot wait for book 2 in @stacytravisauthor’s new series, Los Angeles Devils.

@stacytravisauthor brings it all to this book and you will not be disappointed. Add it to your TBR today.

Thank you @stacytravisauthor and @valentine_pr_ for my ARC.

#arc #arcreviews #angrycatreads #angrycatreviews #stacytravisauthor #losangelesdevilsbook1 #newseriesalert #sportsromance #reverseagegap #workplaceromance #siblingsbestfriend

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time author for me and I haven't read allot of soccer romances but I liked this one the soccer material wasn't to heavy and the romance itself had a time to shine you have a hot hot tempered soccer player Hunter Ramirez and Gracie our shy more introverted FMC with a bit of a broken heart she's the nerdy girl with numbers on her mind and a attachment to historical romance. Gracia has left San Francisco for LA her younger brother Kyler has offered her his place to stay while she test out a new job as head data analytics for the Devils soccer team she's the girl that rates players on there skill and how well they work with there teammates and she's determined to make things work after a failed romance with a former boyfriend backfired he used her to get a job then got her fired so know more romance with people she works with including Hunter her brothers bestfriend and her biggest crush growing up she never expected to run into him at the airport or for him to be another house guest of her brothers. Hunter is know for allot of things his temper getting the most red tags in a game and the ladies and now hes expecting to be traded for his attitude whitch to be fare was do too and overly aggressive unfriendly father so Hunter has issues going way back then he runs into a women at the airport and when he figures out who she is his luck maybe about to turn around that is until his house burns down but it's not so bad his younger self crushed pretty hard on Kyler's older sister Gracie jackpot. A bet a bad blind date and some emotional moments lead to one possible forbidden romance between Hunter and Gracie loved the two of them glad the author didn't drag out there HEA to long. I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing the Field
Author- Stacy Travis
Series- Los Angeles Devils Book #1(Standalone)
Rating- 4.25 Stars out of 5
Genres- Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance
Tropes- Siblings Best Friend, Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity, Professional Soccer Player x Sports Analyst, Roommates to Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, Workplace Romance
Main Characters- Gracie and Hunter
Spice Level- 1.5/5
HEA

I have enjoyed reading many of Stacy Travis' previous series and Playing the Field was another great one. I thought it was a good start to the new series, he main characters were interesting and the side characters also have potential as future leads.
My favorite thing about this book was how Gracie made Hunter really think about who he is. Yes he's the bad guy on the field and the media makes him appear to be that way off the field as well but in reality he's just looking to find himself. And when he starts dating Gracie at the beginning he truly believes he isn't good enough for her but Gracie makes him take a good look at himself if he really isn't good enough.
Another aspect that I appreciated was Gracie's older brother/ Hunter's best friend, Kyler. What I liked was that while he warred Hunter off Gracie, he only did that if it was going to be a fling. If Hunter was serious about a real relationship he had no qualms. So often in sibling's best friend romances is how they are so against the idea of their relationship that they're threatening never to be friends again. Like if you can't trust them with your sibling, if they have real feelings for them then why are you friends in the first place.

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Stacy Travis, and what drew me to it were the tropes: a brother’s best friend, forced proximity, and sports romance.

The story centers on Hunter and Gracey, and it proves the saying that opposites attract. Hunter is a soccer player with a reputation for being a “hothead.” He thrives on provoking other players and holds the record for the most red cards in the league. Convinced he’s about to be traded from the LA Devils, his future feels uncertain. Gracey, on the other hand, is a data scientist. After losing her job at a company in San Francisco, she’s hired by the LA Devils to build data models that help guide team decisions. In the end, her stats are what save Hunter from being traded.

Circumstances bring them under the same roof. After Gracey’s brother’s house catches fire, Hunter—his best friend—moves in temporarily.

What I loved most was watching their relationship grow. As they spend time together, they begin to appreciate how their different personalities complement each other. Hunter, surprisingly, is like an onion—layered. Beneath his fiery exterior, he’s sweet, considerate, an avid reader, and not the womanizer he once was.

I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between them.

That said, I’m still scratching my head over why they both believed they couldn’t date while working for the same organization. I’m also unclear on exactly what led to Gracey being fired from her last job. It was explained, but I didn’t fully grasp the issue.

Overall, it’s a good book, and I highly recommend it.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing the Field
Los Angeles Devils, Book 1
By: Stacy Travis
Narrated by: Hannah Chiclana, Aaron Donahue

Soccer! That is my family's pastime and listening to this book brought so much back to me. This first book in the Los Angeles Devils series features Hunter and Gracie. Hunter has lost his home to a fire and is staying with Gracie in her brother Kyla's home. These two have known each other forever, as Hunter is Kyla's best friend making Gracie off limits. But that never stopped the feelings between them. Now adults, the two find themselves together more than apart and they are loving it. Cooking, futsol, and just enjoying being together,they are well on their way. And Hunter's hot headedness has been toned down a bit which is good for him and the team. But what will Kyla think? And how will her job be impacted since she is works for the team too? It's full of passion, just enough angst and Travis had me invested in the outcome. It's the perfect start to this series and I can't wait for more.

Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue work so well together and make the magic of this couple come alive. Chiclana creates a very confident, nerdy analytic Gracie. She knows who she is and knows what she wants. Donahue is Hunter, falling first, using his anger in the game and the sweetness at home. I loved these two as they delved into the lives of Hunter and Gracie. It is an amazing listen.

[Shannon Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing the Field is a charming, feel-good sports romance that hits all the right notes for a cozy, swoony weekend read. Stacy Travis blends humor, chemistry, and just the right amount of slow-burn tension to make this story both comforting and engaging.

I loved the dynamic between the data-smart, color-coded-life heroine and the charismatic soccer star who also happens to be her brother’s best friend. Their roommate setup brings so many fun moments—flirty banter in the kitchen, late-night conversations, and that delicious “are we really doing this?” shift that makes romance so addictive.

The soccer-world backdrop adds personality without ever overshadowing the relationship, and I really enjoyed how both characters are passionate about their careers. It gives the story momentum and makes their connection feel grounded and believable.

This book is sweet, sexy, and smile-inducing. It leans into classic romance tropes in the best way—familiar enough to feel warm and comforting, but still fresh with its character quirks and heartfelt moments. If you love brother’s-best-friend romances with strong chemistry and an easy, enjoyable flow, Playing the Field is such a delightful pick.

Perfect for: sports-romance lovers, anyone who enjoys a smart heroine + golden-retriever-athlete pairing, and readers looking for a fun, uplifting escape. 💕⚽️✨

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy do I love a bad boy story and sports all at once is just wow. Stacy Travis definitely got my attention with these two, I mean hello we have the bad boy of soccer and the studious nerdy girl finally getting her chance. Right from the start their meet up was definitely unexpected yet in a way it seemed like fate. Seeing Hunter again definitely is bringing back all the feels for Gracie and now she is well stuck. This is the job she has been waiting for and though her career is all about numbers and finding the right ways to make everything add up there is just something about Hunter. He is her brother's best friend but secretly she has never forgotten about him and now they are so close to each other it's hard to hide her feelings. Now this guy can have any woman but Gracie is the first one to really see him and boy when they are together sparks are everywhere. There is just something about closeness, sports and hot tension that just gets you going and Stacy Travis just rocked between these two. I loved seeing the shy, underdog get the loves she has been waiting for and Hunter is one unicorn of a guy you don't see often in sports, loved it.

"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."

[Latasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook of Playing the Field, narrated by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue, was such a fun and heartfelt listening experience. Their performances truly brought this sports romance to life, capturing every ounce of tension, longing, and emotion between Gracie and Hunter.

This story delivers the perfect mix of brother’s best friend, secret crush, and opposites attract — all layered with undeniable chemistry. Hannah Chiclana beautifully conveyed Gracie’s strength and vulnerability, while Aaron Donahue gave Hunter a depth and warmth that made his emotional journey feel authentic and compelling. Together, their narration elevated the banter, intensified the steam, and made the tender moments even sweeter.

I especially loved experiencing Gracie and Hunter’s journey through audio — the way their guarded conversations slowly softened into trust and vulnerability felt so intimate in this format. You could truly hear the shift as they pushed each other to grow, confronted old wounds, and allowed themselves to hope for something more. Their emotional evolution felt natural and earned, making their love story all the more rewarding to listen to.

This audiobook is a fantastic start to the series, and I’m already looking forward to the next book.

Thank you Stacy Travis and Valentine PR for my ALC!

[Sylviane BM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mais quelle joie de retrouver Stacy Travis au coeur d'une romance, cette fois sportive. Si je ne travaillais pas je l'aurai dévoré, mais voilà il fallait faire des pauses (oui pfff). Premier tome d'une toute nouvelle série, « The LA Devils ». nous partons à la rencontre de Gracie et Hunter. Ces deux là se connaissent depuis longtemps, mais voilà c'était il y a longtemps. Ce qui est marrant c'est que Gracie en a rien à faire du sport, mais sa famille y est accro, son frère est sportif et Gracie va se retrouver analyste dans l'équipe d'Hunter, donc en principe pas touche, mais double pas touche, car Hunter est le meilleur ami de son frère.

Hunter est le playboy et Gracie est une intello, une geek assumée qui adore pâtisser pour se détendre, a un humour piquant et des courbes qu'elle assume pleinement ! Ils sont opposés et doivent en plus de travailler ensemble, doivent cohabiter car la maison d'Hunter a pris feu.

Une bonne romance , douce, piquante dans laquelle Hunter va se voir autrement, que le playboy, et grâce à lui, elle va enfin savoir ce qu'elle vaut pour un homme (car sa dernière relation, voilà). Elle sait qu'elle doit passer avant tout, et non un homme, même si c'est Hunter, ou alors ils fonctionnent à égalité.
Un bon début qui m'a fait passer un bon moment.