Foul Play

by Whitney Amazeen

Book 2 in the Little Birdie series. Blurb coming soon!

ebook

First published May 26, 2026

About the author

Whitney Amazeen's love for reading started in third grade and has been going strong ever since. She studied cosmetology before pursuing writing, where she used to hide in the laundry room to read and write instead of working on clients. As a result, Whitney has evolved into a full-fledged daydreamer with more stories in her head than she can count. When she's not immersed in reading or writing a novel, Whitney spends the majority of her time playing with her kids and watching Disney movies. Whitney lives in Arizona with her family and can often be found drinking tea, talking about fictional characters, and obsessing over Jesus. Learn more at www.WhitneyAmazeen.com.

Reviews

[Queen-Esther Babagbale · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW ✨️
“How do you always notice the things about me no one else does?”
“Easy. I never stop looking.”

Cheers to the people that truly see you even when others don't, because that perfectly describes the relationship between Ezra and Rue.

We watch Rue navigate the betrayal and hurt Ezra caused that created such a deep rift between them, only to end up wrapped in a fake relationship with him. How does she pretend to like him when she hates him? And how does she pretend that she is still pretending when it becomes very real?

My favourite part remains the moment Ezra finally stood up for her in front of her friends. Goshhhh!!!! I was screaming “finallyyy” at that scene😫✨️

I was genuinely upset with her friends though, especially Meredith. At some point my thoughts were literally: “Honestly Meredith, take your doubts and shove them up your behind. You’re starting to piss me off, and you and Carlton should just go live happily ever after abeg. Leave Rue and Ezra aloneee” 😂😂🤣 …but thankfully, we moved past that😌

All in all, it was beautiful watching our little wallflower finally bloom, step out of the shadows, and find her own voice and happiness🤭✨️

[Malia Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 // hey bookfam! Happy pub day to FOUL PLAY by WHITNEY AMAZEEN! This is the second book in a YA series about friends in a Christian prep school. Why not read about a school story now that school is out hehe? And how cute is this cover?!

Here are some things I loved about this one:
- Ezra has always loved her, but she needs to trust him again, with good reason
- Second-chance friendship to … more?
- He helps her realize she is more than just a wallflower
- Fake dating that makes sense
- Biblical views on gossip
- High school musical vibes: basketball player has to join the theater club, and is secretly a nerd
- No swearing or inappropriate content!

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for the arc!

I read Stages when it was released and absolutely loved it so have been so excited for the second book in this series! Whitney is one of my favourite romance authors and this book definitely didn’t disappoint. I loved both Rue and Ezra so much and loved seeing their alternating pov as it gave a lot of depth and insight into both of them. Both characters are super likeable and I love how much personality Whitney always gives to them. They always feel so real and it’s so easy to feel connected to them from the moment you meet them. Their actions always felt realistic to the situation they were in and I loved seeing their fake dating develop into something real and the way they both acknowledged their feelings for each other (also Ezra standing up for Rue was the cutest!). Their interactions were so much fun and I thought the friends to (one sided) hate to lovers was done so well. I really liked how close they were to their families too as I always love seeing those kinds of bonds in books and really enjoyed the scenes between Rue and her mom and Ezra and his family, his sister was so fun and I loved how supportive she was of him and Rue. It was so good to see Dot and Zayne again too as I really liked them in book 1! I love the way the Little Birdie element was used within this book as it was a really nice twist and gave a different perspective to the way it was in book 1. As always the authors writing style and pacing was so easy to follow and flowed perfectly. I 100% recommend this book as well as the rest of Whitney’s releases, they’re such feel good, fun romances full of likeable characters and leave you with such a warm, cozy feeling after reading them!

[Sarah (bookishjedi) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO good!! loved our FMC Rue, and I relate to her so much! Especially because she’s more on the soft spoken side and she has a hard time expressing her emotions. I also love that this book focuses on

I love the complex relationship between Rue and Ezra! This is enemies to lovers done right! Especially since there was a misunderstanding between them that happened years ago and this book shows the MMC, Ezra, try to make up the mistakes of his past to Rue.

And let me tell you, Ezra is a man who yearns!! And he’s so sweet! This book was definitely one of the best YA romances that I've read in a while! It’s written very well and I love the focus on female friendships in this book 🥰

Check this book out if you love YA romances, enemies to lovers (that's written well), and yearning, give this book a try! 💜

Thank you so much Whitney Amazeen for the opportunity to be on your ARC team for this book!! 🥹

[Yelitz Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC from the author.
Rue is a drama student and Ezra, a basketball player. Both were friends until one day a gossiper exposed Rue’s secret, destroying her best friend trust. Ezra instead of defending her, he turned his back on Rue. Now Ezra wants a second chance and will do anything to prove how sorry he is, even if is through fake dating Rue.

This book was a sweet young adult slow romance. The characters were so engaging that kept me reading. I liked watching Rue navigating through her emotions until she no longer felt like a wallflower. I also had to add that the book mentions Jesus in a beautiful way through the story.
This is book two on “‘The Little Birdie” series.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adore this series

I really enjoy this series. The first book is still my fave. I really would like a second book about Dot and Zane regarding their journey in their new school. I really also enjoyed Rue and Ezra. I love their dynamic. When Rue couldn’t find the right words to voice her thoughts, he would step in and support.

Meredith and Carlton are not good friends. I noticed how they were in the first book towards Dot and now Rue. Both Rue and Dot definitely need to cut ties with them.

I really didn’t like how everyone ganged up on Rue. The things she wrote didn’t even compare to previous statements so I was really confused as to why everyone was so angry.

Overall, I adore this series and can’t wait to read more.

[Makayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

(ARC) This book gave friendship, betrayal & love. It was fascinating to see how so many of their insecurities had affected their relationship with each other. To me, this wasn’t the guy falls in love first, I felt like both fell for each other at the same time. The love did seem fast but I think because they used to be best friends for YEARS but stopped talking in 9th grade, they never had the chance to explore it slowly. When it all came out about the gossip, OMGosh & I’m glad Ezra stood 10 toes down for Rue. I do wish that the original little birdie was reveal and I lowkey have an idea of who it could have been.

[Melanie G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am writing a review for the second book in the Little Birdie series “Foul Play.” I was so excited to go back to the halls of Fallbrook Christian Prep School and find out the latest happenings in the drama club. This book follows Rue, drama student and Ezra, basketball player as they connect over a new production led by a new teacher, Miss Fern. There is new love and old love in the friendship group and Little Birdie stirs up all sorts of problems. The characters are so engaging that I didn’t want the book to end! I hope there are more books in this series!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book! I received this book as an ARC and really enjoyed it! I’ve read other books by Whitney Amazeen, and they never disappoint. I would definitely recommend reading Stages first if you haven’t already. I went into this ARC blind, which was totally fine, but reading Stages beforehand will help you follow the story and background a little more. Overall, I really liked this book! There were a few slower moments, but it was still such a great read with Jesus beautifully woven throughout the story.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was mega cute! An enemies to lovers trope done well just like the fake dating too. I enjoyed the POV in this book because you learn a lot about FMC & MMC. Did I say they are mega cute, if you vibe with YA you will enjoy this one.

[Lily Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute and sweet book! It’s a good one to read in between heavy books or difficult ones to read because it’s nice and easy. I love the relationship between rue and Ezra and all the friends. My only downside is Carlton🤢

[Karen Schartiger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 268 page YA Romance story. The book is a very cute enemies to lover romance. I enjoyed the story, the plot and the writing. I give the book a 3 star. It was very good for a YA romance.