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Playing It Straight
Lily Everett spent her entire life following along with what was expected of her; she never wanted to make waves. When senior year of college rolled around, she had a life that other girls envied- an awesome best friend, a spot on the cheerleading squad, and the dream boyfriend. Everything was perfect…until a stranger made her rethink everything and turned her world upside down. The day Lily met Charlotte Ramos, her life started to rearrange. Pulled together like magnets, Lily wasn’t sure where the line blurred between friendship and more. This new relationship made Lily stop going with the flow and fight to be herself, whoever that truly was.
- GenresLesbian
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2025
32 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 18, 2025
(rounded up from 2.5)
This was a weird one for me. Usually, coming-of-age stories are right up my alley, but a combination of the plot being frustrating and the writing lacking any contractions made this really stick out and not in an enjoyable way.
The plot is fairly standard: you have a people-pleaser cheerleader who is dating your standard good-looking jock who is sometimes a dickhead. She meets a cute bartender who also happens to be in her classes at college, and they hit it off and are attracted to each other, but it takes a while for the cheerleader to come to terms with the idea of not being heterosexual. The frustrating part of this is that for . Today of all days, I should not have to stress why cheating in a romance book is a turn-off, but it goes on for SO long here when it really didn't have to at all.
The writing style put me off a bit too, because I hate it when books don't have any contractions (for example, "I will let you know" instead of "I'll let you know" is simply not how most people speak casually). Additionally, that ending was . All in all, an unsatisfying read for me.
This was a weird one for me. Usually, coming-of-age stories are right up my alley, but a combination of the plot being frustrating and the writing lacking any contractions made this really stick out and not in an enjoyable way.
The plot is fairly standard: you have a people-pleaser cheerleader who is dating your standard good-looking jock who is sometimes a dickhead. She meets a cute bartender who also happens to be in her classes at college, and they hit it off and are attracted to each other, but it takes a while for the cheerleader to come to terms with the idea of not being heterosexual. The frustrating part of this is that for . Today of all days, I should not have to stress why cheating in a romance book is a turn-off, but it goes on for SO long here when it really didn't have to at all.
The writing style put me off a bit too, because I hate it when books don't have any contractions (for example, "I will let you know" instead of "I'll let you know" is simply not how most people speak casually). Additionally, that ending was . All in all, an unsatisfying read for me.
August 16, 2025
Playing It Straight
This was a nice coming out story. It definitely covered a lot of the emotions when one is going through their "gay panic." The writing was great and easy to follow. There were some really great characters. This was more about self-discovery and self acceptance more than romance. However, if there's going to be a book 2 - I'll definitely be reading it!
This was a nice coming out story. It definitely covered a lot of the emotions when one is going through their "gay panic." The writing was great and easy to follow. There were some really great characters. This was more about self-discovery and self acceptance more than romance. However, if there's going to be a book 2 - I'll definitely be reading it!
January 1, 2026
I really didn't enjoy this book, so let's get into it because I have a laundry list of reasons why:
1) Endless grammatical and punctuation errors. I read it on Kindle and honestly felt like a proofreader with the amount of error reports I made. Incorrect punctuation, missing punctuation, incomplete sentences, and at one point the main character's name was spelled incorrectly. I mean, really?
2) It honestly read as quite lesbophobic in places, and that isn't because the main character experienced homophobia. In one chapter the main characters have had sex, and it then cuts to one of them wondering, 'how do two girls even have sex?'. Are you actually kidding me? In that one line the entire emotional and physical relationship has just been cheapened. I understand the author was exploring themes of sexuality and questioning, but it felt insensitive and very heavy handed. It also made the main character seem incredibly young minded and juvenile, which begs the question, why were intimacy scenes included in the first place?
3) The cheating and absolute lack of self-esteem Charlie has cheapens the same sex relationship in the book. Throughout, Lily wonders if she is a bad girlfriend. News flash, you're cheating on your current boyfriend, with the implication being it doesn't count if it's with a girl. Yes you're a bad girlfriend and yes you're a poorly written character. Charlie, Lily's side piece (and that is truly how she us written in the book) mindlessly accepts she is a hidden, dirty secret until the last 20 or so pages of the book when they abruptly breakup. It's taken nearly 250 pages for her to reach that conclusion? Sapphic characters with strong senses of self deserve far better than to be written in such a vapid way.
4) The repetitive and heavy handed writing throughout. The author beats you over the head with every pondering, thought, and implication, leaving the reader with nothing to consider or work out on their own. There are only so many times I can read the same thoughts over and over again; yes Lily is an anxious person, yes Charlie wears mascara, yes Jenny is Lily's best friend in the whole world, yes Lily only seems to get good sleep when she sleeps with Charlie, yes all of the characters go to the same three houses over and over, and seem to spend endless amounts of time in bed. Do they do nothing else?
5) This book is full of vapid, surface level relationships, not least being Jenny and Lily. Considering the reader is forced to be bored to death being told repeatedly that Jenny is Lily's best friend in the whole world, Lily shares nothing with her, they never spend time together, and they don't do anything meaningful with each other.
6) The jock trope for Ryder is so overplayed it was cringeworthy and laughable. I also thought it so inappropriate that the author included moments of genuine physical and emotional abuse between him and Lily, and yet this wasn't handled with sensitivity, decency, or truly acknowledged by any character in the book. It felt like a plot device to justify to the reader why Lily was cheating. That's an appalling way of exploiting genuinely difficult themes without any due care and attention.
7) The ending was just entirely flat. We were dragged along this story only for it all to completely collapse in the end. The high stakes didn't feel genuine, the ending was rushed and abrupt. What was the pay off here? What was the lesson? What was the point of Charlie accepting her being a side piece for the first 20 chapters of the book and then suddenly deciding it wasn't for her anymore? The ebb and flow of the relationship didn't feel genuine or organic.
I honestly could go on and on and on. I'm so sad this is the first book I've finished to kick off my 2026 reading goal. I wanted to finish it so I could at least critique it fully.
1) Endless grammatical and punctuation errors. I read it on Kindle and honestly felt like a proofreader with the amount of error reports I made. Incorrect punctuation, missing punctuation, incomplete sentences, and at one point the main character's name was spelled incorrectly. I mean, really?
2) It honestly read as quite lesbophobic in places, and that isn't because the main character experienced homophobia. In one chapter the main characters have had sex, and it then cuts to one of them wondering, 'how do two girls even have sex?'. Are you actually kidding me? In that one line the entire emotional and physical relationship has just been cheapened. I understand the author was exploring themes of sexuality and questioning, but it felt insensitive and very heavy handed. It also made the main character seem incredibly young minded and juvenile, which begs the question, why were intimacy scenes included in the first place?
3) The cheating and absolute lack of self-esteem Charlie has cheapens the same sex relationship in the book. Throughout, Lily wonders if she is a bad girlfriend. News flash, you're cheating on your current boyfriend, with the implication being it doesn't count if it's with a girl. Yes you're a bad girlfriend and yes you're a poorly written character. Charlie, Lily's side piece (and that is truly how she us written in the book) mindlessly accepts she is a hidden, dirty secret until the last 20 or so pages of the book when they abruptly breakup. It's taken nearly 250 pages for her to reach that conclusion? Sapphic characters with strong senses of self deserve far better than to be written in such a vapid way.
4) The repetitive and heavy handed writing throughout. The author beats you over the head with every pondering, thought, and implication, leaving the reader with nothing to consider or work out on their own. There are only so many times I can read the same thoughts over and over again; yes Lily is an anxious person, yes Charlie wears mascara, yes Jenny is Lily's best friend in the whole world, yes Lily only seems to get good sleep when she sleeps with Charlie, yes all of the characters go to the same three houses over and over, and seem to spend endless amounts of time in bed. Do they do nothing else?
5) This book is full of vapid, surface level relationships, not least being Jenny and Lily. Considering the reader is forced to be bored to death being told repeatedly that Jenny is Lily's best friend in the whole world, Lily shares nothing with her, they never spend time together, and they don't do anything meaningful with each other.
6) The jock trope for Ryder is so overplayed it was cringeworthy and laughable. I also thought it so inappropriate that the author included moments of genuine physical and emotional abuse between him and Lily, and yet this wasn't handled with sensitivity, decency, or truly acknowledged by any character in the book. It felt like a plot device to justify to the reader why Lily was cheating. That's an appalling way of exploiting genuinely difficult themes without any due care and attention.
7) The ending was just entirely flat. We were dragged along this story only for it all to completely collapse in the end. The high stakes didn't feel genuine, the ending was rushed and abrupt. What was the pay off here? What was the lesson? What was the point of Charlie accepting her being a side piece for the first 20 chapters of the book and then suddenly deciding it wasn't for her anymore? The ebb and flow of the relationship didn't feel genuine or organic.
I honestly could go on and on and on. I'm so sad this is the first book I've finished to kick off my 2026 reading goal. I wanted to finish it so I could at least critique it fully.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
what?!
This would have been a 4 star except for how it ended. What?! Just…..what??? I’m not okay after that. So sad.
This would have been a 4 star except for how it ended. What?! Just…..what??? I’m not okay after that. So sad.
October 8, 2025
The premise of this book is wonderful. The story is well done. It’s the little details killed it. California doesn’t have a waffle house; state university that has Monday- Friday class schedule. Cariña- what??? These little details along with the grammatical errors and typos made the story difficult to follow. How does Charlie speak Spanish at home but when we are in her home there’s no Spanish spoken? Sometimes it is better to write what you know. A nursing major having easy classes her senior year? What about clinicals? And preparing for the NCLEX. My senior year I had the flu for one week and had to drop a class for missing two days in early February.
Whilst the plot was well done, research would have helped make this story believable.
Whilst the plot was well done, research would have helped make this story believable.
July 24, 2025
⚫️Playing It Straight by T.M. Thomas is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age romance that tugs at your heartstrings while making you think. It dives deep into themes of identity, self-discovery, and the bravery it takes to embrace your true self.
⚫️Meet Lily Everett, the epitome of the “perfect girl” she’s the cheerleader, dating the guy everyone dreams of, and always playing by the rules. But behind that polished facade lies a girl who hasn’t yet figured out what she really wants. Everything changes when Charlotte Ramos unexpectedly steps into her life during their senior year. Their instant connection is electric, and what begins as a friendship soon starts to shake the very core of Lily’s identity.
⚫️T.M. Thomas navigates Lily’s emotional journey with such grace and sincerity. The chemistry between Lily and Charlotte is not just romantic; it’s a beautiful exploration of personal awakening. Readers will find themselves immersed in Lily’s internal battle with societal norms, her sexuality, and the daunting fear of change all depicted with genuine empathy.
⚫️What truly sets Playing It Straight apart is its bold depiction of a young woman who dares to question the life that’s been mapped out for her. The writing is sharp, the dialogue is engaging, and the emotional moments hit just right. Thomas avoids clichés, instead weaving a narrative that feels authentic and relatable for anyone who has ever felt the struggle between fitting in and being true to oneself.
⚫️This is a must-read for fans of LGBTQ+ fiction, college romance, or anyone who has grappled with the intricacies of self-discovery. Playing It Straight serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes the most radical act is to stop conforming and start living your truth.
Highly recommended for those who appreciate emotional, character-driven stories that resonate with depth and heart.
Happy reading ❤️✨
July 9, 2025
As a straight male, this books lives in an area of the bookstore that I always walk past, not because I don't value the LGBTQ community, but because of an assumption on my part that I wouldn't connect with the stories and I would rather spend my time with a thriller, or biography. But, I also run a TikTok monthly award and this book was delivered to me. I didn't need to seek it out.
For a variety of reasons, I opted to read it. It was a very pleasant surprise. It was about a college senior discovering that her sexual identity was wider than heterosexual. Essentially, it becomes a romantic triangle between her football playing boyfriend named Ryder and a pretty bartender she meets.
Now, I have no idea where this book stacks up in the world of LGBTQ literature, because it was my first venture into the arena. I can tell you that the prose was crisp, smooth, and easy to get through. The dialogue was also well written, though for my masculine tastes there was alot more of it than needed. Still, I suspect that detailed self analysis and discussion is a tenet of the genre and most readers will be fine with it. The characters were well drawn and seemed real, though Lily and Ryder seemed a bad match from the start. But, I suspect there are a lot of bad matches that continue for way longer than they should.
In all, I am glad I read the book. Maybe you will be too.
For a variety of reasons, I opted to read it. It was a very pleasant surprise. It was about a college senior discovering that her sexual identity was wider than heterosexual. Essentially, it becomes a romantic triangle between her football playing boyfriend named Ryder and a pretty bartender she meets.
Now, I have no idea where this book stacks up in the world of LGBTQ literature, because it was my first venture into the arena. I can tell you that the prose was crisp, smooth, and easy to get through. The dialogue was also well written, though for my masculine tastes there was alot more of it than needed. Still, I suspect that detailed self analysis and discussion is a tenet of the genre and most readers will be fine with it. The characters were well drawn and seemed real, though Lily and Ryder seemed a bad match from the start. But, I suspect there are a lot of bad matches that continue for way longer than they should.
In all, I am glad I read the book. Maybe you will be too.
January 14, 2026
Playing It Straight by T.M. Thomas felt honest, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded. Lily’s journey isn’t easy or clean; it’s shaped by the pressure to be the “perfect” girlfriend, the fear of disappointing others, and the confusion that comes with realizing she doesn’t fit the role she’s been playing. I appreciated that the story doesn’t excuse her mistakes but shows how fear and denial can lead to choices that hurt both herself and the people she cares about.
One of the strongest parts of the book is how sexuality is explored through support and patience rather than force. Jenny and Charlie offer Lily safety, understanding, and space to figure things out, and Charlie’s line, “I’ve always got you. You don’t have to be anything but you with me,” really captures the heart of that dynamic. Charlie’s honesty and boundaries made her feel especially real, and the emotional consequences of Lily’s hesitation felt earned.
This is a story about self-acceptance, accountability, and how hard it can be to choose yourself when the world expects something else. It’s a character-driven read that doesn’t wrap everything up neatly, but instead leaves you reflecting on growth, regret, and what it means to finally be honest.
One of the strongest parts of the book is how sexuality is explored through support and patience rather than force. Jenny and Charlie offer Lily safety, understanding, and space to figure things out, and Charlie’s line, “I’ve always got you. You don’t have to be anything but you with me,” really captures the heart of that dynamic. Charlie’s honesty and boundaries made her feel especially real, and the emotional consequences of Lily’s hesitation felt earned.
This is a story about self-acceptance, accountability, and how hard it can be to choose yourself when the world expects something else. It’s a character-driven read that doesn’t wrap everything up neatly, but instead leaves you reflecting on growth, regret, and what it means to finally be honest.
July 19, 2025
"Playing it Straight" by T.M. Thomas is heartwarming and often humorous romance that delves into the complexities of identity, self-discovery, and unexpected love. This standalone novel introduces readers to a delightful cast of characters navigating the challenges of sexuality, personal expectations, and the undeniable pull of attraction.
The story is in third pov that follows Lily, a teenage girl who has everything she could possibly want. However, she keeps the anxious side of herself hidden. Enter Charlotte, who sweeps her off her feet, making Lily question everything.
The pacing was slow, providing the swoons and burns. T.M. Thomas excels at crafting authentic and relatable characters. The narrative explores themes of authenticity, the courage to embrace who you truly are, and the idea that love can blossom in the most unexpected places. The part that I am not fond of was the cheating bit. I mean her boyfriend deserved it, but loyalty is something that is 100% needed. What a bummer!
Other than that, this book is definitely something you should be reading. Will recommend it!
The story is in third pov that follows Lily, a teenage girl who has everything she could possibly want. However, she keeps the anxious side of herself hidden. Enter Charlotte, who sweeps her off her feet, making Lily question everything.
The pacing was slow, providing the swoons and burns. T.M. Thomas excels at crafting authentic and relatable characters. The narrative explores themes of authenticity, the courage to embrace who you truly are, and the idea that love can blossom in the most unexpected places. The part that I am not fond of was the cheating bit. I mean her boyfriend deserved it, but loyalty is something that is 100% needed. What a bummer!
Other than that, this book is definitely something you should be reading. Will recommend it!
December 30, 2025
Playing It Straight surprised me in the best way. What starts as a seemingly “perfect on paper” college life slowly unravels into something much more honest and real. Lily has spent her whole life doing what’s expected of her, so watching her world shift when Charlotte enters the picture feels both natural and quietly powerful.
This story doesn’t rush the confusion or the emotional tension. The attraction builds in a way that feels authentic, and Lily’s internal struggle is messy, uncomfortable, and relatable in all the right ways. There’s no heavy handed message here. Just a young woman learning to listen to herself for the first time.
Thoughtful, emotional, and full of heart, this is a coming-of-age story that sticks with you. I closed the book feeling satisfied, reflective, and very glad I picked it up.
This story doesn’t rush the confusion or the emotional tension. The attraction builds in a way that feels authentic, and Lily’s internal struggle is messy, uncomfortable, and relatable in all the right ways. There’s no heavy handed message here. Just a young woman learning to listen to herself for the first time.
Thoughtful, emotional, and full of heart, this is a coming-of-age story that sticks with you. I closed the book feeling satisfied, reflective, and very glad I picked it up.
July 15, 2025
Playing It Straight by TM Thomas is that college coming-of-age story with a twist you didn’t see coming and honestly, we love to see it. Lily Everett had the “perfect” life on paper but real life? A whole different story.
She’s doing all the “right” things, cheerleader, cute boyfriend, bestie goals, until Charlotte Ramos enters the chat and flips everything upside down. One look and suddenly Lily’s questioning everything she thought she wanted.
The chemistry? Instant. The confusion? Relatable. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s about figuring out who you actually are when you stop trying to please everyone else.
What makes this book hit different is how it handles that whole “finding yourself” journey without making it feel preachy. Just raw emotions, awkward moments, and lots of heart.
She’s doing all the “right” things, cheerleader, cute boyfriend, bestie goals, until Charlotte Ramos enters the chat and flips everything upside down. One look and suddenly Lily’s questioning everything she thought she wanted.
The chemistry? Instant. The confusion? Relatable. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s about figuring out who you actually are when you stop trying to please everyone else.
What makes this book hit different is how it handles that whole “finding yourself” journey without making it feel preachy. Just raw emotions, awkward moments, and lots of heart.
January 6, 2026
Playing It Straight a poignant and beautifully written journey of self-discovery that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they were living a life designed by someone else.
The story follows Lily Everett, a college senior who seemingly has it all: the cheerleading squad, the "perfect" boyfriend, and a future that looks exactly like what everyone expects it to be. Thomas does a fantastic job of illustrating the comfort—and the quiet suffocations—of Lily’s "perfect" life. Enter Charlotte Ramos—a character who is as vibrant and unapologetic as Lily is controlled. Their chemistry is magnetic from the moment they meet, but what makes this book truly stand out is that the romance serves as a catalyst for Lily’s internal growth rather than just a plot point.
Highly recommended!
The story follows Lily Everett, a college senior who seemingly has it all: the cheerleading squad, the "perfect" boyfriend, and a future that looks exactly like what everyone expects it to be. Thomas does a fantastic job of illustrating the comfort—and the quiet suffocations—of Lily’s "perfect" life. Enter Charlotte Ramos—a character who is as vibrant and unapologetic as Lily is controlled. Their chemistry is magnetic from the moment they meet, but what makes this book truly stand out is that the romance serves as a catalyst for Lily’s internal growth rather than just a plot point.
Highly recommended!
September 13, 2025
This is such a heartfelt and emotional read. It perfectly captures that confusing, transformative time at the end of college when you’re figuring out who you really are and what you want, not just what everyone else expects from you.
Lily’s journey feels so real, messy, vulnerable, and brave. And Charlotte is such a compelling presence that you can’t help but root for them to figure things out. The chemistry is quiet but powerful, and the story is full of those small, tender moments that hit you right in the chest.
If you like coming-of-age stories with self-discovery, complicated emotions, and a slow-burn connection that feels completely earned, this one is a must-read.
Lily’s journey feels so real, messy, vulnerable, and brave. And Charlotte is such a compelling presence that you can’t help but root for them to figure things out. The chemistry is quiet but powerful, and the story is full of those small, tender moments that hit you right in the chest.
If you like coming-of-age stories with self-discovery, complicated emotions, and a slow-burn connection that feels completely earned, this one is a must-read.
October 2, 2025
I was engaged. I enjoyed the journey. I felt it depicted realistic situations where relationships are toxic and friendships are fake. A lot of people struggle with adhering to societal expectations which is why I liked that the author didn’t write a perfectly happy ending. These characters are young and learning about themselves while also trying to navigate through their feelings. I understand Charlie’s decision. I respected her reasoning. The MC’s parents not being accepting but working towards acceptance. It happens in real life. It leaves it opened to possible HEA. Hopefully theres a sequel.
PS. Ryder sucked. LOL
PS. Ryder sucked. LOL
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2025
It's a good book. The story is about a cheerleader who gets attracted to a person of her gender while having a footballer boyfriend. The complexities she faces when trying to define her identity and the attraction are what make up the rest of the book. The author has very well depicted the emotions of a person whose sexual identity is not known to her. The reason the book is 4 stars is i couldn't digest how the book ended and also the female lead cheating on her boyfriend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2025
Wow… this story really hit home for me. It captures that confusing but exciting time when you start questioning who you really are and what you truly want. Lily felt so real, her doubts, her fears, her growth,I honestly saw a bit of myself in her. And the connection between her and Charlotte? So raw and genuine. I couldn’t stop reading until the very last page.
October 17, 2025
Emotional and beautifully written
Playing It Straight is a heartfelt college romance about finding yourself and learning to love honestly. Lily Everett is a relatable heroine, torn between expectations and what her heart truly wants. The chemistry feels real, the emotions genuine, and the writing is warm and thoughtful.
T.M. Thomas delivers a story that stays with you long after the last page.
Playing It Straight is a heartfelt college romance about finding yourself and learning to love honestly. Lily Everett is a relatable heroine, torn between expectations and what her heart truly wants. The chemistry feels real, the emotions genuine, and the writing is warm and thoughtful.
T.M. Thomas delivers a story that stays with you long after the last page.
December 11, 2025
A wonderfully heartfelt coming-out story—sweet, full of self-discovery, and enriched with unexpected twists. I especially loved seeing a Puerto Rican character represented in the book. As someone who’s Puerto Rican myself, it’s refreshing to see authentic and diverse voices reflected on the page. I would highly recommend this read!
July 10, 2025
If you’re in the mood for an achingly sweet, slow-burn LGBTQ+ romance with college vibes, heartfelt moments, and a heroine learning to stand in her truth, this one will stay with you long after the last page.
October 13, 2025
A sweet, thoughtful romance about figuring out who you really are and being honest about what you want, even when it’s hard. Lily’s story feels real and emotional. The author shows how confusing and scary it can be to change your life, but also how worth it that can be.
July 23, 2025
Please write a sequel
November 10, 2025
I barely finished this. I'm not sure it is even worth the time to review, quite frankly. And once again, we have no editor to be seen!
Boring
Repetitive
Badly formatted
Thoughts in the form of dialogue
How does punctuation work??
Basically a cheating story that ends in a breakup. Yay. So glad I read this.
Boring
Repetitive
Badly formatted
Thoughts in the form of dialogue
How does punctuation work??
Basically a cheating story that ends in a breakup. Yay. So glad I read this.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews