Next Level Up

by S.L. Gray

Three hearts. One impossible game.

The tournament was supposed to be my chance—my shot at proving I belong in a world where skill matters more than scandal. But nothing’s simple when your past is tangled with your ex and your present is shared with the two men who see through every wall I’ve built. Carter’s soft, steady love grounds me. Tate’s reckless obsession consumes me. Together, they break and rebuild me. This isn’t just about winning anymore. It’s about survival. And choosing both might be the riskiest move of all.

For fans of steamy love triangles, high-stakes competition, and emotionally charged why-choose romance, this is book two in the Co-Op Corrupted duet.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2026

About the author

I’m S.L. Gray, an indie author from the pacific northwest. I write books for readers who love smut, vibes, and just enough trouble to keep things interesting.You can find me on Instagram + Threads @slgraywrites

Reviews

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️I wanted to like this book so much 🙃 the first one was rough around the edges but I really enjoyed it. This one? Not so much. The concept is good but plssss baby girl, proofreading and editing! The typos and random scene break notations throughout really takes you out of the moment. The spice was like .5 🌶️, I was really disappointed. It’s just very repetitive and nothing new from the first one, just different settings. And everyone is so tired all the time??? Which kind of seems on brand for people who probably don’t get vitamin D a lot 😂 but idk they seemed asleep more than awake in some chapters lol

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you read nothing else of this review, let it be this. This book desperately needed a few hundred commas in obvious places. My head spins just remembering inserting them mentally where needed. If you can stomach editing this book in your head as you read it, this is the book for you.

The first book wasn't without its flaws, but it was an easy read and admittedly, I was excited to for its sequel.

**SPOILERS AHEAD***










Idk how the first draft was published because this was painfully unedited and the characters perpetual exhaustion was contagious.

We finally got chapters from Tates POV and his struggle with his mental health. Since this was written in at all, I hoped he'd at least learn some healthy coping mechanisms instead, this issue just.. trailed off. I feel like this could've been an easy wrap-up, Haven encourages him to seek out therapy and so on. Instead it was like his struggle was there to give him a little depth and then we're supposed to forget about it.

I was excited for the introduction of Dylan, I was ready for some epic confrontation and retribution for Haven. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a beat-down on her behalf. But I really hoped she'd at least get a word in, to his face. He didn't feel like an actualised character, after all his build-up, he gets about five words in and a broken rib and he's off, sayonara.

Lastly, this is the first and only book I've read with "SCENE BREAK" every so often, left in. 🤦‍♀️

Do with that what you will.

[C'airra Carney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one as much as the first… it was inconsistent, there were a LOT of spellings errors, and prompts left in that should’ve been edited out. The timeline did not like up for me and I spent half the time trying to figure where everyone was at any given time in every scene. The best part of this was honestly the last 3 chapters before the end.

Anyway… Tate 4eva… Carter was TOO soft for me personally 🤷🏾‍♀️ I’m gonna pretend the first book is a standalone lol

[Lex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely such a good friggin book! The banter between Carter and Tate is so friggin funny, and the dynamic between them and Haven is honestly the best.
Carter is a total cinnamon roll and when he begs? OH MY GOD 🥵 He's one of the sweetest MMC's I've read in a fat minute
Tate! Our precious little chaos man, he's pretty much the polar opposite of his twin brother, he takes, has Haven begging, and gives no fuck. He's all broody mask man but when he feels bad, he FEELS BAD! Sulking and wanting to make it up to Haven after he found out about her ex had me melting and the obsession he holds? Honestly its cute 🤭
Haven! I love her, so much, SL did a wonderful job writing her and the anxiety she carries about her ex. At times it didnt feel like i was reading a fictional character but reading messages from a friend.

I really adored this book and everything about it. The spice scenes were addicting to read, character developments, plot, pacing, I genuinely couldnt put this down and before I knew it, the book was done. I can't wait to have this on my shelf 🩵

[Liana · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I am not glowing, I refuse to be glowing. Glowing implies emotional stability that I am absolutely not participating in. I am—at most—slightly unhinged and making questionable decisions.”

You ever ask someone (or think to yourself lol) “why are you like this?” Well that was me with Tate the whole first book. So I was super happy to have Tate’s POV this time around. He made me laugh immediately. But more importantly, we got some key information. The well-rounded explanation of the twins’ dynamic, why they are the way they are (especially Tate) and how that grew out of trauma, was done very well.

“He’s trying, Haven. I know he seems invincible sometimes, but he’s still carrying a thousand pounds of sh*t he never asked for. And he doesn’t always know how to set it down.”

I loved the character growth here, and the relationship that strengthens between Haven, Carter, and Tate.

“I’ve got her now and I’ll burn every version of myself to keep it that way.”

[Brenda Yager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy how SL weaves gaming into their lives and how it doesn't feel forced but something that they all genuinely enjoy doing. Also, the levels of intimacy and spice between Tate, Haven and Carter are addictive. They also all compliment each other from day to day and it was interesting to see how remorseful Tate gets when it's not his go to. The banter between the brothers is unmatched and I can't decide which one I like more.

[Lexi Lindbloom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish this book and that made me so sad! I enjoyed the first one a lot but this one felt like a different person wrote it. It was like the author uploaded their first draft and didn’t go back and do any editing or proofreading. I loooveeeee the idea of this book I really hope she updates it one day and I can give it another shot.

[Elixabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Plot/Spice/Tears/)
📚 4/5 - 🌶 2/5 - 💧1/5
I was a sent a complimentary copy with no expectation for a favorable review.

I love Haven, Carter(the golden retriever, and the snack getter)and Tate(the masked, grumpy, Dom) SO much! The banter(especially with the twins!)is top tier. This duet is definitely in my top 3 for "Gamer Romances". I could feel the intensity in the gaming tournament, and the sexual tension, spice between the three. I'm going to miss them!

[Kelli Spradlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!

I really like how they live in the chaos together in this book. Book 1 & 2 had me soo hooked that I couldn't put them down. I hope to read more from S.L Gray! ❤️