What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
6 days and 11:18:01
100 copies available
U.S. only
The Players Club: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
6 days and 11:18:01
100 copies available
U.S. only
For fans of Lessons in Chemistry and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, a bold, big concept debut about a secret club of women who risk everything to ask the If you could be anyone…who would you dare to become?
Beth Greenwood has spent her life playing it safe. She’s been a graphic designer at the same company for a decade, she dutifully meets men from the apps for dinner and sometimes casual sex, she thinks about decorating her sterile, small apartment. Her comfort and joy are her Sunday catch-ups with her sister Elspeth, whose perfect life, very different from Beth’s, has recently started to unravel.
One day, Beth meets a woman who invites her to join a secret club. It’s not knitting or books; it’s living out an experience you’ve always wanted to have. Cirque du Soleil acrobat, gonzo graffiti artist, performer in the BDSM underground these women will get you everything you need in order to—temporarily—be the person you might have been, had your life taken one or two different turns.
At first Beth is dazzled by her new friendships and the opportunity they offer her to test the boundaries of her identity, to escape from her quiet, ordinary life. But even the best of clubs can offer only so much distraction, and when the stakes of Beth’s real life become uncomfortably high, she must ask herself, really and truly, who she’s going to choose to be, and who is going to nurture her when she needs it most.
The Players Club is a high-concept but grounded debut about the power of female friendship, the bonds that hold us in place, the human need for creativity, and the seductive possibility of reinvention. As immersive as it is incisive, it introduces Rachel Mills as a wise and warm chronicler of the human heart.
Beth Greenwood has spent her life playing it safe. She’s been a graphic designer at the same company for a decade, she dutifully meets men from the apps for dinner and sometimes casual sex, she thinks about decorating her sterile, small apartment. Her comfort and joy are her Sunday catch-ups with her sister Elspeth, whose perfect life, very different from Beth’s, has recently started to unravel.
One day, Beth meets a woman who invites her to join a secret club. It’s not knitting or books; it’s living out an experience you’ve always wanted to have. Cirque du Soleil acrobat, gonzo graffiti artist, performer in the BDSM underground these women will get you everything you need in order to—temporarily—be the person you might have been, had your life taken one or two different turns.
At first Beth is dazzled by her new friendships and the opportunity they offer her to test the boundaries of her identity, to escape from her quiet, ordinary life. But even the best of clubs can offer only so much distraction, and when the stakes of Beth’s real life become uncomfortably high, she must ask herself, really and truly, who she’s going to choose to be, and who is going to nurture her when she needs it most.
The Players Club is a high-concept but grounded debut about the power of female friendship, the bonds that hold us in place, the human need for creativity, and the seductive possibility of reinvention. As immersive as it is incisive, it introduces Rachel Mills as a wise and warm chronicler of the human heart.
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 19, 2026
11 people are currently reading
9163 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 8, 2026
Have you ever dreamed of being someone else for a day? Beth has, but she takes it further. She lives out the life of someone else. But she isn’t alone in this, and is invited to join a group of life-players, the term they use for it.
I was intrigued by the premise, the idea of a group who turn themselves into someone else. I wasn’t prepared for the story as a whole. It’s an emotional story of loss, loss of yourself, loss of family. But ultimately an uplifting tale. It’s well written and I would recommend it.
I was intrigued by the premise, the idea of a group who turn themselves into someone else. I wasn’t prepared for the story as a whole. It’s an emotional story of loss, loss of yourself, loss of family. But ultimately an uplifting tale. It’s well written and I would recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.75
Even though I did read this in a day, I had a hard time getting myself to feel hooked into the story. I expected a bit more magical realism and less glorified role playing. The concept and the plot were what pulled me into reading, and continuing to finish the book but I had a hard time convincing myself to keep going. I think I was expecting something more to come, and it did in the last part of the book, but at that point I was mostly ready for it to be over. I also just don't think I really understood how the life-playing worked TBH. The story had really interesting concepts and directions, just didn't really dive into any one specifically.
Even though I did read this in a day, I had a hard time getting myself to feel hooked into the story. I expected a bit more magical realism and less glorified role playing. The concept and the plot were what pulled me into reading, and continuing to finish the book but I had a hard time convincing myself to keep going. I think I was expecting something more to come, and it did in the last part of the book, but at that point I was mostly ready for it to be over. I also just don't think I really understood how the life-playing worked TBH. The story had really interesting concepts and directions, just didn't really dive into any one specifically.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Have you ever dreamed of being someone else? What if you could be—for just one day?
It’s an intriguing thought: the freedom to try absolutely anything, to step outside yourself and see the world through a different lens.
The Players Club by Rachel Mills was refreshing because it offered a storyline unlike anything I’ve read before. The author explored a whole new world, blending humor with an emotional roller coaster that pulled me directly into the characters’ thoughts and feelings. I truly felt placed inside their minds, experiencing their doubts, hopes, and fears alongside them.
There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and Mills does a great job of making you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. I appreciated the raw emotions the characters experienced and how honestly they expressed them. It was easy to put myself in their shoes, because at some point, we’ve all felt those same emotions. The story gently reminds you to appreciate who you are, to accept yourself as you are, and to recognize and respect who other people are too.
One of the strongest themes was the importance of being there for one another through both good times and bad. The book highlights that real life—and real happiness—is found in shared experiences, not in locking parts of ourselves away in pursuit of what we think happiness should look like.
That said, I did find that the jumps between character thoughts and dialogue to newspaper articles, news stories, websites, and talk shows occasionally interrupted my immersion. This may simply come down to personal preference, but it did pull me out of the story at times.
Overall, the characters were fresh and delightful. The book began as a mostly light read, moved into an emotionally rich middle, and wrapped up with a satisfying ending. The Players Club is thoughtful, relatable, and ultimately a story about connection, self-acceptance, and what it truly means to live.
It’s an intriguing thought: the freedom to try absolutely anything, to step outside yourself and see the world through a different lens.
The Players Club by Rachel Mills was refreshing because it offered a storyline unlike anything I’ve read before. The author explored a whole new world, blending humor with an emotional roller coaster that pulled me directly into the characters’ thoughts and feelings. I truly felt placed inside their minds, experiencing their doubts, hopes, and fears alongside them.
There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and Mills does a great job of making you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. I appreciated the raw emotions the characters experienced and how honestly they expressed them. It was easy to put myself in their shoes, because at some point, we’ve all felt those same emotions. The story gently reminds you to appreciate who you are, to accept yourself as you are, and to recognize and respect who other people are too.
One of the strongest themes was the importance of being there for one another through both good times and bad. The book highlights that real life—and real happiness—is found in shared experiences, not in locking parts of ourselves away in pursuit of what we think happiness should look like.
That said, I did find that the jumps between character thoughts and dialogue to newspaper articles, news stories, websites, and talk shows occasionally interrupted my immersion. This may simply come down to personal preference, but it did pull me out of the story at times.
Overall, the characters were fresh and delightful. The book began as a mostly light read, moved into an emotionally rich middle, and wrapped up with a satisfying ending. The Players Club is thoughtful, relatable, and ultimately a story about connection, self-acceptance, and what it truly means to live.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was immediately drawn to this book by its description, particularly the comparison to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. The synopsis sounded intriguing and different, and the central concept sparked curiosity.
The story follows Beth as she becomes involved in a secret club involved in "Life Play," the opportunity to temporarily step into another person's life and experiences. It's a creative and thought-provoking idea, and I appreciated the writer's writing style - especially the detailed descriptions of the settings, which added texture and atmosphere to the story.
While I found the premise compelling, I personally had a lot of difficulty fully settling into the book. I felt somewhat distanced from the characters for much of the story, and it took closer to the end for me to really connect with Beth's inner landscape. The "Life Play" moved around a lot, and although it may have been intentional, it sometimes made me feel slightly disoriented rather than immersed. It may have been more helpful for me to have more context on how "Life Play" worked.
Overall, this is a book with an interesting concept that may resonate with some readers more than it did with me. While I was not able to stay fully invested, I appreciate the originality of the idea and the thoughtful writing behind it.
Thank you to Atria Books via NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Beth as she becomes involved in a secret club involved in "Life Play," the opportunity to temporarily step into another person's life and experiences. It's a creative and thought-provoking idea, and I appreciated the writer's writing style - especially the detailed descriptions of the settings, which added texture and atmosphere to the story.
While I found the premise compelling, I personally had a lot of difficulty fully settling into the book. I felt somewhat distanced from the characters for much of the story, and it took closer to the end for me to really connect with Beth's inner landscape. The "Life Play" moved around a lot, and although it may have been intentional, it sometimes made me feel slightly disoriented rather than immersed. It may have been more helpful for me to have more context on how "Life Play" worked.
Overall, this is a book with an interesting concept that may resonate with some readers more than it did with me. While I was not able to stay fully invested, I appreciate the originality of the idea and the thoughtful writing behind it.
Thank you to Atria Books via NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𝓟𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓮𝓻'𝓼 𝓒𝓵𝓾𝓫 has such an original and intriguing premise – “Have you ever dreamed of being someone else for a day?”
The story follows Beth – who has a Beth has an itch to walk into another life , just for a day. She is invited to join a group of “Life-Players” who set up the back story to support each other in fulfilling their Life Lusts. As she dives into this other world of ‘pretend’, she also is experiencing something incredibly painful in her real life. The two worlds combine in ways that are unexpected, and maybe even dangerous.
The overall tone started off light and fun, but quickly delved deeper exploring themes of the power of female friendship, the bonds that hold us in our reality, the human need for creativity, and the seductive possibility of reinvention.
Overall, this is a book with an interesting concept that I think will resonate with some readers. I wanted it to lean in a little more to one side or the other: is this a lighthearted read about imagination and creativity, or a deep emotional piece about grief and friendship. In the end, I felt like it was fine overall.
Thank you so much to @AtriaBooks for access to this advanced reader copy. #freebook #atriapartner
The story follows Beth – who has a Beth has an itch to walk into another life , just for a day. She is invited to join a group of “Life-Players” who set up the back story to support each other in fulfilling their Life Lusts. As she dives into this other world of ‘pretend’, she also is experiencing something incredibly painful in her real life. The two worlds combine in ways that are unexpected, and maybe even dangerous.
The overall tone started off light and fun, but quickly delved deeper exploring themes of the power of female friendship, the bonds that hold us in our reality, the human need for creativity, and the seductive possibility of reinvention.
Overall, this is a book with an interesting concept that I think will resonate with some readers. I wanted it to lean in a little more to one side or the other: is this a lighthearted read about imagination and creativity, or a deep emotional piece about grief and friendship. In the end, I felt like it was fine overall.
Thank you so much to @AtriaBooks for access to this advanced reader copy. #freebook #atriapartner
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So the synopsis is definitely intriguing, thus explaining why I wanted to read this but the entire time, I was barely hanging on. My feelings on this book are meh - I didn't love it or hate it. It was cool to see how the author imagined "life-play" but the plot itself wasn't extremely action-packed which made the book feel slow to read (it took me twice as long to finish this book as it would for another book of similar page length). What I loved though was Beth and Elspeth's relationship - it was truly endearing to read about a tight-knit, special sister relationship.
Overall - this book simply doesn't align with my reading tastes. That is not to say this isn't a good read and I would definitely recommend this - it's a great book that follows a protagonist's journey of self-discovery. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Rachel Mills, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
Overall - this book simply doesn't align with my reading tastes. That is not to say this isn't a good read and I would definitely recommend this - it's a great book that follows a protagonist's journey of self-discovery. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Rachel Mills, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Players Club was unique and unexpected. If I’m being honest, I was not entirely into it at first. It seemed irrelevant to the realities of life. But as time went on, it really got its groove and became more serious and committed to a unique perspective. As the plot describes MC Beth going through a more intense form of role playing called life-playing, and meeting others doing the exact same thing, we get into many themes including ethics. Ethics is brought up a great deal, and though the intention is to make life-playing as ethical as possible it is debatable whether or not it could ever be ethical. There is too much to give away by explaining more, but if you’re interested in the concept I’d recommend giving it a shot. Content warnings include dissociative disorders, loss of a family member, cults, identity theft, ethics violations. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Atria books for my physical ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately for me, this was a DNF. I was initially drawn to the concept of the book. How exciting could it be to slip into another life - explore different facets of me, my world, my hopes and dreams, without having to constantly shift my entire life. But I found the story quite boring and our main character Beth was not nearly enchanting enough to keep my attention. I'm not sure if it was the style of writing, or the way that she was instantly jumping into other lives, but there was something missing for me. I think I was expecting something more magical, or with a touch of a fantasy element, and the story just isn't that.
All of this to say - I think this story may greatly impact other readers, and while I did not find it to be my cup of tea, I can easily see a different reader finding it to be worth the read.
Unfortunately for me, this was a DNF. I was initially drawn to the concept of the book. How exciting could it be to slip into another life - explore different facets of me, my world, my hopes and dreams, without having to constantly shift my entire life. But I found the story quite boring and our main character Beth was not nearly enchanting enough to keep my attention. I'm not sure if it was the style of writing, or the way that she was instantly jumping into other lives, but there was something missing for me. I think I was expecting something more magical, or with a touch of a fantasy element, and the story just isn't that.
All of this to say - I think this story may greatly impact other readers, and while I did not find it to be my cup of tea, I can easily see a different reader finding it to be worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
This is about a woman, Beth Greenwood, who is dissatisfied with her life. She is close to and admires her younger sister. Beth gets involved in a small cult that specializes in Life-Playing, becoming someone else for a day and then returning back to the person that you are.
The first half of the book is about the activities of this cult, several examples of Life-Playing. I did not find these activities very interesting. But the rest of the book got better. Not to spoil anything, but Beth becomes someone else for more than a day and she learns a lot more about herself and her original life in the process.
The point: appreciate and value the life that you have.
This is about a woman, Beth Greenwood, who is dissatisfied with her life. She is close to and admires her younger sister. Beth gets involved in a small cult that specializes in Life-Playing, becoming someone else for a day and then returning back to the person that you are.
The first half of the book is about the activities of this cult, several examples of Life-Playing. I did not find these activities very interesting. But the rest of the book got better. Not to spoil anything, but Beth becomes someone else for more than a day and she learns a lot more about herself and her original life in the process.
The point: appreciate and value the life that you have.
March 4, 2026
Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
I was initially interested in this by reading the description as i thought it would something similar to Leverage the TV show (which i loved by the way!). The book itself was ok overall but the scenes did feel disjointed as there was no good connection between chapters. That being so, I still really liked all the members of the Circle and wished the story spent more time developing them. In fact, I do wish the novel was longer. The shorter length really seemed to compress many of the events that happened in the book, which did lead to the fact that some character’s decisions didn’t quite land. If the reader and the characters were given space to breathe, I do think the story could have achieved more impact.
I was initially interested in this by reading the description as i thought it would something similar to Leverage the TV show (which i loved by the way!). The book itself was ok overall but the scenes did feel disjointed as there was no good connection between chapters. That being so, I still really liked all the members of the Circle and wished the story spent more time developing them. In fact, I do wish the novel was longer. The shorter length really seemed to compress many of the events that happened in the book, which did lead to the fact that some character’s decisions didn’t quite land. If the reader and the characters were given space to breathe, I do think the story could have achieved more impact.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Players Club had a really intriguing premise which hooked me right away. As I read more and more of the "Life Plays" and what the Players Club created, I found that this aspect of the book was a little repetitive. I really enjoyed the chapters that built on Beth and Elspeth's relationship. The last part of the book really drew me in and grabbed my attention. Overall I would rate this book 3 stars - I liked it but not as much as I'd hoped or expected based on the description. This may just be my own personal taste, however, so if it sounds interesting to you - give it a shot!
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you for ARC from goodreads giveaway. This story is not like any one I’ve read before. Simply a group of women bonding together to play for a 24 hour period a role of someone else. The preparation, the rules, and how to assist each other. But it also examines the roles we play everyday that complete who we are. Mothers, sisters, professionals and wife’s or mistresses. Can we be better in who we are. Can we escape who we are? The story of Beth and her sister Elspeth is a bonus! The story makes you laugh, think and cry! I questioned a lot of the roles in my life I have played as a child and an adult. Rachel Mills has written a story worth reading!
February 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to pick this one up because the concept sounded so interesting and felt like it had a lot of potential for magical realism. The whole “life as a game” idea was intriguing at first, but after a while it started to feel repetitive and didn’t really go anywhere.
I also found it a bit hard to follow—I kept checking to make sure I hadn’t accidentally skipped pages. Unfortunately, the story felt pretty bland overall, and I struggled to stay engaged.
I wanted to push through to see how it ended, but I ended up DNFing it around the 50% mark because I just wasn’t invested anymore.
I was really excited to pick this one up because the concept sounded so interesting and felt like it had a lot of potential for magical realism. The whole “life as a game” idea was intriguing at first, but after a while it started to feel repetitive and didn’t really go anywhere.
I also found it a bit hard to follow—I kept checking to make sure I hadn’t accidentally skipped pages. Unfortunately, the story felt pretty bland overall, and I struggled to stay engaged.
I wanted to push through to see how it ended, but I ended up DNFing it around the 50% mark because I just wasn’t invested anymore.
March 21, 2026
I really enjoyed The Players Club by Rachel Mills, thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read the eARC.
This novel explored the concept of living different lives for a day, giving yourself wholly over to the experience. I think that level of escapism is really interesting (especially as a reader who often feels immersed in what they’re reading). I like the way the author structured the novel, and the way she honoured the feelings/thoughts of the main character, even as she struggled through grief and crisis. I would be interested in a professional therapists thoughts on this book.
This novel explored the concept of living different lives for a day, giving yourself wholly over to the experience. I think that level of escapism is really interesting (especially as a reader who often feels immersed in what they’re reading). I like the way the author structured the novel, and the way she honoured the feelings/thoughts of the main character, even as she struggled through grief and crisis. I would be interested in a professional therapists thoughts on this book.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The entire concept of The Players Club really intrigued me, and I don’t believe it fell short there. I loved the whole idea of the club and how they pull off these elaborate schemes. I think the problem for me was that I didn’t feel compelled by most of the characters, especially Beth, until towards the end of part 2 of the book. Then, that whole final act hit me like a gut punch. I just wanted to feel compelled by her character earlier on and I didn’t. It was a pleasant and easy read, I just didn’t “love” it.
Thank you to Rachel Mills and Goodreads for this ARC!
Thank you to Rachel Mills and Goodreads for this ARC!
February 16, 2026
*Thank you to Atria Books and Goodreads for an Advanced Readers Copy*
It’s been so long since I have read a book in one day- I was fully captivated and locked into The Players Club. The concept was different and fun and you couldn’t help but love each of the characters. Besides a couple grammatical mistakes that will be edited out it was such an easy and enjoyable read that reminds us that our life is worth living and important in our own ways
It’s been so long since I have read a book in one day- I was fully captivated and locked into The Players Club. The concept was different and fun and you couldn’t help but love each of the characters. Besides a couple grammatical mistakes that will be edited out it was such an easy and enjoyable read that reminds us that our life is worth living and important in our own ways
March 13, 2026
What would it be like to play at being someone else? Even for just a day, what could possibly go wrong?
But what if someone wants to play being your life? And what if they want to do it forever?
I couldn’t help asking: where do these people get all the money to buy into a Life Player?
This was more like 2.5 stars rounded up for the unique storyline.
Thanks to @goodreads for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
But what if someone wants to play being your life? And what if they want to do it forever?
I couldn’t help asking: where do these people get all the money to buy into a Life Player?
This was more like 2.5 stars rounded up for the unique storyline.
Thanks to @goodreads for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
What an enjoyable, unique book! It follows a group of women who help each other "life play," where they have a totally immersive experience as someone else for one day, and ONLY one day. However our main character Beth takes this to the extreme during a period of grief and things go sideways. I found this fast-paced read to be so interesting and a fun rumination on identity, grief and friendship.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I thought the concept for this book was great, but I was expecting it to be a little bit more of a magical realism experience than it was. The Life Playing parts were interesting, but by halfway through, I was pretty ready to be done, and that was before it became somewhat chaotic and hard to follow. Overall, just not the book for me, but I appreciate the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book had a really interesting and intriguing concept. Once I started reading and got into the story I could not put it down! I really loved the sister bond seen between Beth and Elspeth. The beginning did read a little bit slow and repetitive, but it did pick up a lot during the end. Overall, I think it was a book worth reading!
March 12, 2026
At the beginning, I did not think this was going to be a book that I would be able to get into. As the book continued I was sucked into Beth’s life and how life-play worked as well as how she was going to handle the situation she got herself into. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
What?! This is not at all how I saw this book going when I started it! The concept is fascinating and unique. Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat through the last page.
Big thanks to Goodreads and Atria books for this ARC!
Big thanks to Goodreads and Atria books for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Solid 3.5*, rounding up to 4 because of the ending. I struggled with the first 150 pages, didn’t feel much of a connection to any of the characters. And then WHAM, so much drama and emotion hits you at once I finished the book in one sitting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This book had a really interesting concept that intrigued me. I really loved the sister bond seen between Beth and Elspeth. The beginning did read a little bit slow and repetitive, but it did pick up a lot during the end. Overall, I think it was a book worth reading!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
From very early on, I just didn’t buy it. I’m not sure how to describe exactly what I mean other than to say that the vibes were off. It was somehow slow, chaotic, surface level, and trying a bit too hard, all at the same time. That’s not to say it’s an altogether bad book, it just wasn’t for me. I think a punchier climax would have helped.
Read
January 31, 2026Well, I still don't understand the attraction of being somebody else for a day. I thought the first part of the books was boring, and I almost stopped reading it. I'm not sure it was worth my time to get through it. I do appreciate winning it though.
tbr-arc
November 2, 2025sounds like a club i'd be very interested to study but never participate in
*thank you to Atria Books for the ARC*
*thank you to Atria Books for the ARC*
December 10, 2025
I had a hard time buying into the premise of this book at first, but it pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The book was a little slow at first, and I felt like there were too many characters in the club to keep track of. It picked up toward the end and I enjoyed seeing where the plot went.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Intriguing story that makes you think 'what if' fast paced with twists and turns. Not happy with the ending although it did not hamper my enjoyment of the story itself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews