The Players Club: A Novel

by Rachel Mills

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.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Friendship

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 19, 2026

Reviews

[Emma F · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Amber (whatsamberreading) · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you could become someone else for a day, wouldn't you? After a few strange episodes of taking on alternate identities, Beth Greenwood joins a club of women who have "Life-Playing" down to a science. It's exciting and nice to be understood, but as the Life Plays become increasingly extreme and Beth's personal life starts to infringe upon the fantasy, the lines blur and who knows if she can ever return to the self that she's been running from.

Hm. I have very mixed feelings. The premise is great and the first half of the book was super engaging. I do see the appeal of the Life-Plays, and I think the opening scene and some of the other early Plays really make you understand what Beth and the others get out of it. Beth's relationship with her sister and the proxy role that Elspeth has in coming up with Beth's Life-Plays are interesting and provide some much needed grounding. Then...I fear we severely lost the plot. I know that phrase is overused but I genuinely felt like the plot just dropped out of the authors hands and rolled off in a random direction while I was trying to scramble after it. It gets kind of fever-dreamy, and suddenly everyone is Life-playing and there are all these details that get mentioned and never followed up on and it just kind of doesn't go anywhere. I have so many questions at the end of this, and I love a story that's left open to interpretation but these are the kind of loose plot threads that don't feel intentional. The blurb also says that this is supposed to be a story about female friendships and like...I don't know, I guess so? We don't see a lot of intimate interaction between any of the characters on page. It's definitely alluded to in Beth's relationship with her sister, but I don't really see Beth as having a really deep friendship with the women of the Players Club at all.

Not bad and I think it started out really solid, but I was totally taken out of the story by the end. I'll update this review if I can get my thoughts together more on why exactly I had issues with this.

Thank you to Rachel Mills and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

Happy reading!

*I also just have to mention the kink club scene because if you have any experience with that stuff there are just some glaringly weird things. For one thing, I would consider it a breach of consent to lie about being experienced with shibari (particularly suspension) before participating in a scene with someone, so I thought that was a profoundly gross thing for Beth to do. She also says at some point that she picked shibari because it's not as painful as caning or flogging, and I can tell you that that is just incorrect. I know a good amount about shibari, in fact I taught a class on it a few months ago! Being the bottom/bunny for suspension hurts, even if the rigger is not trying to make it painful (which is done intentionally in certain styles like semenawa), and I would venture to say pretty much all suspension shibari hurts as much or more than flogging. I know there's supposed to be a lot of suspension of disbelief in this story because it's kind of purposefully ridiculous, but in the case of things like kink I really don't think we should be misrepresenting it because there's already so much stigma and misinformation out there.

[Rachel Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advanced readers copy of The Players Club in a Goodreads Giveaway after reading about its premise on this website and being intrigued by the idea of a group of women Life-Playing a variety of roles to satisfy their Life-Lust, which I assumed stemmed from some emotional lacking in their real lives that made them want to become someone else for a day. The initial plot set-up was very interesting: Beth stumbles upon a Life-Playing community unwittingly and quickly becomes addicted to their role-playing ways and strict rules of life, while avoiding her unfulfilling real life as a graphic designer for a corporation. From the beginning, it was clear Beth had no personality, and she was using the Life-Players—mainly the mystery of Leila—as some sort of thrill-seeking behavior.

The stunts the group of Life-Playing women pull become increasingly specific and elaborate, which I wasn't really into, as I hoped for more mundane actions of the women as they acted out a fictional life in a day. But then one of Beth's proposed ideas hits a little too close to home and it starts to spiral her life downward quickly into an absurd and, frankly, annoying series of events that Beth easily could have avoided if she had done some key things differently. I liked the premise of Life-Playing that Beth got involved in, even wondering if her sister Elspeth was going to cause some sort of big issue for the small group of women; but when Elspeth does become that bigger figure in the novel, everything became quite boring and I was just waiting for a clear resolution to come. A resolution that, in the end, didn't really make any sense with how neatly everything got wrapped up after everything that occurred to Beth.

I'm glad The Players Club was at least a quick read, but Beth was a pretty unmemorable and irritating character at times, with no real personality and nothing really to make me root for her—or for Elspeth either, for that matter. There also were quite a few pop culture references at the beginning that made me roll my eyes, and increasingly more internet commentary and meme/comment references later in the book that got old pretty quick, and seemed to ultiamtely have no point with Beth's whole ordeal. So, the first half of the book or so was interesting as the plot built up and I wasn't quite sure what would happen, but then after Beth's big mental break happened I got kind of bored. And even more bored with Leila told her story—what an intriguing character, wasted on a boring plot.

[Holly Tolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jackie Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s entertaining and intriguing like when the world stops and you have to quickly grab your iPhone to record what’s happening. The person in front of you may be doing something strange, funny, unusual and dangerous.

What if people were taking videos of us and we the ones doing an unusual act that may hit the news? Could we change into another role in life? It’s thought-provoking!

Beth, a graphic designer, was invited to join a group of four women in London who worked together to create life-playing roles. It wasn’t so simple. They would prepare with expertise from each other. Leila was an expert with makeup and prosthetics. Saoirse was a hacker. Penelope was a master with car mechanics and Erika knew fashion designs.

The group had a hand-book of rules to follow. Beth wasn’t sure about it but then decided she had to be a part of their secret life spins. What could go wrong…right? They all depended on each other and timing had to be perfect for their one-day fantasy. It made me worry for their safety as I felt like I was in the crowd watching a series of bazaar and risky acts.

This book was cleverly written: quick and playful. And then there was an unexpected serious twist. The dialogue with the characters was spot on. There were times when I was laughing and other times when I felt deeply sad. Yes, there were some holes with the details that had to be overlooked. However, it’s a story that would be fun to discuss.

Could we alter our lives just a tad? Rachel Mills is a literary agent representing best-selling authors. She knows what works and now has used her vast knowledge to change into the role of becoming an author. I will read whatever she writes.

My thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC with the expected release date of May 19, 2026. The views I share are my own.

[Linda (The Arizona Bookstagrammer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Atria Books @atriabooks Netgalley @netgalley and Rachel Mills @rachaldo for this free book! This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #AtriaPartner
“The Players Club” by Rachel Mills ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Domestic Fiction. Location: England.

Beth Greenwood’s been a graphic designer for Eat Now food delivery giant for 10 years. She meets men from apps for casual sex, but mostly loves her Sunday catch-ups with sister Elspeth. One day, Beth is invited to join a secret “Life-Play” club. Cirque du Soleil acrobat, gonzo graffiti artist, underground performer-they will help you be that imaginary person for 1 day. Beth is dazzled. But when her real life (her “Root Life”) unravels, she must choose who to be, and who will nurture her.

Author Mills’ book imagines a secret club of women who ask: If you could be anyone, who would you be? She explores female friendship, bonding, creativity, reinvention- the world of “Life-Lusts”. As her book continues, fantasy and reality blur, tilting toward dissociative escapes. Like Beth, I wondered: “Can something so addictive ever be safe?” As a child development specialist, I’m well aware of the cognitive benefits of children’s pretend play. So I wonder…can adults maintain their brains’ neuroplasticity by “Trying stuff-just because.”? Mills provides a glossary, but the narrative explains things so well, you don’t really need it. It’s a fascinating, unlikely premise (suspend your practical thoughts), its clever, and so uniquely strange that it’s 5⭐️s stars from me ����👩🏼‍🦳 #theplayersclub

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As children, we easily become other people—a princess, a cowboy, a superhero, an astronaut. We “pretend play” those lives we may wish to pursue in adulthood—a teacher, a doctor, a soldier, a firefighter. For children, play is important.
In The Players Club, author Rachel Mills suggests that play is important for adults also. (This idea is backed by science.) The main character, Beth Greenwood, joins a group of women who work to make a dream come true for a day—be an acrobat, a traffic controller, an Elvis impersonator. But when Beth’s sister passes, this play becomes real for Beth.
Beth is an interesting character, although not entirely likeable. Readers can appreciate her devotion to her sister, but still be put off by her appropriation of her sister’s life. While her early life-playing is innocuous, her later lives take a darker turn. While we sympathize with the trauma of losing a sister, we find it harder to empathize with the actions Beth takes afterward.
This novel touches on several important ideas: grief, the life we’ve chosen (or had pushed upon us) vs. the many other lives we could live, the importance of true friends, the media’s capacity to spin a story for readership, and mental health. Some of these ideas make for—at times—an uncomfortable reading experience.
In the end, I appreciate how the author has crafted a story that begins innocently enough, and then becomes a much more complex examination of identity and transformation. My thanks to Atria Books for an ARC of the novel, which I received in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conceptually, this story demands you suspend your disbelief since life as a part of the Players Club could only exist in movies or in the intelligence community. That said, the idea is intriguing and the author did a nice job of fleshing out some of the ups and downs of participation and also in using historical figures as a way of demonstrating her concept is not new. The book itself is divided into three parts. The first part (really about half of the book) sets up the idea and explains how it all works while also exploring the personal side of our main character, Beth's life. While necessary, it felt like it took forever to wade through and wasn't all that exciting. It was more vignettes of various events. Part two really picked up and was quite interesting, although I wasn't exactly sure where we were going yet. I enjoyed the twists that popped up and was relieved when part three explained a bit more about what I had just read. Once I got to part two, I didn't want to put the book down. Is the story plausible? Not really, but I think that the concept is an interesting step outside of the usual role playing that many people enjoy. The idea that you could become someone else for a short time is a fascinating mental exercise, but there is a fine line between fantasy and actuality. I think there are some very interesting discussions that book groups will have after reading this one!

[Willa A · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Sharlene N · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Patti Coil · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting concept that is never realized. The characters are flat, the stakes are low, the research is uneven, the prose is half-baked, and there has to be a character dying of cancer at a convenient time. That piece involves a disorienting timeline where at least twice I had to reread pages to figure out exactly how quickly is she dying of cancer? Is this that afternoon or months later?

The narration is painful and self-important, and feel as though the author could not decide if this was a fun story about women or serious fiction making important points about women’s lives. The book does neither. One of the more annoying parts (more than the incessant media clips in the second section), is that the stakes are so low for Beth. If she wants a new life, there is nothing keeping her from pursuing it. What is the point of this book? Is there a point to this book?

I would have been more generous with a first-time author, but reading the about the author blurb stating she was “embedded within the literary community” actually made me angry after slogging through this book. She could have found the editors and authors to help her focus her work, but chose not to. Vanity project.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who hasn’t wanted to try on a different life, just for fun? In The Players Club, that “fun” quickly turns into obsession, danger, and some serious identity confusion.

I was really intrigued by the premise, a woman joins an exclusive group where members escape their everyday lives by pretending to be someone else for a day. What starts as an exciting experiment takes a darker turn as Beth begins to lose track of who she really is, forcing her to question the cost of reinvention and what’s actually behind the club’s allure.

Rachel Wills came up with such a compelling concept, stepping into someone else’s life for a day is hard to resist. But while I loved the idea, the execution didn’t fully land for me. The writing is sharp and fast-paced, but the tone and pacing felt a little off at times, and I never fully connected with the characters or the emotional stakes. It started strong, but didn’t quite maintain the tension or depth I was hoping for.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished The Players Club by Rachel Mills and it really stayed with me.
Beth Greenwood has lived a safe and quiet life for a long time. Same job, same routines, and not many risks. When she is invited to join a secret club where women get to try out lives they once dreamed about, everything begins to change for her.
What I loved about this book is how it asks a simple but powerful question. Who would you be if you gave yourself permission to try? As a woman, a nurse, and a working mom, I spend so much of my life taking care of others and doing what needs to be done. Reading Beth’s story made me think about the parts of ourselves we sometimes set aside while we build our lives.
The friendships in this story is what I enjoyed a lot, and the idea of stepping into a different version of yourself was so fascinating. It is thoughtful, a little bold, and very reflective. I kept thinking about it even after I finished the last page.
If you enjoy stories about friendship, identity, and finding the courage to grow, this one is worth picking up.

[Aish · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Melissa Schwartz Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[reads_with_coffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beth is bored with her life as it is, she follows the rules works a safe job and pretty much never goes out of her comfort zone. Then one day she decides to just be someone else for the day, and then she does again. After trying on a few different lives she meets a group of women who together help each other step into and out of a different life after one day as living as someone else, they call it a life lust. Beth becomes immersed in this group each member keeping their real life a secret until a a major event in her own life sends her spiraling. I wasn't really sure where this book was going to go and how it would all tie together but somehow it did by the end. Would recommend to give this book a try and would read more from the author in the future. I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Carmen Atteberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could be anyone else for a day who would I want to be?

I will say going into this book, I was thinking it would be a bit more magical in the way the characters moved into other lives. However, once I moved past that initial disappointment, I truly came to admire a story of loss, grief, escapism, comparison, and our true sense of self and worth. The unique different Plays were fascinating as it showed a deeper look into each character. I enjoyed the group of ladies though I wish we had been able to get to know them on a deeper level. It was a little disorienting in the back half of the book with the experience our fmc goes through and the insertion of all the articles. I ultimately enjoyed this story and the thought provoking ideas it presented.

Thanks to Simon and Schuester who I received this arc from at Bookcon 2026

[Andrew Langert · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Rishika · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Always Reading Between The Wines · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Player's Club by Rachel Mills
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This novel asks- if you could live as someone else for a day, would you want to? And who would you choose?

A really interesting concept- I assumed it would feature some form of magical realism, sort of like a love child between Flatliners and Being John Malkovich, but on a less creepy level; which drew me in when Inread the blurb. Ultimately, it was more centred around intense role play, with more emphasis on friendship and ultimately more uplifting than dark.

The 'life players' group was intriguing but hearing multiple stories of the lives they played out did become somewhat repetitive at points and I think this affected the pace of the book and as such my connection with it.

Similar vibes- Behind Her Eyes

[Anna J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beth Greenwood has lead a quiet life. She has been bonded to her sister Elspeth after her mother passed away.

Beth longs for a different life and she starts by stepping into someone else's life and finds it invigorating. She is discovered and asked to join a secret women's club. This group of woman will help you become anyone else for a day. They will take care of everything to make the experience memorable. It was neat to watch these happen from elaborate to more risky behaviors unfold. These woman help each other achieve the life play of their dreams.

Beth goes rogue and crosses a line to become someone else. It was a very interesting concept. This makes you think about life, loss, belonging, and relationships.

Thank you @Atriabooks for copy.

[Alejandra Zarate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a really good concept but it tried squeezing everything I feel like in the ending. The chapters were kind of all over the place, I did enjoy reading the interaction between Beth and the group I wish that would have been expanded on especially their backgrounds. I did love the ending portion of this book because Beth goes through so much and she doesn’t know how to navigate losing her sister and the grief of knowing she has no remaining family. Especially because though she tries to shut her group out, they rally to bring Beth back and see she has so much to offer and that’s it’s okay to grieve but that she can’t let that drown her.

- thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A big thank you to Goodreads and to Atria Books for an ARC of this book as a GR giveaway!

This was an up and down read for me. It started out exciting with the introduction to the concept of Life-Play but throughout most of part one, I wasn’t feeling a connection to the Cradle of characters. It wasn’t until part two switched gears a bit and became more thought-provoking that I felt more engaged, but then I wasn’t sure how I felt about part three. Overall, whilst I get that the Root-Life of a character is minimized in order for them to switch places more fluidly, I also felt as a reader that I couldn’t really find a bond with the characters, even the protagonist, and ultimately wasn’t convinced of their realities.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Elida Liederbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Rosi Colmenares · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book posits an interesting premise: changing your identity to experience a self outside your true self. Through elaborate role play, the protagonist in this novel in trying on other identities to make up for what she feels is an unfulfilled life.

Beth Greenwood, a 38 year old graphic designer, meet a woman who invites her to join a secret society of women who help each other temporarily live out different lives. Through this group female friendships are formed that bolster self esteem. While the rules are secret, Beth shares them with her sister, Elspeth, who is diagnosed with a rare disease altering the life-play for Beth.

I liked the concept of life-play which in the beginning was fun and light hearted. But when Elspeth becomes ill, identity change for Beth takes on darker side in her desire to save her sister’s life. Beth herself is having an identity crisis. It was at this point when the book seemed to veer off the initial premise that I wasn’t sure what the point was. I think by bifurcating the story this way something was lost. Still I enjoyed the read as it was interesting.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this ARC.