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The Winning Play
Not yet published
Expected 20 Jan 26Black Romance - Sports Romance - Friends to Lovers - Forbidden Romance - Dark Romance - Redemption Story
Sebastian Boom was born into a life of legacy and expectation, raised to chase perfection on and off the basketball court. Lottie Daniels grew up fighting for peace in a world that never handed her anything easily. He thrives on order. She moves through chaos. They shouldn’t fit, but somehow, they do.
What starts as a lust-filled friendship turns into something neither of them can escape. He becomes her calm when life spins out of control, and she’s the spark that reminds him what it means to feel alive. But calm doesn’t mean safe, and sparks have a way of burning when the past refuses to stay buried.
From late-night talks and basketball games to choices that leave scars and years spent apart, their connection refuses to break no matter how hard they try to fight it. It’s as if the world keeps playing games with their desires, giving them an inch and then taking it away over and over again.
In the end, they learn that the real game isn’t played under the lights. It’s fought in the heart, where love can wound as easily as it heals.
The Winning Play is a story of passion and pain, control and surrender, and finding the one person who makes every risk, every fall, and every victory worth it. This raw, emotional, and unforgettable story reminds us that peace is possible after chaos, that healing is the truest victory, and that sometimes the greatest win of all is learning you were the prize from the very beginning.
Sebastian Boom was born into a life of legacy and expectation, raised to chase perfection on and off the basketball court. Lottie Daniels grew up fighting for peace in a world that never handed her anything easily. He thrives on order. She moves through chaos. They shouldn’t fit, but somehow, they do.
What starts as a lust-filled friendship turns into something neither of them can escape. He becomes her calm when life spins out of control, and she’s the spark that reminds him what it means to feel alive. But calm doesn’t mean safe, and sparks have a way of burning when the past refuses to stay buried.
From late-night talks and basketball games to choices that leave scars and years spent apart, their connection refuses to break no matter how hard they try to fight it. It’s as if the world keeps playing games with their desires, giving them an inch and then taking it away over and over again.
In the end, they learn that the real game isn’t played under the lights. It’s fought in the heart, where love can wound as easily as it heals.
The Winning Play is a story of passion and pain, control and surrender, and finding the one person who makes every risk, every fall, and every victory worth it. This raw, emotional, and unforgettable story reminds us that peace is possible after chaos, that healing is the truest victory, and that sometimes the greatest win of all is learning you were the prize from the very beginning.
- GenresRomance
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 20, 2026
11 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Lacey
16 books265 followersI'm a romance author originally from Savannah, Georgia, now living in Atlanta with my husband and children. With a B.A. in English from Armstrong Atlanta State University and an M.A. from Southern New Hampshire University, I transitioned from writing poetry to crafting love stories that mirror my Southern heritage as a woman, wife, and mother. My stories delve into themes of love and commitment, often against a backdrop of personal and societal challenges.
Aside from writing, I am deeply committed to my family. I enjoy coaching my kids’ soccer teams, traveling, and watching movies at home on a Friday night. I credit my close-knit family and supportive readers for inspiring me to continue writing stories that resonate on a personal level. As an indie author, my narratives offer a sincere exploration of human emotions, underscoring the importance of love, resilience, and the beauty found in overcoming adversity.
Book series list:
Love in Beverly Mills
Black Summer Island
Feel free to message me or get to know me better through social media. I do respond! :)
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Aside from writing, I am deeply committed to my family. I enjoy coaching my kids’ soccer teams, traveling, and watching movies at home on a Friday night. I credit my close-knit family and supportive readers for inspiring me to continue writing stories that resonate on a personal level. As an indie author, my narratives offer a sincere exploration of human emotions, underscoring the importance of love, resilience, and the beauty found in overcoming adversity.
Book series list:
Love in Beverly Mills
Black Summer Island
Feel free to message me or get to know me better through social media. I do respond! :)
Tik Tok
Subscribe to my newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy
I loved this book so much. It completely pulled me in, and I honestly teared up while reading. Sebastian and Lottie’s story was raw, emotional, and beautifully intense. The way their connection grows—from lust-filled friends to something deep and unbreakable—hit me right in the heart. Every moment between them felt earned, especially as they navigated love, loss, and the scars left behind by their pasts.
This book gave me friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, found peace after chaos, and second-chance energy in the most emotional way. What I learned from this story is that healing takes time, and love doesn’t erase pain—but it can give you the strength to face it. Sometimes the real victory isn’t winning or being perfect, but realizing your worth and choosing yourself, even when it’s hard.
This story wrecked me in the best way and reminded me why emotional romance will always have my heart. ❤️
Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to read this ARC.
This book gave me friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, found peace after chaos, and second-chance energy in the most emotional way. What I learned from this story is that healing takes time, and love doesn’t erase pain—but it can give you the strength to face it. Sometimes the real victory isn’t winning or being perfect, but realizing your worth and choosing yourself, even when it’s hard.
This story wrecked me in the best way and reminded me why emotional romance will always have my heart. ❤️
Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to read this ARC.
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January 10, 2026Thank you to the author, Lauren Lacey, for the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC)! This book releases on January 20th, 2026.
The Winning Play, written in dual-POV, follows Charlotte (Lottie) Daniels and Sebastian (Bash) Boom as they navigate life, love, and self-healing. Lottie’s life is anything, but soft. She has had to work and fight for everything she has ever since a scandal that ended in her father’s arrest turned her life upside down. Bash, as the son of a former governor and judge, comes from a family of power and legacy with an expectation around the kind of person he should build a life with. While parents, timing, and life circumstances try to keep them apart, something stronger continues to pull them together.
In true Lauren Lacey fashion, this book takes readers on a WILD ride. As someone who typically doesn’t reach for romance novels with more than 300 pages, I think I finished this pretty quickly, and that speaks to the writing style of the author that kept me guessing about what may happen next in the chaotic lives of the characters.
While I found the novel engaging overall, there were parts of the story where the pacing felt inconsistent as some parts that I thought could be more concise seemed to drag on, while other parts that I wanted to be further explored seemed rushed. I also felt this way about a few of the character’s behaviors in the first half of the novel where it seemed too soon for the character growth we were seeing in certain scenes. However, since this ARC is the first edition of the novel, these scenes could be very different in the published version.
This is not a light and fluffy romance by any means, and I wouldn’t say that I need to be able to relate to the main love interests to be invested in their happy ending, but I found that I was not super invested in Lottie and Bash’s relationship because I did not find him boyfriend material at all. I was more interested in the other subplots and even found myself rooting more for some of the other couples we got to know in the book.
⚠️Trigger Warnings⚠️: Sexual Assault, Emotional and Psychological Abuse, Parental Abuse, Domestic Violence, Physical Violence, and Parental Loss
The Winning Play, written in dual-POV, follows Charlotte (Lottie) Daniels and Sebastian (Bash) Boom as they navigate life, love, and self-healing. Lottie’s life is anything, but soft. She has had to work and fight for everything she has ever since a scandal that ended in her father’s arrest turned her life upside down. Bash, as the son of a former governor and judge, comes from a family of power and legacy with an expectation around the kind of person he should build a life with. While parents, timing, and life circumstances try to keep them apart, something stronger continues to pull them together.
In true Lauren Lacey fashion, this book takes readers on a WILD ride. As someone who typically doesn’t reach for romance novels with more than 300 pages, I think I finished this pretty quickly, and that speaks to the writing style of the author that kept me guessing about what may happen next in the chaotic lives of the characters.
While I found the novel engaging overall, there were parts of the story where the pacing felt inconsistent as some parts that I thought could be more concise seemed to drag on, while other parts that I wanted to be further explored seemed rushed. I also felt this way about a few of the character’s behaviors in the first half of the novel where it seemed too soon for the character growth we were seeing in certain scenes. However, since this ARC is the first edition of the novel, these scenes could be very different in the published version.
This is not a light and fluffy romance by any means, and I wouldn’t say that I need to be able to relate to the main love interests to be invested in their happy ending, but I found that I was not super invested in Lottie and Bash’s relationship because I did not find him boyfriend material at all. I was more interested in the other subplots and even found myself rooting more for some of the other couples we got to know in the book.
⚠️Trigger Warnings⚠️: Sexual Assault, Emotional and Psychological Abuse, Parental Abuse, Domestic Violence, Physical Violence, and Parental Loss
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Don't let the pretty covers in this series full you. Charlotte "Lottie" Daniels went through a lot in this book before she was even 21 and the sad part is that it was at the hands of someone who she thought she could trust and that she was helping out. Sebastian "Bash" Boom had his eyes on school and basketball but one night out changed their lives in a way neither of them could imagine. What started as a friends to friends with benefits situation quickly turned into so much more and both Lottie and Bash were hit with feelings they shouldn't pursue but found a way to do so anyway.
This book can be triggering so definitely check the trigger warning. I empathized with Lottie and wanted so desperately for her to get out of her situation. Just when it seemed she was winning, she was pulled down again but not without a fight. At times I was side eying her mother but I was ultimately happy with how their relationship turned out. Her father was the worst ever and he deserved what he got times 10. I was happy that she was able to get some revenge on those who hurt her but it didn't consume her and Sherri and Callie were back in this one too doing what they do best. If you read the first book then you know who I am talking about.
In the end I enjoyed the story and how everything unfolded. In this book Lauren Lacey explored what you will do for love even when the odds aren't n your favor and also how deceitful those closest to you can be at times. She also showed how true love never actually dies and if it is meant to be it will be. This rang true for all the main characters mentioned in the book.
Don't let the pretty covers in this series full you. Charlotte "Lottie" Daniels went through a lot in this book before she was even 21 and the sad part is that it was at the hands of someone who she thought she could trust and that she was helping out. Sebastian "Bash" Boom had his eyes on school and basketball but one night out changed their lives in a way neither of them could imagine. What started as a friends to friends with benefits situation quickly turned into so much more and both Lottie and Bash were hit with feelings they shouldn't pursue but found a way to do so anyway.
This book can be triggering so definitely check the trigger warning. I empathized with Lottie and wanted so desperately for her to get out of her situation. Just when it seemed she was winning, she was pulled down again but not without a fight. At times I was side eying her mother but I was ultimately happy with how their relationship turned out. Her father was the worst ever and he deserved what he got times 10. I was happy that she was able to get some revenge on those who hurt her but it didn't consume her and Sherri and Callie were back in this one too doing what they do best. If you read the first book then you know who I am talking about.
In the end I enjoyed the story and how everything unfolded. In this book Lauren Lacey explored what you will do for love even when the odds aren't n your favor and also how deceitful those closest to you can be at times. She also showed how true love never actually dies and if it is meant to be it will be. This rang true for all the main characters mentioned in the book.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
This is the second book in the Playing for Keeps series by Lauren Lacey, and I want to be very clear do not let the cover fool you. While I’m not a fan of the cover art, this is not a rom-com. This is a romantic dramedy between Lottie and Boom.
The book starts off slow, and by Chapter 5 I thought the story was going to be predictable. I was completely wrong. Each chapter adds more drama, and by Chapter 16 everything explodes. The twists keep coming, the mess is truly messy, and I found myself yelling at the characters more than once.
You will root for the main characters while also getting frustrated with them for constantly getting in their own way. I lost count of how many times I wanted to shake Boom, and Lottie brought an entirely different level of frustration.
This book is a great reminder that DNA does not make you family. The fathers in this story were especially frustrating, while the mother-daughter and mother-son relationships were layered and emotional. Though sometimes complicated, these relationships ultimately come from a place of wanting their children to be loved and supported.
Don’t let the cover deter you. If you enjoy messy drama, emotional tension, and characters who will test your patience, this book is worth picking up.
The book starts off slow, and by Chapter 5 I thought the story was going to be predictable. I was completely wrong. Each chapter adds more drama, and by Chapter 16 everything explodes. The twists keep coming, the mess is truly messy, and I found myself yelling at the characters more than once.
You will root for the main characters while also getting frustrated with them for constantly getting in their own way. I lost count of how many times I wanted to shake Boom, and Lottie brought an entirely different level of frustration.
This book is a great reminder that DNA does not make you family. The fathers in this story were especially frustrating, while the mother-daughter and mother-son relationships were layered and emotional. Though sometimes complicated, these relationships ultimately come from a place of wanting their children to be loved and supported.
Don’t let the cover deter you. If you enjoy messy drama, emotional tension, and characters who will test your patience, this book is worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was deep, raw, and emotional. The trauma that Lottie suffered, all from people who were supposed to love her, was intense. The fallout from two grown men making a decision on behalf of a young girl brought harm to COUNTLESS people; especially Lottie and those closest to her.
I liked Bash but I didn’t like the fact that he led Dee on for so long let alone leaving her at the altar. He knew all along that he wanted to be with Lottie, but on the other hand Deev knew that too. Idk if she was trying to win a competition or prove or point but she definitely played herself by staying with him for so long knowing he was in love with someone else. I felt torn because I was rooting for him and Lottie but I understood the need for him to try to move on; he just wasn’t ready for real.
Watching the fall of William DuPoint was delightful. He was evil in all the worst ways and more. Honestly I think they let him off a little too easily but Lottie was healing and trying to be better so I get it.
I liked Bash but I didn’t like the fact that he led Dee on for so long let alone leaving her at the altar. He knew all along that he wanted to be with Lottie, but on the other hand Deev knew that too. Idk if she was trying to win a competition or prove or point but she definitely played herself by staying with him for so long knowing he was in love with someone else. I felt torn because I was rooting for him and Lottie but I understood the need for him to try to move on; he just wasn’t ready for real.
Watching the fall of William DuPoint was delightful. He was evil in all the worst ways and more. Honestly I think they let him off a little too easily but Lottie was healing and trying to be better so I get it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sometimes love is not a straight line. Sometimes life puts a pause on a love story. But true love never stops fighting. Lauren did an amazing job writing a story about heartbreak and loving someone you cannot be with. No matter how much Lottie and Bash tried to fight it, they always found their way back to each other. They honestly became one of my favorite couples because of how unserious they are. They just knew they were meant for each other, and so did their families.
The found family in this story was everything, which is still one of my favorite tropes. And let me tell you, the side characters? Chef’s kiss. The little village Lottie and Bash built around them tied their love story together in the sweetest way.
This book will absolutely make you blush. 🫠 Sebastian Boom is the best Boom brother, okay. Mr. Talk-You-Through-It had me screaming, crying, and kicking my feet. Also, i see you lauren. When do you get nasty??!? lol
Do I recommend this book?
HELL yes.
The found family in this story was everything, which is still one of my favorite tropes. And let me tell you, the side characters? Chef’s kiss. The little village Lottie and Bash built around them tied their love story together in the sweetest way.
This book will absolutely make you blush. 🫠 Sebastian Boom is the best Boom brother, okay. Mr. Talk-You-Through-It had me screaming, crying, and kicking my feet. Also, i see you lauren. When do you get nasty??!? lol
Do I recommend this book?
HELL yes.
January 11, 2026
Thank you very much to Bookfunnel and the author Lauren Lacey for the e-arc of this book. I swear Lauren can do no wrong in my eyes. Her books are definitely like a lifetime movie in book form and I mean that in the best way possible.
Please check all TW before reading. This book was long but sooo hard to put down. It’s the story of Charlotte (Lottie) Daniels and Sebastian (Bash) Boom. From how the met and all the chaos and things that follows. This book is for someone who likes second chance romance, friends to lovers, opposites attract, found family, and all the emotions. The journey that you go through with this book whew…..to go from laughing to crying. At one point in the book I was just like damn can my girl Lottie catch a break. I highly recommend this book and please get it when it officially publishes on January 20th.
Please check all TW before reading. This book was long but sooo hard to put down. It’s the story of Charlotte (Lottie) Daniels and Sebastian (Bash) Boom. From how the met and all the chaos and things that follows. This book is for someone who likes second chance romance, friends to lovers, opposites attract, found family, and all the emotions. The journey that you go through with this book whew…..to go from laughing to crying. At one point in the book I was just like damn can my girl Lottie catch a break. I highly recommend this book and please get it when it officially publishes on January 20th.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Got this as an ARC and it did not disappoint!! I'm giving this one a 4.5! Lottie had life stacked against her for the longest, and she really fought her way out of it all!! I hated how life was really beating her down but she fought back every time. Bash was her soulmate fr, no matter how many times he tried to let her go he just couldn't. Their love story was something for sure!! And I really loved their unconventional friend group lol, they all made things work in their shitty situations and were great support for another. This book was slightly heavy but SO GOOD!!
January 4, 2026
My girl Lottie had everything stacked against her from birth. She fought her way through all of it. Any normal man would have ran the opposite way, but Bash ran toward her at every opportunity.
I really loved the friendships Lottie was able to create, despite her less than favorable circumstance. This story had my emotions all over the place. I loved every single moment of this story. Check the trigger warnings, but this read is worth the ride.
Favorite Quote: Starving for forgiveness and love will cause you to drink from broken cups to quench your thirst.
Thanks for the ARC, Lauren!
I really loved the friendships Lottie was able to create, despite her less than favorable circumstance. This story had my emotions all over the place. I loved every single moment of this story. Check the trigger warnings, but this read is worth the ride.
Favorite Quote: Starving for forgiveness and love will cause you to drink from broken cups to quench your thirst.
Thanks for the ARC, Lauren!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story is packed with so much emotion!! It takes you on a journey- it’s raw and real. Every single page hits you and makes you feel. I felt the hurt and disappointment from Lottie, I saw the way Bash wanted to be the hero, and the way her family came together and made it through the years of situations and memories.
The secrets, the emotional past trauma, and the way Lottie has to constantly fight and struggle really made me feel for her. She only wanted Bash and wanted to be his winning play at the end of it all.
The secrets, the emotional past trauma, and the way Lottie has to constantly fight and struggle really made me feel for her. She only wanted Bash and wanted to be his winning play at the end of it all.
January 4, 2026
First book/arc of the year and this definitely set the tone and bar pretty high. Baby when I tell you I was on an emotional rollercoaster I was on reading this book!Lottie and Bash were stressing me out! Literally cried at the bar and the bartender was like, “damn, it’s that good?” lol I was truly invested in each characters ending (even the villains) because their backstory was so well written. Now, definitely check your triggers as some of the topics are heavy and even caught me a bit off guard.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW -
I believe there in soulmates, twin flames, other halfs; that’s exactly what Bash and Lottie are. This book took me through so many emotions. A few times I was so mad at Lottie like girl get some therapy and move on but the more I read the more I understood. This book also showed that family isn’t always the ones that share DNA with you, your chosen family that rides with you til the end, is your real family. Through secrets and lies and pain, I love the way this story was told.
I believe there in soulmates, twin flames, other halfs; that’s exactly what Bash and Lottie are. This book took me through so many emotions. A few times I was so mad at Lottie like girl get some therapy and move on but the more I read the more I understood. This book also showed that family isn’t always the ones that share DNA with you, your chosen family that rides with you til the end, is your real family. Through secrets and lies and pain, I love the way this story was told.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got this as an ARC. There were so many emotions that I went through with this book. Anger, frustration, sadness. But I loved despite what Lottie and Bash went through their friendship always rose to the surface. Everyone had to put themselves first which is so important in a lasting loving relationship.
Also. I couldn’t stand Deanna.
Also. I couldn’t stand Deanna.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 out of 5 stars! I cried several times because I saw myself in Lottie. Wow this book was soooo good. Lottie and Bash, wow, what a love story, filled with so much emotion. It was an amazing story from start to finish. Give Lauren all of her flowers, beautifully written !
January 11, 2026
This is my 2nd ARC from this series and I am so in love 😍. Lauren just knows how to pull your heart strings and keep you glued to these damn pages. Such an amazing story. It’s heavy but in a good way and has a beautiful HEA ending.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews