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Dramatic Hearts Club #3
If We Play Fair
FROM IPPY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR NATHALIE THEODORE
They can fake the relationship. They can’t ignore the chemistry. An enemies-to-lovers baseball romance—free with Kindle Unlimited.
A standalone Dramatic Hearts Club sports romance.
TWO PLAYERS. TWO PITCHES. ONE SHOT AT FAKING TRUE LOVE.
Christy Andersen and Holden McBride bring out the worst in each other. Too bad the fates of their careers lie in each other’s hands.
Disillusioned with dating, Christy’s a powerhouse literary agent at the top of her game. But when a scandal threatens to shatter her hard-won reputation, she pins her hopes on signing pop icon Lola Piper, rumored to be writing the juiciest tell-all of the decade. There’s just one Lola’s gone off the grid.
Holden, a starting pitcher for the Chicago Starlings, is a notorious player on and off the field. After a devastating loss sends him streaking across Soldier Field, his fans are outraged. All but Christy—until he manages to get on her bad side. When she tells him off, the clip goes viral, getting Holden the best press he’s had in weeks. Fans adore the feisty redhead, and his agent insists she’s exactly what he needs to clean up his image.
Christy and Holden pitch each other a she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend, and he’ll introduce her to his best friend’s sister, the elusive Lola Piper. The plan is simple—fake the romance, fix their reputations, and they both walk away winners.
But as their staged relationship heats up, so does the chemistry they can’t ignore. With their hearts and careers on the line, Christy and Holden must decide whether they should keep playing fair…or change the game.
They can fake the relationship. They can’t ignore the chemistry. An enemies-to-lovers baseball romance—free with Kindle Unlimited.
A standalone Dramatic Hearts Club sports romance.
TWO PLAYERS. TWO PITCHES. ONE SHOT AT FAKING TRUE LOVE.
Christy Andersen and Holden McBride bring out the worst in each other. Too bad the fates of their careers lie in each other’s hands.
Disillusioned with dating, Christy’s a powerhouse literary agent at the top of her game. But when a scandal threatens to shatter her hard-won reputation, she pins her hopes on signing pop icon Lola Piper, rumored to be writing the juiciest tell-all of the decade. There’s just one Lola’s gone off the grid.
Holden, a starting pitcher for the Chicago Starlings, is a notorious player on and off the field. After a devastating loss sends him streaking across Soldier Field, his fans are outraged. All but Christy—until he manages to get on her bad side. When she tells him off, the clip goes viral, getting Holden the best press he’s had in weeks. Fans adore the feisty redhead, and his agent insists she’s exactly what he needs to clean up his image.
Christy and Holden pitch each other a she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend, and he’ll introduce her to his best friend’s sister, the elusive Lola Piper. The plan is simple—fake the romance, fix their reputations, and they both walk away winners.
But as their staged relationship heats up, so does the chemistry they can’t ignore. With their hearts and careers on the line, Christy and Holden must decide whether they should keep playing fair…or change the game.
- GenresSports Romance
460 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2026
1 person is currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Nathalie Theodore
3 books59 followersNathalie Theodore is the Amazon bestselling, IPPY award-winning author of If the Stars Align and If My Wishes Came True, Books One and Two in the Dramatic Hearts Club series. A lawyer-turned-therapist and novelist, she writes love stories that dive deep into the psychology of her characters, using her background in mental health to create beautifully flawed, true-to-life protagonists. In addition to writing, she enjoys spending time with her family in their hometown of Chicago; catching up on sleep; and when the latter invariably fails, caffeinating. Follow her on Instagram (@nathalietheodorewrites) for the latest updates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 22, 2026
Thank you to the publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
If I could rate this book any higher than 5 stars I would in a heartbeat, I absolutely loved it as it was sublime. This book had everything a romance novel should plenty of tension between the two leads, he falls first, fake dating, a couple who supports each other no matter what and the spice was well balanced and added to the story rather than distracting from it. I loved both Christy and Holden from the get go, they were perfect together and Holden was the perfect book boyfriend. I felt for Christy when her career that she’d worked hard at went up in smoke due to the fake wellness guru she was representing but she rose like a phoenix from the ashes. Poor Holden I really felt for him as his family really was despicable, I really felt the bond he had with grandma Evelyn through the pages. I really enjoyed reading this book, I feel a little bit sad now I’ve read the last page as I was really invested in Christy and Holden story. This book was really well written and I loved all the side characters too, this was a very satisfying and enjoyable read.
If I could rate this book any higher than 5 stars I would in a heartbeat, I absolutely loved it as it was sublime. This book had everything a romance novel should plenty of tension between the two leads, he falls first, fake dating, a couple who supports each other no matter what and the spice was well balanced and added to the story rather than distracting from it. I loved both Christy and Holden from the get go, they were perfect together and Holden was the perfect book boyfriend. I felt for Christy when her career that she’d worked hard at went up in smoke due to the fake wellness guru she was representing but she rose like a phoenix from the ashes. Poor Holden I really felt for him as his family really was despicable, I really felt the bond he had with grandma Evelyn through the pages. I really enjoyed reading this book, I feel a little bit sad now I’ve read the last page as I was really invested in Christy and Holden story. This book was really well written and I loved all the side characters too, this was a very satisfying and enjoyable read.
February 19, 2026
4.5/5
Oh wow what a ride!! I have to say I’m in love with Christy and Holden!! Their emotional journey, character growth, hot chemistry and the caring and supportive relationship they develop after starting off as a fake couple - and with her not liking him very much (and trying to deny her attraction) was everything!
For different reasons, both Christy and Holden's careers were on the line and the only way to salvage them? Pretend to be a couple until both of their scandals blew over. What was supposed to be a simple, mutually beneficial arrangement, quickly proved to by anything but that.
Holden was smitten and made it his "life's mission" to help build Christy up and show her that she was a beautiful and lovable woman, flaws and all. And Christy quickly realised that there was more the the cocky and flirty star pitcher than met the eye and that beneath all his fame, money and family connections, was a selfless and somewhat, insecure man, who just wanted to be loved for who he was.
Theodore always brings mental health issues to her books and this one was no exception. The body image, anger management, insecurities and self-esteem issues, and anxiety are dealt with care and in a relatable way.
The found family and restored family bonds were heartwarming. I loved seeing how Christy's sister, mother and best friend rallied around when her life blew up and then were caring and welcoming of Holden into their mix.
As usual, I did not see the little plot twist coming!! And I have to say, I loved how that the "villains" got a redemption arc and a HEA. Poor things, they were probably just hunger!
I already mentioned this but the chemistry, tension and spice were on fire in this book. Theodore upped her game here but I enjoyed the transition from the heavy physical attraction, to the tenderness in the caring and loving relationship that Christy and Holden built. They were all about building each other up and being each other's safe space, to be angry and sad without judgement.
Special mention to the fact that I found the book's title and the titles of the previous two books a few times throughout the story. It was a sweet touch.
Overall, this is a fun and flirty and spicy book. The Hawaiian luxury setting was so lush I wanted to pack my bags and go on holiday. I appreciated the care taken with the heavier topics and that the characters were relatable in their struggles and in their healing journey.
[Spice: 3/5]
*Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-op and Nathalie Theodore for my review copy.
Oh wow what a ride!! I have to say I’m in love with Christy and Holden!! Their emotional journey, character growth, hot chemistry and the caring and supportive relationship they develop after starting off as a fake couple - and with her not liking him very much (and trying to deny her attraction) was everything!
For different reasons, both Christy and Holden's careers were on the line and the only way to salvage them? Pretend to be a couple until both of their scandals blew over. What was supposed to be a simple, mutually beneficial arrangement, quickly proved to by anything but that.
Holden was smitten and made it his "life's mission" to help build Christy up and show her that she was a beautiful and lovable woman, flaws and all. And Christy quickly realised that there was more the the cocky and flirty star pitcher than met the eye and that beneath all his fame, money and family connections, was a selfless and somewhat, insecure man, who just wanted to be loved for who he was.
Theodore always brings mental health issues to her books and this one was no exception. The body image, anger management, insecurities and self-esteem issues, and anxiety are dealt with care and in a relatable way.
The found family and restored family bonds were heartwarming. I loved seeing how Christy's sister, mother and best friend rallied around when her life blew up and then were caring and welcoming of Holden into their mix.
As usual, I did not see the little plot twist coming!! And I have to say, I loved how that the "villains" got a redemption arc and a HEA. Poor things, they were probably just hunger!
I already mentioned this but the chemistry, tension and spice were on fire in this book. Theodore upped her game here but I enjoyed the transition from the heavy physical attraction, to the tenderness in the caring and loving relationship that Christy and Holden built. They were all about building each other up and being each other's safe space, to be angry and sad without judgement.
Special mention to the fact that I found the book's title and the titles of the previous two books a few times throughout the story. It was a sweet touch.
Overall, this is a fun and flirty and spicy book. The Hawaiian luxury setting was so lush I wanted to pack my bags and go on holiday. I appreciated the care taken with the heavier topics and that the characters were relatable in their struggles and in their healing journey.
[Spice: 3/5]
*Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-op and Nathalie Theodore for my review copy.
January 7, 2026
“Being loved by you is gift enough.”
Christy is a book agent and Holden is a professional baseball pitcher. They are both dealing with PR scandals and make a deal to fake date to save their careers. (TW: disordered eating, body dysmorphia, grief)
⚾️ Fake dating
📖 Dual POV
🌺 One bed
🏝️ Enemies to lovers
⚾️ Family drama
📖 Baseball pro MMC
🌺 He falls first
🏝️ Curvy FMC
⚾️ MCs in their 30s
📖 Hilarious
🌺 Mental health rep
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars, no notes! If this is not on your TBR, it should be. I love fake dating. I love sports romance. Wow this book was so fun!! It would make a great movie! The chemistry and banter had me kicking my feet and giggling. The romance is so sweet. I loved the characters and their development. Christy is so relatable! Holden is so swoony.
There’s so much plot and drama going on in this book that I couldn’t put it down! I loved the updates and appearances of characters from books 1 and 2. Can’t wait for the next book!
Release date 2/25/26. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!
“Because now, I know that you don’t play fair—which means I don’t have to either.”
Grey sweatpants ✨
🚨 spoilers
-“I’ve seen pictures, and the guy looks like a f🦆cking breadstick.” 🤭
-TGI Friday 🤣🤣🤣
-Holden talking to Kyle was my fave part 🔥
-reminds me of “The Prophecy” by Taylor Swift
Christy is a book agent and Holden is a professional baseball pitcher. They are both dealing with PR scandals and make a deal to fake date to save their careers. (TW: disordered eating, body dysmorphia, grief)
⚾️ Fake dating
📖 Dual POV
🌺 One bed
🏝️ Enemies to lovers
⚾️ Family drama
📖 Baseball pro MMC
🌺 He falls first
🏝️ Curvy FMC
⚾️ MCs in their 30s
📖 Hilarious
🌺 Mental health rep
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars, no notes! If this is not on your TBR, it should be. I love fake dating. I love sports romance. Wow this book was so fun!! It would make a great movie! The chemistry and banter had me kicking my feet and giggling. The romance is so sweet. I loved the characters and their development. Christy is so relatable! Holden is so swoony.
There’s so much plot and drama going on in this book that I couldn’t put it down! I loved the updates and appearances of characters from books 1 and 2. Can’t wait for the next book!
Release date 2/25/26. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!
“Because now, I know that you don’t play fair—which means I don’t have to either.”
Grey sweatpants ✨
🚨 spoilers
-“I’ve seen pictures, and the guy looks like a f🦆cking breadstick.” 🤭
-TGI Friday 🤣🤣🤣
-Holden talking to Kyle was my fave part 🔥
-reminds me of “The Prophecy” by Taylor Swift
January 26, 2026
Holden and Christy are one of my favorite couples!!! I loved this story line from the get go and their chemistry was so good!!! The fake dating trope was played out well but I also love how they instantly connected as well! I couldn’t stand Holdens family and I was rooting for all the siblings to get back together after their traumatic parenting experiences. Nathalie did a beautiful job wrapping up the characters in their mental health issues and helping them seek refuge in the right people and getting the help they so desperately needed! Oh this story was so good and it was a great one to start my sports romance journey! Thank you for trusting me as an ARC reader ❤️❤️❤️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went into If We Play Fair expecting a cute, slightly chaotic fake dating sports romance, and instead I got emotionally devastating character growth wrapped in elite banter and golden retriever MMC energy. Holden McBride is officially entering my Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame. He falls first, he falls hard, and he falls with emotional intelligence. The way that man supports Christy through her insecurities without once making her feel small? Elite behavior. Olympic-level boyfriending. Give him a trophy.
Christy did frustrate me at times — her insecurities and anger sometimes pushed situations further than they needed to go — but honestly? They felt real. Messy. Human. Her body image struggles and self-doubt weren’t written for drama; they were written with care. Watching her slowly rebuild her confidence, especially around Holden’s intimidating family and her own career fallout, made the emotional payoff so much stronger. She wasn’t magically “fixed.” She worked for it. And I loved that.
The fake dating setup was deliciously chaotic — viral bar confrontation, PR disasters, reputation rehab, fake girlfriend optics — and it never felt flat. The tension simmered. The chemistry was constant. Even when I wished we’d gotten a little more on-page baseball (I would not have complained about more game scenes), the emotional stakes and family drama more than carried it. Holden’s grief and strained family dynamics added depth that made him feel like more than just the hot pitcher with abs and a PR problem.
And the spice? Loud. Confident. Well-earned. It added to the story instead of distracting from it, and I really appreciated that their physical relationship grew alongside their emotional one. No unnecessary third-act breakup either, which honestly felt like a gift.
There were moments where the pacing dipped slightly with backstory and side-character callbacks, but the core of Christy and Holden’s relationship was strong enough that I stayed fully invested. Their journey wasn’t a straight line — it had ebbs, missteps, and hard conversations — but that made the ending feel deserved.
Overall, this one delivered. Banter? Sharp. MMC? Down bad. FMC? Fierce but healing. Tropes? Fake dating, he falls first, sports romance, only one bed, family drama — all executed with heart.
Thank you to Nathalie Theodore, NetGalley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. This was feral, funny, heartfelt, and absolutely worth the hype.
Christy did frustrate me at times — her insecurities and anger sometimes pushed situations further than they needed to go — but honestly? They felt real. Messy. Human. Her body image struggles and self-doubt weren’t written for drama; they were written with care. Watching her slowly rebuild her confidence, especially around Holden’s intimidating family and her own career fallout, made the emotional payoff so much stronger. She wasn’t magically “fixed.” She worked for it. And I loved that.
The fake dating setup was deliciously chaotic — viral bar confrontation, PR disasters, reputation rehab, fake girlfriend optics — and it never felt flat. The tension simmered. The chemistry was constant. Even when I wished we’d gotten a little more on-page baseball (I would not have complained about more game scenes), the emotional stakes and family drama more than carried it. Holden’s grief and strained family dynamics added depth that made him feel like more than just the hot pitcher with abs and a PR problem.
And the spice? Loud. Confident. Well-earned. It added to the story instead of distracting from it, and I really appreciated that their physical relationship grew alongside their emotional one. No unnecessary third-act breakup either, which honestly felt like a gift.
There were moments where the pacing dipped slightly with backstory and side-character callbacks, but the core of Christy and Holden’s relationship was strong enough that I stayed fully invested. Their journey wasn’t a straight line — it had ebbs, missteps, and hard conversations — but that made the ending feel deserved.
Overall, this one delivered. Banter? Sharp. MMC? Down bad. FMC? Fierce but healing. Tropes? Fake dating, he falls first, sports romance, only one bed, family drama — all executed with heart.
Thank you to Nathalie Theodore, NetGalley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. This was feral, funny, heartfelt, and absolutely worth the hype.
February 25, 2026
I loved this book so much!! I have a long note on my phone with all my thoughts so it’s been an undertaking to not make this review long and drawn out 🤣
This is the third installment in the Dramatic Hearts Club, but you don’t need to read the others to jump in here, but I am definitely going back to read the other two!!
In this book we follow bad boy pitcher Holden McBride as he has a streak worthy scandal, precisely at the same time our FMC, Christy Andersen has a scandal of epic proportions of her own, and it was not even of her own doing! One night the stars align and they end up in the same bar a chaos erupts and they go viral due to a nosey patron.
So what do we do when this happens, of course PR people say hey let’s fake date to take the heat off of both of our situations and change the narrative!!
I was locked in!
Fake dating.. say less!
There is so much going on in this story.. it is multilayered in the best way! I felt satisfied on all fronts of the story, even with multiple things going on, which can be hard to accomplish in one book!
Aaaand the spice was spicing 🌶️
This book just resonated with me so much. I completely understand how it is to be im Christy’s shoes. Going from half assed mediocre love to intense all consuming soul mate, life changing love through good times and bad, every day is a complete adventure, you would not change it for anyone. I have that and so does Christy now and I am so happy we both found ourselves and our self worth. (Yes I know she’s a fictional character but she was so fleshed out she felt real to me and I just wanted to give her a big hug!!) Drawing the parallels in her story to mine gave me all the feels. Oh and the third act conflict as resolved quickly like grown adults should! Thank goodness!! This was just a magnificent book. 🥹🥹
I’ll leave you with one of my fave quotes from the book… well it’s actually song lyrics but for with it.. it’s an pit of context portion of the book that is the perfect vibes for one of my new favorite book couples!
“Lip lock, shell shock, the chemistry was rare
Right off the bat, the way I fell, like stardust in the air
Red lips, red hair, I couldn’t help but stare
Oh, maybe we can win this game-
Baby, if we play fair”
🎤 💥
Bravo Nathalie!
This book was perfection! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
This is the third installment in the Dramatic Hearts Club, but you don’t need to read the others to jump in here, but I am definitely going back to read the other two!!
In this book we follow bad boy pitcher Holden McBride as he has a streak worthy scandal, precisely at the same time our FMC, Christy Andersen has a scandal of epic proportions of her own, and it was not even of her own doing! One night the stars align and they end up in the same bar a chaos erupts and they go viral due to a nosey patron.
So what do we do when this happens, of course PR people say hey let’s fake date to take the heat off of both of our situations and change the narrative!!
I was locked in!
Fake dating.. say less!
There is so much going on in this story.. it is multilayered in the best way! I felt satisfied on all fronts of the story, even with multiple things going on, which can be hard to accomplish in one book!
Aaaand the spice was spicing 🌶️
This book just resonated with me so much. I completely understand how it is to be im Christy’s shoes. Going from half assed mediocre love to intense all consuming soul mate, life changing love through good times and bad, every day is a complete adventure, you would not change it for anyone. I have that and so does Christy now and I am so happy we both found ourselves and our self worth. (Yes I know she’s a fictional character but she was so fleshed out she felt real to me and I just wanted to give her a big hug!!) Drawing the parallels in her story to mine gave me all the feels. Oh and the third act conflict as resolved quickly like grown adults should! Thank goodness!! This was just a magnificent book. 🥹🥹
I’ll leave you with one of my fave quotes from the book… well it’s actually song lyrics but for with it.. it’s an pit of context portion of the book that is the perfect vibes for one of my new favorite book couples!
“Lip lock, shell shock, the chemistry was rare
Right off the bat, the way I fell, like stardust in the air
Red lips, red hair, I couldn’t help but stare
Oh, maybe we can win this game-
Baby, if we play fair”
🎤 💥
Bravo Nathalie!
This book was perfection! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
February 8, 2026
“With a mischievous smile, he grabs the hem of his white t-shirt and yanks it over his head with one hand.
There he is. Holden Fucking McBride.
The most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.
Sun-kissed hair and skin. Rock-hard body.
Blue-gray eyes that make me ache for wanting him.”
Oh my days I’m in love with this book, with these characters and with this story. It’s everything I could’ve wanted for my first ever sports romance. Packed with spice, romance and genuine heart melting moments I demolished this book. I was truly invested in Christy and Holden. @nathalietheodorewrites writing style made it impossible to put down and now I’m looking forward to reading the first two books in the series.
Thank you to @netgalley
#netgalley #ifweplayfair #dramaticheartsclub
📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
Christy Andersen and Holden McBride bring out the worst in each other. Too bad the fates of their careers lie in each other’s hands.
Disillusioned with dating, Christy’s a powerhouse literary agent at the top of her game. But when a scandal threatens to shatter her hard-won reputation, she pins her hopes on signing pop icon Lola Piper, rumored to be writing the juiciest tell-all of the decade. There’s just one problem: Lola’s gone off the grid.
Holden, a starting pitcher for the Chicago Starlings, is a notorious player on and off the field. After a devastating loss sends him streaking across Soldier Field, his fans are outraged. All but Christy—until he manages to get on her bad side. When she tells him off, the clip goes viral, getting Holden the best press he’s had in weeks. Fans adore the feisty redhead, and his agent insists she’s exactly what he needs to clean up his image.
Christy and Holden pitch each other a deal: she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend, and he’ll introduce her to his best friend’s sister, the elusive Lola Piper. The plan is simple—fake the romance, fix their reputations, and they both walk away winners.
But as their staged relationship heats up, so does the chemistry they can’t ignore. With their hearts and careers on the line, Christy and Holden must decide whether they should keep playing fair…or change the game.
There he is. Holden Fucking McBride.
The most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.
Sun-kissed hair and skin. Rock-hard body.
Blue-gray eyes that make me ache for wanting him.”
Oh my days I’m in love with this book, with these characters and with this story. It’s everything I could’ve wanted for my first ever sports romance. Packed with spice, romance and genuine heart melting moments I demolished this book. I was truly invested in Christy and Holden. @nathalietheodorewrites writing style made it impossible to put down and now I’m looking forward to reading the first two books in the series.
Thank you to @netgalley
#netgalley #ifweplayfair #dramaticheartsclub
📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
Christy Andersen and Holden McBride bring out the worst in each other. Too bad the fates of their careers lie in each other’s hands.
Disillusioned with dating, Christy’s a powerhouse literary agent at the top of her game. But when a scandal threatens to shatter her hard-won reputation, she pins her hopes on signing pop icon Lola Piper, rumored to be writing the juiciest tell-all of the decade. There’s just one problem: Lola’s gone off the grid.
Holden, a starting pitcher for the Chicago Starlings, is a notorious player on and off the field. After a devastating loss sends him streaking across Soldier Field, his fans are outraged. All but Christy—until he manages to get on her bad side. When she tells him off, the clip goes viral, getting Holden the best press he’s had in weeks. Fans adore the feisty redhead, and his agent insists she’s exactly what he needs to clean up his image.
Christy and Holden pitch each other a deal: she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend, and he’ll introduce her to his best friend’s sister, the elusive Lola Piper. The plan is simple—fake the romance, fix their reputations, and they both walk away winners.
But as their staged relationship heats up, so does the chemistry they can’t ignore. With their hearts and careers on the line, Christy and Holden must decide whether they should keep playing fair…or change the game.
February 11, 2026
3.25 ⭐
A quick, easy, feel-good romance!
When I saw the description, I felt so excited! I love any book where there's some sort of bookish element, so having Christy be a literary agent already felt like a great start but then to have the love interest be a baseball player - well I was in love! However, I was hoping for the story to be more sport-based. There were lots of baseball references and Holden discussed it a lot with Christy, and his agent and family, but I wanted to see more games! This book feels less of a sports romance, and more a general contemporary romance involving a baseball player.
Despite this, I still enjoyed the journey the plot had taken. We get a great Fake Dating trope with all the secret angst and yearning that comes with it, and we also get a lot of internal growth from both characters. I really enjoyed that Christy and Holden both have issues with anger, it's not something we see often for a female lead. I loved how the story allowed them both to explore the emotion together.
As a result of this, we see Christy really come into her own, especially around Holden's family. Any girlfriend would struggle in the situations they put her in but her confidence grows in leaps and bounds thanks to Holden's assistance. I also loved that even though there were moments of tension between Christy and Holden, they dealt with them like adults and didn't let miscommunication become an obstacle.
Something that could've been handled a bit better for me would be the initial meet-cute of Holden and Christy. I thought the flirting and banter at the bar was lovely, but then everything escalates very quickly to meet the demands of an enemies to lovers trope that comes across a bit forced. I understood as the story went on that this was in part due to both of their independent anger issues, but to someone at the start of the story it felt like it came out of nowhere.
There was also a lot of backstory. While this story can be read as a standalone, from what I can tell there are lots of call backs to the previous relationships from earlier books. I was able to understand Christy and Holden's journey well enough but then trying to follow the variety of other names mentioned (and presumably the setup for the 4th book's relationship), really dragged the pacing down and had me go back to reread certain passages again.
Despite this, I really appreciated the way Holden became close with Christy. Their relationship, even though it began fake, truly seemed to develop with an ease. We got to see several loose ends be tied up (though the brother's resolution felt a bit too quick), and I appreciated that not every closure was the expected one. Plus, I loved that Holden and Christy could rebuild some of the relationships within their families.
Overall, I think existing fans and those looking for an easy steamy romance would enjoy If We Play Fair. Christy and Holden were made for each other, and their relationship leaps off the page.
Thank you to Nathalie Theodore for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A quick, easy, feel-good romance!
When I saw the description, I felt so excited! I love any book where there's some sort of bookish element, so having Christy be a literary agent already felt like a great start but then to have the love interest be a baseball player - well I was in love! However, I was hoping for the story to be more sport-based. There were lots of baseball references and Holden discussed it a lot with Christy, and his agent and family, but I wanted to see more games! This book feels less of a sports romance, and more a general contemporary romance involving a baseball player.
Despite this, I still enjoyed the journey the plot had taken. We get a great Fake Dating trope with all the secret angst and yearning that comes with it, and we also get a lot of internal growth from both characters. I really enjoyed that Christy and Holden both have issues with anger, it's not something we see often for a female lead. I loved how the story allowed them both to explore the emotion together.
As a result of this, we see Christy really come into her own, especially around Holden's family. Any girlfriend would struggle in the situations they put her in but her confidence grows in leaps and bounds thanks to Holden's assistance. I also loved that even though there were moments of tension between Christy and Holden, they dealt with them like adults and didn't let miscommunication become an obstacle.
Something that could've been handled a bit better for me would be the initial meet-cute of Holden and Christy. I thought the flirting and banter at the bar was lovely, but then everything escalates very quickly to meet the demands of an enemies to lovers trope that comes across a bit forced. I understood as the story went on that this was in part due to both of their independent anger issues, but to someone at the start of the story it felt like it came out of nowhere.
There was also a lot of backstory. While this story can be read as a standalone, from what I can tell there are lots of call backs to the previous relationships from earlier books. I was able to understand Christy and Holden's journey well enough but then trying to follow the variety of other names mentioned (and presumably the setup for the 4th book's relationship), really dragged the pacing down and had me go back to reread certain passages again.
Despite this, I really appreciated the way Holden became close with Christy. Their relationship, even though it began fake, truly seemed to develop with an ease. We got to see several loose ends be tied up (though the brother's resolution felt a bit too quick), and I appreciated that not every closure was the expected one. Plus, I loved that Holden and Christy could rebuild some of the relationships within their families.
Overall, I think existing fans and those looking for an easy steamy romance would enjoy If We Play Fair. Christy and Holden were made for each other, and their relationship leaps off the page.
Thank you to Nathalie Theodore for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 18, 2026
I absolutely adored ‘If We Play Fair”. Christy is such a fun character and her way of getting her anger out is “Hulking Out.” Also good for her at being good at hitting a baseball. I do not have the hand eye coordination for that. I can understand her strained relationship with her sister and her mother, but I’m glad they’re close again and that Christy isn’t wallowing away in New York City over TGI Friday. Love that nickname thank you Holden. Another thing I appreciate is that Christy is actually a fan of the team Holden plays for and could admit that he himself is a good pitcher and is good for the team. A lot of sports romance books, not all but some, usually have the FMC have some sort of grudge or a reason why they won’t go out with an athlete that’s so clearly wants to date them.
Holden is a clear example of the “hefalls first and falls hard”romance book trope and I love it. It’s not obnoxious and in your face like he was in love by the first chapter, but from his POV, but by the time they were leaving for Maui boy oh boy was that man falling for her. It did stink that he kept his past with Cat from Christy but at the same time I can see where he was coming from. Christy was already a wreck between being an agent for a crappy author (out of her control mind you), to being rejected by an author she loves and finding out she and Jenna were really only half sisters. Christy was going through it, and Holden was just trying to protect her. In hindsight, he shouldn’t have, but there’s only so much he could do.
Loved Christy and Holden’s story so much, Nathalie you did an amazing job.
Holden is a clear example of the “hefalls first and falls hard”romance book trope and I love it. It’s not obnoxious and in your face like he was in love by the first chapter, but from his POV, but by the time they were leaving for Maui boy oh boy was that man falling for her. It did stink that he kept his past with Cat from Christy but at the same time I can see where he was coming from. Christy was already a wreck between being an agent for a crappy author (out of her control mind you), to being rejected by an author she loves and finding out she and Jenna were really only half sisters. Christy was going through it, and Holden was just trying to protect her. In hindsight, he shouldn’t have, but there’s only so much he could do.
Loved Christy and Holden’s story so much, Nathalie you did an amazing job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Nathalie Theodore for the ARC of If We Play Fair 💜❤️
🗓 Release Date: 2-25-26
📚 Sports Romance
"They can fake the relationship. They can’t ignore the chemistry. An enemies-to-lovers baseball romance—free with Kindle Unlimited."
~~
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶
I LOVED this book so much! From Christy and Holden's "meet-cute" that went a little wrong, to their fake dating and week in Hawaii with Holden's family. This was so funny and romantic 😍
The family drama was entertaining. I think Holden's mom kind of reminded me of Shira Huntzberger from Gilmore Girls, so that definitely made the Hawaiian family vacation interesting.
The spicy scenes were well-written and I think this book was just perfect! I think Nathalie did a wonderful job with the way she handled Christy's body insecurities and the book dedication was 💯 - "To every woman whose body has been critiqued instead of cherished. You were never the problem." 🥹
Some tropes you may be interested in:
*Fake Dating
*Sports Romance
*Enemies to Lovers
*Only One Bed
*Curvy FMC
Be sure to get your copy on release day - 2/25/2026!
🗓 Release Date: 2-25-26
📚 Sports Romance
"They can fake the relationship. They can’t ignore the chemistry. An enemies-to-lovers baseball romance—free with Kindle Unlimited."
~~
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶
I LOVED this book so much! From Christy and Holden's "meet-cute" that went a little wrong, to their fake dating and week in Hawaii with Holden's family. This was so funny and romantic 😍
The family drama was entertaining. I think Holden's mom kind of reminded me of Shira Huntzberger from Gilmore Girls, so that definitely made the Hawaiian family vacation interesting.
The spicy scenes were well-written and I think this book was just perfect! I think Nathalie did a wonderful job with the way she handled Christy's body insecurities and the book dedication was 💯 - "To every woman whose body has been critiqued instead of cherished. You were never the problem." 🥹
Some tropes you may be interested in:
*Fake Dating
*Sports Romance
*Enemies to Lovers
*Only One Bed
*Curvy FMC
Be sure to get your copy on release day - 2/25/2026!
February 26, 2026
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of If We Play Fair from the author! 🫶
If We Play Fair is such an incredible read and I loved it so much! 🥹🩷 This is my first ever book from Nathalie Theodore and I definitely plan on reading more from this author. If We Play Fair is the third book in the series but easily was able to be read as a stand-alone! 🫶
Christy and Holden truly are everything and their chemistry is off the charts! 🤭🔥 I love how their connection built up in such a beautiful way and how they became safe spaces for one another. I also love how this book dealt with so many mental health issues such as body image issues, self-esteem, and anxiety in such a beautiful way! 🫶
If you love romance books, fake dating, mental health representation, he falls first, one bed, and a book you won’t want to put down then this is the one for you! 🫶
If We Play Fair is such an incredible read and I loved it so much! 🥹🩷 This is my first ever book from Nathalie Theodore and I definitely plan on reading more from this author. If We Play Fair is the third book in the series but easily was able to be read as a stand-alone! 🫶
Christy and Holden truly are everything and their chemistry is off the charts! 🤭🔥 I love how their connection built up in such a beautiful way and how they became safe spaces for one another. I also love how this book dealt with so many mental health issues such as body image issues, self-esteem, and anxiety in such a beautiful way! 🫶
If you love romance books, fake dating, mental health representation, he falls first, one bed, and a book you won’t want to put down then this is the one for you! 🫶
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If We Play Fair is another fantastic win for Nathalie Theodore. From start to finish, the story pulled me in and didn’t let go. Christy is an incredibly relatable protagonist, especially in the way she navigates body image and self-confidence. It was wonderful to catch up on the growing lives of characters from previous books. The expanded storylines for the side characters added so much depth and charm.
And then there’s Holden, who is grumpy yet undeniably sweet. I was rooting for him the entire time. The way Nathalie shows him carrying and working through his grief felt so authentic and tender that it made me love him even more. As a Cincinnati Reds hometown fan with a dog named Griffey, I couldn’t help but smile at his favorite player. It was the perfect touch in an already heartfelt story.
Way to hit a homerun, Nathalie!
And then there’s Holden, who is grumpy yet undeniably sweet. I was rooting for him the entire time. The way Nathalie shows him carrying and working through his grief felt so authentic and tender that it made me love him even more. As a Cincinnati Reds hometown fan with a dog named Griffey, I couldn’t help but smile at his favorite player. It was the perfect touch in an already heartfelt story.
Way to hit a homerun, Nathalie!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is such a cute book with witty banter and adorable fake dating. It sizzles and packs some mean chemistry. It is definitely he falls first vibes so that was also fun. I love a flirty MMC and this delivered.
The only negatives I had were sometimes the characters felt a little immature for their ages and parts were a little boring. However, I love the main plot that carried the story. There was a lot of fun between the two characters. I also liked the side characters. They brought a lot to the story too. I had a lot of laugh out moments and was really rooting for their love story.
I am personally not a huge spicy book person but I did enjoy the deeper meanings of the book. It had some really beautiful moments. I'd probably say it was closer to 3.5 for my taste but I can see why it was a 5 star for so many others.
The only negatives I had were sometimes the characters felt a little immature for their ages and parts were a little boring. However, I love the main plot that carried the story. There was a lot of fun between the two characters. I also liked the side characters. They brought a lot to the story too. I had a lot of laugh out moments and was really rooting for their love story.
I am personally not a huge spicy book person but I did enjoy the deeper meanings of the book. It had some really beautiful moments. I'd probably say it was closer to 3.5 for my taste but I can see why it was a 5 star for so many others.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book! It pulled me in and didn't let go. I loved the enemies to lovers aspect and feel like it was written perfectly. I loved the banter between the MCs and seeing their story grow. I love how comfortable Christy got with Holden. I loved when Holden showed interest in Christy's book. It showed how interested he was in winning her over. I absolutely loved the ending and hope there is another book with more of Christy and Holden's story!
“Oh, yeah?” I meet her gaze in the mirror. “You want me to show you how pretty you look when you’re getting good dick?”
“Oh, yeah?” I meet her gaze in the mirror. “You want me to show you how pretty you look when you’re getting good dick?”
Review of advance copy received from Author
If We Play Fair is such a comforting story! it warmed my heart, twice i even shed tears. wonderful storytelling, and I especially appreciate how Nathalie Theodore buttoned up all the characters at the end.
I also like how there was no dramatic breakup, and no dramatic fighting their feelings and each other.
Overall, this story is exactly the palette cleanser I needed after reading the darker stuff.
I stayed up way too late to finish this and review it, now I am exhausted but cozy inside from this heartwarming love story.
I look forward to reading more by Nathalie.. with a background in mental health, the characters are super relatable, with anxieties and baggage and difficulty with emotional regulation. Just like me!
thanks sooo much for choosing me to read for you!!
I also like how there was no dramatic breakup, and no dramatic fighting their feelings and each other.
Overall, this story is exactly the palette cleanser I needed after reading the darker stuff.
I stayed up way too late to finish this and review it, now I am exhausted but cozy inside from this heartwarming love story.
I look forward to reading more by Nathalie.. with a background in mental health, the characters are super relatable, with anxieties and baggage and difficulty with emotional regulation. Just like me!
thanks sooo much for choosing me to read for you!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am obsessed with Nathalie Theodore's collection! Tension runs high in this enemies-to-lovers romance. Sure, the characters Christy and Holden are attracted to each other and sure, they share an interest in furthering their own business goals, but can this really go beyond a steamy fling? Loved the heat, the surprises, and that we are whisked away to tropical Hawaii...!!! Indulge yourself with this read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2026
This book was a great read. I absolutely loved Christy and Holden. The connection between them didn't disappoint. They just got on so well, and it was perfect reading them bond and getting to know each other. The way this book was written, it kept my interest, and I couldn't wait to read what developed between Christy and Holden.
ARC received through Netgalley.
ARC received through Netgalley.
February 25, 2026
First, I want to say thank you to Nathalie Theodore for once again gracing the world with her excellent writing and allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I can’t wait to see what you write next…and If We Play Fair hasn’t even released yet! 💜🌺🌴⚾️
Some tropes you’ll love:
💜 Fake dating
💜 Dual POV
💜 He falls first
💜 Chicago/Maui/NYC setting
💜 His family is RICH rich
💜 Overcoming insecurities
If We Play Fair is the sexy third book in the Dramatic Hearts series. I recommend reading books one and two for continuity of recurring characters. This story is told in dual POV of literary agent Christy (Jenna’s sister from If My Wishes Came True) and MLB pitcher Holden.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I think the tropes give you a good idea of where the plot is headed 👀
Something I loved in If We Play Fair was the literary/baseball references that got woven into the dialogue and interests of the characters. THAT scene with the picnic on the beach…IYKYK.
I will give a warning that this is a pretty spicy book, and for me, the pent up sexual tension at the beginning of the story was distracting from getting to know the characters on a deeper level. However, when you look at the themes of physical vs emotional intimacy throughout the story, we see a progression in the emotional depth of Holden and Christy’s relationship.
I most often highlighted passages where they were opening up and being vulnerable with each other. I think without these moments, the plot would’ve leaned too heavily on their sexual chemistry for my tastes. But hey, everyone has their own preferences! If you’re a fan of Sex and the City I think you’ll love the banter between Christy, Jenna and Sam (her best friend).
Thank you again to Nathalie Theodore for this ARC! I can’t believe just over a year ago there were no books of yours on my Kindle shelf and now there are three! Nathalie, you are prolific!
Some tropes you’ll love:
💜 Fake dating
💜 Dual POV
💜 He falls first
💜 Chicago/Maui/NYC setting
💜 His family is RICH rich
💜 Overcoming insecurities
If We Play Fair is the sexy third book in the Dramatic Hearts series. I recommend reading books one and two for continuity of recurring characters. This story is told in dual POV of literary agent Christy (Jenna’s sister from If My Wishes Came True) and MLB pitcher Holden.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I think the tropes give you a good idea of where the plot is headed 👀
Something I loved in If We Play Fair was the literary/baseball references that got woven into the dialogue and interests of the characters. THAT scene with the picnic on the beach…IYKYK.
I will give a warning that this is a pretty spicy book, and for me, the pent up sexual tension at the beginning of the story was distracting from getting to know the characters on a deeper level. However, when you look at the themes of physical vs emotional intimacy throughout the story, we see a progression in the emotional depth of Holden and Christy’s relationship.
I most often highlighted passages where they were opening up and being vulnerable with each other. I think without these moments, the plot would’ve leaned too heavily on their sexual chemistry for my tastes. But hey, everyone has their own preferences! If you’re a fan of Sex and the City I think you’ll love the banter between Christy, Jenna and Sam (her best friend).
Thank you again to Nathalie Theodore for this ARC! I can’t believe just over a year ago there were no books of yours on my Kindle shelf and now there are three! Nathalie, you are prolific!
January 10, 2026
Thank you Nathalie for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Wow, this was so good!! I loved the characters, the fake dating, the spice, all of it! I loved the self esteem story as well, what a beautiful reminder that everyone is beautiful, regardless of what others say about you.
December 27, 2025
*BETA READ*
If We Play Fair, the third installment in the Dramatic Hearts Club, was my absolute favorite of the series so far. Christy and Holden were everything in this story of facing your insecurities, dealing with life altering circumstances, growing into your own, being there for the ones you love and finding your person when you least expect it. Not to mention, this is Nathalie's spiciest read yet! The growth of both main and side was refreshing and I loved walking with them through their journeys. Nathalie is a master at incorporating mental health representation in her books and If We Play Fair was no different - it was a story that I've related to even more than any other. This book was a phenomenal follow up to books 1 and 2 (with some characters you may recognize along the way)! I'm very excited for the next chapter in the Dramatic Hearts Club universe.
If We Play Fair, the third installment in the Dramatic Hearts Club, was my absolute favorite of the series so far. Christy and Holden were everything in this story of facing your insecurities, dealing with life altering circumstances, growing into your own, being there for the ones you love and finding your person when you least expect it. Not to mention, this is Nathalie's spiciest read yet! The growth of both main and side was refreshing and I loved walking with them through their journeys. Nathalie is a master at incorporating mental health representation in her books and If We Play Fair was no different - it was a story that I've related to even more than any other. This book was a phenomenal follow up to books 1 and 2 (with some characters you may recognize along the way)! I'm very excited for the next chapter in the Dramatic Hearts Club universe.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nathalie Theodore has done it again. Book three in the Dramatic Hearts Club series "hits it out of the park" with Christy and Holden's true love story. What started as a fake dating scheme to fix both of their recently acquired “bad reputations” very quickly turned into more for both of our MCs. Nathalie does a wonderful job creating the best arch for each character to travel. Christy's battle with self-image hit especially close to home, but was handled with such care and real-world authenticity. I felt like I had been in Christy's head in my own life several times. Holden so sweetly guided her through those insecurities with such ease and no hesitation. I love how Nathalie weaves fate into each of her stories, and making Holden's grandmother a part of that story was so special. I only wish I could have been on that estate with them while reading this novel; it would have been the cherry on top! While there were a few miscommunications that could have been easily cleared up during the novel, I'm so happy there was no 3/4 breakup! It was so fun to read them razzing each other and Christy giving the sass back to Holden, really putting him in his place. I really enjoyed that Christy and Holden's journey to come together was not a straight path but went through several ebbs and flows. IT made the ending that much sweeter. Please be mindful that there is a brief mention of a fertility journey for a side character and detailed discussions of disordered eating by the FMC that may be sensitive for some readers. Christy and Holden may not have always "played fair," but in the end, they both won.
4.0 Stars!
4.0 Stars!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a great addition to the Dramatic Hearts Club series! I’ve loved this series so far and this book was no different. It was great to see Christy Andersen get her story, especially after we met her and learned a bit about her in Jenna’s book. Christy and Jenna had a rough childhood, so Christy had a lot of baggage, but it was great to see her try her best to work through that in this story. Her ex didn’t help matters either, so she had a lot of issues accepting herself. Enter Holden McBride: dirty talking pitcher extraordinaire who was ready and more than willing to help Christy accept herself. Holden was smitten with Christy from the second they met, and he knew that they were a great match when she stood up to him in a way that no other woman had before. Holden also had a rough childhood, so he had his own issues that he had to overcome in this story, but he worked on himself as hard as Christy worked on herself, and I loved seeing it. Holden had some trust issues that he had to work through, but he found himself trusting Christy almost immediately, and it was great to see him learn that he could trust someone in life. There was a bit of a wobble between them near the end, but I love that they decided to talk things through rather than separating or taking time apart. It showed a lot of growth for them both because they had both had trouble confiding in others, so seeing Christy and Holden trust each other enough to talk about their issues was amazing! This was such a great story, and I can’t wait to see what might be next in the Dramatic Hearts Club series!!
Thank you, Nathalie and Victory Editing, for providing me with an ARC!
Thank you, Nathalie and Victory Editing, for providing me with an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The third installment in the Dramatic Hearts Club Series is, without a doubt, the best one yet—and that’s saying something. This book absolutely raises the bar with its perfect mix of heart, heat, humor, and high-stakes emotion. From the very first chapter, I was hooked—and I genuinely couldn’t put it down.
Christy and Holden have electric chemistry from the moment they step onto the page together. What starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement—fake dating to serve their own personal goals—quickly becomes so much more. Their relationship evolves in the most satisfying way, transforming from calculated strategy to something raw, vulnerable, and undeniably real.
Their witty back-and-forth banter adds so much spark and personality to the story. It keeps the pacing snappy and makes their connection feel authentic and layered. The romance scenes are steamy and passionate adding depth and excitement to their emotional journey.
Beyond the romance, the novel shines with its dynamic and complex characters. Christy and Holden both feel fully realized, each carrying their own ambitions, vulnerabilities, and internal conflicts.
The book is incredibly engaging, and impossible not to devour in one sitting. If you’re looking for a romance that has it all—fake dating, sports, steamy scenes, witty dialogue, and a couple you can’t help but root for—this is it.
If you haven’t picked up the third book in the Dramatic Hearts Club Series yet, you’re seriously missing out. It’s an absolute must-read.
Christy and Holden have electric chemistry from the moment they step onto the page together. What starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement—fake dating to serve their own personal goals—quickly becomes so much more. Their relationship evolves in the most satisfying way, transforming from calculated strategy to something raw, vulnerable, and undeniably real.
Their witty back-and-forth banter adds so much spark and personality to the story. It keeps the pacing snappy and makes their connection feel authentic and layered. The romance scenes are steamy and passionate adding depth and excitement to their emotional journey.
Beyond the romance, the novel shines with its dynamic and complex characters. Christy and Holden both feel fully realized, each carrying their own ambitions, vulnerabilities, and internal conflicts.
The book is incredibly engaging, and impossible not to devour in one sitting. If you’re looking for a romance that has it all—fake dating, sports, steamy scenes, witty dialogue, and a couple you can’t help but root for—this is it.
If you haven’t picked up the third book in the Dramatic Hearts Club Series yet, you’re seriously missing out. It’s an absolute must-read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved absolutely loved everything about this novel, and adored Christy & Holden as a couple! The characters were so real…flawed, vulnerable, and incredibly relatable. It’s a beautiful romance story, but it’s also about healing, identity, and choosing love even when it feels scary & risky. I appreciated how the book conceptualized the idea that two people don’t always have to “make sense”…on paper, to others, or even to themselves…to have the potential to fall deeply in love. Sometimes it’s ok, necessary even, to let chemistry lead, and see what follows. To take a leap, and surrender to the unknown. Whatever will be, will be!
One thing that really sets this book apart to me, and really helped bring the characters to life, are the mental health themes woven so naturally into the storyline. Therapy, insecurity, grief, and emotional honesty are handled with such authenticity. It normalizes being open about struggles, and shows how vulnerability strengthens connection, rather than weakening it. You can absolutely feel Theodore’s background as a therapist shining through in the depth and compassion of the writing…she captures the soul of the characters’ humanity and connections.
And yes, it’s also incredibly romantic..and very steamy! Christy & Holden’s chemistry is off the charts, but the emotional intimacy makes it next level…a perfect balance of heat and heart. Characters you know well from other novels in the series make some appearances throughout the story, which just adds to the fun. I can’t wait for Nathalie Theodore’s next book! Highly, highly recommend.
One thing that really sets this book apart to me, and really helped bring the characters to life, are the mental health themes woven so naturally into the storyline. Therapy, insecurity, grief, and emotional honesty are handled with such authenticity. It normalizes being open about struggles, and shows how vulnerability strengthens connection, rather than weakening it. You can absolutely feel Theodore’s background as a therapist shining through in the depth and compassion of the writing…she captures the soul of the characters’ humanity and connections.
And yes, it’s also incredibly romantic..and very steamy! Christy & Holden’s chemistry is off the charts, but the emotional intimacy makes it next level…a perfect balance of heat and heart. Characters you know well from other novels in the series make some appearances throughout the story, which just adds to the fun. I can’t wait for Nathalie Theodore’s next book! Highly, highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC gifted in exchange for review
This was the third book in a series of interconnected stand-alones, and I came in blind. I would give this 10 stars if I could and I will definitely be going back and reading the other two books in the series. This book checked so many boxes for me:
✅sports romance
✅ fake dating
✅ Supportive MMC
✅He falls first
✅ phenomenal spice
I had such a good time reading this one but it also made me really emotional. I was also super close to my grandparents and when I lost my gran, I didn’t do quite what Holden did when I found out but I can relate to that level of devastation. Subsequently I had a soft spot for him from the get go, poor baby. Christy our sweet badass FMC with such a marshmallow center for all her bravado. I wanted to give her the biggest hug because I get it, truly deeply get the lasting damage a partner’s constant criticism of your body can do to you. Watching both Holden and Christy grow and do the hard emotional work to overcome their respective trauma had me sobbing way too often because I was so proud of them. Holden’s parents are foul demons and I hope they both get swallowed by a kraken from the depths. I became so attached to these two characters and I will definitely be recommending this to my book besties. We love an emotionally intelligent down bad man who knows exactly what he’s doing in the bedroom! The spice was phenomenal and I loveeeeee how he went at the speed Christy needed without a single complaint.
This was the third book in a series of interconnected stand-alones, and I came in blind. I would give this 10 stars if I could and I will definitely be going back and reading the other two books in the series. This book checked so many boxes for me:
✅sports romance
✅ fake dating
✅ Supportive MMC
✅He falls first
✅ phenomenal spice
I had such a good time reading this one but it also made me really emotional. I was also super close to my grandparents and when I lost my gran, I didn’t do quite what Holden did when I found out but I can relate to that level of devastation. Subsequently I had a soft spot for him from the get go, poor baby. Christy our sweet badass FMC with such a marshmallow center for all her bravado. I wanted to give her the biggest hug because I get it, truly deeply get the lasting damage a partner’s constant criticism of your body can do to you. Watching both Holden and Christy grow and do the hard emotional work to overcome their respective trauma had me sobbing way too often because I was so proud of them. Holden’s parents are foul demons and I hope they both get swallowed by a kraken from the depths. I became so attached to these two characters and I will definitely be recommending this to my book besties. We love an emotionally intelligent down bad man who knows exactly what he’s doing in the bedroom! The spice was phenomenal and I loveeeeee how he went at the speed Christy needed without a single complaint.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If We Play Fair by Nathalie Theodore was one of those romance reads that grabs you early and refuses to let go. If you love an enemies-to-lovers arc done right—sharp banter, real friction, and chemistry that crackles—this one delivers. The tension and slow-burn buildup is what this genre is all about!
What really stood out to me, though, was how grounded the characters felt. Theodore doesn’t shy away from real-life baggage: body insecurity, emotional scars from past relationships, and the way those things quietly shape how we love and protect ourselves. It’s handled with so much relatability and care that you can’t help but see pieces of yourself in the characters. Christy is so relatable and the community she has with her sister and friend feel genuine. Reading it makes you feel like you're in their living room gossiping with them.
It's also a little more spicy than previous Theodore books (which I thought was great!), but never at the expense of character or story. The heat feels organic, layered on top of deep emotional connection rather than replacing it. The characters themselves are fully developed and nuanced enough that by the end, it feels like you actually know them.
Smart, steamy, emotionally honest, and deeply satisfying—If We Play Fair is a romance that plays to win. Also love all the baseball puns throughout and couldn't help but add one to the review! ;)
What really stood out to me, though, was how grounded the characters felt. Theodore doesn’t shy away from real-life baggage: body insecurity, emotional scars from past relationships, and the way those things quietly shape how we love and protect ourselves. It’s handled with so much relatability and care that you can’t help but see pieces of yourself in the characters. Christy is so relatable and the community she has with her sister and friend feel genuine. Reading it makes you feel like you're in their living room gossiping with them.
It's also a little more spicy than previous Theodore books (which I thought was great!), but never at the expense of character or story. The heat feels organic, layered on top of deep emotional connection rather than replacing it. The characters themselves are fully developed and nuanced enough that by the end, it feels like you actually know them.
Smart, steamy, emotionally honest, and deeply satisfying—If We Play Fair is a romance that plays to win. Also love all the baseball puns throughout and couldn't help but add one to the review! ;)
February 16, 2026
I would like to thank NetGalley and Nathalie Theodore for giving me the opportunity to review this book in anticipation for its release. I must say, as a huge baseball fan, I tend to be a little critical when books use it as a backdrop. Nathalie does a great job using correct terminology and timelines for those of us that would catch inaccuracies. My only teeny tiny gripe is the main team is clearly based on the Cubs but uses a different name (Starlings) but used other real MLB team names so it did take me out of the story a bit. I would’ve preferred them to all have different names vs a mix.
The romance though, which is the real main event, was off the charts good. I could feel the chemistry radiating off the page throughout the whole book. I think Nathalie did an amazing job portraying real life struggles and giving them real life solutions. I did almost feel like the characters from previous books got a bit too shoehorned into the ending though. Since this is marketed as a standalone having a bunch of text at the very end of the book explaining who these people were was a bit of a strange choice. I’m probably just used to it being more gradual over the entirety of a book vs all at once at the end. I still really enjoyed the ending just that particular scene felt a bit off.
Overall I 100% recommend this book to anyone who enjoys baseball and romance. I can’t wait to go back and read the previous two books of this series.
The romance though, which is the real main event, was off the charts good. I could feel the chemistry radiating off the page throughout the whole book. I think Nathalie did an amazing job portraying real life struggles and giving them real life solutions. I did almost feel like the characters from previous books got a bit too shoehorned into the ending though. Since this is marketed as a standalone having a bunch of text at the very end of the book explaining who these people were was a bit of a strange choice. I’m probably just used to it being more gradual over the entirety of a book vs all at once at the end. I still really enjoyed the ending just that particular scene felt a bit off.
Overall I 100% recommend this book to anyone who enjoys baseball and romance. I can’t wait to go back and read the previous two books of this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off, let me say that I do not frequent the romance genre. I’ve read three romance novels to date, and they were all written by Nathalie Theodore. What can I say? When you have a talented author for a wife, who continues to literally outdo herself with every book she writes, reading them is a no-brainer. If We Play Fair is by far Nathalie's best work yet, and that's saying a lot considering the award-winning status of her debut novel!
Nathalie's third novel has all the elements that will keep you wanting more and not wanting to put it down. From the non-stop drama to the witty banter between the two main characters, you'll find yourself saying "just one more page." While the book is fun, it wouldn't be a Nathalie Theodore book if it didn't explore the all-too-real everyday issues (self-doubt and grief) that will surely resonate with the reader. Nathalie does an amazing job exploring these issues through excellent character development, and you'll find yourself immersed in the story and rooting for Holden and Christy.
Given my wife’s pattern of constantly raising the bar (and clearing it by a long shot), I cannot wait to see what she has in store for the next book in this series!
Nathalie's third novel has all the elements that will keep you wanting more and not wanting to put it down. From the non-stop drama to the witty banter between the two main characters, you'll find yourself saying "just one more page." While the book is fun, it wouldn't be a Nathalie Theodore book if it didn't explore the all-too-real everyday issues (self-doubt and grief) that will surely resonate with the reader. Nathalie does an amazing job exploring these issues through excellent character development, and you'll find yourself immersed in the story and rooting for Holden and Christy.
Given my wife’s pattern of constantly raising the bar (and clearing it by a long shot), I cannot wait to see what she has in store for the next book in this series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nathalie TheodoreI absolutely loved this book. I went into this arc expecting the typical enemies-to-lovers trope, but what I found was so much more!
The character growth of the MMC, Holden, was beautifully written. This golden retriever MMC had me from the very start. Holden’s grief was gut-wrenching, and the way the FMC, Christy, helped him through it felt so authentic and heartfelt. Christy had plenty of growth of her own to go through, and watching them support each other the way they did was truly amazing.
The tension in this book was palpable - and honestly, who doesn’t love a good fake dating trope? The spice was a bit much for me, but that's just a personal preference.
I absolutely adored Christy’s mother; she was such a breath of fresh air! Most of the side characters - except for his family - were so lovable and added so much to the story.
If this book isn’t on your TBR, what are you even doing? It’s easily one of my favorites for the month of February.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nathalie Theodore for entrusting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The character growth of the MMC, Holden, was beautifully written. This golden retriever MMC had me from the very start. Holden’s grief was gut-wrenching, and the way the FMC, Christy, helped him through it felt so authentic and heartfelt. Christy had plenty of growth of her own to go through, and watching them support each other the way they did was truly amazing.
The tension in this book was palpable - and honestly, who doesn’t love a good fake dating trope? The spice was a bit much for me, but that's just a personal preference.
I absolutely adored Christy’s mother; she was such a breath of fresh air! Most of the side characters - except for his family - were so lovable and added so much to the story.
If this book isn’t on your TBR, what are you even doing? It’s easily one of my favorites for the month of February.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nathalie Theodore for entrusting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This third book in Nathalie Theodore’s book series, the Dramatic Hearts Club, is fantastic. I read it in two days and absolutely fell in love with the main characters, Christy and Holden. Not only do I feel like I know them intimately but I honestly didn’t want to lose them when I finished the book. Fortunately, there was a Bonus Epilogue, in Paris no less. I cannot say enough about this writer. She writes from the heart and has the skills necessary to create real characters in real settings and the narrative arc is swift and nimble keeping us hanging on every word and surprising us at every turn. Theodore’s background as a therapist lends depth and nuance to all the characters. I have loved every book in this series, and all the characters in them many of whom flawlessly grace this third narrative, but I can honestly say that If We Play Fair tops them all. What a gift it is to read these books. I love being in Nathalie Theodore’s company as I read them. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
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