What do you think?
Rate this book
Bay Area Players #2
Just for the Plot
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26From New York Times bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a spicy sports romance filled with late-night book club confessions, forbidden attraction, and one slow-burn love story that refuses to stay platonic.
They're just friends.
At least, that's what she thinks. Him? He has other plans.
Bennett Brinkman is San Francisco baseball's golden boy-focused, disciplined, and very bad at ignoring the one woman he shouldn't want. Falling for his sister's best friend was inevitable, even though she's known him since he was all gangly elbows, bad haircuts, and teenage awkwardness...and still insists on seeing him that way.
Bower knows exactly why wanting Bennett is a terrible idea. She's fiercely loyal to her best friend and well aware that crossing this particular line could blow everything up. But when she moves into Bennett's apartment building, that "just friends" boundary begins to blur in the most tempting ways.
The banter comes fast.
The sparks come faster.
And pretending it's "no big deal" is getting ridiculous.
As feelings get messier and attraction turns undeniable, Bennett and Bower must decide if risking their family ties is worth chasing the love that's been in front of them all along.
They're just friends.
At least, that's what she thinks. Him? He has other plans.
Bennett Brinkman is San Francisco baseball's golden boy-focused, disciplined, and very bad at ignoring the one woman he shouldn't want. Falling for his sister's best friend was inevitable, even though she's known him since he was all gangly elbows, bad haircuts, and teenage awkwardness...and still insists on seeing him that way.
Bower knows exactly why wanting Bennett is a terrible idea. She's fiercely loyal to her best friend and well aware that crossing this particular line could blow everything up. But when she moves into Bennett's apartment building, that "just friends" boundary begins to blur in the most tempting ways.
The banter comes fast.
The sparks come faster.
And pretending it's "no big deal" is getting ridiculous.
As feelings get messier and attraction turns undeniable, Bennett and Bower must decide if risking their family ties is worth chasing the love that's been in front of them all along.
512 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Meghan Quinn
119 books53.8k followersFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinn...
Follow me on TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@authormeghanq...
Like me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinna...
When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.
You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.
I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.
Follow me on TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@authormeghanq...
Like me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinna...
When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.
You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.
I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Want to Read
March 19, 2026bennett x bower 💕💕
oh how i love meghan quinn's books (if she writes it im reading it)
can't wait for this book to release!!
oh how i love meghan quinn's books (if she writes it im reading it)
can't wait for this book to release!!
July 16, 2026
I have been waiting for Bower to get her own book, and it absolutely delivered! I loved her unfiltered, unapologetic personality, and she truly shined in this story. As a fellow book lover, I loved seeing her passion for books and watching her chase her dreams.
Then there’s Bennett, he was everything and more. Even though he was eight years younger, he was incredibly mature, patient, and completely devoted to Bower. My mom always told me to fall in love with someone who loves you more, and Bennett is the perfect example of that.
I also loved Nolan’s addition to the group. He brought so much humor and was such a fun character. Getting more of OC and Grayden was everything I wanted, and seeing Maggie and Ryland from Almond Bay pop back in made me so happy.
The spice definitely delivered, but the slow-burn tension leading up to it was even better. And if you’ve read it, you already know the cupcake scene and the bedroom mirror scene will be living rent-free in my head forever.
Meghan Quinn never misses, and this was everything I hoped Bower’s story would be.
Then there’s Bennett, he was everything and more. Even though he was eight years younger, he was incredibly mature, patient, and completely devoted to Bower. My mom always told me to fall in love with someone who loves you more, and Bennett is the perfect example of that.
I also loved Nolan’s addition to the group. He brought so much humor and was such a fun character. Getting more of OC and Grayden was everything I wanted, and seeing Maggie and Ryland from Almond Bay pop back in made me so happy.
The spice definitely delivered, but the slow-burn tension leading up to it was even better. And if you’ve read it, you already know the cupcake scene and the bedroom mirror scene will be living rent-free in my head forever.
Meghan Quinn never misses, and this was everything I hoped Bower’s story would be.
July 16, 2026
This book was phenomenal! I loved this book even more than the first book in this series.
Meghan Quinn is my unicorn author. She sprinkles magical glitter into all of her books with her masterful storytelling. Her brand of romantic comedy is so addicting. There is the perfect balance of humor and feels. Her stories are crafted expertly. The plot was so engaging and kept me yearning for more. The characters were so well developed and relateable. The romance was genuine and compelling. I also really loved the references to her own books in this one. I was so giddy each time one was mentioned and I knew exactly which book the characters were referencing.
These characters were everything. I felt such a deep connection to them. The character development was so well crafted. I loved all the cameos of characters from the author's other books. It brought such a smile to my face. I loved the relationships between characters. The friendships were amazing. I adored the male friendships in this and the journey that came with the female friendships.
The romance in this book ticked off all the boxes for me. Everything about it was perfect. I loved the forbidden aspects in the story, as well as the close bond that the two main characters had at the start of the story. I appreciated the progression of the romance in the story. The two main characters had chemistry that shot off the page. I loved the thoughtfulness of the two main characters in relation to each other. Their entire relationship, both before and after the romance started, was so beautiful and genuine. I was completely gone for these two.
Overall, this book was the bee's knees. Everything about it is absolutely perfect. I think that this book is one of my absolute favorite Meghan Quinn books ever. I enjoyed it that much.
Meghan Quinn is my unicorn author. She sprinkles magical glitter into all of her books with her masterful storytelling. Her brand of romantic comedy is so addicting. There is the perfect balance of humor and feels. Her stories are crafted expertly. The plot was so engaging and kept me yearning for more. The characters were so well developed and relateable. The romance was genuine and compelling. I also really loved the references to her own books in this one. I was so giddy each time one was mentioned and I knew exactly which book the characters were referencing.
These characters were everything. I felt such a deep connection to them. The character development was so well crafted. I loved all the cameos of characters from the author's other books. It brought such a smile to my face. I loved the relationships between characters. The friendships were amazing. I adored the male friendships in this and the journey that came with the female friendships.
The romance in this book ticked off all the boxes for me. Everything about it was perfect. I loved the forbidden aspects in the story, as well as the close bond that the two main characters had at the start of the story. I appreciated the progression of the romance in the story. The two main characters had chemistry that shot off the page. I loved the thoughtfulness of the two main characters in relation to each other. Their entire relationship, both before and after the romance started, was so beautiful and genuine. I was completely gone for these two.
Overall, this book was the bee's knees. Everything about it is absolutely perfect. I think that this book is one of my absolute favorite Meghan Quinn books ever. I enjoyed it that much.
July 16, 2026
This book was exactly what I needed & wanted in a summer rom com and I devoured it so fast! The audio was absolutely fantastic and the casting couldn’t have been more perfect! Samantha Brentmoor & Teddy Hamilton performed our main characters, Bower & Bennett - they are two of my faves and were amazing at bringing these two to life! And the rest of the cast included JF Harding, Connor Crais, Stella Hunter, Emma Wilder, and Jason Clarke. Talk about a dream team to listen to!
Bower and Bennett have known each other for years - she’s his sister’s best friend and has always been there for them. But Bennett was crushing hard from the moment he saw Bower, never thinking he’d ever have a chance with her. But after years of friendship and with her moving to the same city and living in his building…things definitely start to change.
The playful banter between these two is perfection! I love that they have that friendship as a base for their relationship and how comfortable they are with each other. I live for a good slow burn and I was eating this up!
What to expect:
⚾️baseball romance
🧢friends to lovers
⚾️he falls first and HARD
🧢sister’s best friend
⚾️slow burn
🧢age gap
⚾️he falls first
Bower and Bennett have known each other for years - she’s his sister’s best friend and has always been there for them. But Bennett was crushing hard from the moment he saw Bower, never thinking he’d ever have a chance with her. But after years of friendship and with her moving to the same city and living in his building…things definitely start to change.
The playful banter between these two is perfection! I love that they have that friendship as a base for their relationship and how comfortable they are with each other. I live for a good slow burn and I was eating this up!
What to expect:
⚾️baseball romance
🧢friends to lovers
⚾️he falls first and HARD
🧢sister’s best friend
⚾️slow burn
🧢age gap
⚾️he falls first
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yep. I loved it. Plain and Simple.
You want yearning? You get it.
You want adorable banter? Absolutely.
You want internal conflict? Oodles of it.
You want to fan your face from the spice? Grab many fans!!!
I really enjoyed our characters. Bower (our female main character) is a no-filter, romance book loving, sunshine of a person.
Bennet (our male main character) is the yearning, also sunshine (but also sometimes grumpy), man who just wants Bower to give him a chance!
I absolutely adored their journey, even if I was stressed out 80% of the time.
Not to mention the new characters we got, as well as the expansion of our Gladdy Daddy characters.
Such a great book, it made me so happy! I think I was smiling the entire time I was reading. There were even times I laughed out loud!
Overall: highly recommend
Spice: open door
You want yearning? You get it.
You want adorable banter? Absolutely.
You want internal conflict? Oodles of it.
You want to fan your face from the spice? Grab many fans!!!
I really enjoyed our characters. Bower (our female main character) is a no-filter, romance book loving, sunshine of a person.
Bennet (our male main character) is the yearning, also sunshine (but also sometimes grumpy), man who just wants Bower to give him a chance!
I absolutely adored their journey, even if I was stressed out 80% of the time.
Not to mention the new characters we got, as well as the expansion of our Gladdy Daddy characters.
Such a great book, it made me so happy! I think I was smiling the entire time I was reading. There were even times I laughed out loud!
Overall: highly recommend
Spice: open door
July 16, 2026
Thank you so much to MQ and her team for this ALC🎧💕
Bennett has had a crush on his older sister’s best friend for years. He’s been waiting for his chance to be with her. When Bower moves to San Francisco, she only knows her best friends little brother.
Bennett is a pro baseball player with a group of other athletes that have a group chat. They try to help him show Bower that he’s a love interest. It’s definitely not a perfect plan! Cougar put a wrench in the plan! Bower couldn’t resist Bennett for long, but her friendship with Gabby kept her from committing.
Once Bennett gets Bower to see him as more, he was willing to fight to keep her! This story had all the MQ laughs, spice and a happy ending! ⚾️
Bennett has had a crush on his older sister’s best friend for years. He’s been waiting for his chance to be with her. When Bower moves to San Francisco, she only knows her best friends little brother.
Bennett is a pro baseball player with a group of other athletes that have a group chat. They try to help him show Bower that he’s a love interest. It’s definitely not a perfect plan! Cougar put a wrench in the plan! Bower couldn’t resist Bennett for long, but her friendship with Gabby kept her from committing.
Once Bennett gets Bower to see him as more, he was willing to fight to keep her! This story had all the MQ laughs, spice and a happy ending! ⚾️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have yet to read an MQ book that I didn't love and this was no exception! Bennett and Bower were so good together! Best friends little brother is such a fun trope! High stakes with the best friend on the line, but totally worth it in the end.
Bennett has had a crush on Bower since the moment he laid eyes on her, but she's always seem him as a little brother. Until she moves to his apartment building and starts seeing him in a new light... He's charming and oh so grown up. His cute butt in baseball pants doesn't hurt 😏
Finished this baby in a day and my only complaint is that I wish there was more! Also, can we get OC's love story next 🙏
Bennett has had a crush on Bower since the moment he laid eyes on her, but she's always seem him as a little brother. Until she moves to his apartment building and starts seeing him in a new light... He's charming and oh so grown up. His cute butt in baseball pants doesn't hurt 😏
Finished this baby in a day and my only complaint is that I wish there was more! Also, can we get OC's love story next 🙏
Review of advance copy
I will forever read and recommend books from this author. She brings the fun to reading. There is always the comedy, the seriousness, the banter, the spice...and the characters always keep you on your toes. I loved this book. I will say Bower got a little repetitive with the we can't and what am I doing...I knew shed figure it out though. Bennett was a breath of fresh air. And as always, I will forever be fond of the Gladdy Daddy's. Love the new addition!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Accidentally started this 500 page book at 11:30 at night just to have finished it three hours later. Hands down, easily one of my favorite MQ books! And her doing the baseball inception? Fucking brilliant. Makes me want to go back and read that entire series again!
go read this book!
**Full review to come
go read this book!
**Full review to come
Review of advance copy
I seriously could not put this one down. I know I say this every time, but Meghan Quinn has delivered once again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love this one so much! Full review to come
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews