The Games We Play

by Alyssa Martin

Friends to lovers. Roommates. Two athletes chasing dreams and each other.In The Games We Play, practice makes perfect, but falling for your best friend might be the most dangerous game of all.

TAYLOR COLEMAN
I don’t have time for distractions. Balancing college baseball, classes, and keeping my younger sister out of trouble is enough.
But sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I ever had time for things like dating.
The only problem? I’m inexperienced. As in, completely.
So when my best friend and star basketball player, Todd, offers to help me practice, it seems like a good idea. He’s always been there for me, so the last thing he’ll do is distract me from what’s important . . . right?

TODD BERGMAN
I’m in love with my best friend, and she has too much going on to notice. I’ve always had her back and been the safe place she can run to. So when she asks for help with dating, it feels natural to say yes.
But the longer we practice, the more the lines blur . . . are we still friends, or something more?

Genres: Romance, Sports

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2026

About the author

Alyssa Martin adores love stories in every form—from candlelit ballrooms to modern locker rooms. She writes both historical and contemporary romance, inspired by her studies in 18th and 19th century literature. She holds a BA in Education Studies and English Literature, an MA in English Literature, and is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Winchester. Whether she’s writing about rakes or basketball players, she’s always looking for her next book boyfriend.

Connect with Alyssa:

TIKTOK & INSTAGRAM: alyssatheauthor_

FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Fluffy Spice Society)

Reviews

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ooh doggie, this was a wild ride. The Games We Play featured the romance between two long time best friends who realize they want something more in their relationship. Our hero, Todd, also happens to be six foot nine?! Excuse me! I know he's a basketball player, but rarely have I encountered this height outside of werewolves or other paranormal creatures. I know it was most likely a throwaway descriptor, but I couldn't get it out of my mind. The logistics alone had me scratching my wee head. Gigantic love interests aside, this book was very emotionally heavy and it didn't even fully focus on the main couple. The heroine has a lot of familial baggage including an alcoholic mom and a pothead teenage sister who winds up pregnant. There was too much focus on the sideplot while the main romance suffered in comparison. Our hero offers sex lessons as a way to build up Taylor's confidence, but we all know it's self-serving. Come on, Todd! This was a very odd romance that felt more drama than romance, personally. If it was more Troy Bolton less Iron Claw, I would be a happier gal. The love scenes were intimate, but also incredibly awkward. I don't think I'll continue with this author, but major props for writing a gargantuan hero so casually. I'll be thinking about that aspect for a long time. My only tip for future books: get'cha head in the game!

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I recommend this book.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Franky · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.0⭐

(+):
Yay girls in baseball! It’s dumb that there’s a gender segregation with softball and baseball. But oh boy could I have done with more baseball (and we will be *getting to the baseball*)
I think that the FMC is done far better than the MMC. Her drive to be all that she can be is much clearer, based on her family trauma and her star athlete status all while fighting an uphill battle against bureaucratic standards and red tape.
The title is fine, sure.

(-):
OH BOY do I have feelings about the baseball in this book. I love baseball. Deeply. And I know that not everyone understands baseball as intimately as I do, and that’s fine. I know sports romances don’t need to be 100% accurate (though I’ll still struggle with them if they’re not, but that’s a me thing). But WOW is the baseball in this book just…incorrect?? This girl is supposed to have .438 batting average. A POINT FOUR THREE EIGHT. That is inSANE. And I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be a career average? Which is even more unbelievable. No club would care if she were a woman at that rate - they would sign her and have her wear a glue on mustache at that rate. For reference: Babe Ruth had a .342. A .438 is getting a hit nearly every other at bat. That’s just wild and I have not stopped thinking about how ridiculous that is since I finished this book days ago.
The MMC is made of cardboard. We know next to nothing about him except that he loves this girl and has for years, he goes behind her back to talk to her brother about her, and that he also…kind of hates basketball but still goes pro? Give him SOMETHING.
How and why are these two friends. They have nothing that seems to connect them. They just have history or something.
Remove the brother character. He adds nothing. Or rather, what he does add is just contrived and/or confusing. He does not need to be there.
This cover is…uncanny to me. I don’t like the shading and I am just not a fan of this “two characters standing next to each other without any dynamism that Romance covers have been leaning towards in the last few years.

(?):
A FOUR THREE EIGHT BA???


Will I read the next one? : No.

(How Long) Do I Think They’ll Stay Together? : They’ll open up their relationship when they hit 40 and then they’ll separate but never get divorced. But they’re rich as hell at that point so who cares.

*Thank you to Kingsley & NetGalley Influencers for providing this ARC!


Similar Books :
- 'Unloved' by Peyton Corinne
- 'Catch Her If You Can' by Tessa Bailey
- 'Blind Side' by Kandi Steiner

[Elia Winters · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this story I really enjoyed and then parts that frustrated me. The book started off strong, I enjoyed seeing Todd and Taylor’s friendship and seeing how Todd secretly loves Taylor and that he also has a strong friendship with Taylor’s brother Chase. It was very emotional seeing Taylor’s family dynamic, dealing with an alcoholic mother who is just plain mean and trying to care for her sister while being at a college two hours way. I felt so bad for Taylor, but I could also see how she thrived being needed especially when she had so many unknowns after college since she could not go into the MLB as a woman (stupid btw). I wish we could have seen more about Taylor’s dad and how that rift happened and more about the family dynamic in general.

I enjoyed seeing both Todd and Taylor thrive in their sports and seeing both basketball and baseball. I appreciated the details on the sports and games and the reality of a woman in baseball and how they are limited even if they are extremely talented.

As I said before, I enjoyed Todd and Taylor’s friendship in the beginning and how Todd surprised Taylor with Super Bowl tickets. I was frustrated that he did not admit his love like he planned but ok, I could see why and the trope of practicing was fun. What started to bother me is that Todd had so many opportunities to be honest with Taylor even when they graduated, but NOTHING. Also, I could really feel the friendship at the beginning and they talked and had conversations as friends but soon after they started hooking up, I feel like the friendship disappeared. They did not have many conversations that didn’t have to do with hooking up or Taylor’s frustration with her family. I just feel like the friendship lacked about halfway through.

I appreciated it being fast paced to cover their last semester and into their new adult lives. I feel like some of the plot was lacking and could have been built upon but I did appreciate seeing them go into their adult lives and figure it out.

All in all, the story was good and I wanted to know what would happen, I just think it would have been better if the plot, characters, and relationship was more developed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kingsley Publishers, and Alyssa Martin for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Games We Play is a charming addition to the college sports romance genre, offering a sweet and engaging narrative that resonates with the earnestness of young love. As an ARC reader, I found the story to be a delightful exploration of the friends-to-lovers trope, enriched by the dynamic of a male main character (MMC) who falls first.The novel centers on Taylor Coleman, a 5'10" baseball catcher navigating the demanding world of college athletics, academics, and family responsibilities. Her counterpart, Todd Bergman, is a 6'9" star basketball player and her best friend. The premise, where Todd offers to help Taylor with her dating inexperience, cleverly sets the stage for their evolving relationship. This "help me practice" scenario, combined with their roommate status, creates a simmering tension that is characteristic of well-executed sports romances.One of the most compelling aspects of the story, is Todd's early and profound affection for Taylor. His "he falls first" dynamic adds a complex layer to their interactions, making his internal struggle particularly poignant. His fear slowed their progress together. Todd's apprehension, stemming from the risk of jeopardizing their deep-seated friendship, is a central conflict that drives much of the narrative tension. His journey to overcome this fear and openly pursue the woman he desires forms the emotional core of the story. While the setting is a college environment, the sentiment that it seems more a teenage love story than college is a reasonable one. This perception arises from the characters' innocence, their initial inexperience with romance, and the overarching theme of self-discovery that often accompanies adolescence. However, this aspect can also be viewed as a strength, offering a refreshing take on the new adult genre by focusing on the purity and uncertainty of first loves, even amidst the pressures of college sports and future aspirations. The narrative effectively captures the essence of young adults still figuring out their paths, both individually and as a couple. Ultimately, The Games We Play delivers on its promise of a sweet romance where the protagonists, despite their initial hesitations and fears, eventually "work it out." Alyssa Martin skillfully weaves together elements of sports, friendship, and burgeoning love, creating a heartwarming and satisfying read for fans of the genre.

[Dimitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Games We Play 🏀
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Alyssa Martin for trusting me with this ARC!💛
Taylor's life is constantly going back and front with balancing baseball,college,and keeping her sister out of trouble.So,having time for love and dating?Not the case.But sometimes,she wonders what if...
What if he could tell his best friend that he loves her?No way,Todd cannot ruin her only safe place.Ever.

That was one of the best college romances of 2026.FOR SURE.
Not only did I absolutely loved the trope,but I also adored our main characters too.You see,Martin did not only wrote an amazing romance but she let them shine and generally be as individuals,helping us to love and understand them even better.
Taylor, represents the older sister's life to the best.She constantly has to look back,to make sure everything is alright and every one behaves the way that they should be,with that leaving her behind in her own life,and trust me she knows that,it hurts her but she is deep into the mindset that this is what she should too.So trust me,when I saw her life to blossom outside from that,because she IS much more than that,I was extremely happy.
On the other side,Todd is in REAL love with our girl,& you will not understand this in the🌶️ scenes or in the romance,but in his decision to not to tell her,because she needs her support system and he knows that him as her boyfriend is not how she needs him for the most of the story.So,when you tell me about true love I will answer with Todd Bergman.
But,WHEN the romance happened I can say that it was AMAZING & my personal favorite :THE EPILOGUE.In the last page I almost cried.Not because I did not expect the ending,but I understood that Taylor for the most of her life did not,she didn't thought that she would have this ever,until she accomplished it.🥹
Out On Mar,26th 🏆
4⭐

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgally, publishers and author for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest review.

I can honestly say when I finished this book my first thought was, “That was beautiful.” And I had tears in my eyes because it really was. The epilogue was everything.

We met Taylor and Todd who have been the best of friends since they were little, currently they are at the end of their college careers about to embark into the real world. Where one is a hopeful NBA star, the other is an MVP in baseball. It’s fun to see how the two of them navigate the two different sports and support each other, but really that’s not the point of the story, it’s just bonus.

Taylor has never been with anyone and decides one day with Todd that he is her best friend they should “practice.” One thing leads to another and there are some quite spicy parts throughout the book, but they are well done without oversharing too much, which is my preference. I like to add my own imagination to the plot without so much description. Either way it didn’t bother me, which usually I skip over but this time I did not. So, it is very well written for my taste. I do feel like even though they are best friends and have known each other forever they still seemed to jump into it a little quickly. But I adore them together. So perfect.

I love reading books when one person is so in love with the other and the other has no clue but everyone around them sees it. It’s just so entertaining when the realization happens. I really enjoyed the book and couldn’t and didn’t want to put it down. There were family dynamics throughout the book that were explored, their friendship/situationship/relationship, there were sports references and most importantly there was love and understanding and a bit of spice. Delightful book overall.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor is about to graduate and is a generational college baseball player. Unfortunately for her, there are no opportunities to actually play professionally, so she has set her sights on getting a job somewhere else in the field. She lives with her best friend Todd, star basketball player, who she’s known since they were kids. Both have feelings for the other (him more so than her), but have hidden it to not mess up their friendship, particularly on her side, as Todd is one of the only good, stable things she has in her life.

Since Taylor has her hands full with school, baseball, caring for her younger sister who always finds herself in trouble, and an alcoholic mother, she has no experience with (and no time for) relationships. Todd offers to help, which she initially brushes off, but eventually comes around to. She trusts him and figures, what’s the harm in a little practice?

This is exactly the kind of book that I was in the mood for- low stakes, steamy, quick, and a lot of fun! There aren’t enough romance books about baseball (though I have been noticing a few more than usual lately so maybe we’re starting to hit a peak here) and considering it’s my favorite sport, I loved that this one not only revolved around it, but had a girl playing it! (Have to shoutout to the tv show Pitch here, RIP, gone too soon, and it’s such a shame) I really liked Taylor and Todd both, they’re perfect for each other in the way that it’s obvious to everyone else around them.

Compared to other romances, this one is relatively short, so there’s not a lot of filler, which I appreciated. I’m also not usually a huge fan of college romances, as it often runs into the problem of feeling a little too juvenile, but this one won me over!

[Ayesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Games we play ' by Alyssa Martin is a beautifully written sports romance novel. It was emotional, heartwarming and the transition from Friends to lovers was just amazing to read.

The female lead 'Taylor Coleman' plays baseball and is a strong, confident woman who takes care of her family members selflessly. The character of Taylor is such that mostly women who are primary caretakers and givers can easily relate to it as they are the ones who never prioritize their dreams or career and just give all the love and care without thinking about themselves. It was refreshing to see the stereotype of a female baseball player broken and at the end she was successful in her field . The whole character of Taylor was inspiring and as a woman I like seeing such a strong female lead. Her relationship with her sister Emma was emotional to read and I did like the bond of them.

The Male lead 'Todd' was a basketball player and as a friend to Taylor was just amazing. The friendship between them was portrayed beautifully.He was always there for Taylor and took immense care of her. The chemistry between them was just terrific and their 'Practice' sessions were just mind-blowing 🙈

The character of 'Chase' as a big brother to Taylor and his bond with Todd was something I just adored in the whole story. I did like the character growth of Emma and at the end she became my favorite side character.

The sports scenes from the book were really good it felt like I was watching Taylor and Todd play the game , really intriguing.

Overall I did enjoy the whole novel and I did like how the Family dynamics were presented in a realistic manner. This was an amazing read😊

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded and your girl sends it out of the park right in the nick of time. All this to say, I finished this ARC right at the buzzer. My first sports romance. It was fun, authentic, and spicy. As someone who knows absolutely nothing about baseball and just a smidge more about basketball lol, it was fun learning a little bit about how the games and players work. I loved this best friends to lovers relationship and how much love and respect the two main characters, Taylor and Todd, have for one another. I was rooting for Todd to get the girl even after the description of Justin and his grey sweatpants. Todd's POV right away starts with him telling the audience that he loves Taylor and I love that. It fun to know it up front and to see how it will come together. I am a girls girl and a first daughter so I am ridiculously empathetic to everything Taylor went through in this story. With a not so perfect home life, a near extinct dating history, and a dream of succeeding in a male dominated industry, Taylor is the girl to root for, I just wanted to see her succeed and blossom!
I rated this book a 4 out of 5 because the pacing was just a little off for me. The spice went from 0 to 100 and I love spice but this being a more contemporary piece and the FMC being a novice in relationships and I feel like we need more of a build up. I also needed more Todd. I loved Taylor and we learn so much about her but what about Todd? I need more Todd.
Thank you and a big congratulations to Alyssa Martin on her new book and thank you to Alyssa and @lovesnotespr for the ARC.

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to pick this book up as soon as I read the blurb! Baseball has been my favorite sport ever since I was a kid. I’m new to this author’s work as well. I got right into this story. I enjoyed it so much!

Taylor and Todd’s journey immediately had my attention! Todd is a basketball player and Taylor is a baseball player. These two are roommates and have been best friends for many years. The thing is though, Todd loves Taylor. As certain lessons shake things up between them, will they take a chance on their feelings?

Todd and Taylor got me right into their story! I really enjoyed their friendship and the fact that they were roommates as well. I thought it was so cool how they were both athletes and what it all brought to their story. From their friendship and lessons to everything they made each other feel, I couldn’t wait to see how it’d all play out for Taylor and Todd.

Taylor was such a strong character that I felt for. I related to her in so many ways, especially when it came to her passion for baseball. I adored how Todd loved Taylor. He was really there for her which was so wonderful to see. Their chemistry and lessons together were so good! I felt every bit of Todd and Taylor’s journey with them!

The Games We Play was an awesome best friends to lovers romance that brought baseball player FMC x basketball player MMC, realness, and feels!! I’m looking forward to picking up more of this author’s work. ⚾️❤️🏀

Check out the author’s note about the content.



*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Love Notes PR / the author*

[Sarah Putrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a cute story and I really enjoyed it. I've never been a sports fan irl but for some reason I actually enjoy reading about it in romance stories. I have no idea if things are accurate but they made it sound interesting at least.

Taylor and Todd are best friends who have grown up together and are in their last year of college. Todd is the hopeful NBA player who's been in love with Taylor. Taylor is an MVP in baseball struggling to also take care of family issues no time for dating. Instead of telling his feelings Todd offers to enter an arrangement with Taylor where they practice sexual things to gain her more confidence as she has little to no experience and Todd has always been her safe place. What could possibly go wrong?

It's definitely not hard to miss Todd and Taylor have chemistry even though Taylor is clueless most of the time to any feelings. They have so many steamy spicy scenes throughout. Todd of course was always trying to put Taylor first and Taylor was always trying to put her family first. Eventually they got their HEA and I was definitely sweating it but the ending is so worth everything!

It definitely makes me sad that women can't play as men do. That Taylor couldn't continue her dream in playing professionally and I definitely think that needs changing.

This was a fast paced friend's to lovers romance with lots of sports mixed in. It was very heartwarming and cozy. I definitely recommend this one!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Games We Play by Alyssa Martin it had the friends-to-lovers trope!

Taylor and Todd are the main characters, and their dynamic really carries the story. Taylor is a standout college baseball player the best on her team with the top batting average, and she even takes on a mentoring role with her pitcher. I loved seeing a strong, driven female athlete in that space. At the same time, her personal life is chaotic. She’s constantly stepping up for her younger sister, taking on more responsibility than she should have to, which adds a lot of pressure to her life.

Todd, on the other hand, is an all-star basketball player with a future headed toward the draft. He comes from a great, supportive family, which contrasts nicely with Taylor’s situation. He’s been in love with Taylor since they were kids, giving this story that “he falls first” element that’s always so satisfying. Their long history and deep friendship make the shift into something more feel natural and really sweet.

This is a true friends-to-lovers romance, but it also highlights Taylor learning to put herself first instead of always taking care of everyone else. That personal growth added a meaningful layer to the story.

While I found the book cute and enjoyable overall, there were a few moments that felt a bit repetitive, and I wish certain parts had been developed a little more. Still, it’s a solid read with a heartfelt relationship at its core.

[Books.For.Sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 estrellas

Primeramente quiero agradecer a NetGalley, Alyssa Martin y Kingsley Publishers por permitirme leer el ARC de esta historia a cambio de una reseña honesta.

The Games We Play se nos presenta como un friends to lovers donde nuestros protagonistas, Taylor y Todd, se embarcan en una relación con ciertos "beneficios" con el fin de "practicar", al no ser capaz de aceptar lo que sienten o debido a las presiones familiares que ella esta atravesando.
En un comienzo, este libro tenia demasiado potencial para ser un 5 estrellas, pero a medida que la historia iba avanzando, se volvía aun mas lenta y un tanto repetitiva, especialmente con las escenas spicy.
Otro punto que tampoco fue de mi agrado es la resolución que se le da a la historia. No soy para nada fan de aquellos libros donde toda la trama central se resuelve en pocas paginas y durante el capitulo final (este libro posee capítulos cortos). Sinceramente me esperaba alguna confesión un tanto mas romántica o que lo haya demostrado de otra manera...y sinceramente lo arruino todo con la mención del hotel.
De igual manera fue una buena lectura, rápida y fácil.
Lo recomiendo si lo que buscan es algo rápido para pasar el tiempo.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ Friends to lovers. Roommates. Two athletes chasing dreams and each other.”
❤️‍🔥
Taylor doesn’t have time for distractions between baseball, college and making sure her sister behaves she doesn’t have the time to think about dating and if she’s honest she’s a little inexperienced in it all. So when her best friend Todd offers to help practice 😉 it seems like the perfect idea. Todd’s only problem.. he’s in love with her his best friend and she’s too distracted to notice so he jumps at the chance to practice.
.
I could not put this book down! I read it over two days which is fast for me and I only broke it up between two days because I fell asleep while reading! I love sport romances and especially baseball so for it to be Taylor’s sport I couldn’t wait to read it.
.
I loved the duo POV so we could feel how both of them were feeling and the exact same moment. Alyssa kept you hooked from chapter one and the tension remained through the whole book. The ending was perfect and I had a big cheesy grin on my face the last couple of chapters.
.
If you’re looking for your new favourite sports romance this is the one for you! ❤️
.
Thank you to lovenotes.pr & Alyssa Martin for giving me the opportunity to read this one! 💌💘

[Najda Mesinovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advance copy reader received from LovenotesPR!

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

The Games We Play by @alyssatheauthor_ is coming March 26th!

I had the amazing opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book & it was such a fun read! This book is about best friends who become friends with benefits & then finally confess their love to each other. Todd & Taylor have been best friends for majority of their lives & end up at the same college together & are roommates, Todd is always there listening & willing to help Taylor but Taylor wants to be independent. She wants to handle her family & school & baseball practice & so much more on her own. Todd will do anything to help her.

There is a good amount of spice to the book & what’s best is that the main female character ends up where I used to live, St. Louis, MO! I enjoyed this book & it was such a quick read for me!

I loved the way that the author had shorter chapters for the dual POV & we are able to see the other POV.
 
What to expect:
🥰 Best Friends to Lovers
👀 Roommates
🌶️ Sex Lessons
🧡 Found Family
⚾️ Dual Athletes: FMC on Men's Baseball Team x Star Basketball Player MMC
🐶 Golden Retriever MMC

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anyone had told me when I picked up this book that I would be this infatuated with a sweet, six-foot nine basketball player named Todd I would have said ... mmmm... do you know me?

Yes, I like golden retriever MMCs but usually they're also secretly stalkers or serial killers so this guy hit me like a truck with his good heart, overall sweet demeanor, and just generally being the BEST HUMAN BEING AND BEST FRIEND EVER.

He's Taylors best friend, emotional support person, and all-around good guy. They're roommates in college where she plays baseball and he plays basketball. When her life goes a little out of control, he does the VERY best stand by your gal routine possible and also ... helps her practice certain things she doesn't have a lot of experience with. That's where I said OH MY TODD.

This book has heart, laughs, and some truly blush worthy scenes and aside from a truly spectacular MMC the FMC? She's an utterly incredible woman. Sure - she's a bit of a hot mess with everything going on in her life but she's also smart, witty, funny, and incredibly talented in a male dominated field.

Home Run. Kobe. Nothing but net. #EnterSportsMetaphorHere

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay wait… this was actually so cute and emotional?? I finished it and my first thought was literally “that was beautiful.” The epilogue had me tearing up.

This is a best friends to lovers sports romance and I loved how deep Taylor and Todd’s friendship was. They’ve known each other forever and watching that line slowly blur into something more?? Elite.

Also I will always eat up the trope where one of them is clearly in love and everyone else sees it before the other person finally realizes it.

There’s some spice but it’s not overly detailed, which I actually liked, and the story focuses a lot on their relationship, family dynamics, and figuring out life after college while chasing pro sports dreams.

Were a couple plot moments a little wild? Sure. Did it ruin the vibe? Not at all. I still devoured this in one day because I couldn’t stop reading.

Sweet, emotional, friends-to-lovers sports romance that just leaves you feeling good by the end.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC! 💕

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review ✨

Thank you to Love Notes PR and Alyssa Martin for the ARC.

What to expect:
🥰 Best Friends to Lovers
👀 Roommates
🌶️ Sex Lessons
🧡 Found Family
⚾️ Dual Athletes: FMC on Men’s Baseball Team x Star Basketball Player MMC
🐶 Golden Retriever MMC

This was one of those books that I read in about three hours because I simply couldn’t put it down. It is such an easy read, and you do not need to understand sports to follow the story. Watching two best friends slowly fall in love was incredibly satisfying.

You know things are going to get complicated the moment they decide to become friends with benefits, and it was fun seeing their relationship unfold from there.

I also have a lot of respect for how their relationship was portrayed. Todd is such a respectful MMC, and Taylor has such a strong personality despite everything she has faced in life. Seeing her get her happy ending after the conflicts with her family brought me so much joy.

I am definitely looking forward to seeing more future releases from this author.

[Rosalyn Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book !!! I am a huge softball player myself so reading a book about a girl who also plays ball with boys is amazing!!

A s a girl who plays softball or baseball with men you often get over looked like oh yeah she just a girl but let me tell you that there are girls that just don’t hold their own with the men they are better and that is exactly what Taylor shows in this

We also get to follow Todd her best friend who has loved Taylor for a long time !! Taylor and Todd are each others biggest fans Ta ylor plays baseball and Todd plays basketball ball. Taylor is a virgin and never knew what to do so Todd said he would “pr actice “ with her so she would know what to do !! Neither of them wanting to say their true feelings.

The day came where they had to move and they would
Be apart still not talking about what was going on with each other so they left it. But no matter what nothing felt right in the end.

Loved this book and the relationship that are in it,there’s drama, and action with the sports. I wouldn’t put this book down !!

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for me.

Taylor have enough on her plate,collage,classes,baseball,and taking care of her younger sister who's like to get in trouble.Her best friend Todd is in love with her,but she's to busy to notice.Taylor is also inexperienced in dating and sex,but Todd can help her with that,it's only a practice and they are best friends,who's better to trust with her body than Todd?Things getting heated,and soon the line of friendship and love start to blur,but will Tylor choose her own happines for once,or will she choose to help her sister yet again?

It was a enjoyable new adult friends to lovers romance.While I liked plot enough I could not decide if this one was a good choice for me.Some of the characters are really selfish,and while I understand Taylor need to help,I wish she look little bit better after herself.Todd really was a good friend,and so conflicted about helping and be there for her,a good fit,but it was a while until Taylor realized that.Sweet,filled with sport romance with HEA.

Thank you LoveNotes pr for arc,my review is honest and my own.

[Eirena Ewert · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Childhood best friends and current college roommates turned friends with benefits…what can go wrong?

Taylor: a lot in her life can go wrong. Dealing with divorced parents, her mother’s alcoholism, her wild sister’s actions while she’s still in high school, her brother trying to help from afar, while in her senior year of college and playing baseball…..she’s never been seen as a woman to be desired and wants some help in the bedroom. Who better to practice with than her best friend/roommate? And when they go their separate ways, how do they navigate whatever has been happening the past few months?

Todd: has forever been in love with his best friend. When his plans to tell her so go sideways, he can’t find a way to get it across to her between all the events happening in her life. He’s the first draft pick for the NBA and has everything he could want…..except for her, officially.

A sweet story that I don’t think I’d be dying to read again, but I am invested enough in the other characters that I’d read their stories as well.

[Kennedy Dwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just wanted to start off by saying thank you to Alyssa Martin and Love Notes PR for allowing me to get this ARC.

3.75 stars

This book had a lot of good parts in it and it started off so strong. This book showed so much of Taylor and Todd's friendship and a lot of Taylor's messed up family dynamics. I think Todd honestly was such a great character all around and Taylor was just so real. This book showed how hard life is and that every decision you make has consequences and I think that's what made this book so beautiful. I think the only thing that made me not rate this book any higher than I did was all the miscommunication. But other than that I really enjoyed this book. The epilogue honestly made me tear up with happiness.

Tropes:
Childhood Friends
Friends to Lovers
Brothers Best Friend
Strong FMC
FMC in Sports
Supportive MMC
MMC Falls First and HARD
Sex "Practice"
Virgin FMC

[Madison Beardslee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75)

The Games We Play by Alyssa Martin was a quick, sweet romance that I ended up finishing in one sitting. The writing style is easy to get into and the story moves at a fast pace, which makes it a great pick for readers looking for a light and engaging read.

I enjoyed the premise and the dynamic between the characters, and there were several cute moments that kept me turning the pages. It has that cozy contemporary romance feel that makes it an enjoyable escape.

For me personally, the pacing felt a little too quick at times. Because the story moved so fast, I sometimes wished there had been a bit more time spent developing the characters’ relationship so their connection could build more naturally on the page. There were also a few moments where I found myself wanting a little more detail or buildup in the storyline.

Overall, this was a charming, fast-paced romance that I think readers who enjoy quick contemporary love stories will really appreciate.

[Sofi Claros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you LoveNotesPR and Alyssa for the ARC of this book!

5⭐️ and 3.5🌶️

Let me just start by saying that this book was SO CUTE! But also so complex in all of the characters dynamics, issues and overall lives. It felt very real, complicated and so, so human!
First of all, I love the premise. Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes ever, sprinkle a little spicy lessons and he was always in love with her? It's perfection🤌🏼✨
I really liked how the romance progressed throughout the book, especially in Taylors POV because we know Todd was in love with her since like always but how she realizes that she loves him too? It felt real and I really enjoyed how she figured it out.
Obviously this is a sports romance and I'm not at all familiar with either basketball nor baseball rules and expressions etc but I didn't feel lost or that I was missing something, so that proves how good of a writer Alyssa is!

I could recommend this book for ever! It was such an special story❤️

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐

This was an easy read for me. I don't usually like the friends to lovers trope but this one is good.

Taylor is a responsible and driven woman. She takes issues of her famiy seriously and would like to resolve all problems for them. I wished she could have played in the MLB but I do appreciate that she was hired as a coach. She still had a career in baseball which is amazing for a woman.

Todd on the other hand is definitely a golden retriever. I love that he really wants to help her solve her problems and that he is willing to cover for her when she was struggling. He really showed that he loved her without her noticing. I just didn't like that he was afraid of telling his feelings to her. The slow burn was really in there. I appreciate it in other stories but in this kind of genre I am not really into it.

All in all I still enjoyed the story and I love their chemistry.

[Jennifer Amaral · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Games We Play is an addictive and emotionally engaging read that pulls you into a world of tension, strategy, and complicated relationships.

What stood out most to me was the push-and-pull between the characters. There’s a constant sense of tension and underlying emotion that keeps you fully invested in how everything will unfold.

The story has a strong sense of momentum, with moments that keep you guessing and wanting to turn the next page.

For me, this easily earns 5 ⭐ because it was gripping, engaging, and impossible to put down.

This is a 5 ⭐ for me because:

• the tension between the characters keeps things interesting
• the story has strong pacing and momentum
• the emotional elements add depth
• the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish

Addictive. Intense. Engaging.

Read this book if you like:

• emotionally driven stories
• tension-filled relationships
• engaging, fast-paced reads
• character-focused narratives 📚

[Ashlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was closer to a 4.5-star read for me, especially because of how strongly the second half of the book came together.

This is not your typical sports romance! While I found myself a little lost in some of the sports details at the beginning, it didn’t take away from how invested I became in the story itself.

There’s a lot that happens in this book, and it’s hard to talk about without giving anything away but that’s part of what makes it so engaging. The deeper themes around growth, trust, and learning when to hold on versus when to let go really stood out to me.

At its core, this story feels like that turning point into adulthood where you are learning to choose yourself, push past fear, and trust your own decisions. The second half especially is where everything really hits, both emotionally and in terms of character development.

[Stephanie Routhier · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book as an ARC. This review and thoughts are mine alone.*

Rating: 3.5⭐️
Spice: 🌶️


Okay.. this was good if you look past certain things.

Her batting average being a HUGE one. I’m not a baseball girl. I like to READ baseball romances, but i hate watching it. It’s like watching paint. But her batting average was… high? Like.. astronomically high? Asked a couple friends who said it’s completely unattainable… especially for how much grief they gave her for being on the team.. idk. Felt completely unrealistic.

Second, who was Todd. Really.. ?

He was just kinda there. I’m not sure. This book was fine if you enjoy a book as is, with no research, and are all for females in a male dominated industry taking over. Because THAT was good. Loved that.

But if you try to research it, everything kind of fell apart.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: The Games We Play by Alyssa Martin

Taylor Coleman is juggling classes, college baseball and family responsibilities and has no time for dating. Todd Bergman is her childhood best friend, her college roommate and a star basketball player headed for the NBA. Todd is secretly in love with Taylor. So when she tells him she wants experience for when she has time to start dating, he happily volunteers to help her “practice”. But the more they “practice”, the more their relationship feels like more than friendship…

What to expect:
⚾️sports romance
🏀friends to lovers
⚾️he falls first
🏀forced proximity
⚾️dual POV
🏀spice🌶️🌶️

This one was a fun read! If you enjoy sports romance, give this one a shot.

Thank you to Alyssa Martin and Live Notes PR for the opportunity to read an eARC of The Games We Play. All opinions in this review are my own.