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The Big Hearted Billionaires #2
The Player and the Planner
JEN
My high school best friend got impossibly hot and rich, but falling for him isn't on my spreadsheet.
And I’ve got a spreadsheet for everything. After my ‘perfect’ life implodes, I return home with a strict Plan
1. Fight Climate-Change
2. Stay Single
The problem? Patrick. He went from shy and lanky to a crypto-rich playboy with a stomach full of abs and a heart full of gold.
I join Patrick’s co-ed hockey league, and a friendly bet ends in a strip skate-off.
Suddenly, I have to decide between my sacred plans and this golden retriever with a dirty mouth.
PATRICK
I’ve been secretly in love with Jen for over ten years. Watching her choose my best friend and plan a life excluding me was devastating.
But then the game changed. She’s back, and she’s single.
Now, I just need to prove to her that Plan B was always supposed to be me.
The Player and The Planner is a steamy, swoony, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy featuring chaotic pet ferrets, screaming goats, and a blond-haired, blue-eyed golden retriever hero who fell first and fell hard.
My high school best friend got impossibly hot and rich, but falling for him isn't on my spreadsheet.
And I’ve got a spreadsheet for everything. After my ‘perfect’ life implodes, I return home with a strict Plan
1. Fight Climate-Change
2. Stay Single
The problem? Patrick. He went from shy and lanky to a crypto-rich playboy with a stomach full of abs and a heart full of gold.
I join Patrick’s co-ed hockey league, and a friendly bet ends in a strip skate-off.
Suddenly, I have to decide between my sacred plans and this golden retriever with a dirty mouth.
PATRICK
I’ve been secretly in love with Jen for over ten years. Watching her choose my best friend and plan a life excluding me was devastating.
But then the game changed. She’s back, and she’s single.
Now, I just need to prove to her that Plan B was always supposed to be me.
The Player and The Planner is a steamy, swoony, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy featuring chaotic pet ferrets, screaming goats, and a blond-haired, blue-eyed golden retriever hero who fell first and fell hard.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2026
About the author
Olivia M. Gray
2 books5 followersBorn and raised in California, Olivia M Gray began her fiction writing career in her mid-forties while caring for her young son and in the midst of perimenopause because, like her books, she is slightly unhinged.
Liberated from her former life as an advertising writer, where clients nitpicked every word she wrote, and with the encouragement of her 6’5″ tech-genius husband (sound familiar?), she now writes with reckless abandon. Since her childhood home burned down in an unstoppable wildfire, she weaves in issues she’s passionate about, such as climate change and preventing gun violence.
Her stories are unapologetically spicy, fiercely optimistic, occasionally wacky, emotionally moving, and completely sober-safe (no mention of alcohol or illicit drugs, ever). She lives in California with Mr. Gray, her six-year-old son, and, when he’s home from college, her stepson.
Liberated from her former life as an advertising writer, where clients nitpicked every word she wrote, and with the encouragement of her 6’5″ tech-genius husband (sound familiar?), she now writes with reckless abandon. Since her childhood home burned down in an unstoppable wildfire, she weaves in issues she’s passionate about, such as climate change and preventing gun violence.
Her stories are unapologetically spicy, fiercely optimistic, occasionally wacky, emotionally moving, and completely sober-safe (no mention of alcohol or illicit drugs, ever). She lives in California with Mr. Gray, her six-year-old son, and, when he’s home from college, her stepson.
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April 6, 2026
Olivia M. Gray’s The Player and the Planner, book two in The Big Hearted Billionaires, is a fun, heartfelt sports romance about love showing up when you least expect it—and usually when you’re trying to control everything.
Jen is easy to understand right from the beginning. Her life didn’t go the way she planned, so now she’s holding on tight to structure and control. She has rules, goals, and a clear “Plan B” for her future. Coming back home feels like starting over, and she’s determined not to let anything—or anyone—mess that up. That makes her feel very real. A lot of readers will see themselves in how she tries to protect her heart by staying in control.
Then there’s Patrick. He used to be the quiet best friend, but now he’s confident, successful, and still just as kind underneath it all. What really makes him stand out is how long he’s cared about Jen. His feelings didn’t just appear—they’ve been there for years. That history adds depth to their relationship and makes their connection feel genuine, not rushed.
The story really comes alive when they’re together. Their chemistry feels natural, with a mix of playful teasing and honest moments. The hockey league scenes are especially enjoyable. They’re fun, a little chaotic, and they push Jen out of her comfort zone. Those moments help her loosen up, while also showing how well she and Patrick work together.
The pacing of the story is steady and easy to follow. Nothing feels rushed, especially when it comes to the romance. You get to see both characters grow. Jen slowly learns that not everything in life can—or should—be planned. Patrick, on the other hand, learns to finally speak up and go after what he wants. Their growth feels believable, which makes the relationship even more satisfying.
The writing style is simple and engaging. It’s easy to read, with dialogue that feels natural and not forced. The humor comes through in the conversations and situations, which keeps the story light even when emotions run deeper.
At its heart, this book is about letting go of control and being open to love, even when it doesn’t fit into your plans. It also shows that sometimes the right person has been there all along—you just weren’t ready to see it yet.
If you enjoy sports romance with a friends-to-lovers and second-chance feel, this one is a great pick. It has the same kind of charm and emotional pull you’ll find in Icebreaker by Hannah Grace and Mile High by Liz Tomforde.
Final Thoughts:
The Player and the Planner is sweet, funny, and full of heart. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t always go according to plan—but sometimes, that’s exactly how things fall into place.
Jen is easy to understand right from the beginning. Her life didn’t go the way she planned, so now she’s holding on tight to structure and control. She has rules, goals, and a clear “Plan B” for her future. Coming back home feels like starting over, and she’s determined not to let anything—or anyone—mess that up. That makes her feel very real. A lot of readers will see themselves in how she tries to protect her heart by staying in control.
Then there’s Patrick. He used to be the quiet best friend, but now he’s confident, successful, and still just as kind underneath it all. What really makes him stand out is how long he’s cared about Jen. His feelings didn’t just appear—they’ve been there for years. That history adds depth to their relationship and makes their connection feel genuine, not rushed.
The story really comes alive when they’re together. Their chemistry feels natural, with a mix of playful teasing and honest moments. The hockey league scenes are especially enjoyable. They’re fun, a little chaotic, and they push Jen out of her comfort zone. Those moments help her loosen up, while also showing how well she and Patrick work together.
The pacing of the story is steady and easy to follow. Nothing feels rushed, especially when it comes to the romance. You get to see both characters grow. Jen slowly learns that not everything in life can—or should—be planned. Patrick, on the other hand, learns to finally speak up and go after what he wants. Their growth feels believable, which makes the relationship even more satisfying.
The writing style is simple and engaging. It’s easy to read, with dialogue that feels natural and not forced. The humor comes through in the conversations and situations, which keeps the story light even when emotions run deeper.
At its heart, this book is about letting go of control and being open to love, even when it doesn’t fit into your plans. It also shows that sometimes the right person has been there all along—you just weren’t ready to see it yet.
If you enjoy sports romance with a friends-to-lovers and second-chance feel, this one is a great pick. It has the same kind of charm and emotional pull you’ll find in Icebreaker by Hannah Grace and Mile High by Liz Tomforde.
Final Thoughts:
The Player and the Planner is sweet, funny, and full of heart. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t always go according to plan—but sometimes, that’s exactly how things fall into place.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
THE PLAYER AND THE PLANNER by by OLIVIA M GRAY ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Player And The Planner is book two (#2) in THE BIG HEARTED BILLIONAIRES series
When Jen breaks up with her long time boyfriend she is reunited with her High school bestie Patrick. After a misunderstanding they haven’t talked for some time but that doesn’t stop Patrick rekindling his long held desire for Jen. He’s secretly loved her for over a decade. Can he get her to relax her incessant need to have her life planned out and make her see what, or rather who is right in front of her??
———————————
The Player and The Planner is an amusing book, full of on ice and off antics. The banter between the two MCs is hilarious. There also funny antics with pet ferrets and a herd of screaming goats.
Patrick is desperate to win Jen over and will do anything for her, whilst trying to not push too hard or let her know that he’s been in love with her forever.
Jen is an eco warrior, determined to do anything to make the world a better place. She’s reluctant to let her relationship with Patrick run too fast but is constantly failing as she can’t resist him. She’s also afraid of her ex finding out about their relationship as the three of them used to be close friends.
I did find that the storyline dragged on a bit and was a bit repetitive.
I read an ebook copy of this book, with just over 300 pages, an illustrated character art cover and good editing.
With thanks to Olivia M Gray and BookSirens for an early chance to read this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🏒 Friends To Lovers
🏒 Sports Romance
🏒 Spicy ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏒 Romantic Comedy
🏒 Golden Retriever Hero
The Player And The Planner is book two (#2) in THE BIG HEARTED BILLIONAIRES series
When Jen breaks up with her long time boyfriend she is reunited with her High school bestie Patrick. After a misunderstanding they haven’t talked for some time but that doesn’t stop Patrick rekindling his long held desire for Jen. He’s secretly loved her for over a decade. Can he get her to relax her incessant need to have her life planned out and make her see what, or rather who is right in front of her??
———————————
The Player and The Planner is an amusing book, full of on ice and off antics. The banter between the two MCs is hilarious. There also funny antics with pet ferrets and a herd of screaming goats.
Patrick is desperate to win Jen over and will do anything for her, whilst trying to not push too hard or let her know that he’s been in love with her forever.
Jen is an eco warrior, determined to do anything to make the world a better place. She’s reluctant to let her relationship with Patrick run too fast but is constantly failing as she can’t resist him. She’s also afraid of her ex finding out about their relationship as the three of them used to be close friends.
I did find that the storyline dragged on a bit and was a bit repetitive.
I read an ebook copy of this book, with just over 300 pages, an illustrated character art cover and good editing.
With thanks to Olivia M Gray and BookSirens for an early chance to read this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🏒 Friends To Lovers
🏒 Sports Romance
🏒 Spicy ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏒 Romantic Comedy
🏒 Golden Retriever Hero
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Player and the Planner by Olivia M. Gray is a friends-to-lovers romantic comedy that mixes small-town life, hockey hijinks, and a second chance at love. The story follows Jen, a hyper-organized planner whose life falls apart after a breakup, sending her back to her hometown with a strict plan: stay single and focus on saving the planet. Unfortunately for her carefully color-coded spreadsheets, her former best friend Patrick—now a wealthy, charming hockey rink owner—keeps getting in the way of those plans.
What worked best for me was the humor and the playful dynamic between the two main characters. Their banter is genuinely funny, and the chaotic moments—like the antics involving pet ferrets or a herd of screaming goats—add a light, quirky energy to the story. Patrick’s long-time devotion to Jen is also sweet, and watching him try to win her over without pushing too hard gives the romance a warm, golden-retriever vibe.
That said, the pacing sometimes drags. With just over 300 pages, parts of the story feel repetitive, especially as Jen repeatedly hesitates about the relationship. While her eco-activist personality is admirable, the narrative occasionally circles the same emotional beats a few times too many.
Overall, the author’s style is easy to read and full of playful dialogue, making it an entertaining romantic comedy even when the plot slows down. It may not be perfectly paced, but it delivers plenty of laughs, a swoony hero, and a fun friends-to-lovers journey. A solid 3-star read for fans of lighthearted romance with quirky side characters and plenty of on- and off-ice antics.
What worked best for me was the humor and the playful dynamic between the two main characters. Their banter is genuinely funny, and the chaotic moments—like the antics involving pet ferrets or a herd of screaming goats—add a light, quirky energy to the story. Patrick’s long-time devotion to Jen is also sweet, and watching him try to win her over without pushing too hard gives the romance a warm, golden-retriever vibe.
That said, the pacing sometimes drags. With just over 300 pages, parts of the story feel repetitive, especially as Jen repeatedly hesitates about the relationship. While her eco-activist personality is admirable, the narrative occasionally circles the same emotional beats a few times too many.
Overall, the author’s style is easy to read and full of playful dialogue, making it an entertaining romantic comedy even when the plot slows down. It may not be perfectly paced, but it delivers plenty of laughs, a swoony hero, and a fun friends-to-lovers journey. A solid 3-star read for fans of lighthearted romance with quirky side characters and plenty of on- and off-ice antics.
April 3, 2026
This was a fun little skate across the ice… light, flirty, and occasionally unhinged in the best way. The comedy really carried it for me. The line “He’s like a walking, talking Internet comments section” lives rent-free in my brain now and will absolutely be deployed in real life. No hesitation. No remorse.
Emma, the BFF, nearly stole the whole book. Her perfectly timed one-liners and dramatic call exits? Icon behaviour. Give her a spin-off immediately.
Jen… oh, Jen. Our Type A, list-loving queen. I say this with deep affection and mild self-recognition, but she needed to unclench just a tiny bit. That said, I loved that she didn’t tolerate nonsense and had a proper backbone. Watching her loosen up and just exist without a checklist was genuinely one of the more satisfying parts… though it did feel like she was one missed meltdown away from total emotional carnage if she hadn’t taken that step back.
Patrick… golden retriever energy with a slight question mark. There’s something oddly sweet but also mildly concerning about holding onto unrequited love for that long. Sir, please develop a personality sooner next time. It took him a while to figure himself out, which made the payoff feel a bit delayed, but still endearing enough to root for.
The romance? Cute. The spice? Oh, it was giving. And yes, I too would like Jen’s hockey outfit. You know the one. We all know the one.
Thank you Olivia M. Gray for providing this ARC of The Player and the Planner in exchange for my review.
Emma, the BFF, nearly stole the whole book. Her perfectly timed one-liners and dramatic call exits? Icon behaviour. Give her a spin-off immediately.
Jen… oh, Jen. Our Type A, list-loving queen. I say this with deep affection and mild self-recognition, but she needed to unclench just a tiny bit. That said, I loved that she didn’t tolerate nonsense and had a proper backbone. Watching her loosen up and just exist without a checklist was genuinely one of the more satisfying parts… though it did feel like she was one missed meltdown away from total emotional carnage if she hadn’t taken that step back.
Patrick… golden retriever energy with a slight question mark. There’s something oddly sweet but also mildly concerning about holding onto unrequited love for that long. Sir, please develop a personality sooner next time. It took him a while to figure himself out, which made the payoff feel a bit delayed, but still endearing enough to root for.
The romance? Cute. The spice? Oh, it was giving. And yes, I too would like Jen’s hockey outfit. You know the one. We all know the one.
Thank you Olivia M. Gray for providing this ARC of The Player and the Planner in exchange for my review.
March 26, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3⭐️ and 2.5🌶️
This book was okay, I love sport romances and Friends to Lovers but this one felt a little flat.
Let's start with the good: the book itself is well written, it's easy to follow and has its funny moments. Great banter and flirting between the characters. The ending was satisfying, the third act breakup WORKS for the first time ever!! It was a mutual understanding and healthy thing that we don't see in many books. Credit where credit is due👏🏼
Now the things that I didn't really like: Patrick. I'm sorry, Patrick wasn't very likeable in my opinion. He was obsessed borderline crazy for Jen. One thing is loving someone forever and another is literally not having any personality besides loving that person. I understand that it was written that way to give him his growth arc and everything but for me it was too much. If i were Jen I would have run for my life tbh. Patrick was too insecure, too.
Another thing, the book is a little bit repetitive and it drags a little bit, and it drags because of Jen not wanting to admit her feeling even after the break. First thing she says is "maybe I should wait more?" 🤨 sis be for real
In my opinion this could have been a much shorter book, and 300 pages is not long, but in this book it felt like too much.
Like I said, book was enjoyable but it wasn't my favorite.
3⭐️ and 2.5🌶️
This book was okay, I love sport romances and Friends to Lovers but this one felt a little flat.
Let's start with the good: the book itself is well written, it's easy to follow and has its funny moments. Great banter and flirting between the characters. The ending was satisfying, the third act breakup WORKS for the first time ever!! It was a mutual understanding and healthy thing that we don't see in many books. Credit where credit is due👏🏼
Now the things that I didn't really like: Patrick. I'm sorry, Patrick wasn't very likeable in my opinion. He was obsessed borderline crazy for Jen. One thing is loving someone forever and another is literally not having any personality besides loving that person. I understand that it was written that way to give him his growth arc and everything but for me it was too much. If i were Jen I would have run for my life tbh. Patrick was too insecure, too.
Another thing, the book is a little bit repetitive and it drags a little bit, and it drags because of Jen not wanting to admit her feeling even after the break. First thing she says is "maybe I should wait more?" 🤨 sis be for real
In my opinion this could have been a much shorter book, and 300 pages is not long, but in this book it felt like too much.
Like I said, book was enjoyable but it wasn't my favorite.
May 22, 2026
I want to first acknowledge that writing a book is a lot of work, I commend authors for the work they do. Also I want to say that writing racial themes in books is probably hard to navigate and I fully support sensitivity readers for this reason. I DNF after 33% because it felt insensitive. The FMC who is half black joins a hockey league at a rink owned by the MMC. People are racist in their small town and someone on a team against the FMC says some racist remarks to her. The MMC comes up with the idea to bet the man (who is being racist to the woman he has feelings for) if the MMC's team wins he won't say racist remarks anymore but if the racist wins the MMC will give him money... ummmm excuse me what???? Let him be openly racist to the woman (we are supposed to believe) he has feelings for and give the racist money if he wins??? I understand it was probably a set up for the MMC to win (I hope) but this sounds crazy... It felt very clear at 33% in, that the feelings he has for her must be hate 😭😭😭 Isn't this supposed to be a romance? I couldn't finish, I tried again and I just couldn't get past it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jen siempre ha vivido siguiendo planes. Plan A era casarse con su novio estrella del hockey y construir una vida perfecta mientras ella ayudaba a salvar el planeta. Pero después de una ruptura que la dejó hecha pedazos, vuelve a su pueblo decidida a empezar de nuevo, trabajar en una granja ecológica y mantenerse soltera.
Lo que no estaba en sus cálculos era reencontrarse con Patrick, su ex mejor amigo, ahora dueño de la pista de hielo local y sorprendentemente millonario. Tampoco esperaba terminar jugando en su liga, compartiendo equipo, recuerdos y una tensión que no tiene nada de amistosa.
Mientras lidia con comentarios racistas, egos frágiles y heridas del pasado que nunca cerraron, Jen descubre que algunos planes están hechos para romperse. Y que quizá el amor que nunca consideró podría ser el único que realmente vale la pena.
^^
El libro anterior me encantó, pero con este no pude conectar y hasta sentí diferente el estilo de escritura.
Gracias NetGalley y al publicista por el ARC.
Lo que no estaba en sus cálculos era reencontrarse con Patrick, su ex mejor amigo, ahora dueño de la pista de hielo local y sorprendentemente millonario. Tampoco esperaba terminar jugando en su liga, compartiendo equipo, recuerdos y una tensión que no tiene nada de amistosa.
Mientras lidia con comentarios racistas, egos frágiles y heridas del pasado que nunca cerraron, Jen descubre que algunos planes están hechos para romperse. Y que quizá el amor que nunca consideró podría ser el único que realmente vale la pena.
^^
El libro anterior me encantó, pero con este no pude conectar y hasta sentí diferente el estilo de escritura.
Gracias NetGalley y al publicista por el ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
I want to be upfront in saying this wasn’t for me but I appreciate its value! Genuienly, I can see a lot of people really enjoying this book, I don't think it's for me. I rated it 2 stars because it read too YA for my taste but I can see why some like that! I adore YA but it's just not what I'm reading right now. I think if you're looking to make the transition from YA to adult this is a GREAT book to do that with.
It’s fluffy and an easy read. I appreciated Jen being a fellow planner and Patrick being a little sweetie pie- love the he falls first trope! I think I struggled a bit with the pacing and the overall dialogue structure. It had the bones to be a story I connected with but I think it’s just not the right time for me.
Review: ⭐️⭐️ (this is not a bad book, just not for me! I would still read this and recommend to friends!)
Spice: 🌶
Tropes
💞 Friends to Lovers
💞 Hockey romance
💞 FMC is climate activist
💞 MMC is secret billionaire
I want to be upfront in saying this wasn’t for me but I appreciate its value! Genuienly, I can see a lot of people really enjoying this book, I don't think it's for me. I rated it 2 stars because it read too YA for my taste but I can see why some like that! I adore YA but it's just not what I'm reading right now. I think if you're looking to make the transition from YA to adult this is a GREAT book to do that with.
It’s fluffy and an easy read. I appreciated Jen being a fellow planner and Patrick being a little sweetie pie- love the he falls first trope! I think I struggled a bit with the pacing and the overall dialogue structure. It had the bones to be a story I connected with but I think it’s just not the right time for me.
Review: ⭐️⭐️ (this is not a bad book, just not for me! I would still read this and recommend to friends!)
Spice: 🌶
Tropes
💞 Friends to Lovers
💞 Hockey romance
💞 FMC is climate activist
💞 MMC is secret billionaire
Review of advance copy
I recently finished my first book by this author. It was a good read, but it fell short in key areas, particularly in the friends-to-lovers aspect and as a romantic comedy for me. Jen is still dealing with the breakup with her ex-fiancé, who also was her best friend, Billy. The story follows her relationship with Patrick, her former best friend. Constant miscommunication and lack of transparency shape their connection, creating tension and frustration.
The pacing feels repetitive, and some sections drag. Both Patrick and Jen seem inconsistent; they avoid necessary conversations, and her focus on Billy is excessive. The third-act breakup worked well in this story. I enjoyed parts of the story, but the repetition and character issues made it fade quickly after I finished.
𝐼 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟 via BookSirens. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘.
The pacing feels repetitive, and some sections drag. Both Patrick and Jen seem inconsistent; they avoid necessary conversations, and her focus on Billy is excessive. The third-act breakup worked well in this story. I enjoyed parts of the story, but the repetition and character issues made it fade quickly after I finished.
𝐼 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟 via BookSirens. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Three best friends, Patrick, Billy and Jen, on the hockey ice and off. They kept in touch thru college, well two of them did. Patrick fell silent. Jen and Billy became an item. He went to the NHL, she went to save the planet in a start up program in Iceland. When he part of the start up was done, she came home sans fiance'. Trying to get out of her funk she tries out for the local hockey club and in a gut busting hysterical moment on, her life is forever changed as she is reunited with Patrick. Jen has a way of needing lists to keep her on track even though that list changes as needed, it is still there. The excitement on the ice is hot, with both anger, attitudes, and racism. The best hot is the heat she and Patrick try not to let happen, but they are literally like 2 magnets. I enjoyed this book and the up and comings of the 'idiots'. I will let you figure if they click together or not.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley
This was definitely not my favorite book. That’s not to say it was bad. I enjoyed parts but it had some very awkward moments that felt forced and unnatural
On top of that the main character, Jen, and her friends are hyper environmentalist which is fine but she makes it her entire personality to a point that was too much for me. And her friend, who lives in Iceland, flies to the US just to visit Jen or for the fun of it multiple times. And they look into the use of AI at some point, which to me both of those made no else since they are bad for the environment especially the flying
But the storyline was okay other than that. Probably wouldn’t read it again but I don’t regret reading it.
This was definitely not my favorite book. That’s not to say it was bad. I enjoyed parts but it had some very awkward moments that felt forced and unnatural
On top of that the main character, Jen, and her friends are hyper environmentalist which is fine but she makes it her entire personality to a point that was too much for me. And her friend, who lives in Iceland, flies to the US just to visit Jen or for the fun of it multiple times. And they look into the use of AI at some point, which to me both of those made no else since they are bad for the environment especially the flying
But the storyline was okay other than that. Probably wouldn’t read it again but I don’t regret reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I dipped into my first book by this author, and while it had its moments, it didn’t quite hit the mark. Jen is still tangled up in the ghost of her ex, Billy, which makes her messy, back-and-forth dynamic with her former best friend Patrick more frustrating than swoon-worthy. Their connection leans heavily on miscommunication and mixed signals, with a “slow burn” that sparks… then fizzles. Patrick’s feelings often read more physical than emotional, while Jen can’t seem to decide what she wants from one moment to the next. Though the third-act breakup delivered a solid punch, the repetitive pacing and lack of real buildup made the story fade almost as quickly as it ended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 7, 2026
I loved PB&J! Ok, so at this point there's *technically* no B…. but I loved the cute nickname and the growing up together from Patrick, Billy, and Jen. It was a sweet hockey romance, but I liked that it wasn't pro level hockey. The people loved it for the sake of the sport, not the money behind it. I really was digging the climate change narrative and passion Jen shows for saving the world. I also liked the way Jen handles Patrick's obsession with her. Rather than swoon, she demands a better and healthier option for both of them.
Sweet, spicy, and full of character growth - I definitely recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sweet, spicy, and full of character growth - I definitely recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5
Jen lives her life by her plans and her spreadsheet, but running into her former classmate and current billionaire Patrick just might wreck every last one of them.
Read if you like:
-Friends to Lovers
-It's Always Been You
-Billionaire Romance
The Player and the Planner just wasn't for me. I'm sure some readers will love the geek turned billionaire trope but I just couldn't connect with it. Patrick was initially presented as a womanizing billionaire only to have his character take a 180 and insist that he was forced into that lifestyle and that women don't really flock to a geek like him.
Jen lives her life by her plans and her spreadsheet, but running into her former classmate and current billionaire Patrick just might wreck every last one of them.
Read if you like:
-Friends to Lovers
-It's Always Been You
-Billionaire Romance
The Player and the Planner just wasn't for me. I'm sure some readers will love the geek turned billionaire trope but I just couldn't connect with it. Patrick was initially presented as a womanizing billionaire only to have his character take a 180 and insist that he was forced into that lifestyle and that women don't really flock to a geek like him.
April 3, 2026
I received an ARC of The Player and the Planner by Olivia M. Gray thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The character growth in this book was phenomenal. I was worried initially that the main character flaw in one of the characters was not going to be resolved but I am so happy that my fears were not founded. I loved how the relationships developed and how the characters interacted with one another as the relationships changed. I loved the tension and sense of urgency, especially at the end of the book. It definitely made me want to read more of this series.
The character growth in this book was phenomenal. I was worried initially that the main character flaw in one of the characters was not going to be resolved but I am so happy that my fears were not founded. I loved how the relationships developed and how the characters interacted with one another as the relationships changed. I loved the tension and sense of urgency, especially at the end of the book. It definitely made me want to read more of this series.
May 9, 2026
Maybe I wasn't in the mood for this, but I think it was the dialogue that did me in. It's stiff and awkward, and I think the biggest thing lacking for me were transitions. Each chapter changed character, but within chapters the scene changed multiple times really abruptly, and it threw me off.
I think the overall plot and premise are solid, the characters are believable and developed, and I loved the ferret and goat antics, but the writing was a bit too much like being hit with a blunt object over and over.
I'll try to come back to this book when I'm not feeling burnt out and maybe it will hit different, who knows!
I think the overall plot and premise are solid, the characters are believable and developed, and I loved the ferret and goat antics, but the writing was a bit too much like being hit with a blunt object over and over.
I'll try to come back to this book when I'm not feeling burnt out and maybe it will hit different, who knows!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jen and Patrick had a cute story, and I loved the hockey vibes and the he falls hard and fast trope in The Player and the Planner. this was a good east read with some great moments and meaningful themes and topics.
May 7, 2026
This was an excellent read! Story was well written, had well thought out and developed characters! It was a funny, sexy and entertaining story. Would highly recommend and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
April 7, 2026
Secret admirer, Patrick sees the opportunity to woo his best friend Jen now that she is back. Spreadsheets mean nothing to Patrick now he has Jen in his sights again. Good Read.
Read
March 4, 2026RTC
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
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