Pop Stars and Playbooks: An opposites-attract, kisses-only, fake friendship-turned-love story between a football star and a pop icon

by Juliet Rhodes, Juliet Arden

She's a chart-topper. He's a football player. Together, they're a love story no one saw coming.

Griffin Hayes is football's golden boy--charming, talented, and completely out of his depth when a video of him belting out pop star Aria Wilder's breakup anthem goes viral. Overnight, he's crowned the internet's favorite meme, and Aria's #1 fan. Aria, the reigning queen of heartbreak ballads, sees an opportunity to turn the moment into good PR and invites Griffin to her next concert. When their onstage chemistry sets the internet ablaze, her team suggests the a fake friendship to keep the buzz alive.

Griffin reluctantly agrees, but as they spend more time together--posing for cameras, attending events, and sharing inside jokes--he realizes there's nothing fake about the way Aria makes him feel. For Aria, Griffin is a breath of fresh air in a world that's always demanding more from her. Beneath the viral fame and public scrutiny, their connection feels real.

But when Griffin suffers a career-threatening injury and Aria battles creative burnout, their carefully constructed "performance" starts to crumble. With their worlds pulling them in opposite directions, they'll have to Is this just a PR stunt gone too far--or the kind of love worth risking everything for?

Perfect for fans of fake dating, opposites attract, and swoon-worthy slow burns, Pop Stars and Playbooks is a sparkling romance about finding love in the unlikeliest of places--and learning to trust it when the spotlight fades.

Genres: Romance

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 28, 2026

Reviews

[makenzie ⊹ ₊ (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

THANK YOU SO MUCH NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS ARC!!


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💖✨ 𝓟𝓸𝓹 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓟𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 ✨💖
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📖 𝓐𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻: Juliet Rhodes
💫 𝓖𝓮𝓷𝓻𝓮: Romance

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🌟 𝓕𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓘𝓶𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 / 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭
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> First of all, cover? ADORABLE! Second, the blurb is totally giving Taylor and Travis, and as a HUGE Swiftie, I am so here for it!!! 🌸

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💌 𝓟𝓵𝓸𝓽 & 𝓟𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓰
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> The story flowed so fast but in the best way, literally nothing unnecessary was there! However, there were a few plot holes, but nothing major so I was able to look past them. I also feel that the romance was PERFECTLY paced, I absolutely loved it! I do wish there was more yearning after they kissed and agreed to be just friends. I loved the look into the struggles of a singer and a professional football player, and I loved how they actually talked about their feelings with eachother and were able to connect through that. ✨

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🎭 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 & 𝓡𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹𝓼
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> I love Aria and Griffin SO MUCH!!! And don’t even get me started on Bailey! I literally want to be best friends with all of them, however I did find Elliott a bit bland. Though that is true, I am mostly going off of vibes because I feel like we really don’t know much about them. Physically, the only information we were told is that she has curly blonde hair, he’s 250 pounds, and his height (which was not mentioned as much as the other two so I forgot the number.) As for personality and background, I do feel like the characters were lacking depth because of the fact that their backgrounds were barely even hinted at. Overall, I still found a way to love them so much! 💕

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🎨 𝓦𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓢𝓽𝔂𝓵𝓮 & 𝓕𝓸𝓻𝓶𝓪𝓽
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> The writing was good, if a bit simplistic. The only thing that really stuck out about it to me was the bit of repetition. Other than that, I had no problem with the writing, and I loved the dual “POV” Even though it was entirely in 3rd person, I loved how the chapters flipped to show Griffin’s and Aria’s thoughts and feelings. 🌙✨

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💖 𝓕𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼
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> “Nope. This is right where I want to be.” 💌

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📌 𝓞𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
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> Overall, this was such an adorable read!! And I’m so relieved to report that you need absolutely no football knowledge to keep up with this book lmao. ✨💖

⭐ 𝓜𝔂 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: 4.25 🌟

📅 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓓𝓪𝓽𝓮: [April 1, 2026 – April 1, 2026] 🌙✨💖





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💖✨ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 ✨💖
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📚 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓣𝓲𝓽𝓵𝓮: Pop Stars and Playbooks
📖 𝓐𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻: Juliet Rhodes
💫 𝓖𝓮𝓷𝓻𝓮: Romance


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✨ 𝓦𝓱𝔂 𝓘'𝓶 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰
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> Should I be starting another book right now? No. But did I just receive my VERY FIRST ARC??? HELL YEAH! So you bet your ass I'm going to start reading it right this second. 🌷


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💭 𝓔𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼
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> First of all, cover? ADORABLE! Second, the blurb is totally giving Taylor and Travis, and as a HUGE Swiftie, I am so here for it!!! ✨


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🌸 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓜𝓸𝓸𝓭
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> DID YOU HEAR ME??? I SAID MY FIRST ARC!!!!!!!! 💖💫


📅 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓓𝓪𝓽𝓮: [April 1, 2026] ✨🌸💌

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute romance read. I loved following Aria and Griffin in this story as their fake friendship turned into something more. I liked their opposites attract dynamic as well as the overall storyline. Overall this was an enjoyable slow burn romance that will have you rooting for the characters throughout the story.

Read this if you like:

📖 Football player MMC
📖 Pop star FMC
📖 Opposites attract
📖 Fake friendship
📖 Sweet romance

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.

[gabrielle aka homewithmybooks]

thank you to netgalley and the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review!


dnf’d at 20%, firstly i just want to say that while this book wasn’t my cup of tea, it will definitely be someone else’s! the cover is adorable and i think if you’re a pop star fangirl and/ or a sports romance fan you will really enjoy this!

[Ashley Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & author for the ARC!

3.5 ⭐️ this was too cute! The cheesy, Hallmark vibes made it an easy read and I love a book with short chapters. If you’re a Taylor & Travis fan and enjoy pop star x football star, friends-to-lovers, and fake dating/friendship vibes, you will like this book. I personally would have enjoyed a little more romance and don’t love third act breakups / communication issues but overall I enjoyed and would read this author again!

[Kortnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

“For the girls who are learning the difference between being wanted and being chosen.”
That dedication alone had me immediately hooked.

This is a light, easy read with short chapters and dual POV, which made it quick to get through. I always enjoy having both the hero and heroine’s perspectives, and that worked well here. That said, it is written in third person present tense, which took me some time to adjust to since it is not as common in romance, and at times it made the story feel a little less immersive.

The overall vibe is very low-stakes and fluffy, which can be great if that is what you are looking for. However, I found myself wanting more from the conflict. For a large portion of the book, the tension felt more implied than real. The central obstacle around the PR “just friends” dynamic did not feel strong enough to create meaningful stakes, especially since the characters already felt emotionally close.

Around the middle, there is a shift that hints at more grounded conflict, but it never fully develops in a way that felt impactful. Because of that, I had a hard time fully connecting with both the characters and their relationship.

I also struggled at times with the writing style. It leaned more toward telling rather than showing, and some of the text message exchanges read more like a screenplay than a novel, which pulled me out of the story.

One smaller critique is that I never felt like I had a clear picture of the characters. Even several chapters in, there was very little physical description, which made it harder to fully visualize them.

The romance itself did not fully land for me. It does not really come together until the very end, but it did not feel like a satisfying slow burn. Instead, it left me feeling a bit disconnected and ultimately underwhelmed.

At times, the pop star and athlete dynamic gave strong Taylor and Travis inspired energy, which may work for some readers, but for me it made the story feel a little less unique.

Overall, this is a quick, light read, but I found myself wanting more depth, stronger conflict, and a deeper emotional connection.

[reese ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pop Stars and Playbooks follows Aria Wilder, a famous pop star who sells out arenas worldwide. When football star Griffin Hayes goes viral for singing along to one of her heartbreaking hits at her concert, their teams turn the moment into a PR opportunity by having them stage a friendship. As they spend more time together through public appearances and events, their connection deepens into something more. But when challenges threaten to pull them apart, Aria and Griffin must decide whether their relationship is worth fighting for.

--

When I requested an ARC of Pop Stars and Playbooks, it didn't immediately register to me that the novel was inspired by real-life figures. That realization only came after a few chapters and actually finding out some articles about the real-life couple from time-to-time. While I'm no stranger to this kind of story thanks to my fanfiction phase as a teenager, I can see why it might not work for readers who don't pick up on the inspiration right away.

That said, there were aspects of the novel that I genuinely enjoyed, particularly Aria and Griffin's dynamic. Despite their staged friendship, their care and respect for each other felt authentic, making their growing connection believable. Their chemistry felt natural from the moment they met.

I also appreciated the glimpses into their struggles behind the scenes. Although they appear to have it all because of their success, their fears, insecurities, and the pressures of fame make them feel relatable and human. Both Aria and Griffin are constantly under the spotlight, and the expectations placed on them often conflict with what they truly want for themselves. These moments added emotional depth to their characters and made it easier to empathize with them.

Overall, Pop Stars and Playbooks is a light and entertaining celebrity romance with likable leads and a sweet friends-to-lovers progression. While the obvious real-world parallels may not appeal to everyone, Aria and Griffin's genuine connection and emotional growth were enough to keep me invested in their story.

Thank you to Juliet Rhodes, Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Pop Stars and Playbooks will be released on July 28, 2026.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aria is a superstar popstar - Griff is a tight end for athe Chicago football team (sound familiar) Griff is a huge fan of Aria's and plays third wheel with his best friend and his girlfriend at one of Aria's concerts where he is caught singing to his heart's content, one of her songs, and it makes its way to the internet, where it becomes a sensation then everybody thinks it's adorable. So between her people and his people, they want to keep the attention going. So they proposition both Griff and Aria, to maintain a fake friendship so to speak, some appearances, few social media posts, a commercial- to keep people interested. They both agree and start to hang out starting with a shelter event (love when authors include rescue animals) . They do a talk show together, have aome coffee, hangout one on one and the fans are living it! - what they didn't think was gonna happen was that they genuinely enjoy spending time together and get along very well - Aria is struggling with not wanting to be that same cookie cutter, bubble gum pop princess that she's been all her life and Griff is wondering what happens after football, what will become of him (hes 32 ) - then, something happens to Griff, that has him questioning everything. and shutting out the world while Aria is trying to deal with her record label. Trying to habe them understand that the changes she wants to make to her music while being contractually obligated to be the pop princess still,- she doesn't understand why Griff won't talk to her even though she tries her hardest So she gives it one last attempt to get his attention.but will it work, goodbook, I liked it. I had a very good secondary cast of characters. Also I could see this becoming a series, especially with Griff's teammates.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

[Jessica Minton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay listen… this book was CUTE.
Like aggressively Hallmark coded in the best way possible. Pop star + football player?? friends to lovers?? soft wholesome vibes?? Obviously I ate that up immediately.

And if you love Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce vibes???
oh this one is ABSOLUTELY for you.

But unfortunately my toxic little drama-loving brain wanted just a tiny bit MORE chaos.

Aria and Griffin were genuinely adorable together and Griffin especially was such a sweetheart. Like this man was out here down BAD and honestly? Respect. The way he loved her was soft, supportive and just genuinely wholesome which made me kick my feet a little bit.

And I actually really liked that the book focused on growth, self worth and finding comfort in someone who understands the pressure you’re under. It had a really cosy vibe that felt easy to read and comforting.
BUT.

I do think the romance developed a little too quickly for me. I wanted more tension. More pining. More “oh my god just kiss already before I combust.” It felt like it skipped over some emotional build up that would’ve made me completely obsessed.

Also if you’re going into this expecting full chaotic Tayvis energy… it’s definitely more “inspired by” than copy and paste, which honestly I appreciated.
Overall this was a sweet easy read that got me out of my slump for a bit, even if it didn’t emotionally destroy me the way my feral little heart usually prefers.

⭐⭐⭐
For fans of:
-friends to lovers
-pop star romance
-football player MMCs
-Taylor Swift x Travis Kelce vibes
-soft wholesome vibes
-clean romance
-books that feel like a comfort movie
-reading with your feet kicking and no emotional trauma afterwards for once


Thanks netgalley for the arc in exchange for a review

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pop Stars and Playbooks is a sweet, slow-burn sports romance that follows global pop sensation Aria Wilder and professional football player Griffin Hayes as they navigate fame, friendship, and unexpected feelings. While the story felt a little slow for me during the first half, the pace picked up considerably later on, making the second half much more engaging.

The premise immediately reminded me of a certain real-life singer and football player power couple, which added a fun layer to the reading experience. Of the two main characters, Griffin stood out to me the most. His character had greater depth, particularly as he grappled with the aftermath of a career-threatening injury and the uncertainty of what comes next. His journey of resilience, self-discovery, and learning to redefine his identity beyond football was one of the strongest aspects of the novel.

Aria, while likable, felt a bit too bubbly and idealized at times for someone living under the intense scrutiny of global celebrity. Still, her optimism and kindness complemented Griffin’s struggles well, creating a relationship dynamic that was easy to root for.

Fans of pretend-friends-to-romance stories will enjoy watching their connection gradually develop. This is a true slow burn with zero spice, focusing instead on emotional intimacy, friendship, and personal growth.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and especially appreciated its exploration of recovery, reinvention, and finding purpose after life’s plans unexpectedly change. While the pacing kept it from being a higher-rated read for me, it was still an enjoyable romance with a heartfelt message.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 bumped up to a 4.

The tl;dr version: a quick, sweet, clean romance for those who love celebrity couples, the fake dating and friends to lovers tropes, and/or Taylor Swift.

Even though I’m not a Swiftie, I couldn’t help but see the similarities between Aria and Griffin and Taylor and Travis Kelce.

But even after seeing all those similarities, I didn’t think much about the real life counterparts as the stories progressed. Aria and Griffin are more than just fictional facsimiles of real life people. They came to life for me when they showed a part of celebrity life that is a lot more humane and less glamorous than we’re used to seeing on social media. We see their struggles and how they affect their working and personal lives. We see the sacrifices, the well-intentioned mistakes that are made, and how they cope with new challenges. And, at the end of the book, it feels like we’ve just watched two good people grow and evolve.

I sometimes had to be reminded that the two protagonists were in their early 30s and not their 20s because of how clean and pure the friendship and love story was. There was no swearing, no innuendos, nothing that we often see in contemporary romances but that’s what I most appreciated about it. We have so much heaviness and spice in media and books, it’s easy to forget that (while it seems too unrealistic to most), there are people over 25 or even 30 who do experience such friendships and romances — ones that put the good of the other and who want the best for each other without gaining anything in return or focusing on the superficial.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, for the advanced reader copy.

[vlm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Popstars and Playbooks is a fun, swoony celebrity romance that perfectly blends fake dating energy, sports romance charm, and the pressures of living life in the public eye. I went into this expecting a light rom-com, but I ended up really appreciating the emotional depth woven throughout Griffin and Aria’s story.

Griffin Hayes is impossible not to love. Beneath the viral meme fame and football star image, he is sweet, grounded, and refreshingly genuine. Aria Wilder also shines as a heroine trying to balance fame, expectations, and creative burnout while still searching for something real in an industry built on performance. Their chemistry felt natural from the beginning, and I loved watching their “fake” friendship slowly turn into something much more meaningful.

The celebrity culture and PR relationship aspects were especially entertaining, but the story also does a great job exploring vulnerability, pressure, and identity. Griffin’s injury storyline and Aria’s struggles with burnout added emotional stakes that kept the romance from feeling too surface level. The balance between humor, tenderness, and emotional growth worked really well for me.

The pacing occasionally felt a little rushed in places, particularly toward the end, but the charm of the characters easily carried me through. Fans of sports romances, celebrity romances, and fake dating tropes will definitely want to pick this one up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Booked & Dreaming · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read an early version of Pop Stars and Playbooks. When I first encountered it, I thought the premise sounded fun and easy, just what I needed right now, and it definitely delivered on that front. My only miss was not realizing right away which characters were inspired by real people. Once Aria appeared, it became pretty clear, and I say this as someone who isn’t a Taylor Swift fan or a football enthusiast, the inspirations are quite obvious.
But that’s okay! Not everyone might see it as a problem. If you enjoy stories that imagine real public figures, this might be right up your alley. For me, it's just not my favourite style, and that realization kept pulling me out of the story every time I started to settle in. The parts where I forgot about those details were genuinely the most enjoyable moments.
And there are some really charming parts. I loved how Aria and Griffin worked on building a friendship first, without rushing into anything. That gentle start gives their relationship a warmth that feels quite genuine. It's a light, easy read that’s perfect when you’re looking for something not too demanding.
What didn’t quite work for me was the conflict and how things wrapped up. Neither felt quite earned or satisfying, and by the end, I was a little underwhelmed. Still, for a debut, it's a promising start. There’s enough charm here to suggest Rhodes has a lot of potential to grow.

[Manuella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5/5

If you love cliches and sweet, cozy romances, this one is for you. Pop Stars and Playbooks tells the story of two worlds colliding when pop sensation Aria Wilder and tight end Griffin Hayes meet after he attends one of her concerts. If the story rings a bell, trust me – it wasn't just you. I am not going to lie, I did levitate towards this book because of the Tayvis parallels in my head. Which, in all honesty, did not work out so well for me the last time but I decided to trust the process – and I am really glad I did.

Juliet Rhodes' book does a great job of showcasing how people who are so different, and yet so similar, can find comfort in each other and find new parts of themselves worth loving and appreciating. Griffin was a gentleman and his crush on Aria was adorable, and as someone who has had a favorite pop singer for as long as she has been born (albeit the position has been shared among a few names), it was great to read about their world from their POV. And to watch these two characters find love? Especially amidst that third act conflict and their own personal growth? It was great and I really enjoyed it.

I do feel as though the switch from friends to more flipped a bit fast, especially after Griffin's injury, but it was still enjoyable and nice to see. Way to go Aria for grabbing the mic of your life!

Thank you NetGalley, Juliet Rhodes and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity of reading this lovely book!

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did receive this as a NetGalley arc, however, it was a slow read for me. It took until after books released for me to finish it. The book had cute premise, but the execution of it all was a struggle to get through. The story has an adorable start. Aria is a popstar and Griffin is a football star. Griffin attends one of Aria’s concerts because he’s one of her biggest fans. He gets caught singing his heart out to one of her songs and it becomes a viral moment. The PR teams for both Aria and Griffin decide to run with that and convince them to fake a PR friendship. With the two make public appearances together and creates cute social media moments. The fans of course eat it up. But in the course of the PR friendship, the two really start to bond. And eventually fall in love. I think one of the issues I had with this book was that it was simultaneously too wordy while also having too many instances of things being too glossed over. Another issue I had was the obvious parallel to Taylor Swift. However, fans of hers may eat that up. I also did not enjoy the third act break up and how it was resolved. It really was just a poor excuse to act poorly with zero groveling to make up. And in fact, the grand gesture came from the innocent party in my opinion. For the most part, this was a cute idea for a story and an adorable romance.

[Princess Autumn (At Camp Half-Blood for Summer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with an ARC! All thoughts are my own.

Now playing: Talk of the Town- Jenna Raine


This was so cute and EXACTLY what I needed right now. Was it perfect? No, but no debut novel is. It came to me when I needed it most: when I was in a bad mood and nearing a reading slump. I finished it in two days.

Now, based on the cover, I obviously thought that this was going to be heavily inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey, so I prepared myself for that. I'm not a huge Taylor fan, but I'm a casual enjoyer, so I figured I could handle some not-so-loose inspiration. To my delight, this book feels completely original! Aside from the initial concept, you could take this and not even know about Taylor and Travis inspiring it.

The slow burn? Ugh, I was screaming at my Kindle the whole time! Ladies and gentlemen, take notes, this is how you write friends-to-lovers!

The characters were perfect, the plot was adorable, and best of all? It was entirely clean! No closed door spice, questionable innuendo, or cursing! Just cute fluff and kisses!

Do I recommend? Absolutely, and I will read anything Juliet Rhodes writes from now on!

[IvvyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very grateful NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction providing the book.

"Griffin Hayes is football's golden boy—charming, talented, and completely out of his depth when a video of him belting out pop star Aria Wilder's breakup anthem goes viral. Overnight, he's crowned the internet's favorite meme, and Aria's #1 fan. Aria, the reigning queen of heartbreak ballads, sees an opportunity to turn the moment into good PR and invites Griffin to her next concert. When their onstage chemistry sets the internet ablaze, her team suggests the unthinkable: a fake friendship to keep the buzz alive."(Book description).


Reading time:2h59min2s Star rating: 3.3/4 Style: A slow-burn romance💕

Slow burn
Clean Romance
Friends to lovers
Looks like Taylor and Travis
Pop Star and a Football Player

It was a slow-burn but good romance.
I liked the development between the characters, although I think they could have talked about their feelings sooner. The part of the book I liked least was when Griffin got injured.

It was a good, consistent and natural romance.

While reading the book, I could only think of the songs "So High School", "Daylight" and "Wi$h Li$t" by Taylor Swift.

#PopStarsandPlaybooks #NetGalley

Publication date: May 26, 2026
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for this digital ARC!

I requested this book because well, a story of a pop star and football player falling in love? Doesn't that sound familiar. Well, that's about where the similarities end.

And I'm not saying I needed this to be exactly Trayvis fan fiction, but the story just fell really flat. Both main characters seem to have no personalities or lives outside of their respective careers. They're both primarily focused on what they do, have no major past relationships, and 1 friend each (her sister, and his closest team mate). Yet somehow they both fall in love with eachothers depth outside of what they know!! What depth? Sure, they're both nice people but they seriously are very flat characters.

The love story also was very meh. There's literally no steam. Maybe like 3 kisses in the whole book. You don't need extreme spice, to at least make it romantic! It takes way too long to get to any sort of romantic payoff and honestly by that point, Griffin didn't even deserve Aria.

It was just hard to keep going with this one. I was hoping for some big moment later but it didn't really come. The one redemptive part is around Griffin making some great career choices later in the book and the messaging around that.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the first chapter, I was completely charmed when football star Griffin Hayes is caught on video singing and swaying along to one of Aria Wilder’s newest hits. By the end of the concert, the clip has gone viral, and Griffin is suddenly labeled Aria’s number one fan. Their PR teams quickly step in, arranging joint public appearances, and the internet can’t get enough. A fake friendship is born—at least at first.
As Griffin and Aria spend more time together, their staged connection begins to feel surprisingly real, both to their fans and to the two of them. But everything shifts when Griffin suffers a serious knee injury that threatens his football career, and Aria finds herself burned out and struggling to create the kind of music everyone expects from her.
This is an engaging, uplifting story filled with lovable characters who are learning to step away from others’ expectations and rediscover what truly matters to them. Their journeys—both individually and together—make this a heartfelt, satisfying read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Lina Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Football star meets pop star… does that sound familiar? Yes, this book is definitely one for Taylor Swift fans or anyone who loves sports romances.

Griffin is our golden boy of football (he’s a Tight End 😊) and he has a bit of a crush on the world-famous pop star Aria Wilder. Visiting her concert, he accidentally creates a viral moment, and PR jumps in on the chance to make Griffin and Aria “friends.” They start appearing at events together, get to know each other better, and slowly… romance develops. 💛

The book is written in dual POV but written in third person, which felt a bit unusual to me. Most dual POV romances I read are first person, and I think that’s part of why I didn’t feel as deeply connected to the characters. It’s not a bad writing style at all, but I did miss some of the emotional depth and, yes, the feelings.

Still, this is an easy read that’s perfect for relaxing hours. The chapters are short, the story moves quickly, and it keeps you turning pages. Plus, it’s a debut novel, and I always think new authors deserve a chance. I’m sure Juliet Rhodes will find her fans with this book.

The only thing that slightly distracted me while reading was the formatting. I’m not sure if it was my ARC version or just the book itself, but some chapters start in the middle of a page, line spacing is inconsistent, etc. Nothing major, and it’s easy to fix before the publishing date.

Overall, a fun, fast, and cute romance with sports vibes, pop star glamour, and a hint of slow-burn love. 🏈🎤💖

[maya jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you so much to netgalley and thomas nelson fiction for this e-arc.

this was such a fun read for me. as a swiftie, the taylor and travis vibes were everywhere, and I loved that aspect so much. the whole pop star and football player dynamic immediately pulled me in and made this such an enjoyable experience.

it’s a really light, easy romance that you can just settle into. the story flows nicely, the characters are likeable, and overall it has a very sweet, feel good tone. I especially liked seeing how their two very different worlds came together because it added a fun layer to the romance.

that said, I did find myself wishing there was a bit more tension and build up. I wanted more longing and anticipation before things fully came together, and at times it felt a little too smooth. because of that, some of the emotional impact did not hit as strongly as I hoped.

overall, though, this was still a really cute and enjoyable read. perfect if you are looking for something soft, romantic, and easy to get through.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

A golden boy football player and sweet no drama pop star…. Griffin was a fan of Aria’s and a video of him at a concert went viral which led to a “fake” friendship for PR. The friendship never felt fake. They hit it off from the get go both developing feelings for one another but too scared to admit it. But Aria, in all her song writing glory, took the plunge and they lived happily ever after.

This was a fluffy low/no stakes feel good read. I think what the book lacked was tension/ drama. They both had a big change. Aria changing her music to something more mature. Griffin a football ending injury. But the tension was still missing. It felt low stakes.

Griffin is the poster boy golden boy that you’d proudly take home to mom and raise a family with. So sweet. Thoughtful. Dependable. No growling possessiveness in sight. Aria- also sweet and confident. So they’re sweet. lol.

Personally I love a possessive MMC and a mountain of obstacles to overcome, but it’s always good to have options in your reading.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC copy*

[Mai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, hear me out. I nearly stopped reading this book multiple times. I put it away a third of the way through and at halfway I was ready to tell Netgalley that I couldn't finish or review the book. But I picked it back up and finished it. Let me explain. The author writes well. She had a good idea for a story - if very reminiscent of the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce saga. My first issue - and this is a personal thing - she wrote in present tense. I have found very few books written in present tense to work for me. The exceptions tend to be real standouts. Secondly, a goodly part of the book was written more like a recap of the story, telling us what had happened in the story rather than telling us the story. The parts of the book where she had more dialogue and things happening, rather than just being recapped in a character's head, were quite good and showed real promise. While I wouldn't really recommend thais book I think that, with a little polishing, future books could really be something.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley and this is my honest review.

[Frances S Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A football player gets caught on video singing his heart out to a pop star's breakup anthem and the internet loses its mind. What follows is a PR-arranged fake friendship that stops being fake pretty quickly, for both of them, even if neither one is ready to say it out loud.

The obvious inspiration is not lost on anyone and I don't think it was meant to be. But once I settled into Griffin and Aria as their own people the story found its footing. Two people at the top of their worlds quietly falling apart inside it. Aria burning out on being the version of herself her label needs her to be. Griffin staring down an injury that might take the only identity he's ever known. They find each other in that in-between space and what they build there feels genuinely warm.

This is a clean, easy, low-stakes read and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. Sometimes that's the exact right book for the exact right moment. The friendship comes first and it earns the rest. That's all I needed from it.

[Elle]

I picked this up with the naive hope it wouldn’t be too much like Taylor Swift fanfiction (after all, Taylor isn’t the first or last pop star to date a football player)… but not only was it too much like Taylor Swift fanfiction, it might as well have been a biography. The MMC plays the exact same position as her boyfriend. Our FMC also is a blonde country girl. She’s also the biggest pop star in the world. She’s also his celebrity crush. I can’t do it… I hate real person fanfiction.

But it’s really good!!! If you’re a swiftie or can cut out the Taylor swift connection in your mind, you’ll probably love this one. The writing is pretty good too!

4 stars, because it’s doing what it needs to do. Even if what it needs to do isn’t for me.

Thanks to NG, the author, and the publisher for the arc.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the story of a pop star and an NFL tight end sounds like it might be a bit of a spin on the real-life romance between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce... well, you're not wrong. This book definitely had some of those vibes... but there was more to Griffin and Aria's story that kept it unique to itself as well. Fake dating turns into a real friendship turns into love in this sweet romance that kept me smiling right through to the end. I enjoyed the chemistry between these two and how they supported and understood one another in ways that many others didn't. It was a lighthearted and fun read, feeling like a nice escape. If you enjoy football and/or celebrity romance, this is one worth checking out.

Pop Stars and Playbooks is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[MJSH · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
This is my first book by Juliet Rhodes. I love the premise and I'm a sucker for sports romance so I was excited to read the book. I really liked Griffin. His humility, thoughtfulness, compassion, and big heart made him a memorable hero. His down-to-earth personality and self-deprecating humor made him stand out. His dark moods and loss of purpose after his injury made him real and tangible. I really liked Aria too. Her heartfelt search for her real self and her tentative yet almost desperate desire for Griffin's friendship made her real and lovable.
But reading their perspectives in third person present tense felt odd, like I was hovering over their lives instead of actually diving into it with them. As a reader, I was being told what was happening by this omniscient cloud but not being pulled in to engage with Griffin and Aria. There was a lot of telling and not enough showing in the narrative.
It's a sweet romance between a pop star and a football star that has fake relationship and opposites-attract tropes. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

[Carissa Veltri · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, first of all, thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this e-ARC! I am very grateful for it! Now, onto the review. I thought this was a really sweet and light-hearted book. Overall the story was very cute! I really liked Griffin and Aria! I will say that the character descriptions need to be a bit more detailed. I like books to be more descriptive so I can get a better picture of the characters and scenes. It was a nice slow burn, friends to lovers scenario. It was a very light and easy read and perfect for if you don't want something too high stakes. It did start a little slow but the pace picks up towards the middle of the book. If you like music or sports romance books then you should give this book a read!

[Betsy Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect fake dating, friends to lovers (two of my FAVORITE tropes) sports romance! I loved the relationship between Aria and Griffin. Naturally I initially thought of Taylor and Travis but the main characters relationship was certainly different and you could separate the two easily from the get-go. It was well paced and I loved their connection as the book went further along (the way the author wrote about them opening up to one another was well done)! Also, always here for a dual POV and I felt it was needed for the book.

If you're looking for a well paced, fun and sweet sports/music romance this is perfect for you! Thank you NetGalley and Uplit for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and thoroughly enjoyable read! I absolutely love fake dating and friends-to-lovers romances, so this book was pretty much made for me. Griffin and Aria had such sweet chemistry, and I loved watching their “fake” friendship slowly turn into something real.

The celebrity/pop star and football player dynamic made this feel fresh and entertaining, while still giving plenty of heartfelt moments along the way. It was light, swoony, and the perfect feel-good romance to escape into.

If you love opposites attract, fake dating, slow-burn romance, and kisses-only stories, definitely add this one to your TBR!

Thank you to the author for the complementary copy. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

#RegencyfanMichelle #PopStarsAndPlaybooks #JulietRhodes #BookReview #CleanRomance

[emily watches and reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐️

This was such a fun and addictive friends-to-lovers romance between a football player and a pop star. I ended up reading this in a single day because I was enjoying it so much and genuinely didn’t want to put it down.

I really loved the dynamic between the main characters and how naturally their relationship developed throughout the story. The romance was entertaining and easy to become invested in, making this a really enjoyable read overall.

If you enjoy friends-to-lovers romances, celebrity romance, and sports romance, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.