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The Pretend Playbook
The comeback role was supposed to change Elara Johnson’s life. The fake boyfriend was never part of the script.
Fresh off a broken engagement, the former child star arrives in Scotland with one final chance to reclaim her career. All she needs is enough publicity to make the world pay attention.
Brody “Big” Gammon needs a comeback of his own. After a suspension and a final warning from his team, the notoriously reckless rugby star must prove he can stay out of trouble. Dating a beautiful actress could be the perfect play.
They agree to pose for the cameras, sell the romance, and keep their feelings out of it.
But every staged touch leaves Elara wanting something real. Behind closed doors, Brody awakens desires she spent years suppressing, while she slips past defenses he never intended to lower.
Soon, the only performance left is pretending neither of them is falling.
Fresh off a broken engagement, the former child star arrives in Scotland with one final chance to reclaim her career. All she needs is enough publicity to make the world pay attention.
Brody “Big” Gammon needs a comeback of his own. After a suspension and a final warning from his team, the notoriously reckless rugby star must prove he can stay out of trouble. Dating a beautiful actress could be the perfect play.
They agree to pose for the cameras, sell the romance, and keep their feelings out of it.
But every staged touch leaves Elara wanting something real. Behind closed doors, Brody awakens desires she spent years suppressing, while she slips past defenses he never intended to lower.
Soon, the only performance left is pretending neither of them is falling.
298 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2026
About the author
Olivia Preya
5 books39 followersOlivia Preya is a romance fanatic and author living in Toronto, Canada. She writes about what she loves—love, spice, and panty-dropping men with a soft spot for the love of their lives. When life gets a little tough or bland, she finds that fictional men are the best medicine.
Olivia considers herself to have two personas, like Wonder Woman, but with a pen––corporate marketing specialist by day and spicy romance author by night. She also likes to embrace all forms of sensuality, from pole dancing and erotic novels to good food; she believes that sometimes the best things in life are a little sinful.
Keep up with Olivia on socials.
IG @oliviapreyaauthor
TikTok @olivia_preya
Olivia considers herself to have two personas, like Wonder Woman, but with a pen––corporate marketing specialist by day and spicy romance author by night. She also likes to embrace all forms of sensuality, from pole dancing and erotic novels to good food; she believes that sometimes the best things in life are a little sinful.
Keep up with Olivia on socials.
IG @oliviapreyaauthor
TikTok @olivia_preya
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 12, 2026
This was a really cute book.
I love me some fake dating and this one hits all the markers for cute, funny and sexy.
Doesn't hurt the audio has the most delicious narration by Ashley J. Hobbs & Thomas Bestwick.
Brody & Elara are sweet and I really enjoyed watching them pretend not to fall in love.
Much love to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my ALC.
I love me some fake dating and this one hits all the markers for cute, funny and sexy.
Doesn't hurt the audio has the most delicious narration by Ashley J. Hobbs & Thomas Bestwick.
Brody & Elara are sweet and I really enjoyed watching them pretend not to fall in love.
Much love to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my ALC.
October 9, 2026
4 stars for me.
Whoo! That was one spicy audio :) Going to Scotland to act in a movie and heal her broken heart,Elara didn't expet to end up as pretended girlfriend of Brody “Big” Gammon .Brody is not a relationship guy,yet to fix his reputation he is willing to pretend to be a fake boyfriend.Both looking only for good time,but pretend soon feels to real.Will they risk their hearts?
It was a spicy and very enjoyable audio.At the beginning I was not sure about narration,Brody pov have Scottish accent,and while I understand that it was on point,it did take me few chapters in to get used to it.While I started out not so optimistic,I did end up enjoying the story.Yes,it did have some situation that I wish were resolved different way,but all works out in the end so not really bothered about it.Both characters not perfect,but working great,and after a while I could see the connection and that they are exacly what they need for each other.Now the spicy stuff,Elara had only one lover who was a longtime partner,yet she didn't have any adventures in the bedroom.Brody on the other hand is a typical playboy,and tried most,so when he and Elara got together,the parts were really steamy.I liked that while not much experienced she was not shy,honestly that was the best part.Started out as not sure but end up engrossed in the story and rooted for them to get their happy ever after.
My first book by this author and hope to read more.
If you like sport romance with fake dating and Scottish accent audio,I would recommend this one.
Thank you netgalley and Dreamscape Media for alc,my review is honest and my own.
Whoo! That was one spicy audio :) Going to Scotland to act in a movie and heal her broken heart,Elara didn't expet to end up as pretended girlfriend of Brody “Big” Gammon .Brody is not a relationship guy,yet to fix his reputation he is willing to pretend to be a fake boyfriend.Both looking only for good time,but pretend soon feels to real.Will they risk their hearts?
It was a spicy and very enjoyable audio.At the beginning I was not sure about narration,Brody pov have Scottish accent,and while I understand that it was on point,it did take me few chapters in to get used to it.While I started out not so optimistic,I did end up enjoying the story.Yes,it did have some situation that I wish were resolved different way,but all works out in the end so not really bothered about it.Both characters not perfect,but working great,and after a while I could see the connection and that they are exacly what they need for each other.Now the spicy stuff,Elara had only one lover who was a longtime partner,yet she didn't have any adventures in the bedroom.Brody on the other hand is a typical playboy,and tried most,so when he and Elara got together,the parts were really steamy.I liked that while not much experienced she was not shy,honestly that was the best part.Started out as not sure but end up engrossed in the story and rooted for them to get their happy ever after.
My first book by this author and hope to read more.
If you like sport romance with fake dating and Scottish accent audio,I would recommend this one.
Thank you netgalley and Dreamscape Media for alc,my review is honest and my own.
October 13, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book.
I listened to the audiobook and I liked the female narrator. On the other hand, the male narrator took some time to get used to because of the Scottish accent but after I got used to it, the narrator really fit Brody. This book was a very good romance. I liked the progression of love between Brody and Elara. My favorite scene was definitely when Brody and Elara first meet at the bar. They chemistry was there and the banter between them was chef kissed. One thing I wished there was more of was more about Elara and her profession as an actress. I feel like I did not get any of her day to day life or if I did it was very little. One thing I disliked was the amount of smutty scenes. It was a bit much and it didn't advance the plot for me. Overall though this was a solid romance novel.
I listened to the audiobook and I liked the female narrator. On the other hand, the male narrator took some time to get used to because of the Scottish accent but after I got used to it, the narrator really fit Brody. This book was a very good romance. I liked the progression of love between Brody and Elara. My favorite scene was definitely when Brody and Elara first meet at the bar. They chemistry was there and the banter between them was chef kissed. One thing I wished there was more of was more about Elara and her profession as an actress. I feel like I did not get any of her day to day life or if I did it was very little. One thing I disliked was the amount of smutty scenes. It was a bit much and it didn't advance the plot for me. Overall though this was a solid romance novel.
October 7, 2026
First a thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape for this audio ARC.
This is spice wrapped in a sweet cover. Which I’m totally here for, I don’t mind more spice than plot sometimes. I adore these characters and the way they encourage and defend one another without making the other feel weak. If you are looking for a spicy fun distraction from the day to day this book is for you. This is my first book by author Olivia Preya and I will check out others for sure!
Troupes: fake dating, sports romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is spice wrapped in a sweet cover. Which I’m totally here for, I don’t mind more spice than plot sometimes. I adore these characters and the way they encourage and defend one another without making the other feel weak. If you are looking for a spicy fun distraction from the day to day this book is for you. This is my first book by author Olivia Preya and I will check out others for sure!
Troupes: fake dating, sports romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 7, 2026
Really enjoyed this fake-dating sports romance! The narrators were great and made the book very enjoyable. It was also a super quick and easy listen!
The story starts with Elara discovering that her fiancé is cheating on her. (Straight into the drama for sure!) Elara was a child star and has had difficulty finding work for the last five years after she was essentially blacklisted. Instead, she has spent her time helping her fiancé (who is a douche!) with his acting career. And what does he do in return as a thank you? Well, cheat on her with his co-star, of course! Sigh.
Elara gets a role in Scotland and moves there. This is her final attempt at figuring out whether she is still cut out to be an actress. She needs all the publicity she can get so the film gets exposure and has a chance to do well. So what happens? She starts fake dating Brody, a famous rugby player.
Brody has his own issues. He punched out his teammate after finding out that he was sleeping with Brody's ex-girlfriend. This has resulted in some bad press, and he needs to fix his image. So, fake dating works out perfectly for both of them—they each get something they want.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Elara has a terrible relationship with her mother, who basically didn't protect her and was more interested in using her to get rich. When Elara was younger she was cast in a film, the director essentially sexually harassed her. When Elara turned him down, her mother got angry with her, and Elara was immediately blacklisted.
Thankfully, Elara has her grandmother, who is literally the sweetest! I loved all of the side characters in this book, and I really liked that everyone played a role in the story. Elara and Brody have to navigate their fake relationship while also realizing that they're actually falling for each other. Brody's father had also just passed away, so he was dealing with his own grief throughout the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed both characters and thought they had great chemistry. And the spicy scenes were definitely spicing! 🔥 Sometimes they felt a little over the top, but overall, it didn't take too much away from the story for me to really care.
I also thought the physical intimacy was important for Elara's character. She had been in a relationship where she was shamed for wanting to explore her sexuality, and Brody helped her experiment and figure out what she actually likes. I think that was an important part of her growth. At the same time, Brody experiences an emotional intimacy with Elara that he has never really experienced with anyone else, and she brings out that side of him.
Overall, this was a fun fake-dating romance with great chemistry, plenty of drama, and some spice! I really enjoyed both Elara and Brody and loved watching their relationship develop.
Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia Preya, and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC!
The story starts with Elara discovering that her fiancé is cheating on her. (Straight into the drama for sure!) Elara was a child star and has had difficulty finding work for the last five years after she was essentially blacklisted. Instead, she has spent her time helping her fiancé (who is a douche!) with his acting career. And what does he do in return as a thank you? Well, cheat on her with his co-star, of course! Sigh.
Elara gets a role in Scotland and moves there. This is her final attempt at figuring out whether she is still cut out to be an actress. She needs all the publicity she can get so the film gets exposure and has a chance to do well. So what happens? She starts fake dating Brody, a famous rugby player.
Brody has his own issues. He punched out his teammate after finding out that he was sleeping with Brody's ex-girlfriend. This has resulted in some bad press, and he needs to fix his image. So, fake dating works out perfectly for both of them—they each get something they want.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Elara has a terrible relationship with her mother, who basically didn't protect her and was more interested in using her to get rich. When Elara was younger she was cast in a film, the director essentially sexually harassed her. When Elara turned him down, her mother got angry with her, and Elara was immediately blacklisted.
Thankfully, Elara has her grandmother, who is literally the sweetest! I loved all of the side characters in this book, and I really liked that everyone played a role in the story. Elara and Brody have to navigate their fake relationship while also realizing that they're actually falling for each other. Brody's father had also just passed away, so he was dealing with his own grief throughout the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed both characters and thought they had great chemistry. And the spicy scenes were definitely spicing! 🔥 Sometimes they felt a little over the top, but overall, it didn't take too much away from the story for me to really care.
I also thought the physical intimacy was important for Elara's character. She had been in a relationship where she was shamed for wanting to explore her sexuality, and Brody helped her experiment and figure out what she actually likes. I think that was an important part of her growth. At the same time, Brody experiences an emotional intimacy with Elara that he has never really experienced with anyone else, and she brings out that side of him.
Overall, this was a fun fake-dating romance with great chemistry, plenty of drama, and some spice! I really enjoyed both Elara and Brody and loved watching their relationship develop.
Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia Preya, and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC!
October 9, 2026
The Chemistry Was Supposed to Be Fake, Not the Situations
⭐ 3/5 — DNF at approximately 35%
🎧 Audiobook: 3/5
🌶️ 1/5 Experienced | 2/5 New Reader (through 35%)
Sports romance and fake dating are two things that will almost always catch my attention, so The Pretend Playbook had a promising setup for me.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the relationship.
The attraction between Elara and Brody was there, but I never developed much emotional investment in them. As the story progressed, several situations felt increasingly engineered to create romantic tension rather than developing naturally from the characters.
I also struggled with Elara’s characterization. Her sexual inexperience wasn’t the issue. It was the repeated emphasis on her innocence and discomfort with her own desires, which felt exaggerated compared with how outspoken and assertive she was in other situations.
That contrast could have worked with more development, but it didn’t feel earned in the portion I experienced.
By around 35%, I was spending more time questioning the situations than enjoying the romance, so I decided to stop.
Audiobook Experience
Ashley J. Hobbs delivered a clear, enjoyable performance. I also liked aspects of Thomas Bestwick’s narration, particularly his accent.
However, his recording sounded noticeably quieter and more muffled, and the editing seams were very obvious. Changes in tone and recording quality disrupted the listening experience.
The audio issues weren’t my primary reason for stopping, but they added friction to an experience I was already struggling with.
Who Should Read or Listen?
Readers who enjoy sports romance, fake dating, and heightened romantic situations may connect with this one more than I did.
For me, the premise was appealing, but the character development and relationship execution weren’t compelling enough to continue.
My assessment reflects approximately the first 35% of the audiobook, not the completed story.
⭐ 3/5 — DNF at approximately 35%
🎧 Audiobook: 3/5
🌶️ 1/5 Experienced | 2/5 New Reader (through 35%)
Sports romance and fake dating are two things that will almost always catch my attention, so The Pretend Playbook had a promising setup for me.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the relationship.
The attraction between Elara and Brody was there, but I never developed much emotional investment in them. As the story progressed, several situations felt increasingly engineered to create romantic tension rather than developing naturally from the characters.
I also struggled with Elara’s characterization. Her sexual inexperience wasn’t the issue. It was the repeated emphasis on her innocence and discomfort with her own desires, which felt exaggerated compared with how outspoken and assertive she was in other situations.
That contrast could have worked with more development, but it didn’t feel earned in the portion I experienced.
By around 35%, I was spending more time questioning the situations than enjoying the romance, so I decided to stop.
Audiobook Experience
Ashley J. Hobbs delivered a clear, enjoyable performance. I also liked aspects of Thomas Bestwick’s narration, particularly his accent.
However, his recording sounded noticeably quieter and more muffled, and the editing seams were very obvious. Changes in tone and recording quality disrupted the listening experience.
The audio issues weren’t my primary reason for stopping, but they added friction to an experience I was already struggling with.
Who Should Read or Listen?
Readers who enjoy sports romance, fake dating, and heightened romantic situations may connect with this one more than I did.
For me, the premise was appealing, but the character development and relationship execution weren’t compelling enough to continue.
My assessment reflects approximately the first 35% of the audiobook, not the completed story.
October 14, 2026
If you're looking for a fun, spicy contemporary sports romance with fake dating, then add The Pretend Playbook by Olivia Preya to your TBR!!!
Elara is an out of work actress who just found out her boyfriend was cheating on her when she gets a call from her agent about a job offer in Scotland. She decides she's putting herself out there once she arrives and she meets Brody "Big" Gammon, a reckless playboy rugby player who is suffering blowback with his image being tarnished. He needs some PR help, and Elara wants some life experience - cue the fake dating!!!
This one is fun, quick, and spicy - but still dealing with some very heavy topics. There's a lot of family dynamics going on and high expectations. But Elara is ready to live her life and experience things she's never been able to before. Who else to help her out than the guy she's fake dating?
I loved watching them fall in love with each other while definitely pretending not to. Why is fake dating one of my favorite tropes? It's just so cute! This one was also surprisingly pretty spicy! I wasn't expecting all of the adventures these two get up to.
The audio: Thomas Bestwick brings an authentic Scottish accent for Brody, and Ashley J. Hobbs nails Elara's range of emotions. This is performed in dual POV, and they did a good job bringing the characters to life.
If you enjoy spicy sports romances, an accented MMC, and fake dating, I recommend this one!
Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 6, 2026
Okay, so when I added The Pretend Playbook to my Currently Reading shelf, I noticed that the reviews weren’t exactly glowing, and I remember thinking, Oh no…what did I get myself into? I am SO glad I decided to listen to it anyway because I ended up really enjoying this book!
First of all, I am an absolute sucker for fake dating, and give me a grumpy, protective MMC any day! Add in a misunderstood former playboy who ends up falling HARD, and I’m sold. What isn’t there to love?
I really loved the FMC, especially how open she was about exploring her sexuality and having fun without being ashamed of what she wanted. I’m always here for a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. There were also some great women-empowerment themes throughout the story, and I loved watching her stand up for herself and call people out when they deserved it.
And can we talk about the ex? Because the fact that going back to him never even crossed her mind had me cheering. YES, GIRL! Throw that trash OUT! I love a heroine who knows when something is no longer worth her time.
Was everything perfect? Nope. I definitely got a little peeved with the miscommunication toward the end. There were moments when I wanted to yell, “JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!” I found her running away instead of communicating a little frustrating, but thankfully it didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, this was such a fun, entertaining listen with a trope I love, a protective grumpy MMC, a swoony romance, and a heroine I really enjoyed rooting for.
And honestly? Don’t let the Goodreads rating scare you away. I almost did, and I would have missed out on a book I genuinely enjoyed. Sometimes you just have to give a book a chance and decide for yourself! Definitely give The Pretend Playbook a try before you pass it up!
#netgalley #arc #thepretendplaybook
First of all, I am an absolute sucker for fake dating, and give me a grumpy, protective MMC any day! Add in a misunderstood former playboy who ends up falling HARD, and I’m sold. What isn’t there to love?
I really loved the FMC, especially how open she was about exploring her sexuality and having fun without being ashamed of what she wanted. I’m always here for a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. There were also some great women-empowerment themes throughout the story, and I loved watching her stand up for herself and call people out when they deserved it.
And can we talk about the ex? Because the fact that going back to him never even crossed her mind had me cheering. YES, GIRL! Throw that trash OUT! I love a heroine who knows when something is no longer worth her time.
Was everything perfect? Nope. I definitely got a little peeved with the miscommunication toward the end. There were moments when I wanted to yell, “JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!” I found her running away instead of communicating a little frustrating, but thankfully it didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, this was such a fun, entertaining listen with a trope I love, a protective grumpy MMC, a swoony romance, and a heroine I really enjoyed rooting for.
And honestly? Don’t let the Goodreads rating scare you away. I almost did, and I would have missed out on a book I genuinely enjoyed. Sometimes you just have to give a book a chance and decide for yourself! Definitely give The Pretend Playbook a try before you pass it up!
#netgalley #arc #thepretendplaybook
October 14, 2026
Ashley J. Hobbs and Thomas Bestwick were the narrators and I felt they did a good job with the book, it's just too bad it couldn't have been a duet.
I enjoy a good fake dating --> more story and this delivered on that, Brody while I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like him because he did have a bit of an ego on him turned out to be such a sweetheart... especially when it came to his girlfriend. Elara I was so ready for her to be able to shine again after she had been living under a dark cloud with her toxic ex.
I wasn't totally into Brody being such a player to the point where he got a vasectomy because he knew he would be getting with too many people and wanted to have less of a chance of pregnancy... like what you are in your 20's this was over the top ridiculous.
Would have liked more information on some of the plots but over all this was an enjoyable read/listen and would like to check out more of the series.
Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*Netgalley ALC *Sports Romance (Rugby) *Actress FMC *Scottish MMC x Canadian FMC
*family drama *Playboy MMC *Fake Dating *Spice *Triggers
I enjoy a good fake dating --> more story and this delivered on that, Brody while I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like him because he did have a bit of an ego on him turned out to be such a sweetheart... especially when it came to his girlfriend. Elara I was so ready for her to be able to shine again after she had been living under a dark cloud with her toxic ex.
I wasn't totally into Brody being such a player to the point where he got a vasectomy because he knew he would be getting with too many people and wanted to have less of a chance of pregnancy... like what you are in your 20's this was over the top ridiculous.
Would have liked more information on some of the plots but over all this was an enjoyable read/listen and would like to check out more of the series.
Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*Netgalley ALC *Sports Romance (Rugby) *Actress FMC *Scottish MMC x Canadian FMC
*family drama *Playboy MMC *Fake Dating *Spice *Triggers
October 11, 2026
ALC Review | Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for the ALC!
This was such an entertaining listen! Elara is an actress who gets shadowbanned from the industry because of a predatory director, shedding light on something really important that can happen to young actors. After landing a role in Scotland, she ends up in a PR relationship with Brody, a rugby player, and things get interesting!
The pacing was really good, and I loved how the story touched on important topics like revenge porn, complicated mother-daughter relationships, and friendship. I also really enjoyed the spicy scenes and the dual POVs! Their chemistry was so well written, and I loved getting both of their perspectives.
Elara’s relationship with her grandmother was especially touching and hit a very special place in my heart. ❤️
This book definitely piqued my interest in reading more of Olivia Preya’s work. Congratulations, girl! Can’t wait to see what you write next! Also, I really loved the cover!
This was such an entertaining listen! Elara is an actress who gets shadowbanned from the industry because of a predatory director, shedding light on something really important that can happen to young actors. After landing a role in Scotland, she ends up in a PR relationship with Brody, a rugby player, and things get interesting!
The pacing was really good, and I loved how the story touched on important topics like revenge porn, complicated mother-daughter relationships, and friendship. I also really enjoyed the spicy scenes and the dual POVs! Their chemistry was so well written, and I loved getting both of their perspectives.
Elara’s relationship with her grandmother was especially touching and hit a very special place in my heart. ❤️
This book definitely piqued my interest in reading more of Olivia Preya’s work. Congratulations, girl! Can’t wait to see what you write next! Also, I really loved the cover!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC for my honest opinion.*
OLIVIA PREYA! Where have you been hiding?! I devoured this book in two days….. TWO! First, let’s talk about the narrator selection because Ashley J. Hobbs and Thomas Bestwick were amazing. They definitely brought the characters to life and those accents were brilliant! Thomas had me in a chokehold. Sometimes it was hard to understand, but honestly, it didn't bother me as much. I would just go back and relisten if I didn’t understand the first time. This book DID NOT disappoint. The banter, the chemistry, the push-and-pull and the spicy scenes?! Chef’s kiss! I literally have no notes.
Elara fled to Scotland after a public, broken engagement and for an acting job for a career-saving comeback. Enter Brody “Big”, a reckless professional rugby star with his own career crisis and in need of cleaning up his act. What better way than to save both their careers? Well fake dating, of course! All is dandy until lines get blurred, feelings are developing and the emotional connection is getting too real to deny. The biggest hurdle, can they actually pretend to not fall in love? Or will they give in and confess their true feelings?
OLIVIA PREYA! Where have you been hiding?! I devoured this book in two days….. TWO! First, let’s talk about the narrator selection because Ashley J. Hobbs and Thomas Bestwick were amazing. They definitely brought the characters to life and those accents were brilliant! Thomas had me in a chokehold. Sometimes it was hard to understand, but honestly, it didn't bother me as much. I would just go back and relisten if I didn’t understand the first time. This book DID NOT disappoint. The banter, the chemistry, the push-and-pull and the spicy scenes?! Chef’s kiss! I literally have no notes.
Elara fled to Scotland after a public, broken engagement and for an acting job for a career-saving comeback. Enter Brody “Big”, a reckless professional rugby star with his own career crisis and in need of cleaning up his act. What better way than to save both their careers? Well fake dating, of course! All is dandy until lines get blurred, feelings are developing and the emotional connection is getting too real to deny. The biggest hurdle, can they actually pretend to not fall in love? Or will they give in and confess their true feelings?
October 24, 2026
A Playbook I Struggled to Finish
Finishing this audiobook felt like an achievement, although unfortunately not for the right reasons. The fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers storyline follows a familiar route, complete with damaged reputations, growing attraction, mistakes that need to be corrected and an eventual change of heart. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with the structure, but I struggled to connect with either protagonist.
Elara was pleasant enough, but she often felt like harmless fluff and desperately needed more backbone. Brody was far more difficult to like. Our introduction to him literally involves him putting himself back into his trousers after sex, and that crassness largely shaped my impression of him throughout the book. He does gradually learn to care, protect and behave like a better man, but by then I was never fully invested in his redemption or the romance.
The spicy scenes were fine in places but cringeworthy in others, and the chemistry never quite convinced me. I normally consider a Scottish accent an automatic advantage, but Thomas Bestwick’s performance which was good, did absolutely nothing for me here because of the character, which may be the most damning evidence of all.
There is definite character growth, particularly as Brody becomes more protective of Elara and allows himself to love someone properly. Readers who enjoy spicy sports romances, fake relationships and abrasive heroes who eventually soften may have a much better time with this than I did. For me, however, it was an ordinary romance populated by characters I simply didn’t enjoy spending time with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Finishing this audiobook felt like an achievement, although unfortunately not for the right reasons. The fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers storyline follows a familiar route, complete with damaged reputations, growing attraction, mistakes that need to be corrected and an eventual change of heart. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with the structure, but I struggled to connect with either protagonist.
Elara was pleasant enough, but she often felt like harmless fluff and desperately needed more backbone. Brody was far more difficult to like. Our introduction to him literally involves him putting himself back into his trousers after sex, and that crassness largely shaped my impression of him throughout the book. He does gradually learn to care, protect and behave like a better man, but by then I was never fully invested in his redemption or the romance.
The spicy scenes were fine in places but cringeworthy in others, and the chemistry never quite convinced me. I normally consider a Scottish accent an automatic advantage, but Thomas Bestwick’s performance which was good, did absolutely nothing for me here because of the character, which may be the most damning evidence of all.
There is definite character growth, particularly as Brody becomes more protective of Elara and allows himself to love someone properly. Readers who enjoy spicy sports romances, fake relationships and abrasive heroes who eventually soften may have a much better time with this than I did. For me, however, it was an ordinary romance populated by characters I simply didn’t enjoy spending time with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2026
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
⭐️ 2/5 - DNF at approximately 55%
🌶 1/5 (through 55%)
🎧 3.5/5 - Dual narration
I love a good fake dating sports romance, so this one immediately caught my attention. Add in that it's set in Scotland and I was super excited to jump in. Unfortunately, the story didn't deliver for me.
My biggest issue was Elara's character inconsistencies. One moment she strong and assertive, the next she's innocent and incapable of communicating her needs and desires. Many of the situations also felt forced and designed to create a specific outcome as opposed to the characters and relationships progressing naturally.
I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the story so I decided to stop listening.
The audiobook experience was a mixed bag for me. Ashley J. Hobbs delivered a clear performance and a great job with the FMC, but I found her Scottish accent inaccurate and inconsistent. Thomas Bestwick delivered a good performance, but the audio quality wasn't where it needed to be. He sounded muffled at times and edits were obvious and distracting. I didn't have any problems understanding either of the narrators and even with the quality issues, the audio ultimately did not play into my decision to stop listening to the book.
Overall, the premise was intriguing, but the character and story development didn't deliver for me.
⭐️ 2/5 - DNF at approximately 55%
🌶 1/5 (through 55%)
🎧 3.5/5 - Dual narration
I love a good fake dating sports romance, so this one immediately caught my attention. Add in that it's set in Scotland and I was super excited to jump in. Unfortunately, the story didn't deliver for me.
My biggest issue was Elara's character inconsistencies. One moment she strong and assertive, the next she's innocent and incapable of communicating her needs and desires. Many of the situations also felt forced and designed to create a specific outcome as opposed to the characters and relationships progressing naturally.
I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the story so I decided to stop listening.
The audiobook experience was a mixed bag for me. Ashley J. Hobbs delivered a clear performance and a great job with the FMC, but I found her Scottish accent inaccurate and inconsistent. Thomas Bestwick delivered a good performance, but the audio quality wasn't where it needed to be. He sounded muffled at times and edits were obvious and distracting. I didn't have any problems understanding either of the narrators and even with the quality issues, the audio ultimately did not play into my decision to stop listening to the book.
Overall, the premise was intriguing, but the character and story development didn't deliver for me.
October 25, 2026
A fun steamy fake relationship romance! thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance audio copy
Ashley J. Hobbs (Narrator); Thomas Bestwick (Narrator) voiced Elara and Brody, respectably, and they were fantastic bringing them to life. Ashley made Elara grow as the narration grew, and I loved her. Brody was as teddy bear hiding under a bad boy facade and the accent that Thomas Bestwick naturally brought was just right for a tortured man who reacted before thinking, A grear companion to a work day!
The story was entertaining, steamy, and painful in parts. Elara has given it all to her ex and her mom has taken it all from her, she is looking to define herself as a woman with needs and an actor who loves her work. Her naivete at some moments made her endearing, and painful to see what she had to deal with, Brody on the other hand is a man of quick reactions who has had to deal wtih a lot in a short amount of time and his grief manifest violently, However together they fit perfectly in so many ways. She is the sunshine, the softness, the air he needs. while he is the raw and realness she needs in protection, passion, and love.
The love is not perfect but grows with them. The drama was painful and sadly took some sorting out but helped to showcase their growth as characters and couple.
A fun read!
Ashley J. Hobbs (Narrator); Thomas Bestwick (Narrator) voiced Elara and Brody, respectably, and they were fantastic bringing them to life. Ashley made Elara grow as the narration grew, and I loved her. Brody was as teddy bear hiding under a bad boy facade and the accent that Thomas Bestwick naturally brought was just right for a tortured man who reacted before thinking, A grear companion to a work day!
The story was entertaining, steamy, and painful in parts. Elara has given it all to her ex and her mom has taken it all from her, she is looking to define herself as a woman with needs and an actor who loves her work. Her naivete at some moments made her endearing, and painful to see what she had to deal with, Brody on the other hand is a man of quick reactions who has had to deal wtih a lot in a short amount of time and his grief manifest violently, However together they fit perfectly in so many ways. She is the sunshine, the softness, the air he needs. while he is the raw and realness she needs in protection, passion, and love.
The love is not perfect but grows with them. The drama was painful and sadly took some sorting out but helped to showcase their growth as characters and couple.
A fun read!
October 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Elara is an actress whose career took a hit after a #MeToo-related scandal involving a director. After finding out her fiancé is cheating, she heads to Scotland for a movie role and a fresh start.
Brody "Big" is a rugby star who desperately needs some good PR after a public altercation puts his place on the team at risk.
Since they both need a reputation boost, a fake-dating arrangement seems like the perfect solution. The only problem? They've already met, and it didn't exactly go well.
I really enjoyed watching these two try not to fall for each other. Elara grows a lot throughout the story, and Big was such a sweetheart underneath his gruff exterior.
I listened to the audiobook, which had duet narration. The male narrator has a pretty thick Scottish accent, which definitely added to the experience.
Fair warning: this book is VERY spicy. I usually lean more toward plot than spice, and this one was right at my limit. That said, I liked the characters and romance enough that I just skipped ahead when things got a little too steamy for me.
If you enjoy fake-dating sports romances with lots of chemistry, this one is worth checking out!
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Elara is an actress whose career took a hit after a #MeToo-related scandal involving a director. After finding out her fiancé is cheating, she heads to Scotland for a movie role and a fresh start.
Brody "Big" is a rugby star who desperately needs some good PR after a public altercation puts his place on the team at risk.
Since they both need a reputation boost, a fake-dating arrangement seems like the perfect solution. The only problem? They've already met, and it didn't exactly go well.
I really enjoyed watching these two try not to fall for each other. Elara grows a lot throughout the story, and Big was such a sweetheart underneath his gruff exterior.
I listened to the audiobook, which had duet narration. The male narrator has a pretty thick Scottish accent, which definitely added to the experience.
Fair warning: this book is VERY spicy. I usually lean more toward plot than spice, and this one was right at my limit. That said, I liked the characters and romance enough that I just skipped ahead when things got a little too steamy for me.
If you enjoy fake-dating sports romances with lots of chemistry, this one is worth checking out!
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
October 13, 2026
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, NatGalley, and Olivia Preya for this ALC!
I love how real the relationship between Elara and Brody progressed. Fake dating between these two as a PR stunt while they are both growing individual and working on themselves. This is only my third rugby sports romance and I loved it!! It was a great time and Big was SO protective!
Ashley J. Hobbs and Thomas Bestwick did a fantastic job at narrating this one! The Scottish accent that Brody had was on point and accurate the entire book. You could feel the emotion in the end in both their voices during everything that went down with Elara’s ex. The audio only enhanced this story and as soon as I started this one I could not put it down.
If you’re a fan of fake dating, big strong rugby players not afraid to get in a scuffle, and a protective MMC who will do anything to make sure his loved ones are protected. This one was so sweet, fun, and spicy! Be sure to check out the audio, soooo good!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love how real the relationship between Elara and Brody progressed. Fake dating between these two as a PR stunt while they are both growing individual and working on themselves. This is only my third rugby sports romance and I loved it!! It was a great time and Big was SO protective!
Ashley J. Hobbs and Thomas Bestwick did a fantastic job at narrating this one! The Scottish accent that Brody had was on point and accurate the entire book. You could feel the emotion in the end in both their voices during everything that went down with Elara’s ex. The audio only enhanced this story and as soon as I started this one I could not put it down.
If you’re a fan of fake dating, big strong rugby players not afraid to get in a scuffle, and a protective MMC who will do anything to make sure his loved ones are protected. This one was so sweet, fun, and spicy! Be sure to check out the audio, soooo good!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 14, 2026
This one is hard to rate for me. I liked some aspects and was confused by others. It’s like two stories got smashed together to make one book that hits all the tropes. I love me a good actress/pro athlete couple. They can be very entertaining. And these two had the makings to be entertaining. But the story just didn’t flow with the BDSM stuff thrown in. Then the crazy mother and crazy ex. Those storylines weren’t flushed out enough to make them make sense. Much of that could have been cut from the book and a really awesome fake to real romance could have made a great book on its own. So I’m not going to give it a crap ratting because there is promise, but it doesn’t get a higher rating because it could have been so much better. Good choice with the narrators. They made the book come to life and be interesting.
Thank you Olivia Preya and the publisher for the alc. I’m not opposed to seeing how a series based off this pans out.
Thank you Olivia Preya and the publisher for the alc. I’m not opposed to seeing how a series based off this pans out.
October 17, 2026
The Pretend Playbook was a fun, spicy, and entertaining sports romance featuring Brody and Elara, two people who enter a pretend relationship for very different reasons, only to discover that their feelings might not be so pretend after all!
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop as they navigated personal challenges, emotional vulnerability, and unexpected feelings. Neither character was perfect, which made their connection feel more authentic. The story had a wonderful combination of humor, romance, chemistry, and steamy moments.
Ashley J. Hobbs and Thomas Bestwick brought the characters to life! Brody’s Scottish accent added another layer to the listening experience.
If you love fake dating, sports romance, Scottish accents, and a little spice, this one is worth adding to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. 💕
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop as they navigated personal challenges, emotional vulnerability, and unexpected feelings. Neither character was perfect, which made their connection feel more authentic. The story had a wonderful combination of humor, romance, chemistry, and steamy moments.
Ashley J. Hobbs and Thomas Bestwick brought the characters to life! Brody’s Scottish accent added another layer to the listening experience.
If you love fake dating, sports romance, Scottish accents, and a little spice, this one is worth adding to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. 💕
October 13, 2026
Fake dating
Opposites attract
Rugby player x Actress
Forced Proximity
Dual POV - 1st person
Dual narration - Ashley J. Hobbs & Thomas Bestwick
This was my first time reading a book by Olivia Preya and I can honestly say I am a fan of her writing. This book was emotional, sweet, and downright captivating. The characters are relatable and I enjoyed the development of their relationship. I love that the MMC is a Rugby player, a nice chance from the normal football or hockey players (Tho I do love them too)
Ashley & Thomas did a wonderful job bringing this book to life. I love Thomas with his Scottish accent, it was done perfectly.
Overall, this book was a great listen, and I will definitely be looking to listen to more by Olivia Preya.
Thank you Olivia Preya, RB Media, & NetGalley for this ALC.
Opposites attract
Rugby player x Actress
Forced Proximity
Dual POV - 1st person
Dual narration - Ashley J. Hobbs & Thomas Bestwick
This was my first time reading a book by Olivia Preya and I can honestly say I am a fan of her writing. This book was emotional, sweet, and downright captivating. The characters are relatable and I enjoyed the development of their relationship. I love that the MMC is a Rugby player, a nice chance from the normal football or hockey players (Tho I do love them too)
Ashley & Thomas did a wonderful job bringing this book to life. I love Thomas with his Scottish accent, it was done perfectly.
Overall, this book was a great listen, and I will definitely be looking to listen to more by Olivia Preya.
Thank you Olivia Preya, RB Media, & NetGalley for this ALC.
October 26, 2026
I had a really great time.
I really appreciated that Elara was on that kind of time, where her ex was immediately ex-shaped with a quickness. I do however wish she did have a bit more faith in herself. Now, Mr. Brody, as we hope most rugby men to be, was the dreamy scottish, was the down bad, "I worship the ground you walk on" kind of guy. So yeah. I enjoyed all the bits about this.
Their chemistry was quite delicious and her experiencing some new things for the first time, and also gaining confidence in herself was lovely and I just had a great time. Also the scottish accent of Brody did *things*.
There was some small amounts of degredation that I didn't enjoy. but that's a personal preference, otherwise, it was an easy scored try or *insert whatever fun sport reference works for you here*.
Thank you to RB Media and Netgalley for an audiocopy.
I really appreciated that Elara was on that kind of time, where her ex was immediately ex-shaped with a quickness. I do however wish she did have a bit more faith in herself. Now, Mr. Brody, as we hope most rugby men to be, was the dreamy scottish, was the down bad, "I worship the ground you walk on" kind of guy. So yeah. I enjoyed all the bits about this.
Their chemistry was quite delicious and her experiencing some new things for the first time, and also gaining confidence in herself was lovely and I just had a great time. Also the scottish accent of Brody did *things*.
There was some small amounts of degredation that I didn't enjoy. but that's a personal preference, otherwise, it was an easy scored try or *insert whatever fun sport reference works for you here*.
Thank you to RB Media and Netgalley for an audiocopy.
October 6, 2026
3⭐️ book | 2⭐️ narration
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC.
I liked the story and the fake dating premise. I also really enjoyed the feminist elements and Elara’s openness around self love and female pleasure. It was refreshing and added something a little different to the romance.
Unfortunately, I really struggled with the narration. The Scottish accent was incredibly difficult to listen to and I came close to DNFing several times because of it. I think I would have enjoyed this much more as a physical or e-book.
An okay romance with some really good elements, but sadly the narration really affected my enjoyment.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC.
I liked the story and the fake dating premise. I also really enjoyed the feminist elements and Elara’s openness around self love and female pleasure. It was refreshing and added something a little different to the romance.
Unfortunately, I really struggled with the narration. The Scottish accent was incredibly difficult to listen to and I came close to DNFing several times because of it. I think I would have enjoyed this much more as a physical or e-book.
An okay romance with some really good elements, but sadly the narration really affected my enjoyment.
October 6, 2026
I requested this audiobook on @netgalley solely because it is a sports romance. Do I actually need to know more? Yes, yes I should have.
After her fiance cheats on her, former child star Elara heads from Canada to Scotland to attempt reclaiming her career. She needs good press, just like Scottish rugby star Big. They fake date. They catch feelings. Story as old as time.
The narration was cringe. Not a fan, especially when our Scot MMC was introduced. Just gross. The playboy stuff was over the top. Her anger was a bit annoying. Just not for me at all.
⭐⭐
After her fiance cheats on her, former child star Elara heads from Canada to Scotland to attempt reclaiming her career. She needs good press, just like Scottish rugby star Big. They fake date. They catch feelings. Story as old as time.
The narration was cringe. Not a fan, especially when our Scot MMC was introduced. Just gross. The playboy stuff was over the top. Her anger was a bit annoying. Just not for me at all.
⭐⭐
October 13, 2026
This book was a journey. There were scandals, betrayals, and last chances but also family, friends, and forgiveness. Brody needs to rehab his image and Elara needs a fresh start after a bad relationship ends and an opportunity to restart her acting career comes along. They find themselves forced together repeatedly and it just makes sense to use the rumors to their benefit. If you love a romance that is a rollercoaster of emotions this is the book.
The narrators were great. My only complaint is you can hear the female narrator swallow frequently and it triggers misophonia for me.
The narrators were great. My only complaint is you can hear the female narrator swallow frequently and it triggers misophonia for me.
October 15, 2026
The FMC is trying to be an actress. The MMC is a rugby player. They got off on the wrong foot because they really didn’t like each other. But, one thing leads to another and they begin to fake date. It’s a pretty funny book. I loved it. It was fast-paced and was easy to follow and digest. I listened to the audiobook and loved the accents. The FMC didn’t really have an accent, but her voice and his was perfect for these parts. You can tell they are pros. I will absolutely be checking the backlist of the authors books. I would definitely recommend this book.
October 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Olivia Preya for allowing me to listen to the ALC for this book!
This was such a fun book. I don't know why I haven't read a rugby romance yet. I love rugby and rugby men are just my type. Alara and Brody had such great chemistry. I was rooting for them from the very moment they had their first interaction! The spice was spicing and the vibes were immaculate! Definitely worth the read!
This was such a fun book. I don't know why I haven't read a rugby romance yet. I love rugby and rugby men are just my type. Alara and Brody had such great chemistry. I was rooting for them from the very moment they had their first interaction! The spice was spicing and the vibes were immaculate! Definitely worth the read!
October 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the Arc!
I really enjoyed our Fmc, she was great and so was the narrator! I did wish we saw a little bit more of her career through. But that's okay too!
When it came to Brody's (Big) accent, I was taken a back a bit and it took some getting used too! I was just not expecting it! But after a few chapters I got used to it.
The pacing was well done, the flow was well and generally I enjoyed the whole story.
I really enjoyed our Fmc, she was great and so was the narrator! I did wish we saw a little bit more of her career through. But that's okay too!
When it came to Brody's (Big) accent, I was taken a back a bit and it took some getting used too! I was just not expecting it! But after a few chapters I got used to it.
The pacing was well done, the flow was well and generally I enjoyed the whole story.
October 20, 2026
This book was a journey for me. It started off fun and cute, with a former child actress and a disgraced Rugby player entering a fake pr relationship to mutually benefit their careers. But then it goes straight smut with very little plot happening. I almost DNF’ed it because I do need more going on in a book. But the ending redeemed it. I’m glad I stuck it out, but I also wish it didn’t take until the last 10 percent of the book for that to happen.
October 11, 2026
The Scottish accent is terrible don’t know what it sounds like but it’s not Scottish. Once I’d got over the accent I really enjoyed it. It’s a really great listen. The story has a good pace with lots of action. It’s laugh out loud funny at times, the spicy scenes are super hot and there are plenty of them. Overall a great listen and a big thumbs up from me.
October 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this book.
This book had me hooked right from the start. I loved watching Elara grow into herself and find her voice. The relationship between Elara and Brody felt really natural and never forced. The pacing was well done and never felt like it was dragging. This is a book I will reread more than once.
This book had me hooked right from the start. I loved watching Elara grow into herself and find her voice. The relationship between Elara and Brody felt really natural and never forced. The pacing was well done and never felt like it was dragging. This is a book I will reread more than once.
October 20, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ALC of this book.
First of all, the narrators on this were great! I loved our MMCs accent, it added immersion for me.
The book itself is a cute, low stakes, contemporary romance book. I do wish we had more background for our characters and got to know them more individually, outside of the romance, but it was a solid book!
First of all, the narrators on this were great! I loved our MMCs accent, it added immersion for me.
The book itself is a cute, low stakes, contemporary romance book. I do wish we had more background for our characters and got to know them more individually, outside of the romance, but it was a solid book!
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