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Play For Me: A Ransom Family Novel
The eighth book in the Ransom Family Series is coming soon!
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
It was so good to have Rachel Schurig back and writing again, and even better to find myself returning to the Ransome world after such a long time. There was something instantly comforting about being back amongst this family, and this book gave me everything I had hoped for: romance, tension, familiar faces, plenty of emotion and that warm, feel-good quality that makes this series so enjoyable.
I really liked Cecilia and Solomon, both individually and together. They were strong, likeable characters, and their relationship developed in a way that felt believable rather than being rushed to move the romance along. There was a lovely connection between them, but enough uncertainty and tension to keep things interesting. I genuinely wanted everything to work out for them, which is always a good sign when reading a romance.
I also became far more invested in Cecilia’s journey on the soccer field than I ever expected to be. I hate football — sorry, I’m from the UK, and it will always be football over here — so I certainly wasn’t expecting the sporting side of the story to appeal to me. Somehow, though, Schurig made me care about Cecilia’s career, her ambitions and the challenges she faced. The football scenes never felt like something I had to tolerate to get back to the romance; they became an important part of Cecilia’s character and added depth to the story.
The Ransome family were, of course, a huge part of why I was excited to read this, and I loved seeing them again. Returning to an established fictional family after a long gap can sometimes feel as though too much has changed, or as though the magic has disappeared, but that wasn’t the case here. The familiar characters added warmth without overpowering Cecilia and Solomon’s story, and it felt like a proper continuation of the world rather than a book relying entirely on nostalgia.
My only real issue was that, although I enjoyed the book whenever I was reading it, I didn’t find it particularly compelling. I never felt that constant need to keep picking it up, and it wasn’t calling to me from another room, demanding that I get back to it. I could happily put it down and leave it for a while, which did make the pacing feel slightly quieter than I would have preferred. Nothing was necessarily dragging, and I was never bored, but it lacked that addictive pull that turns a really good book into one I cannot stop thinking about.
That said, every time I returned to it, I settled straight back into the story and enjoyed spending time with the characters. It was romantic, comforting and full of heart, with enough tension to prevent it from becoming too predictable or overly sweet. It may not have completely consumed me, but it still left me feeling happy and satisfied by the end.
Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the series and such a welcome return from Rachel Schurig. It delivered the romance, family connections and emotional moments I had been hoping for, while also managing to make someone who hates football care about what was happening on the pitch. A warm, uplifting read, and one that has made me very glad to be back in the Ransome world.
I really liked Cecilia and Solomon, both individually and together. They were strong, likeable characters, and their relationship developed in a way that felt believable rather than being rushed to move the romance along. There was a lovely connection between them, but enough uncertainty and tension to keep things interesting. I genuinely wanted everything to work out for them, which is always a good sign when reading a romance.
I also became far more invested in Cecilia’s journey on the soccer field than I ever expected to be. I hate football — sorry, I’m from the UK, and it will always be football over here — so I certainly wasn’t expecting the sporting side of the story to appeal to me. Somehow, though, Schurig made me care about Cecilia’s career, her ambitions and the challenges she faced. The football scenes never felt like something I had to tolerate to get back to the romance; they became an important part of Cecilia’s character and added depth to the story.
The Ransome family were, of course, a huge part of why I was excited to read this, and I loved seeing them again. Returning to an established fictional family after a long gap can sometimes feel as though too much has changed, or as though the magic has disappeared, but that wasn’t the case here. The familiar characters added warmth without overpowering Cecilia and Solomon’s story, and it felt like a proper continuation of the world rather than a book relying entirely on nostalgia.
My only real issue was that, although I enjoyed the book whenever I was reading it, I didn’t find it particularly compelling. I never felt that constant need to keep picking it up, and it wasn’t calling to me from another room, demanding that I get back to it. I could happily put it down and leave it for a while, which did make the pacing feel slightly quieter than I would have preferred. Nothing was necessarily dragging, and I was never bored, but it lacked that addictive pull that turns a really good book into one I cannot stop thinking about.
That said, every time I returned to it, I settled straight back into the story and enjoyed spending time with the characters. It was romantic, comforting and full of heart, with enough tension to prevent it from becoming too predictable or overly sweet. It may not have completely consumed me, but it still left me feeling happy and satisfied by the end.
Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the series and such a welcome return from Rachel Schurig. It delivered the romance, family connections and emotional moments I had been hoping for, while also managing to make someone who hates football care about what was happening on the pitch. A warm, uplifting read, and one that has made me very glad to be back in the Ransome world.
August 25, 2026
I love this family… I love this series… I love being back in this world. EEEKKK
This book had me at Ransom. I love our girl/herorine. She is firey, funny, and fabulous. Soccer is one of my favorite sports… as a previous soccer mom it holds a special place in my spectator heart. Wink. Having our female lead be the athlete has me wanting to fist bump everyone. It doesn’t hurt that her amazing family surrounds her as part of this magical tale. I might need to do some rereading of the other stories in this series. Eek.
Solomon (our hero) you touch this momma’s heart. I want to kick some botty in defense of some major injustices that were part of your childhood. I loved that you had your best friends and grandpa to help light the way in your nero spicy world. This story describes well the times your brain needs to shut down and reboot. Hug. Soo good.
I want to rehash this entire telling as it continues to swim around in my brain haunting me. I won’t because it is me mean submitting spoilish reviews. Hee hee.
All I can say is everyone needs to read the Ransom world books and this was a beautiful edition with interesting and unique aspects to add to this family.
Happy Reading Everyone. XOXO
This book had me at Ransom. I love our girl/herorine. She is firey, funny, and fabulous. Soccer is one of my favorite sports… as a previous soccer mom it holds a special place in my spectator heart. Wink. Having our female lead be the athlete has me wanting to fist bump everyone. It doesn’t hurt that her amazing family surrounds her as part of this magical tale. I might need to do some rereading of the other stories in this series. Eek.
Solomon (our hero) you touch this momma’s heart. I want to kick some botty in defense of some major injustices that were part of your childhood. I loved that you had your best friends and grandpa to help light the way in your nero spicy world. This story describes well the times your brain needs to shut down and reboot. Hug. Soo good.
I want to rehash this entire telling as it continues to swim around in my brain haunting me. I won’t because it is me mean submitting spoilish reviews. Hee hee.
All I can say is everyone needs to read the Ransom world books and this was a beautiful edition with interesting and unique aspects to add to this family.
Happy Reading Everyone. XOXO
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
There's a phrase the MMC uses eary in the story, abiut finding your horses, something that calms and centres you. Reading is my horses and this book universe is one I love to return to. I was honoured and thrilled to receive an advanced copy to review prior to publication. Here the FMC is a competitive university (college) athlete coming fresh off a nearly career-ending injury, while the MMC is assigned to her rehab though the team. The books in the series are all light, this one adds a little dash of neurotypical trauma and complicated family dynamics, even if some of the parental figures are cartooonishly evil. Overall, loved it. Would recommend this series to most, but especially a YA or NA audience, or readers with in interest in sports romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2026
This was such a beautiful and emotional book. Sol and Cece were so good together. I loved all of the supporting characters and I can’t wait to read about the rest of the Littles. Usually, in the interconnected standalones we get a hint about the next book, but here I don’t have any idea whose book is next.
I’m not much of a fan of third act break-ups but here? It was kind of necessary and I even got a teary eye from it.
It´s a five stars read for me, even though I wish we got to see more of Sol’s grandfather and that we got closure about Sol’s parents. I would like to see them get socially shunned.
I’m not much of a fan of third act break-ups but here? It was kind of necessary and I even got a teary eye from it.
It´s a five stars read for me, even though I wish we got to see more of Sol’s grandfather and that we got closure about Sol’s parents. I would like to see them get socially shunned.
August 5, 2026
So happy to have the series back but this one sadly fell a little flat and didn’t give me the Ransom family vibes as the previous books
Also, I need to know which cousin had their bachelorette party and what Wyatt & Alex named their daughter. Update: checked the fam tree, they named her Alice omggg
Also want Nix’ story next.
Also, I need to know which cousin had their bachelorette party and what Wyatt & Alex named their daughter. Update: checked the fam tree, they named her Alice omggg
Also want Nix’ story next.
August 10, 2026
Characters are real and the story just heartwarming
I love the series and this book is one of the best. Didn't expect to love the characters so much.
I love the series and this book is one of the best. Didn't expect to love the characters so much.
August 15, 2026
worth the wait
I have read all of Rachel’s books and would always preorder them. It’s been about three and a half years since the last book published and this one fits right in there, like I’ve had no time away from the characters at all. It was great to spend more time with ‘the littles’ and meet Solomon. I even stayed up until 5am to finish reading it even though I have to deal with a toddler during the day 😅 I now will reread this one until we meet the characters again some day. Thank you Rachel, it was a wonderful book and a pleasure to read
I have read all of Rachel’s books and would always preorder them. It’s been about three and a half years since the last book published and this one fits right in there, like I’ve had no time away from the characters at all. It was great to spend more time with ‘the littles’ and meet Solomon. I even stayed up until 5am to finish reading it even though I have to deal with a toddler during the day 😅 I now will reread this one until we meet the characters again some day. Thank you Rachel, it was a wonderful book and a pleasure to read
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews