What do you think?
Rate this book
Making the Play #2
Playing the Field
Work hard. Play harder.
I’m a player - both on and off the field.
Avery and I have been friends since we were kids.
In a moment of weakness, she winds up being the latest addition in my playbook and everything falls apart – our friendship and my life.
I’m spiraling out of control, and with my football career on the line, there is only one person who can save me.
Even though she hates me, Avery agrees to pretend to be my girlfriend to help repair my reputation. We’ve already blurred the lines of our friendship once, and playing this game isn’t making it any easier.
Will my fear take control, or will Avery be the one to finally get me to quit playing the field?
I’m a player - both on and off the field.
Avery and I have been friends since we were kids.
In a moment of weakness, she winds up being the latest addition in my playbook and everything falls apart – our friendship and my life.
I’m spiraling out of control, and with my football career on the line, there is only one person who can save me.
Even though she hates me, Avery agrees to pretend to be my girlfriend to help repair my reputation. We’ve already blurred the lines of our friendship once, and playing this game isn’t making it any easier.
Will my fear take control, or will Avery be the one to finally get me to quit playing the field?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2021
79 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
L.M. Reid
20 books240 followersL.M. Reid writes contemporary romance that is filled with emotion and a whole lot of steam. Her heroines are strong and feisty, and her heroes are sweet and sexy.
L.M. loved reading as a child and really fell in love with books while reading the Babysitter’s Club. The series spurred her love of writing leading her to create her own series as a kid – “Best Friend’s Forever.”
Growing up watching soap operas, L.M. has always had a flair for the dramatic and a love of all things romance.
She is just a Midwest girl with simple tastes and dirty thoughts.
She lives in the state where they swear there is more than corn, with her husband and son. She’s an iced coffee addict and loves Swedish Fish. While her heart belongs to romance, she loves curling up on the couch with a good, or bad, horror movie.
Book Bub: http://scarlet.pub/LMBB
Facebook (Page): https://scarlet.pub/LMFB
Instagram: https://scarlet.pub/LMIG
L.M. loved reading as a child and really fell in love with books while reading the Babysitter’s Club. The series spurred her love of writing leading her to create her own series as a kid – “Best Friend’s Forever.”
Growing up watching soap operas, L.M. has always had a flair for the dramatic and a love of all things romance.
She is just a Midwest girl with simple tastes and dirty thoughts.
She lives in the state where they swear there is more than corn, with her husband and son. She’s an iced coffee addict and loves Swedish Fish. While her heart belongs to romance, she loves curling up on the couch with a good, or bad, horror movie.
Book Bub: http://scarlet.pub/LMBB
Facebook (Page): https://scarlet.pub/LMFB
Instagram: https://scarlet.pub/LMIG
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 4, 2021
3.5 Stars ⭐️
Playing The Field is a childhood friends, friends to lovers, sports romance read and was my first by L.M. Reid. Mason and Avery are closer than close. Having grown up together and been each other’s support system since childhood - they are inseparable. There’s only one problem - she’s in love with him and suffers his playboy ways. For his part Mason is in denial about his true feelings towards his dear friend. I found their dynamic interesting but was put off at the beginning by his disregard for her feelings and then in the end by her unwarranted (in my opinion) stubbornness towards him. There’s a lot going on in this book and it makes for an interesting read if you enjoy a little bit of drama in your romance books. TBR and Enjoy.
Playing The Field is a childhood friends, friends to lovers, sports romance read and was my first by L.M. Reid. Mason and Avery are closer than close. Having grown up together and been each other’s support system since childhood - they are inseparable. There’s only one problem - she’s in love with him and suffers his playboy ways. For his part Mason is in denial about his true feelings towards his dear friend. I found their dynamic interesting but was put off at the beginning by his disregard for her feelings and then in the end by her unwarranted (in my opinion) stubbornness towards him. There’s a lot going on in this book and it makes for an interesting read if you enjoy a little bit of drama in your romance books. TBR and Enjoy.
August 14, 2021
I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
Avery and Mason bonded as children, she met Mason the night she was hiding from her fathers temper on the fire escape, that was the night she realised love existed. That has grown over the years and they may have left their past behind but the past haunts them both. Mason now a NFL player for the Red Devil’s she watches him go through women like water knowing that they will never be together in all the ways she wants, well that’s what she thought until that fateful night when she thought he saw her really saw her for the first time only to discover her dreams were just that dreams and there was no way back for them. But Mason needs her help and after all the years they’ve been friends can she turn her back on him and leave him to fall apart or will she do whatever it takes to save him?
Mason grew up watching his mother and father use and destroy people, he did whatever he had to do keep him and his younger sister Quinn safe. The night he met Avery and he witnessed the bruises on her arms he knew then and there that she was his, his to take care of and protect. They were best friends from that night on, he has never seen her as anything more than his best friend no matter how much his friends tell him that they are so much more, scoffing at them that is until that night I’m that dress. It’s a night he knows he will never forget and after promising her that he would never hurt her not only does he hurt her but he obliterates everything they have ever shared with a few words she was never meant to hear. Now with his career on the line can he get Avery to save him, be with him and can he finally admit what she really means to him or will he lose the only thing that matters to his ghosts of the past?
This is my first read by this author and I honestly loved it, I was invested in both main characters from the start to the finish. I haven’t read a sports novel that’s I’ve enjoyed this much in years. I loved his string Avery was and she wasn’t the simpering yes I forgive you straight away kind of girl and Mason although misguided loved her for all the right reasons. It was a perfect friend to lovers read. Recommended 5* read.
Avery and Mason bonded as children, she met Mason the night she was hiding from her fathers temper on the fire escape, that was the night she realised love existed. That has grown over the years and they may have left their past behind but the past haunts them both. Mason now a NFL player for the Red Devil’s she watches him go through women like water knowing that they will never be together in all the ways she wants, well that’s what she thought until that fateful night when she thought he saw her really saw her for the first time only to discover her dreams were just that dreams and there was no way back for them. But Mason needs her help and after all the years they’ve been friends can she turn her back on him and leave him to fall apart or will she do whatever it takes to save him?
Mason grew up watching his mother and father use and destroy people, he did whatever he had to do keep him and his younger sister Quinn safe. The night he met Avery and he witnessed the bruises on her arms he knew then and there that she was his, his to take care of and protect. They were best friends from that night on, he has never seen her as anything more than his best friend no matter how much his friends tell him that they are so much more, scoffing at them that is until that night I’m that dress. It’s a night he knows he will never forget and after promising her that he would never hurt her not only does he hurt her but he obliterates everything they have ever shared with a few words she was never meant to hear. Now with his career on the line can he get Avery to save him, be with him and can he finally admit what she really means to him or will he lose the only thing that matters to his ghosts of the past?
This is my first read by this author and I honestly loved it, I was invested in both main characters from the start to the finish. I haven’t read a sports novel that’s I’ve enjoyed this much in years. I loved his string Avery was and she wasn’t the simpering yes I forgive you straight away kind of girl and Mason although misguided loved her for all the right reasons. It was a perfect friend to lovers read. Recommended 5* read.
August 24, 2021
Pulling from the classic "I didn't know what I had until I lost it" vibes with a side of unrequited love between friends and a hero who never totally saw the heroine as a woman. He blows it pretty epically and proceeds to give good grovel.
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 9, 2021
Love these two!
Two broken characters who have seen each other through everything, but when feelings change for these best friends, can they save their friendship?
Avery and Mason are two of my favorite characters- they never give up on each other no matter how hard they may try to. When push comes to shove they will always have each other’s backs! Their history maybe a nightmare but their future has the ability to be amazing! This book, this series, is soo good! I highly recommend giving it a try!
Two broken characters who have seen each other through everything, but when feelings change for these best friends, can they save their friendship?
Avery and Mason are two of my favorite characters- they never give up on each other no matter how hard they may try to. When push comes to shove they will always have each other’s backs! Their history maybe a nightmare but their future has the ability to be amazing! This book, this series, is soo good! I highly recommend giving it a try!
October 21, 2021
Loved the story, steamy and great character depth
February 21, 2022
I’m the first to admit that 99% of the time friends to lovers makes me gag. Want to know how many friends to lovers books I actually have enjoyed and loved? I’m talking total here, not just this year, last year, etc. this is since I started reading romance. Five, I can name them all & count them on one hand… and that five is including Playing the Field.
I’ll be honest I was a little nervous going in for two reasons. One: because of how much I loved Playing the Game. Two: because I really liked Mason and Avery before starting this book and was worried about it being friends to lovers. Don’t worry tho, L.M. Reid is now one of the only authors who I won’t hesitate to grab a friends to lovers book from. Oh and my love for Playing the Game?, it’s still as strong as before… I just love Playing the Field more. What can I say, there’s something about Mason that just draws you in and then absolutely destroys you in the most beautiful way.
I’m not sure if L.M. Reid sells signed paperbacks but I sure as hell am going to be finding out after I finish this review. I have a feeling that I’m going to need the entire Making the Play series on my shelf. I already know I want Playing the Game and Playing the Field… Okay, I’m off to author stalk and find out if I can buy signed pretties, byyye!
I’ll be honest I was a little nervous going in for two reasons. One: because of how much I loved Playing the Game. Two: because I really liked Mason and Avery before starting this book and was worried about it being friends to lovers. Don’t worry tho, L.M. Reid is now one of the only authors who I won’t hesitate to grab a friends to lovers book from. Oh and my love for Playing the Game?, it’s still as strong as before… I just love Playing the Field more. What can I say, there’s something about Mason that just draws you in and then absolutely destroys you in the most beautiful way.
I’m not sure if L.M. Reid sells signed paperbacks but I sure as hell am going to be finding out after I finish this review. I have a feeling that I’m going to need the entire Making the Play series on my shelf. I already know I want Playing the Game and Playing the Field… Okay, I’m off to author stalk and find out if I can buy signed pretties, byyye!
July 28, 2021
Playing the Field is a will-they-won't they athlete romance that was my first book by L.M. Reid. I liked the overall style of writing and the book entertained me throughout. We find out pretty early on that the hero is mainly motivated by daddy issues and in my opinion it might have been better to ease into the psychoanalysis more slowly, show more before telling.
Mason and Avery are childhood friends who bonded while hiding from their respective parents. Her home was physically abusive and his parents were neglectful, and unable to commit. From early on, they formed their own little family consisting of Mason, Avery and Mason's sister Quinn, taking care of each other.
Now that they're young adults, Avery is studying to become a physiotherapist and Mason is a professional football player. Avery has a quiet unrequited crush on him but Mason is too damaged to allow himself to love or to be loved. He has vowed that he will never become like his father who had a lot of meaningless hook-ups in front of Mason, so now Mason has a lot of meaningless hook-ups in front of Avery (yeah, I don't know and he doesn't know either, I guess emotions don't always make sense). When provoked into showing his jealousy it turns out that Mason does indeed have intense feelings for Avery and while he doesn't think he's worthy of Avery he doesn't want any other man to touch her either. Avery feels that she has to protect herself from heartbreak. This leads to an on-off-on-off type relationship. At some point the coach and his agent ask her to get into a fake relationship with him and she takes surprisingly little convincing. The biggest obstacle in their HEA is their inability or unwillingness to talk about their love.
Point of view: Alternating first person POV.
Content: horrible parents and an incident of violent crime. However, it wasn't super angsty by my standards and there is some humor and lightness as well,
Steam level: Sex is a thing that they do.
Pet peeve: The number of times somebody "deadpans" a remark that was not intended as funny threw me as I was looking for a hidden joke that wasn't. I assume the author meant that it was said seriously or with flat affect but I am more used to seeing this word used like according to these definitions "say something amusing while affecting a serious manner" (Oxford), "to make a joke while looking or seeming serious" (Cambridge), "to pretend to be serious while you are joking" (Macmillan)
The most impossible scene: (This may go into spoiler territory) People hear a noise in the darkness, don't see the shooter, but yet somebody is able to run in front of the bullet to save another person. Yeah, no. Consider the speed of bullet, the speed of sound, the average human reaction time and the average human running speed, and that you wouldn't see the bullet and know who the target is or you will know it's physically impossible.
Series status: I haven't read the first book about Quinn and Mason's friend Hunter but I thought Playing the Field stands alone pretty well.
Despite some problems I thought this was quite readable and kept my attention.
I read an ARC and this is a voluntary review
Mason and Avery are childhood friends who bonded while hiding from their respective parents. Her home was physically abusive and his parents were neglectful, and unable to commit. From early on, they formed their own little family consisting of Mason, Avery and Mason's sister Quinn, taking care of each other.
Now that they're young adults, Avery is studying to become a physiotherapist and Mason is a professional football player. Avery has a quiet unrequited crush on him but Mason is too damaged to allow himself to love or to be loved. He has vowed that he will never become like his father who had a lot of meaningless hook-ups in front of Mason, so now Mason has a lot of meaningless hook-ups in front of Avery (yeah, I don't know and he doesn't know either, I guess emotions don't always make sense). When provoked into showing his jealousy it turns out that Mason does indeed have intense feelings for Avery and while he doesn't think he's worthy of Avery he doesn't want any other man to touch her either. Avery feels that she has to protect herself from heartbreak. This leads to an on-off-on-off type relationship. At some point the coach and his agent ask her to get into a fake relationship with him and she takes surprisingly little convincing. The biggest obstacle in their HEA is their inability or unwillingness to talk about their love.
Point of view: Alternating first person POV.
Content: horrible parents and an incident of violent crime. However, it wasn't super angsty by my standards and there is some humor and lightness as well,
Steam level: Sex is a thing that they do.
Pet peeve: The number of times somebody "deadpans" a remark that was not intended as funny threw me as I was looking for a hidden joke that wasn't. I assume the author meant that it was said seriously or with flat affect but I am more used to seeing this word used like according to these definitions "say something amusing while affecting a serious manner" (Oxford), "to make a joke while looking or seeming serious" (Cambridge), "to pretend to be serious while you are joking" (Macmillan)
The most impossible scene: (This may go into spoiler territory) People hear a noise in the darkness, don't see the shooter, but yet somebody is able to run in front of the bullet to save another person. Yeah, no. Consider the speed of bullet, the speed of sound, the average human reaction time and the average human running speed, and that you wouldn't see the bullet and know who the target is or you will know it's physically impossible.
Series status: I haven't read the first book about Quinn and Mason's friend Hunter but I thought Playing the Field stands alone pretty well.
Despite some problems I thought this was quite readable and kept my attention.
I read an ARC and this is a voluntary review
August 2, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐Story
🔥🔥🔥🔥Steamy
🏈Playing the Field was a sweet best friends who are family turned lovers. This is the second book in Making the Play series. The first follows the MMC sister and male best friend.
🏈Mason had it all. His football career, his sister, and Avery his best friend. Since the day Mason met Avery, he has always sworn to protect her. He would do anything for her if she would let him. Too bad he's kind of a jerk of a womanizer due to his upbringing he doesn't believe in love and commitment.
🏈Avery has always been Mason's biggest cheerleader and greatest supporter. She realized sometime between high school and college she mad the ultimate sin and was in love with her best friend. Her past shouldn't have given her much hope of love, but her friendship with Mason and his sister provided that hope about love. But even tho Mason doesn't return her feelings it's fine(spoiler nope lol), she gets what all the women who sleep with Mason doesn't get. His real attention, his real affection.
🏈Until best friends make the ultimate mistake and hook up. Until Avery hears something Mason shouldn't have said. Then Mason loses control when Avery stops being his friend. His coach and agent have a plan tho: Avery. Can these 2 make a fake relationship work?
🏈Really was a sweet story. The spice was a little quick for me lol. I really enjoyed it and intend to go back and read Quinn and Hunter's story. And will definitely pick up book 3 if she writes it. Mason isn't a hard hero to root for, just a little emotionally stunted. Avery has moments she's not my favorite, just choices that while I understood, I felt was unrealistic to the long term friendship. But I honestly never been in such a situation so not sure if that would have been okay or not. But totally worth the read!
#bookstagram #bookblogger #2021reads #review #arcreview #arcreader #comingsoon #august6th #preordernow #sportsromance #sweetness #friendsturnedloveturnedenemiesturnedlovers #itscomplicated #averyandmason #mave #fakegirlfriend #fakerelationships #bbf #bffromance #enjoyable #playinthefield #makingtheplay #book2
🔥🔥🔥🔥Steamy
🏈Playing the Field was a sweet best friends who are family turned lovers. This is the second book in Making the Play series. The first follows the MMC sister and male best friend.
🏈Mason had it all. His football career, his sister, and Avery his best friend. Since the day Mason met Avery, he has always sworn to protect her. He would do anything for her if she would let him. Too bad he's kind of a jerk of a womanizer due to his upbringing he doesn't believe in love and commitment.
🏈Avery has always been Mason's biggest cheerleader and greatest supporter. She realized sometime between high school and college she mad the ultimate sin and was in love with her best friend. Her past shouldn't have given her much hope of love, but her friendship with Mason and his sister provided that hope about love. But even tho Mason doesn't return her feelings it's fine(spoiler nope lol), she gets what all the women who sleep with Mason doesn't get. His real attention, his real affection.
🏈Until best friends make the ultimate mistake and hook up. Until Avery hears something Mason shouldn't have said. Then Mason loses control when Avery stops being his friend. His coach and agent have a plan tho: Avery. Can these 2 make a fake relationship work?
🏈Really was a sweet story. The spice was a little quick for me lol. I really enjoyed it and intend to go back and read Quinn and Hunter's story. And will definitely pick up book 3 if she writes it. Mason isn't a hard hero to root for, just a little emotionally stunted. Avery has moments she's not my favorite, just choices that while I understood, I felt was unrealistic to the long term friendship. But I honestly never been in such a situation so not sure if that would have been okay or not. But totally worth the read!
#bookstagram #bookblogger #2021reads #review #arcreview #arcreader #comingsoon #august6th #preordernow #sportsromance #sweetness #friendsturnedloveturnedenemiesturnedlovers #itscomplicated #averyandmason #mave #fakegirlfriend #fakerelationships #bbf #bffromance #enjoyable #playinthefield #makingtheplay #book2
August 7, 2021
📚 Playing the field by L.M. Reid.
4.5/5 stars!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A childhood friends to enemies, to friends, to lovers trope? You know it's going to be good!
I received this book as an ARC, and from the first chapter, I knew this book was going to be good. Right away you're hit with emotions, and the beauty that is the connection between Mason and Avery.The bond the characters have is so special and you can feel it through the page. From the first chapter to the last it was an angsty emotional rollercoaster that I never wanted to get off of.
📣📚Mason and Avery have been best friends since childhood. Having both come from abusive homes, they understood each other like no one else could. While their friendship is solid, a series of events takes place and puts their friendship in jeopardy📚📣
Reid knew what she was doing when she wrote this book. Her writing was phenomenal. It's one of those books that consumes you, I couldn't stop thinking about it when I wasn't reading it.
If I had to pick my favourite part- it would be the beginning, it was so sweet and innocent. But there were so many amazing parts... I kid you not, close to half the book is highlighted with scenes I loved and quotes I adored. 🤷🏻♀️
Go read it!!
4.5/5 stars!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A childhood friends to enemies, to friends, to lovers trope? You know it's going to be good!
I received this book as an ARC, and from the first chapter, I knew this book was going to be good. Right away you're hit with emotions, and the beauty that is the connection between Mason and Avery.The bond the characters have is so special and you can feel it through the page. From the first chapter to the last it was an angsty emotional rollercoaster that I never wanted to get off of.
📣📚Mason and Avery have been best friends since childhood. Having both come from abusive homes, they understood each other like no one else could. While their friendship is solid, a series of events takes place and puts their friendship in jeopardy📚📣
Reid knew what she was doing when she wrote this book. Her writing was phenomenal. It's one of those books that consumes you, I couldn't stop thinking about it when I wasn't reading it.
If I had to pick my favourite part- it would be the beginning, it was so sweet and innocent. But there were so many amazing parts... I kid you not, close to half the book is highlighted with scenes I loved and quotes I adored. 🤷🏻♀️
Go read it!!
July 27, 2021
Playing the Field by L.M. Reid is a childhood friends - to-enemies-to -lovers story that will pull at each and every one of your heart strings.
Both Avery and Mason experienced heartbreaking childhoods and have been each others support person and best friend ever since. Until one decision, and one event has the heartbreaking fallout of ruining their friendship.
Can these two work through their feelings and fix what is broken between them before it's too late? And can they also navigate around past demons before it destroys everything?
I can say Mason won this book for me and my heart truly went out to him. His insecurities and self doubt ached my heart, and childhood Mason as well as the current Mason warmed my heart and had me swooning.
Avery, if I'm honest I struggled with a little. At times her reasoning and decisions really frustrated me. But I did love these two together so watching them finally get the HEA they both truly deserved was sweet a beautiful.
A beautifully written story that will ache and warm your heart, and have you a little frustrated, laughing, gasping, swooning, and finally smiling when you reach the HEA.
Both Avery and Mason experienced heartbreaking childhoods and have been each others support person and best friend ever since. Until one decision, and one event has the heartbreaking fallout of ruining their friendship.
Can these two work through their feelings and fix what is broken between them before it's too late? And can they also navigate around past demons before it destroys everything?
I can say Mason won this book for me and my heart truly went out to him. His insecurities and self doubt ached my heart, and childhood Mason as well as the current Mason warmed my heart and had me swooning.
Avery, if I'm honest I struggled with a little. At times her reasoning and decisions really frustrated me. But I did love these two together so watching them finally get the HEA they both truly deserved was sweet a beautiful.
A beautifully written story that will ache and warm your heart, and have you a little frustrated, laughing, gasping, swooning, and finally smiling when you reach the HEA.
July 30, 2021
Mason and Avery are best friends and have been for a long time. Young Mason took her in and helped her when they were younger so they could have each other’s backs when things got bad. Things were bad for them because of neglectful and abusive parents but Mason made sure they were all taken care of. As they grew older, they became even more closer and had a bond that was unbreakable, yet feelings couldn’t be stopped. Avery has been attracted to Mason for a while now, but he doesn’t do relationships afraid of being like his parents, so she keeps this to herself. They go back and forth fighting their attraction to keep their friendship intact but sometimes fate has other plans. A misunderstanding, jealousy, and troubled pasts have them on the outs for the first time. Can they come back from this? Will Mason finally realize he is worth more than his parents. I enjoyed this read book, the friendships, and finding love when things seem hopeless.
August 7, 2021
I thought this was a good book! I was excited to read about Mason and Avery. I can can definitely understand all the issues that they go through considering the way they both grew up. The one thing that I didn’t like as much was how much Avery spun out of control after that one night. I get being mad at what she heard and snubbing him for a bit, but to put that much time and space between them after being each other’s family since childhood?! She didn’t even let him explain, at all. So for that I wanted to throat punch her. Maybe it’s because I relate to Mason. However, that situation aside, I love these two together. Once they get their heads back in it, they are absolutely meant for each other! I do wish that even though Quinn and Hunter’s story was over that they still felt like a couple in this one. Overall it was a good read.
November 11, 2021
Too rushed and disingenuous
We o lt got one small snippet of their childhood, which was okay. But then we were propelled forward to present day, only had one glimpse of their lives and her pining, then boom, they're immediately together, they're apart, they're immediately back together, they're apart, they're immediately back together. Again. It was so rushed it made my head spin, the whole mess with the other player and that entire side plot was ill conceived and felt like something thrown in at the last minute.
This book could have definitely benefitted from a few more childhood scenes, more time spent building their relationship before they got together so we could see and feel their interactions and emotions, more time inbetween all the getting together and breaking apart and most importantly, lose the side off putting plot of the jealous team mate.
We o lt got one small snippet of their childhood, which was okay. But then we were propelled forward to present day, only had one glimpse of their lives and her pining, then boom, they're immediately together, they're apart, they're immediately back together, they're apart, they're immediately back together. Again. It was so rushed it made my head spin, the whole mess with the other player and that entire side plot was ill conceived and felt like something thrown in at the last minute.
This book could have definitely benefitted from a few more childhood scenes, more time spent building their relationship before they got together so we could see and feel their interactions and emotions, more time inbetween all the getting together and breaking apart and most importantly, lose the side off putting plot of the jealous team mate.
July 25, 2021
[Received an ARC]
Rating 5/5
Plot 5/5
Spice 3.5/5
Character Development 5/5
A childhood-friends-to-enemies-to friends-to-lovers trope? Sign me up!
"Playing the Field" by L.M. Reid centers around Avery and Mason who have been best friends since childhood. They both grew up in abusive homes, however have created a solid friendship through their hardships. Although their support system is strong, a series of events occurs jeopardizing their friendship.
After reading the first book in the series ("Playing the Game") which mentioned Mason and Avery breifly, I was excited to read more about them and I throughouly enjoyed the sequel! The banter between the characters was great and it was interesting seeing how Mason and Avery overcame the demons from their past.
Rating 5/5
Plot 5/5
Spice 3.5/5
Character Development 5/5
A childhood-friends-to-enemies-to friends-to-lovers trope? Sign me up!
"Playing the Field" by L.M. Reid centers around Avery and Mason who have been best friends since childhood. They both grew up in abusive homes, however have created a solid friendship through their hardships. Although their support system is strong, a series of events occurs jeopardizing their friendship.
After reading the first book in the series ("Playing the Game") which mentioned Mason and Avery breifly, I was excited to read more about them and I throughouly enjoyed the sequel! The banter between the characters was great and it was interesting seeing how Mason and Avery overcame the demons from their past.
July 28, 2021
This is a wonderful book about two tortured souls that help each other discover their worth, that they are loved and that their past does not define who they are.
Both Mason and Avery come from broken homes and have been there for each other from a young age. They know more about each other’s fears, loves and dreams than anyone else.
They make a bad decision and it causes damage to their friendship. They try several times to rekindle and their is too much history, hurt and insecurities that cause them both a lot of pain.
With a lot of encouragement, support and love from the people surrounding them they have the courage to try again.
A great love story filled with heartache, second changes and some great steamy time! Lol
I requested an arc and I leaving my honest review.
Both Mason and Avery come from broken homes and have been there for each other from a young age. They know more about each other’s fears, loves and dreams than anyone else.
They make a bad decision and it causes damage to their friendship. They try several times to rekindle and their is too much history, hurt and insecurities that cause them both a lot of pain.
With a lot of encouragement, support and love from the people surrounding them they have the courage to try again.
A great love story filled with heartache, second changes and some great steamy time! Lol
I requested an arc and I leaving my honest review.
August 7, 2021
I rate this book 4.5 stars.
Avery and Mason have been best friends since childhood until one passion-filled night changed that. As confusion and misunderstandings occurs, they find that their friendship may be at an end until Avery agrees to pretend to be Mason's girlfriend to help fix his bad reputation. Mason and Avery will have to deal with their past and their own personal demons if they want to get to their HEA. I really enjoyed this romance, and so felt for Mason and Avery. I really liked them together as a couple, and thought that they had great chemistry and also a deeper underlying connection.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
Avery and Mason have been best friends since childhood until one passion-filled night changed that. As confusion and misunderstandings occurs, they find that their friendship may be at an end until Avery agrees to pretend to be Mason's girlfriend to help fix his bad reputation. Mason and Avery will have to deal with their past and their own personal demons if they want to get to their HEA. I really enjoyed this romance, and so felt for Mason and Avery. I really liked them together as a couple, and thought that they had great chemistry and also a deeper underlying connection.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
August 4, 2021
Another great story in the Making the Play series. I loved Hunter and Quinn and two more super fun characters were created in Avery and Mason.
This was an emotional friends to lovers, fake dating romance that had me in all the feels. At times I was frustrated, then swooning, back to frustrated and finally had all my heard threads sewn back together for their beautiful HEA. The plot and story flowed well and all of the self sabotaging these characters went through all seemed relatable and not forced.
If you love friends to lovers this one will definitely be up your alley! I’m excited for the next stories in this series.
This was an emotional friends to lovers, fake dating romance that had me in all the feels. At times I was frustrated, then swooning, back to frustrated and finally had all my heard threads sewn back together for their beautiful HEA. The plot and story flowed well and all of the self sabotaging these characters went through all seemed relatable and not forced.
If you love friends to lovers this one will definitely be up your alley! I’m excited for the next stories in this series.
August 5, 2021
Mason and Avery have been best friends forever but after one night that all changes. Having both been through heartbreak they naturally gravitate towards one another. Mason really stole the show for me I didn’t realize how broken he was how undeserving he thought he was and how much he suffered in silence with self doubt. This gave me such an appreciation and for him I didn’t thing that I would have. Avery was perfect for him and he just didn’t know it…. You never know what you have until it’s gone. Once these two got together they were fire. They absolutely complete one another and made my heart melt! This was a new author for me and I will definitely be reading more!
August 7, 2021
Playing the Field was an amazing friends to lovers romance by L.M. Reid. Avery and Mason formed a friendship as children and become inseparable as adults. All Mason needs in his life is Avery, his sister Quinn and football. He loves his best friend and can't imagine his life without her. Avery has been in love with Mason for years but she knows he will never love her in that way. But when another football player takes an intense interest in Avery, Mason goes crazy with jealousy. One night with Avery will change their lives forever. Will Avery and Mason get their HEA or will he let Avery walk away? 5 stars!
August 7, 2021
Playing the field is a super steamy will they won't they friends to enemies to fake relationship.
Mason needs Avery's help to improve his image. They had been friends for years until one night they blurred the lines by adding Avery to his playbook. Now he needs avery to pretend to be in a relationship with him even though she hates him now. Avery agrees to help and what follows is a relationship that begins to become real. Can Avery tame mason and get rid of his playbook.
Great story with great characters well worth reading you will enjoy this book.
I received a reader copy from the author
Mason needs Avery's help to improve his image. They had been friends for years until one night they blurred the lines by adding Avery to his playbook. Now he needs avery to pretend to be in a relationship with him even though she hates him now. Avery agrees to help and what follows is a relationship that begins to become real. Can Avery tame mason and get rid of his playbook.
Great story with great characters well worth reading you will enjoy this book.
I received a reader copy from the author
August 7, 2021
This is a sweet, found family, friends to lovers romance. Avery and Mason have been each other’s best friend and support system ever since they met hiding from their abusive parents. However, one night things go a little too far and complications arise for their friendship.
It was good to read a friends to lovers book that worked for me. It was understandable why both were wary to open up to their true feelings as their lives were so intertwined. It did give me some angst which I’m happy about.
I did question Trent’s storyline as it seemed a little extreme to be willing to give up so much for the motive given.
I received an arc in return for an honest review
It was good to read a friends to lovers book that worked for me. It was understandable why both were wary to open up to their true feelings as their lives were so intertwined. It did give me some angst which I’m happy about.
I did question Trent’s storyline as it seemed a little extreme to be willing to give up so much for the motive given.
I received an arc in return for an honest review
August 8, 2021
4.5-stars for Playing the Field
I don't want to include spoilers but I will say this storyline is one of my favorite genres and I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy the second chance sports romance genre. There is push and pull and a few surprises along the way while still being sweet & steamy. As a reader I wanted nothing other than Mason & Avery to find their HEA, together. Can they work through all their emotional baggage and come out on the other side together?
Even though I did receive an advanced review copy of this book, I also purchased the book/read with Kindle Unlimited and am voluntarily leaving my own unsolicited opinion with my voluntary review.
I don't want to include spoilers but I will say this storyline is one of my favorite genres and I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy the second chance sports romance genre. There is push and pull and a few surprises along the way while still being sweet & steamy. As a reader I wanted nothing other than Mason & Avery to find their HEA, together. Can they work through all their emotional baggage and come out on the other side together?
Even though I did receive an advanced review copy of this book, I also purchased the book/read with Kindle Unlimited and am voluntarily leaving my own unsolicited opinion with my voluntary review.
July 26, 2021
They say 'The course of love never did run smooth'
Avery and Mason relationship might of eventually got to them finally being together. However, the course of their love took a few bumps in the road.
The book had a mix of my favourite genes.
Even though the main genre was best friend to lover. You also get enemies to lover and a fake romance thrown in for good measure.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more books by this author in the near future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Avery and Mason relationship might of eventually got to them finally being together. However, the course of their love took a few bumps in the road.
The book had a mix of my favourite genes.
Even though the main genre was best friend to lover. You also get enemies to lover and a fake romance thrown in for good measure.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more books by this author in the near future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 29, 2021
Great book, Mason and Avery have been friends for years, hiding from their respective abusive parents, and they have always had each others backs. Until they don’t. One night of unbelievable sex togethet has the two friends spiralling out of control and away from each other. The story hinges on whether their friendship can survive the reality of their love for one another whilst life tries to tear them apart. Great story telling, well worth a look x
I read an ARC copy, but this is my honest opinion.
I read an ARC copy, but this is my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
A friends to lovers story with a suspense and a triggers concerning family abuse.
It was well written but I gave 2 stars as it follows the typical storyline of Playboy football player that has endless hookups and yet he treasures his best friend Avery. She is in love with him and she witnesses him sleeping with other women and yet she can't get away from him... This is awful... In the first chapter she enters his home and listens to the sounds coming from his bedroom...
There are a lot of ups and downs and they eventually have their HEA.
..
It was well written but I gave 2 stars as it follows the typical storyline of Playboy football player that has endless hookups and yet he treasures his best friend Avery. She is in love with him and she witnesses him sleeping with other women and yet she can't get away from him... This is awful... In the first chapter she enters his home and listens to the sounds coming from his bedroom...
There are a lot of ups and downs and they eventually have their HEA.
..
July 27, 2021
Mason & Avery were such a cute couple. Coming from a tough childhood, i could understand why Mason felt the way he did about them being more, but it was def tough to see Avery struggle with him at times. i was glad to see she didn't always sit back like a doormat & actually made him work for it. Well written, story flowed, & the editing was well done. I love a good sports romance and this one didnt disappoint.
July 30, 2021
Mason and Avery met as children. They both came from abusive homes and formed a long lasting friendship. But what happens when that friendship starts to change? Avery has been Mason's champion and Mason is on a path of self destruction. L.M. Reid gives us a story of friends to lovers that is full of misunderstandings and heart ache mixed with drama. A great story. I received this ARC and voluntarily give my review.
August 5, 2021
Touching with very good characters
Very good romance between two complex characters, Avery and Mason, bound by a painful past and a relationship of best friends that has limits that only them can understand. The story is moving, hot, a little melodramatic by the choices that Mason makes and that he tries to catch up with, all with unpredictable twists and turns around him, his career, his relationship.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Very good romance between two complex characters, Avery and Mason, bound by a painful past and a relationship of best friends that has limits that only them can understand. The story is moving, hot, a little melodramatic by the choices that Mason makes and that he tries to catch up with, all with unpredictable twists and turns around him, his career, his relationship.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
August 7, 2021
Enjoyable read!!
This is my first L. M. Reid book and such a great introduction to her work. The characters chemistry in this story was fantastic and the storyline was great. Plenty of drama, feels and little sport, that made this a enjoyable read. I just didn't want to put this book down from the moment I began. Definitely going to be picking up book 1 in this series and looking forward to reading more by this amazing author. Happy reading everyone! 4 1/2 stars ⭐️
This is my first L. M. Reid book and such a great introduction to her work. The characters chemistry in this story was fantastic and the storyline was great. Plenty of drama, feels and little sport, that made this a enjoyable read. I just didn't want to put this book down from the moment I began. Definitely going to be picking up book 1 in this series and looking forward to reading more by this amazing author. Happy reading everyone! 4 1/2 stars ⭐️
August 8, 2021
This is the first book i've read in these series, but i loved it and could read it just the same.
This is a friends to lovers book, with a lot of history between them, i loved how the author described everything with it's wonderfull characters and great world building. I had some difficulties getting into the story, but once i was started it was very hard to put the book down to do something else.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a friends to lovers book, with a lot of history between them, i loved how the author described everything with it's wonderfull characters and great world building. I had some difficulties getting into the story, but once i was started it was very hard to put the book down to do something else.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews