Even the Playing Field

by thinkingofthoughts

**completed**

HIGHEST RANKINGS:
#1 IN FICTION
#1 IN SLOWBURN
#1 IN COLLEGE

Penn State University.
Home to the craziest sorority girls, most obnoxious football players, and a girl that's trying to dig her way out of her parent's mess.

Naomi Black wants nothing more than to focus on her studies this semester- nothing else. She doesn't have room to mess up, she doesn't have time to party- she wants a life she couldn't have before.

Matti Williams is your average college guy. Booze, boobs, and blondes. What makes him not so average is the fact that he is suspected to be the number one pick in the NFL Draft. Being the Quarterback at Penn State has its perks, but what happens when the Quarterback title doesn't work on the one girl he wants the most?


Read to find out.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, College, Sports

ebook

Reviews

[Chayanika · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5! A must read! So, NJ! Guys bow to the real queen!!! I mean the writing was so so so up to the point. I loved the way Naomi (the author) wrote the characters. SO. FUCKING. BEAUTIFULLY. This is one of those very few books which I'd like to have a real copy of! It was a rollercoaster ride. It was toxic, ngl it was toxic but I love toxicity!! And also, it looks toxic but in the end Matti-Naomi are the cutest and the hottest couple you'll ever look at. The best friend group, NJ, Sloane, Finn and Nat! They are the best. They're literally a vibe. At the same time, Matti, Blake, Reese and Griff! OH SWEET LORD, THEY HAVE MY HEART. I am fucking pushing and forcing you to read it because it is worth it! Loved it to the deepest of my cores! <3

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

hij was ongelooflijk toxic, nog steeds niet zeker of hij het wel verdiende om samen met haar te zijn, voor de rest wel goed. (zeker nu ik de tiktok van de schrijfster heb gezien, cool dat ze zo over haar eigen leven kon schrijven) MAAR nog steeds, hij was zo gemeen. ik heb gejankt.
ik heb het nog eens gelezen, en nu heb ik er veel meer begrip voor, het is ten slotte de schrijfster haar verhaal en zij kan er niet aandoen dat ze zo iemand heeft meegemaakt

[Cheeseballz$$ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LITERALLY LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH. EVERYBODY NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK AND IN BETWEEN THE LINES IM OBSESSED. I LOVE THAT ITS ON GOODREADS

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a Blaise and sage book NOW😩😩

[camila · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s a literally off campus but football and naomi and matti are more toxic than hannah and garrett will ever be #sorrynotsorry

[chayenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

i remember enjoying it but yeah what else do u expect with sports

[lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down my favorite book ever!!

It was such a emotional rollercoaster and I felt so connected to the characters it’s unreal. The author has an amazing writing style where you can cry and laugh with the characters; essentially feel like your experiencing things with them. The plot twists were great and some were unexpected and the character development was insanely good. The only bad thing about this book is that it ended; I have zero complaints about it and I seriously couldn’t stop reading it.

The meaning behind the story is absolutely beautiful and I hope real Naomi gets her happy ending.

I felt so excited when I saw the chapter notifications in my inbox and I’d stalk the authors Instagram to see when she was posting.

If this was published I would spend my empty my entire bank account on buying these books. They could be $200 per book and I’d still buy enough to put in every single room of my house.

I could rant about this book for hours on end but seriously, if you haven’t read it. YOU HAVE TO!!!

[Sanjana Guruprasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5: literally have no words. the bonus chapters... this book is probably my new comfort book since I'm going through a rough patch right now. this book has made me cry, cling onto my phone in suspense, laugh, and so SO happy. this book is like a Wattpad version of off campus and I can't wait for the second book. so glad that the couple for the second book is the couple I've been rooting for (can't say more w/o spoilers) also... THE BONUS CHAPTERS IN THIS BOOK OMG. and even the fact that this is based off real life, just minus the happy ending makes it even better!!

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love like LOVE how its about a true story except irl Matti ended up with Chloe like ewwww.

But I would love to find out exactly like when the real life Nj and matti break up (I'm a little nosy) and whos actually real and whats in there for added spice. like if she ever writes a the true story I will read it in a night, the second she writes it.


There were a few things that pissed me off tho (rant...)
1. I literally had to make a family tree to try figure out Naomis family like it was so confusing and I'm still confused - maybe once I read the third one like ellies one but still (I cant read it atm cause I starting repalsing a cant read sloanes one cause I wanted to but then it had the warnings and even j her in this was triggering- ed and depression (I'm scared I'm gonna find another way to km)-shit sorry I'm literally only doing this so I can remember how I felt tho for like figuring out if I want to read sloanes one in the future )

2. like I'm from nz where everyone literally knows everyone but this was too much like how naomis mattis and blakes dads where all kinda friends and how coach was her uncle like couldn't he have j been the coach I do still love him but it was j a bit to small world for me.
also in the bonus chapters how they all ended up at Penn state like maybe add a bit of variety but then again I kinda get it cause both of their (sage, slater and estellas) rents went their but more variety please.

3. Too long like i get the story had to kinda follow what actually happened but normally i finish a book in 24 hours but i had to stop and come back a few times cause some bits j dragged on way to much for my liking

[Jessa Oster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time when I had just moved to a new house, I had no one, it was summer, and I was dragged from my family. This book was the thing that kept me busy? I read it on my last week of summer, into the first month of the school year. When I tell you a book had never touched my heart more than this one right here. The way the words melted off of my screen. The way my tears fell out of my eyes, or the way my smile molded onto my lips. It was all unforgettable. This is one of the books where I wish I could read it for the first time again. Although when I reread this book, I feel my heart break more on the sad parts, and I feel my smile grow on the happy parts. There really isn’t a better way anyone could have written heartbreak. This book is truly something else.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book so much honestly one of my favourites will forever love and reccomend it’s so sad but happy it really played with my emotions and i cried so much but i love how everything formed throughout the books and the relationships through the characters with a group of friends and so much happening between them all and how all the relationships are so different and how they all cared and that things were never brought outside the group they changed for the best and for each-other and that the different chapters were between two people in the groups point of view. i will be reading this book again

[Evie Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruh someone give Naomi a damn break. Home girl is getting hit by doors and taking punch after punch. Her life actually sucks. And couldn’t tell if I hated Matti or loved him. To say the least he was suchhhh an asshole after he found out about her dad. Like honey chillax her dad is a prick and Naomi is just a baby. Also how hard is it to NOT get pregnant, like come on. Overall Matti is a total fucking asshole and did nothing was piss me off for 90% of this book. Thank god he becomes a good dad otherwise I’d have Naomi ditch his ass and only ask for child support. Also FUCK Matti-mentality and his multi-million-dollar legs. No one gives a single shit you asshat.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book however I’m also extremely annoyed. The relationship was so so toxic and I know it was based off an experience the author has had but it did get annoying to read and omg the bonus chapters. Don’t even get me started. They made me so mad and honestly just mad me disappointed and the characters that I just spent 79 chapters learning about. There are 3 more books and I’m most excited for book 4 but I think they will all have the same affect on me as this one. Overall, I did enjoy it but I was annoyed and irritated so much.

[hannah davison · Rating 4 out of 5]

the PSU series is one of the best sports romance series I have read on wattpad and too this day other sports romance books just don’t compare!! not only are the man so fine in these stories but it feels almost real the feelings and emotions that these characters go through and are not fake or over exaggerated like other stories on Wattpad. the found family trope, sports trope and friends into lovers help this book come to life in so many ways and I feel really shows the struggles that not only the characters go through but also the reality of dating (football boys) in college. these series made me fall in love with Penn State University, can’t wait to read the rest!

[Catherin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally think that this book has just brought out the essence of what we call campus life. Truly because the writing is based on true events and though there maybe the writer's version of drama and imagination, she has expressed it so wonderfully to the fact that it's neither overdone nor lacking in any facet. I think the author deserves to be appreciated for all her efforts and being so strong and amazing.

[G Walshe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't get over this book. I love everything about it. I'm pretty sure I cried in every chapter whether it was so heartbreaking or heartwarming I couldn't keep it in. The characters are so loveable and fully developed (no plain cheesy romance here) without having to exist with eachother. But the bonus chapters are what did it most for me, I didn't think I needed it until I read them and am now completely attached to this book.

[loguuuu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Its okay?? Feels quite long and repetitive, and is sometimes a little hard to follow with all the side characters and multiple story lines. I wish the author would have been more concise and strong with her storyline. The book should have finished around the 50th chapter, but continued on for another 30. I was bored by the end of it :(

Needs a ton of editing and is really just not that strong of a story line. Feels messy and honestly incoherant at times.

[megs]

i’m sorry i tried to enjoy this but it was so hard. i got a lot of second hand embarrassment from the main guy character and i cant even remember his name which says something. the only character i liked was griffin because he seemed nice however the writing cringed me out. i got around chapter 20 and couldn’t carry on.

[Katie Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just simply amazing. The characters and there development over the book is both awe inspiring and heartbreaking. This really shows the complicated aspects of college relationships and not settling your self for less than you deserve. So much appreciation to the author she produced a wonderfully written, heart wrenching, and lovable book.

[hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars just doesn’t seem to give this book justice not only because it was perfectly written but also because it actually made me cry and pulled by heartstrings out at so many moments that i don’t think ill recover from such an amazing book :))
i can’t think of anything bad about this about this book apart from that it isn’t published and i can’t have it on my book shelf :(

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the first I read. The characters are brought to life and the plot is amazing. When matti finds out who Nj’s dad is it is exciting and scary at the same time and you can’t put the book down. Character developments are a big thing in this book and matti definitely had one from how he was in the begging.

[Nivedita Mendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!!!
I love the book, all of the characters.
Big shout out to NJ...you are amazing!!!
All the characters are so good!!! Makes you fall in love with each one of them.
God I can't decide who is my favourite.. they all are!!
Just keep writing. I love you!!!

[Saniyyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely amazing! I’ve literally referred it to all of my friends, it’s too good to keep secret. If you want to go on an emotional but great rollercoaster, read it! The book is everything! I can’t wait till the series is published definitely will be purchasing all of them!

[Monica Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly one of the best books I’ve read on wattpad since 2014 ! I read it twice and was just as consumed by it as I was the first time I read it .

I am currently reading In Between The Lines and I am so excited for it to wrap up and for the character Reese’s book to start !

[Serenity_90594 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must read, I love this author so much also I’m sad her and the real matti didn’t get their happy ending, but now she gets a happy ending with us as an author, and he gets to life that a whole fandom dislikes him.

[lover.ofallthingsliterature · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good. I feel like not enough “good guy” Matti was shown. Throughout most of the book Matti is an asshole. I liked the plot and the smut was written nicely. The bonus chapters were sweet and I very much enjoyed them. I give it a solid 3.75/5 stars.

[Kenzie Jarnagin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very very good. Gives me housewives of death valley vibes you know what I mean. Weirder me out when I found out it was a fan fiction of her life but before I knew that I was able to thoroughly enjoy the book it’s a great read.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what can I saw about this book.... ONLY THAT IT IS AMAZING if I could give it more stars I would. The rest of the series is just as good and I enjoyed every second of it. "Matti Mentality Baby" ;)

[Emily Rarangol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of the book and i’d say the first 40 chapters were incredible. All I wanted to do was read more. Towards chapter 50, it got very repetitive and slowly made me stop liking the main characters.

[jevimann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love Matti and Naomi 😩 #recommended book 2 has my heart literally Blake and Sloane I love etttt🤌🏼💚