𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★☆☆
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Deanna Faison
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 400
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: October 22, 2024

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
🏈 𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
🏈 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚜 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝, 𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛
🏈 𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛’𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍
🏈 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
🏈 𝚁𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚊𝚍-𝚋𝚘𝚢
🏈 𝙳𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝙿𝙾𝚅

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛, 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚎, 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚋𝚞𝚕𝚕𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐

This book was a fun, easy read and the tropes in this book are always a good go-to. There is a lot of witty banter between Maddie and Cameron, and the spice was hot enough to burn However, there were some heavier concepts mixed into the plot that felt overshadowed by the amount of spice, and that took away from some of the impact I think this story could have had. I would recommend this book if you need a good palette cleanser!

I had a blast reading this, I loved the main character and I absolutely love seeing some curvy girl representation especially in sports romance. I’m so happy to got a physical copy for my shelf because this book was so fun and I literally could not put it down! Thank you to the author Deanna for sending me a physical Arc and for Netgally for this e-arc

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

I am always a sucker for a brothers best friend sports romance. Always, so when I saw this, I had to give it a chance.

💙 Football Romance
💙 Brothers Best Friend
💙 Reformed Playboy
💙 Secret Relationship

There were some parts I enjoyed immensely, like the history between Cameron and Maddie and the chemistry between them. Cam is a total playboy who owns it, but Maddie cannot help but fall for him, and he can’t resist her. And there was such an emotional connection between them as they grew closer due to Cameron’s past trauma.

Ans the spice was really good, and pretty plentiful. Honestly I loved that it was a bit more spice than I expected! Ans I love the little bit of forbidden aspect of this because Maddie is completely off limits!

This one has some trigger warnings so definitely check those out and has a bit of back and forth drama because it’s set in college, but it’s a fun quick read if you love these tropes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️

This was sweet and spicy, and if you’re into new adult sports romance, you will definitely enjoy this!

I’m finding as I get older, I am struggling with the new adult genre but these two had chemistry and it was fun nonetheless.

Thanks to the publisher and the author for the finished book, as well as netgalley for the arc.

Such a perfect and cute read and perfect timing for the sports season. I am a sports romance girly and this was just my speed. I loved all the few good moments and the characters connection. There were the make you blush and feel giddy but also keep you not wanting to put it down feels.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

What a fun read from Deanne Faison. I enjoyed the easy going, spring break vibe this whole book had going on. Ok, not the entire book; I mean there is some deep, real world stuff happening, as well; but the overall mood of the book is light hearted, falling in love, having fun on spring break. I love a story where a girl he grew up with is more than just his best friend’s little sister. Having to admit those feelings to not only yourself, but others; one of my favorite tropes.

Cameron and Maddie have grown up together. These two had chemistry from the get go and I couldn’t wait to see how Deanne was going to have their relationship unfold as I continued reading. I also really enjoyed seeing these two grow together. It was clear, they were both just about the pleasure they could get from one another in the beginning. But as they continued to see each other, they had to talk about some hard topics and decide to move forward together or go their separate ways. Their outlook at relationships and each other matured as the story progressed.

Cam’s story was full of grief and what can happen when you don’t deal with grief properly. However, Deanne used this topic to discuss the dangers of letting grief control you and Cameron’s story turned into something inspirational. I loved how she didn’t harp on Cam letting go of his grief and just getting over his loss. She wrote how grief is valid and important, it may never go away, but you can’t let it take over your life and shut you down. I really loved her perspective on grief.

Through the dual POV the reader is fully able to immerse themselves into what the characters are feeling, in the moment. Although the chemistry of these two was leaking off the pages, they still had a lot working against them. The side characters Deanne wrote that the MCs turned to were a perfect addition to this book. Lots of heart, lots of healing, and lots of spice!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

Tropes:
✨Brother's best friend
✨Childhood crush
✨Friends to lovers
✨Secret romance
✨Sports Romance

I really thought I would love this book with it being a sports romance, brother's best friend, second chance romance, etc.. but it was all spice no plot. I am 30 and I think I'm just too old for this one because it felt so childish emotionally. Maddie is in love with her brother's best friend, Cam, but they haven't spoken in years since he broke her heart. They are forced to spend time together over spring break and end up reconnecting. I almost quit reading when I found out the big dramatic heartbreak that had them quit speaking for years was that he almost kissed her when she was 13 years old then changed his mind.. like what... Cam is also a walking red flag and I couldn't understand the attraction to him.

✅ college football romance 🏈
✅ Maddie, pre-med & Cameron, pre NFL
✅ brother’s best friend
✅ dual POV
✅ f***boy falling in love
🌶️: yes. And it’s not a slow burn

3.75⭐️

Was this book cheesy, predictable and definitely read like a wattpad book? Yes. But was it cute, sexy and addicting as hell? YES! I read this in one sitting and couldn’t put it down for the life of me. Maddie and Cameron were so sweet and I appreciated the communication between the two instead of usual books written this way where the writing easily falls into juvenile territory.

✨Brother’s Best Friend
✨Sports Romance (he’s a football player but there’s no games and it’s during Spring Break)
✨Secret Romance
✨Childhood Crush
✨Reformed Player
✨She’s the one that makes him feel again
✨Grief

This was the perfect palate cleanser after reading lots of fantasy and darker romance. It was an easy read that made you turn the pages until you realize you're at the end. I couldn't help myself but to root for Maddie and Cameron and every time those two figured out something gave me that fuzzy warm feeling. There were funny moments, swoon worthy declarations and some 80's worthy I will do anything for you moments. This was definitely a book to get your mind off of real life and just enjoy someone else's love story.

The chemistry between Maddie and Cam is unreal. They are so in tune with each other and I loved the whole childhood friends turned lovers.

But, I felt the whole book read a little young. Like I was too old to be reading it. I did not enjoy the time jumps. They weren’t really indicated so it would take a minute to figure out that it was a memory. I also felt like they were so young in the memories (like 6th and 8th grade) and some of the moments felt very mature for that age group.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad book group for this ARC

Playmaker by Deanna Faison @deannafaisonbooks

I am going to be honest, I don’t read a lot of sports romance books but there was something about the synopsis of this book that piqued my interest!!

Maddie is pre-med and Cameron is on his way to the NFL and happens to be Maddie’s brother's best friend… He is the epitome of off limits but the sizzle between them can’t be tamed and they spend their vacation time hooking up in secret, things get right off course for both of them.

I like Maddie. I don’t normally like characters that have the kind of personality she does but you can tell she is really sweet under the facade. She has always had feelings for Cam and he hurt her once so you can see why she comes across so standoffish in the beginning. Don’t even get me started on Cam. I felt my palms start to sweat right from the get go. He is a total F*$k boy but you know you wouldn’t say no and those men…. Walking red flags but you know you gonna dip your toe in. I feel like you weren’t supposed to like him because he is a total dog but you can tell he was doing it to fill a void.

The spice was **CHEFS KISS** perfect for me. Plus the book is loaded with all your favorite tropes.

Friends to lovers CHECK
Forbidden Love CHECK
Sport romance DOUBLE CHECK
Brother’s best friend CHECKKKKKKK

This book is pretty much Cam and Maddie fighting and F-ing with some cutesy moments in between. I could have used more of their childhood, I felt like it missed an opportunity to really round the story out. There is a TW in this book for me. A photo of a teen passed around… It bothered me so it might bother you.

I enjoyed the dual POV and all in all I quite enjoyed the book. It is exactly what it states to be, there isn’t a massive amount of depth so don’t go looking for the meaning of like in the pages. If you want a sexy novel with some good banter, grab this one today.

4 stars

Thank you @wattpad for my gifted copy

I will never not read a brothers best friend!! This is my first book I've read by this author and I had such a good time. I love when books have flash backs so you can see the characters when they're younger and kind of understand better what they went through. This book was so so spicy!

Holy freaken wow!! For a Debut Novel, this Novel was everything and then some!! Like seriously Deanna this Novel made me Giddy, hoped for the Love to grow, and excited for it to continue! Brother's Best Friend has quickly become a trope I think I'm starting to like more and more! Chapter 29 started the emotions for me But Chapter 36 gutted me! Cried for two chapters straight that even my husband said " You are still crying" Wow just wow! Congratulations again @deannafaisonbooks and Thank you, and also Thank You Netgalley and @wbywattpadbooks for allowing me to read this Book for my Honest Review!

Right from the start I just loved these 2, yes they might be toxic and imperfect, but that's the reality of life. Relationships are not always perfect and people make mistakes. I really loved them together, their chemistry is palpable, the spice is hot, their friendship and banter is everything. I loved where the story went and how the author developed the characters. I cannot wait to see what Deanna comes up with next.

I had conflicting emotions at first with this couple, but I'm so glad that l pushed through because I absolutely adored them by the end of the story.

Playmaker is a spring-break, friends with benefits, and brothers best friend romance. Thats a mouthful hahaha Maddie has been in love with Cameron, her older brothers best friend, for years now. Despite this man telling her he wants nothing to do with her, she can't shake off those feelings.

I'm not gonna lie, I was scrunching my nose at Cameron in the beginning. He is THE player and was sleeping with people left and right, admitting cheating on girls but claiming it was okayish since they were never together. That was the hardest part for me to push past, but the more I learned about him and the struggles he was facing, I finally had some sympathy for him. Cameron was living his life by making choices that would make others happy rather than his own.

BUT, once he finally got it together and was selfish for once, he made decisions for his own happiness - finally risking it all for a chance with Maddie.

Maddie deserved it all. There was not a single thing I hated about her, other than how quickly he took her back of course. She was level headed and she was focused on her future rather than impressing others in a typical college environment. While she does make some questionable decisions regarding Cameron, I can understand wanting a taste of the dream even if you know it'll lead to heartbreak.

This book was spicy but also really sweet once these two finally face the attraction they have for each other. I would read it again and look forward to any potential books that would continue this series!

2.75*

Thanks Wattpad Publishing for a gifted copy of this book!!

I was excited to read this during football season! Whatever the opposite of slow burn is, that’s this book. They THINK they are going slow but the entire thing is bam bam bam!

It was a bit spicier than my liking which usually doesn’t bother me but I wasn’t connected to the characters as much in this one. The plot was cute, it felt like a mix of a summer I turned pretty and sports romance.

This was a fun, sweet/spicy brother’s best friend story!
Cameron and Maddie grew up together along with her brother Ethan. With so much time spent together, they had a special connection - until his mom died before he started 9th grade and he pushed away the girl that made him feel the most. Now it’s been 6 years of brief interactions and Cameron being a major playboy. But they are both home for spring break and going on her family’s trip together. What will happen when that lifetime worth of connections just won’t go away?

Overall I enjoyed the premise of this book. Brother’s best friend is one of my favorite tropes because it just brings so many dynamics to the story. With Cam and Maddie’s families being so close and finding out they each always had feelings, it kept me interested in how everything would play out.
I enjoyed seeing the character development of Cameron as he dealt with his feelings of grief, attachment issues, and letting people all the way in.
I wish we had gotten a little more of Maddie, as I feel like what we did get all revolved around Cam.

At times the writing/story was a bit repetitive. The descriptions of what occurred 6 years ago (when his mom died), character’s inner monologues, and other thoughts and feelings were explained a lot when no new information was really being included.

I really enjoyed the relationship and growth during the second half of the book and I liked the way the story was resolved.

Available now!
✨brother’s best friend
🤭friends with benefits
💕it’s always been you

It’s a brother’s best friend secret romance and sorta a sports romance as Cameron is the star football player but they are also on spring break so he never actually plays during the book. It’s a lighter read but some themes of grief within it.

It’s spicy, cute and enjoyable but there was nothing super original to make it a stand out for me. Kinda like a perfect palette cleanser!

Thank you @wattpadbooks for my advanced copy!
3.5 ⭐️

I know my reading time was longer than my average BUT it was not at all due to the quality or my enjoyment of this book. I genuinely REALLY liked this book. I've never read a book from Wattpad, but have definitely have heard of it. I was not sure what I was expecting, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ ½ / 5
📅 Dual timeline
📅Present Time: Course of Spring Break
🗣️Dual POV

Tropes:
🏈It was ALWAYS you
👩‍⚕️Brother's Best Friend
🏈Football Star x Future Doctor
👩‍⚕️Childhood Friends>Frenemies>FWB>Lovers
🏈Reformed Playboy
👩‍⚕️Virgin FMC


🧍🏼‍♀️Maddie is VERY hardworking and determined to do her best in life and especially college. She does not go out to college parties and is all school all the time anytime she is not sleeping. She plans to spend her spring break back at home studying for the MCAT that is over a year away.
🧍🏽‍♂️Cameron is a top tier college football player who is NFL bound. Cam is VERY sociable. He enjoys to party and has a very active sex life. To put it bluntly Cam is 100% an F-Boy. He lost his mother to ovarian cancer before going into high school. This loss and his grief have caused him trauma and to change in ways that aren’t exactly for the better.
While Cam did was no longer active friends with Maddie, he remained best friends with Ethan (Maddie’s older brother) and close to Maddie & Ethan’s parents.
After the loss, Cam’s relationship with his father began deteriorating. His father began work out of town more and more until it was rare they were home together. His father started overly monitoring Cam’s football career. The monitoring became more harmful than positive.
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏽Maddie+Cameron: They are childhood friends who had a falling out shortly after the passing of Cam’s mom. We get to see glimpses of their relationship throughout childhood (prior to their “no contact” period). I love these flashbacks and the insight they give us into the feelings they have always had for one another. I was ROOTING for them from chapter one.

Dislikes:
• I did NOT like the 3rd act breakup at all. I usually don’t mind them, but this one really frustrated me. I wanted Cam to just stand up to his dad and tell him NO and just choose Maddie. The breakup was 1000% unnecessary and they immediately get right back together. I think we could have done without this.
• Cam was in desperate need of therapy. I know trauma and grief causes people to react in ways they otherwise wouldn’t BUT after 5+ years and Cam was still stating his mothers passing was why he slept around so much and only saw girls as a piece of 🍑. I am NOT slut shaming here but after so long he should just own that he may be an F-boy.

Other Relationships:
• The sibling bond between Maddie and Ethan was undeniable.
• I CANNOT CANNOT WAIT FOR ETHAN AND MAYA’S STORY. I was shocked by Ethan’s revelation to Cam towards the end. I was a bit shocked and wish he felt comfortable with Cam to tell him from the beginning and not lie to him.




Taste of Spice:
There wasn’t a ton of Spice, but it was so good. 🥵 🥵

♥ TEXT MESSAGES:
CAM: "Which part of me are you fantasizing about, baby?"
CAM: "Let me take a wild guess... *inserts picture* Is it this?"

♥ "She's smiling with my release splattered across her skin, and the thing I said about sunsets being my favorite view in Arizona?
Scratch that.
Maddie becoming my personal canvas just took the top spot."


Thank you to Deanna Faison, NetGalley, and Wattpad for the opportunity to review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.