THIS WAS SO FUCKING GOOD. THE SMUT WAS ON POINT.
I WILL WARN PEOPLE THAT THE LAST 10% HAD ME REELING.

Plus Size Player is book two in Danielle Allen’s Curve series and it was a very enjoyable read. In this installment, Nina Ford, fashion influencer, is a woman to likes to keep her options open in be it hobbies, jobs and dating. She dates multiple men searching for the “one” that serious about pursuing a relationship. Russell Long is in Nina’s rotation of dating and soon wants more and as things between them heat up, Nina’s career takes off. As her relationship and career pick up, Nina finds herself in a situation where she may have to choose between turning in her player card or giving up her career.

Ms. Allen did an outstanding job crafting Nina and Russ’s story. The character development is on point. Nina is very confident and has an upbeat personality. She is comfortable in her body and knows how to work her sex appeal. She shows her vulnerability with her friends, and it is displayed in the pages when there is some strive between, she and Russ. She fought her feelings for Russ but at each turn, Russ continued to prove he was the man for her. Russ’s character was exactly the “Fun Guy” but he also sensitive and had no qualms defending others when wronged. He was also a believer in protocol and trust. When he loves, he loves hard. The storyline flowed and will have readers turning the pages to get to the end. Overall, a good read and cannot wait for the next installment.
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Note: I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

“𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓶𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼”

Reading this felt like catching up with a friend who’s funny, messy, confident, and totally unbothered and then somehow, halfway through, realizing she’s kind of changing your life.

Nina is the kind of main character you want to be best friends with. She’s confident without faking it, funny without trying, and smart enough to see the way the world treats her… but still hopeful enough to want more. I loved how she doesn’t apologize for who she is and I especially loved that the story never tried to change her. She is the standard. Period.

The love interest was a dream. The kind of man who makes you pause mid-read like, this is the new standard. There’s spice, yes (a lot of it), but there’s also genuine care, respect, and a real partnership building between them. You believe in it.

There’s a lot of heart in this book, and it doesn’t shy away from real stuff like stigma, discrimination, and feeling like you have to prove yourself just to exist peacefully. It’s just honest. And that honesty made me angry and inspired, all at once.

It’s not a perfect fairy tale, and that’s what makes it so good. Some moments are predictable, sure, but I didn’t mind at all. I was fully invested in Nina’s story, and honestly, I wish I could follow her on Instagram in real life.

This was sexy, smart, fun, and full of feeling. Danielle Allen nailed it.

The cover and the premise had me SO excited to read this book. The stakes were a little too low for me to really care about the storyline. Also the helicopter scene?? I just could not stop thinking about how unrealistic it was. I think for me this book might have been better suited to audio. Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.

Absolute perfection would not change anything about this book. It felt like this book was written with me in mind. The character development, the love, the funny banter. Everything felt right and the relationship between the characters was the perfect level of funny and steamy. Danielle Allen does not miss.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

✨A Bold, Sexy, Empowering Romance That Shines!✨

Plus Size Player by Danielle Allen is the kind of romance that sticks with you long after you finish. It’s bold, sexy, empowering, and delivers everything I want in a love story—and more.

Nina is a confident, plus-size fashion influencer who owns her power and her pleasure. She’s unapologetic, fierce, and has a “roster” of men for every need… but there’s one who completely shakes things up. Russ, aka “The Fun One,” is so much more than his nickname. He’s intentional, emotionally intelligent, and absolutely knows how to love a woman—mind, body, and soul.

Their chemistry is electric, but it’s the depth and respect in their connection that really moved me. Danielle Allen did an incredible job representing curvy women in a joyful, romantic light without making it about overcoming insecurities. Nina is the boss, period—and Russ is the man who sees her clearly and chooses her fully.

I was a huge fan of Aaliyah’s story, but Nina... Nina is THAT girl. Plus Size Player is a celebration of self-love, confident women, and men who know how to step up.

Highly recommend. A must-read for lovers of swoony, grown romance with real representation.

Thank you to Danielle Allen, Bramble, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I’m OBSESSED with this series! Nina’s story was something that I was looking forward to after I read Curvy Girl Summer. Nina Ford brought the humor in both Curvy Girl Summer and Plus Size Player. I loved how she lived in her truth of dating and being with multiple men with a care in the world. And Russel Long was an absolute gem. He loved Nina unapologetically and whatever, whenever to make her happy. The representation of plus women and the things they go through both good and bad was something that I adored, and the representation of a plus sized model. I love this series and I’m genuinely looking forward to Jasmine’s story in the next book.

Okay this was a hard one, I was into it but also found the lead characters incredibly frustrating and naive, especially when it came to workplace romance and power dynamics. I listened to the audiobook.

“My dating roster consisted of four primary men... The four of them made the perfect man, so I didn't have to worry about not getting what I wanted out of the situation. I had all the bases covered. They each had their own lane.”

Nina Ford doesn't like to put all her eggs in one basket. She works multiple jobs, she enjoys multiple hobbies, she dates multiple men. In her thirty years of life, Nina has never come across a man who has all the things she's looking for. But when an opportunity presents itself, Nina finds herself in a bit of a predicament...

Danielle Allen has done it again! This is another one for the grown, sexy, and open-minded reader. Plus Size Player is as fun, spicy, and entertaining as Curvy Girl Summer. I had a great time reading this! I love the way Danielle Allen writes romance…funny, messy, sexy as hell. I literally laugh out loud at her characters & fall in love with their personalities. Nina is that girl and I was rooting for her to get all her hearts desires from the jump, even if that meant my girl had to be a playa from the Himalayas!🤣 I don’t want to give anything away but just know that in order for my girl to settle HE had to come correct, which 😏 read for yourself to find out!

I appreciate the plus size representation and glimpse into the influencer/fashion marketing aspect. I can’t say whether the plus size representation was overdone but it felt just right to me. Have you never read the comments of online body shamers? Not only is Nina plus size but she is a model and we know which body type is favored in that industry.

I look forward to reading more from Danielle Allen! Thank you to Netgalley & Tor Publishing Group!

Plus size player is a hot hot hot read! It has the perfect balance of emotional and character development, some great spice, and plus size empowerment.
I love a good friends to lovers romance. I especially like that they had to pause wherever they leave off as someone has to travel this way or that way. So they kind of put their situationship on pause in all those breaks. But you can just tell they fall back into each other every reuinion and it is phenomenal.

I love this series so far and cant wait to get to book 3!

FUN!

Right off the bad it was everything it said it was and more.

It was fun, funny, spicy, romantic and so much more.

Danielle is already a power house.
Her voice is unique and clearly on a level all her own.

The spice??!! THE SPICE 🥵🥵

And the book is a happy reprieve from a world who constantly shuns fat Black women.

The way Russ loves on her made my heart swell with love. That’s what we deserve all the time

Special thanks to the author @authordanielleallen & @brambleromance for my gifted copy and @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 for my gifted ALC‼️

Now gather around book friends gather around . . . I’ll be the first to tell you sister Allen was in her BAG with this series‼️ She had me sold with book 1 Curvy Girl but booooook 2 lawd she ATE down no lies all facts. When I say this book had me stuck in my seat from beginning to end I devoured it.

Book 2 follows my girl Nina Ford a confident baddie with many talents. She’s currently dating multiple men because well she hasn’t found the perfect man who’s the total package. Sis really had a man for every day of the week but when Russell Long aka her “Fun Guy” steals the show Nina doesn’t know if she’s ready to give up the player life for just one baller.

Ya’ll the spice in this book was spicing 🥵 and Allen knew exactly what she was doing allowing Wesleigh Siobhan to narrate this book. I came for the book vibes but I stayed for Wesleigh cause when she turns into WESLEY I lose all common sense. Ommmg and when she say Nina, Nina, Nina and adds in the laugh 😩 like girl are you trying to be my man or what 👀 cause I don’t wanna be a player no more. I’m 👏🏽 NOT 👏🏽 a 👏🏽 PLAYER 👏🏽 I 👏🏽 just 👏🏽 CRUSH 👏🏽 ALOT!

Overall, I have nothing bad to say about this book because it was pure perfection. The character development 👩🏾‍🍳💋, getting to see characters from book 1 was everything I truly loved the friendship dynamics, and I can’t forget Russ my man, my man, my man! If this isn’t on your TBR add it and yes you need both the physical and audio to ride this romance rollercoaster. You’ve officially been influenced‼️

3.5 Stars!

I liked this one, though I will say that Curvy Girl Summer is still my fave of hers. This cover is absolutely to die for, the story was fun, and our girl Nina was so interesting. I like that she's not afraid to be herself and that we get this depiction of a fat woman who knows her worth and makes sure people treat her accordingly (and if they don’t she lets them friggin know). I will say there was a lot of we did this, this, and this instead of us seeing her do things on the page, and I generally like more show than tell so that’s why my rating is lower. However definitely rounding up bc Nina- the woman you are *heart hands*

Plus Size Player was so good, my god. Curvy Girl Summer was ok to me, but this second book knocked it out of the park. I loved how smart and real Nina’s character was, and having read the first book added extra color to her. Russell Long, however, is officially in my top 5 favorite love interests. Nina deserved all of the love he had for her. This was such a good combination of fun, sexy, funny, enjoyable romance for a fat, black female main character. Would highly recommend and will likely read again.

There was no chemistry between Nina and Russ. While the sex was hot, there was a lack of relationship development. I don't understand why, at 60% into the story, these two characters didn't know what the other did for a living. This created an unnecessary issue that, in my opinion, pulled me out of the narrative.

Additionally, the fatphobia was excessively aggressive. Although there were some insightful discussions regarding the confrontations Nina experienced throughout the book, they felt forced.

In my view, the pacing is what ultimately ruined the story. We were given a lot of words, but there was no progression in the plot—if there even was one—or any growth in the characters.

Ultimately, Plus Size Player did not work for me, and that's unfortunate since I am a fan of Ms. Allen's work.

*Thank you to Bramble Romance for the opportunity to read and review.

I loved Curvy Girl Summer and have been highly anticipating Nina’s story in Plus Size Player and I was NOT disappointed! This was equal parts sweet and steamy turnt all the way up!

Nina Ford doesn't like to put all her eggs in one basket. She works multiple jobs, she enjoys multiple hobbies, she dates multiple men. In her thirty years of life, Nina has never come across a man who has all the things she's looking for. She's always been content rotating a few men in and out of her life to get her needs met.
But when an opportunity presents itself, Nina finds herself in a bit of a predicament. Because if everything she's ever wanted in a partner collides with everything she's ever wanted in a career, her eggs are bound to get cracked.

Nina’s character felt so genuine. She was confident and ambitious. I loved her character and was rooting for her the entire time! I liked how passionate Nina and Russ were about it their careers. They both respected each other it was so refreshing to read.

In the book Nina faces different types of fat phobia from people in her industry and I loved how Nina stood up for herself in the book. And I equally loved the way Russ stood up for her also 🥰

Nina and Russ’ chemistry was SIZZLING!! These two were burning my kindle up! Danielle knows how to write some good spicy scenes like the one in the changing room?! HELLO?! I loved their relationship journey it felt authentic.

I devoured this book and had the absolute best time reading it. Now I’ll just have to patiently wait for Jasmine’s book!

4.5⭐️

I loved how confident Nina was in herself and what she deserved. Her roster of potential partners was impressive. It was refreshing to see a woman be the "player," especially since Nina was always upfront with her dates about her desires and boundaries.
Her roster was top-tier, but Russell?? This man!! THIS MAN!! He was so swoon-worthy that I felt like I was the one on the date! From the start, you could see how much he not only wanted her but also needed her, and we loved to see it.Her attempts to fight her deeper feelings for him were honestly hilarious because, girl, who are you fooling?

Weisleigh Shoban on the narration 👏🏾 She never disappoints.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.

I absolutely loved it! Nina is everything. I love the way she goes for what she wants and needs and is a boss about her business!

Her roster was top tier and honestly it was refreshing to see the fmc having several men at her beck and call but Russell? He was special and their chemistry is out of this world!

My flabber was gasted when I found out about Rus' "title" and I sorta crashed out lol

Plus Size Player is everything you'd expect from a Danielle Allen story....addictive, adventurous, sexy and amazing writing.

Oh my goodness! I flew through this book! I’ve absolutely loved Nina as the heroine. She is a woman who knows who she is and what she wants and isn’t ashamed to demand the things she is worthy of. Russ as the love interest was perfect! Him and Nina are a match made in heaven and you could feel their chemistry. I’m so excited for the third book!

𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 ♡

✰✰✰✰.75 sᴛᴀʀs

"𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑒 . . . 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑦 . . . 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠."

my first book by Danielle Allen and definitely not my last! this one was such a fun and delicious read! 😮‍💨🙌🏻

who doesn't love a plus size, confident baddie? that was Nina and my gosh the way i wanna be her when i grow up(shush, ik i'm already grown up) but seriously this girl was a literal ICON. a player until she finally found the perfect man🤭 also, she had me cracking up a lot🤣🙌🏻

Russ was so dreamy. this man!! THIS MAN!! He was so SWOONYYY!! the way he literally worshipped the ground Nina walked on was everything!! he's the standard, okay? 🗣️

these two together were straight-up FIRE and holy— they had the hottest s*x ISTG!!! 😮‍💨 i need to read Aaliyah's book cause seriously Danielle really knows how to write hot AF spicy scenes🔥

thank you @authordanielleallen @netgalley for the arc! 💖

𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡! ✨

#plussizeplayer #danielleallen