I was excited to read Blake and Lexi’s story. Blake has had a crush on Lexi for awhile. And she doesn’t give the star quarterback anything other a passing glance. Blake doesn’t let that deter him. Blake starts learning Lexi’s quirks and giving her the space she needs and being patient. Lexi has had a hard time recognizing feelings. But she starts to realize that she has feelings for Blake. I enjoyed Blake and Lexi’s story it was an entertaining and enjoyable read!

Such a great story to introduce me to Max Monroe’s books.

It is a prequel to the Dickerson University Series which I will now be reading for sure.

Lexi and Blake are an amazing couple, so perfect together.
This book had me in all the feels while laughing along the way.

Blake falls first and hard. This is a favorite trope of mine. He’s lusting after Lexi and refuses to give up. He’s the football star quarterback. He can get any girl he wants, except Lexi. She is so focused on her dissertation and finishing college that she doesn’t pay attention to much else. She has decided though she wants to break out of her shell and start living life.

Blake is her answer. He is supportive and patient with Lexi as she builds up walls to keep him out. He does not give up.
This story has funny parts, angsty, a golden retriever MMC, opposites attach, and secret dating what more could you ask for?

The characters are loveable and captivating. Highly recommended book! I hope it comes to audio it is one I would listen to!

This is another book by Max Monroe that I just loved reading!

I love a good opposites-attract story. It always makes the story much more captivating for me. Lexi and Blake were just perfect for each other. They each brought out the best in each in other and it had me rooting for them the entire time. I literally could not stop reading and was entirely hooked on them.


This is definitely a must-read book for fans of sports romance! I can't wait to read more from Max Monroe.


Thank you Max Monroe for the free copy of Playing Games.

Playing Games is the highly anticipated second book in the Dickson University series, and it’s finally giving us an inside look at the brilliant, witty, and complex Lexi Winslow. If you loved the sharp banter, sizzling chemistry, and slow-burn romance of the first book (or really any of Max Monroe's books), this sequel takes it all to the next level.

At the core of the story is Lexi, a neurodivergent woman who prides herself on her logic, level-headedness, and razor-sharp intellect. She's used to being in control - except when it comes to matters of the heart.

Then enters Blake Boden, Dickson University’s star quarterback - handsome, confident, and full of surprises. To Lexi, Blake is an enigma, and his relentless pursuit of her attention leaves her both frustrated and intrigued. As she tries to dissect her growing attraction to him, Blake pushes her to rethink everything she believes about love, chemistry, and emotions.

What makes this book so captivating is the back-and-forth tension between the two characters. Blake’s irresistible charm is undeniable, but Lexi isn’t the type to fall easily for anyone. Her approach to love is rooted in logic and science - she’s convinced her feelings are simply chemical reactions, nothing more. But as she spends more time with Blake, the lines between logic and emotion blur, complicating her once-clear perspective.

The beauty of Playing Games lies not only in its sizzling chemistry but in the personal growth of both characters. Blake challenges Lexi’s tightly held beliefs, and slowly, her walls begin to crumble. What begins as playful back-and-forth soon reveals layers of vulnerability, making their evolving relationship feel deeply real despite the humor and over-the-top moments.

Max Monroe excels at pacing this slow-burn romance - it's perfectly gradual, never frustrating, just enough to keep you hooked as the characters develop and grow closer. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and often hilarious, ensuring a fun, engaging read from start to finish.

Overall, Playing Games is a well-crafted continuation of the Dickson University series, offering a perfect blend of romance, humor, and personal growth. It’s an irresistible read for fans of enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romances, and books that you can’t put down once you start. If you enjoyed the first book, you won’t want to miss this one.

A super-cute college and sports romcom. Blake and Lexie are just great together. Lexie is a neurodiverse genius, doing her second doctorate. She's quite self-aware and doesn't understand her own attraction to the quarterback at their college.

Blake is the star quarterback whose goal is to get Lexi, but as a girlfriend - the full shebang in fact. Lexie is a bit older (4 years) and as far as he's concerned, she's the whole package. He's a golden retriever, smart and persistent and it's so much fun to watch him work for it.

This is low angst, funny and clever. Authors Max and Monroe make it look easy. Lexie and Blake are part of the Dickson University series, and their parents are also part of this world. It's always a challenge to make second generation characters (who have had happy childhoods) interesting to the reader and here it's done really well. I knew some people from earlier books, but not everyone and it didn't affect my reading experience. The loveliest aspects are the sense of family, Blake's patience and persistence, Lexie's effort to understand other people, and herself – and a satisfying HEA!

Thank you Max and Monroe, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

An emotional rollercoaster w/a heartwarming payoff!

After getting my heart ripped out and trampled on while reading Learning Curve (still one of my top reads of 2024!), I was both nervous and excited to start this one. Blake's charm quickly won me over, and I appreciated the glimpses into Lexi's thoughts--especially when I found myself frustrated with her choices.

Seeing Finn and Scottie as active secondary characters, with a glimpse at their HEA made my heart so happy! Now I can't wait for Ace & Julia's story next!!

Hypothesis: Time with Blake Boden is purely scientific.
Conclusion: He’s not just breaking my rules—he’s rewriting them.

Other Book Info:
🏈 New adult standalone romance
🤓 He’s the star quarterback. She’s the cute genius (and neurodivergent).
💘 Opposites attract with intense first-love vibes
🫶 He falls first
🤫 Secret relationship
😂 Witty banter & laugh-out-loud moments
🔥 Off-the-charts chemistry
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine (Reversed)
🛡️ Protective Hero

Blake KNEW that Lexi was the one for him from the first moment they met! Lexi wasn't having ANY of it though! Whew did she put him through it and a couple times I almost wanted him to just let it go. She figured it out though, until she didn't. Then I wanted to smack her! We all end up happy in the end though!

This is HEAVY on the secret relationship where one side really doesn't want to keep the secret. If the angst and upset that goes along with that is not your jam then just don't even bother. If that's your thing, though, then RUN to get this book.

Now I'll be sitting in the corner impatiently waiting for these other two knuckle headed best friends to figure out they're in love with each other.

HUGE thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The story sounded really good in theory but the book couldn’t hold my interest and idk the cast of characters just didn’t speak to me.

Blake was the saving grace though, he’s such a cutie. I wanna protect him from the world 😭

Lexi’s povs were rlly boring Icel. I didn’t really care for anything outside of blake.

I loved how doting and determined he was 🤭😋

The text messages were the highlight of the book.



Thank you NetGalley and Max Monroe for the ARC.

This story was so good since the characters, Lexi and Blake, were such opposites. Lexi is a brainy neurodivergent student who star quarterback Blake thinks is fascinating. Their interactions were so authentic and the chemistry was off the charts! I could not put this book down!

Blake Boden makes me want to believe in love at first sight.

I love that we got a neurodivergent love interest. I love that we got a cinnamon roll star quarterback. However, I didn't love how repetitive everything was. Even though this book is 100+ pages shorter than the first book in the series, it felt much longer to me because of that. Also, I get that Lexi has difficulty with emotions and with reading cues from others, but I just feel like she took advantage of Blake's kindness quite a bit. He was very sweet and understanding of her needs, but it felt like he was the only one putting in the effort 95% of the time. One example, him ALWAYS bringing food to her (and paying for it), meanwhile she never offered to do the same for him or offer something equivalent. It just felt a bit unfair sometimes. HE did not ever see it that way, but I just felt like he needed to ask more from her to prove that she wasn't just using him.

Overall, I enjoyed it but I didn't loooooooove it.

A welcome return to Dickson University for Playing Games, a fabulous, polar opposites colliding, reverse grumpy sunshine romance that is filled with wicked humour, sizzling steam, witty banter and a whole lotta love as star quarterback Blake Bodin falls for an older woman in the neurodivergent genius Lexi Winslow. Honestly, it must be the athlete in him, but this player has stamina, anyone else would’ve given up on Lexi after the third rejection, whoever said ‘faint heart never won fair lady’ could’ve been talking about Lexi, When she finally she agreed to see him it was with the proviso it remained a secret from everyone, It would be so easy to think Lexi was embarrassed about dating a jock at this point, but she had issues connecting on an emotional level, so she decides to treat Blake as an experiment until she realises that she can in a relationship and happy. Blake, the ultimate golden retriever just knew she was the girl he was going to marry and would wait however long it took. With a fantastic, close-knit group of friends for the secondary characters I can’t wait to return to Dick U especially since the next book looks like being prankster extraordinaire Ace Kelly’s turn in the spotlight and I get the feeling that particular acorn hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Meet star quarterback, Blake Boden and genius, neurodivergent Lexi Winslow. Blake will stop at nothing to make Lexi his but Lexi refuses to give him the time of day.

I loved the banter between these love birds, their chemistry was oozing off the pages and boy was it steamy.

Playing Games by Max Monroe was a wonderful book to read. It had representation for neurodivergent people, banter, heartwarming moments, and a great love story.

Lexi and Blake might be two of my favorite characters to read about. Lexi is our neurodivergent (autistic) FMC who has a brilliant mind, although emotions don't come easy to her. She struggles sometimes, but that's okay because she has a lot of people in her corner that love her for her.
Blake is our Golden Retriever star quarterback who is sweet, caring, extremely patient, and has been after Lexi for a while. He fell in love with her pretty much at first sight and is tenacious in his pursuit of her.

Their love story is definitely one you do not want to miss out on reading!

Quick Summary: A NA, opposites in love romance

My Review: Playing Games by Max Monroe is book #2 in the Dickson University series.

About the Book: "Dickson University’s star quarterback and campus golden boy is used to winning on and off the field…until he meets the one woman who changes the game."

In My Own Words: Understanding emotions and feelings can be challenging for anyone, especially someone who deals with neurodivergence. Wanting to experience more, where the heart is concerned, is no small thing. But what happens when the right person comes along and helps to solve the love equation?

My Final Say: I adore neurodivergent characters. They have deeply meaningful love stories, too. Thank you, Max Monroe for taking us to the heart of what it's like and what it can be like for this population. Lexi and Blake's story was on point.

Love is so TOTAL!

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Wonderful characters
Easy-to-read
Happily Ever After
Entertaining
Emotional arc
Chemistry
Heart to heart growth

Other: Readers who enjoy opposites attract romances, loving beyond a diagnosis stories, and NAs with heart should like this book.

I highly recommend this series. Two in, and I am totally here for it. Let's go!

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA/A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Series: Yes

Heartfelt appreciation is extended to Max Monroe LLC and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for allowing access to a digital ARC of this title. It was definitely a pleasure to be given an opportunity to review this work. I am grateful for the chance to share my thoughts and opinions. I look forward to continuing with this series.

Blake is the star quarterback. He's gorgeous and he's got one hunk of a body. He has girls throwing themselves at him but he only wants one woman. Lexi is a genius. She seems to know everything about everything and she's working another PhD. In fact, she's written her dissertation months early. She's not a virgin, but she's neurodivergent and isn't sure she can fall in love. Even after she gives in to his relentless pursuit, and they have an incredible sexual relationship, she won't let their relationship become public and he can't call her his girlfriend.

In this book, I really feel for the guy. He's the nicest young man. He does everything he can to be a great boyfriend. I certainly would have snapped him up, given the opportunity.

Explicit sex so this book isn't for everyone, but I thought it was hot.

Playing Games follows two characters from completely different worlds-one rooted in science, the other in football. While the premise had potential, the characters felt too opposite to create a believable connection.
I struggled to connect emotionally with either protagonist, and the writing felt too juvenile for my taste. Additionally, the heavy focus on both science and football didn't appeal to me, making it hard to stay engaged. However, I think readers who enjoy stories featuring neurodivergent characters and scientific themes might find more to appreciate. This one just wasn't for me.
** Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review **

The authors give the best blurb for this gem: “opposites don’t just attract, they collide in the most delicious, laugh-out-loud, “I can’t put this book down” kind of way.” Seriously…so true (I read it in a few hours)! Easy-going, handsome star football player of Dickson University, Blake knew at first site that the smart, driven and beautiful Lexi was for him and he’d do just anything to make her see it. His relentlessness and patience, her self-discovery that romance and love can be a part of her life…all of it entertaining and addicting. Other things that make this book enjoyable: short chapters, dual, first person PoV, college based secret romance, neurodivergent heroine representation, banter, steam and bit of spice, and many character cameos from Learning Curve and the authors previous, older series! I am so ready for the third book now!

Lexie Winslow has spent her entire life focused on science, facts, everything but emotions. Will golden retriever Dickson University football star Blake Boden be able to break through her shell and make her realize there's more to life than science and that they're perfect for each other?

This book follows Blake's unrelenting quest to get Lexie to give him a chance. I love how accepting he is of her neurodivergence, realizing when it was the right time to push and when it was better to sit back and let her make the next step.

The same loveable cast of Max Monroe characters make appearances, as crazy and wonderful as ever.

This book was definitely enjoyable, with lots of smiles. Maybe not the same over the top zany humor that are in other Max Monroe books, but overall this one made me smile.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Playing Games is a laugh out loud, steamy romance story, filled with back-and-forth banter, wit, and great characters. I enjoyed Lexi and Blake's story a lot and it ends with a cliffhanger that left me satisfied. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more romance books from this author.

Let me start off by saying this is the first Max Monroe book I've read even though I have several of their books on my TBR list which now have been bumped up higher so I can read the first book in Dickson University and the 1st gen Billionaire Bad Boy books just so I can better understand all the characters better in this universe since this book is an interconnected standalone. I absolutely loved the chemistry, banter, spice, and humor between Lexi and Blake that makes these 2 polar opposites work so good together. The way Lexi's neurodivergent/autism was represented was really well done. I do love that it was written in dual POV because it made it easier to connect with Lexi and Blake and understand what was going on in their thThis was a cute second chance, brother's best friend, sports romance that was quick and easy to read for the most part. The chemistry between Melody and Zac was incredible and had a good balance of spice to plot. The character development was so well done.oughts.