Who doesn’t love an opposites attract moment? Lexi is a neurodivergent, driven, and incredibly bright graduate student. She knows who she is and what she wants and pursues it with purpose.

Blake is an absolute cinnamon roll of a lead! He is the start quarterback, good guy, and all around golden retriever. When Blake first spots Lexi at a secret society event, he even tells his friend “I’m gonna marry that girl someday”. What’s not to love about that?!

This story follows these two as they both spend a summer on campus while she finishes her doctorate (an academic queen). Blake is smitten and makes that clear to Lexi. But she isn’t totally sure, since emotions are often difficult for her to process in both herself and others.

This story features two likable characters from completely opposite spaces. Lexi’s point of view as a neurodivergent woman was done well. She loves her people, has her own unique interests, and struggles through big feelings like so many of us do. Blake’s point of view features an understanding of many of the things which are uniquely her and how they make her more special. I couldn’t help but love these two and I think you will too!

This is a solid college sports romance. I loved that the FMC is neurodivergent and that the MMC is 100% accepting of that. He doesn’t try to change her at all. He was actually way too mature for a 21 year old but we can all suspend belief to read about hot football players being all-around great guys.

I also think the supporting cast and characters were so well-rounded and it made me want to read all of their books, too. I basically need to read every book in that universe. I’m hooked!

Such a good read romance read. I loved our main characters. Especially Lexi, it’s not often you have a character with autism and I loved what she brought to the story and how Blake understood her from the beginning.

I got to read this book thanks to NetGalley and I was excited to do it because I love Max Monroe books!
This one certainly didn’t disappoint! A sweet romance with the perfect amount of spice!

3/5 stars

I was super excited to jump into this book. I even did a quick reread of the OG characters before reading this one. I've not read many books with autistic FMCs, and I was excited to see how M&M portrayed Lexi. She's been a steeple of a character since the beginning!

Sadly, this book just didn't hit it for me in the way I thought it would. I knew Lexi's character was going to be complex, but I hated that I wasn't able to connect with her or sympathize when she breaks poor Blake's heart again and again. I did love her logical side of the brain, though!

I was disheartened that M&M did not have their typical spicy scenes that they normally have. This one felt more fade to black. While spice isn't the only thing to focus on, I felt like the fade to black/partial intimate scenes took away from the more romantic side of the relationship. Maybe it was because of Lexi, maybe not. It just wasn't what I was expecting when I picked this book up.

Blake absolutely had my heart!! This man is OBSESSED with Lexi, and I was all there for it! I loved his patience and pursuit in the book!

I also loved how M&M gave us a hint and helped Scottie and Finn's storyline feel more resolved after what they did to her in the 1st book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Max Monroe, for the ARC! I'm still super excited to read Ace and Julia's book. Ace's freak out in this book was *chef's kiss!

2 stars ⭐️

One thing that I did like about this book was that the main character was neurodivergent, and, in a lot of romance books especially, there is little representation of diverse characters. However, I tried to read a Max Monroe book before and I wasn't a big fan, but I tried again and I still didn't like it. This honestly felt like the plot of a Wattpad story which isn't a bad thing, but it felt like the plot of the story could have used some more development.

Yallill this series is just so good! I love when the second book is just as amazing as the first, and that definitely is the case with Playing Games and The Learning Curve.
"If subjected to this level of swoon for a prolonged period of time, how long does it take to fall in love?"
Blake Boden is the star quarterback at Dickson
University and no stranger to girl fawning all over him.
When he meets Lexi Winslow, it's love at first sight when she is unaffected by his charm and social status.
He spends the better part of a year pining for her attention.
Lexi doesn't do emotions. She is driven by research and facts only. When Blake starts inserting himself in her life she creates a research experiment to see if she should give him a chance. She tells herself it is purely research as she spends more time with him.
I absolutely adored Lexi and her drive for research and no nonsense attitude. The banter between Lexi's facts only personality compared to Blake's complete opposite golden retriever vibes was so fun. This story highlights the struggles of neurodivergence, but also that love conquers all. There were times I laughed out loud, swoon worthy moments and many instances of heartfelt emotions - this book had it all!
Secret Dating
Neurodivergent FMC
Sports Romance
He Falls First
Opposites Attract
He Delivers Food

There is nothing better than a book that brings in the next generation from a previous series. I love revisiting old characters and seeing their children grown into adulthood.

Lexi (daughter/step-daughter of Winnie and Wes from Scoring the Billionaire and Dr Nick Raines from Dr OB) is a highly intelligent, neurodivergent 25 year old in the midst of completing her doctorate. She is being pursued by 22 year old QB Blake relentlessly. His charm and her bluntness are perfect combination for fantastic banter.

Playing Games will make you swoon, laugh and definitely cry a little. I look forward to the next book with Ace and Julia.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4 stars ⭐️ This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I highly recommended reading the first book too! I did not want to put this book down because the chemistry between Lexi and Blake is just that good!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Max Monroe for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars ⭐️

First of all, big thanks to Max & Monroe and NetGalley for sending me this incredible arc!

When they send me this book I actually hadn't read Learning Curve so OF COURSE I needed to read it first before beginning Playing Games.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! I loved so much the contrast of Lexi and Blake and OMG THEIR CHEMISTRY🤯🔥. At first Lexi really got me mad sometimes because HOW CAN YOU NOT THROW YOURSELF AT BLAKE BOLDEN ALL THE TIME?! But then I really started to understand her and the way her mind worked (she got me laughing out loud with her bluntness sometimes), i thought it was so real and relatable. With Blake I have no words, there's nothing I love more than a determined, charming, golden boy like him. I loved the way the story was unfolded and I thought it was really well balanced with the spicy scenes and the moments of vulnerability.

Can't wait for the story of Ace and Julia (I'M IMPACIENT!!)
Again big thanks to Max & Monroe and NetGalley for the arc!

I was so excited for the second book in this series! I really enjoyed the first one and loved all the characters. Could not wait for Lexi and Blake's story and it did not disappoint at all. I would recommend reading the first book in the series first for background but you don't have to; you'll just get more of the story. I am loving Max Monroe's work - great writing style, excellent stories and the humor keeps you laughing but also their book gives you all the feels.

Blake knew from the moment he saw Lexi that she was meant to be his. He's the big quarterback on campus and is used to having everyone fall at his feet but definitely not Lexi. Lexi is a bit older and is neurodivergent....so always the smartest one in the room. She definitely has some trouble with emotions as everything for her is more black and white. And in her mind, her and Blake make no sense and therefore should not even be a consideration. But Blake is nothing if not persistent and a fighter.

This is an amazing journey for these two as Blake opens up his heart and Lexi learns a lot about dealing with things she can't control. Overall an excellent read and would highly recommend. Plus you get to see Finn, Scottie, Ace and Julia again and it is all fun.

Playing Games is a classic college sports romance novel that I could not put down. Lexi Lou Winslow is right at the end of her college dissertation, and the last thing she needs is a distraction. Enter Dickson University’s quarterback Blake Boden. Blake has been in hot pursuit of Lexi since they first met, but Lexi doesn’t do love. Blake Boden sure does love a challenge; after all, what's the point in playing if you aren't playing to win?

This is my first book by Max Monroe, and it certainly won’t be the last! While it seemed like there were a lot of callbacks to previous books, it did not hinder the main plot. If anything, it made me want to go back and read previous books!

Onto Lexi and Blake’s story, I loved seeing a neurodiverse main character, and I appreciated Lexi's portrayal. Blake is such a top-tier book boyfriend! Not only is he so understanding, but he respects Lexi’s boundaries, even if it hurts him in the process. He puts her first and puts so much effort into the relationship. I just wish Lexi put forth a little more effort. Overall, I loved it and can’t wait to read Ace and Julia’s book!

A special thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for giving me an ARC copy of this book! I loved the first book in this series and the second one was even better! I loved how the story developed. It didn’t move at a slow pace but kept me on my toes and wanting more!

This was my first read by the authors and while it took a while to get into it, I was definitely invested and wanting to find out how things would end up between these two. It did standalone fairly well but I found the extended family and friend relationships a little hard to keep straight. I'm guessing these are all from previous books so would make more sense if you had read the previous series/books. Perhaps a list somewhere would help? I will definitely read Finn and Scottie's book as I have it already and will definitely think about adding the earlier series to my TBR.

The journey the characters went on was interesting and I liked the writing. It flowed well and was easy to read. It did feel quite like Lexi initially, a little clinical, so I think that's why it took me a while to get fully into the book, but I did find I was moved to tears at one point as well. Lexi was a hard heroine to connect to but I got there in the end, as did she. Blake was just such a cinnamon roll/golden retriever though! So patient and hooked on her from the start which I loved. I can't speak to the accuracy of the autism/neurodivergent rep as that isn't my life experience. But the representation is important and welcome so this was an enjoyable read overall.

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!!