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.

Blake Boden is the ultimate book boyfriend. From the very first moment he met Lexi, he knew he wanted her and never stopped pursuing her. Their relationship was so captivating, and I absolutely loved it. This is definitely one of the best Max Monroe books I've read!

Thank you Max Monroe and the publisher for this ARC!

Second book for this series. I think it could technically be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend that. They talk about things from the first book that would make more sense before reading this one.

Blake, star quarterback for the university fell hard and fast for the secret society president, Lexi. Lexi is neurodivergent and not good with expressing feelings.

Blake worked his butt off to make Lexi give him the time of day. Lexi is known as the emotionless poker face by many.

The book also goes into Scottie’s situation a bit more and loved how that went about.

Does she give in? You’ll have to read to find out!
I personally loved the book. The characters are a bit older compared to book 1 (18-19 yrs olds). Lexi is 25 and and Blake is 21.

I’m so excited to read more about Ace & Julia!

Blake fell fast and hard for Lexi, and she made him work for the relationship. There were times when I felt like she was being too cruel and I found it hard to believe that he would keep fighting, but boy was it worth it in the end. I also felt bad for Lexi because she truly wanted to be with Blake she just didn't know if she was capable. With the usual banter and hijinks Max Monroe brings to their stories, Blake and Lexi will provide a ride that will keep you on your toes.

Since meeting Blake I knew that he wouldn't go quietly away, but he showed how patient and kind he is. He understood that Lexi needed to take things slowly and be nudged into seeing that they could be good together. Even when he didn't want to go along with certain parts of the relationship, he did, because he knew it was what she needed. He could see that they had something special, unfortunately, she pushed him away time and again. There were a few times that my heart broke for him.

Lexi has never understood typical feelings, due to her being neurodivergent. She can't understand why Blake is all she can think about. Even though she feels things for him that she has never felt before and she feels safe with him, she has a hard time accepting that he might be what she needs. Pushing him away time and again is harder on her than it ever has been, but she also doesn't know how to take the leap into a relationship.

I loved this couple so much and I can't wait to see what happens with his friends. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

Happy Release Day!!

This is book 2 in the Dickson University series and follows Lexi Winslow, a neurodivergent genius finishing up her PhD and Blake Boden, the university’s star Quarterback. Lexi has always struggled with emotions and social cues but after a comment from her little brother, decides to start trying harder to make connections. Blake declared he was going to marry Lexi the day he laid eyes on her for the first time and has spent the better part of a year trying to convince her to go out with him. With just a summer left before she leaves Dickson, Lexi finally gives in to Blake’s pursuit for “research” and Blake is ready to show her just how good they can be together.

* Neurodivergent FMC
* Sports Romance (Football)
* Opposites
* He Falls First

I loved watching Blake constantly crash and burn trying to win Lexi over in Learning Curve, the banter between them in both books is fun but the patience he has with her in Playing Games was top tier and I loved seeing the way he’s able to slowly coax her into connecting more with her feelings.

This can be read as a standalone but if you plan on reading Learning Curve (book 1) I would highly suggest reading it first as this contains a lot of spoilers. I’m also really looking forward to Ace and Julia’s book!

Thank you NetGalley and Max Monroe LLC for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

🧬 playing games 🧬

Max Monroe did it again. They delivered a wonderfully well executed friends with benefits to lovers book. I mean, I’m obsessed ⭐️💖.

I love reading girls in science ( I should read more about this). Love clever girls who know what they want and it was quite funny how Lexi approached Blake - she did it for the science 😂. Lexi is a genius like literally she IS, she’s on the spectrum and I really like how beautifully written her character was. She’s always struggled with emotions and she slowly starts to learn how to express herself.

After reading Learning Curve, I was curious about Blake… he didn’t disappoint me. He’s a very interesting guy and so book boyfriend material. Like I’m smitten. His patience and transparency about his feelings was AMAZING.

I’m so glad I got this arc, Dickson University series books are something I really enjoy reading. Playing Games was so entertaining and enjoyable.

I’d like to thank Max Monroe and NetGalley for the early copy.

Thanks to Max Monroe LLC and NetGalley for the Arc!

Honestly really loves the characters! I was a bit worried when I saw this was a part 2 of the series, but I checked and saw this was a standalone book in the series that's also connected to another series (wild!) The main characters were super lovable and so quirky in their own unique way, I ended up sinking hours at a time reading the book! The chemistry between the two was also chef's kiss! I loved every bit of their interactions and the way they bounce off one another. I'll definitely be going and reading the previous book and the others that are connected to this series! I'm hooked and I need to read more now!