Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC of Plus Size Player

Plus Size Player was one of my most anticipated reads for the year after hearing about it and boy did it give everything it needed to give!! Now, I hadn’t read the first book in the series, nor had I read a Danielle Allen book before this one, but man am I glad that I had the opportunity for this to be my first because it truly set the standard!

Nina was such an unapologetically body positive individual, and I love how that was portrayed throughout the book as well as how drive she was in her profession. She never let the haters get to her and stood all ten toes on her beliefs.

This book was also very spicy. The scene was well-written and honestly felt real. Nina and Russ were such a lot match in my opinion

My only real complaints about the book are the unsolicited body shaming that happens multiple times in the book. I totally get that this does happen to individuals but the number of times it happens to Nina, especially from random strangers, was just triggering for me.

One of the main highlights of this story for me was the audiobook narrator. Wesleigh Siobhan did an absolutely stellar job bringing this story to life and made this book so much more enjoyable.

Humorous and witty! Danielle Allen has done it again. Plus Size Player “plays” on none of the tropes usually associated with a plus size heroine. She isn’t sad about her size nor are her friends and family down on her about accepting any/all suitors because of it. Instead she’s a model who dates multiple people (to fit her needs for fun, intellect,  humor and, ambition) and is clear about what she will and won’t accept. 

Russell’s “the fun one” but wants to punch more holes on her dance card than she might be ready for. Russell is definitely #mymanmymanmyman worthy. 

I loved this second book in Curve series and the narrator Wesleigh Siobhan didn’t miss! I look forward to book #3.

Thanks to NetGalley for this e-arc (audiobook). Book drops June 10 2025.

This was a follow up to Cury Girl Summer. Now I didn’t read book 1 (went back to read once I finished) but this story was so well written you didn’t need to, to understand what was happening.
Great examples of healthy dating, healthy friendships, great work life balance Nina was winning. She had her future ahead of her and love wasn’t on her agenda until it was. The dynamics between her and one of her causal relationships took a turn down that relationship road. She took the leap she was avoiding with the “fun one” until life gave them a hand they couldn’t hide from. This book was such a good read.

Loved, loved, loved Nina & Russ! It felt like I was a true witness in watching their love story unfold! I loved watching Nina develop and I love the way Russ showed up !

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgally for the ALC of Plus Size Player.

This book was so spicy and funny and I loved it. Russ loved him some Nina in all the right ways. The plus size representation was also refreshing and realistic because people do act some type of way when bigger bodies enter the chat!

Oh and the narrator Wesleigh Siobhan, rent was due because she is the only one that could have brought this story to life.

This is my 2nd Danielle Allen book since I read Curvy Girl Summer first and I can't wait to read more.

4.5 🌟's

I would die for Nina.

I love this series and just had the best time reading this! This was SPICY, and even though semi in-public spice is not typically my thing, it all worked here!

Nina and Russ were such a joy to read about. I love how fearless she is and how she doesn't let anyone bring her down. There are so many books about plus size characters that make them seem sad, and the fact that Nina has so much self love and has men falling over themselves for her is exactly the type of plus sized representation I want all books to have. She and Russ had such great chemistry, and I was rooting for them the entire time.

My biggest gripe is just on a personal level. I work with a lot of apparel brands, and I have never seen any brand function the way RLF does! Of course this is fiction and it doesn't actually matter, but it was hard not to be distracted by how ridiculous this company was.

I do think I still like Curvy Girl Summer a bit better, but this was a great follow up. I am patiently waiting for book 3 now!

This book right here!!! The audiobook had me laughing, grinning, and blushing. The way the story unfolded captured my attention fully. The banter between Nina, Russ and the other characters was beautiful crafted.

Nina’s confidence and determination to continue living her life her way made her relatable and just a joy. Russ will make you swoon!

The narrator captured the essence of Nina and was able to bring the story to life. Danielle Allen truly knows how to craft a hot, funny, and entertaining story!

Thank you so much Net Galley, Danielle Allen, and McMillan Audio for an ALC of this phenomenal story!

I really enjoyed Curvy Girl Summer by this author so I was excited to read the second book in the Curve series. I wish I had Nina’s confidence. She knows who she is and what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. The chemistry between Nina and Russ is electric. This book is definitely spicy in the best way. It was nice to see Nina living a full life as a plus size woman, from her dating life to her work as a plus size model, and it was written in a way that shows there is nothing to “fix” and that she is living her best life just as she is. This book takes place along the same timeline as Curvy Girl Summer, and while you don’t need to read that one first, it was fun to know what was happening in that story too to make more of a complete picture of this friend group. I’m excited for book 3! The audiobook was great! Definitely recommend!

Plus Size Player is a charming, feel-good romance that delivers on heart, character, and chemistry. Danielle Allen creates a relatable and empowering heroine with real confidence and vulnerability, and the love story unfolds in a way that feels authentic and sweet.
While I found the pacing a little slow at times, especially in the first half, the engaging characters and emotionally satisfying plot kept me invested throughout. The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life.
Overall, this is a solid, body-positive romance that’s perfect for fans of slow-burn attraction and character-driven storytelling. I’m glad I picked this up!

Nina is a plus size fashion influencer who has a roster of men. She had names for each one calling them the smart one, the funny one, the romantic one and the fun one. The men are all aware that she's not looking for anything serious. Whenever one pushed for more she sent them packing and moved on. It was clear right away that she had feelings for one of them even though she was in denial about it. She got the opportunity to model for a clothing brand and the story takes off from there.

This story had me engaged from the very beginning. I knew they would have to come clean because you can not hide something like that for long. It will eventually blow up in your face. I didn't see that final action coming but it just proved that no games were being played with her. This was a new to me author. I can't wait to go back and read Curvy Girl Summer.

I received this ARC audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

"Plus Size Player" by Danielle Allen was absolutely top-tier! This book radiated confidence, body positivity, and just the right touch of spice. It beautifully highlighted that when you're the right person, there's always someone willing to put in the effort. Nina was a standout lead—she knew her worth and wasn’t willing to settle just because she was plus size. She had dated multiple men until she came across the man who had all the things she was looking for. Raised in a supportive, affirming household, Nina lived her life boldly and unapologetically. This was a charming, feel-good romance, and I’m excited to read more from Danielle Allen. Everything from the cover to the characters to the audiobook narrator was simply fantastic!

This audiobook was so friggin good! Nina, the FMC is absolutely a boss. She is sexy, empowering, professional, funny, sweet, and very headstrong. She has never been in a relationship besides high school and she plans to keep it that way by having a roster of gentlemen to meet her variety of needs. But there’s one guy that might have her risking it all for the love she deserves.

Russ has just made it to my book boyfriend roster. He is so suave and sexy and funny (it should be noted that his nickname is “the fun one”) while also exuding this tall, dark, and handsome BDE with everything he says and does. He measures up to Nina so well.

I’m not one that minds a single POV but considering Russ in my new man, I kind of wish we got more from his side. As the story progressed and in talks with Nina, we got some peeks but I wanted to see more of his world.

The romance and passion between the characters was so magnetic, I was literally panting! Lots of spice in this one and it *hit*. Wesleigh Siobhan had me all types of bothered lol. Beyond that though, the way the main characters equally chose themselves while also choosing each other was so admirable. Very low conflict with other characters in this one which I like in a romance book because…don’t stress me out lol. We also got a little peek into what I assume the love story will be for book 3 and I just know that’s gonna be 🥵 sign me up!

I received this ARC audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

I rate this book a 3.5 out of 5. Plus Size Player is about Nina who keeps a “roster” of men because she’s sure no one guy can meet all her needs—until Rus comes along, and their chemistry makes her rethink her rules. This is the second entry in Danielle Allen’s series where she brings back Aaliyah and Jasmine from Curvy Girl Summer, which I loved.

The spark between Nina and Rus is electric: their banter is hilarious, and their slow-burn romance had me rooting for them every step of the way. My biggest issue was Nina’s stubborn denial—she chalks every flutter in her stomach up to something other than love! I wished she’d been more honest with her friends sooner so they could’ve grounded her. I also found the fat-phobia over the top—it’s easy to believe trolls online, but in 2025, it feels unrealistic that people would insult you that frequently face-to-face.

All in all, Plus Size Player is a fun, body-positive read. I’m looking forward to reading Jasmine’s story next. If you enjoyed Curvy Girl Summer, this one’s definitely for you (just brace yourself for the fat-phobia.

Thank you to Bramble Books and NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Y’all… I absolutely loved Curvy Girl Summer, so when I found out Nina was getting her own story in Plus Size Player, I didn’t even hesitate. I jumped right in, thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. Let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. I devoured every single bit of it.

Nina is that girl, a confident, stylish, plus-size fashion influencer who is living her best life and not about to settle just because people think she “should.” She’s out here dating on her terms with a full roster: the smart one, the funny one, the romantic one, and the fun one. But babyyy, when she went on that date with the fun one? I was like, oh yeah. He’s the one. The way he adored her, listened to her, and gave her his full attention? I was grinning the entire time. And the chemistry, undeniable.

As their relationship developed, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop (because there’s always a twist), and sure enough, when Nina got the opportunity of a lifetime with a fashion brand, I knew it was coming. But even in the middle of all that? Nina never lost who she was. She stayed smart, strong, quick-witted, and full of heart. I loved her before, but I adored her by the end.

And let’s talk about that ending… I was straight-up squealing while listening. It was sweet, sexy, and everything I wanted for our girl. She got her man, her moment, and she stayed the “it girl” the whole way through.

What really made this book special for me was how body positivity was woven so naturally into Nina’s character. As a plus-size woman myself, it meant the world to see a main character who is confident, successful, and fully loved without shrinking herself, literally or figuratively. I was smiling from ear to ear, proud like a big sister the whole time.

If you loved Curvy Girl Summer, you’re going to fall in love with Plus Size Player. It’s sexy, empowering, and full of joy. Definitely a 5-star read for me!

Wesleigh never misses and she and Danielle are such a winning combination. This one had me locked in from the very beginning. Nina was instantly likable and Russ brought the BDE that I love in an MMC. They felt good to me. I was not expecting to be stressed out but I was and I liked it. I just do t have enough good things to say about this book. As a confident plus size woman, I felt seen and it’s just a reminder of how important representation really is!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

Danielle Allen truly can’t miss!!! Plus Size Player was hilariousssss, steamy, and an overall fun read! Listening to the audiobook made the reading experience 100% better. I also feel like I haven’t read a book yet where the FMC was having it her way and legit had a full roster. Of course Nina had a fave, and he was just as fun as Nina described lol.

I loveddddd Nina’s character in this story. Sis was really goals- boss energy, successful influencer career/model, confident, comebacks ready, and stood 10 toes behind her decisions. I also liked how she didn’t didn’t comprise her goals for love (though I would’ve been tempted 🤭😭), and I really loveddddd Russell for her. The banter, the tension, the steam… I mean I was lowkey clutching my pearls listening to the book in public 😂😂😂 but I loved every second of it. Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun, spicy (as hell) forced proximity love story, this is for you!!

I received the advanced listener copy and the advanced reader the copy for this title. As a consequence, I will focus this review on the narrator and how she presented the story rather than the story beats itself. For that, please see my other review. Wesleigh Siobhan is the solo narrator who seamlessly purrs, coos, and growls her way through this spicy book. She has an equally sexy male and female voice and gives space to each character-minor or major as they maneuver through the highs and lows of our heroine, Nina as she navigates the world that tries to tell her how to feel about herself and the man who steps up to be match her-with his own issues. The audio is engaging-one would not err in selecting this mode; but beware- earphones are recommended.

Im not a fan but told by many that this book is good. I am going to try to take another chance with next book plus size player. I'm a plus size girl so I definitely want to relate.

HOLY SHIT THIS BOOK WAS SO HOTTTTT

Nina is a plus model who just nailed her first major contract in the industry. She's confident and fully believes that she earned this step up in her career. Nina does her best to separate her personal and work life, juggling relationships with multiple men. That is until she meets Russell, and her carefully built worlds start to bleed together.

Nina was the perfect FMC in a story like this. It's not often that we get the player trope from the woman's perspective, and I loved that dynamic. She had an outstanding balance of sexy seduction, confident energy, and a take-no-names attitude. She was so inspiring!

Also, a massive shout-out to the audiobook narrator, Wesleigh Siobhan. She absolutely nailed this story and made me forget that I was only listening to a woman and not a duet narration.

Thank you so much Net Galley, Danielle Allen, and McMillan Audio for an ALC of this phenomenal story!

This book was everything I needed and more. The feelings, the emotions was all there. Black love and good vibes. I couldn’t ask for anything more. This author does not miss !!