Nina has never been the one man, settling type. She has always had a roster of men of her choosing.
What will happen when the latest man on her roster starts becoming the only one for her?

I really enjoyed Curvy Girl Summer last year and I was excited to read Danielle Allen’s next book.

Nina, the female MC is a strong, independent women, which I love seeing. I also loved the plus size representation.

The book gives a glimpse into social media and fashion for a plus size model which is also great to see.

I loved the development of Nina and Russ’s relationship. It is playful, passionate and a touch messy. It is also steamy!

This book was a great time and I definitely recommend!

This book brought all the vibes — sexy, sweet, and full of Black love magic! I had so much fun with this story. It’s always a win when curvy queens get the spotlight, and Danielle Allen delivered that with confidence and heat. The chemistry? Fire. The banter? Flirty and fun. I loved how easy it was to fall into the story — like slipping into your favorite playlist. Love really does come in all shapes and sizes, and this book proves it with charm, sass, and a whole lot of heart. A must-read for rom-com lovers who love their stories bold, beautiful, and unapologetically sexy! The narrator understood the assignment!

This was even better than the first book.
The banter was everything! If there is one thing you know Danielle Allen will give, it's the laughter and the spice. This is one that will for sure live in my head for months and I may actually listen to it again. Miss Wesleigh Siobhan did her thing again! If she is the narrator, it's an automatic listen. The way she brought these character to life was just amazing. Danielle Allen really makes these relatable characters and Wesleigh will bring them to light.

Highly recommend.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with the audiobook for Plus Size Player.

Russell, Russell, Russell!!! Whew, Chile, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man. Danielle Allen knows how to write a beautiful black man oh so well. And Russell Long was no exception to that rule. The way there were never any questions or games on how this man felt about Nina was something out of fairy tales. From the beginning, Russell applied pressure and never let up.

And Nina! She is my best friend in my head now. Sharp as a tack, witty, beautiful, and a lethal tongue to match. Nina is everything and more. She makes being confident look like a walk in the park that every woman should be able to do because it’s so effortless for Nina, no matter the time or place; she handles herself with grace and sass.

The book is perfection. The plot is perfection. The spice is spicy perfection. And the characters are so diverse yet so relatable. I loved every minute of it. I actually fear I won’t be able to wait for book 3 next year.

Ok the audio is very well done, I like the way the narrator does the voices and how easy is to know who is who. The story is nice, I love the switched of the heroine being the player instead of the man. Definitely refreshing. I like how is about woman being unapologetic about being self confident and sure of themself . Definitely enjoyed as much as the first book . Cant wait to get more from this author

Big thank you to Netgalley and Danielle Allen for the ARC.

Lemme just say, I love a “independent woman with a roster” theme. I’m sure many women deal with the same pitfalls as our MC Nina. She’s a confident, smart, funny plus sized model and influencer who masterfully reads fatphobic people everywhere she goes (and I mean everywhere). Her parent’s are the idyllic perfect union, which Nina aspires to have. She doesn’t believe she can find everything she needs in one man.

That’s until the “ fun guy” comes along and changes EVERYTHING.

This was really enjoyable read. I recommend the audiobook…Queen Wesleigh Siobhan does it again! I love the author’s writing style. Casual and conversational. I look forward to the 3 book of this series…the ending leaves room for it!

What I Liked:
Russ didn’t play with it came to Nina and I LOVED it!! 🙌🏾
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Nina didn’t let anything come between her and her bag. She was also quick with a comeback and and I lost it at “one credit hour of life left” 😭😩
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It was nice seeing Aaliyah from Curvy Girl Summer and I’m looking forward to Jazmyn’s book next!
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“ Russell Long was the manifestation of the love I always knew existed, but thought would be impossible to find. I'd been fostering men until they found their forever home. It never occurred to me that they were also fostering me until I found mine.”

Wesleigh Siobhan did a great job with the narration and def knows how to bring a story to life.

Y


Plus Size Player
Danielle Allen

ALC

Narrator: Wesleigh Siobhan

In the continuation of the Curve Series, Nina gets her moment to shine. She’s a self-proclaimed multi-dater. She’s a woman who craves options. She’s not only a woman that lives by her own terms; she’s thriving. Nina has observed that it is hard to find a partner that can provide all the qualities she needs to feel comfortable in a relationship. As she spends more time with Russell, she finds herself in quite a conundrum. The feelings she thought she could hide are now reserved for one man.

Russell Long made his intentions apparent, but life always seems to get in the way. This bond that they’ve created it’s something they both deserve. And, it’s something they’ll have to fight for.

Wesleigh Siobhan is the GOAT. If she’s involved, I don’t have to concern myself with previewing the audio. I know it’s going to be premium.

No, I won’t lie. Nina and Russell were riding my last nerve when it came to pussyfooting, around and keeping the relationship a secret. As if being together wasn’t an option. I know, I know, I know, it looks crazy for them both to be caught in a situation like this. I did get a little worried they would lose what they’ve worked so hard to build, both professionally and personally.

Throughout the entire ordeal Nina was a vibe, authentically herself. She is intentional about her business. All while graciously offering a level of comic timing for a FMC that’s not lost on me.

The final portion in the novel struck me really hard. Everyone is trying to find their forever home, whether intentionally or unintentionally. In this case romantically, both main characters needed to find a place of understanding in someone else. Someone who could understand their plight and ambition.

Thank you @ Macmillan Audio and NetGalley.
#readandtellwithshantel #danielleallen #wesleighsiobhan

Okay, let’s get this out of the way: this was my first Danielle Allen book—and now? I’m obsessed. OBSESSED. I’m about to spend the next few weeks deep-diving into her entire catalog like I just discovered a new favorite playlist. I can’t believe it took me this long, but I’m fully on board now. Consider me a fan for life.

The Plus Size Player Audiobook Experience
I listened to Plus Size Player on audiobook and let me tell you—it was an absolute vibe. The narration brought Nina Ford to life in the best way. Her voice, her confidence, her dry wit and wild charm had me hooked from the first chapter. There were moments that made me laugh out loud, moments that made me rewind and blush, and moments where I just sat there grinning like a fool.
It’s one of those audiobooks that doesn’t just tell the story—it lives it.


Meet Nina Ford: My New Fictional Bestie
Nina is that girl. She’s smart, sexy, ambitious, and fully in control of her life. She juggles multiple jobs, multiple hobbies, and yes—multiple men. And the way Danielle Allen writes her? With respect, humor, and so much love. Nina is confident and curvy, and she makes no apologies for who she is or how she loves.

It’s so refreshing to read a plus-size Black woman who isn’t written like a side character in her own life. She’s not waiting around for someone to notice her worth—she already knows it.

And then there’s Russell Long—her “Fun Guy” turned maybe more. The slow build of their connection had me kicking my feet and grinning ear to ear. Their chemistry is undeniable, and when things heat up? Whew. Buckle up.


Representation That Hits Home
As a Black plus-size woman myself, this book hit so many emotional notes. Nina is seen, desired, pursued—and not just for sex (though yes, it’s spicy and YES, we love that too). She’s loved for who she is, just as she is. There’s no magical transformation arc, no “glow up” that makes her suddenly worthy. She’s been worthy.

Reading (well, listening to) this book felt like affirmation. Like being celebrated instead of edited. And that’s powerful.


Final Thoughts on Plus Size Player
Plus Size Player is everything I love in a romance: steamy, smart, hilarious, and full of heart. Danielle Allen gave us a heroine we can root for, relate to, and recognize. And as someone who just discovered her work? I’m playing catch up now—but happily.
I already can’t wait to see what she releases next.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

Listen if you love:
Black plus-size heroines who own the spotlight
Steamy rom-coms with depth and heart
“Friends with benefits... but feelings” storylines
Audiobooks that feel like a vibe

Now excuse me while I binge-read everything else Danielle Allen has written and aggressively refresh her socials for her next drop.

I liked the audio prodictuon but this was just an okay read for me. I had a hard time believing in the connection between Nina and Russ and the pacing reall dragged and the writing was repetitive. there was a lot of telling and not enough showing for me. additionally, the fattobia was a bit much. overall, I am a fan of Ms Allens work but this book misses the mark for me

Okay, so I think this is the spicy that folks were looking for in Curvy Girl Summer cause boy it was spicyyy! Danielle Allen does it again with a fun, empowering, and sexy romance. Nina is a confident plus size girlie that is enjoying herself and has no plans of settling down, but why would she with the Fun One, The Smart One, The Funny One, and the Romantic One. Nina is on a journey of focusing on herself and building her career, but The Fun One is giving her a run for her money. The chemistry is undeniable and it has her questioning, roster or no roster?

As much as I love to see a plus size girlie being confident in her love life and her career, the storyline around Nina and Russ in the workplace felt dragged out for me and honestly didn’t have to be as long. I felt that it was a lot of back and back forth and towards the end I was like are you going to be together or not. With that being said, I did love the romance between Nina and Russ I just think the storyline was a little slow for me. Russ was not playing about Nina. He was BAE, a protector, romantic, caring and showing up for Nina like a girlie fantasizes about.

I also appreciated how Danielle allowed us to see the closeness and love between Nina and Nina’s family in this one (compared to Curvy Girl Summer), giving us a view of the other side of family dynamics. And I love how relatable Nina’s friends were. My kind of women. The workplace character also also added some fun elements to the story. The banter in this book had me dying!

Baaabaaayyy! Wesleigh Siobhan did it again! The way she can have you feeling each character and not feel like she is trying too hard between the male and female characters is flawless. She definitely brought these characters to life and had me invested in their journey. This is was fun to read but the audiobook brings the book to life.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, Danielle Allen and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy! All opinions are my own.

I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to receive an ALC of Plus Size Player.

Danielle Allen truly did justice to Nina’s story, and provides her readers with an incredible journey filled with passion, excitement and love. In addition to Wesleigh Siobhan bringing the story to life—this book was so beautifully crafted.

Nina, is a plus size social media model who’s living her fullest potential. Beautiful friend group, balancing a Rolodex of fine men willing and able. She is at her best, and her journey just continues to grow when she gets an opportunity of a lifetime alongside a chance to be in an exclusive relationship with a man of her dreams. Seems like the best of both worlds? Life has a way at giggling at our plans.

The story plays as a classic coming of age for grown folks—think Survival of the Thickest. Nina’s character was one of inspiring strength, uniqueness, humor and beauty that you can’t help but admire. Even with her roster, she was straightforward and took no prisoners; but when love took her down and life made things complicated? Lessons like no other showed how our plans are never in our hands.

The pacing felt good, loved the character range and multilayered design, the spice was DELICIOUS, and overall just a banger read. I’d definitely recommend!

This book was so much fun! A perfect summer romance read! A warning that this book is much spicier than the first in this series; however, this is in line with Nina and who she is as a character. Also this MMC has the most delicious dirty talk! I can’t say enough good things about the narrator! Wesleigh Siobhan did an amazing job bringing these characters to life! You don’t want to miss this one!

Im not sure Danielle Allen can write anything other than an highly engaging and loved book. Nina the FMC a fierce, plus size black woman who is not willing to hide who she is to uplift societies standards. Time after time she has to remind people that she is more than a plus size model. She is beautiful and witty. Not only was this story a top read for me this is another Wesleigh Siobhan narroration master piece. You get a great sense of the characters and the sexy story line that unfolds. Highly recommend listening to this story on audio to really bring the story to life.

Before we get into the story, let’s give a standing ovation to Wesleigh Siobhan, the GOAT of audiobook narration. She embodied every voice and brought Nina’s world to life in the best way possible.

Now, on to the book: Nina Ford is living her best, multi-faceted, multi-man life—and honestly? I’m obsessed. Danielle Allen gifts us a confident, beautiful, plus-size lead who’s sexy, sexual, and fully in her power. I love that Nina isn’t settling for crumbs when she can have the whole bakery. And honestly? I was eating it up. And Russ? Whew. Their chemistry was HAWT HAWT HAWT. 🔥🔥🔥 Danielle can write spice (and banter), and this one brought the heat.

My only negative is that the fat-shaming moments (while they serve a purpose) did feel like one too many, but they didn’t dim Nina’s shine. If anything, they highlighted how unbothered and self-assured she is. Danielle Allen writes with such care and fire, it’s clear Nina is never the problem—everyone else can’t keep up.

If you're craving a romance with substance, steam, and a heroine who knows her worth (and knows how to work a roster), Plus Size Player delivers. Plus Size Player is fun, sexy, empowering, and binge-worthy. Nina is the player, the prize, and the playbook.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for this ALC. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

PS - This is book 2 in the Curve series. I recommend reading book 1, Curvy Girl Summer, as the timelines are concurrent.

After reading and loving Curvy Girl Summer I was excited to get to read this one. It did not disappoint! Danielle Allen will be an auto-buy author for me now. The narrator did an amazing job as well. 5 stars!

This book by Danielle Allen is an absolute gem! It deeply moved me, particularly as a plus-size woman seeing myself reflected so positively. The author doesn't shy away from the societal critiques faced by curvy women, but brilliantly showcases a confident, resilient FMC in Nina, who embodies strength and self-love. Her unwavering self-assurance is truly aspirational. What's more, the portrayal of her partner's unconditional love and fierce loyalty is simply beautiful. If you're looking for a story with empowering representation and genuine romance, I cannot recommend this book enough! Wesleigh did a wonderful job narrating as well. She really brought the characters to life.

really quick, spicy, fun time! i love how the fmc knew her worth and would not stand for anything less, it genuinely made me think a lot. unfortunately i just didn’t love how lusty this was. i wish we saw them meet and go on their first date instead of jumping into their relationship a few months in

I really enjoyed this! I love that it celebrates body positivity and self-love. This story follows Nina, a confident plus-size influencer who is unapologetically herself. Nina doesn't like to put all of her eggs in one basket so she dates around. She dates the funny guy, the fun guy and the romantic guy. But then she starts to discover that the fun guy, Russell, can check all of her boxes. Nina's story is both relatable and inspiring. The spice meter was off the charts as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for the advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This book was so charming and hilarious! Danielle Allen knows how to make her FMCS feel like your best girl friend while reading and Plus Size Player was no different... Definitely a feel good read for the Summer.