I enjoyed the body positivity shown in this book. The book felt a bit long, it dragged on at parts. There was a lot of spice but I didn't find myself invested in Nina's story. I think I liked Curvy Girl Summer better than this one. I'm not sure I will continue with this series.

Danielle Allen is back with another steamy summer romance featuring a total baddie and her trials and tribulations in love. As with the previous novel in this series, CURVY GIRL SUMMER, I loved Nina's take-no-shit attitude and her fulfilling relationship with her friends. I generally enjoyed the romance, but not quite as much as CGS. Speaking of, the thing that really threw me was the timeline — I didn't understand where in time this occurred in relation to the last novel, and it was distracting. But the audiobook was great, and I'd still recommend this as a beach or plane read!

If I had one person who understood me the way Ms. Danielle Allen did….MY GAWD! I loved Nina. She is bold. She is vibrant. She is thoroughly enjoying all that life has to offer…and the men that come with it.

I think what I appreciate most is that the romance takes a secondary role in this book. Nina has sooo much going on and so much she is trying to accomplish on her own AND still makes time for her love life to blossom on its own. Romance is a bonus to the fulfillment in her life, not the center of it. But baby, don’t think the spice ain’t spicing!!! Russ turns Nina every which way but loose and I loved every minute of it.

@wesleigh_siobhan does an EXCELLENT job narrating this book. I mean extraordinary!

I enjoyed listening to this audio book. I enjoyed the representation and how well the audio book was done.

I was so excited to get this review copy after devouring the first book by this author. I enjoy the plus size representation! I hope we continue to see more from her.

Thank you SO much to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ALC!

This book is out now!

Last summer I had the opportunity to be a part of a book tour and snag a copy of the first book in this series Curvy Girl Summer and I LOVED it! So I was super excited when Macmillan was kind enough to send me the ALC of this one. And WHEWWWWW! This book is SPICY!! As much as I had thoroughly enjoyed the first one, I think I enjoyed this one even more! And it wasn't even being of the spice (it was right at the point where it may have been a little much for me). I just really liked the plot point of this one and Nina was just such a fun character.

Nina is smart, confident, sassy and knows for the most part what she wants. I often mention in my reviews that I like when we see certain characteristics in characters and in this case the author didn't just tell us how Nina likes to date but she showed us. Russ was one of the first men we meet in the book but we also got to see her on dates with other men. She had a roster of 4 men that she would rotate between. I normally am not a fan of a woman with multiple men but she is very clear on her standards and doesn't make promises or commitments to these men. So I left her slide. But you could tell very early on that Russ was the one she had the most connection and seemed to just click with the most. They just seemed to have a lot of fun together. He also was just so sweet to Nina and thought of the world of her.

I had a feeling that somehow their worlds would collide that would cause a conflict but just didn't know how. I thought the author did a good job describing life as a creator and a life of a plus size woman. There were moments of fatphobia which of course I didn't love (because it just makes my heart hurt). I was happy that the comments never came from her dates. Bigger body women are desirable and I love that Nina knew she was.

This book was narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan who also narrated the first book and will also be taking on book 3. Just like with the first one, I really thought she did a good job!! She was able to transform her voice between the male characters and also the different side characters. I highly recommend

This was almost a perfect book but even though I enjoyed it, I felt like it was just a touch too long. Whenever I had thought I was getting close to the end, I wasn't.

I just saw that we are getting a 3rd book tentatively scheduled for April 2026 following the 3rd friend in the group - Jazmyn. Which if my memory serves we did get a glimpse of her and her relationship in this.

Even though this is a 2nd in a series, I don't think you necessarily need to read the first one to understand this. Aaliyah was a side character in this and if my memory served this book takes place during the same time period of the first one. So I'll also be curious to see if the third one does as well. I highly recommend if you are looking for sexy romance this summer!

PS - Just have to mention how gorgeous this cover is!!! I love the art direction that Allen did for this series! All 3 are beautiful covers.

PSS - Not book related but I did not realize Danielle is an EAGLES fan which is bonus points in my book!!

4.75

Nina is that girl ok!! She all that energy and more. Absolutely loved the characters, seeing Nina the fashion industry, her friendships, and chemistryyyyyy between her & Russ (special s/o to that helicopter ride 👀) . And Wesleigh Siobhan narrated this perfectly!!!

this was my first Danielle Allen book & I lovedddd it ! this was such an empowering and spicy book ! Nina is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and is not afraid to go get it ! The spice was out of this world ! Once I started listening I couldn’t stop !

Danielle Allen can write a damn book! I loved Nina so much - an independent woman with her roster of men, get it!!

This book is super sexy and very empowering. I loved the narration of the audiobook, and I now need to go back and read Curvy Girl Summer.

I really enjoyed this audiobook ARC from NetGalley.

Nina is a fashion influencer on the cusp of a break into the big time. She’s dating four guys that each serve a different purpose for her- one is the fun one, one’s the smart one, the funny one, and the romantic one. But when she starts to have feelings for one of them, she has to figure out if it’s worth the risk.

Nina is definitely a character I would follow, and want to be friends with. I LOVED the way she handled her foes with sass and smarts.

The narrator did an amazing job narrating. I loved how the author navigated the tropes and kept it from being cliche (and for me getting frustrated with the characters 😆😆😆)

Hey Siri, play Roster by Jazmine Sullivan. 🤣 Wow! I loved this one more than the first. My girl had her roster down packed and refused to settle unless she found the guy perfect for her. Sis was happy until the "Fun One" started to apply pressure and shake up her world a little bit. Russ was a boss! My sis could mention something in passing and he made a mental note and delivered. Loved it!

I know I said for a long time that Curvy Girl Summer couldn’t be topped………. But I just hadn’t read Plus Size Player yet. Cuz BABY! This one is most definitely my favorite now lol But first let me give you some advice before you start this…. Get a pen and paper because Nina (and Danielle Allen) will give you a master class at being a player.

Ok so the best thing about this was the characters. I LOVED Nina. She was a mess lmao I loved the way she was so business savvy. I also loved the way Allen made content creating look in this book. I know some people think it’s a bunch of pictures all the time or being “stuck to that phone” and I just don’t think they really know what all it entails. This showed the long hours, having to know and figure out contracts which work for you, keeping up with a calendar, and so many other things. It’s a lot and those that do it don’t deserve to be talked down to. I also loved that Nina was a plus sized goddess that didn’t take shit from anyone. Co-workers, photographers, and even waitresses. She let everyone equally have it and I loved that. She was a no nonsense person and she stayed that way the whole book.

The love interests were pretty cute. I’m not going to say much, for fear of spoilers, but they really were all cute. They all brought something she was looking for. And together they would have made the PERFECT man. But I think she forgot that she already had all of that in one person already. And let me just tell you, I was mad af at her for dating all of them. I kept shaking my head and telling her, girl I’m bout to wife him if you don’t lol She was trippin lol

The romance was hot! I had to put my head in the freezer for a minute. But they also had me like scratching my head. Like the what in the world was that opening scene? Ain’t no way they didn’t get caught lol But there is spice in this and I mean for real spice lol The party? Yeahhhh lol

This book was so much fun. I can’t imagine how feral I’m going to be for the next one. That one is a sports romance and the color cover is greenish so we know that’s a nod to the Eagles and y’all know me, I LIVEEEEEEEEEEE LOL So basically, this series is quickly becoming a fave and I can’t wait!

I need me a Big Daddy Russ!! Nina was used to putting all of her eyes in one basket and then she meets Big Daddy Russ, the fun one. The one that cause her to place aside her thoughts of being in a relationship and taking a chance on something new. But what happens when something new gets in the way of best laid plans.

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.