Delicious, romantic, decadent! Plus Size Player kept me on my toes and in my feelings. Danielle Allen knows how to deliver a Capital R Romance that is swoony, sexy, and full of grown folks falling, fumbling, and loving out loud.

The chemistry between Nina and Russell is so immediately off the charts, one wonders why a gal keeps a roster? He was THE ONE off rip, baby! Russ was handsome and charming and fun.

Danielle's writing is so smooth you may as well call it velvet. So much banter, real talk, quotable line...I genuinely lost track of time with this book. There’s real vulnerability as well, with characters who don’t just talk about current issues but actually unpack it in the pages, mess and all.

Allen does plus size romance right. An authentic celebration of the full body, sexy AF and never once feeling like a side plot or afterthought. If you’re looking for a romance that feels like dessert but still sticks to your ribs, THIS THE ONE.

Lastly, Wesleigh did her *thing* on the audio. I don't know why I was trying to listen to this at work. PSA, make sure you are good and ALONE, with a drank and a pack of cigs, as my friend Erin said.

We don't even smoke. IT'S THAT GOOD.

Highly recommend if you want to smile, squirm, and wish for your own version of Russ. I might like him a little bit.

I love, love, LOVEEEEE this book!!! This is a feel good love story where the main male character does not play about his woman. He loves her out loud and does not allow anyone to disrespect her in any way. I love Nina's confidence and how she never allowed society's biases on plus sized women to impact or affect her.

Holy wow 🥵 This was probably the spiciest book I’ve read/listened to, but man what a sweet story. I absolutely loved the plus sized representation! Russell and Nina were such a fun couple! The narrator did a phenomenal job of bringing the story to life too.

Thank you to Danielle Allen, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook!

Audiobook and paperback.

Danielle Allen write your book ma’am! This book was so good to me, i jumped into the authors inbox to tell her so. I mean to be honest after chapter 2 i was ready to give it a 5 and call it a day. With Allen’s writing and Wesleigh narrating it was pure perfection. Wesleigh brought it as per usual. I love her male voices. She’s so amazing.

Nina was funny, sexy, confident and fierce. She was quick with it when people tried to be funny. She made dating seem fun because she set the tone. The family and friend group were absolutely top tier. One thing i appreciate Allen doing was making sure we as the readers got the perfect balance of Nina’s dating life and career. Giving us layers of Nina. Nina’s character is so inspiring.

Now big daddy Russ was talking his ish. That man catered to Nina. He was not afraid to take control, set up dates and speak life into our girl. Honey, the spice and connection these two had is out of this world. The way Allen was building the scenes no matter spice or career it felt like you were there.

No lie i cried a couple times. My emotions were all up in this book. These two are definitely in my top couples. Oh yeah, my jaw dropped a couple times. The story is worth the read. Truly.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

In this engaging narrative, Nina emerges as a vibrant, confident character who personifies independence and self-assurance. As a content creator and fashion curator, her charisma is undeniable, and her journey is a refreshing portrayal of a beautiful, plus-size Black woman navigating the complexities of modern relationships.

Nina’s story revolves around her dynamic roster of four primary men, each representing an essential quality she admires: Russ, the fun one; James, the funny one; Drew, the sweet one; and Terrell, the smart one. Together, they form a composite of the "perfect man," yet each holds a distinct place in her life, underscoring the idea that fulfillment can come from diverse experiences rather than a singular source.

The narrative shines with memorable moments, particularly Nina’s chemistry with Russ, whose intentions toward her add depth to their connection. Their amusement park date, highlighted by the heartfelt Ferris wheel scene, is especially poignant. The dialogue—"You’re my escape. Your escape. I can forget everything and just be me. When I say you’re my escape, you’re my freedom."—captures the essence of their bond, illustrating a space where authenticity reigns.

Wesleigh Sioban’s narration breathes life into this story, skillfully weaving emotion and nuance into every scene. Her voice captures Nina’s boldness and vulnerability with equal grace, making listeners feel deeply connected to the character’s journey. Sioban’s dynamic pacing and expressive tone amplify the story’s emotional beats, from the exhilarating highs of romantic escapades to the introspective moments of self-discovery. Through her narration, Nina's world becomes vivid and immersive, turning every word into an intimate experience for the listener.

Overall, Nina’s journey is a celebration of self-love, representation, and the joy found in life's varied connections. It’s a story that resonates with authenticity and charm, leaving readers inspired by Nina’s unapologetic embrace of who she is.

Smart, Sexy, and Full of Confidence

Plus Size Player was such a fun, refreshing listen! Danielle Allen delivers a bold, body-positive rom-com with a heroine who knows exactly what she wants—and refuses to settle for less. Nina Ford is vibrant, unapologetic, and fiercely independent, and following her dating escapades and professional pursuits was both entertaining and empowering.

The audiobook narration brought Nina’s voice to life perfectly. The pacing, tone, and emotional beats were all spot-on, making this feel like a late-night conversation with your most confident, hilarious friend. I especially appreciated how the story balanced steamy moments with introspection and character growth. The love interest was swoon-worthy, the chemistry was 🔥, and the dialogue felt sharp and natural throughout.

While some plot points wrapped up a little too neatly for me, the overall ride was enjoyable and left me rooting for Nina both in love and in her career. A great pick for fans of Julie Murphy, Talia Hibbert, or anyone looking for a romance that celebrates confidence, curves, and career ambition.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐️
Nina was that girl and Russ did not come to play! Nina was confident, knew what she wanted, and she was going to get it. She deemed Russ the “Fun Guy” and he was that plus more. The chemistry was there from the very beginning.

Not only did we get romance, but we got to see a confident, plus sized woman in the modeling industry not care about the opinions of others.

This is the first time I’ve loved both the FMC and MMC throughout the whole book in a while. I can’t wait for book 3!Also ,Wesleigh Siobhan was the perfect fit for this!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the ALC!

If you're looking for a romance that serves confident main character energy, career ambition, and a storyline that actually keeps you hooked? Go ahead and pre-save this one — Plus Size Player is bringing all of that and more.

We meet Nina mid-glow up — she’s thriving in her influencer bag, protecting her peace, and keeping a curated dating roster. And this isn’t just a casual rotation — she’s got a full lineup: The Fun One. The Funny One. The Romantic. The Smart One. And yes, she’s open to scouting new talent if someone on the bench isn’t pulling their weight.

But what she didn’t plan for? Catching real feelings for the one man she absolutely shouldn’t. Let’s just say, her “fun” fling starts acting and sounding like he wants to be more — and considering Nina’s already dubbed him the best she’s ever had? Yeah… things are getting complicated.

While it carries the same spark and boldness you might remember from Curvy Girl Summer, this story takes things a step further — with more twists, emotional depth, and the kind of tension that sneaks up on you. Nina’s journey is confident, sexy, layered, and refreshingly honest about what it means to want everything — in love, in work, and in life.

AUDIOBOOK...
Let’s start with this: Wesleigh Siobhan ate! She never disappoints...seriously. From the first few chapters, it’s clear she knows what she doing — tone, pacing, character shifts, all of it. Her performance pulled me in and kept the energy flowing, whether Nina was in a flirty back-and-forth or having a vulnerable moment with someone close to her.

A few standout wins:
- Pacing. I listened at my usual 1.3x speed, and it was flawless. No weird drag, no rushed emotion — just smooth and engaging from start to finish.
- Voice work. Her male characters actually sounded distinct without veering into cringe or cartoon territory (which is rare, especially in solo narrations). And her delivery of Nina? Loved it! She gives confident, self-aware, sassy, and overall full of personality.
- Production quality. Clean. No audio glitches, jarring background noise, or weird pauses. Just a seamless, professional listen that made me forget I wasn’t watching this play out on screen.

If you’re already an audiobook lover, this one’s a strong pick. And if you're usually team eBook or physical copy but want to dip into audio? This is a great intro — Wesleigh brings the vibes all the way through!

* Disclaimer I did receive an audio arc and my review is my complete honest opinion!! Thank you Macmillan audio*

5 ⭐️ honestly this book deserves so much more!! Reading about a plus size black woman being loved properly does something to my heart 😩🩷 I never read anything before by this author and I’m definitely gonna check out more of her work because I loved the storyline, how it shows what plus size creators go through, and what it looks like to be poured into. I love everything about Nina and Russ… also the spice is spicy this is one book you don’t wanna listen to out loud if you listen to the audio book

This was a great follow up to Curvy Girl Summer! Both books occur at the same time but in this book we get to hear Nina's story. This book is a fun, summer read. It is SPICY so make sure you're ready for that when you start this one! I listened to the audio book and loved the narration by Wesleigh Siobhan and I loved it!

Nina is an influencer and model who does all the dating - like ALL the dating. She juggles multiple men to meet all the different kinds of dates she wants- fun, smart, funny, romantic. She is open and honest with all her dates that she isn't looking for anything exclusive and that works for her. But suddenly, Nina finds herself caring for one above the rest. What happens when her professional and private worlds collide?

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for providing me an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Out June 10th!

First of all this cover!! 😍😍 I mean, how freakin gorgeous!

Second of all, whew was this a hot one. 🔥

Nina isn’t looking to settle down, which is why she has a rotation of men she goes on dates with, like the funny one, the romantic one, and the intelligent one. But, maybe, one of these men kind of stands out above the others?…maybe??

Ok, so at first I was wondering how this was gonna go because she was going on lots of dates, which one is gonna be the love interest here? But it does became pretty clear early on that there was a definite front runner, and even though the love interest becomes clear so early on, things definitely took off, plot wise, once she finally sees their connection for herself.

I really loved Nina! She is so confident and I love how she handles herself in her life, business, and with unsolicited rude comments. She is really going places professionally, and you can’t help but root for her!

And the MMC is so cute, with his thoughtfulness with their dates, and how he shows her how he cares. 🥰

But also, these two! 🥵

Audiobook notes: Wesleigh Siobhan is always so good! Her delivery, whether comedic or 🔥 is always so good.

What this book is giving:
✅ Contemporary Romance
✅ Single POV
✅ She’s a player
✅ Workplace
✅ Forbidden
✅ Plus Size Rep/Model

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️½ / 5

Danielle Allen books just HIT! Nina is a fashionista - fashion influencer, plus size model, and hustler. She’s built her image from scratch, and now she’s got a modeling gig with a huge company and she’s ready for the next step in her career. What she isn’t ready for is to pare down the casual line of men she’s crafted to keep her weekends busy - and her nights. But there is one stand out… maybe “the fun one” will be the one that sticks.

This was interesting to see the woman who is unapologetically playing the field dating-wise, and I loved how Danielle crafted Nina’s character! AND, I didn’t know which man she was going to stick with at first! That was a fun twist. Her modeling journey was fun to watch, and Nina was so true to herself the whole time; it made me so happy! She didn’t take any sh*t from anyone 💪

All in all, I will be listening to Danielle’s books forever and hoping that Wesleigh Siobhan reads them always!!!

This is my first time reading/listening to a Danielle Allen book and I definitely need to read more! I went into this book with high expectations because so many people kept saying it was amazing. Im glad to say that Plus Size Player was fantastic! I loved the plus size representation and how modern dating was portrayed.

We a have a super confident FMC which is awesome. This book is empowering. It's filled with self-love, confidence and curvy girl positivity. Nina is such a great heroine and I was a huge fan of her. Rus was a dreamy hero. And these two were sexy as hell! The chemistry and passion between these too made these so steamy. Do not read this in public lol!

This is narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan which does a phenomenal job here. She brought this story to life in a way no other narrator could. Siobhan perfectly captured the chemistry between Nina and Rus and brought a lot of energy to the book.

Absolutely loved this! Highly recommend!

Plus Sized Player by Danielle Allen is a delightful and engaging romance that had me hooked from the first page. The main character, Nina, is a plus-sized diva with a heart of gold, and I loved every moment of her journey. The humor was laugh-out-loud funny, and the emotional moments hit just the right notes. Nina’s realness and bold personality, paired with her quick wit, made her an unforgettable character. Russell, our MMC, was every bit the dream man, Prince Charming, without the flaws I expected him to have! Their chemistry was electric, and I was rooting for them every step of the way. The stakes were high, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t want the story to end, and Danielle Allen’s writing style kept me fully invested. If you’re looking for a fun, heartfelt romance with a beautiful HEA, this is the book for you!

Spicier than expected—and I was absolutely here for it!

This book? Whew. It brought the heat, the heart, and the hell yes plus-size rep I’m always searching for. And the audiobook? PERFECTION. Narrated by the queen herself, Wesleigh Siobhan, who once again delivers with incredible depth, emotion, and pure charisma. She is the moment—your ears are in for a treat.

Read it for:

Black romance excellence

Boss/employee tension

Stellar plus-size representation

Smut that delivers

A confident influencer/model FMC

Close proximity deliciousness

Nina Ford is that girl. A plus-size model with a thriving career, a rotating roster of lovers, and zero desire to be boxed in—by jobs, relationships, or expectations. She’s bold, fierce, and fully in control of her story. Watching her navigate life and love on her terms? Empowering as hell.

At first, the story tosses us into Nina’s world of casual hookups and multiple men, and I wasn’t quite sure where things were heading—but then came Russell Long. And friends, that man came correct. He listens. He supports. He shows up. He’s sexy, emotionally intelligent, and just the right kind of steady Nina didn’t know she needed. Once these two lock in? GAME. ON.

Danielle Allen doesn’t just write spice (though let’s be clear—the spice is SPICING). She writes characters with depth, communication, and chemistry that crackles. Nina and Russell fit in a way that makes you root for their HEA from the moment their walls come down.

And let’s talk visuals—that cover? Stunning. Bold. Black romance front and center. Just how we like it.

If you’re craving a summer read that’s hot, heartfelt, and full of Black joy, Plus Size Player needs to be at the top of your TBR. And if you’re an audiobook listener? Turn the volume way down if you’re in public—you’ve been warned.

✶ Plus Size Player | Danielle Allen ✶
🎧 ALC - Audiobook
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ➎ /𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜

Thank you partner MacMillian Audio and #Netgallery for the Advanced Listeners Copy!

Blurb:
A steamy, witty novel about finding the perfect partner-and how sometimes what you're looking for is right in front of you.

💭 𝚖𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:

10s 10s 10s ACROSS THE BOARD!!! ✨

This was my first book to ever read by Danielle Allen! I received this ALC and completely went in blindsided! When I tell you I finished this book in 1 day yall!!

I was hooked! Engaged!! I worked both of my shifts with a DND on my door ready to fight if I was interrupted on any parts! 😂

NIINNNNAAAAAAAAAAAA. 😏
Gave straight BOSS and Go Getter! Social Media Star and uprising Fashionista! A woman who knows what she wants but doesn’t want her time wasted yet considerate on her terms to not waste anyone else’s time either. I love an option lol and I was LIVING through Nina’s life! Because why settle for 1 when you can have like 4 and be happy in different ways 🤸🏾‍♀️

Now let’s talk about the RUSSSSSSSSS.
My Man, My Man, My Man. I have never wanted a fictional chocolate CEO before but he checked all the boxes for me! Had me screaming Nina if you don’t quit this job!! 😂IYKYK!! I’m sorry call me weak but at that point I was already his in my own mind. 😂 He gave confident, superior, dominant and most importantly that man paid attention to intimate details from the words she spoke down to her body! He had my heart, body and soul!
He was scaring me more than Nina! 😅
Cause girl if you don’t stop acting like you are confused lol

All of this to say this story really brought out how you can be a plus size woman in a hypothetical world and stand tall and be confident and get who you want when you want.
Knowing you are deserving to be loved and paid attention to is what really showed through.
Having someone in your life that delivers everything down to the little things you say, pays attention to you and wants you over everything and will do what it takes to keep you and your relationship together.
He’s a good one Savannah!!

The narrator, Wesleigh Siobhan, took this whole story up to another level! It was so good! I wish I could listen to it again for the first time! But now I have to get straight to Curvy Girl Summer and I’m not even mad about it!

Thank you Danielle Allen for writing such a fun, thriving master piece!
It is at the top of my favorite reads for this year!

⁕ PUB DATE: June 10,2025
Plus Size Player is brought to you by Danielle Allen, MacMillian Audio and Bramble !

I wanna reread this already!! Best believe i’m going to immersive read this when it comes out!

The audio?? That man can whisper all the dirty things in my ear 🫣😩🥵 His voice was deep and sexy, it was everything.

Plus Size Player gives:

🫶🏽 Forbidden Romance 🤫
🫶🏽 Black Romance 🌹
🫶🏽 Plus Size Rep 😍
🫶🏽 Spiceee 🥵
🫶🏽 Messyyy 🫣
🫶🏽 Self love 🥰


The chemistry between Nina and Russ was insane. You could really feel the tension and pull between them. Their relationship was steamy, messy, and intense.

Danielle Allen did her big one AGAIN!!

I received an ALC on Net Galley from Macmillan Audio and this is my review.

5 Stars, no notes.
3.5/5 spice

I devoured the ALC of this and can’t recommend the audiobook enough. The narrator completely nailed it. It felt so immersive, like Nina was just talking directly to me, and I didn’t want to stop listening.

This is such a fun, sexy, and empowering follow-up to Curvy Girl Summer. Nina Ford is everything. She’s confident, hilarious, and fully living her best life. She’s juggling coaching, fashion influencing, and a full dating roster. But then there’s Russ. Their chemistry is unreal, and the slow burn had me grinning, swooning, and fanning myself all at once.

I laughed out loud so many times. Nina’s inner monologue is gold, and the steamy moments? Whew. Danielle Allen brought the heat and the heart.

I loved seeing a plus-size heroine who is bold, sexy, and fully in her power. Nina’s joy, her confidence, her friendships—every part of this story felt like a celebration. I will always be here for the plus-size girls loving out loud, and this book absolutely delivers.

If you want a flirty, feel-good friends-to-lovers romance with spice, humor, and incredible fat rep, this is a summer must-read. And seriously, grab the audiobook. You’ll be obsessed.

Tropes
💞 Friends to lovers
🔥 Only one bed
💬 Flirty banter
🏖️ Forced proximity
❤️‍🔥 The “it was supposed to be casual” emotional spiral
👗 Plus-size fashion queen falls for the secretly-soft jock

🎧 ARC Audio Vibes: Plus Size Player by @authordanielleallen with phenomenal narration by @wesleigh_siobhan 🖤

Danielle Allen has done it again! This Curve series sequel brings the perfect mix of heat, heart, and hilarious moments. Remember Aaliyah from Curvy Girl Summer? Well, her bestie Nina is that girl—a plus-size baddie with confidence, curves, and options. She’s not just dating, she’s drafting greatness. Her “starting lineup” is elite, every man playing his part… the fun one, the romantic one, the smart one, and the hilarious one…. until the fun one throws a flag on the play. 👀

Nina’s story is smart, sexy, and full of intentional dating, emotional vulnerability, and grown-woman choices. What I loved most is that this wasn’t just a romance—it was a full character journey. Nina stands firm in who she is, but watching her reckon with her feelings, past patterns, and the possibility of something real? Whew. I was invested.

The writing is classic Danielle Allen: witty dialogue, believable tension, and scenes that had me cackling one minute and blushing the next. Don’t let the cover fool you … the spice is like that! Be gentle to your bottom lip - it will have you biting down hard! Wesleigh Siobhan’s narration added so much personality—it was an audiobook I didn’t want to pause.

This is for the girls who want their romance with spice, substance, and a heroine who refuses to shrink herself. A five-listen all the way. Can’t wait to fangirl in person on release day! VA allllll day 🫶🏽.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! I LOVED it and hope you do too! Queue up and/or be at the bookstore on June 10th! Thanks @NetGalley @macmillan.audio for the ARC audio!

👀 Who’s on your fictional roster? Asking for Nina…

#PlusSizePlayer #DanielleAllen #CurveSeries #BlackRomance #BookBaddie #ARCReview #RomanceReaders #BookstagramBaddie

I love so much about this book! The witty quips, the way the FMC is a badass curvy woman that takes no ones crap, all the men on her roster being absolutely enamored by her(because she is just THAT girl). I liked the little twist and the way it was maneuvered. The f3 main women best friends warms my heart, it's everything you want from best friends as far as support and banter.