"Game Changer" by Deanna Faison is an exhilarating sports romance that captures the excitement and intensity of athletic competition while exploring the complexities of relationships. The novel centers around a talented athlete whose life takes unexpected turns both on and off the field. Faison's writing is energetic and engaging, drawing readers into the heart of the story with vivid descriptions and relatable characters.

The protagonist is not only passionate about their sport but also faces personal challenges that resonate with anyone striving for success. The romantic subplot adds an extra layer of depth, showcasing the tension and chemistry between the main characters as they navigate their ambitions and feelings for each other. Faison skillfully balances the thrill of sports with the emotional rollercoaster of love, making it a compelling read.

The pacing of "Game Changer" is well-executed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the plot unfolds. The dialogue is natural and witty, enhancing the connection between characters and making their interactions feel authentic. Themes of perseverance, loyalty, and the importance of following one's dreams are beautifully woven throughout the narrative.

Overall, "Game Changer" is a delightful and inspiring read for fans of sports romance. Deanna Faison has crafted a story that not only entertains but also encourages readers to chase their passions and embrace the challenges that come with it.

I just finished Game Changer and it was such a fun, emotional ride. From the first chapter, I was completely drawn in—the story had just the right balance of heart, tension, and unexpected depth. What I thought would be a typical romance turned into something much more layered, with characters who grow, mess up, and learn in really honest ways. There were moments that made me smile like an idiot and others that totally caught me off guard. It’s one of those books that stays with you after the last page. Definitely a new favorite.

Loved it! I haven’t read Playmaker yet but I’ll be going back to read it after loving this story!

Lately I’ve been loving second chance romances & this delivered on the romance! I really enjoyed it & cannot wait for more from Deanna Faison!

Thank you for this ARC!

So happy to finally get Ethan’s book!! It was a cute story, enjoyed reading it though would have liked a bit more action? Spark? Not sure just felt there could have been a little more I guess but regardless it was good to the point I did struggle to set the book down while reading it!

I struggled to get into this and to connect with the main characters. I’m sure others will absolutely devour this though! It just wasn’t for me.

Thank you so much to W by Wattpad for the complimentary copy of this book!

This book will be out on August 19th.

Last fall I absolutely loved Playmaker and was excited to hear that the second book in the series was going to focus on Ethan and Maya. We got a glimpse into their relationship in the first book and in a flashback we get more detail into their infamous hot tub hook up.

I pretty much will read whatever Faison will write. I had even slid into her DMs to express how much I was loving this book and she gave me a little insight into the third book **eyes emoji** I just love the way Faison develops her characters and the banter between the love interests. Whenever I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about Ethan and Maya.

What I felt was different in this book than other romances I have read was Faison's inner monologue for Ethan. Ethan has more of an average body built maybe even like a "dad bod" and is not fully comfortable with himself. He constantly is comparing himself to his best friend (Cameron) and to other guys in school. I just wanted to give him a big hug and shake the confidence in him. He doesn't think Maya is interested in him because of this. Faison on the other end paints Maya has this gorgeous young woman who all the guys are after. And I like that Faison had Maya be openly sexual and doesn't hide this.

I think I would have been fine with the flashback sequences but I guess they are needed to help really showcase how they formed a bond and eventual friendship.

"Ethan doesn't need a cowgirl. He just needs to find someone who can ride that cowboy hat right off of him."

There was a reason why Maya and Ethan had not worked out earlier that year and I really wish Maya was more upfront with Ethan about it. Once they did start seeing each other he gave her the opportunity to provide a reason why she ghosted him and she could not give him the full truth. I blame age but also I'm sure she thought she could fix things before he would ever find out. THEY ALWAYS FIND OUT. I was proud of Maya for standing up for herself. She had the biggest cheerleader in her corner. And likewise for Ethan. Maya was so supportive of Ethan's future.

This is a 2nd in a series and while you don't necessarily need to read the first book to understand this book. Faison does a well enough job providing enough context of the first couple (which for those who have read the first, Maddie and Cameron are featured in this). But I suggest you read it because like I said - I loved it.

I need all of you read and review and purchase for friends because I want the third book! Faison hints at the couple several times and it is quite obvious who a 3rd book would focus on. And well I need it.

If you are looking for friends to lover to strangers to friends to lovers, college setting, best friend's brother, spicy romance - give this one a read!!

loved every second of this smart, swoony read. Game Changer balances heart and heat perfectly, with lovable characters and banter that absolutely sparkled. A total feel-good romance I couldn’t put down.

Game Changer, by Deanna Faison, is a fun sports rom-com that can easily be read in an afternoon.  Though anxiety plays a role in this novel, it is handled well. The banter between Maya and Ethan offer up some laughable moments. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC ebook that I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Game Changer by Deanna Faison is a steamy and emotionally charged friends-to-lovers romance that hits all the right notes. Ethan Davis is trying to get his life back on track after being lost for a while, and things are looking up until he finds out that Maya Garcia—the girl he’s been in love with for years—now lives next door. Their past, complicated by a brief but intense hookup, leaves both of them unsure about where they stand.

The tension between Maya and Ethan is palpable, and their slow-burn journey to rebuild their friendship—and possibly something more—was one I couldn’t put down. Maya’s struggle to break free from her overbearing family and Ethan’s fight to find his own direction make for relatable, multi-layered characters. The steaminess is there, but what I really appreciated was the emotional depth, with both characters needing to confront their past mistakes and personal insecurities to find a way forward.

The chemistry between them is electric, and I loved watching their dynamic evolve from awkward neighbors to something much more real and raw. If you love a good friends-to-lovers romance with steam, emotional growth, and characters you’ll root for, Game Changer is definitely worth the read.

I wanted to like this book more. Maya really got in my nerves the way she treated Ethan. Why is communication and honesty such a lost art these days? The writing was decent and I really liked the first book in the series. This book fell a little flat for me. I really liked Ethan, but I had my issues with Maya.

This book follows the story of Ethan and Maya—two people who have known each other since childhood but haven’t spoken in five months after a falling out. When college move-in day arrives, fate has a twist in store: their dorm rooms are right next to each other.

Ethan has always had eyes for Maya, and Maya has always felt the same, but timing was never on their side—until it almost was. Now, they agree to try friendship again, but it quickly becomes clear that staying “just friends” is impossible when love is still lingering between them.

As they navigate the rollercoaster of college life—finding themselves, chasing their dreams, and healing old wounds—they also fight for the love they never quite let go of. This story is full of heartfelt moments, emotional growth, and the kind of connection that makes you believe in true love.

Ethan is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero—soft, sweet, and fiercely devoted—and Maya is strong, real, and easy to root for. I adored their journey. Ethan and Maya were made for each other, and this book proves that sometimes, love really does find a way.

This is best friends brother and friends to lovers with anxiety representation. Ethan spent quite a few years pretending to be someone he wasn’t for fear of losing his best friend. His best friend was spiraling (read The Playmaker for details) and had become a player. Ethan is Maya’s best friend’s brother. She has always had a special connection to him. He has always pined for her. When they finally got together she ghosted him. Now they are a few months down the road and they are neighbors in the college dorms. No avoiding each other now. The story was a pretty good follow up to The Playmaker.

3.5 Stars!

I went into this book without reading the first from the series and it felt like I wasn’t missing a single thing, that alone is amazing. I enjoyed the storyline and writing, especially the touchier subjects like mental health, parental expectations and having different backgrounds (especially financially). They were handled SO WELL.
I do often read college/university romances, but this one felt a little too YA for me. I can handle a bit of the miscommunication trope, but when it’s a second chance romance I feel it can be overdone so easily. And I couldn’t get past it when it adds even more conflict and confusion for me. Overall, it was a super quick read and had such cute moments!


Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and Deanna Faison for the E-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A fun read about falling in love and family. I loved the dynamic between Ethan and Maya. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read!

This book was good. I'm not a tennis player so a couple of times I just needed to look up some terms like the AD for scoring advantage (might want a glossary for these things). The slow burn between Dylan and Oliver was great and I enjoyed their banter through talk or text.

The hardest part of the read were all the out of context background parts. Like the situation with Scottie and her Dad; I did not read the 1st book so I was having a hard time wondering why Dylan felt bad. Similarly, the disagreement with the Trainer, Brooke, what was the fight with the paperweight? Why do all the players know about the argument, what did they hear? I was confused about this dynamic and why Brooke had to come back when the dialogue was that they were toxic to each other.

Other than that, I enjoyed the story and the ramp up of feelings between Dylan and Oliver and wished there was a little more after her winning it all.


--Unrelated to the story and I know it's an un-edited ARC. I HATED the song names before the chapters. They way it reads after the chapter POV name makes it seem like it's supposed to be a part of the chapter not companion to the chapter. It needs to go between the chapter number and the POV, not after.

Game Changer was such a fun read! Ethan and Maya’s second chance love story was an easy and enjoyable read. Their dorms sharing a wall is such a funny and awkward example of unexpected forced proximity, and I loved how their setting forced them to confront their issues and move forward. Since present day Maya and Ethan are almost done with college, they also feel much more grown up than they were in the flashback scenes.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the anxiety representation! Ethan having anxiety that affects his life is so real, and I loved how this book allowed him to be a multi-dimensional character while still showcasing his mental health struggles. He felt like such a real person to me and I loved how he was a true book boyfriend while not being a stereotypically perfect one.

I so enjoyed Game Changer! I’m going to need to go read Playmaker, Cam and Maddie’s story, and I’m already dying for Mark and Tabi’s story to play out. There are so many likable characters in this world and I’m totally invested in their happy endings!

Thank you to Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group and W by Wattpad Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Game Changer!

This heartfelt and steamy friends-to-lovers romance had me hooked from the first page. Deanna Faison delivers a compelling story full of emotional growth, real-life pressure, and swoon-worthy tension. If you enjoy second chances, college romance, close proximity, and a slow-burn connection with plenty of internal conflict, this one is for you.

Ethan and Maya are easy to root for—both struggling with expectations from others and figuring out who they want to be, separately and together. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the way they navigate their past while building something new felt authentic and tender. The emotional depth really stood out, especially as the story tackled identity, family pressure, and learning to advocate for your own happiness.

While this book exists in the same world as Playmaker, it works well as a standalone. Perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy and Tessa Bailey, Game Changer brings the heat while still delivering heart.

A great pick for readers who love sports romance with substance and a satisfying emotional arc.

Okay this book needs an Epilogue!!!!!!!!!! I was so invested by the end and then boom it just ends with no update... like I neeeeded to know if they achieved their dreams or not! besides that I did like this book, I liked that the mmc was able to cope with his anxiety and that he wasn't some super tall all star football player. He was relatable and realistic in his actions. The fmc was great and also relatable I loved the dynamic that she and the mmc had I did feel like at some points there was some spiraling/ranting but that also seemed relatable. I did feel like the last 1/4 of the book was rushed it was like all of this build up for 3/4 then boom so much happened and then it just abruptly ended with no real follow up and that left me wanting with this book.

After reading Playmaker, I was really looking forward to Ethan and Maya's story and it didn't disappoint. Ethan's character is so well-written and easy to fall in love with. I enjoyed the mental health representation and how he deals with his anxiety. One tiny quibble - as someone who has a panic disorder, it may be more appropriate to call what Ethan is having a "panic attack" since it comes on suddenly.

Maya's relationship with her parents is relatable to many daughters (including me). It wrapped up nicely, if not entirely realistically (at least for my generation).

All in all, Game Changer was a great book and I look forward to more from Ms. Faison.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review.

3.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for providing the e-ARC.

Tropes: Immigrant-parents, multi-cultural, anxiety, second-chance, family-ties, best friend's-brother, young-adult

The author writes well. The book had the makings of an interesting story line. Immigrant parents. Boy falls first and hard. Multi-cultural. From the blurb, it seemed like a good fit for me, but the fact that the main leads are in college meant that that's an age group that I do not relate to at this stage of my life. It reads more like a Young-Adult novel so if that's your jam, you'll really like it.

The miscommunication did not make me a happy camper. It created unnecessary conflict and confusion. Unwarranted angst. I wish it had been handled more gently and with nuance.

Overall a nice and quick read.