Pop Stars and Playbooks
An opposites-attract, kisses-only, fake friendship-turned-love story between a football star and a pop icon
with Em Eldridge (Narrator); Charlie Thurston (Narrator)
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Pub Date Jul 28 2026 | Archive Date Aug 28 2026
Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio | Thomas Nelson Fiction
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Description
She's a chart-topper. He's a football player. Together, they're a love story no one saw coming.
Griffin Hayes is football's golden boy--charming, talented, and completely out of his depth when a video of him belting out pop star Aria Wilder's breakup anthem goes viral. Overnight, he's crowned the internet's favorite meme, and Aria's #1 fan. Aria, the reigning queen of heartbreak ballads, sees an opportunity to turn the moment into good PR and invites Griffin to her next concert. When their onstage chemistry sets the internet ablaze, her team suggests the unthinkable: a fake friendship to keep the buzz alive.
Griffin reluctantly agrees, but as they spend more time together--posing for cameras, attending events, and sharing inside jokes--he realizes there's nothing fake about the way Aria makes him feel. For Aria, Griffin is a breath of fresh air in a world that's always demanding more from her. Beneath the viral fame and public scrutiny, their connection feels real.
But when Griffin suffers a career-threatening injury and Aria battles creative burnout, their carefully constructed "performance" starts to crumble. With their worlds pulling them in opposite directions, they'll have to decide: Is this just a PR stunt gone too far--or the kind of love worth risking everything for?
Perfect for fans of fake dating, opposites attract, and swoon-worthy slow burns, Pop Stars and Playbooks is a sparkling romance about finding love in the unlikeliest of places--and learning to trust it when the spotlight fades.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Audiobook, Unabridged |
| ISBN | 9781400359417 |
| PRICE | |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 63 members
Featured Reviews
Amanda R, Bookseller
What a warm hug in a book. Aria and Griffin are so sweet, examples of how the famous can be just like us normal people. The love story was believable and real and stayed with just kissing, not even a closed door situation.
Rachael H, Reviewer
Really enjoyed this. Such a sweet romance based on friendship. I’d have liked a bit of spice in it, this is fully PG. really good aside from that. A nice build in there relationship which was really easy to listen to. The narration is great, loved the voices. Definitely recommend!
Jose R, Reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance audiobook copy!
This was such a fun, feel-good romance! I had the biggest smile on my face for most of the book. Pop Stars and Playbooks is a lighthearted, sweet story that follows pop superstar Aria Wilder and football player Griffin Hayes after a viral moment leads to a fake friendship that slowly turns into something much more real. As they navigate fame, career pressures, and unexpected feelings, they discover that the best relationships can come from the most unlikely situations.
I absolutely loved these two together. Their chemistry felt effortless, the banter was adorable, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop naturally. It was the perfect mix of cute, funny, and heartwarming without feeling overly dramatic.
The audiobook was fantastic as well. The narrators brought both Aria and Griffin to life and made it so easy to get invested in their story. Their performances added so much charm and personality to an already delightful romance.
If you’re looking for a wholesome, closed-door romance with fake friendship vibes, a pop star/football player pairing, and plenty of sweet moments, definitely pick this one up. It was an easy five-star read for me!
Teri R, Reviewer
Both of the main characters are top in their field of entertainment. The FMC is a pop singer and the MMC is a football player. They are sort of thrown together because of their PR people and develop a fast friendship. The two main characters are so sweet and supportive to each other. And the story goes from there. The chapters went by fast as this was a really fast-paced story. It was well thought out and organized. I listened to the audiobook and loved it. The voices of the narrators were excellent for this book. The excitement in their voices was easy to recognize. I would definitely recommend this audiobook.
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