What do you think?
Rate this book
Play Me
He’s supposed to be playing rugby—not playing me.
I didn’t think it was possible to hate someone. Like utterly despise another human. Then I was hired to babysit the Royals’ newest star and found out just how wrong I was.
My job should’ve been easy. Keep the hotshot on time and out of trouble. But that’s hard to do when I dream of smothering him with his jersey.
Every day delivers a new reason to detest Gray Adler. His truck is the size of a whale, and he uses the horn like a weapon. And, no, that’s not a euphemism. He can’t manage a sentence without being rude. And the universe, in its cruelest joke, gave that tattooed, walking red flag the body of a Greek god.
Just when I finally get used to hating him, things take a turn.
A scalding-hot, mind-blowing I can’t do this with a man I work with sort of turn.
Suddenly, those rough hands make my skin sizzle. His sinful smirks fade into grins just for me. And our banter shifts into something much more profound than it should.
But Gray Adler is hiding something. And when those secrets collide with my vulnerable heart, I ask myself an important question. Is he finally telling me the truth, or am I still getting played?
I didn’t think it was possible to hate someone. Like utterly despise another human. Then I was hired to babysit the Royals’ newest star and found out just how wrong I was.
My job should’ve been easy. Keep the hotshot on time and out of trouble. But that’s hard to do when I dream of smothering him with his jersey.
Every day delivers a new reason to detest Gray Adler. His truck is the size of a whale, and he uses the horn like a weapon. And, no, that’s not a euphemism. He can’t manage a sentence without being rude. And the universe, in its cruelest joke, gave that tattooed, walking red flag the body of a Greek god.
Just when I finally get used to hating him, things take a turn.
A scalding-hot, mind-blowing I can’t do this with a man I work with sort of turn.
Suddenly, those rough hands make my skin sizzle. His sinful smirks fade into grins just for me. And our banter shifts into something much more profound than it should.
But Gray Adler is hiding something. And when those secrets collide with my vulnerable heart, I ask myself an important question. Is he finally telling me the truth, or am I still getting played?
Paperback
First published August 25, 2025
1049 people are currently reading
7444 people want to read
About the author
Adriana Locke
83 books15.8k followersAdriana Locke is a USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author with a knack for writing swoony, unforgettable contemporary romances. At nineteen, she traded her small-town roots for big-city life, only to realize her heart beats for quiet mornings and cozy chaos. These days, she’s living her happily-ever-after in Ohio with Mr. Locke—her high school sweetheart—four lively sons, and two hilariously hyper Jack Russell terriers.
When she’s not penning love stories that will leave you laughing and sighing, Adriana is battling the epic quest of missing silverware, “gardening” (a.k.a. chatting with her plants), or leaving her grocery list on the counter as she heads to the store. Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let her books whisk you away to a world of heartwarming romance and irresistible heroes.
When she’s not penning love stories that will leave you laughing and sighing, Adriana is battling the epic quest of missing silverware, “gardening” (a.k.a. chatting with her plants), or leaving her grocery list on the counter as she heads to the store. Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let her books whisk you away to a world of heartwarming romance and irresistible heroes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 467 reviews
September 5, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Tropes-
Rugby Player
Enemies to lovers
Grumpy x grumpy
Found family
Workplace romance
Banter
Slow-burn
✨️Listen, I'm convinced that Adriana is the QUEEN 👸 of Rugby romances. I absolutely ate this book up. The banter was TOP NOTCH from the first page. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. The friendships were my favorite. The spice was delicious. The chemistry that Gray and Astrid had was seeping off the page. I just absolutely love Adriana's writing and this was another 5 star read by her. I 100% recommend that all my besties read this! You won't regret it!
Tropes-
Rugby Player
Enemies to lovers
Grumpy x grumpy
Found family
Workplace romance
Banter
Slow-burn
✨️Listen, I'm convinced that Adriana is the QUEEN 👸 of Rugby romances. I absolutely ate this book up. The banter was TOP NOTCH from the first page. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. The friendships were my favorite. The spice was delicious. The chemistry that Gray and Astrid had was seeping off the page. I just absolutely love Adriana's writing and this was another 5 star read by her. I 100% recommend that all my besties read this! You won't regret it!
August 22, 2025
Thank you to the author’s team for this ARC 🫶🏻
Astrid is going through a tough time still dealing with the fallout of a break up. When she is tasked with being Gray Adler’s assistant, she’s not happy about it!
Gray is the bad boy of rugby 🏉 with a load of secrets. At first, he’s not so kind to his new assistant. They both learn they need to get along to get what they want. When they get to know each other, they go from enemies to lovers.
Gray and Astrid share grief and trauma. They find comfort in one another. When Gray breaks down Astrid’s walls, will his secrets jeopardize her trust?
I love a rugby romance and I’m so excited for more from this family ❤️
Astrid is going through a tough time still dealing with the fallout of a break up. When she is tasked with being Gray Adler’s assistant, she’s not happy about it!
Gray is the bad boy of rugby 🏉 with a load of secrets. At first, he’s not so kind to his new assistant. They both learn they need to get along to get what they want. When they get to know each other, they go from enemies to lovers.
Gray and Astrid share grief and trauma. They find comfort in one another. When Gray breaks down Astrid’s walls, will his secrets jeopardize her trust?
I love a rugby romance and I’m so excited for more from this family ❤️
September 4, 2025
Play Me was a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect much, choosing it out of desperation because I had nothing else in mind.
However, the haters to lovers trope in this was decent as Astrid and Gray start off on the wrong foot.
I enjoyed reading the progression of their relationship and I liked both characters. The conflict was a tad forced but it was resolved quickly and painlessly. This turned out to be a decent surprise.
However, the haters to lovers trope in this was decent as Astrid and Gray start off on the wrong foot.
I enjoyed reading the progression of their relationship and I liked both characters. The conflict was a tad forced but it was resolved quickly and painlessly. This turned out to be a decent surprise.
August 25, 2025
I love reading the enemies to lovers trope so much. This was such a good book. This is a standalone book that I 10/10 recommend reading.
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 29, 2025
There are just too many plot points around Grey that weren’t developed. For instance:
The death of the parents
The relationship with the brother
The situation and fallout from the ex and her sister
The bad reputation on the field
We sure did get a lot of extra filler! For instance:
Too much of the girlfriend group - after a while it was just boring and didn’t add anything!!
Pointless texts - especially the morning after Grey and Astrid sleep together for the first time. GIRL!! Put your damn phone away!
The layout of rooms - no one cares!
The menu and ordering at restaurants - why is ordering a pulled pork sandwich in this book??
Redundant internal dialogue - enough already! We get your hesitation and worry. Blah blah
The misunderstanding around the letter made no sense. Regardless of Astrid’s trust issues, there was nothing in that letter that would indicate anything nefarious or deceptive. He also didn’t lie to her - he was allowed to handle it then tell her. It was a lame attempt at a potential third act breakup.
Too much of needless details and not enough actual content developing the characters and plot. Nothing happens in this book. The pacing was awful. The first 65% drags then a bunch of stuff is resolved with minimal, if any, issue. Massive skimming - I don’t even know if anything ended up happening with Astrid’s ex and the legal letter and I don’t even care. The characters were fine but not memorable.
I keep reading these new releases that sound promising and they’re all empty. Is romance dead?
The death of the parents
The relationship with the brother
The situation and fallout from the ex and her sister
The bad reputation on the field
We sure did get a lot of extra filler! For instance:
Too much of the girlfriend group - after a while it was just boring and didn’t add anything!!
Pointless texts - especially the morning after Grey and Astrid sleep together for the first time. GIRL!! Put your damn phone away!
The layout of rooms - no one cares!
The menu and ordering at restaurants - why is ordering a pulled pork sandwich in this book??
Redundant internal dialogue - enough already! We get your hesitation and worry. Blah blah
The misunderstanding around the letter made no sense. Regardless of Astrid’s trust issues, there was nothing in that letter that would indicate anything nefarious or deceptive. He also didn’t lie to her - he was allowed to handle it then tell her. It was a lame attempt at a potential third act breakup.
Too much of needless details and not enough actual content developing the characters and plot. Nothing happens in this book. The pacing was awful. The first 65% drags then a bunch of stuff is resolved with minimal, if any, issue. Massive skimming - I don’t even know if anything ended up happening with Astrid’s ex and the legal letter and I don’t even care. The characters were fine but not memorable.
I keep reading these new releases that sound promising and they’re all empty. Is romance dead?
August 28, 2025
oh my gosh I adored this book! 🥰 From page one, I was hooked. The banter between Gray and the heroine was sharp, hilarious, and just the right mix of enemies-to-lovers tension that kept me grinning like a fool.
I loved how their relationship slowly shifted from pure annoyance to sizzling chemistry that felt so natural. The back-and-forth, the stolen glances, and the moments where you could feel the walls coming down... it was perfection. This book nailed the mix of fun, swoony, and heartfelt, and I didn’t want to put it down.
If you love enemies-to-lovers, sports romance, and a hero who’s more than meets the eye, definitely add this one to your list. It’s sweet, spicy, and kept me intrigued the whole way through. 💕
I loved how their relationship slowly shifted from pure annoyance to sizzling chemistry that felt so natural. The back-and-forth, the stolen glances, and the moments where you could feel the walls coming down... it was perfection. This book nailed the mix of fun, swoony, and heartfelt, and I didn’t want to put it down.
If you love enemies-to-lovers, sports romance, and a hero who’s more than meets the eye, definitely add this one to your list. It’s sweet, spicy, and kept me intrigued the whole way through. 💕
August 24, 2025
I loved this book! The banter and personality of the characters hooked me from the beginning. The way we’re introduced to the characters and brought into Astrid and Gray’s world was explosive and really funny. The growth in their relationship and as individuals was well thought out and written. I loved the side characters and the relationships they had with each other. I really hope we get stories showing is what happens with Gianna, Audrey, Hartley and Brooks! I definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy a lot of banter, chemistry and great world building!
August 25, 2025
~ARC~
Much more emotional than I expected. Which was definitely not a bad thing. Just what I needed to read.
Gray and Astrid have both had difficult pasts. Putting up walls and defenses when they first meet. After getting to know one another, with some bumps along the way, those walls slowly come down. They open up and support one another to overcome past pain by loving each other.
This story was a soul-stirring journey that had me immersed. All the feels, highly recommend!
Thank you so much Adriana Locke for writing this story, and for the ARC🫶🏼
Much more emotional than I expected. Which was definitely not a bad thing. Just what I needed to read.
Gray and Astrid have both had difficult pasts. Putting up walls and defenses when they first meet. After getting to know one another, with some bumps along the way, those walls slowly come down. They open up and support one another to overcome past pain by loving each other.
This story was a soul-stirring journey that had me immersed. All the feels, highly recommend!
Thank you so much Adriana Locke for writing this story, and for the ARC🫶🏼
August 30, 2025
This was a cute enemies to lovers, workplace, sports romance!
I enjoyed getting both Astrid and Gray’s POVs. I liked their chemistry and banter. I also liked the found family themes throughout as well as Gray’s character growth.
This is a stand-alone, but has some references/tie-ins to the Brewer Family series. And there seemed to be some foreshadowing for potential future books for some of the secondary characters and I am looking forward to those!
Overall enjoyed this one!
Thank you @hambright_pr for the #gifted e-copy!🫶🏼
I enjoyed getting both Astrid and Gray’s POVs. I liked their chemistry and banter. I also liked the found family themes throughout as well as Gray’s character growth.
This is a stand-alone, but has some references/tie-ins to the Brewer Family series. And there seemed to be some foreshadowing for potential future books for some of the secondary characters and I am looking forward to those!
Overall enjoyed this one!
Thank you @hambright_pr for the #gifted e-copy!🫶🏼
September 2, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
Working as a personal assistant to Renn (The Proposal), Astrid is coerced into keeping the new scrum coming out of Denver in line. But when her first impression of Gray is sour 😬 she realizes that is going to be a difficult task. A true enemies to lovers, slow burn with two damaged people trying to figure life out.
Addy always hooks me straight out the gate and his new book is no exception!! Her longest && dare I say...best book yet! 🤭 I also realized how little I know about rugby...oops! 🏉
🌶️🌶️.5
Working as a personal assistant to Renn (The Proposal), Astrid is coerced into keeping the new scrum coming out of Denver in line. But when her first impression of Gray is sour 😬 she realizes that is going to be a difficult task. A true enemies to lovers, slow burn with two damaged people trying to figure life out.
Addy always hooks me straight out the gate and his new book is no exception!! Her longest && dare I say...best book yet! 🤭 I also realized how little I know about rugby...oops! 🏉
September 4, 2025
“ 𝓘 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮-𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓵 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓸𝓵𝓭 𝓮𝓷𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓽𝓸 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓲𝔃𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓭𝓲𝓭𝓷'𝓽 𝓮𝔁𝓲𝓼𝓽 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭. 𝓘𝓽'𝓼 𝓬𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓭 𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪
𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷.”
I am OFFICIALLY in my rugby sports romance era! Have you seen those tiktok videos??? 😍😍😍 Give me all those men in shorts...I could die happily between those thighs 😩😩😩 Adriana...BLESS YOU for giving us what we all wanted and needed...a grumpy rugby player with a broken past...hot and kind of an a hole...perfection...you know how much I love a man who hates me...and Gray...did NOT disappoint 😍 Those red flags look MIGHTY green to me!! Now...this book is a standalone...BUT!!!! We get a lot of fun cameos from some of Adriana's other characters...especially from the Brewer Series...my suggestion...read them first...it's so much more fun when you know who is popping in from time to time...or don't and just dive in head first...either way its a good time...I promise.
Now...Gray is our MMC...bad boy of rugby who is here to make everyones day just a little bit harder. His reputation precedes him and hes on a new time...he needs a bit of an image overhaul and a handler of sorts to keep him in line....and there is truly only one person for the job.
Astrid....my beautiful strong bad a$$ FMC...god ive loved her since I met her in a previous book. If there is anyone who is going to keep Gray in line, its Astrid. But she absolutely does NOT want anything to do with him. She recognizes him as the guy who started her day on the wrong foot at the gas pump and already has a deep seated hatred for him...BUT...she can't say no to her boss Ren...shes loyal to him and will do anything to help him...plus the double salary doesn't hurt 😉😉😉 So...here she is...the new assistant to the new rugby player, Gray...yippeeeee!!! No? oh...well...buckle up because it is happening anyway.
These. Two. Hate. Each. Other. And I am thriving 😂 the way I GOBBLE up TRUE enemies to lovers...and this one did not disappoint. The way they went back and forth with each other...tit for tat...pushing buttons...pushing boundaries...I could literally read a book about them JUST going at each other for days...thats how good it was.
The tension?? YOWZA! The hate was there but that lust?? The desire they were trying to ignore....it was right there bubbling below the surface...which made everything more intense. As time went on, they both started to open up to each other. Astrid realizes that maybe there is more to Gray than just his bad boy image. And Gray? He begins to tear down Astrids walls and show her that she doesn't have to do it all on her own.
Both MC's have a lot of trauma from their past, but deal with it in different ways. Astrid covers her pain in being there for everyone...smiling and projecting an air of confidence and happiness...when really shes struggling to hold on inside. Gray is also struggling...but hes the opposite of Astrid...he deals with his pain by being arrogant and pushing people away. He projects an air of being angry and better than the rest...keeping everyone at an arms length to keep himself from getting hurt again and also to keep people from getting too close to him.
We slowly see the relationship between Astrid and Gray grow and evolve...a sense of trust and comfort forming between them. And I wanted to cry when they both brought their walls down and just were open and RAW with each other. They truly allowed themselves to be honest and real with someone for the first time in their lives and didn't fear being judged.
This connection only made the physical aspect of their relationship even more intense...yes...the spice was spicing...the thighs were thighing...don't come at me...I don't care if it's a real word or not...I said what I said...these two were hot...as passionate as they were about hating and fighting with each other, they were DOUBLY as passionate in the bedroom...Im forever jealous of you Astrid...for so many reasons 😩😩
One of my favorite things about Adriana's books? The friend groups and the group text messages!!! I love love love seeing the inside conversations between friends. Astrids group chat with her girls had me FRIED!!! I was cackling the whole time...it was perfection.
I'm hoping this isn't the last we get of this series...i'm hoping we get to see more of the characters introduced in this book, especially the other players! Give me all the ruby boys! ❤️❤️
Thank you SO MUCH to Adriana Lock for the amazing opportunity to ARC read this phenomenal book! ❤️❤️
🏉Rugby Romance
❤️Workplace Romance
🏉Meet Cute Gone Wrong
❤️Enemies to Lovers
🏉Rugby Player MMC
❤️Personal Assistant FMC
🏉Forced Proximity
❤️Grumpy x Grumpy
🏉Past Trauma
❤️Grief / Loss
🏉Slow Burn
❤️Banter
🏉Fun Group Chats
❤️Found Family
🏉Mental Health Rep
❤️Stuck Together
🏉Dual POV
❤️HEA
𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷.”
I am OFFICIALLY in my rugby sports romance era! Have you seen those tiktok videos??? 😍😍😍 Give me all those men in shorts...I could die happily between those thighs 😩😩😩 Adriana...BLESS YOU for giving us what we all wanted and needed...a grumpy rugby player with a broken past...hot and kind of an a hole...perfection...you know how much I love a man who hates me...and Gray...did NOT disappoint 😍 Those red flags look MIGHTY green to me!! Now...this book is a standalone...BUT!!!! We get a lot of fun cameos from some of Adriana's other characters...especially from the Brewer Series...my suggestion...read them first...it's so much more fun when you know who is popping in from time to time...or don't and just dive in head first...either way its a good time...I promise.
Now...Gray is our MMC...bad boy of rugby who is here to make everyones day just a little bit harder. His reputation precedes him and hes on a new time...he needs a bit of an image overhaul and a handler of sorts to keep him in line....and there is truly only one person for the job.
Astrid....my beautiful strong bad a$$ FMC...god ive loved her since I met her in a previous book. If there is anyone who is going to keep Gray in line, its Astrid. But she absolutely does NOT want anything to do with him. She recognizes him as the guy who started her day on the wrong foot at the gas pump and already has a deep seated hatred for him...BUT...she can't say no to her boss Ren...shes loyal to him and will do anything to help him...plus the double salary doesn't hurt 😉😉😉 So...here she is...the new assistant to the new rugby player, Gray...yippeeeee!!! No? oh...well...buckle up because it is happening anyway.
These. Two. Hate. Each. Other. And I am thriving 😂 the way I GOBBLE up TRUE enemies to lovers...and this one did not disappoint. The way they went back and forth with each other...tit for tat...pushing buttons...pushing boundaries...I could literally read a book about them JUST going at each other for days...thats how good it was.
The tension?? YOWZA! The hate was there but that lust?? The desire they were trying to ignore....it was right there bubbling below the surface...which made everything more intense. As time went on, they both started to open up to each other. Astrid realizes that maybe there is more to Gray than just his bad boy image. And Gray? He begins to tear down Astrids walls and show her that she doesn't have to do it all on her own.
Both MC's have a lot of trauma from their past, but deal with it in different ways. Astrid covers her pain in being there for everyone...smiling and projecting an air of confidence and happiness...when really shes struggling to hold on inside. Gray is also struggling...but hes the opposite of Astrid...he deals with his pain by being arrogant and pushing people away. He projects an air of being angry and better than the rest...keeping everyone at an arms length to keep himself from getting hurt again and also to keep people from getting too close to him.
We slowly see the relationship between Astrid and Gray grow and evolve...a sense of trust and comfort forming between them. And I wanted to cry when they both brought their walls down and just were open and RAW with each other. They truly allowed themselves to be honest and real with someone for the first time in their lives and didn't fear being judged.
This connection only made the physical aspect of their relationship even more intense...yes...the spice was spicing...the thighs were thighing...don't come at me...I don't care if it's a real word or not...I said what I said...these two were hot...as passionate as they were about hating and fighting with each other, they were DOUBLY as passionate in the bedroom...Im forever jealous of you Astrid...for so many reasons 😩😩
One of my favorite things about Adriana's books? The friend groups and the group text messages!!! I love love love seeing the inside conversations between friends. Astrids group chat with her girls had me FRIED!!! I was cackling the whole time...it was perfection.
I'm hoping this isn't the last we get of this series...i'm hoping we get to see more of the characters introduced in this book, especially the other players! Give me all the ruby boys! ❤️❤️
Thank you SO MUCH to Adriana Lock for the amazing opportunity to ARC read this phenomenal book! ❤️❤️
🏉Rugby Romance
❤️Workplace Romance
🏉Meet Cute Gone Wrong
❤️Enemies to Lovers
🏉Rugby Player MMC
❤️Personal Assistant FMC
🏉Forced Proximity
❤️Grumpy x Grumpy
🏉Past Trauma
❤️Grief / Loss
🏉Slow Burn
❤️Banter
🏉Fun Group Chats
❤️Found Family
🏉Mental Health Rep
❤️Stuck Together
🏉Dual POV
❤️HEA
August 24, 2025
It’s a grumpy rugby player, feisty heroine, enemies-to-lovers slow burn story. If you’ve read Adriana’s Brewer Family Series, then you’ll recognize some of the side characters. This book also does great as a stand-alone. (You don’t HAVE to have read the Brewer Series, but it does make for some fun Easter eggs throughout the book if you have.) "Play Me" takes place a few years after Renn Brewer has been running the Tennessee Royal Rugby Club. It’s great to see Renn again, and in boss-man mode. We first met Renn in Adriana’s book “The Proposal” and he was a bit of a mess so it’s nice to see him more grounded. He’s just signed new scrum half Gray Adler to his rugby team and Gray’s a bit of a mess. Renn sees himself in Gray and decides to give him a chance to show the world that he’s the star rugby player he believes he is. Renn also requests that his super sharp employee Astrid Lawsen work with Gray as his assistant. If you’ve read Adriana’s Brewer Series, you know that Astrid is extremely organized, can produce just about anything in minutes, and can solve any major crisis in the blink of an eye. She’s not thrilled to be assigned to the train wreck that is Gray, but she agrees to guide Gray through the end of the rugby season.
Gray is a wild card and hates being told what to do so he and Astrid do NOT get along. Like, at ALL. Their banter had me giggling over and over again. They give as good as they get and they don’t quit. It’s hilarious at times. They’ve each met their match, and their fights just set the stage for some steamy sparks.
A few things I loved about this book?
--We get to see familiar places in the book, such as Stupey’s—which you’ll remember from Ripley Brewer’s book, “The Invitation.”
--I loved reading how protective Renn is of Astrid. She saved his butt more than once when he was a rugby player--and after. It’s nice to see him acknowledge that and make sure she feels valued.
--One of the things I've always loved about Adriana's books is her amazing ability to write a great group chat. Astrid's girlfriends group chat, and Gray's teammate group chat do NOT disappoint.
--Both leads have their own issues and while they are slow to trust each other and show any vulnerability, the reward is great for the reader when we get to see behind those tough personalities.
A few wishes of my own:
--Now that we’ve met more of the Tennessee Royals Rugby Club teammates, I just want more! Especially those goofballs, Nico and Ridge. I feel like they’re my people.
--And do I want more of Astrid’s good friends, Gianna and Audrey? Yes, please!
--And the men of Sugar Creek, Hartley and Brooks? I’m gonna need that series too, pretty please.
Gray is a wild card and hates being told what to do so he and Astrid do NOT get along. Like, at ALL. Their banter had me giggling over and over again. They give as good as they get and they don’t quit. It’s hilarious at times. They’ve each met their match, and their fights just set the stage for some steamy sparks.
A few things I loved about this book?
--We get to see familiar places in the book, such as Stupey’s—which you’ll remember from Ripley Brewer’s book, “The Invitation.”
--I loved reading how protective Renn is of Astrid. She saved his butt more than once when he was a rugby player--and after. It’s nice to see him acknowledge that and make sure she feels valued.
--One of the things I've always loved about Adriana's books is her amazing ability to write a great group chat. Astrid's girlfriends group chat, and Gray's teammate group chat do NOT disappoint.
--Both leads have their own issues and while they are slow to trust each other and show any vulnerability, the reward is great for the reader when we get to see behind those tough personalities.
A few wishes of my own:
--Now that we’ve met more of the Tennessee Royals Rugby Club teammates, I just want more! Especially those goofballs, Nico and Ridge. I feel like they’re my people.
--And do I want more of Astrid’s good friends, Gianna and Audrey? Yes, please!
--And the men of Sugar Creek, Hartley and Brooks? I’m gonna need that series too, pretty please.
August 24, 2025
This book landed on my ereader yesterday, and if I hadn't recently been sick, I would have stayed up all night to finish it in one marathon read. I was completely engaged from the very beginning, with a meet/cute for the ages, with Gray and Astrid having a run-in before they know their paths will cross at work. Loved it! Astrid is hired to be Gray's assistant when he is traded to the Nashville professional rugby team. It's in his contract, he doesn't think he needs the help, and the sparks really fly - the kind that are generated between two powerful characters who both have control issues, lots of emotional baggage, and some as-yet-undetected chemistry added to the mix. Ms. Locke does an incredible job making these two believable and admirable in their strength even while they are having some major disagreements and miscommunications. I loved Astrid's found family of girlfriends; Gianna and Audrey are so supportive and the group's text exchanges are both funny and informative. Gray has backup from at least some of his teammates as well as his brother and friends in Sugar Creek. I loved everything about this book: plenty of humor, drama, and just-right spicy moments. I'm hoping this novel makes it to audio, where I bet it will be even more amazing!
I was given an ARC by the author and happily volunteered to write a review.
I was given an ARC by the author and happily volunteered to write a review.
September 7, 2025
I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.
This reads as a complete standalone, however it is connected to the Brewer Series. You don't need to have read any of the book in that series to read this, but if you want to understand who Renn is you will want to read The Proposal. Astrid has been present in several of the Brewer books in the past as she works her magic as their assistant who can organize an event and have anything delivered at the last minute. If you've read the Brewer series you know she likes to give them crap for bothering her with their crazy request at the last minute, but she secretly loves the challenges they throw her way. She loves making order from chaos, and her new assignment is no different. Now that Renn owns his own rugby team, he has given Astrid a new assignment. He wants her to assist a new player who comes to the team surrounded by rumors but full of talent. Their first meeting does not go well, and they immediately hate each other. Gray is looking forward to a fresh start under Renn's guidance, but he does not want Astrid as his babysitter. Unfortunately for them both, they have to learn to work together.
Unbeknownst to each other, both Gray and Astrid have some baggage from the past the grate on each others nerves, but when a trip to Gray's hometown has them both relaxing into their natural personalities and sharing some truths they realize they don't have to be enemies. They are able to break down each others walls and find comfort in each other. I really appreciated that this wasn't an insta-love connection. Their relationship built from an enemies situation, to a pseudo friends situation, to something more. This was filled with all the things I love about Addy's books, it had good banter, a fun friend group for both characters, an emotional connection between the characters. This has some spicy scenes but it isn't over the top. I really enjoyed getting to know Gray and Astrid. I'm hoping the side characters mentioned in the book get books in the future.
This was a such a fun enemies to lovers book with a grumpy rugby player and his super organized assistant.
This reads as a complete standalone, however it is connected to the Brewer Series. You don't need to have read any of the book in that series to read this, but if you want to understand who Renn is you will want to read The Proposal. Astrid has been present in several of the Brewer books in the past as she works her magic as their assistant who can organize an event and have anything delivered at the last minute. If you've read the Brewer series you know she likes to give them crap for bothering her with their crazy request at the last minute, but she secretly loves the challenges they throw her way. She loves making order from chaos, and her new assignment is no different. Now that Renn owns his own rugby team, he has given Astrid a new assignment. He wants her to assist a new player who comes to the team surrounded by rumors but full of talent. Their first meeting does not go well, and they immediately hate each other. Gray is looking forward to a fresh start under Renn's guidance, but he does not want Astrid as his babysitter. Unfortunately for them both, they have to learn to work together.
Unbeknownst to each other, both Gray and Astrid have some baggage from the past the grate on each others nerves, but when a trip to Gray's hometown has them both relaxing into their natural personalities and sharing some truths they realize they don't have to be enemies. They are able to break down each others walls and find comfort in each other. I really appreciated that this wasn't an insta-love connection. Their relationship built from an enemies situation, to a pseudo friends situation, to something more. This was filled with all the things I love about Addy's books, it had good banter, a fun friend group for both characters, an emotional connection between the characters. This has some spicy scenes but it isn't over the top. I really enjoyed getting to know Gray and Astrid. I'm hoping the side characters mentioned in the book get books in the future.
This was a such a fun enemies to lovers book with a grumpy rugby player and his super organized assistant.
September 1, 2025
YAS!
The way I go feral for Adriana’s MMCs…. and Gray Alder is my newest obsession!!!! The enemies to lovers is chef kiss, the tension is sizzling, and the banter had me laughing out loud. Adriana’s characters are always so likable and filled with so much depth that I always find myself devouring her books in one sitting. I love how all of her series have some type of inter-connection and that we see characters we love and adore in new books and I loved seeing Renn in boss mode.
The small town vibes, the damaged MCs, the sizzling slow burn, and the friendships — it was perfect. I hope we get to see more of Auddie, Gianna, Hart, & Brooks.
If you love a grumpy sports hero and an enemies-to-lovers romance, this book needs to be on your immediate next TBR list!!!
𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼:
🏉 Sports (rugby) player
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼 Enemies to lovers
🐠 Grumpy x grumpy
🔐 Stuck together
💞 Found family
💼 Workplace romance
💬 Banter
👑 Fiesty FMC
🙌🏽 “Fk it” moment
“If you didn’t hate me, I might kiss you right now,”“If you didn’t hate me, I might let you.”
The way I go feral for Adriana’s MMCs…. and Gray Alder is my newest obsession!!!! The enemies to lovers is chef kiss, the tension is sizzling, and the banter had me laughing out loud. Adriana’s characters are always so likable and filled with so much depth that I always find myself devouring her books in one sitting. I love how all of her series have some type of inter-connection and that we see characters we love and adore in new books and I loved seeing Renn in boss mode.
The small town vibes, the damaged MCs, the sizzling slow burn, and the friendships — it was perfect. I hope we get to see more of Auddie, Gianna, Hart, & Brooks.
If you love a grumpy sports hero and an enemies-to-lovers romance, this book needs to be on your immediate next TBR list!!!
𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼:
🏉 Sports (rugby) player
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼 Enemies to lovers
🐠 Grumpy x grumpy
🔐 Stuck together
💞 Found family
💼 Workplace romance
💬 Banter
👑 Fiesty FMC
🙌🏽 “Fk it” moment
“If you didn’t hate me, I might kiss you right now,”“If you didn’t hate me, I might let you.”
August 24, 2025
I read this as an ARC copy and absolutely LOVED it. Gray and Astrid have some serious banter and hate each other for quite a while. But when they get together, it’s the best 🥹
I loved that this book had more “trauma” backstory for both characters, where usually the rom coms only have it for one character. They work through their issues together and Gray has a really mature way of handling his feelings with Astrid.
Naturally I love anything by Adriana Locke and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. I hope we get this as a series, maybe with stories for Hartley, Brooks, Audrey, and Gianna (Brooks & Gianna anyone?)
Edit (8/25): major book hangover on this one. The only thing I want to mention is the the last chapter feels farther in the future, like it should have been part of the epilogue rather than the final chapter. It made the flow a little weird because I felt like we missed some extra story!
I loved that this book had more “trauma” backstory for both characters, where usually the rom coms only have it for one character. They work through their issues together and Gray has a really mature way of handling his feelings with Astrid.
Naturally I love anything by Adriana Locke and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. I hope we get this as a series, maybe with stories for Hartley, Brooks, Audrey, and Gianna (Brooks & Gianna anyone?)
Edit (8/25): major book hangover on this one. The only thing I want to mention is the the last chapter feels farther in the future, like it should have been part of the epilogue rather than the final chapter. It made the flow a little weird because I felt like we missed some extra story!
September 3, 2025
This was grumpy meets grumpy romance with pinch of boss-assitant equation
The two MCs had baggage that they carried and had to sort through it to come together. Honestly, the trauma and everything became a major part of their story and there wasn't much chemistry or there wasn't much growth arc shown to make their chemistry believable.
Slow Burnish
Ex-drama (for both H and h)
Enemies to lovers (sort of)
Banter
The ex-drama of H and him still having a tattoo of his ex was just😬H was in guilt of something he was not responsible for which fair enough. Its understandable but after you sort out and let go of everything and still want to keep a tattoo on your body was just too much to handle because wouldn't that be still a constant reminder.
There was other elements like the friends, brothers and ex's sister which I just thought distracted from the actual chemistry between the MCs.
HEA. Safe🩵
The two MCs had baggage that they carried and had to sort through it to come together. Honestly, the trauma and everything became a major part of their story and there wasn't much chemistry or there wasn't much growth arc shown to make their chemistry believable.
Slow Burnish
Ex-drama (for both H and h)
Enemies to lovers (sort of)
Banter
The ex-drama of H and him still having a tattoo of his ex was just😬H was in guilt of something he was not responsible for which fair enough. Its understandable but after you sort out and let go of everything and still want to keep a tattoo on your body was just too much to handle because wouldn't that be still a constant reminder.
There was other elements like the friends, brothers and ex's sister which I just thought distracted from the actual chemistry between the MCs.
HEA. Safe🩵
August 25, 2025
I was honored enough to receive an ARC of Play Me!! THANK YOU!!
I have been a huge fan of Adriana Locke, for about 10 years, so this was a huge deal to me.
This story is a lot different than other Adriana books. It's TRUE enemies to lovers, so a slooww burn. When they meet, they're BOTH being childish and extra. LOL So they don't start out great. But, then they are forced together, and both MCs grow so much!! And while they are growing, so are their feelings.
This book is definitely more plot heavy than spice heavy. There are several mysteries happening and being unraveled throughout the story.
There is also plenty of humor and banter throughout, true to Adriana's writing and cleverness.
I have been a huge fan of Adriana Locke, for about 10 years, so this was a huge deal to me.
This story is a lot different than other Adriana books. It's TRUE enemies to lovers, so a slooww burn. When they meet, they're BOTH being childish and extra. LOL So they don't start out great. But, then they are forced together, and both MCs grow so much!! And while they are growing, so are their feelings.
This book is definitely more plot heavy than spice heavy. There are several mysteries happening and being unraveled throughout the story.
There is also plenty of humor and banter throughout, true to Adriana's writing and cleverness.
August 26, 2025
An enjoyable enough enemies to lovers, slow burn romance in the world of professional rugby with two interesting (but not especially memorable) MCs, each battling to overcome past trauma.
There were moments of fun banter, some spice and a bit of found family thrown in, along with what seemed to be foreshadowing for certain secondary characters to star in future books.
I took issue with the not-so meet cute - one character’s actions were later sparingly explained, but still didn’t seem remotely justified.
Spotted a few, but thankfully not many, basic errors (missing and superfluous words, and the MMC’s surname once spelt incorrectly).
There were moments of fun banter, some spice and a bit of found family thrown in, along with what seemed to be foreshadowing for certain secondary characters to star in future books.
I took issue with the not-so meet cute - one character’s actions were later sparingly explained, but still didn’t seem remotely justified.
Spotted a few, but thankfully not many, basic errors (missing and superfluous words, and the MMC’s surname once spelt incorrectly).
August 25, 2025
Adriana Locke delivers another winner with Play Me! Gray Adler’s transfer to the Tennessee Royals throws him straight into Astrid’s world, and their fiery enemies-to-lovers chemistry had me hooked from page one. Beneath Gray’s tough exterior is a man carrying a past he has to face before he can truly move forward, and Astrid is the perfect match to challenge and see him. I loved the mix of banter, heat, and heart—and I can’t wait for more from the Royals, Astrid’s friend group, and hopefully another visit back to Sugar Creek.
August 26, 2025
Off the chart banter from the beginning! Actually I was hooked by the synopsis before chapter 1. Astrid may be my favorite Adriana Locke female main character….she is absolutely the best! Gray is right up there with Lincoln (and that says a lot!). Such a fantastic book that I didn’t want to end! Seriously, a must read but clear your schedule because you won’t want to put it down.
August 25, 2025
“I’m giving you my heart because I know it’s safe in your hands. And I want you to know that yours is safe in mine. Always.”
Banter, tension and utter hate. Astrid and Gray start off on the absolute wrong foot, and are forced to work together. But when they finally get together, fireworks, and everything makes sense.
Tropes:
Sports Romance
Workplace Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Grumpy
Slow Burn
“So I can get your life together, Adler. Your ass is mine now.”
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Banter, tension and utter hate. Astrid and Gray start off on the absolute wrong foot, and are forced to work together. But when they finally get together, fireworks, and everything makes sense.
Tropes:
Sports Romance
Workplace Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Grumpy
Slow Burn
“So I can get your life together, Adler. Your ass is mine now.”
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers storyline. The banter between Astrid and Gray will captivate you from the start. Their chemistry is on fire! Absolutely worth the read.
August 26, 2025
I really enjoyed Astrid and Gray's story. Their first meeting was awesome. I loved their banter and how much chemistry they had. They both opened up and grew as characters throughout the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 28, 2025
This fell flat for me. There was no tension or chemistry between the two MCs.
August 26, 2025
This book is the perfect enemies to lovers romance. The best slow burn that I was dying through. Astrid had a rough go, and decided to pull up her boots and save herself. Gray… oh boy… that one was deep. I loved seeing them work through their issues. Gray made it easy for her to trust him, and she melted the ice around his heart. This one was so good! Play Me was amazing! Don’t miss it!
August 24, 2025
This is the latest story by Adriana Locke. It involves Astrid, the personal assistant to Renn and Blakely Brewer, from The Proposal. I honestly don’t recall if we had heard much about Astrid prior to this story except maybe in name reference only. I’ll fully admit when I started this story, I didn’t care for Astrid at all, thankfully that changed. It starts out at the gas station when a giant truck pulls in behind her, despite every other pump remaining open. She took it upon herself as a personal challenge to quite honestly be a bi**h for no good reason other than she wanted to. I was so hoping that Gray, the truck owner, needed diesel and she happened to be in the available diesel spot. We have a diesel truck so I’m well aware that there are usually only one or two pumps at any given station. However, this was not the case. While she’s being difficult her boss, Renn, calls with a new assignment. Unbeknownst to her the task is for her to be the assistant for his Rugby team’s new player, Gray. They already started off on a bad foot going from bad to worse once they’re partnered. While fully attempting to make it difficult for the other person to work with. Though it financially benefits them both with this relationship. Her with a doubled salary and him with a bonus, which they both desperately need. Though even when you learn why he needs the money, it doesn’t seem like he should be financially strapped like it’s made it out to seem. It starts out ok and she sends home groceries while also setting up his new locker. She does some truly kind things for him with his locker which only makes him angry. I felt like there was an underlying story that we would hear later, but no such luck and no explanation was given as to why it pissed him off. She ultimately quits which means he loses his bonus so he persuades her to change her mind. Not only do they end up working together but fall in love. There was a time or two, when one chapter ended and the next started that I was a bit confused as to what was happening. Even after doing a quick reread I was confused. There’s definitely potential for side characters to get their own book with a HEA but I’m not sure if that was planned or not. Overall, I liked the book but again there were some unanswered questions/unexplained storylines that I felt could’ve been easily explained that added overall value.
August 31, 2025
4.5 stars
𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨
If at first you’re enemies, try, try, try again (little rugby pun for you there)
𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛
Felt organic
Great side characters
Chemistry
Banter
𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛
Every man in Astrid’s past
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨/𝙨𝙪𝙗 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚𝙨
Workplace romance
Sports romance
Forced proximity ish
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
Gray is the newest member of the Royal rugby team, but he comes with a lot of rumours about his private life. So to try and kill all the birds with one stone, the owner of the team assigns him a personal assistant in the form of Astrid.
There are only two problems with this situation: 1- Gray thinks it means they believe the awful rumours about him which already puts him on the back foot, and 2- Gray and Astrid already had a meet-ugly that morning.
Wow, these two really got off on the wrong foot and it took a long time for them to come around. In all honesty I still don’t understand why Gray even pulled up to her pump in the first place when all the others were free. So his entire attitude was uncalled for that day. But hey ho.
I thought the progression of their relationship and feelings felt so organic because they truly hated each other at first. They were both nursing their own wounds and demons and unfortunately a lot of them got projected onto one another. Hence the misplaced hate. Their chemistry was so strong though, even when it was “negative”. So much so that just about everyone around them just kept waiting for them to bang.
As usual, the banter between the characters - especially the guys - was awesome. I also love how different Astrid’s besties were, and how they supported her in different ways. And of course I’m now picking out all the side characters who could 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 get their own books.
There may not be a big family forming the basis in this book, but the found family dynamics are just as poignant, and we know this is Adriana Locke’s forte!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for my honest review.
𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨
🤤🤤🤤
💦💦
🤣🤣🤣
😭😭
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨
If at first you’re enemies, try, try, try again (little rugby pun for you there)
𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛
Felt organic
Great side characters
Chemistry
Banter
𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛
Every man in Astrid’s past
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨/𝙨𝙪𝙗 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚𝙨
Workplace romance
Sports romance
Forced proximity ish
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
Gray is the newest member of the Royal rugby team, but he comes with a lot of rumours about his private life. So to try and kill all the birds with one stone, the owner of the team assigns him a personal assistant in the form of Astrid.
There are only two problems with this situation: 1- Gray thinks it means they believe the awful rumours about him which already puts him on the back foot, and 2- Gray and Astrid already had a meet-ugly that morning.
Wow, these two really got off on the wrong foot and it took a long time for them to come around. In all honesty I still don’t understand why Gray even pulled up to her pump in the first place when all the others were free. So his entire attitude was uncalled for that day. But hey ho.
I thought the progression of their relationship and feelings felt so organic because they truly hated each other at first. They were both nursing their own wounds and demons and unfortunately a lot of them got projected onto one another. Hence the misplaced hate. Their chemistry was so strong though, even when it was “negative”. So much so that just about everyone around them just kept waiting for them to bang.
As usual, the banter between the characters - especially the guys - was awesome. I also love how different Astrid’s besties were, and how they supported her in different ways. And of course I’m now picking out all the side characters who could 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 get their own books.
There may not be a big family forming the basis in this book, but the found family dynamics are just as poignant, and we know this is Adriana Locke’s forte!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for my honest review.
𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨
🤤🤤🤤
💦💦
🤣🤣🤣
😭😭
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
August 24, 2025
I don't know what I was thinking Adriana would give us when it came to Astrid- the woman that gets everything done- but sending her Gray Adler was just that perfect little crack in her carefully constructed world.
Play Me is an absolutely entertaining yet heartfelt romance set in the Brewer Family/Royal's Rugby world- so if you somehow haven't met the Brewer family yet I would suggest at least reading The Proposal to get acquainted with Renn, Blakely and Astrid.
Astrid and Gray as enemies was nothing short of entertaining with of course a nice undertone of attraction that neither of them wants to admit to. Both of these characters are chess players and it shows in the masterful way that they spar with each other by each calculated move they make that is until things get a little too personal. I LOVED how instantaneously Renn flipped everything because of his respect and care for Astrid and because of it we finally get that shift in Gray from being a complete grouch and man-child to the much more palatable version of himself.
Because when these two actually start getting along- I love how easy their relationship becomes. Not only for working with each other but for the tentative friendship they start forming. It's then that we start to really get all the gritty details about Astrid before the Brewers and just how far she's come which in turn brings out a gentler yet more protective version of Gray and it's everything I could want between these two.
I also absolutely am loving all the interactions with Astrid's friends Gianna and Aubrey as well as getting snippets of Gray's brother, best friend and some of his teammates. Even moreso I adore the little tidbits in the story that you know come from Adriana's real life- like the way her family comes together to play euchre and just the big family love that she infuses into each and every one of her books.
Keep 'em coming Adriana and I'll read every single one!!
Play Me is an absolutely entertaining yet heartfelt romance set in the Brewer Family/Royal's Rugby world- so if you somehow haven't met the Brewer family yet I would suggest at least reading The Proposal to get acquainted with Renn, Blakely and Astrid.
Astrid and Gray as enemies was nothing short of entertaining with of course a nice undertone of attraction that neither of them wants to admit to. Both of these characters are chess players and it shows in the masterful way that they spar with each other by each calculated move they make that is until things get a little too personal. I LOVED how instantaneously Renn flipped everything because of his respect and care for Astrid and because of it we finally get that shift in Gray from being a complete grouch and man-child to the much more palatable version of himself.
Because when these two actually start getting along- I love how easy their relationship becomes. Not only for working with each other but for the tentative friendship they start forming. It's then that we start to really get all the gritty details about Astrid before the Brewers and just how far she's come which in turn brings out a gentler yet more protective version of Gray and it's everything I could want between these two.
I also absolutely am loving all the interactions with Astrid's friends Gianna and Aubrey as well as getting snippets of Gray's brother, best friend and some of his teammates. Even moreso I adore the little tidbits in the story that you know come from Adriana's real life- like the way her family comes together to play euchre and just the big family love that she infuses into each and every one of her books.
Keep 'em coming Adriana and I'll read every single one!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 467 reviews