Play Me

A Grumpy Sports Hero, Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

By: Adriana Locke

Narrated by: Sebastian York, Mollie Stark

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?

__________________________________

Tropes:

Pro Rugby Romance

Grumpy / Grumpy

Enemies-to-Lovers

Slow Burn

Close Proximity

One Place to Sleep

Small Town Boy

Coming Home

Romantic Comedy (with emotion!)

©2025 Adriana Locke (P)2025 Adriana Locke

Fun enemies to lovers book

This was a fun enemies to lovers book! There was great banter between Astrid and Gray from the start. Astrid is super smart and sassy. She is not afraid to put anyone in their place so when she becomes Gray’s new assistant he’s in for a rude awakening.
Gray is a new recruit for the rugby team. He had a lot of baggage from his previous life in Colorado. He’s a broody man and does not want to put up with Astrid’s schedule and demands. I loved watching them slowly fall for each other. They opened up to each other and saw that they truly did have a connection under neath all the banter. There was a great group of characters in this book and I think it’s going to make for a great series!

I really enjoyed the narration by Sebastian York and Mollie Stark. They both brought the story to life.

Enjoyable contemporary sports romance

Set in the world of rugby, Astrid is pressed into the responsibility of assisting the latest player added to the Nashville Royals, by her boss Ren... Gray is between a rock and a hard place, compelled to accept an assistant to play for his new team... neither want to work together, or like the other, after an auspicious first meeting. Ren OTOH has a very strong feeling about it all.

A challenging circumstance sets up these two in what begins as a very hostile relationship. We learn over time just why both are so very guarded.

A lovely emotional ride that paves the way for genuine respect and admiration for one another. With wonderful friends in the periphery.

Enemies to lovers

Grey and Astrid's meet ugly sets the stage for a true enemies to lovers romance. Grey really os horrible at the beginning and Astrid is broken in ways that she hides well. How they get to their HEA is a journey that kept me listening. Astrid's vulnerability and Grey's ability to see her make for an engaging story. The trip to Grey's family ranch was a highlight of the story and showed the power of their feelings for each other.

Adriana has a knack for writing well paced and well plotted stories with emotionally goey centers that make for the best HEAs.

Gray and Astrid

I always love Sebastian York's work. Mollie Stark is, I believe, new to me and she did a pretty good job.

Astrid doesn't trust many people, especially not men. Her father was horrid, and her ex used that information to be just as bad to her.

She's become a strong, independent, capable woman, but when it comes to men, her trust level in almost non-existent.

Gray is a star rugby player, recently traded to the Tennessee Royals team. He's been plagued by bad press and rumors from the last couple of years. But while he's not guilty of the things being rumored, he's racked with guilt for a few other reasons.

It's hate at first sight for Astrid, and Gray just thinks she's an obnoxious person. Then they find out that not only is he the newest member of the Royals team, but Renn Brewer has just assigned Astrid to be Gray's "personal assistant", aka babysitter.

Classic enemies to lovers. Their personal stories are well-told and really make you feel connected to the characters. The only thing I really missed by the end of the book was revenge for the ex. Oh well, maybe in one of the next stories, eh?

Sweet Scale: 3.5/5
Spicy Scale: 3.5/5

Play Me. Yes, please.

Play Me is such a beautiful book. It includes love, redemption and forgiveness. Astride and Grey learned to let go of the past and embrace the future. Together, they helped each other for the big and small moments by supporting each other, cheering each other and be there for each other. In the process they find beautiful, forever love. These characters are so funny, supportive and loving. I absolutely enjoy this book, the story is great, the narrators are perfect.