Diary of a bookworm

Playing By The Rules – Monica Murphy

Content Notes:

Published/Pages:

POV: Dual – Hero & Heroine

Trope: Brother’s Best Friend

Goodreads Bookshelves: 2023, best friends sibling, brother s best friend, college romance, contemporary romance, favorites, football romance, forbidden romance, forced proximity, friends to lovers, secret crush, siblings best friend, sports romance, steamy

HEA: Yes

Steam Level: Extra Steamy

Swearing: Adult

Trigger Warnings: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Anxiety, Divorce

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Book Description: Camden Fields is the star quarterback of our college football team. Quiet. Smart. Absolutely gorgeous. He’s the man all the women on campus rave about. And while he’s had a few casual hookups over the years, it’s never anything serious. Cam doesn’t do serious. He also doesn’t do me. See, I’m his best friend’s little sister, and whenever we’re around each other, he’s always warning me that I’m off limits. That nothing can ever happen between us. But I see the way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not watching. The heat in his gaze. The hunger. He can deny it, but that man wants me. I want him too. I’m tired of always being the good girl and doing what everybody expects. For once, I’m going to break all the rules that have restrained me my entire life. I’m going after Camden Fields. And no one can stop me.

Goodreads Review (no spoilers)

My Review:

Camden & Blair 

This is book two in The Players series. I’ve been waiting for this book to come out since the first book, Playing Hard to Get, came out and I finished it (quickly). 

This book was everything I wanted and freaking more. Brother’s best friend is my favorite trope, so I was extra excited to start Cam’s and Blair’s story. It occurs at the same time as the first book, so questions from the first book were answered in this. In honesty not sure which story I liked more. I think it’s a close call, but this story takes the lead. 

Camden Fields, a quiet, brooding, star quarterback, and Knox Maguire’s best friend. He’s determined to stay focused on playing and preparing for the NFL. But Blair Maguire comes to life and throws him a curveball. Cam wants to respect his relationship with Knox and Blair does everything she can to convince him that they’re each other’s perfect match. A swoony, sexy, angsty love story. And I was here for every delicious page.  

Cam wasn’t the perfect boyfriend, but he was real. He had flaws, made mistakes and struggled with his mental health. All completely understandable when you grow up in a dysfunctional home. My heart broke for him, and his struggles. I was so happy to see that he was determined to make himself better, for himself and Blair. 

“You don’t need to be fixed, Cam.” She sounds so logical. Like what I’m saying is absolutely ridiculous. “You just need to be…shown.” I’m confused. “Shown what?” Her smile is blinding. “Love.” Damn it. I’m completely f***ed.” -Cam

Cam was possessive dick at times. So, if that’s not your thing, then this isn’t the story for you. (I personally liked it when he was possessive). 

Blair. Or B, or Bumblebee (I love cute nicknames). She was a great heroine. She knew what she wanted and didn’t settle for less. Yes, she let Cam get away with stuff a lot of us probably felt like too much. But she loved him, and believed he could be better. I admired her for never giving up, really fighting for their relationship. It was sweet. 

I was impressed with Knox when he accepted that Blair and Cam were together. “You’re my best friend and she’s my sister. It’s kind of weird, not gonna lie, but I know you’re a good dude. You’re not going to f*** her over.” He pauses. “Are you?” It was very surprising, as he was a bit ridiculous when it came to ‘protecting’ his sister. I for sure thought he’d punch Cam in the face.  

Let’s talk about the perfume… The guy bought a small, travel size of her perfume so he could smell her whenever he wanted. *SWOON* I mean he thought it was dorky, but it 100% was not! Haha “For yourself?” I’m confused. “Well…yeah. Sometimes, especially for the last month, I’d just spritz it in the air and pretend you were there.” He groans, pressing his face against my hair. “That’s f***ing pathetic.” 

I wonder if Natalie will get her own story? I really liked her in the first book, and she was just as likeable in this book. It would be cool to see her get her HEA. 

I’m excited to read Ruby’s story! I’m assuming it will involve her and the QB2, Ace. We shall see. 

Altogether a freaking FANTASTIC read. I will 100% be reading Cam and Blair’s story again.