kfriend's review
5.0
Another charming and adorable holiday novella from the queen of sports romance! Sneaking Around with the Player is enchanting- a tender and heartfelt story perfect not just for the holidays but for any season. I'm madly in love with this couple!
jsromancebookblog's review
5.0
Incredibly sweet with plenty of fun banter but definitely some angst too, this Christmas-themed college sports romance is delightfully swoony. Although we were first introduced to Beau and Stella in the first book, we finally get to find out how they first met in an airport and totally hit it off. They developed a fast friendship that eventually turned into more, and then at Christmastime we find out their sides of the story when their fairly secret relationship gets found out in a rather volatile way. The problem they have is that Beau and Felix, Stella’s brother, have been football rivals for ages, and it’s well known that they don’t get along. The whole situation leaves Beau and Stella’s relationship in a sort of limbo. Will everyone be able to learn to get along so Beau and Stella can be together, or will the stress be too much?
We originally met Stella in the first novella in the Holiday with the Player duo, and I liked her character right away. She’s outgoing and cheery and perfect for Beau who’s adorable and very sweet with her. I enjoyed the drama that surrounded their relationship, since it provided that much needed conflict to the storyline. These two are so good for one another that the addition of the rivalry between Beau and Felix adds just the right amount of interest between them.
Also, I love that we got to revisit the characters from the first book. Felix’s friends are entertaining, and I adored getting to see more of the sibling dynamic between Stella, her twin Holly, and Felix play out. Their family is just the cutest, especially about Christmas, and the way they’re always there for each other is endearing.
So, if you love college sports romances like I do and are in the mood for something with a Christmas vibe, then check out Sneaking Around with the Player. It’s such a fun and lighthearted story with some angst throughout, and I completely recommend it.
We originally met Stella in the first novella in the Holiday with the Player duo, and I liked her character right away. She’s outgoing and cheery and perfect for Beau who’s adorable and very sweet with her. I enjoyed the drama that surrounded their relationship, since it provided that much needed conflict to the storyline. These two are so good for one another that the addition of the rivalry between Beau and Felix adds just the right amount of interest between them.
Also, I love that we got to revisit the characters from the first book. Felix’s friends are entertaining, and I adored getting to see more of the sibling dynamic between Stella, her twin Holly, and Felix play out. Their family is just the cutest, especially about Christmas, and the way they’re always there for each other is endearing.
So, if you love college sports romances like I do and are in the mood for something with a Christmas vibe, then check out Sneaking Around with the Player. It’s such a fun and lighthearted story with some angst throughout, and I completely recommend it.
booknerdy2020's review
4.0
SNEAKING AROUD WITH THE PLAYER By Rebecca Jenshak
While dodging her ex, Stella gets talking to a cute guy who turns out to be a rival footballer of her brother's.
While dodging her ex, Stella gets talking to a cute guy who turns out to be a rival footballer of her brother's.
kem0514's review
4.0
Amazing story! This was my favorite of the 2 novellas and my only complaint is I wanted more. This would have been an amazing full length novel. I hope to see more of them in future books.
After meeting at the airport, Beau and Stella begin texting each other frequently. Beau is reluctant to continue at first because Stella’s brother is his rival. But they have a very real connection. I loved all their texts back and forth. Stella had to fight hard for her relationship with Beau, especially once her brother found out. It was nice seeing a heroine fighting so hard to make things work. The holiday vibes were really fun as well as seeing Holly and Teddy again. Now hopefully Felix can redeem himself in his book because I am still a little mad at him for the drama he caused!
After meeting at the airport, Beau and Stella begin texting each other frequently. Beau is reluctant to continue at first because Stella’s brother is his rival. But they have a very real connection. I loved all their texts back and forth. Stella had to fight hard for her relationship with Beau, especially once her brother found out. It was nice seeing a heroine fighting so hard to make things work. The holiday vibes were really fun as well as seeing Holly and Teddy again. Now hopefully Felix can redeem himself in his book because I am still a little mad at him for the drama he caused!
whatsjayreading_'s review
4.0
4.5
i really liked i loved having dual povs from beau and stella and it was such a quick and easy novella to read
i really liked i loved having dual povs from beau and stella and it was such a quick and easy novella to read
thebookishdogmom's review
4.0
"I get it now. I understand why people do the relationship thing, want to spend all their time with one person, and are perfectly happy to shut out the rest of the world."
I love a sports romance, and combine that with Christmas romance - I'm sold!
Sneaking Around with the Player is a fun take on a Sports/Christmas romance novel. We have Beau and Stella, who are both collegiate athletes, but for different universities. Beau is a football player, and Stella is a diver. Usually sports romances revolve around an athlete and a non-athlete, so it was fun to have both of them in that role, which led to a different dynamic than I'm used to, and a level of understanding for their passion for their sports.
Beau and Stella have an adorable meet-cute in the airport, and they strike up conversation, which leads to exchanging phone numbers. Initially Beau doesn’t realize that Stella's older brother is his big football rival since high school days, and Stella has no idea who he is either. Cue the sneaking around part!
I think what I love the most about this book is the strong bond between Beau and Stella, and the natural progression of their relationship. They start off as texting buddies, then friends, then an attraction and feelings grow. And they do this ALL over long distance! Much of the novella is spent with them apart instead of together. Sometimes we get so used to instant gratification in romance novels, so this was much different than I'm used to but in a good way!
I loved this so much and absolutely recommend it. It's short, cute and sweet, with a little bit of spice too. The only thing I wish is that it was longer! But since it's a novella.. Obviously it can't be longer.
Tags: brother's enemy, forbidden love, sports romance, Christmas romance
Spice: 2.5 peppers
I received an advance copy from Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review. Available December 6th!
I love a sports romance, and combine that with Christmas romance - I'm sold!
Sneaking Around with the Player is a fun take on a Sports/Christmas romance novel. We have Beau and Stella, who are both collegiate athletes, but for different universities. Beau is a football player, and Stella is a diver. Usually sports romances revolve around an athlete and a non-athlete, so it was fun to have both of them in that role, which led to a different dynamic than I'm used to, and a level of understanding for their passion for their sports.
Beau and Stella have an adorable meet-cute in the airport, and they strike up conversation, which leads to exchanging phone numbers. Initially Beau doesn’t realize that Stella's older brother is his big football rival since high school days, and Stella has no idea who he is either. Cue the sneaking around part!
I think what I love the most about this book is the strong bond between Beau and Stella, and the natural progression of their relationship. They start off as texting buddies, then friends, then an attraction and feelings grow. And they do this ALL over long distance! Much of the novella is spent with them apart instead of together. Sometimes we get so used to instant gratification in romance novels, so this was much different than I'm used to but in a good way!
I loved this so much and absolutely recommend it. It's short, cute and sweet, with a little bit of spice too. The only thing I wish is that it was longer! But since it's a novella.. Obviously it can't be longer.
Tags: brother's enemy, forbidden love, sports romance, Christmas romance
Spice: 2.5 peppers
I received an advance copy from Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review. Available December 6th!
nzwijacz18's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0