The Problem with Players delivered a story steeped in emotions coupled with lighthearted moments. Written to captivate readers from beginning to end with its relatable characters and compelling storyline.
Title: The Problem with Players
Author(s): Brittainy C. Cherry
Series: The Problem Series #2
Published by Self-published on May 23, 2024
Pages: 412
Genre(s): Contemporary Sports Romance
Source: Publicist
Format: eArc 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
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Series Rating:
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As a female coach, I’ve always lived by a simple mantra: throw hard, swing for the fences, and never, ever look back--especially when it comes to past flames.
So when my ex-boyfriend somehow manages to land the job as my new assistant coach, my life is flipped upside down. The game I thought I'd mastered is now being played with a whole new set of rules.
My ex is baseball's all-star Nathan Pierce. He’s tall, dark, and undeniably handsome. He's also all too eager to spend extra hours working together while flashing that familiar devilish smirk of his that still sends my heart racing.
Between playful teasing and lingering stares I discover that Nathan isn’t just here to work. He’s here to rewrite history. Our history.
And when fate throws another curveball involving me needing a place to stay, Nathan offers up his spare bedroom, which sends me spiraling into emotions I believed had long since faded.
Now I’m faced with the ultimate decision: keep it professional and continue fleeing from our past, or confront it head-on by playing the game he thinks we were meant to finish together.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Brittainy Cherry is one of my go to authors for emotional romance. She writes with depth and knows how to pull her readers in. Her focus is not only on the romance, but she also incorporates real life issues to which readers can relate to in some shape or form. This was quite evident in The Problem with Players.
The Problem with Players is the second book in The Problem series and works well as a stand-alone. It features a small town, second chance, slow burn, sports romance between Nathaniel Pearce and Avery Kingsley. High school sweethearts and very much in love with each other, but fate had other plans. Nathaniel left to take up a baseball scholarship leaving Avery behind. This action on Nathaniel’s part devastated Avery. Eventually she moved on. She now teaches at the local high school, coach baseball and is engaged. But then like a blast from the past Nathaniel returned, turning Avery’s life upside down.
Talk about an emotional roller coaster. The story took me on quite the emotional journey. Avery was not an easy character to like. Anger dominates her life, most of which is directed at Nathaniel. However, as the story develops one comes to understand of the reason for her actions. Then instead of dislike for her, feelings of empathy develops. Cherry’s portrayal of Avery ‘s struggles resonated with the reader.
Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, be still my beating heart. He epitomizes the words, sexy, swoon worthy, supportive and generous. I just loved how he took Avery’s scathing responses in stride. This made their interactions funny, passionate and soul stirring.
For readers who are not fans of the third act breakup, a word of note it’s present in the story. However, I believe it was necessary in this instance, especially for Avery who needed time to deal with the issues from her past.
The Problem With Players is a sweet and charming read. Readers who enjoy sports romance and second chance romance will have a blast with Cherry’s latest offering. This is one of those books you will want to savor Absolutely delightful.
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About Brittainy C. Cherry
Amazon #1 Bestselling author, Brittainy Cherry has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing. She loves to take part in writing screenplays, acting, and dancing–poorly of course. Coffee, chai tea, and wine are three things that she thinks every person should partake in! Brittainy lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her family. When she’s not running a million errands and crafting stories, she’s probably playing with her adorable pets.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
A baseball romance! And, sharing the coaching and temp roommates. That ought to make or break it for them.
I don’t mind the third act break up if it makes sense in the story and isn’t just drama for drama’s sake. If there is unresolved issues like hers that still need time, then I can see how it added to the story.
Great review, Nadene!
I love both small town and sport romances, so I think I would like this one a lot. And Cherry isn’t an author I’ve read before, so that’s fun, too. 😀
That sounds really good. Thanks for the great review.
You had me at small-town and second chances. Plus baseball….hello! Wonderful review!