Play It Off by Monica Murphy is a sweet and steamy college sports romance that delivers all the swoony moments fans of the genre crave. The story follows Sienna and Gavin, whose complicated history and undeniable chemistry create a tension-filled romance that keeps you turning the pages.

What I enjoyed most was the authentic portrayal of a secret crush evolving into something more meaningful, set against the backdrop of college football and close-knit friendships. Monica Murphy captures the emotional ups and downs of young love with warmth and humor, and the banter between Sienna and Gavin feels natural and engaging. The story moves at a fast pace, making it a quick and enjoyable read.

While some plot elements felt familiar and the characters didn’t always fully resonate with me, the overall execution and heartfelt moments made up for it. The blend of sports drama, romantic tension, and personal growth creates a satisfying story that fans of contemporary college romance will appreciate.

Overall, Play It Off is a solid four-star read for anyone looking for a sweet, sexy romance with strong chemistry and emotional depth. It’s a fun addition to the Kings of Campus series and a great pick for readers who enjoy slow-burn romances set in the world of college athletics.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Another sports romance by Monica Murphy for me to obsess over! I loved Sienna and Gavin’s story!! They fought their feelings off for so long (forbidden romance, brother’s best friend)!! Gavin was an absolute dream!! Sienna has such a fun personality. I also liked that we saw glimpses of Everleigh and Nico’s stories overlapping with Sienna and Gavin’s.

What a fun, easy to read sports romance! I always love a Monica Murphy sports romance, she does them so well and this one is no different. Gavin and Sienna have been skirting around each other for years after one hookup Sienna’s freshman year because Gavin is afraid to give into his feelings for Sienna and risk his best friend since he’s teammates with Coop, Sienna’s brother. However, Gavin hits his breaking point and that’s when the book really begins, especially when Sienna is finally taking the time to date again, move on from him, and do it in his face. Gavin’s friends make fun of him for his feelings and I found that hilarious especially as they pushed him to take a chance and actually start seeing Sienna, and then he does it in secret 🤦‍♀️ because he’s still dealing with his fears, but once they are outed it, Gavin owns it in the best way. I also loved seeing Nico and Everleigh from an outsiders perspective, it was so cool, especially with how much I loved their book! I can’t wait to see who Coop and Frank end up with!

Play it Off by Monica Murphy is a sweet, sexy, slow-burn college romance packed with tension, longing, and heart-fluttering moments that had me smiling like crazy. If you love brother’s best friend romances where the chemistry is undeniable but the stakes are sky-high, this is the perfect pick for you.

Sienna Cooper has spent years trying to act like Gavin Maddox — college quarterback and her brother’s best friend — doesn’t make her heart race. After one unforgettable night together, they’ve kept their distance, trying to be polite and detached. (Key word: trying.)

Meanwhile, Gavin knows Sienna is off-limits. His last year of football is everything to him — he can’t afford distractions. But staying away from her? It’s getting harder every single day, especially when the lingering memories between them refuse to fade.

Their connection felt so real — full of stolen glances, casual touches that meant way too much, and that slow, magnetic pull neither of them could escape. I loved watching both Sienna and Gavin battle their feelings, fight against their history, and slowly realise that some things are just meant to be.

It’s a story about second chances, trusting your heart, and finding your way back to the person who’s always been right there — even when it’s complicated.

If you love forbidden romance tension, college sports vibes, and heroes who try to resist but fail gloriously, Play it Offwill be right up your alley. It’s sweet, steamy, and guaranteed to leave you rooting for Sienna and Gavin’s happily ever after.

4.5 ⭐️ Friends to lovers, forbidden love and a huge slow burn is going to do it for me every time and its a bonus if its written by Monica herself!! I ate this up i could tell from page 1 that i loved Monica’s writing it’s so easy to read and so fast paced while still keeping an incredible plot line and the sweetest romance. I must add though i’ve found a new book boyfriend mr Gavin Maddox himself!! Because holy shit that man is hot and the way he loves oh I’m so done for. Gavin and Sienna’s story was so cute with them both being friends pretty much there whole lives because Gavin is Sienna’s brothers teammate and how they’ve always been in love but never wanted to admit it oh it was so good. I loved seeing them grow and adapt as a couple all the way through and the angst and tension they had throughout the whole book was an amazing build up for the relationship at the end. The spice was the perfect amount only added in when necessary to show how much the characters love each other. It was quite honestly the most perfect sweetest romance i have read so far. Even with it being a college romance the characters act so grown up and the found family within the friendship group is really good, im looking forward to the rest of the books in this series and i absolutely need to read book 1 because i need to read Eveleigh and Nico’s story now!!

Ah, this book? Absolutely ate it up and went back for seconds. Sienna and Gavin had me hooked from the jump with their chaos, tension, and can’t-look-away chemistry. I was flipping pages like my life depended on it.

Sienna’s sharp, fearless, and refuses to wait around for Gavin to figure it out. And Gavin? He’s a golden retriever pretending he’s not already obsessed.

Their banter? Perfection. Their chemistry? Had me sweating. Gavin’s glow-up from “this can’t happen” to “try and stop me” was everything.

If you’re into spicy sports romances with forbidden vibes and a heroine who won’t quit, this one’s a win.

I thought this was a really easy read. Sienna and Gavin had chemistry for days. They were a good match in the sense that they both felt overlooked by their parents even though they have opposite quality of families. It’s sweet, steamy, and wonderfully character driven. Gavin and Sienna are just adorable- the down bad college quarterback and his best friend’s little sister.

Rate: 5/5 Spice: 5/5

I love a classic football sports romance! If you’ve never read Monica Murphy you should add to your tbr! This was such an easy read! I loved Sienna and Gavin’s story! You have forced proximity, brothers best friend, secret relationship, second chance, found family, ice cream, QB, and will they won’t they. The tension in this book is thick! The spice was 🔥🔥and we love a little dirty talk😍 If you love sports romance this book did not disappoint! I highly recommend and can’t wait to read more from this group of characters!🩷🏈

this book was not for me, and that makes me so sad because i loved the first one is this serie and the other books ive read of Monica Murphy and i was so excited that i got an arc for this book. it felt so differently written than the first book in the series and i couldn't get into the story or connect with the characters, i am sad to say that I dnf'd this book

Sierra has always had a crush on Gavin. He plays on the football team with her brother, so he is off limits. But that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate him from afar.

Gavin doesn’t have the best family life, I mean his father is a complete asshole to him. He is so afraid he will be just like his father so he avoids any relationships. But he can’t help but be captivated by Sierra.

Gavin and Sierra find themselves making out one night after a bar before being interrupted by her roommate. Afterwards the two try to keep away from one another and have anyone convinced they hate each other. But the chemistry is there. They become drawn to one another and the spice is hot. They keep the relationship a secret because they are not sure how her brother Coop or the other teammates will feel about them being together.

4⭐️
3🌶️

Thank you to Valentine PR, Monica Murphy and NetGalley for and e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 2 of the Kings of Campus series it can be read as a standalone but is probably better if you read book 1 first. This book follows Sienna Cooper and Gavin Maddox. Sienna has been obsessed over quarterback Gavin Maddox since Freshman year where they kissed but didn't take things further then for 2 years avoided each other until one night at a dinner at Sienna's brother's house they decided to be friends. Until one night they take things further. Gavin has always secretly had a crush on Sienna and can't deny his attraction to her any longer. They decide to keep their hookups a secret from their friends since Sienna's brother is Gavin's teammate.

I was eagerly awaiting this story and it didn't disappoint. I am glad they got their story and their happy ending. I loved how their relationship developed throughout the book and the sexual chemistry between these two was fire! I am a sucker for a best friend's sister book trope and Monica Murphy is one of my favorite authors and I love her writing style. She wrote another hit. I just loved these two together. The way I devoured this book and couldn’t put it down until there were no pages left. I have a book hangover now.

🏈𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸🏈
𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨: ★★★★
𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨: 𝟢𝟦/𝟤𝟫

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ🗒️

I devoured this book! It was sweet, cute and spicy! The chemistry and banter between them was amazing I was giggling they way the just understand each other so well

I was definitely hooked from the first chapter, The way they literally avoided each other so things wouldn’t get messy between them after what happened but now it’s two years and they wanna try to be friends

They relationship was such a roller coaster of emotions but I definitely enjoyed reading about their relationship and can’t wait for the next book

tropes

✰Brother’s bestfriend
✰Secret hookups
✰Secret relationship
✰Mutual pining
✰College football

Gavin and Sienna's book was great. From the first chapter I couldn't put it down. After I was finished I wanted more.
I love the Kings of Campus world. I love when we see more of the characters from the other books interconnected in the next book.
Gavin and Sienna both had secret feelings for each other but neither would act on them for fear of what their friends and family would say.
They each completed each other's personalities.
Gavin was the rugged football player and Sienna brought out his soft side.
While Sienna was sweet and kind and Gavin brought out her inner confidence and let her dream and be he own person and not the shadow of her brother.
Their chemistry was intense and they were a great couple!
Can't wait to see who the next book will be about.
Monica writes amazing characters and the world's they live in..

Sienna Cooper started crushing on her brother, Coop's teammate, Gavin, as soon as she arrived on campus. One drunken evening they got a taste of the forbidden fruit. Both recognized the risk to their respective relationship with Coop so they stayed away from each other for two long years. Fast forwarding to the present, and Gavin and Coop are in their senior year and pursuing another trip to the national championship game which could launch their career into the pros. Gavin's more mature now, but his father's constant berating and lack of faith wears on his self-confidence and focus. His attraction for Sienna continues to grow, but he still tries to keep her at arm's length, thus confusing her and hurting her feelings. When she tries to move on with other dates, the green-eye jealousy monster in Gavin pushes him into making a definitive decision.
These two are sweet together, and this was an enjoyable read. It might have been more fun to see more scenes where they might have almost gotten caught by their friends since they kept their relationship a secret from all of them. I hope we eventually get Coop and Dollar's stories!

I have been waiting for Gavin and Sienna's story since the first Kings of Campus book and Monica Murphy delivered!!

The push and pull, between these two, the chemistry, just everything about them was amazing! I loveddd Sienna for pushing Gavin's buttons and doing her best to make him see what he was missing.

Had real life not been calling, I would have finished this book in one sitting. It was quick, fun, and steamy, everything I love in a good book! I loved that we got a front row seat to what was causing the tension between these two from the first book. I can't wait for what's next, I'm crossing my fingers it's Coops book, that man has a story to tell and I just know it!

Love the drama. Makes the story a bit exciting, a bit warry, also sexy, and sweet. Sienna knows where she stands and is not afraid to ask for more. And Gavin is simply not stupid. He finds in her all the support he craves and deserves. Between those two and their friends, there is no lack of unity and support.

Monica Murphy does it again with her sports series!

Play it off is book 2 in the King of Campus series! This is a brother's best friend secret romance. I loved both Sienna & Gavin in this book. Their banter, secret pinning and then came the FIREWORKS!!

Not gonna lie, there was a time or two that I wanted to slap Gavin upside the head for being a dumbass but he definitely ended up getting his shit together and did right by our girl Sienna! I loved Sienna's attitude. She's a girl who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it! She definitely put Gavin in his a place a time or two and it was AWESOME!

Tropes:
Brothers Best Friend
Boy Obsessed
Forbidden Love
Jealous Possessive
Secret Hookups/Romance


*Thank you Monica Murphy, VPR & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC*

3.5 This was a fun and super quick read! Gavin and Sienna have had this tension and attraction between them for years, but they avoid acting on their feelings because he’s teammates and best friends with her brother. But luckily, we get to see the tension build until they can’t take it anymore. 🤪 I loved the college setting and allllll of the yearning.

There was also a cute scene where he’s drunk and just cant help but tell her how he feels, and I’m always a sucker for that. 😌

Sienna has had it bad for Gavin since she met him. They even almost went too far her freshman year. But they have been avoiding each other and acting like they don't like each other much for a couple of years.

Gavin has had it bad for Sienna since he met her. But he had to walk away from her that night a few years ago since her brother is his best friend and Coop would totally kill Gavin if he knew how Gavin felt.

But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny their feelings. Then they realize they can't keep their hands off of each other, but they still don't want to have their relationship known to the world.

I love how Gavin has been secretly pining for Sienna for all of these years. He's borderline obsessive when they do start a relationship. Sienna is the classic "girl who doesn't know how awesome she is". They are really a great couple, but hesitate to reveal their relationship because it will be complicated in a lot of ways. Monica Murphy has such a talent for bringing characters to life and amazing storytelling! This love story is a 99 yard touchdown return for sure!

What a fun book! I was completely invested from the first chapter and stayed that way the whole book. Gavin is the star college quarterback and Sienna is the sister of one of his teammates who grew up living in the shadow of her brother. Football still reigns supreme and it was thoroughly entertaining to see how Gavin navigates his life and her needs. This was a story I didn’t want to end. It was just that much fun to read.

I love that much of the book runs in tandem with the first book in the Kings of Campus series, End Game. Reading End Game first isn’t necessary but will add to the enjoyment of this one.