I absolutely loved Gavin and Sienna in this! Their relationship was so refreshing—genuinely unique, with no forced third-act breakup (which made my heart so happy!). The banter was sharp, the emotional buildup was perfectly paced, and watching their connection grow felt so natural and rewarding. This book was the perfect palate cleanser—light, engaging, and heartfelt in all the right ways. Their chemistry was very well done and I appreciated that they understood each other perfectly. I love the vibe of Santa Mira and am now personally considering running an ice cream truck after hearing it in this book. I’m beyond excited for the rest of the series! (Also, all my homies hate Ryland.)

Retrouvez les héros de Monica Murphy est toujours un plaisir et ayant particulièrement aimé le premier opus je me suis lancée avec envie . Je ressors conquise par ce nouveau duo.

En effet, on s'attache dès les premières pages à Sienna, jeune fille pétillante et proche de son frère et de ses coéquipiers . Elle est sociale , souriante et secrètement amoureuse de Gavin , le meilleur ami de son frère.

Ce n'est pas forcément un trope que j'affectionne le meilleur ami du frère mais j'avoue que je suis tombée sous le charme de Gavin . En fait, c'est ce fameux code d'honneur " je ne touche pas à la soeur de mon pote " qui a tendance à m'agacer. En effet, s'il est suffisamment digne pour être ton meilleur ami il devrait suffire à être le petit ami de ta soeur non ????

Enfin j'ai donc développé une affection pour ces deux là même si j'avoue que je n'ai pas toujours compris leur choix, notamment celui du secret mais j'ai lu leur histoire avec plaisir .

Le dénouement est comme je les aime et j'ai déjà très envie de me replonger dans cette saga .

En bref : Une romance universitaire avec le football américain en toile de fond toute mignonne et addictive à souhait. Sienna et Gavin nous entraine dans leur histoire et même si on a envie de les secouer parfois , on vibre avec eux. Comme d'habitude, Monica Murphy nous régale !

NOTE : 8 / 10

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved the first book and this one did not disappoint. Sienna and Gavin were amazing together. They had great chemistry, overall it was an amazing brother's best friend romance.
I received an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest voluntary review.

I’m a SUCKER for a brother’s best friend sports romance. And Sienna and Gavin did not disappoint. The tension has been building between these two since End Game and I’ve been waiting for it!

I absolutely adored Sienna and her sassiness! Gavin was perfect with his possessive, yet soft, self. These two were so good for each other!

I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Thank you Monica Murphy, Valentine PR, and Netgalley for an ARC of this book!

Nothing hits quite like a brother’s best friend from this author!

Sienna Cooper has it bad for Gavin Maddox, but who could blame her? He’s the school’s QB, popular and extremely good looking. Unfortunately, he’s also her brother’s best friend and teammate. After a fumbled attempt at getting somewhere with Gavin, the two resign themselves to being cordial. But, sparks reignite and it’s hard for them to resist the chemistry between them.

Sienna and Gavin each had their own stories to work through. Gavin’s dad made his life difficult, and when combined with the stress of being a top athlete who wants to go pro, he built up walls to keep everyone - including Sienna - out. Sienna’s older brother Coop owns the spotlight, and she often takes a back seat to him, and in the process, she forgets to pursue what she wants.

Definitely a new favorite from this author!

Ok, I think this may be the spiciest book Monica Murphy has written so far!!

I loved Sienna and Gavin's story!! I mean Gavin is a complicated guy, to say the least with all his feelings of pressure from football, school, and his overbearing father which means he really doesn't want anything to distract him in his final year of college. Unfortunately for Gavin, he can't stop his deep feelings for Sienna even after their interrupted handsy moment during her freshman year. Now let me say I adored Sienna and her inner commentary, especially after a few drinks lol. She was such a fun FMC to read even if she did torture you at times with her back and forth with Gavin. Ultimately these two were loads of fun to read and the off the charts chemistry between them was chef kisses perfection. These two bring all the feels and the heat!!

If you love a good sports romance, brother's best friend, an off-limits relationship, sneaking around, mutual pining, found family vibes, and loads of spice this is an absolute must read!! This series just seems to get better with each story and Sienna & Gavin's story is unputdownable spicy fun!!

Overall: 5/☆☆☆☆☆
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

I haven't read the first book in this series, so I was going in a little bit blind - but as it's a sports romance novel, I just knew I would find at least find something to like about it.
Well let's just say I found a whole lot to love about Sienna & Gavins book. I absolutely enjoy a brother's best friend romance novel, and this one was outstanding. Not going to lie, Gavin frustrated me a whole heap as his conscience weighed in plenty of times when he was going to cross over the line with Sienna. Thank the romance God's that he finally ignored that and eventually went for it. Even though the two main characters are only college aged, they both showed a maturity beyond their years and their growth throughout the book made this even more special to read. As I'm late to the party, it is definitely on my to-do list to read book one asap

Sienna Cooper wants Gavin Maddox, the star quarterback of their college. It’s too bad that so does everyone else. The thing is that Gavin Maddox wants Sienna back, and he thought it was clear her freshman year of college. Then why hasn’t anything happened? Cooper, Gavin’s best friend and teammate, who also happens to be Sienna Cooper’s brother.

ARC Review- This is a 3.75-star read for me. I just love a good sports romance. I loved the brother’s best friend trope, which is what hooked me into the book. Sienna and Gavin’s love story and interactions just make me giggle. THE JEALOUSY SCENES? Oh, I love those so much. I appreciate how Nico and Everleigh’s story wasn’t spoiled. Although it was the first book, I didn’t read it prior, so I’m glad I can read it without having things spoiled. Why this book wasn’t a five-star read was that I liked Sienna at first, but then, she got a little too much for me. Her personality was just too much for me at times. Another thing that threw me off were the drunken hookups. NO!!!! Just no!!!! Overall, it was well written and the plot was good, but to me, the side characters really stole the show. I would like to thank Valentine PR, Netgalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

j'ai apprécié la manière dont on est tenus en haleine par l'histoire de Sierra et Gavin même si l'ensemble ne présente pas de grosse révélation, ils sont touchants et attachants, ils nous font vibrer par leurs actions et j'ai aimé les voir tomber amoureux, ne pas vouloir le reconnaitre et devoir y faire face par la suite. Les événements s'enchainent, le tout est assez rapide et on ne peut en décrocher qu'une fois la dernière page tournée. Une chouette romance avec deux héros auxquels je me suis facilement attachée.

4.25 STARS ⭐

Play It Off by Monica Murphy is book two in the Kings of Campus series and my most anticipated read for this series!
I've been wanting Sienna and Gavin's story since book one.

Sienna has been pining for Gavin, the quarterback for the Santa Mira Dolphins and her brother's best friend, for forever *be still my heart*. Gavin has always found her attractive but fights his feelings for her at every turn!

So many feelings of frustration with these two but when they finally get together, it's sweet, and pure and everything I wanted 🥹. Gavin, especially had to overcome a lot of his issues that stem from his relationship with his father. He didn't see himself capable of being in a happy and healthy relationship.

I loved Sienna's fierceness. She never backed down to prove her worth! The banter and chemistry were perfection. It's just pure angst and I thrived 🙂‍↔️.

I'm excited to see what's next for this series! All these boys deserve their HEA.

This is the first time I have read anything by Monica Murphy and I definitely do not regret it. I can officially add a new favorite author to my list of authors to keep reading from. Gavin is the typical football jock which makes you think he's the ultimate player... but once you get to know him you realize that he has been in love with Sierra from the moment they met. Sierra has been secretively obsessed with Gavin forever. Neither of them could admit it to one another and they kept dancing around, playing games, until things got to be too much. I love them together, they are strong for each other in different ways that they both need.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐎𝐟𝐟 is the 2nd book in the new Kings of Campus series by Monica Murphy, featuring a best friend’s sister, college football romance for Gavin and Sienna! I’ve looked forward to this couple’s story, since I read Everleigh and Nico’s story! It was definitely an entertaining ride full of tension, angst, secret hookups, a little drama, some timeline overlap, and seriously sparking chemistry!! I enjoyed the different characters that brought banter, friendship, and love to this story! Poor Gavin was definitely saddled with a heavy weight of stress thanks to negative parental expectations and the leadership pressure of being QB, but the decision to keep the relationship a secret went on a bit long for me. The resolution was fun, but abrupt, leaving me longing for an epilogue. Sienna so deserved to get what she wanted, and Gavin sure embodied that obsessed hero vibe well!😉 I look forward to the next story in the series!

I received an ARC for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

AHHHH OBSESSED WITH MONICA MURPHY'S WRITING

THIS BOOK WAS SOO HOT


Blurb

Sienna

I’ve had a thing for Gavin Maddox ever since I was a freshman, but it’s a mission doomed to fail. Of all the guys I could have picked on campus, I had to go too far with the quarterback, my brother’s best friend.

We’ve spent the last two years avoiding each other. It’s not that easy when you have the same friends, not to mention I can’t forget the way it felt to be with him. But I can be civil. Polite. Detached.

I think…

Gavin

Sienna Cooper is off limits—except for that one time. I can’t forget it, but I need to forget her if I want to keep my head in the game. This is my senior year and, more importantly, my last season of college football. I can’t let anything distract me.

I’ve respected Sienna’s boundaries for this long. I can do it for another year.

…Can’t I?

Thoughts ✨
Sienna was honestly so relatable I really loved watching her grow!! and AHH I just adored her.
Gavin was extremely hot ( like all men written by Monica Murphy) AHHH so good. I also loved his character growth watching him and Sienna start to fall for each other was perfection the tension at the beginning was AMAZING.
Sienna and Gavin Were EVERYTHING I loved their story and getting to watch their characters grow and IT WAS JUST SO GOOD!
AHHHH LOVED This BOOK

Thank you so much Author Monica Murphy and Valentine PR for an arc copy of this book!!
book comes out April 29!!!

Toooo cute. I love when long time crushes finally come to be in a relationship. Definitely one of the best feelings in the world. It was definitely sad to see the back and forth between Sienna and Gavin since they both wanted it so badly for themselves, but after another slow burn masterpiece from Monica Murphy, we get the relationship we were waiting for all book. I continue to love the camaraderie and love the boys have for each other, as well as new friends Ever and Sienna. They all look out for one another and only want the best for each other. To see Gavin grow confidence in himself after years of being put down, and Sienna learning her worth after feeling constantly overlooked, was so rewarding. Loved this book!

Play It Off is the second book in the college romance series Kings of Campus by Monica Murphy.

This story follows Sienna Cooper and Gavin Maddox. He is the college star quarterback and his main goal is to bring his team the win and make it into the NFL, with no distraction. Which is not easy for him, because his best friend's younger sister, Sienna, is all he can think about. They had a moment together during her freshman year and every since then, they try to not be around each other. But it’s easier said than done and it’s getting harder and harder to stay away.

I love football, and I love a good college romance. If you mix it up with a brother’s best trope, I am sold! I loved tension between Sienna and Gavin and the kinda forbidden vibe it comes with their story. I live for the secret moments between them!

Sienna is a strong and independent woman, but she also has some moments where she is insecure. When I read the previous book I thought he was the player next door, but he really isn’t. He is loyal and protective of his friends and I just love how possessive he becomes of Sienna! They become each other's person and it’s so beautiful to read how they open up to each other!

Monica is my go to author when I need a good football college romance and I can’t wait for the next book!

Play It Off is the second book in the Kings of Campus series. It's a college brothers best friend trope with years of pining, football, teammates, and sneaking around. Fast paced, angsty with great characters, no cliffhanger and has a HEA. These books doesn't need to be read in order and I look forward to reading more in this sweetly sexy sports romance.

I would sincerely like to Thank @valentine_pr_ and Monica Murphy for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.



Sienna Cooper's friend group is small since she doesn't trust easily, she's been used in the past by girls who just want an "In" with her football celebrity brother. She's off limits to her brothers teammates but she has a crush on his best friend, Gavin, who acts like she doesn't exist, except that one night freshman year.

Gavin Maddox is the UCSM Dolphins QB who is considered The Golden Boy. He just wants to play football with no distractions and make it to the NFL Drafts. Gavin is loved by all and tries to keep his emotions under control but when it comes to his best friends sister, Freckles, she blows his mind and he can't quit thinking about her.

Sienna is tired of being not good enough and pushed away by Gavin. When she starts putting herself first and someone else shows interest she tries to move on but Gavin is in pursuit mode now and to keep their relationship a secret they must Play It Off as being frenemies.

What is it about a brother’s best friend romance that just pulls you in and keeps the pages turning. The characters Sienna and Gavin are amazing. Their connection and chemistry is so raw and real.

I loved how these two were drawn to each other but kept it as friends, worried about messing things up between them. Gavin is a good guy, who thinks he doesn’t deserve someone like Sienna. But he eventually gets to a point where he is all in!

The way these two open up and talk, and they are with each other is absolutely everything.

3.5/5⭐️
Despite Sienna’s clear attraction to Gavin, Gavin finds it difficult to move beyond friendship. The push and pull between them remain blazing hot and I was eagerly awaiting THAT moment when he would finally succumb.

Honestly, it took a bit too long for them to finally get together. I was also upset with how immature they both were in how they communicated with each other. So many assumptions were made and it made the pacing a bit draggy.

When Gavin finally wised up and did the right thing, it was amazing to see how well they fit together. I liked their late night deep conversations where they could share their pain and their dreams with one another.

Monica Murphy is one of my InstaBuy Authors.

Her books have so much feeling in them, the love, frustration and even anxiety jumps off the pages and into my chest, like I’m the character in the book.

I lose myself in the pages of Murphy’s books, and Play It Off was no different.
Forbidden romance, secret love, high angst and spicy 🌶️ moments that will make you drool and beg for your very own Gavin. If you haven’t started the Kings of Campus series, I highly recommend this 5⭐️ series!

Nothing about Play It Off was significant to me as a reader. I didn’t bond with or particularly like the characters, Sienna and Gavin, and I found the plot very similar to other football/best friend’s brother romances that I have read. Everything about this book, including the plot and the characters’ stories, felt like something I had already encountered elsewhere.

I found Gavin to be quite unlikable and his back-and-forth attitude simply annoying. I also felt there was hardly any real romance between Gavin and Sienna; they only seemed to have sexual chemistry. I was unmotivated to continue reading and even skipped the epilogue due to a lack of interest.

I was really hoping to enjoy this read, as I have liked Monica Murphy’s writing in the past, but unfortunately, I didn’t connect with this book and it wasn’t for me.

Thank you to Monica Murphy and Netgallery for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.