ARC Review: Play for Me by Libby Hubscher
10:00
Series: None
Author: Libby Hubscher
Published June 20th 2023 by Berkley
Goodreads Synopsis
When her new job takes her to a New England boarding school, she's surprised to find her roommates are all men - including a very handsome one who plays by his own rules.
Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she's forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates.
Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she's used to. She wasn't expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own--Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn't want her near him or the precious piano he never plays.
With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she's growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
After refusing to allow one of the Red Sox play during the World Series, losing the title, Sophie also loses her handsome doctor boyfriend, her job, and her place to stay in the city. All of Boston hate her now, and she needs to get out of town quickly. Luckily, her best friend has found her a job as a coach in a boarding school for privileged kids, and they need someone immediately. Sophie's even more in luck as it comes with staff housing, though she does have to share with 3 men. And one of her fellow teachers, and room mate, Jonas, seems to hate her, and wishes she was anywhere else.
I'm going to admit this was an impulse download on NetGalley, but as soon as I started the book, I honestly couldn't put it down. I think I read it in a four hour sitting, and it's lucky it was on a weekend, because I didn't need to be up early the next morning - I shouldn't start a new book at 9pm! I loved Sophie's strength of character. She knew she was in the right to stop the player from injuring himself further, but as the first female coach, the odds were stacked against her anyway, and the fact that the team lost was no one's fault but hers, at least according to all of Boston. She had such a sunny personality, which worked great to counteract Jonas' doom and gloom persona. I loved the banter between them, and the way they first formed a friendship, before it turned into a true romance. There were some deep and heartfelt scenes too, and times when it seemed all hope was lost, but they prevailed in the end! Though this is my first book by Libby, I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for more!
Dates Read:
April 29, 2023
Rating
4 Stars
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