Book: Play & Pretend by Meghan Hollie
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 5/5
Play & Pretend by Meghan Hollie
⭐⭐⭐⭐¾ (4.75/5)
I fell hard for Seren and Jake's single mom, dual-athlete rugby romance.
I absolutely adore Seren. I love when women are strong and independent, but also soft and girly, and she delivers. She is an amazing single mother, fantastic sister, and kickass rugby player. I want to be Seren when I grow up.
I love the discussion around being a mother and how your identity changes. It isn't discussed enough, and it should be, because it would help destigmatize mourning the version of yourself you were before becoming a mother. I love that Seren is reclaiming a part of herself by getting back into rugby and building an external support system with her found family of teammates.
I'm obsessed with Jake lifting Seren up, determined to show her how much she has to offer. And how sweet he is with Cai from the very start? Melted this mom into one giant puddle of goo. Nothing is sexier than a man who will care for a child, especially one who isn't his own. Watching Jake doubt whether he was the best person for Seren and Cai to lean on hurt my heart because he is such a natural caregiver. Honestly, he's total book husband material.
Seren and Jake have great banter, especially on the pitch during joint practices. They take their time building a foundation of friendship and communication. And when they finally give in to the attraction building between them? THE SPICE IS SPICING. Jake gives Seren the safety to let go of the control she carries in her daily life and explore—and he does it all with a dirty mouth.
I really like how close Jake and Nate, Seren's older brother, are. Their friendship goes beyond teammates and best friends; they're closer to brothers. Even when Nate is unhappy that Jake and Seren are starting something up, he is still there to talk Jake through his pre-first-date jitters. I appreciate that Nate voices his concerns about Jake and Seren dating without coming across as overbearing or out of line.
And the girls on Seren's rugby team? I love how readily they accept Seren as one of their own. They make space for her and support her when she needs it—even if she doesn't recognize the need herself.
This is the second book in the Coastal Try series, and you can read it as a standalone. That said, it is so good that you will want to read them all, so you might as well do it in order.
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management for providing an ARC.