A review by kayetaz
The Switched-Up Playbook by A.J. Kyler

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Format: ebook

“Even when we could barely stand being in the same room, he was a constant in my life, a corner of my mind always reserved for him.”

The Parent Trap, but make it gay and hockey-related, and you have this fun and sexy story about identical twins swapping places and starting a crazy series of events that ends in two rivals who highly dislike each other falling in love.

Nicko and Xander have butted heads for years, and it doesn’t help that Xander is Nicko’s brother’s best friend and roommate. When Nate comes down with a stomach bug right before a super important game that will secure his place in the NHL, he convinces Nicko to take his place. This results in two weeks of Nicko having to share close quarters with the bane of his existence and pretend that they’re friends. Meanwhile, Xander is slowly losing his mind over the fact that he’s all of a sudden attracted to his best friend.
↳”I’m seeing him clearly for the first time right now, in this overcrowded room, in the middle of a Halloween party: how he tips his head back as he laughs, his pale throat a contrast to his flushed cheeks, the bright glow in his eyes as he keeps listening to whatever joke is told next.”

Their two-week break from hating each other doesn’t end their animosity, and instead fans the flames. They go between bouts of wanting to beat each other up to wanting to pin each other down. This creates the hottest sexual tension and push and pull between them.
↳”I still have the undeniable urge to roll my eyes whenever he opens his mouth. But I also want to smash our lips together before I punch him in the face.”

The relationship between Nicko and his brother was also a really cute part of the story. Nicko comes off as a selfish grump, but the truth is that he’d do anything for the people he cares about. He has this very secret soft spot and it was so endearing to watch Xander become one of the people he takes care of.
↳“I’m used to sharing my whole life—clothes, toys, friends, dreams—and in the end I wouldn’t have it any other way. But this? For the first time I feel the burning need to claim something for myself.”

This was a brilliant debut from Annie and Jay that had me glued to my Kindle from the very first word. I loved the slow progression of Nicko and Xander’s relationship—from hate to dislike to reluctant acquaintances to…well, you’ll see. There are going to be five books in this series and I am so excited for whatever comes next. I’m already crossing my fingers for certain people to get books!

”’I’ve never managed to get you out of my system.’
‘You don’t have to get me out of your system then. Not ever.’”

*I received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.