College football player Gray Grayson borrows his sports agent’s daughter’s pink car while she’s living abroad. The owner of the car, Ivy, is quick to contact Gray to make sure that no shenanigans take place in her vehicle while she’s away and a frequent texting relationship soon ensues. When Ivy returns back to the states, her and Gray become fast friends in real life as well. But Gray is a player, and Ivy is determined to keep Gray in “the friend zone” to avoid any complications that may arise from dating one of her father’s clients. When their mutual feelings for each other become impossible to ignore, Ivy and Gray must decide if starting a romantic relationship is worth risking their friendship.
The Friend Zone is the second book in the Game On series; it can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading book one, The Hook Up, if you plan to read it at some stage! The Friend Zone is a spicy slow burn “friends to lovers” football romance dealing with themes and topics like family and found family, the pressures of fame and success, cancer, death of a parent and loss, infidelity and divorce, abuse, overcoming fears, identity, and pregnancy complications. This would be perfect for fans of “friends to lovers” sports romances like Unloved by Peyton Corinne, Fair Catch by Kandi Steiner, Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy, The Homerun Proposal by Maren Moore, The C*ck Down the Block by Amy Award, and The Wingman by Stephanie Archer.
Since Ivy and Gray’s texting friendship started in chapter one and they met in-person soon after, the main story or action started right away without unnecessary preamble, which was really appreciated. Both of the main characters were a little quirky or nerdy, so I found that relatable; for example, they have funny nicknames for each other (Ivy is “special sauce” and Gray is “cupcake”), they tell each other dad jokes, and Gray is obsessed with numbers. There was some conflict or obstacles that Gray and Ivy had to overcome together, but I really liked that there wasn’t a third act break-up as that is my least favourite trope.
This might be a bit of a spoiler, but the inclusion of the accidental pregnancy trope was surprising. Although it made sense for Ivy and Gray’s story, if you’re not a fan of the accidental pregnancy trope or you find pregnancy complications triggering, The Friend Zone might not be for you.
I’m very interested in continuing to read this series, especially because book three is set to feature Ivy’s sister Fiona and Gray’s teammate Dex, both of whom we’re introduced to in The Friend Zone. If you love spicy slow burns, “friends to lovers”, and sports romances then I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Friend Zone!
The Friend Zone is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of April 1st 2025.
Will you be picking up The Friend Zone? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
An all-new print edition with exclusive bonus content, the #SpicyTok favorite GAME ON series by New York Times bestselling author Kristen Callihan brings the heat. Are you ready for it?
They started as strangers texting…
The last thing star tight end Gray Grayson wants to do is drive his agent’s daughter’s hot-pink car. But he needs the wheels and she’s studying abroad.
Unknown: Mr. Grayson, my father tells me he lent you my car. I don’t care if he’s going to sign you or not. As said agent’s daughter, I know football players & their ways. So let me be clear. There will be no shenanigans taking place in it or you’ll answer to me. You want to hook up with someone, do it in a bed and not in my car. Sincerely, Ivy Mackenzie
GrayG: Hey, Miss Mac. You do realize your car is a bubblegum-pink Fiat, right? Even if I could get it up surrounded by all that heinous pink, the car is better suited for Lilliputians. So don’t worry, there will be no shenanigans (Shenanigans? Srsly? What are we, 80?) anywhere near the car. I’m not about to pull a hamstring in the pursuit of pleasure. BTW beds are overrated. Branch out a little.
Soon became best-texting buddies…
Gray Grayson drives Ivy nuts. He’s irreverent, sex on a stick and completely off-limits. Because Ivy has one golden rule: never get involved with one of her father’s clients.
But when they finally meet in person, everything goes haywire. Game on.
