Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood: My Book Review

Ali Hazelwood is the queen of office, enemies to lovers romance books and she delivers again with her novella and audiobook, Two Can Play. Check out my book review below to see what I think of her latest.

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Two Can Play Summary:

Viola Bowen has the chance of a lifetime: to design a video game based on her all-time favorite book series. The only problem? Her co-lead is Jesse F-ing Andrews, a.k.a. her arch-nemesis. Jesse has made it abundantly clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with her–and Viola has no idea why.

When their bosses insist a wintery retreat is the perfect team-building exercise, Viola can’t think of anything worse. Being freezing cold in a remote mountain lodge knowing Jesse is right next door? No, thank you.

But as the snow piles on, Viola discovers there’s more to Jesse than she knew, and heat builds in more ways than one.

Two Can Play: My Review

Two Can Play is more office romance perfection from Ali Hazelwood. She totally shines when it comes to colleagues to lovers love stories and this one is no exception. It’s a novella that dropped first as an audiobook on Spotify yet felt like a full length novel that had me hooked from beginning to end.

Of course, you ultimately always want more of her characters, but this audiobook was satisfying in its length. Her characters are also always so much fun to fall for, but I love how she made them video game creators/designers who were both obsessed with the same book that served as the inspiration for the new project they would both be working on together. Their shared passion was evident and a great hook to illustrate their compatibility. Gaming nerds for the win!

I will say however that this book reminded me of how much the miscommunication trope just breaks my heart when it keeps two people so obviously meant for one another, a part. That being said it just took a little forced proximity for these two staying at the same retreat center to finally talk to one another and discover that they had feelings for each other all along.

It will also be a favorite for fans who adore her enemies to lovers books because the miscommunication sets up an enemies to lovers vibe which only fuels your anticipation for these two to get together and have their chemistry heat up the sheets!

I also love how Ali always gives great examples of consent in her books and how that manifests when the love interests finally give into their feelings. It’s never cheesy or unnecessarily awkward, but what it “should be” in the real world.

Ali Hazelwood can do no wrong in my mind. I absolutely adore her books, including this one, and cannot wait for the next. I highly recommend it.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Related Book Lists:

• Favorite Snowed In Romance Books
• Best Romance Audiobooks
• Best Forced Proximity Books
• Best Enemies to Lovers Romance Books
• Ali Hazelwood Books: The Ultimate Guide

More Books by Ali Hazelwood:

• Love, Theoretically
• Bride
• Not In Love
• Check & Mate