Not sure how to feel about this one! Went in expecting RWRB vibes, but didn't get the same amount of charm from the characters. Found some character attitudes to be frustrating.

This one was really cute, as far as for a gay romance comes it's pretty good. the story line makes sense and it does work it self around some interesting topics. the endings cute but it does need some work.

So, The Prince and the Player is this MM romance by Nora Phoenix about Tore, a prince who’s just trying to live a normal life and not be known as royalty, and Farron, his soccer teammate. They start off as enemies, but of course, we all know how that trope ends — enemies to lovers, right?
I have to say, I really enjoyed the whole enemies-to-lovers vibe. The tension between them was fun to watch! But, honestly, the book felt a little too long for me. I think it could’ve been a bit tighter. And, while I liked their chemistry, I felt like the relationship leaned more toward the physical side rather than the emotional side. It was like, "Hey, we’re hot for each other!" and I was just hoping for more emotional moments to balance things out.
Also, Nora Phoenix’s writing style? It didn’t really click with me. It’s definitely a style that works for some, but it wasn’t quite my thing.
All in all, it wasn’t my absolute favorite book, but I did enjoy the premise and the enemies-to-lovers storyline. If you’re into a lot of heat and a bit less emotional depth, this might be your thing. For me, though, I was hoping for just a little more heart in their relationship.

This story starts with Prince Tore, who is 4th in line to the Norwegian thrown. He and his royalty buddies get the bright idea to all "live as commoners" for a year. Tore accomplishes this by enrolling in an American college to play soccer (he's REALLY good btw, but his dad wouldn't let him play professionally).

It's at this college he meets Farron, the soccer team captain with the world's biggest chip on his shoulder. Farron has lived through some hard times with his single mother and siblings and has an instant dislike of the rich Tore. He's also irritated at how Tore appears to be effortlessly very talented at the sport.

This story had a great concept that fell apart a bit as the story progressed. The enemies to lovers was pretty one-sided, with Farron not giving Tore much of a chance. Their relationship started off as just sex, no strings attached. That is until they both caught feelings. It was easy to see how Farron could fall for Tore, but Farron remained pretty unlikeable throughout the whole story. He did get better around the end and was much kinder to Tore and loving.

I did enjoy that they were both newly discovering their bisexuality. I, however, did not like that a teammate decided to out them to their whole team.

Overall the story was sweet and cute and had a good premise. I would recommend the author not have Farron "growl" or "grunt" so much, it was used so frequently it took me a bit out of the story. I did enjoy the ending and the story was a quick read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tore, a prince from Norway, has convinced the king to allow him to attend college in the USA. Tore has always been a standout soccer player (Tore calls it football), but due to his position within the royalty, he is unable to make a career out of it as his heart desires. Maybe college in the USA will provide him with a chance to continue with the sport he loves.

Farron is the captain of the soccer team at the college Tore ends up at. Farron has a chip on his shoulder about wealthy people due to past experiences. Tore’s addition to the team is not something he’s happy about.

Tore wants to be friends, Farron most certainly does not. What follows is the kind of story you’d expect with these tropes.

There are quite a few spicy scenes within this book, but they aren’t overly graphic. They are well written and satisfying.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit, and I don’t think it will let down readers that enjoy the prince/commoner theme within MM books.

If I could change one thing about this one, it’s that the ending seemed a bit rushed. Everything wrapped itself up a bit too perfectly.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.

This was a fun and breezy read. Tore is an absolute sweetheart. He's a very likable character and, dare I say it, the heart of the book. Initially, it was difficult to read the chapters in Farron's POV, since he seemed almost needlessly unkind. His harshness was particularly pronounced when contrasted against Tore's brightness. However, once Farron matured, I started to like him more as a character, and they became a cute couple you could root for. It was a nice change of pace to read a book where accepting one's queerness wasn't the primary source of tension or conflict (though those stories are just as necessary). Instead, the story focused more on developing the love story between the characters and had them take their bisexuality in stride. While I found the dialogue slightly awkward or stilted in parts, I enjoyed the book overall. I would give this 3.5 stars.

This was a nice, short, sweet and spicy book. I enjoyed that the soccer element was actually present in the book; I've read some sports books where the sport is more of an after thought, but this book made it clear that soccer was important to the plot and then showcased that with its multiple scenes of practice and soccer games, so I really appreciated that. I think my only hangups about the book are the fact that their bicuriosity was very.. lackluster, and their coming out to their team scene came too easily. It's not that I think women shouldn't be allowed to write MM books, but oftentimes a lot of things don't get written as well because a woman will never be able to understand what it's like for two men to explore liking men together, and what it's like for them to come out. As a bisexual man myself, I think it's important to celebrate ownvoices as much as possible, and when writing something as a non ownvoices author, to do the best research possible for a book. Its important to have sensitivity readers for things you don't have experience with and to make sure you're painting as accurate picture as possible with minority groups.

This was an enemies-to-lovers trope and grumpy/sunshine exploration that was quite well done. Prince Tore of Norway comes to a small college in Ohio, US, to anonymously study and play football/soccer for a year, and immediately runs headlong into a rivalry with Farron, a senior and the team captain. Farron hates all rich people, and he hates Tore on sight. Tore doesn't understand the animosity and does his best to remain unaffected. Things develop slowly, and the author does a nice job exploring Farron's homelife and his reasons for why he is so aggravated with Tore. I also liked how the author portrayed Tore, especially his formal/posh way of phrasing things. There was snark and sarcasm, and I definitely enjoyed that.

Their dynamic is explosive, before and after they both realize they're attracted to each other, and I quite enjoyed the tension between them. Of course, Farron has no idea that Tore is a prince, and this is obviously the part that eventually causes... well, you read this for yourself.

Overall, this story delivered on what it promised, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The only thing I didn't like so much was their teammate outing them after catching them in a compromising position to the football/soccer team - that wasn't cool, even if Tore and Farron didn't make a fuss.

This was my first novel-length book I've read from this author, but it certainly won't be the last.

This was actually my first book by Nora Phoenix, though I’ve seen her works recommended time and time again. It was a quick and enjoyable read for me with two fantastic main characters. I thought this was a pretty realistic progression from animosity to love (especially compared to some wild books I’ve read) and I really got caught up in Farron and Tore’s story. There wasn’t much spice, which kind of surprised me, but sometimes it’s just not needed. It’s pretty obvious that Tore’s buddies will get their own books and I’m on board!

Really 2.5 stars rounded up.

I really wanted to like this book. It was a cute premise, a la The Prince and Me, but the execution just didn't work for me. Primarily due to the writing, which felt awkward and clunky to me, with no real rhythm or cadence. Every turn of phrase and expression felt forced to me. It was also really repetitive and every reaction felt super off and unrealistic to me, with some serious pacing issues. I don't want to harp on all the things that just didn't work for me, so I'll refrain from adding more, but almost all of them were style or character choices in the writing.

A couple things I will add is the forced coming out scene was super gross (and if that's a trigger for you, just be warned), at once point the main character is called Fallon (a typo that I hope gets corrected but also made me giggle), there aren't healthy boundaries between the two mains, and the "epiphany" scene really got under my skin (but I don't want to have to spoiler this so that's all I'll say...but it really bugged me).

But look, for what it was, it was a relatively easy read. And I'll probably read the other standalones attached to this, since that's clearly what's happening here and I'm a sucker for a m/m royalty romance. It was readable, but if you're looking for a really good book, maybe skip this one.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was cute and fun. A nice palette cleanser between fantasy novels. It reminded me so much of The Prince and Me (movie) and Red, White and Royal Blue which I loooved!

I liked the relationship development between the characters, I just wish their conversations and spicy scenes weren't so repetitive. I enjoyed that they were both figuring out their sexualities and exploring their connection together. I'm such a sucker for the hidden royal trope where nobody knows the guys a Prince until the ending, it hits so good every time. As much as this is focused on the romance, I loved the football aspect and the little tour of Norway.

Heat Factor: Plenty is mentioned off page, but the on-page moments are the emotionally charged ones
Character Chemistry: One-sided, irrational antipathy vs. “why is that the only guy who refuses to like me?”
Plot: The Prince and Me x Everything for You
Overall: It’s cute, but it’s not deep, so I’d not recommend trying to read it that way

This is one of those stories that relies on the reader’s suspension of disbelief. Like, imagine the world and all its operators are mostly good. That’s what I mean by “it’s not deep.” There’s plenty to examine here—hello, it’s a prince and a commoner, but not just any commoner, a commoner whose family is struggling so much that he, a child of the household, is relied on to provide for basic household necessities—and this is simply not the book for examining all the sociopolitical and economics stuff that goes into how these guys exist. So, if you are not here for a good time, I am here to say this might not be the book for you.

Tore (the e is pronounced like a little ‘eh’) is fourth in line for the Norwegian throne. The crown prince(‘s wife) is still popping out heirs, though, so he’s not going to inherit, but he’s still constrained by family expectations. His dad already put the kibosh on a professional soccer career, so his last possible hurrah is to convince his family to sign on for him spending one year as a normal guy in an American college. After all, Americans might know the British royal family, but nobody knows the Norwegian one. He’ll be able to fly under the radar.

When Tore arrives in the locker room (in a Balenciaga shirt? What is he thinking?), Farron, the captain, has an immediate, irrational antipathy for the interloper in their midst. To make it worse, Farron has a vision of going pro (from a random college? Like, buddy, for real?), but Tore is better than him. Farron really just has a huge chip on his shoulder, in no small part due to his family’s trauma, and he’s just gotta get that figured out.

The story’s structure is much as you might expect. Tore tries to make overtures, Farron hates his guts. They’re obsessed with each other and everybody else can tell, but they can’t. They’re like, this whole hate thing we have gone on makes me feel kinda…weird. Then, at juuuuust about 40% there’s an explosive moment. The trouble these guys have is… Well, it’s actually numerous troubles, but we’ll set aside the temporary nature of Tore’s plans and college in general and boil it down to 1) this is a double bi-awakening, and these guys handle that differently, and 2) Farron is desperately holding onto his emotional space.

Here’s another nugget for the prospective reader: Farron is a pill. This is a complicated situation in that they’re both going through some self-discovery, and Farron is just not handling it. So, if you really need some well-behaved characters, I’m sorry. Farron is not. Also, just in general, college kids are not particularly known for their great behavior either.

I really think my The Prince and Me x Everything for You plot note above is remarkably accurate. No further notes. If you’re in for a light, happy romance, give it a try. It’s fun! But if any of the above seems like a “nope” for you, we’ll keep looking for a better fit.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

It took me a little while to get into this one. It's a good read and once I warmed to the characters I really enjoyed it.
I do enjoy enemies to lovers, my only slight thing with this one is that there was far more emphasis put onto the enemies side of things, rather than the lovers. Once they'd decided they'd liked each other, things just seemed to fall into place. In an ideal world, I think I would have liked a bit more about them as a couple as they started to work things out.
Overall, a fun and enjoyable read.

This was a sweet story about an undercover prince falling for a college football (soccer) star. I thought Tore was sweet and I liked the clear voices that each character’s POVs were written with.

Farron has had a difficult life, scraping together every penny he can to help support his siblings and mother. He’s disillusioned with rich people - his wealthy grandparents having cut off the family when his father died. So when rich Norwegian pretty boy Tore joins the team, he takes an immediate dislike to him and is determined to give the player the cold shoulder… especially as he is an amazing talent and Farron feels threatened. But Tore is sunshine personified and Farron eventually feels his hatred giving way to something else entirely…

I have to say, I’m not sure I entirely bought the romance between these two. It seemed to switch from hatred (which seemed kind of unfair on Farron’s part) to lust and eventually morphed into love… but I just don’t know if I got the switch, it seemed to come out of nowhere honestly. I just think Farron’s unnecessary hatred of Tore put me off; I couldn’t see why Tore gave him so many chances!

This was definitely an enjoyable read but not overly memorable; it’s touted as being for fans of RWRB which I think is always so risky as that book is absolutely the peak of excellence in the genre… This was sweet and an easy read but the characters certainly weren’t on par with Alex and Henry!

So overall a fun, sweet read with a satisfying HEA, but probably not one of my faves in the genre.

Also, one thing that bothered me - Tore is blonde and Farron is brunette… meaning the characters on the cover are the wrong way around 🙈

Read The Prince and The Player for:
✨ Undercover Prince x Soccer Captain
✨ Double bi awakening
✨ Class difference
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Cultural differences
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Enemies(sort of) to lovers

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! It’s out on 25th March 2025 💕

I adore Nora Phoenix. I have read every single one of her mm romance novels, but with this one, she really upped her game.

This one is for all of us in a Red, white and royal blue funk. This book is to put it simple: perfection. I love the chemistry and the build up between the two main characters, and just how different and very similar they both are. Nora writes her characters with a lot of respect, and lets the boys not fall straight into lust, but slowly go from sort of enemies to reluctant friends. That is not easy. I devoured this novel, even if I tried to read it slowly to enjoy every single chapter.

I have to say that the spicy scenes was some of the hottest and most memorable words I have read. I needed to take a break because of the the pure realness. Bravo!

One thing though: I myself am a born and bred Norwegian with a lot of knowledge about the real Norwegian royal family. Tores full and last name is the one thing that made me squirm. The only part that’s Norwegian here, is his first name: Tore. The rest sounds like he is from the Netherlands or Switzerland. I really think Tores last name should be a lot shorter and changed. It’s not Norwegian at all.

I cannot wait to listen to the audiobook as well. This book needs a big audience.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc! I want more!

OMG! I loved it. So sweet. So fun.

I love Nora Phoenix, and this book did not disappoint. Farron and Tore were adorable. Their personal discovery stories were heartfelt. I hope this is the start of a fun series with Tore’s royal friends.

If you liked Red, White, and Royal Blue, you will love this book.

If you’re a fan of Casey McQuiston and the movie The Prince and I, The Prince and the Player by Nora Phoenix is something I guarantee you’ll have a blast reading.

It was very much The Prince and I meets She’s The Man, with some other twists mixed in. I really enjoyed that the two main characters found out their sexuality’s together and were able to support each other through that through the book. I also really enjoyed that the fact that they became ‘enemies with benefits’, not for the steamy scenes but because I’m a sucker for enemies to friends to lovers tropes. I’m also a huge Nora Phoenix fan so maybe that helped.

Honestly it was a really cute rom-com. The characters were adorable, and I really enjoyed the friendships the characters made along the way.

Nora Phoenix Does it Again!

⭐️4/5 stars ⭐️

I have been a longtime fan of Nora Phoenix, and as soon as she announced The Prince and the Player, I had to get in on it! And boy, she did NOT disappoint.

One of the things that stood out to me the most about this story is Tore and Farron’s relationship. As soon as they meet, it's instant hate, which is definitely one of my favorite tropes. But the progression of their relationship is not at all what I expected and was so much better than I thought I wanted! Without giving spoilers, I love that hot and heavy spice did not define them and their feelings. Beautifully done!

Another outstanding point of this story was the fact that I didn’t feel like I needed a ton of knowledge about soccer. Admittedly, all I know about soccer comes from Ted Lasso, and despite the fact that the majority of the plot revolves around the game, that was enough! It was also just enough to keep the plot interesting and entertaining.

I’m looking forward to seeing more stories about the rest of the “royal gang”! Please? Please please please?

Overall, I can’t wait for this story to be published so it can go on my trophy shelf :)

I devoured this book.

Enemies to lovers, tension AND THE CHEMISTRY.

Such a cute cosy read with my favourite tropes.

Thank you for the arc, I couldn’t put it down!

I'm a sucker for these kinds of books. Hate at first site. Turns to admiration. Becomes sexual attraction. Permanent lovers. It's always like that right? When you hate someone, you do everything in your power to find silly situations to still be around each other. Well, no, not really, but then again... the line between hate and love is very blurry. Intense emotions come tumbling int your life and mind, and some of us hate what we really want to be or have, right? Enough about my personal idiosyncrasies (tho if you're ready this, you probably feel the same way)... onto the book thoughts!

Both main characters have charm, and a few not-so-wonderful qualities, but they have hearts of gold. There are lovely romantic scenes and relationship (friendship, teammates, et al) levels to analyze and achieve. Happy Endings. Good but not overly explicit sexual scenes. All the right ingredients, plus one is a prince, so it adds that extra layer. Made for a great afternoon of reading. That said, and I say this about many LGBTQ books... there are so few that seem based in any sense of reality where readers could say, hey... this could happen to me. Makes me question, are books written to provide fantasy even if they're not in the fantasy genre, or should some have merit in what could happen. Would those even be interesting?

I always come back to this kind, tho, so it must mean I like the fantasy myself, eh? Thanks for a fun trip, Nora Phoenix.