Play for Me - by Libby Hubscher (Paperback)

About the Book

"When an athletic trainer loses everything she's been working toward all in one day, she decides to start over at a boarding school in this new home-run romance from the author of If You Ask Me Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she's forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates. Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she's used to. She wasn't expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own-Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn't want her near him or the precious piano he never plays. With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she's growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps"--

Book Synopsis

When her new job takes her to a New England boarding school, she's surprised to find her roommates are all men - including a very handsome one who plays by his own rules.

Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she's forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates.

Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she's used to. She wasn't expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own--Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn't want her near him or the precious piano he never plays.

With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she's growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps.

Review Quotes

"Play for Me is absolute perfection! Funny, butterfly-inducing and full of heart, Play for Me has it all. Libby Hubscher has solidified her spot as one of my favorite authors with this one!"--Lynn Painter, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Wager

"I would say Play for Me had me at baseball, but really it had me at Libby Hubscher because I love her warm, heartfelt writing. How could I not fall head over heels for this New England boarding school setting, the grumpiest reluctant roommate, and a woman on a mission to prove something to herself? This book is like a cup of hot cider on the coldest day."--Alicia Thompson, national bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers

"Outrageously charming and brimming with feisty, lovably flawed characters, Play for Me is as hilarious as it is tender and will stick with you long after the last page. Libby Hubscher is a master of portraying the messy beauty of emotions and love, every word chosen with care and gentleness. I'll read anything she writes."--Mazey Eddings, author of Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake

"A fun rom-com, that hits all the right notes."--Red Carpet Crash

"A warm and wonderful grumpy-sunshine romance with a ton of heart."--We Live and Breathe Books

"Hubscher hits a home run with this sweet opposites attract story of new love healing old wounds."--Publishers Weekly

"Give Hubscher's latest (after If You Ask Me) to fans of enemies-to-lovers stories and those looking for humor in their romance."--Library Journal

Praise for the novels of Libby Hubscher

"I gasped, I ground my teeth, and I cheered along with Violet as she gathered the smashed pieces of her life and used them to build something better than before."--Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of Dial A for Aunties, on If You Ask Me

"Full of southern charm and self-discovery. Libby Hubscher brings a light touch to heavy emotions in this witty novel about starting over in life and in love."--Virginia Kantra, author of Beth & Amy, on If You Ask Me

"A funny, feminist, feel-good novel about making mistakes, asking for advice, and writing your own happy ending. I laughed and I cried--this novel is an absolute joy!"--Freya Sampson, author of The Last Chance Library, on If You Ask Me

"Brimming with hilarious moments and heartwarming characters, this rom-com stars Violet Covington, the writer of an advice column called Dear Sweetie."--Women's World on If You Ask Me

"Meet Me in Paradise is such a compelling read! By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, Libby Hubscher truly takes us on a journey as Marin learns to find happiness on her own terms. Her adventures are brought so vividly to life that I want to start a #ProjectParadise of my own!"--Jen DeLuca, USA Today bestselling author of Well Traveled

"Meet Me In Paradise is a stunning tale of love, loss, and the capacity for wonder. Marin's adventure will touch anyone who has ever felt adrift in a sea of responsibility and decided to swim toward the shore. Hubscher expertly crafts a delicious blend of humor, whimsy, and raw emotion that left me laughing, crying, and unable to put it down."--Denise Williams, author of Technically Yours

"Both a romantic escape and an ode to sisterhood, Meet Me in Paradise made me swoon, laugh, and then sneaked up on me and made me cry. Marin and Sadie are the beating heart of this story--I adored them in all their wild, wonderful messiness. A radiantly hopeful book."--Rachel Lynn Solomon, New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk

About the Author

Libby Hubscher is an author and scientist. She studied biology at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and holds a doctor of philosophy in molecular toxicology from North Carolina State University. Her work has appeared online and in textbooks, scientific journals, and literary journals. Her short story "The Unwelcome Guest" was long-listed for the Wigleaf Top 50 in 2018. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two young children, and a menagerie of pets.