The Neighbor Playbook: A Sweet Sports RomCom

I was so honored to be an ARC reader for this book!!

I absolutely loved it! It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. Perfectly balanced between the main characters. They complement each other well!
However, what a disastrous way to make a first impression, on so many accounts!! It made the characters lives and situations come to life. Nicole and Dom’s friendship is so incredibly sweet as it develops. I didn’t want the story to end. Thankful for clean romantic comedies that lighten the heart, make you smile, and leave you thinking about it way past the ending.

I received an ARC from Kristine W. Joy in exchange for an honest review.

Tanvi

627 reviews7 followers

This book is absolutely perfect and is now my favourite book by the author.

I loved the flow of the book and how the characters grew through the story. I loved a shy nervous MMC, so Dominic was awesome and I was really really proud of Nicole for proving herself.

DayDreamer8912

358 reviews13 followers

Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy

5/5
Genre: Closed door/Sweet Romcom
🚨TW: mentions about failed business, being mocked, being labelled as a trust fund baby
🔥 Level: Closed door, hot kisses

Read it if you like:
🏀 Dual POV
🏀 sports (basketball)
🏀 Grumpy X Sunshine
🏀 Strangers to friends to lovers
🏀 Lovable and mischievous dog
🏀 Meet disaster
🏀 Opposite Attract
🏀 Neighbours
🏀 closed door (kissing only)

Favourite Moments
🏀 Their first disaster meet.
🏀 Moments with Cocoa the dog.
🏀 Her making him cookies.
🏀 Him teaching her how to train her dog.
🏀 When she got some ideas from talking to him. (can’t spoil it)
🏀 He caught her dancing and singing in her home. (can’t spoil it0
🏀 They opened up to each other and also there for each other.
🏀 Their dates.
🏀 After the party (can’t spoil it)
🏀 Him encouraging her to go and show her proposal (can’t spoil it)
🏀 His friendship with his teammates.
(lots more)

Swoony Moments
🏀 He is great with dogs.
🏀 He encourages and supports her in whatever she had planned to do.
🏀 He is a hopeless romantic.
🏀 He loves, cares and protects her.

Synopsis:
Nicole
An entrepreneur who is struggling but she is not giving up. She wants to make a name for herself rather than being known as her father’s daughter. She is trying her best to save her skincare brand.
Dominic/Dom
An NBA player who is from Texas who is trying to fit in, in his new life in LA and also getting use to his new team that he is going to work with.
One day, he was about to go out for practice and realised that a dog peed on his basketball shoes. He was in a rush at that time and was not really happy about it and its owner appeared and that how everything started. Will they ever get along? What will happen next? Read The Neighbour Playbook to find out!

Review:
Love these two so much. Hehe… they at first don’t really see eye to eye thanks to her dog, Cocoa who did something that made him not happy but though their meet is a disaster Cocoa is still like a indirect matchmaker.

She baked him cookies to apologize and then ever since then they get to know each other and also I love the part where he caught her dancing and singing in her home. (why is he in her home read to find out and who let him in is the fun part) haha…

Love that they open up to each other and also be there for each other. He is trying to fit in with his teammates while she is trying her best to save her career. While talking to him, ideas start pouring and she writing up proposal though she is afraid that it will fail but Dom encouraged her and tell her she is great and the company will love it. She too went to his games to support him.

Love their dates and also him being a hopeless romantic. Can’t spoil what he did for her but I can let you know his grand gesture kind of went crazy. Haha…

Love that he also helps her in training her dog, Cocoa, the lovable mischievous dog. He is just so cuteee and also the love the forum too I wonder who will adopt the high maintenance pig, Princess. I would love to know seriously.

I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @kristinewjoy for the ARC.

This is the 5th standalone novel of The Love Playbook Series. It is a multi-author series which each story is connected to the Adopt Rescue Pets Forum. Can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series.

You can purchase this book on Amazon and it’s available on KU.

Can’t wait for the next story.

favorites

2,096 reviews67 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Anytime I get ready to read a book with this author's name on the front, I am know I am in for a treat and a barrel of laughs. This book was no exception.

Nicole Farrarah just wants to stand on her own two feet. She has a true entrepreneurial spirit. She has a lot of good ideas, but something always goes wrong. The day she meets her neighbor for the first time will be one for the books, quite literally.

NBA star Dominic Neelson (Dom) is a Texas boy, and he is not comfortable in sunny California. But he knows he must make the best of it. His first day of practice is not going to start off very well after he meets his neighbor's fluffy little dog named Cocoa.

Cocoa actually stole the limelight in this story in a lot of scenes. This dog was a holy terror on four legs, but he was absolutely adorable, which was the only thing that saved his little fluffy hide. Between Cocoa's antics and Nicole's clumsiness, the laughs are a mile a minute in this sweet romance.

After their initial disastrous meeting, things settle down and Dom realizes there is more to this beautiful woman than first appears.

There were so many great scenes from Dom squishing down the court in his wet urine-soaked shoes to Nicole being caught in an Swiffer American Idol moment, and Cocoa causing chaos everywhere they go, the laughs just kept coming. This sweet romance was an easy book to read with characters I loved from the first time they appeared on the page, this included the main characters and supporting characters.

I love the game of basketball, so I especially enjoyed the sports romance because I understood everything that was going on.

This is another installment in the multi-author Love Playbook series, and it is a true winner in every category of what I love in a romantic comedy.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Cathy Ward

15 reviews

Being myself is enough…

This is a flirty, fun and laugh out loud romcom that has you going right from the start! Very well written! The author does a great job developing characters that are realistic and that you can really relate to. And oh my… the swoon-worthy kisses! 💋💗

Dominic is an NBA player that has just been traded to the LA Comets and is trying to find his place with his new team. He starts out grumpy but that's only because when he first meets Nicole it's right after her dog, Cocoa, has peed on his gym bag. I love that we get to see Dom's shy, introverted side and see him grow and develop as friendship with Nicole evolves.

Nicole is an entrepreneur who is determined to build something for herself without relying on her family. She was quirky, passionate, and chaotic but in the most endearing, real way. You can't help but want the best for her!

Cocoa is a terror but so cute you can't help but love him! 🐶 And I just love how patient Dom is with Cocoa once they get to know each other. Cocoa steals the show with all his chaos and antics.

I loved this book and didn't want to see it end! I highly recommend it! I love these quotes from the book: “You were so … real. Not trying to be anything but yourself.” and “You make me feel like being myself is enough."

This is the fifth book in a multi-author “The Love Playbook” series. It can be read as a stand-alone but you'll want to read the whole series!

I received an ARC of the book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Randi Sampson

1,812 reviews103 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 25, 2026

Talk about a messy way to start a romance! Let's just say these two didn't get off on the right foot with this meet cute that I certainly won't be forgetting anytime soon! Despite their rocky start though, it didn't take long for Dominic and Nicole to warm up to each other. Their story was one that was filled with awkward and embarrassing moments that had me laughing out loud, but it was also really sweet too. I loved how easily he believed in and encouraged her despite her past failures. They've got a lot to figure out and work through, but I enjoyed every moment seeing them figure it out. Basketball is surprisingly a sport we don't see a whole lot of romances about, so I enjoyed seeing that in the mix as well! This is truly such a fun series, and this one was a great addition to it! If you love dog shenanigans and basketball romance, this is one not be missed.

The Neighbor Playbook is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of The Love Playbook series. This is a multi-author series with each book featuring a different athlete and a cute rescue pet. They can all be enjoyed as standalones or in any order.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Grace Keller

100 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 25, 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

I absolutely loved this book.

Nicole was such a chaotic, passionate FMC in the best way. I adored how determined she was to build something for herself without leaning on her family’s success. She was quirky, endearing, and completely unforgettable…the kind of character who feels messy and real but impossible not to root for.

And Dom… our shy, slightly grumpy, new-to-the-state MMC. I loved that we got to see his introverted, loner side at the start, adjusting to a new team and a new place, because it made his transformation even sweeter. Watching him slowly warm up to Nicole’s sunshine personality was EVERYTHING. She truly brought light into his world, and their dynamic felt so natural and earned.

My heart hurt seeing Nicole bullied by some of the sassier side characters, but I admired how she handled it with such grace. And Dom’s protectiveness? So cute. Not overbearing…just soft, steady, and exactly what she needed.

Also, her passion for rescue animals completely stole my heart. The entire scene with Princess had me laughing out loud. It was chaotic perfection.🙈🥹

This book had heart, humor, tenderness, and characters that felt alive. I loved it so much and didn’t want it to end. It was also a fun and quick read because you get sucked in from the start!

Amanda McGee

212 reviews6 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 28, 2026

This book was very fun. Nicole was funny, sweet, thoughtful, and driven to be successful on her own terms. Dom was kind, reserved, earnest, and determined to make the best of being traded to a new basketball team in L.A. while missing his loved ones in Texas. The interactions between the main characters were funny, sweet, vulnerable, and relatable. I wanted to give them both a hug multiple times throughout the book as they tried to find their way into what they wanted while people (especially in Nicole’s case) judged them with zero reservation. I appreciated how the author accurately showed that in fields where women and marginalized communities were barred from entering, that there are many today that still try to undermine others to gain a sense of superiority for themselves and many that come together and support others and lift each other up. Cocoa was cute and I appreciated how supportive Dom and Nicole’s siblings were when the main characters were struggling. Overall, if you like cute chaotic dogs, basketball, found family, banter, and sweet grumpy x sunshine / neighbor sports romance with no spice, then I would highly recommend this book. I got a copy beforehand and these opinions are my own.

Tori Conkle

4 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

🏀 The neighbor play book🏀

Is so stinking cute! Laugh out loud moments!

If you’re looking for a sweet closed door romance. That is full of laughs and a mischievous dog. This book is absolutely for you! What starts out as an awkward meeting between Dom & Nicole turns into the start of a budding relationship.

Nicole and Dom are just trying to both Make it in L.A.
They grow closer and cocoa Nicoles dog is the center of their budding relationship. Forget a meddling grandma. We’re here for cocoas nonsense 🤣.

This unique duo are both away from family so they really start to lean on each other! Dom becomes very protective of Nicole. Dom starts to feel more at home in L.A.. He feels he is fitting in more with his team. He helps Nicole to stop second guessing herself. We can only go up and have to start somewhere. They both have supportive families and it was fun to see how their older siblings could see their feelings before they wanted to admit them!

The bonus Chapter was so good! I appreciated it so I wasn’t left assuming 🤣

While this wasn’t marketed as a Christian book. At one point both characters had mentioned prayer or asked for prayer. It was comforting. The mentioned my Favorite Bible verse at the end of book!

Stephanie Young

124 reviews3 followers

I always love release days, and I am so excited about this new one from Kristine W. Joy. The Neighbor Playbook is the newest in the multi author series, The Love Playbook, each one featuring athletes from all your favorite sports and some rather adorable, if mischievous animal sidekicks.

Dominic and Nicole definitely have a meet disaster, thanks to the adorably smart-and definitely disruptive- Cocoa. Cocoa’s “welcome to the building” greeting definitely sets off a series of rather unfortunate circumstances for our shy, homesick MMC, causing a rather abrupt and grumpy introduction to bubbly, stubborn sunshine, Nicole.

I absolutely adored how both Dom and Nicole had such similarities in how they felt about certain things, yet were so very opposite in how they presented to the world. Watching as their walls came down, again, with a little help from the fluff of destruction, was so sweet. Watching these two show up for one another, encourage and support each other was so sweet!

If you are looking for a sweet, slow burn sports rom com with an adorably feisty animal sidekicks kick, look no further! The Neighbor Playbook is the perfect story to disappear into for the weekend.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kelli M. Stowers

144 reviews4 followers

Talk about a first impression!

Nicole and Dominic are new neighbors and don’t exactly hit it off to begin with. This Alabama/Texas boy is so lost in LA, between navigating traffic in his big truck, good-natured hazing by his new NBA teammates, and a loud (but intriguing) new neighbor. Nicole wants to be known for more than her biggest failures and is doing everything she can to prove she can succeed on her own. Throw in a chaos monster in the form of a rescue terrier named Cocoa, and hilarity ensues.

This story has the perfect blend of humor and romance. I loved seeing Dominic encourage and stand up for Nicole even when they still barely knew each other. She has a lot of critics and he is always first to back her up. In turn, she helps him find his place in the big city. Cocoa is just chaos-incarnate and I found myself giggling out loud at his antics. He is definitely a scene stealer!

This grumpy/sunshine, sports (Basketball) romance is the fifth book in The Love Playbook multi-author series. Each features a different sport and a different rescue pet adopted through the Fur-Ever Homes pet rescue.

Yvette Jarrell

363 reviews12 followers

Koren | the_blue_eyed_bluestocking

ARC Review
The Neighbor Playbook by Kristine W. Joy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Grumpy NBA neighbor ✔️
Sunshine entrepreneur heroine ✔️
One chaotic, scene-stealing dog named Cocoa ✔️

This one had me laughing from the very first meet-cute. But beneath the humor is a really tender story about loneliness, expectations, and finding your people.

Nicole is messy, determined, and impossible not to root for. Dom starts off reserved and homesick, but watching him slowly soften and show up for her in quiet, steady ways? Loved it. His support never overpowers — it just feels safe.

Add in rescue animals, supportive siblings, found family vibes, and a sweet neighbors-to-lovers romance with zero spice and lots of heart, and you’ve got such a charming basketball romance.

Light, quick, but with emotional depth. I didn’t want it to end.

Available on March 6, 2026. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Kristine W. Joy for my advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

493 reviews10 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

This story has it all: a grumpy neighbor, a mischievous pup, a gal determined to make it on her own, and of course, basketball! Can't you just imagine Dom showing up to Nicole's door with her little stinker puppy, Cocoa? While it might not have been the welcoming committee he planned on, it is, however, the start of something good.

I love how the series has been featuring all different types of sports romances, but the little animal sidekicks have been a hoot! I've loved how they have been worked in to each couple's HEA. I think the special thing about this story is that it doesn't just focus on Dom's basketball team, but how Dom and Nicole end up functioning as a sweet, little team as they learn to support each other. There could have been reasons not to be together, but I really enjoyed how they worked through their obstacles and they ended up with a really fun chemistry on the page.

This was another enjoyable sweet and clean read from Kristine Joy!

I received a copy from the author for consideration. All thoughts contained here are my own honest opinions.

Liberty Munson

567 reviews2 followers

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a beautiful romance about two people trying to find their place in the world and finding that their place is in the unexpected friendship that they form with each other. They listen, support, and believe in each other at a time when they both really need someone to do just that. They become each other's safe place.

The book starts with a meet cute involving a chaotic dog who "introduces" himself to Dom in a typical puppy way (if you know puppies, you can probably guess what happens). From there, Dom and Nicole start to develop a tentative friendship that slowly blossoms into more through acts of kindness and support.

This book is full of emotional moments that will hit you in the feels, especially as Nicole deals with the nasty comments in real life and online about her failed beauty products. But Dom is there... reminding her that she is more than her failures.

Such a lovely, heartwarming story. Kristine really nailed the beauty of friendship and how it can become your safe place.

Wendy

607 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

This book is part of the Love Playbook series and can be read as a standalone, but you'll really want to read the whole series - and I would suggest in the release order.

Their first meeting was a disaster, memorable, but a disaster. But their other interactions are better and they quickly become friends. Nicole is an entrepreneur who is trying to save her business. Dominic is an NBA player that has just been traded and is now in LA and trying to fit in with his new team. As their relationship grows, they both find a bit of the belonging they were searching for.

In this book we get a sunshiny FMC, a rescue dog that likes to get into mischief, strong sibling bonds, characters that are trying to find their fit/place, laugh out moments, 18 dozen roses, and a slow burn romance that will have you smiling long after the story is complete. Kristine Joy has done a masterful job of creating characters that you can relate with and quickly become endeared to. I devoured this story and really didn't want it to end.

Make sure to check out this book/series - you won't want to miss it!

Quotes:
"Animals are easy. They don't pretend to be something they're not."

"But I think at the end of the day, we're all just trying to find our place in the world."

"You make me feel like being myself is enough."

Barbara Hackel

2,916 reviews45 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 24, 2026

Dominick Neelson is rushing out of his apartment for the first day of his new job with the Los Angeles Comets when he has to run back inside for his keys. Leaving his bag in the hall, he returns seconds later to see a small dog relieving himself on Dom's bag, saturating his new shoes. Not how any NBA player wants to start his first day with his new team!
His new neighbor, Nicole Farrarah, is standing there, mortified!
Welcome to LA...?
After some more embarrassing moments and tempered chaos, Dom begins helping Nicole train the dog, getting to know his neighbor, and settling in with his new team. So many things go wrong along the way, but eventually everything begins to settle down. Finally LA starts to feel like home.
Terrific main characters, constant confusion, and friendships blend together making the book an interesting and enjoyable addition to the series.

Lou Li Reads

535 reviews11 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 26, 2026

A strangers to friends to more story, I adored their little meet cute because of course little Cocoa is playing his wingman role! Nicole and Dom are both a little lost and unsettled after moving to LA and as awkward as their friendship started, it grows in the most organic way. Such a cutesy Basketball romance and despite both being socially shy they still manage to get their feelings out, no 3rd act break up - just unwavering support for each other and following their guts. An enjoyable read as part of the Love Playbook series.

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own

arc_reads

Ana

541 reviews5 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

What can I say about this one? Absolutely in love with them! Dom a basketball player trying to fit in with this new team, make his new place feel like his but not wanting to know anyone around. Nicole was trying to make somwthing new for herself, after the disaster of the skin care what went bad plus trying to keep Coco alive who came to her life to bring her company. The way these meet, the way they interact has everything to do with little Coco but it makes the story more fun. They were definitely not meant to meet but I love that they got what they both deserve. One of my favorite for sure ♥︎

Kimberly Prytherch

492 reviews17 followers

Ok, this started off with quite the meet cute, which was not cute at all! Throw in a crazy little rescue dog, a few more crazy encounters, and a blooming friendship and you have the perfect sweet basketball romance. This was my first basketball romance, and it was a great introduction. It’s part of a multi author series that connects to each other, but each one stands alone. The characters are so well done, the drama was on point, and the love between Nicole and Dom is so sweet and supportive. They both grow together and the end result is a wonderful HEA. Now. Can we please get Princess adopted?!?

Coffeenbooks

1,919 reviews34 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Angela - Enjoy Life With Me Podcast

- Basketball romance
- Neighbors to more
- Chaotic doggo
- Not such a meet cute, orchestrated by chaos with fur

I absolutely ADORED this book. The chaos that was both Nicole and her dog Cocoa had me rolling! I am pretty sure this is the first basketball romance I've read, and now I need more!

I just loved Dom - he's so out of his element in his new city playing for a new team. Of course, having Cocoa bless his shoes didn't make the greatest impression on his team!

Cocoa is the driving force behind the majority of hijinks in this book and I am here for all of it! I love that this is part of a multi-author series of interconnected books.

Great read!!!

Claire

71 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 27, 2026

* ARC read
* Bad first impression
* Professional basketball player x entrepreneur
* Neighbors to Friends to lovers
* A misbehaving dog
Not everyone is built for LA, but I loved how this book showed these two characters finding their place in the city and with each other. This books speaks on loneliness, fitting in, homesickness, living up to expectations, failure and success, friendship and love, and so much more! This book is so much more than a romance, it shows real life and how we deal with the ups and downs life throws at us! It was definitely a cute read, but also more!

179 reviews8 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 27, 2026

Watching the growth and settling into themselves was so sweet.

Normalize the awkward! Wind blown hair, ungraceful, saying odd things, yes I love seeing this (maybe because that's me)!

The puppy was cute and side characters so supportive! What a heart warming story with serious adorable swoon 🩷

This might be my new favorite of Kristine's!

Content:
Style - Dual POV, sport romcom (strangers to more, proximity/ neighbors)
Intimacy - Moderate (tongue mentioned makeouts)
Language - None
Violence - None
Potential Triggers - failed business that was viral/ cruel people

modern-time-ish proximity

Bernadette Cinkoske

4,609 reviews38 followers

Read

The Neighbor Playbook is a delightful, clean, grump/sunshine, romantic comedy. Nicole, an entrepreneur-want-to-be who exudes sunshine, has a disastrous first meeting with her new and grumpy neighbor Dominic, a transplanted basketball star, thanks to Nicole's dog Cocoa. As always, Ms. Joy's characters become instant friends of mine. This well written book has several laughs, witty banter, characters trying to find their place in life, a delightful romance and a scene stealing dog. It was so entertaining that I reached the end far too soon! The conclusion is awesome!

Lily

213 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

This was a super cute read and a great addition to the Love Playbook Series. Both MCs have moved to a new city and are facing the challenges of being away from the people they know and love and having to “start over” in a sense. After a meet cute disaster😂 and a few other disastrous moments, Dom and Nicole form a friendship. There were some really sweet moments that had me swooning🥰 I loved this story so much! A great read💖

🏀Sports Romance
💖Neighbors to Lovers
🏀Slow Burn
💖Opposites Attract
🏀Meet Cute Disaster
💖Adorable Puppy

🌶️: Kisses Only
🤬: None
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Samaira

259 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 25, 2026

I definitely flew through this book, especially the second half! From the first page, I was super intrigued by the characters and the plot.
Nicole and Dom were both impressive in their careers, and the way their story developed was great.
I know it’s grumpy x sunshine, but you could really see Dom’s true personality as the book progressed.
It was so sweet and definitely a feel good rom-com (it was hilarious- I loved Cocoa, he *might* be my favourite part of the book!)

Cami

21 reviews

February 28, 2026

ARC Review: I absolutely loved the love story of Dom and Nicole! Their story started off rocky with a puppy mishap 🐶 but along the way transformed into a beautiful romance. I really enjoyed Nicole’s personality and growth as she faced hardships as a famous tech entrepreneur’s father and fought to make her own path. I liked Dom’s finding LA as home through love and teammates. Go and read Kristine W. Joy’s book!

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

2026

Kristen

277 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 1, 2026

What a meet cute! Poor Dominic, but at least he wasn’t crazy mean about it. I loved that he didn’t have a big ego and was just like any other normal guy. Nicole was adorable and so patient to put up with the mischievous little Cocoa. I loved how their friendship seemed to just naturally happen, nothing forced or fake about it. Cute, lighthearted story. Part of the multi-author Love Playbook series.

arc-books

Lisa

1,492 reviews5 followers

Review of advance copy

So Cute and Funny!!
Awkward. Fun. Cute. And a little dog. All ingredients for a good read. I like that Nicole suffers some insecurities but is willing to be brave to continue becoming an entrepreneur. And shy homesick NBA basketball star Dom is willing to take risks out of his comfort zone. It’s a hug yourself story that makes smiling an obligation. All ages can read this as there is no R-rated scenes. Just sappy romance. I received a BookFunnel copy and voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Lauren Goodson

49 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

The Neighbor Playbook is part of the multi-author Love Playbook series. It starts with a hilarious disaster of a meeting between new neighbors, Nicole and Dom with the help of Nicole’s dog, Cocoa. Both are trying to find their place within the city and end up finding it in each other. It was so sweet how they both supported each other wholeheartedly without hesitation and helped each other become the best versions of themselves.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.

Brittany Landrum

446 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author