Just for the Plot

Bay Area Players #2

by Meghan Quinn

From New York Times bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a spicy sports romance filled with late-night book club confessions, forbidden attraction, and one slow-burn love story that refuses to stay platonic.

They're just friends.
At least, that's what she thinks. Him? He has other plans.

Bennett Brinkman is San Francisco baseball's golden boy-focused, disciplined, and very bad at ignoring the one woman he shouldn't want. Falling for his sister's best friend was inevitable, even though she's known him since he was all gangly elbows, bad haircuts, and teenage awkwardness...and still insists on seeing him that way.

Bower knows exactly why wanting Bennett is a terrible idea. She's fiercely loyal to her best friend and well aware that crossing this particular line could blow everything up. But when she moves into Bennett's apartment building, that "just friends" boundary begins to blur in the most tempting ways.

The banter comes fast.
The sparks come faster.
And pretending it's "no big deal" is getting ridiculous.

As feelings get messier and attraction turns undeniable, Bennett and Bower must decide if risking their family ties is worth chasing the love that's been in front of them all along.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, He Falls First, Rom Com, Sports

551 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2026

About the author

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinn...

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https://www.tiktok.com/@authormeghanq...

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When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.

You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.

​I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started off thinking this was a potential 5⭐️ I loved how unbelievably down bad this man was & his constant yearning & pining. But, at some point around 100 pages before the ending, I lost interest. It’s just SUCH a long book & probably could’ve been a bit shorter. I don’t think this story was as laugh out loud hilarious as Meghan’s other books - not a bad thing, just something to note. This story had so many amazing qualities & I enjoyed so so much of it. Top tier spice, giggly moments - it had it all. I just wish we had gotten it all wrapped up before I lost interest.

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed & wanted in a summer rom com and I devoured it so fast! The audio was absolutely fantastic and the casting couldn’t have been more perfect! Samantha Brentmoor & Teddy Hamilton performed our main characters, Bower & Bennett - they are two of my faves and were amazing at bringing these two to life! And the rest of the cast included JF Harding, Connor Crais, Stella Hunter, Emma Wilder, and Jason Clarke. Talk about a dream team to listen to!

Bower and Bennett have known each other for years - she’s his sister’s best friend and has always been there for them. But Bennett was crushing hard from the moment he saw Bower, never thinking he’d ever have a chance with her. But after years of friendship and with her moving to the same city and living in his building…things definitely start to change.

The playful banter between these two is perfection! I love that they have that friendship as a base for their relationship and how comfortable they are with each other. I live for a good slow burn and I was eating this up!

What to expect:
⚾️baseball romance
🧢friends to lovers
⚾️he falls first and HARD
🧢sister’s best friend
⚾️slow burn
🧢age gap
⚾️he falls first

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

A hot baseball player who reads romance novels? Meghan Quinn knew exactly what she was doing because Bennett had me hooked from the very beginning.

This was easily one of my favorite age-gap, sister’s best friend romances that I’ve read in a long time. Bennett’s long-time crush on Bower was so incredibly sweet, and watching their relationship grow from a genuine friendship into something so much deeper made every moment feel earned. Their chemistry was effortless, the banter was hilarious, and when the romance finally took off… it absolutely delivered. The spice? Top tier.

I also listened to this on audio, and once again, Meghan Quinn’s audiobooks did not disappoint. The narrators brought these characters to life so well that I found myself smiling, laughing, and completely invested in every chapter.

If you’re looking for a baseball romance with an absolute green-flag book boyfriend, incredible chemistry, laugh-out-loud moments, and a romance that will have you kicking your feet, Just for the Plot needs to be on your TBR.

[Amity Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I devoured this book so fast! The audio with Samantha Brentmoor & Teddy Hamilton was fantastic! These two are always a top tier duo & I loved every second!!

Bennett & Bower!! She is so lovable & unapologetically her! Bower is a man down bad & ready to be everything for her! I am obsessed with these two. The tension, the yearning moments, the chemistry, and the absolute heat they brought!! This was so fun, swoony, & full of delicious spice!!! In typical MQ fashion, she had me laughing out loud, giddy, and even brought tears to my eyes.

As always, honorable mention to the Gladdy Daddies, because I love them!!! The friend group & group chats just get me every time! I cannot wait for more from these characters!!

If you’re wanting the perfect summer rom com, look no further… because this one has it all! A fun & absolutely spicy friends to lovers read that will have you falling in love too!!

Thank you MQ & team for the early ARC & ALC opportunity!! ❤️

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ Meghan Quinn. Audiobook that’s in duet narration. Reverse age gap romance. I knew this book was gonna knock it out of the park! (see what I did there with the baseball pun?!😉)

[Magically Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloom Books and author Meghan Quinn, for providing me with the eARC and ALC of “Just For The Plot”.

I have read book 1 in this series and that is a must before book 2. The author has explained what characters in past series show up in this one. I have not read them, and I don’t think I missed out on anything. I do plan to get to the books at some point, but there is a lot of them.

💭My Thoughts
When I say this book was a start to finish addiction for me it was an ADDICTION! I cannot imagine having never immersive read this one. Samantha and Teddy in my ears while reading along was chefs kiss. No notes, so freaking good. And come on the bromance was bromancing, Gladdy Daddys forever.

Bower my girl. Please never stop reading and being so open. She is everything I see in myself when it comes to being loud, no real boundaries and being book obsessed. She is so relatable that we were just rooting for her from the start.

And the things Bennett has done... may all us book girls find a man who will read romance and try some scenes out.

⚠️ There are some spoilers below, read with caution. ⚠️

"That's not the sister I grew up with. That's not the sister who raised me. You're better than that, Gabby, and I'm disappointed that you would treat someone you love in such a manner, angry or not. Broken promises and all. She deserved more than that."

And this passage, healed every wrong doing by a man in the fictional world. To be loved so much that Bennett stands up to his only family... Forever in love with him.

❣️Tropes❣️
Baseball Romance
Sisters Best Friend
Friends to Lovers
Book Club for Two
Reverse Age Gap
Slow Burn
He Falls First and Hard
She Wears His Jersey
Bromance

🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Length: 525 Pages
Publisher: Bloom Books
Dual POV

🎧Full Cast Narration 13h 28m at 2x
🎙️ Samantha Brentmoor, Teddy Hamilton, J.F. Harding, Connor Crais, Emma Wilder and Stella Hunter
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher: Meghan Quinn

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

We love an age gap when she’s older!

[Filippa Söderström · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gladdy Daddies are back! This time with my boy Bennett! This book was exactly what I needed - a funny, laugh-out-loud romcom with the most perfect slow burn. 🙂‍↕️

Some thoughts: Bower and Bennett might just be my newest obsession!! They’re just such a sweet couple and I mean, reading romance books together, can it be better than that? Their conversations and their connection in general felt so genuine, seeing that they’ve known each other for years. I loved their banter how straight forward and open Bower is, and how that reflected their communication. I feel like this book is like the opposite of the miscommunication trope! 🤝

Apart from relatable characters, it was fun to meet Graydon, Maple and the other characters from book one and that they had a pretty large role in helping Bennett get his girl. As always, I love crossovers so I was thrilled when I realized that Bower’s bestie Gabby is the FMC in The Path to Loving Him, which was one of my five star reads in 2025. We also get other crossovers as well, but I’ll leave those for you to find.


Not only did I get to enjoy the e-arc, but I also got to listen to the e-alc for the ultimate experience. Thank you to the author for the ARC and ALC👌🏼✨

Tropes:
⚾️ Baseball romance
👩🏻 Sister’s best friend
📖 Book club
🩷Friends to lovers
✨Childhood crush
😍 He falls first
🔄 Reverse age gap
💬 Funny group chat

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS ONE!! Oh Bennett, the man that you are!

This is the second book in the Bay Area Players series and I do think it’s my favorite of the series so far. We meet Bennett in the first book and it was a good set up to the golden retriever man he turns out to be in this book. A man willing to read romance and actually ends up loving it and doesn’t have frail masculinity that he continues to do so on his own? Yes please!

Bower and Bennett are each other’s halves and I think it was beautiful to see Bennett be able to make Bower feel comfortable in being vulnerable. This is a friends to lovers kind of romance, with an age gap, and I loved the tension that brought. It was filled with so much “will they won’t they” and it made the spicy moments just that much more 🥵. I rate it 4🌶️ out of 5.

The whole situation with the sister got annoying but it made sense. The ending felt a tiny bit rushed (even though it’s a long book) but honestly, I loved the entirety of it that it felt unfair to ding it for that. This book is funny, sentimental and it made me miss San Francisco even more. I can’t wait for the next book, which I’m assuming is going to be OC and I have theories but we’ll see what Meghan Quinn gives us. 👀

I read along to the audiobook as well and the narrators are AMAZING! It made everything that much more amplified and they bring the characters to life so well. Absolutely obsessed!

Thank you so much Good Girls PR and Meghan Quinn for the eARC and ALC!

[Caitlin Mcneely · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ⭐️

Went in with high expectations after coming down from the high of reading Rules for the Summer, and this book was not written for me, and that’s alright!

The FMC and MMC quite literally never left their apartment or did anything to build their relationship besides, dare I say it, HAVE SEX. 😂

They talked about sex, they thought about sex, they read about sex, and they had lots of sex.

All my stars go to the Gladdy Daddies text threads and Bennett with his lengthy, swoon worthy declarations of love to Bower since he’s been pining for her since he was 16. It was interesting to be in his POV. I wish I could have gotten some flash back chapters on them growing up together to get a better feel of them prior to being 24 and 32.

Bower? She was very surface level. And even though she was the older one, she was not as mature as Bennett. Which turned me off to enjoying her character.

[pubby]

bennett x bower 💕💕
oh how i love meghan quinn's books (if she writes it im reading it)
can't wait for this book to release!!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I love Megan’s writing and storytelling. She makes me laugh and I think she’s genius. Unfortunately I don’t know if it was my mood but I didn’t love this like I loved the others. Bower really bothered me. I felt like she used Bennet for what she wanted and then dumped him just as fast. She was sex focused and lacked greatly. The guys carried this book.

[Book.ishJulie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in Meghan Quinn's Bay Area Players series: Just For The Plot.

Books, baseball and boinking! Start a book club, play the football, and (insert slow burn here) start boinking your best friends brother!

Bennett Brinkman has crushed on his sister's best friend since he was sixteen... and that desire, oh that desire, steams off the pages!

Bower (of no last name) is SO sure of herself; she's unapologetic and direct. She's also a reader who GETS the reason behind reading spicy romance!

The history that these two have! Oh, the years of pining! That eight-year age gap!!! And it's hilarious AF! (Obviously, the Gladdy Daddies take so much credit here! Their hijinks are just next-level!) Somehow, this is also one of the steamiest from Quinn... but like... it's a slow burn... that didn't feel like a slow burn!?

Sigh! The Meghanverse strikes again! This was my tenth from Quinn (I've read them all from How My Neighbour Stole Christmas onwards) and it was SO fun picking up on the character crossover cameos! (And I know there were many more that I missed!)

Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton together. in. one. sexy. steamy. hilarious. audiobook!? It's duet, it's got a full cast, it's obviously what my dreams are made of!

P.S. Two-person book clubs forever!

Can't wait to see where this series goes!

Thank you, Team MQ, for the complementary copies to read and review.

[Sarcasticpageturner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for Bower to get her own book, and it absolutely delivered! I loved her unfiltered, unapologetic personality, and she truly shined in this story. As a fellow book lover, I loved seeing her passion for books and watching her chase her dreams.

Then there’s Bennett, he was everything and more. Even though he was eight years younger, he was incredibly mature, patient, and completely devoted to Bower. My mom always told me to fall in love with someone who loves you more, and Bennett is the perfect example of that.

I also loved Nolan’s addition to the group. He brought so much humor and was such a fun character. Getting more of OC and Grayden was everything I wanted, and seeing Maggie and Ryland from Almond Bay pop back in made me so happy.

The spice definitely delivered, but the slow-burn tension leading up to it was even better. And if you’ve read it, you already know the cupcake scene and the bedroom mirror scene will be living rent-free in my head forever.

Meghan Quinn never misses, and this was everything I hoped Bower’s story would be.

[Jen Altman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meghan Quinn completely knocked it out of the park with Just for the Plot! ⚾️ If you’re a bookworm like me who loves a spicy sports romance, consider this your official pitch to move it straight to the top of your TBR.

Bennett is baseball's golden boy and harboring a major crush on his older sister’s best friend, Bower, but she’s determined to keep him permanently benched in the friend zone. But when Bower moves into his apartment building, forced proximity takes over, and all those "just friends" rules are thrown right out the window. Between playful banter and late-night book club confessions, their forbidden, slow-burn attraction quickly turns into a home run romance that refuses to stay platonic!

This book has all the stats for an instant favorite: high-heat spice, laugh-out-loud humor, and genuine heart. Watching Bennett and Bower as they figure out if risking family ties is worth chasing true love kept me turning pages late into the night. It’s safe to say Meghan Quinn wrote a total grand slam here!

🎧 I went full immersive read with both the ebook and audiobook for this one, and trust me, it was absolute magic! The duet narration by Teddy Hamilton and Samantha Brentmoor is perfection! Their chemistry is off the charts. Plus, having a full supporting cast brought every single side character to life in a way that made the story hit totally different. Hearing Teddy voice Bennett’s swoony, protective side while Samantha nailed Bower’s sharp wit had me completely hooked on every chapter.

[Laraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve ever read a Meghan Quinn book I didn’t love. Her books are always so much fun, and this one was no exception! The audiobook was fantastic, with Samantha Brentmoor, Teddy Hamilton, and the full cast absolutely killing it, as per usual. I loved the hilarious side characters, all the group texts, the found family, the humor, and the emotional moments scattered throughout. Add in the friends-to-lovers romance and all the down bad moments of Bennett falling for his sister’s best friend, and I was hooked. Meghan Quinn’s books are always so bingeable, and this one was another winner.

[~Shawna the crazy coffee reader~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good. I did an immersive read/listen and it made it so much better.

Literally love the gladdy daddies. Their convos are freaking hilarious while also being emotionally supportive. The way their friendship developed was so unconventional but it’s made their bond that much better.

Ok so the main characters in this one… Bennet and Bower! I really enjoyed them. Bennet is the ULTIMATE book boyfriend that you hope to find in real life. His devotion and desire for Bower are the stuff of legends. Bower is so cute. As she slowly saw Bennet as a man instead of her friend’s brother 🤌🏼💋 perfection. Also her work was so cool. I enjoyed seeing her transition from personal assistant to her new role!

My ONLY complaint is WHY the heck did we not see it at the end???? That was not nice Meghan! However, I’m a sucker so I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next in series.

[Flavia 🌙 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 4🌶️

Thank you Mommy Quinn and Good Girls PR for the ARC/ALC!

This is hands down the funniest Meghan Quinn book I’ve read. When I tell you I just kept laughing outloud every other sentence 😂

I did this one primarily in audio and holy shit!!! What an incredible performance. You’d think by now I’d know all sides of Teddy Hamilton but somehow this man still finds way to surprise me with his voice and talent. And all that combines with my dream girl crush Samantha Brentmoor??? A RECIPE FOR MAXIMUM HORNINESS!!

Seriously, what an incredible freaking performance. Of course I have to also give gib gib kudos to the rest of the cast because they were all absolutely perfect!

Loved this story. Loved the spice… I see you Meghan, I see you 🥵🥵

I’m so happy to have gotten so many of my favorite microtropes in a single book. This one is about readers and for the readers.

[Alexia Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot? Oh, there was one. I was just too busy falling for Bennett.

4.5 ⭐️ | 3.5 🌶️

OH. MY. FUCK. This book had me laughing so hard I cried… and I was one joke away from actually peeing myself.

Meghan Quinn, what the actual hell did you put in this book? Because Just For The Plot is hands down one of the funniest romances I’ve read in a long time. It’s chaotic. It’s wholesome. It’s sexy. It’s toe-curling. It’s packed with so much heart that one minute you’re wheezing with laughter and the next your chest physically hurts.

And honestly? Bennett Brinkman can have whatever the fuck he wants. Our 24-year-old baseball golden boy has carried a torch for one woman since he was sixteen, and if you don’t immediately fold for a man who knows exactly who he wants… I genuinely don’t know what to tell you.

The yearning? DISGUSTING. The devotion? ILLEGAL. The patience? Someone give this man a medal.

Then we have Bower. Thirty-two, fiercely loyal, brilliantly funny, and completely convinced that wanting her best friend’s little brother is the worst idea imaginable. She’s promised to protect him for years… just never imagined she’d have to protect herself from him.

The chemistry between these two? Absolutely feral. Every sarcastic comment. Every lingering look. Every ounce of tension had me internally screaming. And don’t even get me started on the smutty book club… Whoever came up with that concept deserves a raise because I was HOWLING.

The banter in this book deserves its own award. Not just between Bennett and Bower, but the entire cast. Graydon continues to be iconic, but OC? OC walked onto the page, caused absolute chaos, stole every scene he was in, and then left me desperate for his book. I am UNWELL.

What Meghan Quinn does so ridiculously well is make you laugh until your face hurts before casually slipping in an emotional gut punch that leaves you staring at a wall questioning your entire existence.

The humour never overshadows the heart. The spice never overshadows the romance. And the romance? It never feels rushed. It feels earned.

Every stolen moment. Every conversation. Every crack in their emotional armour. Every bit of vulnerability. You don’t just watch these two fall in love, you feel it.

This book reminded me that the loudest love stories aren’t always the most romantic. Sometimes it’s the quiet ones. The ones built on years of longing, unwavering loyalty, stolen glances, ridiculous flirting, and choosing each other over and over again. That’s the kind of romance that absolutely destroys me.

So if you’re looking for:
✨ sister’s best friend
✨ years of pining
✨ age gap
✨ baseball romance
✨ laugh-until-you-snort banter
✨ sexual tension so thick you could bottle it
✨ found family vibes
✨ a hero who is so down bad it’s honestly embarrassing (affectionate)

Congratulations. You’ve just found your next obsession.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be sitting here impatiently waiting for OC’s book because that man has already consumed a suspicious amount of space in my brain.

Meghan Quinn… Respectfully… What the fuck.

[Chelsea Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five freakin’ stars!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This honestly might be my favorite Meghan Quinn book! I was laughing throughout the entire book (true Meghan fashion to bring the humor) 🤣

Bower has been best friends with Gabby since they were little. Gabby’s younger brother (8 years), Bennett, is a professional baseball player. So naturally, Bower and Bennett have been around each other for a while (along with Bennett’s crush on Bower 😚)!

Bower moves into Bennett’s apartment building for her job. He’s the only person she knows there, so of course they spend a lot of time together…. Feelings develop however it’s forbidden because he’s her best friend’s brother and he’s 8 years younger than her!

Along the way, lines get blurred, nicknames develop, and guards get dropped…. Creating a spicy good time 🔥The tension between these two is THICK!!! 🥵

I loved all the side characters too! The “Gladdy Daddy” group chat was seriously the funniest! I definitely wanna be friends with that crew 🤭

🎧And the audio?? 🎧
It’s a MUST!!! I mean hello, it’s Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton for crying out loud! Perfection! Meghan’s audio books are truly some of my favorite to listen to! Between her witty comments and banter between characters, it’s a recipe for perfection! ✨


Thank you Meghan, your team, and Hambright PR for this amazing immerse read opportunity! I’m a sucker for a MQ book and this one delivered!

[Kaellie Sanders]

ARC Review!

I have been waiting for Just for the Plot ever since we first got a glimpse of Bennett and Bower in previous books, and I just knew this was going to be my favorite. Meghan Quinn absolutely delivered.

The longing and pining Bennett had for his sister’s best friend was on another level. You could feel just how much he’d loved her from afar, and when Bower finally started seeing him as the man he’d become, he knew he had to take his shot. Enter the “Gladdy Daddy” gang. Their group chats were completely unhinged and had me laughing out loud, but somehow their ridiculous advice actually worked!

One thing Meghan Quinn does so well is letting relationships evolve naturally. Nothing felt rushed or forced. Watching Bennett and Bower slowly fall for each other made every moment feel earned, and it made finally seeing them give in to their feelings that much sweeter.

And the spice? Let’s just say everything Bower has been reading in her romance novels suddenly came to life. It was absolutely chef’s kiss.

Of course, they hit a few bumps along the way, but what I loved most was how they communicated and worked through their problems together. Their relationship felt mature, healthy, and authentic, which only made me root for them even more.

This book was funny, heartfelt, incredibly romantic, and seriously steamy. Bennett has officially claimed a spot as one of my favorite Meghan Quinn book boyfriends, and Bower was the perfect match for him. Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite Meghan Quinn books, and it was worth every second of the wait.

[Christine Villanueva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just for the Plot was such a great summer read ☀️💛

This is the second book in the Bay Area Players series, and it follows Bennett Brinkman, a star baseball player for San Francisco who has secretly been in love with Bower, his sister’s best friend, for years. Their slow-burn chemistry, witty banter, and heartfelt moments made this story impossible to put down.

Meghan Quinn delivered another fun, witty, and feel-good romance filled with laugh-out-loud moments, undeniable chemistry, and characters I couldn’t help but root for. It was the perfect mix of humor, heart, and romance that kept me smiling from beginning to end.

The audiobook made the experience even better—Teddy Hamilton and Samantha Brentmoor did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life! Their performances added so much personality, emotion, and humor to the story. 🎧✨

If you’re looking for a lighthearted, entertaining romance to toss in your beach bag or listen to by the pool, this one is definitely worth picking up!

At this point, anything Meghan Quinn writes, I’ll read. 🤭📚 She never disappoints!

Thank you, Meghan Quinn and Good Girls PR, for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. I truly enjoyed every minute of this story and can’t wait to see what Meghan Quinn writes next! 💕

[Swiftiequeen420 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Meghan Quinn banger! She never misses honestly! This book was SO spicy like 🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵🥵🥵 The story follows our FMC Bower who is best friend's with our MMC's sister Gabby. Gabby practically raised Bennett and helped him to pursue and achieve his dreams of being a famous baseball player. Bennett has had a crush on Bower since he was 16 years old but she is Gabby's best friend and 8 years older than him. As fate would have it Bower is moving to San Francisco where Bennett lives now. She has only ever seen him as Gabby's little brother but now at 24 with abs of steel and muscles for days could she finally see him as something more and make all of Bennett's dreams come true? 🥺🥺 The banter and friendship between these two was phenomenal as always! The introduction of a few new characters including Nolan and the return of somw favoritrs like OC, Maple, and Graydon was chefs kiss!😍😍 The book club they start was so cute! The return of the Gladdy Daddies group chats and a couple of new additions even was absolute perfection. 😍😍😂😂 The spice was NEXT level I mean some scenes had me SWEATINGGG! 😅😅🥵🥵🥵🥵🔥🔥🔥🔥 And if you're listening to the audio it was even more incredible because Teddy Hamilton and Samantha Brentmoor are phenomenal narrators! 😍😍

[Sarimarys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bennett and Bower's relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their friendship, effortless banter, and undeniable chemistry made every interaction enjoyable. I loved watching the slow burn romance unfold as the line between "just friends" and something more became harder and harder to ignore. Bennett completely stole my heart, and I couldn't help but root for these two.

One aspect that really stood out to me was the book club. As someone who loves talking about books with other readers, those scenes made me wish I could be part of their group. I also found myself connecting with Bower because of her dream of owning a book truck. As a fellow book lover, that's honestly something I would love to do myself, so seeing her pursue that dream made her feel even more relatable.

I also highly recommend the audiobook. It is performed in duet with a full cast, which made the listening experience even more immersive. Every narrator brought so much personality to the characters, making the banter, emotional moments, and romance come alive. If you're an audiobook lover, I definitely recommend experiencing the story this way.

Thank you to Meghan Quinn for providing me with both the eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰✨

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 20, 22, 24, 25, 29, 32, 33, 36, 41 & 42
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧: 67%
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Sports romance (baseball), best friend’s brother, he falls first, close proximity, reversed age gap
𝐏𝐎𝐕: 1st person, Multi POV
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Duet with a full cast
𝐊𝐔: Yes

I loved this book! Give me a reversed age gap, best friend's brother, and an MMC who has been hopelessly in love with the FMC for years, and I am immediately invested. Meghan Quinn has been on a roll with this sports romance series, and this is my favorite book in the series so far. Bennett completely stole my heart. Watching him finally get his chance with Bower after years of quietly loving her was everything I wanted it to be. Their chemistry, banter, and emotional connection made it impossible to put this one down.

The audiobook was phenomenal, as always. Meghan Quinn consistently has some of the best productions, and this one featured duet narration with a full cast, which made an already fantastic story even better. Teddy Hamilton was the perfect Bennett, and Samantha Brentmoor absolutely nailed Bower. I also continue to love the athlete friend group in this series, they're hilarious. I also loved all the cameos from her previous books. I've been waiting for OC's story since the Vancouver Agitators series, and after finishing this book, I need it immediately!


⚠️𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:⚠️
Multiple open door scenes with explicit descriptions
Strong language

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:Mention of a toxic relationship, alcohol consumption & mention of loss of a loved one

[BookMarkedbyNicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay… Meghan Quinn. The spice in this book was spicy!

I was so excited that we were getting Bowers story and I absolutely LOVED it. Her dream is to own a mini book truck. Starting a book club with her best friend’s little brother. Did I mention it’s a romance book club, and the brother ( Bennett ) is a professional baseball player. This book will make you laugh from the group texts from the gladdy daddy’s, the writing puns, and Bennett friends. Meghan’s books are always a good time.

[Jess • bestiebookshelf_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! RTC ✨

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite book by Meghan. Bower is the best FMC she has ever written and I loved her so much! Like always, the banter was top notch.

[bella (pageswithbella) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so freakin’ good!!! i usually rate MQ’s books 3-4 ⭐️ bc of how cheesy they can be but i absolutely loved this one!!

bennett is 24 years old and has had the biggest crush on his sisters best friend bower who’s 32 years old. the yearning on this man was so freakin’ cute to read omg! i was kicking my feet and giggling at how much he was in love with her. the spicy scenes were hot as hell and the healthy communication with bennett and bower was refreshing. i bounced back forth with the ALC and eARC and had the best time reading/listening.

all my romcom lovers this is a must add to your tbr’s!! thank you to meghan and her team for sending me the ARC 💕

[Anca A · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Review: *Just For The Plot* - Meghan Quinn - ARC/ALC [18+]
4.9/5✨
3.5/5🌶️

They have known each other for such a long time, becoming like a second family to each other. Bennett Brinkman, Gabby and Bower have relayed on one another when things got tough, but Bennett was hiding a huge secret about his sister's best friend, Bower. He didn't see her as a family member, he saw a beautiful girl who instantly stole his heart from the first time he saw her. And it remained to that stage for quite some time. In the present day, Bennett was part of a successful baseball team, having many fans at his feet, but he was still craving for Bower's attention. And when Bower moved to his apartment building, he saw it as his chance at changing how she saw him and maybe fulfill one of his deepest wishes. Will Bennett be able to shift his connection with Bower into that something he craved since he was a teenager? If so, were they willing to put at risk their longtime friendship and hurting the people they loved for this new found love?

I looooved how smitten Bennett was over Bowen. He had in instant crush on her and it was the sweetest! His patience said a lot about how serious he was about his feelings and I loved how clumsy he was when it came to actually do something towards winning Bowen's attention. I laughed so, so much while listening to this book, because Teddy Hamilton did such an incredible job in making me have a great time with Bennett and, on the other side, Samantha Brentmoor succeeded in bringing that sassy side of Bower. The whole cast was super fun!! It was hilarious to follow the bickering between Bennett and his baseball teammates, making me giggle so, so hard! That also showed me how amazing they were in supporting each other, even off the field, which was really amazing! When it came to the love story, it was impossible to not love that tension which was present between Bennet and Bower, that slow burn simply making me bite my nails by how intense it was! And the forbidden factor added so much depth to their story, which was also so inspiring by how supportive they were with one another and how easy they just felt in each other presence. So, so sweet!! And may I say that it had soo much swoon in it!

I'm always looking forward to reading/listening to Meghan Quinn's books because everytime I know that I'll have a blast with her amazing characters, intricate stories and beautiful and steamy romance side of it.

Thank youuu so much to Meghan and to her incredible team for sending me this e-ARC and ALC, truly enjoying this story and these captivating characters and that secret, forbidden love story.

✨Tropes
▫️Friends to Lovers
▫️He Falls First
▫️Best Friend’s Sibling/Sibling’s Best Friend
▫️Slow Burn
▫️Swoony MMC
▫️Reversed Age Gap (she's 8years older)
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Baseball Player