When I think of volleyball, I think of Haikyuu (which reminds me I have to watch season 2 before the season 3 is aired) first then my first year of college when I was crushing on someone in the team. I would drag my close friend to watch it with me even if it was Sunday. Looking back, I can't believe I had a overwhelming crush on that guy. What did I ever see in him. Anyway, the next thing it reminds me is UAAP. My twitter feed is filled of updates whenever there's a game. My friend remained a volleyball fan, and I fizzled out of it. So when I saw a retweet of the blog tour, I signed up because of it's a Filipino book (I want to read from other authors of Romance Class) and the manga called Crimson Hero (go and read it too).
But now that I've thought about it when I revisit this post to finish it, if I didn't see the cover, my impression of the title would be playboy or something along those type of plots.
So below are the blurb, cover, and my review.
But now that I've thought about it when I revisit this post to finish it, if I didn't see the cover, my impression of the title would be playboy or something along those type of plots.
So below are the blurb, cover, and my review.
SYNOPSIS: Gorgeous college senior Val Fabian is a player in every sense of the word. She's the star spiker of her university's volleyball team, and she never runs out of dates. But it seems that this year, she has finally been bitten by the commitment bug. She sets her sights on an unexpected target--the unassuming yet ultra-cute Jake Clementia. Val is used to getting what she wants, and is sure she'll snag him before graduation. But in the process of winning his heart, she is sideswiped by a surprise move that sends her tumbling from her pedestal.
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/465991
*The paperback version, published by Spark Books (Anvil), is available in National Bookstore outlets in the Philippines.
MY REVIEW: I'll be upfront. Once Upon A Player is hard to get into. Val is so infuriating that she defeated Charlotte of Ghostgirl as my number one disliked female protagonist once upon a time, but Charlotte redeemed herself in book 2 and 3. I thoroughly enjoyed reading book 2. Val, for a volleyball player, is like a tone down version of cheerleaders in American movies minus the side of being mean. But don't let that stop you from giving Once Upon A Player a try.
MY REVIEW: I'll be upfront. Once Upon A Player is hard to get into. Val is so infuriating that she defeated Charlotte of Ghostgirl as my number one disliked female protagonist once upon a time, but Charlotte redeemed herself in book 2 and 3. I thoroughly enjoyed reading book 2. Val, for a volleyball player, is like a tone down version of cheerleaders in American movies minus the side of being mean. But don't let that stop you from giving Once Upon A Player a try.
Rather than a pure romance, I see this story as a friendship one and part growing up. Even if I couldn't like Val, I like the climax of the story and the consequences of Val's actions. She deserved it, and she reclaimed herself, grew up, and saw what's important.
Apart from that, I like that it was written in third person POV because it was well-written even though I like first person POV more. Another thing that I like is Val's relationship with her mother. As for the romance part of the story, it was a plus that I couldn't pinpoint exactly who was she going to end up with. It wasn't totally big in romance especially the first meeting (that's why I was confused if she was really going to end up with him), but everything all nicely wrapped up in the end. Pretty sweet too.
Lastly, it was a short read, detailed, and would leave you satisfied. I haven't seen it in the local bookstores (only because I wasn't looking for it actively), but as I have seen in the pictures, the cover is different.
Lastly, it was a short read, detailed, and would leave you satisfied. I haven't seen it in the local bookstores (only because I wasn't looking for it actively), but as I have seen in the pictures, the cover is different.
About the Author: Agay Llanera is a Manila-based freelance writer for television and video, and a published writer of children's books. Her novellas include Vintage Love, Once upon A Player, and the YA book, Choco Chip Hips. Get in touch with her through the following:
Wattpad: AgayLlanera
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