Is The Jaci Burton Play By Play Series Spicy?

Jaci Burton's 'Play by Play' series is one of those romance collections that just keeps giving—like a bottomless mimosa brunch with your best friends. Last I counted, there are 14 full-length novels in the main series, plus a handful of novellas and spin-offs that add extra flavor to the universe. The first book, 'Changing the Game,' kicked things off in 2011, and the most recent installment I remember is 'Rules of the Game,' though Burton has a way of surprising fans with bonus content. What I love about this series is how Burton blends steamy romance with the high-stakes world of professional sports. Each book focuses on a different athlete or sports-related protagonist, so even though the theme is consistent, the stories feel fresh. My personal favorite is 'Thrown by a Curve'—something about the chemistry between the pitcher and the physical therapist just chef’s kiss. If you’re new to the series, don’t stress about reading order; they’re designed as standalones, but trust me, once you meet the extended family dynamics and recurring characters, you’ll want to binge them all.

This is one of those series where you can mostly just dive in anywhere that seems interesting, though I think starting with book one, 'Changing the Game', does give you the best foundation. It establishes the dynamics between the Riley family, who own the sports agency, and the team they're involved with. Knowing those relationships makes later interactions way richer, especially when characters from earlier books pop up at family barbecues or games. That said, the author does a good job making each couple's story standalone. If you're just in the mood for a hockey romance, you can jump straight to 'Taking a Shot' or 'Playing to Win' and not feel lost. The reading order on her website lists them chronologically, which is probably the 'official' way, but I read them totally out of order based on what my library had available and still enjoyed every single one. I'd say pick the sport or trope that grabs you first. The baseball ones have a different vibe than the football or hockey books, honestly. Just be prepared to get hooked and want to go back for the ones you missed later.

The Play-by-Play series by Jaci Burton is one of those long-running romance series that kind of evolves as it goes. I wouldn't say there's a grand, series-finale style 'ending' that ties everything up in a bow, because it's structured more as interconnected standalones within the same sports/entertainment world. The later books do shift focus to a new generation of characters, like the children of the original couples from the early books. So your satisfaction might depend on what you're looking for. If you want every single character's future neatly wrapped up in a final book, you might be a bit disappointed. But if you're content with seeing the world expand and get periodic check-ins with old favorites in new books, it feels very complete in its own way. I liked seeing how the original couples from, say, 'Changing the Game' were doing as established parents and professionals. It ends on a note that feels like the door is still open for more stories, which I appreciate because it mirrors how life keeps going. The final book I read, 'Rules of Contact', gave a nice sense of continuity rather than a hard stop.

Jaci Burton's 'Play by Play' series is actually one of my favorite romance collections, and I’ve spent way too many hours buried in both the books and their audio versions. The entire series has been adapted into audiobooks, narrated by some seriously talented voice actors who bring the steamy sports romances to life. I first stumbled onto the audiobook of 'Changing the Game' during a long road trip, and let me tell you, the narrator’s performance added so much depth to the already sizzling chemistry between the characters. The way they captured the tension and banter made it impossible to pause—I ended up sitting in my driveway for 20 minutes just to finish a scene! If you’re into audiobooks, the 'Play by Play' adaptations are solid picks. The narrators vary by title, but they consistently nail the emotional highs and playful vibes of Burton’s writing. Some standouts for me were 'Thrown by a Curve' (the narrator’s gruff voice for the baseball player hero was chef’s kiss) and 'One Sweet Ride' (the racing scenes actually felt thrilling with sound effects in the background). Audiobook platforms like Audible usually have the full lineup, and they often go on sale during romance-themed promotions. Just a heads-up: these are definitely not 'background noise' listens—you’ll wanna focus unless you’re cool with suddenly blushing in public.

Oh yeah, for sure they have audiobooks. I listened to the whole series last year during my commute, and I'm pretty sure all the main 'Play-by-Play' books by Jaci Burton are available in audio. They're all on Audible, at least. I mostly know because I go through audiobooks so fast that I'm always checking for series with a lot of installments. The narrators change a bit throughout the series, which threw me off at first, but you get used to it. I liked the narrator for the early ones—think it was Sophie Eastlake? She had a good rhythm for the sports talk and the steamier scenes. Honestly, hearing the play-by-play sports metaphors is kind of funny in audio. Makes the locker room talk feel more real, maybe a bit too real sometimes. But if you're into audiobook romance, it's a solid pick. My library had a few of them on the Libby app, which is how I found them initially.

If you're looking to dive into the steamy, sports-packed world of Jaci Burton's 'Play by Play' series, you've got plenty of options! I love how accessible these books are—whether you prefer physical copies or digital reads. Major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble carry both paperback and e-book versions, and they often have deals on bundles if you're committed to binge-reading the whole series. I snagged a few of mine during a B&N sale and ended up with a shelf full of those gorgeous covers. Don’t overlook indie bookstores, either; many can order them for you if they don’t have them in stock. Libro.fm is my go-to for audiobooks if you’re into listening to the chemistry between characters come alive. For digital lovers, Kindle and Kobo usually have the entire lineup, and sometimes even exclusive editions or bonus content. I’ve also stumbled upon used copies on ThriftBooks in surprisingly good condition—perfect if you’re budget-conscious but still want that tactile experience. And if you’re like me and enjoy supporting authors directly, Jaci Burton’s website occasionally links to signed copies or special editions. Honestly, half the fun is hunting down the perfect version to match your reading vibe—whether it’s a dog-eared paperback for the beach or a sleek e-book for late-night indulgence.

Jaci Burton's 'Play by Play' series is one of those romance collections where each book stands pretty well on its own, but reading them in order adds a layer of richness to the experience. The series follows interconnected characters—often athletes or folks in the sports world—and their love stories. If you jump around, you won’t be lost, but you’ll miss little nods to past couples, recurring side characters, and the gradual world-building Burton does. For example, seeing a couple from an earlier book pop up as supportive friends later on feels like catching up with old pals. Plus, the author sometimes develops secondary characters into leads in future books, so there’s a fun 'aha!' moment when you recognize them. That said, if you’re the type who gets impatient with commitment or just wants to dive into a specific trope (like the fake-dating plot in 'Changing the Game'), skipping around won’t ruin anything. Burton’s writing is warm and steamy regardless of order. But personally, I’d recommend starting with 'The Perfect Play'—it sets the tone for the series, and Mick Riley is a hero worth meeting early. The later books do ramp up the heat and experimentation, though, so if you prefer slow burns, sticking to order might help ease you in.