Gary M James

A Story That Stays With You

Revisado: 04-26-25

I don’t usually leave reviews — actually, I almost never do — but this book is absolutely an exception. The Player by Felice Stevens grabs hold of you right from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the very last word. It’s one of those stories that you think about long after you’ve finished it.

Now, full disclosure: this book isn’t going to be for everyone. Without giving away spoilers, it’s obviously set in the world of football, but it’s also deeply rooted in LGBTQ themes, exploring how identity and acceptance are dealt with at a young age and through high school years. It’s powerful without being preachy, raw without being overwhelming.

Honestly, not to be dramatic, but this book woke up something in me that I didn’t even realize I was missing — a real sense of purpose. As a gay man myself, I found so much of what Keller (the main character) and the high school players were going through incredibly relatable. Their struggles, their wins, the internal battles... it all hit home in a way that few stories ever have for me.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone. My only caveat: it has very mature scenes, so I personally think it’s best suited for adults or maybe for older high school students — like 11th or 12th graders — but definitely not younger than that.

Also, a quick shoutout to the narrator — they nailed it. The voice, the pacing, the emotion — it was spot on. I would absolutely listen to more books narrated by them without a second thought.

In short: The Player isn’t just a book, it’s an experience — one I’m really grateful I stumbled across.

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