Plus Size Player by Danielle Allen | She Wanted to Play the Field… Big Russ Said Nah

Nina Ford knew exactly what she wanted and refused to settle.

I fully enjoyed her comedic relief in Curvy Girl Summer so I was excited to get into her story and baby… it did not disappoint.

Nina is a thirty year old social media influencer who has her dating life set up exactly how she likes it. No confusion, no strings, no settling. She got a whole roster and each man serves a purpose.

The Smart One? Tyrell.
The Funny One? James.
The Romantic One? Dru.
The Fun One? Russ.

What I loved is that she was very clear with all of them. No false expectations, no leading anybody on. She kept it light, kept it fun, and kept it 100. They only knew what she chose to tell them and she made sure things never got too deep. And yes… she was still on the apps scouting just in case somebody needed to be replaced. Nina was not playing about her peace.

Her parents’ marriage was solid. She grew up seeing real love. Her dad made sure she had everything and her mom supported her fully. But Nina didn’t believe one man could be everything she needed, so she built her own system.

Her best friends, Aaliyah and Jazmyn, kept saying Russ was her favorite and they weren’t wrong. Hell, even her momma clocked it. But Nina was in denial. The sex was passionate, the chemistry was loud, and every single time he was in town that girl dropped whatever she had going on to be with him.

Nina was bold, confident, and very clear about what she wanted, including stepping into plus size modeling. But when it came to Russ? That’s where she acted a bit delulu. She knew how she felt every time she was with him yet refused to call a thing a thing. She even stopped sleeping with everyone but him… girl be so for real!

That date with the helicopter scene?? Yeah… I fear I would’ve folded immediately. Roster gone. Deleted.

Once she decides she’s fully going into her fashion model bag, she heads to New York for an event featuring brands and influencers. She ends up connecting with some influential people and getting a huge opportunity with RL Fashions. Throughout the story she’s dealing with hate and shade just for being plus size and confident, even from other influencers, so this was her opportunity to shine. Listen, Nina did not shrink herself for anybody and I loved that about her.

Her first unofficial gig was a gala for RL Fashions with the Romantic One as her date… now, Nina knew better because she already started feeling like he wanted more when she absolutely didn’t. Welp, that night was their last. But tell me why the minute she sends Dru home… she sees Russ at the gala. Mind you, they had been sending freaky texts to each other all night trying to plot how to see one another before their planned date day the following day. That foyer scene when they finally connect?? Chileeeee. Hot AF.

Russ basically said yeah, I’m not doing this roster thing no more. He made it very clear he was done being on the sidelines. From that point on, it was up.

Every date was intentional, every touch meant something, and Nina couldn’t even deny her feelings anymore. Then boom… plot twist. Why is this man the founder and CEO of the company she just signed with? The company with a no fraternization policy. My jaw was on the floor!

So now they’re tryin to cover their tracks and do the “right thing” to end it. Chileeeee that lasted all of five minutes. That man could not keep his hands or his eyes off her and she wasn’t to stop him either. But when he started acting funny at work and wouldn’t talk to her?? She blocked him on EVERYTHING including social media. I was screaming! Nina said oh we playing that game? Bet. Russ didn’t know wtf to do and was seething every time he saw her near another man.

The tension after that was CRAZY but Russ stood on business. That man said what’s mine is mine. Every time he demanded that she tell him that thang is his or better yet TOLD her it was his… whewwwww chile! Russ took her THROUGH there and back while talking her through it every single damn time. I loved how he consistently referred to her as his fantasy (she got the bracelet to prove it) and his escape. Meanwhile she was over there trying to self-sabotage yet still chose to take him to Aaliyah’s thirtieth with her so… yeah, I knew it was a wrap.

These two had undeniable chemistry and I loved watching Nina realizing that she is “enough” to deserve a partner who wants to be everything for her, rather than just a piece of her life. This one had a lot going on, a lot of drama, a lot of noise… but it was a ride and I enjoyed it.

Oh, and once again Wesleigh Siobhan narrated TF out of the audiobook!!! I’ve read the Kindle version AGAIN since my first listen so ummmmmhmmmmm.

Danielle Allen did not miss. I am LOVIN this Curve Series and how intentional these men are! That’s some sexy shit.

Rating: Kept a whole roster just to end up right where she belonged!