Play for Me

Sophie Doyle had her dream job as the athletic trainer for the Boston Red Sox, but after three swift strikes—losing her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment—she is most definitely out. Fleeing the city that scorned her, she takes a job at a prestigious private art school in New Hampshire. Though the students don’t seem invested in the athletic program, Sophie is determined to swing for the fences. Her sweet disposition and sense of purpose seemingly win over everyone except her roommate, Jonas, a former concert pianist who has been a major-league pain since day one. Hubscher (If You Ask Me) crafts a captivating, character-driven contemporary romance. Forced proximity, opposites attract, and other engaging tropes abound. Narrator Lauren Fortgang gives an expressive performance, perfectly capturing the heartwarming heroine through every amusing situation, even her delightful drunken slur. Her accents, both Bostonian and British, come up a bit short, but the sweet, silly storyline leaves little to be desired.