The Dating Playbook Series by Mariah Dietz

It started with a crush.The best stories always do.Our story sounds predictable.Short-lived.Destined for failure.Lincoln Beckett is the star wide receiver of Brighton University—smart, funny, and like many would guess,heartbreak shines in his dark brown eyes and is etched across his steel jaw.He's popular, a guaranteed draft pick, and worst of all:My brother's best friend.It's a tale of unrequited love.I tried not to like him.I have an entire list of reasons... moreIt started with a crush.The best stories always do.Our story sounds predictable.Short-lived.Destined for failure.Lincoln Beckett is the star wide receiver of Brighton University—smart, funny, and like many would guess,heartbreak shines in his dark brown eyes and is etched across his steel jaw.He's popular, a guaranteed draft pick, and worst of all:My brother's best friend.It's a tale of unrequited love.I tried not to like him.I have an entire list of reasons.Reasons that have become my rules for datingRules that he keeps bending. less

Sticks and stonesmight bruise my bones,but these rules are guaranteed to break me.The Romans have a famous saying: "The stars incline us, they do not bind us."The words hold so much weight, and importance,They're stained on my skin.Just like she is.The ink may not be visible,But the binds are indisputable,Pulling me back to her like a rough tide.Impossible to leave.However, time has proven,freewill or not, it will take more than bending the rules to be with her,it will require breaking them.

It started with friendship. The best stories always do. Our story sounds unlikely. Bizarre. A fable. Like wine and cheese and my favorite pair of jeans, Things got better over time— Too good, it seemed. Arlo Kostas was the starting running back for Brighton University. His quick smile and sharp wit Was enough to disarm even the biggest cynic. And his perfectly defined abs and more perfect face, Convinced the rest... moreIt started with friendship. The best stories always do. Our story sounds unlikely. Bizarre. A fable. Like wine and cheese and my favorite pair of jeans, Things got better over time— Too good, it seemed. Arlo Kostas was the starting running back for Brighton University. His quick smile and sharp wit Was enough to disarm even the biggest cynic. And his perfectly defined abs and more perfect face, Convinced the rest. I was homesick, Counting down the days until I returned home for spring break when we met. Clinging to memories I’d been trying to hold onto for years And then he tipped my world upside down. Maybe it was bad luck. Perhaps we were jinxed, But things between Arlo and I were doomed, Right from the very start. We were supposed to be friends but like everything, Lines kept getting blurred, Now, we’re Defining the Rules. less

Whoever said, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer," clearly never met Tyler Banks Hotel heir and football god, he expends no effort to lie behind a sheepskin.He’s proud to be the wolf. But I see him for what he is. After all, Rules have always been my compass.Plans my solace.And trouble has never been my brand. Yet, something is starting to slip, revealing there are always two sides to every coin --And Tyler Banks has several. Powerful to unbridled proportions.Rich beyond measure... moreWhoever said, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer," clearly never met Tyler Banks Hotel heir and football god, he expends no effort to lie behind a sheepskin.He’s proud to be the wolf. But I see him for what he is. After all, Rules have always been my compass.Plans my solace.And trouble has never been my brand. Yet, something is starting to slip, revealing there are always two sides to every coin --And Tyler Banks has several. Powerful to unbridled proportions.Rich beyond measure. Fiercely loyal,And benevolent to great extremes. He’s created a war between hope and sense.And I fear I will lose both once we’re done Exploring the Rules.OFFICIAL COVER COMING SOON!Exploring the Rules is a complete standalone and can be read independently. less

A standalone sports romance. Book 6 in The Dating Playbook Series.

Poppy Anderson was nailing her sophomore year at Brighton University. She liked her classes, had the greatest best friend, and was finally ready to start dating again. Or she was … until her ex, Mike, transferred to Brighton and started exchanging long stares and inside jokes that Poppy thought he’d forgotten.Paxton Lawson was long ago labeled ‘The Golden Boy... morePoppy Anderson was nailing her sophomore year at Brighton University. She liked her classes, had the greatest best friend, and was finally ready to start dating again. Or she was … until her ex, Mike, transferred to Brighton and started exchanging long stares and inside jokes that Poppy thought he’d forgotten.Paxton Lawson was long ago labeled ‘The Golden Boy.’ Starting quarterback and team captain at Brighton University, his future was brighter than the sun until a short path of indiscretions tarnished his name and potentially his future. When he learns that his sister’s best friend, Poppy, has backed herself into a corner and is facing as many doubts and uncertainties as he is, Paxton suggests the biggest ruse of the year: a fake relationship.Writing the rules was supposed to make things clear, defined, and definite. Only, their relationship becomes increasingly complex as the lines are blurred, days become weeks, and kisses for show begin to feel like confessions.Can lies lead to truths? And what happens when the rules they wrote begin to expire?One lie,Two hearts,And fifteen years of friendship are about to be put to the ultimate test.Writing the Rules is a complete standalone and can be read independently, but is book 6 in The Dating Playbook series. less

Five years later, Lincoln Beckett and I are still finding ways to stretch and bend the rules, breaking those that threaten to hinder us.To an outsider, everything looks perfect.But with each day apart and each new obligation, I’m learning that even strengths have their weaknesses, and perfection has its flaws.Now, one night—one question—is blurring our entire future.Will we be strong enough to forge our own rules? Or will we be lost missing them?