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avalydia's review
2.0
This started out interesting, but quickly turned into lots of sex (or "sexy times" as the characters kept calling it) with little to no plot or character development. Beckett in particular was very two-dimensional - I couldn't tell you anything about him as a person other than he's flirty and had a bad boyfriend once.
Rugby was barely a factor in this book; you could have swapped it out for any other sport and it wouldn't have made a difference. I don't need the sport to be the main focus of a sport romance - quite the opposite, in fact - but ideally, at least for me, it should be more visible than just some set dressing in the background.
Also, the word "heady" was used way too many times. Could definitely have used some editing there (especially the part where one character actually says it in a sentence, like I've never heard anyone say "heady" before in my life lol).
Rugby was barely a factor in this book; you could have swapped it out for any other sport and it wouldn't have made a difference. I don't need the sport to be the main focus of a sport romance - quite the opposite, in fact - but ideally, at least for me, it should be more visible than just some set dressing in the background.
Also, the word "heady" was used way too many times. Could definitely have used some editing there (especially the part where one character actually says it in a sentence, like I've never heard anyone say "heady" before in my life lol).
gnomeskillet's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ilyarozanov123's review
2.0
1.5 stars. Oh, this dragged for me. It might be a me thing, not the book. But this took me forever to finish and I felt reluctant to keep reading a lot of the time. I couldn’t decide if the slow pacing was awkward or hot, but I’m thinking probably the former. So much time spent inner monologuing or waiting for a text. It was all too slow. I like slow burn romances, don’t get me wrong, but this felt more like a writing issue in the way it was executed. Too little happened.
Donovan’s reasons for not coming out suddenly didn’t matter anymore, and everything turned out so well with everyone being extremely supportive. His ex-wife had asked him to stay closeted until their daughter was out of high school, but suddenly that didn’t matter either, because Donovan came out to them without asking the ex about it first. I was also annoyed with Beckett for “breaking up” with Donovan for the reason he did. And then the cheesy public reconciliation…
Well, props to the author for her first MM. I thought those parts turned out pretty well. But the story itself left quite a bit to be desired in my opinion.
Donovan’s reasons for not coming out suddenly didn’t matter anymore, and everything turned out so well with everyone being extremely supportive. His ex-wife had asked him to stay closeted until their daughter was out of high school, but suddenly that didn’t matter either, because Donovan came out to them without asking the ex about it first. I was also annoyed with Beckett for “breaking up” with Donovan for the reason he did. And then the cheesy public reconciliation…
Well, props to the author for her first MM. I thought those parts turned out pretty well. But the story itself left quite a bit to be desired in my opinion.
ekateclark's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
echoesoutloud's review
4.0
Playing It Safe by Amy Andrews was a hot and sweet romance between rugby player, Donovan "Dono" Bane and financier, Beckett. Donovan has been in the closet his whole life. After an accidental pregnancy in highs school, he's hidden behind his marriage and his kid, for almost two decades. But from the second he lays eyes on the guy with the blue eyes and the sharp suit, everything in his life changes.
Beckett has been out since he was a kid and after a bad relationship, he swears he'd never date a closeted person again. But the connection he has to Donovan is instantaneous and undeniable. The more time they spend together, the more Donovan and Beckett want to throw their carefully crafted plans out the window and finally give himself the chance to explore his feelings.
This book is like a giant ball of fluff with some really hot moments. Donovan is this big, giant, teddy bear and you just want him to be happy. He works fast and hard on the field, but off of it, he's this constant, steady presence, who's consistent in his behavior. But meeting Beckett throws him for a loop and his entire life is thrown out of whack.
Their chemistry is off the charts and there's no doubt about whether or not they're compatible in that way. So, I really appreciated that they decided to focus on getting to know one another out of the bedroom before going down that road. It just helped to solidify their relationship more and gave their feelings more room to grow.
The actual romance was fun and light, with tons of steam. This might be a potential spoiler, so skip this paragraph if you want to avoid it, but I loved the amount of support they got in the end. Everyone just wanted them to be themselves and to be happy, and that just made me happy!
The ending was absolutely adorable, with a really sweet scene that was just as over the top and grand gesture-y as you can expect with a romance novel, but it worked! The whole book was just swoony and made you want to root for them from page one.
I will say that though this is technically part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read any of the previous books, but I didn't feel adrift or like I was missing anything. It did a good job of giving you all the information you needed to know without giving away too much, so if you wanted to go back and read them, you can do it without having gotten any major spoilers.
I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a sweet and steamy, friends to lovers, sports romance that is sure to make you smile!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Beckett has been out since he was a kid and after a bad relationship, he swears he'd never date a closeted person again. But the connection he has to Donovan is instantaneous and undeniable. The more time they spend together, the more Donovan and Beckett want to throw their carefully crafted plans out the window and finally give himself the chance to explore his feelings.
This book is like a giant ball of fluff with some really hot moments. Donovan is this big, giant, teddy bear and you just want him to be happy. He works fast and hard on the field, but off of it, he's this constant, steady presence, who's consistent in his behavior. But meeting Beckett throws him for a loop and his entire life is thrown out of whack.
Their chemistry is off the charts and there's no doubt about whether or not they're compatible in that way. So, I really appreciated that they decided to focus on getting to know one another out of the bedroom before going down that road. It just helped to solidify their relationship more and gave their feelings more room to grow.
The actual romance was fun and light, with tons of steam. This might be a potential spoiler, so skip this paragraph if you want to avoid it, but I loved the amount of support they got in the end. Everyone just wanted them to be themselves and to be happy, and that just made me happy!
The ending was absolutely adorable, with a really sweet scene that was just as over the top and grand gesture-y as you can expect with a romance novel, but it worked! The whole book was just swoony and made you want to root for them from page one.
I will say that though this is technically part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read any of the previous books, but I didn't feel adrift or like I was missing anything. It did a good job of giving you all the information you needed to know without giving away too much, so if you wanted to go back and read them, you can do it without having gotten any major spoilers.
I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a sweet and steamy, friends to lovers, sports romance that is sure to make you smile!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
aliciasplendeur's review
5.0
Loved, loved, loved. I went in knowing there would be good steam, but I wasn't prepared for the heart. This wasn't just wham and bam. Donovan is struggling and even more so when he meets Beck. He shares a traumatic experience and Beck guides him through some of his firsts.
Donovan Bane loves playing with his rugby team the Sydney Smoke. This is why he's kept his personal life private. It's a sacrifice he'll make until he retires.
Until he meets Beckett Stanton. He's out and proud and when he spots Donovan he knows what know else has figured out. But also knows that Donovan isn't out. And isn't interested in navigated this kind of situation again.
But neither can deny the attraction they feel. And when Beck pursues him, Donovan indulges himself for the first time in a long time.
Thanks so much to Entangled, Amy Andrews, and NetGalley for this ARC to review.
Donovan Bane loves playing with his rugby team the Sydney Smoke. This is why he's kept his personal life private. It's a sacrifice he'll make until he retires.
Until he meets Beckett Stanton. He's out and proud and when he spots Donovan he knows what know else has figured out. But also knows that Donovan isn't out. And isn't interested in navigated this kind of situation again.
But neither can deny the attraction they feel. And when Beck pursues him, Donovan indulges himself for the first time in a long time.
Thanks so much to Entangled, Amy Andrews, and NetGalley for this ARC to review.
mars_beautiful's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
mkeen148's review
4.0
This was such a good story. The characters were very well written, you can feel the struggle in their feelings on what to do about their situation and how they feel internally about love. I enjoyed that they respected each other fully and just adored each other, even if it was secret. Donavan, I felt for the man throughout the whole book. His trauma and his emotional struggle were well written, and you felt nothing but sadness for him. But he never treated Beck like trash or disrespected him. Beck never pressured him and said, " I want you, and we can do this in secret and no feelings, and I will not out you." It was funny reading how much they wanted each other and cared for each other, and then when they admitted it to each other, it was just sweet and caring. Overall, a good book, and it made me want to read the other series. This was on sale for 99 cents, but now I want to know more about the whole team as the side characters were very entertaining, and you can tell they have some interesting stories. But it is unnecessary to read the other ones before reading this one.
kle105's review
4.0
Beck has been living his life as a proud gay man, and starting over at a new job after a break up. He gets invited to lunch by some of the WAGs of the rugby players and who is he to resist. However one look at the rugged man across from him and he knows he is in trouble.
Donovan is a divorced man with a teenage daughter. He has been biding his time for retirement when he can live more authentically, not wanting to be the first out rugby player. One look at Beck and he’s not sure if he can resist.
Surely picking up Beck on the side of the road when his bike tires are flat in the pouring rain won’t turn his whole upside down, right?!
While flirty texts leads to Beck agreeing to date Donovan behind closed doors he’s been burned before. However their date nights where Donovan cooks for him, some steamy showers, and watching Donovan open up makes him believe maybe they can make it work.
I could feel the struggle Donovan was trying to overcome, the fear of possibly losing his job. I loved their flirty banter, Beck’s care of helping Donovan explore his sexuality, and also the pain of deciding if they are worth living in the open.
While technically Donovan isn’t a virgin, he is a virgin to having it with a man so I’m giving a half pass to my virgin aversion. Also I was a little put off by the use of sexy time used repeatedly. Is this an Australian colloquialism? I couldn’t get Borat out of my head every time it was used!
A solid read, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
What are some regional terms only used in your area? For Boston it’s Wicked!
I received an ARC for review thanks to @entangled_publishing all opinions are my own and given freely.
Donovan is a divorced man with a teenage daughter. He has been biding his time for retirement when he can live more authentically, not wanting to be the first out rugby player. One look at Beck and he’s not sure if he can resist.
Surely picking up Beck on the side of the road when his bike tires are flat in the pouring rain won’t turn his whole upside down, right?!
While flirty texts leads to Beck agreeing to date Donovan behind closed doors he’s been burned before. However their date nights where Donovan cooks for him, some steamy showers, and watching Donovan open up makes him believe maybe they can make it work.
I could feel the struggle Donovan was trying to overcome, the fear of possibly losing his job. I loved their flirty banter, Beck’s care of helping Donovan explore his sexuality, and also the pain of deciding if they are worth living in the open.
While technically Donovan isn’t a virgin, he is a virgin to having it with a man so I’m giving a half pass to my virgin aversion. Also I was a little put off by the use of sexy time used repeatedly. Is this an Australian colloquialism? I couldn’t get Borat out of my head every time it was used!
A solid read, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
What are some regional terms only used in your area? For Boston it’s Wicked!
I received an ARC for review thanks to @entangled_publishing all opinions are my own and given freely.