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witandsin's review
4.0
Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Amy Andrews’s sexy Sydney Smoke rugby players are back in Playing it Safe. I’ve been waiting a few years for Donovan Bane to get his own story and he was so worth the wait. Donovan is a loving father (swoon) and a tough-as-nails rugby player. He’s also sweet and vulnerable in ways that caught me off guard and I loved that. Donovan has lived his life in the closet, never risking even a casual relationship with another man for fear of being outed. He doesn’t want his team or his loved ones – especially his daughter – to have to face potential backlash, trolls, slurs, and more. As much as the world has changed, Donovan knows he will still have to face hatred and he doesn’t want to deal with that plus being in the spotlight as the first out actively playing professional rugby player. Donovan figures he can wait to live his life until he retires in a few years. Then he meets the Smoke’s newest finance guy, Beckett Stanton…
The out and proud Beck has been scarred by a past relationship with a closeted man he has no desire to repeat the experience. But meeting Donovan is like being smacked with a two-by-four. The sexual tension between Beck and Donovan is out of control and what’s more, the two simply like being together. A short fling between new friends never hurt anyone, right? Except it’s clear to them both that what they have is so much more than that. Beck and Donovan have some hard choices to make to decide what is the right path for each of them and whether or not that means they can be together.
Donovan and Beck are both fun, likeable guys with good hearts. They have red-hot chemistry that is clear from the instant they meet. Donovan’s only relationship has been with his ex-wife and combined with his lack of experience he asks Beck to be his tutor. The other man is more than willing to do so and I loved the openness and lack of judgment from both of them. Their physical and emotional honesty gave Playing it Safe heart to match the extreme heat these two gave off.
Playing it Safe is the seventh book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series but it can easily be read as a standalone. Whether you’re a fan of the series or are jumping in for the first time, Donovan’s relationship with his teammates is delightful. I adore the team Andrews has built – any time spent with them is a rucking good time.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Amy Andrews’s sexy Sydney Smoke rugby players are back in Playing it Safe. I’ve been waiting a few years for Donovan Bane to get his own story and he was so worth the wait. Donovan is a loving father (swoon) and a tough-as-nails rugby player. He’s also sweet and vulnerable in ways that caught me off guard and I loved that. Donovan has lived his life in the closet, never risking even a casual relationship with another man for fear of being outed. He doesn’t want his team or his loved ones – especially his daughter – to have to face potential backlash, trolls, slurs, and more. As much as the world has changed, Donovan knows he will still have to face hatred and he doesn’t want to deal with that plus being in the spotlight as the first out actively playing professional rugby player. Donovan figures he can wait to live his life until he retires in a few years. Then he meets the Smoke’s newest finance guy, Beckett Stanton…
The out and proud Beck has been scarred by a past relationship with a closeted man he has no desire to repeat the experience. But meeting Donovan is like being smacked with a two-by-four. The sexual tension between Beck and Donovan is out of control and what’s more, the two simply like being together. A short fling between new friends never hurt anyone, right? Except it’s clear to them both that what they have is so much more than that. Beck and Donovan have some hard choices to make to decide what is the right path for each of them and whether or not that means they can be together.
Donovan and Beck are both fun, likeable guys with good hearts. They have red-hot chemistry that is clear from the instant they meet. Donovan’s only relationship has been with his ex-wife and combined with his lack of experience he asks Beck to be his tutor. The other man is more than willing to do so and I loved the openness and lack of judgment from both of them. Their physical and emotional honesty gave Playing it Safe heart to match the extreme heat these two gave off.
Playing it Safe is the seventh book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series but it can easily be read as a standalone. Whether you’re a fan of the series or are jumping in for the first time, Donovan’s relationship with his teammates is delightful. I adore the team Andrews has built – any time spent with them is a rucking good time.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
vee79's review
4.0
New author to me and this book is seven in her Sydney Smoke series and from what I gather it’s a first time M/M book for her to write. I really enjoyed this story and now knowing that it’s her first time writing M/M I can see little things that I haven’t seen in other M/M books but nonetheless I think she has a winner on her hands. Donovan is the famous Rugby player and he is also keeping his feelings towards men under wraps until his career is over. Beckett is newly employed in the Finance department with the team and is open about his sexuality. Beckett has been burned before by someone who tried to hide their relationship and does not want to go down that road with someone who is not open about his sexuality. The problem is that since the first moment these two meet you can feel that undercurrent zapping away. As they are around each other more the stronger the attraction gets. Now the question is can Donovan risk his career by coming out? Will Beckett stay hidden until Donovan is comfortable? Also take in account that Donovan has a daughter from a past relationship and how will he navigate telling her? Questions I know! The chemistry was great with these two and the story was sweet and heart warming knowing that Donovan was dealing with all these emotions. It was a check for me and I am interested in reading the other books in her series.
heameljon's review
4.0
Donovan Bane has a fourteen year old daughter, an ex-wife, and plays rugby for the Sydney Smoke and his entire life he has kept a huge secret about his sexuality.. No player in the league has ever come out as gay while playing professionally and Donovan does not want to set that president. Then he meets Beckett Stanton, a man who knows who he is and is not willing to hide himself for anyone. Beck has had relationships with closeted men in the past and refuses to be ashamed of who he truly is.
'Playing it Safe" by Amy Andrews is a story about accepting yourself for who you are regardless. Even though both characters knew early in life that they were attracted to men they both travelled very different paths. I very rarely read stories about same sex relationships but Andrews built so much depth into this book. I could feel for Donovan and the struggles he has endured his whole life while understanding why Beckett refused to be with someone who could not be openly proud about their sexuality. His willingness to accept a secret relationship with Donovan would only bring him down and set him back in the life he had established for himself. I appreciated this story for the struggles both characters had to endure and overcome.
'Playing it Safe" by Amy Andrews is a story about accepting yourself for who you are regardless. Even though both characters knew early in life that they were attracted to men they both travelled very different paths. I very rarely read stories about same sex relationships but Andrews built so much depth into this book. I could feel for Donovan and the struggles he has endured his whole life while understanding why Beckett refused to be with someone who could not be openly proud about their sexuality. His willingness to accept a secret relationship with Donovan would only bring him down and set him back in the life he had established for himself. I appreciated this story for the struggles both characters had to endure and overcome.
caitsbookcase's review
3.0
This book is a part of a series but can be read as a standalone as this is the first book I’ve read from the series and it was very easy to read.
I struggled to get into this book for the first few chapters. I think it was mainly because it’s written in 3rd person, which I don’t tend to read because I don’t really like it. But after a few chapters I got more into it.
Donovan and Beckett have an instant connection. It’s very insta-love, which I’m not a big fan of, but they were sweet together and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. This wasn’t a stand out book for me but overall it was a pretty good spicy read and I would recommend it!
I struggled to get into this book for the first few chapters. I think it was mainly because it’s written in 3rd person, which I don’t tend to read because I don’t really like it. But after a few chapters I got more into it.
Donovan and Beckett have an instant connection. It’s very insta-love, which I’m not a big fan of, but they were sweet together and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. This wasn’t a stand out book for me but overall it was a pretty good spicy read and I would recommend it!
sarareadstoomuch's review
5.0
Did I hear slow burn??
Wowww this book was good! I was pleasantly surprised with this, I loved the story, the characters, just everything about it! It's my first book from this author that also happens to be their first MM book! How exciting is that?? So I went into this book blind not reading any of the past series, but I was fine since I wasn't confused or felt anything missing, so it can be read perfectly as a standalone.
The author did an awesome job on their first MM, you should write more of them Amy!! I couldn't put this book down! I loved the whole insta-attraction aspect, sooo much fun to read, and how they were basically magnetized to each other, couldn't stay away, yes yes and more yes, I love to see that!!
If you're looking for some sexy times with two super cute characters that are Donovan and Beckett (their names are cute too GAH), look no further!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the earc in return for an honest review.
Wowww this book was good! I was pleasantly surprised with this, I loved the story, the characters, just everything about it! It's my first book from this author that also happens to be their first MM book! How exciting is that?? So I went into this book blind not reading any of the past series, but I was fine since I wasn't confused or felt anything missing, so it can be read perfectly as a standalone.
The author did an awesome job on their first MM, you should write more of them Amy!! I couldn't put this book down! I loved the whole insta-attraction aspect, sooo much fun to read, and how they were basically magnetized to each other, couldn't stay away, yes yes and more yes, I love to see that!!
If you're looking for some sexy times with two super cute characters that are Donovan and Beckett (their names are cute too GAH), look no further!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the earc in return for an honest review.
suze_1624's review
3.0
3.5*
Enjoyable read, at times a bit too lyrical for me.
Enjoyed the rugby and Sydney setting, terminology akin to British language so no problem with the arvo's!
Donovan is deeply closeted within himself, having squashed all thoughts of being gay deep down in the pursuit of his rugby career. It takes meeting Beck for the cracks to appear. All the agonising is between the two men as there is little angst in his actual coming out - that must all happen between the end of the story and the epilogue.
Enjoyable read, at times a bit too lyrical for me.
Enjoyed the rugby and Sydney setting, terminology akin to British language so no problem with the arvo's!
Donovan is deeply closeted within himself, having squashed all thoughts of being gay deep down in the pursuit of his rugby career. It takes meeting Beck for the cracks to appear. All the agonising is between the two men as there is little angst in his actual coming out - that must all happen between the end of the story and the epilogue.
moonechika's review
3.0
took me some time to enjoyed this. at the start, there was.... too many thoughts. it was tiring to read. and the instant attraction with the instant hard ons was such a turn off.... i started skimming (yes i did read but i didnt imagined it out as usual.)
and i pushed through, i'm glad i did. it got better once Donovan and Beckett got out of their heads. the best part of their "relationship" was that, despite their instant attraction, they took some time to get to know each other (and i love this alot!) but then we still kept getting instant hard ons (i just, couldnt be bothered alrdy when they actually did something sexual.) their moments was hot but eh.
at the end though, i understood Beckett's hesitant and past, but gosh. i was expecting more from him? i was really disappointed in him and i think Donovan was too accepting of Beckett. like... one month of nothing??? and bam since Donovan is out, Beckett just swept in lmao
and i pushed through, i'm glad i did. it got better once Donovan and Beckett got out of their heads. the best part of their "relationship" was that, despite their instant attraction, they took some time to get to know each other (and i love this alot!) but then we still kept getting instant hard ons (i just, couldnt be bothered alrdy when they actually did something sexual.) their moments was hot but eh.
at the end though, i understood Beckett's hesitant and past, but gosh. i was expecting more from him? i was really disappointed in him and i think Donovan was too accepting of Beckett. like... one month of nothing??? and bam since Donovan is out, Beckett just swept in lmao
bananatricky's review
3.0
Donovan Bane is a big tattooed half-Maori professional rugby player. Divorced, with a daughter who lives with her mother in New Zealand, he is devoted to being the best player he can be for the Sydney Smoke. Donovan is hiding a big secret, he's gay, but there are no openly gay professional rugby players out there and he doesn't want the furore of being the first one to come out, so he's resigned to staying in the closet until he retires a few years down the line, anyway it's not as if he has any experience with men, not since a disastrous first encounter years ago when he was still married.
Then pow! Donovan is sitting with two of his teammates' wives and baby having a coffee when the women spot a sexy guy called Beck wearing a Sydney Smoke lanyard. Donovan can't take his eyes off this sexy accountant, which is a surprise because he always thought he would be attracted to a sportsman or someone more outdoorsy, and Beck can't take his eyes off Donovan, although he seems to understand that Donovan is hiding his sexuality and doesn't flirt with him.
It might have been the most innocent of meetings but Donovan can't help thinking about Beck, about how he had the courage to be totally honest about his sexuality, about mentioning his ex-boyfriend to relative strangers, about how gorgeous he was. Heck obsessing about Beck is putting him off his game, the most reliable player on the field!
Beck has been in a relationship with someone who keeps his sexuality a secret and he doesn't want to do it again, but this big, sexy rugby player is so cute and so sexy he's breaking his own rules.
This is the bit where Amy Andrews calls me out in her newsletter (again), of course the sex scenes are H.O.T., I just felt that there wasn't enough story/plot linking the sex scenes, not enough tension, no plot twist, no misunderstandings, no homophobic friends/teammates/family, no grit. I thought Kate Meader did it better in [b:Undone By You|36100983|Undone By You (Chicago Rebels, #3)|Kate Meader|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503365907l/36100983._SY75_.jpg|57685768], and yet it's a shorter book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Then pow! Donovan is sitting with two of his teammates' wives and baby having a coffee when the women spot a sexy guy called Beck wearing a Sydney Smoke lanyard. Donovan can't take his eyes off this sexy accountant, which is a surprise because he always thought he would be attracted to a sportsman or someone more outdoorsy, and Beck can't take his eyes off Donovan, although he seems to understand that Donovan is hiding his sexuality and doesn't flirt with him.
It might have been the most innocent of meetings but Donovan can't help thinking about Beck, about how he had the courage to be totally honest about his sexuality, about mentioning his ex-boyfriend to relative strangers, about how gorgeous he was. Heck obsessing about Beck is putting him off his game, the most reliable player on the field!
Beck has been in a relationship with someone who keeps his sexuality a secret and he doesn't want to do it again, but this big, sexy rugby player is so cute and so sexy he's breaking his own rules.
This is the bit where Amy Andrews calls me out in her newsletter (again), of course the sex scenes are H.O.T., I just felt that there wasn't enough story/plot linking the sex scenes, not enough tension, no plot twist, no misunderstandings, no homophobic friends/teammates/family, no grit. I thought Kate Meader did it better in [b:Undone By You|36100983|Undone By You (Chicago Rebels, #3)|Kate Meader|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503365907l/36100983._SY75_.jpg|57685768], and yet it's a shorter book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
readsbykayla's review
4.0
3.75 / 5 stars!
Playing it Safe is a sweet M/M romance following Sydney Smoke rugby player, Donovan Bane, and team accountant Beckett “what’s his last name” Stanton. I was immediately enthralled by just how charming both of them were; Donovan being quiet and unsure, to Beckett’s vibrant, yet kind understanding. Their budding relationship was swoon-worthy and I loved their (steamy) dynamic was with each other!
This book reads like fanfiction - and I mean that in the best possible way. It was concise, but well developed, dripping with character development and top-tier steam. I absolutely flew through this book and couldn’t put it down - I had to keep moving on to the next chapter to learn what would happen next.
I believe this is Amy Andrews’ first M/M romance, and I think she did a good job with it. There were a couple of lines that I thought were too obvious, specifically in the beginning, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story one bit.
Even though I know next to nothing about rugby, I feel obligated to pick up the other books in this series, so I guess here we go!
Thank you SO much Entangled Publishing for this advanced reader copy!
Playing it Safe is a sweet M/M romance following Sydney Smoke rugby player, Donovan Bane, and team accountant Beckett “what’s his last name” Stanton. I was immediately enthralled by just how charming both of them were; Donovan being quiet and unsure, to Beckett’s vibrant, yet kind understanding. Their budding relationship was swoon-worthy and I loved their (steamy) dynamic was with each other!
This book reads like fanfiction - and I mean that in the best possible way. It was concise, but well developed, dripping with character development and top-tier steam. I absolutely flew through this book and couldn’t put it down - I had to keep moving on to the next chapter to learn what would happen next.
I believe this is Amy Andrews’ first M/M romance, and I think she did a good job with it. There were a couple of lines that I thought were too obvious, specifically in the beginning, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story one bit.
Even though I know next to nothing about rugby, I feel obligated to pick up the other books in this series, so I guess here we go!
Thank you SO much Entangled Publishing for this advanced reader copy!