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yodamom's review against another edition
3.0
First Bravo Ms. Halle on your donation to animal rescue !
I liked it, I didn't like it.
I loved the big strong beast of a man that was willing to get down on hid knees with abused dogs and offer them love and hope. I adored his strength and his hidden weaknesses that slowly undid him. He was broken and it came across very believable and heart wrenching. I liked him, I wanted him to finish strong. I could cheer for him.
Kayla was an interesting character. She was strong, independent and yet not taking that extra move. Why ? I'm not sure it wasn't made clear to me why exactly she was stuck. She made so many bold moves her career choices seemed out of character.
The two of them had one hot steamy sexual adventure, that held nothing back. Their relationship for the first half was exciting and invigorating. The complete love for the dogs was beautiful. The first grabbed me more than the second which had a much darker grittier feeling.
I struggle with this authors style. Her characters are very blunt, curt and extreme in their language and physical behaviors. I am uncomfortable with it. I purchased this because I wanted to support her charity drive and read about a rugby player. It was very sexually driven, very physical, and wasn't afraid to push.This was just not my taste in reading material.
I liked it, I didn't like it.
I loved the big strong beast of a man that was willing to get down on hid knees with abused dogs and offer them love and hope. I adored his strength and his hidden weaknesses that slowly undid him. He was broken and it came across very believable and heart wrenching. I liked him, I wanted him to finish strong. I could cheer for him.
Kayla was an interesting character. She was strong, independent and yet not taking that extra move. Why ? I'm not sure it wasn't made clear to me why exactly she was stuck. She made so many bold moves her career choices seemed out of character.
The two of them had one hot steamy sexual adventure, that held nothing back. Their relationship for the first half was exciting and invigorating. The complete love for the dogs was beautiful. The first grabbed me more than the second which had a much darker grittier feeling.
I struggle with this authors style. Her characters are very blunt, curt and extreme in their language and physical behaviors. I am uncomfortable with it. I purchased this because I wanted to support her charity drive and read about a rugby player. It was very sexually driven, very physical, and wasn't afraid to push.This was just not my taste in reading material.
nikki52010's review against another edition
5.0
Everytime I finish a book by Karina, I am just left in awe. Each book is instantly my new favorite. This one is no exception. But be prepared though, this book is intense. The Play is a standalone in a series of standalones. So you do not need to read the first two books to understand this one.
I read The Pact a few months ago and I was so team Linden. Then I read The Offer and I was like "Linden who?" Bram was in fact the man. But now, now I have met Lachlan, and he completely knocked both guys out of the water. Karina definitely put her heart and soul in the novel and it shows through with each and every word she wrote.
From the very beginning, she had me bawling my eyes out, tugging on my heart strings. If an author can pull that kind of emotion out of a reader within the first few pages, then you know the book is bound to be a winner.
Kayla might just be my new favorite heroine. She is strong, hilarious, compassionate. But Lachlan, (whose muse is Tom Hardy, I mean come on!!) may seem tough as nails on the outside, but he has a heart of gold that just wants to shine through. Their love is epic. That is the only way to describe it. From the first moment they meet, you can just feel the connection between the two.
"Oh love," he says, raspy sucking in his breath. "Don't ruin me just yet."
"...I want, more than anything, to undo this man and leave him the way he's leaving me, like a string pulled and a top spinning, over and over again, waiting for the fall."
Now you can't have an epic romance with out the epic sex to go with it. Oh boy. This book was on fire. And it had everything in it. I won't go into details, but just know, you will need a fan to cool you off after reading any of them!
I really enjoyed how completely opposite Kayla and Lachlan are. Thinking back on it, they really are. Kayla is so loud, outspoken and independent. A fighter. She fought for what she wanted and didn't give up. Lachlan in the beginning was so quiet. The brooding type. But we didn't fully understand why he was that way, until of course we get into his past and it was completely heartbreaking. Even knowing that at some point there would be, it still gutted me.
"And who am I?" I ask soflty, heart pleading. "Who am I to you?" She turns her face to me, skin lit up by the pale dashboard lights. "You're Lachlan McGregor. And you're mine."
(I had so many highlights that I want to share but I don't think I can fill my review up with all of them!)
One of the best things about this book is that Karina is donating $1 from all preorders and release week proceeds to various animal charities. Why you might ask? Well that is a big part of the book. Lachlan early on in the story shows us his heart when he saves two stray dogs. One of which is injured. Come to find out, in Edinburgh he has his own shelter called Ruff Love where his life besides rugby is tending to them. Major swoon. Seeing Lachlan with the animals totally made my heart melt. Just wait until you meet Lionel and Emily. And Jo. Heck all of them!
All in all, this book is great. This book is fantastic. This book is epic. Read it. Devour it. Love it.
I read The Pact a few months ago and I was so team Linden. Then I read The Offer and I was like "Linden who?" Bram was in fact the man. But now, now I have met Lachlan, and he completely knocked both guys out of the water. Karina definitely put her heart and soul in the novel and it shows through with each and every word she wrote.
From the very beginning, she had me bawling my eyes out, tugging on my heart strings. If an author can pull that kind of emotion out of a reader within the first few pages, then you know the book is bound to be a winner.
Kayla might just be my new favorite heroine. She is strong, hilarious, compassionate. But Lachlan, (whose muse is Tom Hardy, I mean come on!!) may seem tough as nails on the outside, but he has a heart of gold that just wants to shine through. Their love is epic. That is the only way to describe it. From the first moment they meet, you can just feel the connection between the two.
"Oh love," he says, raspy sucking in his breath. "Don't ruin me just yet."
"...I want, more than anything, to undo this man and leave him the way he's leaving me, like a string pulled and a top spinning, over and over again, waiting for the fall."
Now you can't have an epic romance with out the epic sex to go with it. Oh boy. This book was on fire. And it had everything in it. I won't go into details, but just know, you will need a fan to cool you off after reading any of them!
I really enjoyed how completely opposite Kayla and Lachlan are. Thinking back on it, they really are. Kayla is so loud, outspoken and independent. A fighter. She fought for what she wanted and didn't give up. Lachlan in the beginning was so quiet. The brooding type. But we didn't fully understand why he was that way, until of course we get into his past and it was completely heartbreaking. Even knowing that at some point there would be
Spoiler
HEA"And who am I?" I ask soflty, heart pleading. "Who am I to you?" She turns her face to me, skin lit up by the pale dashboard lights. "You're Lachlan McGregor. And you're mine."
(I had so many highlights that I want to share but I don't think I can fill my review up with all of them!)
One of the best things about this book is that Karina is donating $1 from all preorders and release week proceeds to various animal charities. Why you might ask? Well that is a big part of the book. Lachlan early on in the story shows us his heart when he saves two stray dogs. One of which is injured. Come to find out, in Edinburgh he has his own shelter called Ruff Love where his life besides rugby is tending to them. Major swoon. Seeing Lachlan with the animals totally made my heart melt. Just wait until you meet Lionel and Emily. And Jo. Heck all of them!
All in all, this book is great. This book is fantastic. This book is epic. Read it. Devour it. Love it.
j_the_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I just have to say....I am so sleepy today cause I couldn't put down The Play. I think this is the best yet from Karina Halle. Kayla Moore is the 5th wheel in her group of friends but she never shows if it bothers her or not. They all see her as the fun loving quirky girl who doesn't seem to settle down. I absolutely Loved Kayla and how she just kept on being her. I love her quirkiness and how she comes across confident, but has the shyness and self consciousness others do not see. Lachlan McGregor, cousin to Linden and Bram...Star Rugby player in Edinburgh. He comes to visit he cousins in San Fransisco and to recover from and injury. He meets Kayla and he fights his attraction, Kayla tries to turn her charms onto him and he does not fall for them. (at least on the outside) She nicknames him the beast cause he is so big. Lachlan..sigh, the beast! He dark intensity....you can just tell that he is fighting something deep. I love the chemistry...the dirty sexiness. I loved and seriously disliked how gut wrentching it was at times. Read the journey they go through opening up to each other and learning about each other and relationships. Have tissues handy. Gut wrentching, heartbreaking and seriously dirty sexiness in this book. Thank you for such an amazing book Karina Halle!!
drez80's review against another edition
2.0
This book was overly long, and I didn't particularly like either MC.
caseroo7's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
Wow Karina Halle really did it again with The Play! The way this book started off, I just knew that this book was going to be amazing yet at the same time wreck me. I have loved everything I have read by Karina, but I have to say that there is just something about her sexy McGregor guys that gets me each time! The Play features Lachlan McGregor who fans of The Pact and The Offer will recognize as Bram and Linden's cousin and Kayla Moore who is friends with both Stephanie and Nicola and shares a bit of history with Linden. I couldn't put this book down, and I really loved it.
Kayla Moore is tired of one-night stands and always feeling like a third wheel with her friends, so she puts herself on a dating and sex strike. But when she meets Lachlan McGregor, she begins to rethink her choices. Talked into writing an article to help out Bram's cause, she interviews Lachlan and things between them become too hard for either of them to fight. Though Lachlan is set to go back to Scotland, they decide to spend the little time he has left in America together. But when Lachlan asks Kayla to go with him when he returns home, Kayla must decide if the risk of something with Lachlan is worth leaving behind her entire life.
I really loved Lachlan. I have to say that Karina probably set a record with how quickly she tugged my heartstrings here, and I was instantly invested in Lachlan's story. It absolutely broke my heart what he had been through, and I couldn't have loved him more. Lachlan struggled so much, but he was such a great person. His capacity for love and good was beyond what you could ever imagine for someone who had been through what he had. Kayla was so much more than you first see, and I really liked getting to see who she really was. She was fun and feisty and yet she had a vulnerable side that most never saw. I really thought that these two were perfect for each other, and it really felt like they were two outsiders who had finally found the place that they belonged. They had explosive chemistry and you could see the attraction, but it was their intense connection and bond that made these two so special.
Overall, this was a really great story and I loved Lachlan and Kayla. I loved how much Lachlan gave back to the dogs that he rescued, and that he cared so much. It wasn't just a charity to make himself feel better, but was who he was and what he was passionate about. I have always believed in helping strays and animals that need help, so to see that as such a large part of a story was really moving for me. There are so many animals in this world that need help and are unable to ask for it, and I loved that Lachlan did as much as he did. I also really loved that this is something that Karina Halle feels so much about personally that she decided to donate a portion of her sales for The Play to animal charities. Not only is Karina Halle a beautiful writer, but it just shows how big her heart is as well. This book is one of my favorites of Karina's and I know that fans of hers will love this story! If you are new to Karina's books this is a great place to start and I would definitely recommend checking out her other books as well! I cannot wait to see what Karina writes in the future, but whatever it is I know I will be reading it!
**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**
Wow Karina Halle really did it again with The Play! The way this book started off, I just knew that this book was going to be amazing yet at the same time wreck me. I have loved everything I have read by Karina, but I have to say that there is just something about her sexy McGregor guys that gets me each time! The Play features Lachlan McGregor who fans of The Pact and The Offer will recognize as Bram and Linden's cousin and Kayla Moore who is friends with both Stephanie and Nicola and shares a bit of history with Linden. I couldn't put this book down, and I really loved it.
Kayla Moore is tired of one-night stands and always feeling like a third wheel with her friends, so she puts herself on a dating and sex strike. But when she meets Lachlan McGregor, she begins to rethink her choices. Talked into writing an article to help out Bram's cause, she interviews Lachlan and things between them become too hard for either of them to fight. Though Lachlan is set to go back to Scotland, they decide to spend the little time he has left in America together. But when Lachlan asks Kayla to go with him when he returns home, Kayla must decide if the risk of something with Lachlan is worth leaving behind her entire life.
I really loved Lachlan. I have to say that Karina probably set a record with how quickly she tugged my heartstrings here, and I was instantly invested in Lachlan's story. It absolutely broke my heart what he had been through, and I couldn't have loved him more. Lachlan struggled so much, but he was such a great person. His capacity for love and good was beyond what you could ever imagine for someone who had been through what he had. Kayla was so much more than you first see, and I really liked getting to see who she really was. She was fun and feisty and yet she had a vulnerable side that most never saw. I really thought that these two were perfect for each other, and it really felt like they were two outsiders who had finally found the place that they belonged. They had explosive chemistry and you could see the attraction, but it was their intense connection and bond that made these two so special.
Overall, this was a really great story and I loved Lachlan and Kayla. I loved how much Lachlan gave back to the dogs that he rescued, and that he cared so much. It wasn't just a charity to make himself feel better, but was who he was and what he was passionate about. I have always believed in helping strays and animals that need help, so to see that as such a large part of a story was really moving for me. There are so many animals in this world that need help and are unable to ask for it, and I loved that Lachlan did as much as he did. I also really loved that this is something that Karina Halle feels so much about personally that she decided to donate a portion of her sales for The Play to animal charities. Not only is Karina Halle a beautiful writer, but it just shows how big her heart is as well. This book is one of my favorites of Karina's and I know that fans of hers will love this story! If you are new to Karina's books this is a great place to start and I would definitely recommend checking out her other books as well! I cannot wait to see what Karina writes in the future, but whatever it is I know I will be reading it!
**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**
elisabeth_julia's review against another edition
5.0
The Play is my favourite book in the entire series currently consisting of five books. Each one can be read as a standalone too so if you considering to get into the series pick up this one first! (Especially since the first book in the series is by far the weakest). Each of the books follow a different Scottish MacGregor brother/cousin and because of good genes they are all extremely good looking of course.
The Play follows Lachlan and Kayla. What makes it my favourite book in the series is that I could actually really relate to Kayla. Usually I content myself with crushing on the male love-interest and feel kind of meh about the female lead. Instead I developed a fierce girl-crush on Kayla too. Lachlan and Kayla had fantastic chemistry as a couple and I cared deeply for the two. Maybe that’s why this book actually made my eyes uncontrollably leak water several times. There is so much drama and heart-ache in here you’d have to be made of stone not to cry, I’m sure of it. That doesn’t mean The Play is a kitschy tear-jerker. It’s just dark and sad and beautiful.
This romance novel is far up there together with Halle’s Sins & Needles trilogy. This author has such a talent for writing compelling characters you can’t help but love no matter what.
The Play follows Lachlan and Kayla. What makes it my favourite book in the series is that I could actually really relate to Kayla. Usually I content myself with crushing on the male love-interest and feel kind of meh about the female lead. Instead I developed a fierce girl-crush on Kayla too. Lachlan and Kayla had fantastic chemistry as a couple and I cared deeply for the two. Maybe that’s why this book actually made my eyes uncontrollably leak water several times. There is so much drama and heart-ache in here you’d have to be made of stone not to cry, I’m sure of it. That doesn’t mean The Play is a kitschy tear-jerker. It’s just dark and sad and beautiful.
This romance novel is far up there together with Halle’s Sins & Needles trilogy. This author has such a talent for writing compelling characters you can’t help but love no matter what.
gonewiththebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Her best one yet
I've read a number of Karina Halle's books, but none of them have gotten me like this one. It was so beautiful and heartbreaking and just perfect, I can't find enough good words to say how amazing this book was. Hands down my favorite from her so far.
I've read a number of Karina Halle's books, but none of them have gotten me like this one. It was so beautiful and heartbreaking and just perfect, I can't find enough good words to say how amazing this book was. Hands down my favorite from her so far.
sonja_ahrb's review against another edition
5.0
The Play, The Play, what can I say about The Play except for WHOA?! I feel like I've just played my own game of rugby and I'm tired and still trying to catch my breath. It was a tough, but fun, rewarding read and utterly unforgettable. It was a truly magnificent book and I can't tell you much I loved it!!
Kayla - oh, I loved her! She made me laugh my butt off with how frank and blunt she was in the beginning. I loved her humor, her passion, but most of all her heart. She has an incredibly big heart that she kind of hides behind her joking, I-don't-care-what-people-think attitude. She just has so much love to give to her family, her friends, and especially to Lachlan. Kayla doesn't always have everything figured out and it will cause you some heartache, but she is an amazing heroine, I loved her, and she's worth it to get to know!
And Lachlan, oh my Lachlan - he broke my heart and all I wanted to was just wrap him in my arms, squeeze him tight, and never let him go. Not only is he one HOT Scot, but he has that whole silent, brooding, tortured soul thing going on too which of course made me want to love him and squeeze him, but it was really his unbelievable sweetness and unwavering devotion to Kayla and the dogs that made fall head over heels for him. Lachlan completely stole my heart and I wholeheartedly loooooved him!!
I loved The Play almost as soon as I started reading it - it was absolutely hilarious and a huge change from the only other Karina Halle book I have read so far - Dirty Angels - it was a good change though. I just felt so many different emotions with this book - it punched me in the gut, broke my heart, made me feel sick, and made me ugly cry - but with all those negative things came the good ones too. It made me laugh and grin, brought good, happy tears to my eyes, and at times made me feel like my heart burst with love, happiness, and excitement.
The Play is a heartwarming, heart wrenching, beautiful, moving story that will stop your heart and take your breath away. It is extraordinary, it's definitely one of the best books I've read all year and I can't wait to read the other books in the series although I think this one will always be my favorite!
The Play is a standalone, it's told from Lachlan and Kayla's POV, and they get their well deserved happily-ever-after!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
Kayla - oh, I loved her! She made me laugh my butt off with how frank and blunt she was in the beginning. I loved her humor, her passion, but most of all her heart. She has an incredibly big heart that she kind of hides behind her joking, I-don't-care-what-people-think attitude. She just has so much love to give to her family, her friends, and especially to Lachlan. Kayla doesn't always have everything figured out and it will cause you some heartache, but she is an amazing heroine, I loved her, and she's worth it to get to know!
And Lachlan, oh my Lachlan - he broke my heart and all I wanted to was just wrap him in my arms, squeeze him tight, and never let him go. Not only is he one HOT Scot, but he has that whole silent, brooding, tortured soul thing going on too which of course made me want to love him and squeeze him, but it was really his unbelievable sweetness and unwavering devotion to Kayla and the dogs that made fall head over heels for him. Lachlan completely stole my heart and I wholeheartedly loooooved him!!
I loved The Play almost as soon as I started reading it - it was absolutely hilarious and a huge change from the only other Karina Halle book I have read so far - Dirty Angels - it was a good change though. I just felt so many different emotions with this book - it punched me in the gut, broke my heart, made me feel sick, and made me ugly cry - but with all those negative things came the good ones too. It made me laugh and grin, brought good, happy tears to my eyes, and at times made me feel like my heart burst with love, happiness, and excitement.
The Play is a heartwarming, heart wrenching, beautiful, moving story that will stop your heart and take your breath away. It is extraordinary, it's definitely one of the best books I've read all year and I can't wait to read the other books in the series although I think this one will always be my favorite!
The Play is a standalone, it's told from Lachlan and Kayla's POV, and they get their well deserved happily-ever-after!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
laughlinesandliterature's review against another edition
5.0
This book....oh man this book just killed me on so many levels. Kayla is just hilarious and Lachlan is gorgeous. This book was just deep and raw on so many levels. It wasn't just the sex scenes, although those were raw and sexy. It was the rawness to Lachlan's life and therefore his personality. Kayla was just blunt but some of that rawness bled over to her in a way that she desperately needed.
Lachlan was always the "realest" person in the room. He was unapologetic although somehow still ashamed of himself. It's on odd dichotomy although one I found myself understanding, and his ability to give to the dogs was just unparalleled. I loved that there was this soft and tender side to him that no one else really got to see. It was sweet to read about in a man who didn't seem to have a sweet side. Lachlan and Kayla together were just heartbreakingly amazing. Heartbreaking because I knew that Karina Halle would never be able to let their love go without some kind of hardship. And for two people who had already been through so much real, raw life it was a hard thing to read.
I'll admit I shed plenty of tears in this book, and none more than when Kayla and Lachlan were separated (not a spoiler you can see it coming from the synopsis) but I loved this book. I loved it for so many reasons but these characters were a huge part of it. I'm giving the book 5 out of 5 stars.
*I have to take a moment to just talk about the generosity of Karina Halle for a moment. This book features a man who loves to save dogs, and Karina Halle took money from her own sales to raise money to save dogs at animal shelters. She's fucking amazing.
*This review was first posted at Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2015/12
the-play-by-karina-halle-review.html*
Lachlan was always the "realest" person in the room. He was unapologetic although somehow still ashamed of himself. It's on odd dichotomy although one I found myself understanding, and his ability to give to the dogs was just unparalleled. I loved that there was this soft and tender side to him that no one else really got to see. It was sweet to read about in a man who didn't seem to have a sweet side. Lachlan and Kayla together were just heartbreakingly amazing. Heartbreaking because I knew that Karina Halle would never be able to let their love go without some kind of hardship. And for two people who had already been through so much real, raw life it was a hard thing to read.
I'll admit I shed plenty of tears in this book, and none more than when Kayla and Lachlan were separated (not a spoiler you can see it coming from the synopsis) but I loved this book. I loved it for so many reasons but these characters were a huge part of it. I'm giving the book 5 out of 5 stars.
*I have to take a moment to just talk about the generosity of Karina Halle for a moment. This book features a man who loves to save dogs, and Karina Halle took money from her own sales to raise money to save dogs at animal shelters. She's fucking amazing.
*This review was first posted at Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2015/12
the-play-by-karina-halle-review.html*