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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Messy influencer?? Reformed bad boy??? Yes please! The chemistry between Huxley and Connie was off the charts. It’s funny and heart felt, with a tiny emotional punch. As always, Naomi’s ability to write complex characters is an absolute stand out - she’s so talented. Her writing is incredible and her stories are always so good!
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My favorite trope is officially the good boy trope 🤭🤭
I love Huxley and Connie they are so good together 🤭 Naomi did amazing job I been waiting for Huxley story and it was so good!!! That I finished it in a day and didn’t want it to be over 🤭 that shower scene was so good!!! Also the fact he loves to be called a good boy 🙈
5.0⭐️
I love Huxley and Connie they are so good together 🤭 Naomi did amazing job I been waiting for Huxley story and it was so good!!! That I finished it in a day and didn’t want it to be over 🤭 that shower scene was so good!!! Also the fact he loves to be called a good boy 🙈
5.0⭐️
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was excited to read Play the Part as it was my first book I’ve read of Naomi Loud! Anyone who knows that Hendricks Gin is the best has my vote! I appreciated that the problems that the MCs go through don’t take too long to solve. This was a VERY spicy, VERY enjoyable read!
While the setup was chef’s kiss in theory (tabloid queen and one-night-stand-turned-theater-partner?? Yes pls), the execution didn’t fully hit that level of emotional punch I was craving. The characters had chemistry, sure, but I found myself wanting more depth or tension—like the stakes were almost there, but just shy of explosive.
Connie was chaotic and vulnerable in a way I should have loved, and Huxley had all the makings of a possessive book boyfriend, but something about the pacing and development left me just a bit detached. Still, I really appreciated how Loud writes complex people who don’t follow the rules—and yes, the angst did deliver at moments, even if it didn’t stay at peak heartbreak the whole way through.
If you're in the mood for messy millionaires, reformed bad boys, and some good ol’ fashioned sexual tension while fixing up a dusty theatre? This one does the job.
Connie was chaotic and vulnerable in a way I should have loved, and Huxley had all the makings of a possessive book boyfriend, but something about the pacing and development left me just a bit detached. Still, I really appreciated how Loud writes complex people who don’t follow the rules—and yes, the angst did deliver at moments, even if it didn’t stay at peak heartbreak the whole way through.
If you're in the mood for messy millionaires, reformed bad boys, and some good ol’ fashioned sexual tension while fixing up a dusty theatre? This one does the job.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh man. The word of the day for these two (Huxley and Connie) is MESSY. They are so,.so messy.
This is book 2 in the series and takes us with Huxley - Ozzy's younger and very lost brother and his tumultuous relationship with Connie - Jamie's best friend.
It's not required, but this book will make a lot more sense if you read On the Line first. But delving into Huxley and Connie, right out of prison and finding his way again, the two hook up at Jamie and Ozzy's engagement party. it is a bathroom tryst, once and done. However, neither of them know that the other one can't forget it and let it go.
Connie comes "home" from LA after being cheated on and decides to make some big life changes and commitments. Her new plan requires a construction crew and of course, Huxley. Huxley is still working on himself and trying really hard to stay out of trouble. This arrangement makes sense. Maybe.
These two have so much back and forth, misunderstandings, moments of weakness and jabs to hurt one another. The pinning is real. Fortunately, they get their HEA, but I personally think they'll always have to keep the communication going for success.
I needed to hug Huxley several times through this story, but also shake him for his antics...and the same with Connie.
This is a good read and mayyyybe we'll see a book 3??
Story: 4/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters: 4.5/5 🫂 🫂 🫂 🫂 👤
Spice: 4/5 🍆🍆🍆🍆
Angst and pinning: 5/5 🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦
This is book 2 in the series and takes us with Huxley - Ozzy's younger and very lost brother and his tumultuous relationship with Connie - Jamie's best friend.
It's not required, but this book will make a lot more sense if you read On the Line first. But delving into Huxley and Connie, right out of prison and finding his way again, the two hook up at Jamie and Ozzy's engagement party. it is a bathroom tryst, once and done. However, neither of them know that the other one can't forget it and let it go.
Connie comes "home" from LA after being cheated on and decides to make some big life changes and commitments. Her new plan requires a construction crew and of course, Huxley. Huxley is still working on himself and trying really hard to stay out of trouble. This arrangement makes sense. Maybe.
These two have so much back and forth, misunderstandings, moments of weakness and jabs to hurt one another. The pinning is real. Fortunately, they get their HEA, but I personally think they'll always have to keep the communication going for success.
I needed to hug Huxley several times through this story, but also shake him for his antics...and the same with Connie.
This is a good read and mayyyybe we'll see a book 3??
Story: 4/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters: 4.5/5 🫂 🫂 🫂 🫂 👤
Spice: 4/5 🍆🍆🍆🍆
Angst and pinning: 5/5 🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Abandonment
Naomi Loud does it again, but are we really surprised? Play The Part is pure, unfiltered chaos, and I mean that as the highest compliment. This book is messy in the way real life is messy. It's not polished or perfect or full of easy choices, and that's exactly what made me love it.
Huxley and Connie are a lot. They argue, they push each other's buttons, they make wildly bad decisions and yet, I couldn’t stop rooting for them. There’s so much other woman/other man drama (heads up if that's not your thing), but I honestly loved the twisty, complicated layers. Because life and relationships aren't always linear or clean, and this book embraces that fully.
What stood out the most to me was how raw and real everything felt. There's no sugarcoating, no perfect communication or magically resolved conflict. Instead, we get two flawed people, each carrying their own baggage, trying to figure out who they are and how they fit into each other's lives. They need therapy (seriously, someone get these two a couples' counselor), but they're also kind of perfect for each other? I'm obsessed with them.
Huxley, in particular, gutted me. His past is heavy, and the PTSD and panic attack representation was handled with real care and authenticity. He's rough around the edges but he's trying. And that effort? That slow unraveling of his softer, wounded parts? It made me ache for him. Also, those “good boy” scenes? Whew. I needed a minute.
Connie took a bit longer to crack open emotionally, but once she did, I saw how vulnerable she really was underneath the armor. She runs, she deflects, but she's also just trying to protect herself. Their journey to trust, both themselves and each other, was frustrating and tender all at once.
And of course, returning to Marsford Bay felt like slipping back into a messy, loveable family reunion. Seeing James and Ozzy again gave me all the warm fuzzies. Naomi Loud does an incredible job of building a community of flawed but fiercely loyal characters, and that adds so much depth to the story.
This is not a neat or tidy romance. It's explosive. Emotional. Sometimes infuriating. But it feels real, and that's what makes it so worth it. Naomi Loud writes with grit, empathy, and unapologetic honesty. Her characters might stumble and flail and self-sabotage, but they grow, and that growth makes the love hit even harder.
I had so many feelings while reading this book, and I'd absolutely go through the emotional rollercoaster all over again. I cannot wait to see what she writes next!
Huxley and Connie are a lot. They argue, they push each other's buttons, they make wildly bad decisions and yet, I couldn’t stop rooting for them. There’s so much other woman/other man drama (heads up if that's not your thing), but I honestly loved the twisty, complicated layers. Because life and relationships aren't always linear or clean, and this book embraces that fully.
What stood out the most to me was how raw and real everything felt. There's no sugarcoating, no perfect communication or magically resolved conflict. Instead, we get two flawed people, each carrying their own baggage, trying to figure out who they are and how they fit into each other's lives. They need therapy (seriously, someone get these two a couples' counselor), but they're also kind of perfect for each other? I'm obsessed with them.
Huxley, in particular, gutted me. His past is heavy, and the PTSD and panic attack representation was handled with real care and authenticity. He's rough around the edges but he's trying. And that effort? That slow unraveling of his softer, wounded parts? It made me ache for him. Also, those “good boy” scenes? Whew. I needed a minute.
Connie took a bit longer to crack open emotionally, but once she did, I saw how vulnerable she really was underneath the armor. She runs, she deflects, but she's also just trying to protect herself. Their journey to trust, both themselves and each other, was frustrating and tender all at once.
And of course, returning to Marsford Bay felt like slipping back into a messy, loveable family reunion. Seeing James and Ozzy again gave me all the warm fuzzies. Naomi Loud does an incredible job of building a community of flawed but fiercely loyal characters, and that adds so much depth to the story.
This is not a neat or tidy romance. It's explosive. Emotional. Sometimes infuriating. But it feels real, and that's what makes it so worth it. Naomi Loud writes with grit, empathy, and unapologetic honesty. Her characters might stumble and flail and self-sabotage, but they grow, and that growth makes the love hit even harder.
I had so many feelings while reading this book, and I'd absolutely go through the emotional rollercoaster all over again. I cannot wait to see what she writes next!
I just realized that I never wrote a review for this! But I loved it! It was the perfect contemporary romance. Fun grumpy X sunshine, second chance romance! The tension, angst, and spice were on point! 5⭐️
Thanks so much, Naomi, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! 💕
Thanks so much, Naomi, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! 💕
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so excited when I heard a second Marsford Bay book was coming out! I LOVED “On the Line” and when I saw this book was going to follow Huxley I screamed.
I thought this book was slightly lower in rating for me than the first book. Overall the book was really good, I loved the characters and they made perfect sense in the story, they fit so well it’s crazy.
There were just some parts where the writing felt forced or pushed. Like the author didn’t want to write some in between scenes, or at least had less vision for them. There are parts of the book where the prose is complex and well thought out, and then there are parts where it doesn’t feel the same. And those lower parts were harder for me to get through, but the ending was so worth
I thought this book was slightly lower in rating for me than the first book. Overall the book was really good, I loved the characters and they made perfect sense in the story, they fit so well it’s crazy.
There were just some parts where the writing felt forced or pushed. Like the author didn’t want to write some in between scenes, or at least had less vision for them. There are parts of the book where the prose is complex and well thought out, and then there are parts where it doesn’t feel the same. And those lower parts were harder for me to get through, but the ending was so worth