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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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:
Complicated
Knowing how much I loved and absolutely devoured On The Line, I was so so so excited to get this and when I did I couldn't put it down. Like truly, I haven't been this locked into a book in a while and this one had me SAT! Naomi has such an incredible way of capturing my attention and keeping me on pins and needles, through the banter and tension (which is absolutely top tier btw) and messiness. Every last bit had turning page after page into the wee hours of the night.
Hux and Connie were messy to say the least but through it all they found their way...even when I was screaming at my kindle. Communication does not exist for these two. At least it didn't for a time. Watching them grow and heal and come together had my heart singing. Naomi warned us this relationship was messy and she meant it with her full chest. And god do I want more. The sweetness, the spiciness, the mess. All of it.
Marsford Bay has been on my mind since I turned the last page. Just add this book to the never ending list of reasons of why I will forever be a fan of Naomi and her writing.
Hux and Connie were messy to say the least but through it all they found their way...even when I was screaming at my kindle. Communication does not exist for these two. At least it didn't for a time. Watching them grow and heal and come together had my heart singing. Naomi warned us this relationship was messy and she meant it with her full chest. And god do I want more. The sweetness, the spiciness, the mess. All of it.
Marsford Bay has been on my mind since I turned the last page. Just add this book to the never ending list of reasons of why I will forever be a fan of Naomi and her writing.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve officially read every single Naomi Loud book, and Play the Part might be my new favorite. As an ARC reader and longtime fangirl at this point, I had high expectations and it somehow still managed to blow me away.
Connie and Huxley are a mess in the best way. There’s tension, chaos, feelings all over the place and I ate up every second of it!! The mental health rep in this one was handled so thoughtfully (per usual), and the way Naomi writes flawed characters just hits every time. Nobody does “hot messes falling in love” quite like her.
The banter was sharp, the emotions were raw, and the spice? Chef’s kiss (IYKYK). This book made me laugh, tear up a little, and then immediately want to go back and reread my favorite scenes.
Naomi’s ability to make romance feel real and rooted in the stuff people actually go through is what keeps me coming back. If you’re into second-chance love, complicated feelings, and just enough chaos to keep things fun, you need to read this one.
Five stars, easy. I’m already impatient for whatever she writes next!!
Connie and Huxley are a mess in the best way. There’s tension, chaos, feelings all over the place and I ate up every second of it!! The mental health rep in this one was handled so thoughtfully (per usual), and the way Naomi writes flawed characters just hits every time. Nobody does “hot messes falling in love” quite like her.
The banter was sharp, the emotions were raw, and the spice? Chef’s kiss (IYKYK). This book made me laugh, tear up a little, and then immediately want to go back and reread my favorite scenes.
Naomi’s ability to make romance feel real and rooted in the stuff people actually go through is what keeps me coming back. If you’re into second-chance love, complicated feelings, and just enough chaos to keep things fun, you need to read this one.
Five stars, easy. I’m already impatient for whatever she writes next!!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
***Check your TWs***
Tropes:
-grumpy x sunshine
-ex-con x influencer
-opposites attract
-one-night-stand to lovers
-forced proximity
-angst and tension
-banter
-mental health rep
-trauma healing
- “good boy”
-reverse age gap
I have quickly learned that I love Naomi’s writing, no matter the genre she is writing in. This book was fantastic. Even though these characters are messy and a lot of drama occurs, I adored them. The way this family loves one another is beautiful. Even with everything they’ve been through, they have each other’s backs, no matter what.
I knew I would love this book after meeting Huxley in On the Line. Huxley is a one-of-a-kind character. He is emotional and feels things more than other people. He has had such a hard life, and he deserves someone to love him for who he is. Connie was definitely that person. It just took her a little longer to realize it.
I love the characters Naomi has created for this series. They are imperfect, but have beautiful stories. I hope the plan is to write a book for the other two siblings. I would love to see more from all these characters. They hold a piece of my heart. This book is available on KU. I hope you enjoy it as well.
Quotes:
You’re not meaningless, Huxley.
Sometimes, I just can’t stand the sight of her. But I can’t stay away for long either. She’s catnip, and I’m a feral cat. For once in my life, I feel alive. And maybe this tug-of-war between us is actually leading me toward something good. As frustrating as she is, I haven’t lost my patience yet.
Something about this moment feels like an important turning point. Like I’ve finally left my old life behind. I still don’t know if I believe in fate like Connie does. But right now, I believe in myself. And that’s a powerful fucking thing.
Good boys let me come first.
I’ve been a good fucking boy. Now give me my reward, Connie.
Spicy Chapters:
-Chapter 25
-Chapter 30
-Chapter 32
-Chapter 38
-Chapter 43
IG,TT, & FB: bookkat1214
Tropes:
-grumpy x sunshine
-ex-con x influencer
-opposites attract
-one-night-stand to lovers
-forced proximity
-angst and tension
-banter
-mental health rep
-trauma healing
- “good boy”
-reverse age gap
I have quickly learned that I love Naomi’s writing, no matter the genre she is writing in. This book was fantastic. Even though these characters are messy and a lot of drama occurs, I adored them. The way this family loves one another is beautiful. Even with everything they’ve been through, they have each other’s backs, no matter what.
I knew I would love this book after meeting Huxley in On the Line. Huxley is a one-of-a-kind character. He is emotional and feels things more than other people. He has had such a hard life, and he deserves someone to love him for who he is. Connie was definitely that person. It just took her a little longer to realize it.
I love the characters Naomi has created for this series. They are imperfect, but have beautiful stories. I hope the plan is to write a book for the other two siblings. I would love to see more from all these characters. They hold a piece of my heart. This book is available on KU. I hope you enjoy it as well.
Quotes:
You’re not meaningless, Huxley.
Sometimes, I just can’t stand the sight of her. But I can’t stay away for long either. She’s catnip, and I’m a feral cat. For once in my life, I feel alive. And maybe this tug-of-war between us is actually leading me toward something good. As frustrating as she is, I haven’t lost my patience yet.
Something about this moment feels like an important turning point. Like I’ve finally left my old life behind. I still don’t know if I believe in fate like Connie does. But right now, I believe in myself. And that’s a powerful fucking thing.
Good boys let me come first.
I’ve been a good fucking boy. Now give me my reward, Connie.
Spicy Chapters:
-Chapter 25
-Chapter 30
-Chapter 32
-Chapter 38
-Chapter 43
IG,TT, & FB: bookkat1214
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Can I just say the Naomi absolutely kills it with every book that she writes?! She hooked me with the Perverse City Series and now I am totally enamored by the Marsford Bay Series. Next up on my list of reads is most certainly On The Line!
But we’re here to talk about Play The Part in this review. And the first thing that comes to mind is WOW, I literally couldn’t put this book down. It hooked me from the mysteriousness of the two main characters. Huxley with a troubled past, and Connie, a girl who seems to have it all without really having it all. Stuck in a will they/won’t they dance after Connie’s life is upended somewhat forcing her to move home to Marsford Bay.
I love a good estranged lovers and will they/won’t they plot line. The way their dynamic was written only made this book that much more enjoyable. The heat was turned up all the way with this one. If you love a good semi-competitive “who’s gonna cave first” type story, then this book is definitely right up your alley!
I’m the type of reader who loves to relate to characters on some level. I usually lean heavily towards one character over the other, but I was able to relate to both Connie and Huxley. Huxley reminds me so much of myself when I was going through the motions of life just trying to adult and figure shit out. Did I mention that adulting at any age is super hard?! And with Connie, while on the surface she seems like she’s got everything going for her, just beneath that is a girl who has to wear a mask so often she forgets that it’s okay to just be sometimes. Hi, also me, also because when adulting gets hard you really have to thrown on that mask and smile through the hard stuff.
I think my favorite path of this book was the Found Family aspect. Yes the McKenna siblings are all related, but with their shit parentage they have gravitated towards choosing each other at the end of the day. That also extends to Jamie and Connie, who just fit right in with the rest of the McKenna’s and complete them. Family isn’t always bound by blood, it’s bound by the people who stick with you through the good and the bad. And the McKenna’s are just that.
If you are looking for a quick, sweet but spicy in all the right places type of read, you should definitely head over to KU and read Play The Part by Naomi Loud!
But we’re here to talk about Play The Part in this review. And the first thing that comes to mind is WOW, I literally couldn’t put this book down. It hooked me from the mysteriousness of the two main characters. Huxley with a troubled past, and Connie, a girl who seems to have it all without really having it all. Stuck in a will they/won’t they dance after Connie’s life is upended somewhat forcing her to move home to Marsford Bay.
I love a good estranged lovers and will they/won’t they plot line. The way their dynamic was written only made this book that much more enjoyable. The heat was turned up all the way with this one. If you love a good semi-competitive “who’s gonna cave first” type story, then this book is definitely right up your alley!
I’m the type of reader who loves to relate to characters on some level. I usually lean heavily towards one character over the other, but I was able to relate to both Connie and Huxley. Huxley reminds me so much of myself when I was going through the motions of life just trying to adult and figure shit out. Did I mention that adulting at any age is super hard?! And with Connie, while on the surface she seems like she’s got everything going for her, just beneath that is a girl who has to wear a mask so often she forgets that it’s okay to just be sometimes. Hi, also me, also because when adulting gets hard you really have to thrown on that mask and smile through the hard stuff.
I think my favorite path of this book was the Found Family aspect. Yes the McKenna siblings are all related, but with their shit parentage they have gravitated towards choosing each other at the end of the day. That also extends to Jamie and Connie, who just fit right in with the rest of the McKenna’s and complete them. Family isn’t always bound by blood, it’s bound by the people who stick with you through the good and the bad. And the McKenna’s are just that.
If you are looking for a quick, sweet but spicy in all the right places type of read, you should definitely head over to KU and read Play The Part by Naomi Loud!
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The only thing that kept me finishing this ARC in one day was a Stray Kids concert, btw!
Naomi Loud was a sneaky one pulling me into her universe with On the Line and Ozzy and Jamie. Now she’s done it again as we learn about the troublemaker brother Huxley and his path to redemption as he figures out his feelings for Connie, Jamie’s best friend, while she’s learning how running from her problems without talking about it is NOT the best way to deal with them.
I appreciate the very realistic perspective of a former felon as he figures out how to live life again after getting out of prison, and having to also deal with emotions and trauma from his parents not being there for him. Having to learn how to talk to people instead of just assuming, and resisting going down the wrong path again just cause it’s easy.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ arc review ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
I started this book while in the worst reading slump of my life and before I knew it, I was already past my daily page goal. It was MESSY in the best possible way!
Huxley isn’t the best at identifying his emotions and certainly isn’t the best at communicating them and his needs. He’s had a tough life and I felt so deeply for him. He is so down bad for the FMC, Connie, and he is trying really hard to hide it by being grumpy towards her. Waiting around for a reply, checking her Instagram stories daily and multiple times a day?! Down bad! “I can’t do meaningless with you, Connie.” I love him, your honor. I can fix him I can save him.
Connie was ICONIC. I love a baddie FMC. Making lemonade out of bad situations. I really related to her personality-wise, so I fully supported her woman’s rights and woman’s wrongs lol. But her ex trying to come back into the picture after everything he did…Connie, girl, please. I get it, but I can’t keep defending you! Her courtship with Hux was honestly sweet and she was so thoughtful when she allowed herself to be in the moment. Their banter was so funny and their chemistry was so hot. I was FERAL during their hookup scenes.
Naomi has a way of making all her characters feel like real people. They are complex and multifaceted. Deeply relatable. I think that is why I enjoy reading her books so much.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Naomi Loud.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
The McKenna brothers have me in a damn chokehold.
If you know anything about me, it’s that On the Line has remained my favorite book since its release, so saying I was “excited” to return to Marsford Bay and get to know Huxley is me playing it cool. I was over the fucking moon. And it did not disappoint.
Huxley is an angsty, sweet little baby with abandonment issues, and I just want to take care of him. He’s an ex-con trying to do right, raised in chaos, and convinced life will never go his way… until Connie shows up. Connie, the rich Hollywood starlet running from her own mess. Relatable... We’ve all got a little Huxley and Connie in us.
They’re messy. They’re toxic. They’re trying, and failing, and trying again. Neither of them can communicate to save their life. The jealousy? The hate/make up sex? It does something to me. (Jesus, what does that say about me?)
Anywayyyyy, this book had me hooked from the start and I devoured it. I’m sad it’s over, but it feels like we might be getting more from Sophia next? I hope so. I love these messy little siblings and the found family they’ve built. They deserve all the happiness.
If you know anything about me, it’s that On the Line has remained my favorite book since its release, so saying I was “excited” to return to Marsford Bay and get to know Huxley is me playing it cool. I was over the fucking moon. And it did not disappoint.
Huxley is an angsty, sweet little baby with abandonment issues, and I just want to take care of him. He’s an ex-con trying to do right, raised in chaos, and convinced life will never go his way… until Connie shows up. Connie, the rich Hollywood starlet running from her own mess. Relatable... We’ve all got a little Huxley and Connie in us.
They’re messy. They’re toxic. They’re trying, and failing, and trying again. Neither of them can communicate to save their life. The jealousy? The hate/make up sex? It does something to me. (Jesus, what does that say about me?)
Anywayyyyy, this book had me hooked from the start and I devoured it. I’m sad it’s over, but it feels like we might be getting more from Sophia next? I hope so. I love these messy little siblings and the found family they’ve built. They deserve all the happiness.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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
“I feel so fucking alive, it hurts. The good kind of hurt. The hurt that leaves me aching for more. That has my heart beating hard in my chest, demanding this never, ever ends.”
Oh my dear sweet Naomi, you’ve done it again!
There is something so incredibly realistic to everything that Naomi writes; whether it’s the day to day lives of regular-degular folks, or her supernatural vibes—it’s always giving ✨real✨.
Play The Part, is definitely giving real people, real problems, real emotions and I was here for all of it.
The banter.
The sass.
The sexual tension, honey.
It was all there.
I loved the push and pull of Huxley and Connie’s relationship. Two flawed people, who aren’t picture perfect, who become each other’s light at the end of their own dark tunnels just melts my insides.
I also really enjoyed seeing the familial relationships grow as well. And we get to see Huxley turn into a cat dad?? 😍😍
I love this little group of found family love.
“But right now, I believe in myself.
And that’s a powerful fucking thing.”
*A huge thank you to Naomi Loud for sending me the ARC for this novel 💗