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2.91 AVERAGE
2.91 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
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:
No
I liked this story, I thought that Poppy and Jack, while different in a lot of ways on the surface were actually very similar. When a near tragedy happened years prior and Poppy had to stand up for herself, you could see her rationalize things out and protect Jack. Now, it is his turn to protect the woman he has always loved, but can he do that and still keep her in the dark about what is going on?
I really enjoyed the characters, however the AI concept seemed off in many ways. I still feel like we are missing a piece of the puzzle. I was confused after reading the epilogue, it really threw off the story and I feel like it didn't fit. I rated the book the way I did more for the main story line and the characters.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review
I really enjoyed the characters, however the AI concept seemed off in many ways. I still feel like we are missing a piece of the puzzle. I was confused after reading the epilogue, it really threw off the story and I feel like it didn't fit. I rated the book the way I did more for the main story line and the characters.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
It has been a long time since I've dived into a Lora Leigh book. I loved her early Breeds novels, but felt like they became repetitive over time and drastically needed an editor. I've dipped my toes into her other series as well, but soon drifted away from her writing. When this book was announced, I thought the start of a new books would be a great time to try her again.
Pros: It was fun to see past characters from the original Tempting Seals series making appearances (though they maybe took up too much page-time). And there's a great twist in the epilogue.
Cons: There is a lot of toxic masculinity in this book. A LOT. Along with casual sexism. And, if you've read Lora Leigh before, you know she prefers to include sexual assault of the female main character (not by the hero) in her books - and this book didn't get a pass on that one, unfortunately. And don't forget the coded language for the toxic masculinity! Ross the neighbor was portrayed as puny and whiny, sniveling on the ground while big, bad, muscly Jack stands over him threateningly. And Poppy blames herself the entire time. You know who is to blame? The one who chose violence in that moment.
When it came time to describe Poppy's friends and one was "wild and crazy" because she liked to dye her hair crazy colors . . . at this point, the book is so ridiculous that I couldn't look away. I need to see how Lora Leigh will try to top herself with the cardboard characters and outlandish storyline.
The narrator: I noticed a lot of people complained about the narrator, but I didn't have that many issues with Brianna Bronte's performance. I enjoyed her Southern accent for Poppy and her lowered voice for Jack was fine. It was not, however, ideal during the spicy scenes. It was almost laughable how awkward it was. While I like the narrator overall, I think she doesn't always hit the correct emotional points with Poppy. It's often written as Poppy being angry or hard, but she sounds wobbly and on the verge of crying.
After finishing this, I can firmly say that Lora Leigh and I are officially over. I won't be picking up any more of her books.
It has been a long time since I've dived into a Lora Leigh book. I loved her early Breeds novels, but felt like they became repetitive over time and drastically needed an editor. I've dipped my toes into her other series as well, but soon drifted away from her writing. When this book was announced, I thought the start of a new books would be a great time to try her again.
Pros: It was fun to see past characters from the original Tempting Seals series making appearances (though they maybe took up too much page-time). And there's a great twist in the epilogue.
Cons: There is a lot of toxic masculinity in this book. A LOT. Along with casual sexism. And, if you've read Lora Leigh before, you know she prefers to include sexual assault of the female main character (not by the hero) in her books - and this book didn't get a pass on that one, unfortunately. And don't forget the coded language for the toxic masculinity! Ross the neighbor was portrayed as puny and whiny, sniveling on the ground while big, bad, muscly Jack stands over him threateningly. And Poppy blames herself the entire time. You know who is to blame? The one who chose violence in that moment.
When it came time to describe Poppy's friends and one was "wild and crazy" because she liked to dye her hair crazy colors . . . at this point, the book is so ridiculous that I couldn't look away. I need to see how Lora Leigh will try to top herself with the cardboard characters and outlandish storyline.
The narrator: I noticed a lot of people complained about the narrator, but I didn't have that many issues with Brianna Bronte's performance. I enjoyed her Southern accent for Poppy and her lowered voice for Jack was fine. It was not, however, ideal during the spicy scenes. It was almost laughable how awkward it was. While I like the narrator overall, I think she doesn't always hit the correct emotional points with Poppy. It's often written as Poppy being angry or hard, but she sounds wobbly and on the verge of crying.
After finishing this, I can firmly say that Lora Leigh and I are officially over. I won't be picking up any more of her books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
I really enjoyed play dirty, but I’ve also enjoyed everything I’ve read by Lora Leigh. I love the dynamic between the hardened military man and the stubborn sweet woman. It also always fun to see characters from other books make an appearance. I was not expecting the twist of the AI in this book and what happens with the use of AI. If I have a complaint it’s that the book could have been a little longer with a bit more character development/interaction with friends. Overall I loved the story and am ready for the next book in the series.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
RATING: ⭐️⭐️
HEAT: 🌶️.5
Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me around 50%. I wanted to like it, but it was a struggle. Let’s discuss, shall we?
For starters, this seems all over the place. Jacks mission is about drug cartels but it’s also about AI that’s human like, but then someone else might start trafficking girls…y’all, I’m sort of lost. Also, somehow it’s not suppose to be noticeable that all of these ex-navy seals are relocated to this small town and things start going down, like a plane for instance. And to be frank, when they describe the AI as being passable as human, I started slowly drifting away.
Next, the FMC and MMC. The FMC, so far, has mostly been naive about the world around her. She’s in her 20’s and still a V after holding on to hope of being with Jack, who she may or may not have fallen for at 7. Our MMC is a major alpha-hole. Listen, I LOVE me some dark romance and a possessive, morally grey MMC, but Jack wasn’t it. He’s possessive, he’s morally grey, but he is also unlikeable. It almost felt like they tried too hard to make him unlikeable. Then, when these two finally get together and she loses her V card, it was anticlimactic. No pun intended. He also started with an@l play on her first time. Damn, Jack, let a girl warm up with some P in V action before you throw her into the intermediate level stuff.
Lastly, the narration didn’t do it for me. The accents weren’t great and I did not love the narrators portrayal of Jacks (or other male characters) voice. It was a distraction.
I was hopeful for this one, especially as my first advanced copy, but I just couldn’t do it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Lora Leigh, and MacMillan Audio for the chance to preview this audio book. All expressed thoughts are solely my own.
Okey, Lora Leigh was one of the first authors I read when I started diving into romance. Her books were some of the first ones I read about SEALs and military themes, and I have to say that I developed a liking for them. With this book, I went back to those years because I see that her books haven't lost that essence I adore.
Jack and Poppy, our protagonists, were good, but they never got together when they were young. Now, as adults, each of them has their own life: she works as a real estate agent, and he's an ex-Navy SEAL. But here’s where it gets interesting: he has to “investigate” something and needs to get close to Poppy to achieve it. Let's just say that from there, everything takes a twist, and I liked it. Their relationship was quick, I won't deny it. Everyone is against Jack, except for Poppy, who believes he's a good person.
Now, what truly captivated me throughout the book was the theme of artificial intelligence. As I read, it sent shivers down my spine.
Returning to this author’s work feels like revisiting my happy years. The story is fast-paced and gripping, with some things that left me a little confused.
thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Jack and Poppy, our protagonists, were good, but they never got together when they were young. Now, as adults, each of them has their own life: she works as a real estate agent, and he's an ex-Navy SEAL. But here’s where it gets interesting: he has to “investigate” something and needs to get close to Poppy to achieve it. Let's just say that from there, everything takes a twist, and I liked it. Their relationship was quick, I won't deny it. Everyone is against Jack, except for Poppy, who believes he's a good person.
Now, what truly captivated me throughout the book was the theme of artificial intelligence. As I read, it sent shivers down my spine.
Returning to this author’s work feels like revisiting my happy years. The story is fast-paced and gripping, with some things that left me a little confused.
thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
A friends-to-lovers story with a broody misunderstood Navy Seal, sign me up!
I had the pleasure of reviewing the book and the audio. I really enjoyed the story and the narration. The story follows the FMC, Poppy, and the MMC, Jack. Poppy and Jack have a bond that many others can't understand. They are bonded and intertwined by their experiences. Jack's possessiveness and drive to protect Poppy mixed with the love and confidence that Poppy holds for Jack creates the perfect romance novel with just the perfect amount of spice. This story has it all- friendships, love, danger, betrayal and more tied up in a pretty bow. The Epilogue also revealed a twist that I never saw coming!
The Narrator did a good job with pacing and matching the voices of the characters which I believe were from West Virginia. I absolutely adored Poppy's voice. She sounded like a sweet little southern belle. The Narrator was also good at creating distinct voices for the male and female voices. I read and listened at the same time and feel like listening to the audio added to my reading experience.
If you're looking for a quick read or a well narrated book, give Play Dirty a shot!
I had the pleasure of reviewing the book and the audio. I really enjoyed the story and the narration. The story follows the FMC, Poppy, and the MMC, Jack. Poppy and Jack have a bond that many others can't understand. They are bonded and intertwined by their experiences. Jack's possessiveness and drive to protect Poppy mixed with the love and confidence that Poppy holds for Jack creates the perfect romance novel with just the perfect amount of spice. This story has it all- friendships, love, danger, betrayal and more tied up in a pretty bow. The Epilogue also revealed a twist that I never saw coming!
The Narrator did a good job with pacing and matching the voices of the characters which I believe were from West Virginia. I absolutely adored Poppy's voice. She sounded like a sweet little southern belle. The Narrator was also good at creating distinct voices for the male and female voices. I read and listened at the same time and feel like listening to the audio added to my reading experience.
If you're looking for a quick read or a well narrated book, give Play Dirty a shot!
mysterious
medium-paced
Final rating: 3⭐️, 3🌶️
medium-paced
Thriller with a splash of sci-fi and some ex-military thrown in. Throughout the book I was wondering where the AI would come in as it was mostly a small town/ex-military romance. I liked the introduction and incorporation of the AI in the end of the book and the epilogue and was hoping to see more of that throughout. Hoping the next book will bring a lot more of that in since we don't need to get to know the characters anymore... well, we do need to learn more about Jack's team. I really enjoyed the characters though there was a smidge of cringy verbiage and way too much talking in the spice scenes. I'm looking forward to the next one later in the year.
Play Dirty is a good fit for those seeking a passionate and protective romance featuring childhood friends reuniting under dangerous circumstances, with a strong emphasis on trust and possessiveness.