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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Four and a half ruckin' stars!!!
So, I was underwhelmed by the first book in this series, [b:Playing by Her Rules|30639529|Playing by Her Rules (Sydney Smoke Rugby, #1)|Amy Andrews|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1466188461s/30639529.jpg|51177155] - see my review here - but I do love Amy Andrews so I requested this second book in the series. Wow, am I glad I did.
Harper Nugent is a tall, very curvy girl. Her step-brother Chuck Nugent is a sports presenter and an all-round ass. When he humiliates her in front some of the Sydney Smoke rugby players Dexter Blake feels obliged to intervene, both because Chuck is obnoxious and because Harper has the sort of curves that make his mouth water. What starts out as a fake platonic relationship to annoy Chuck soons morphs into something explosive, but Dex doesn't have long left to prove himself as a rugby player and he doesn't have time for anything but his career. Well that's not going to end well is it?
I just loved everything about this book. What this book had (in my opinion) that the first book didn't was a hero who really, truly, LIKED the heroine. From the very start Dex is 110% clear that he likes Harper, he fantasises about her (even in her painting overalls), he thinks she is lush from head to toe. Dex may be my new book boyfriend. He also likes kids, plays computer games and looks great in a suit, swoon!
I was going to say my only complaint was that it felt short enough to be a novella, but after consulting Amazon I see that it is actually LONGER than the first book, which I'll be honest dragged for me. So basically I devoured this book in one day (whilst also working a full day AND going out for lunch) because I loved it that much.
And I get the impression that Amy Andrews enjoyed writing this too. There's just a lightness of touch and a sheer joy in the writing that shines through. With references to Notting Hill and great dialogue this was great from start to finish. Oh, and can I just say that I thought Harper's response to Dex's meltdown when he was late to practice was awesome. She kicked butt, took names and handed him his sorry ass.
I leave you with one of my favourite Dex lines (that can get past the Amazon censors):
I just can't wait for the next book, may have to resort to re-reading this one!
Bumped for release.
Four and a half ruckin' stars!!!
So, I was underwhelmed by the first book in this series, [b:Playing by Her Rules|30639529|Playing by Her Rules (Sydney Smoke Rugby, #1)|Amy Andrews|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1466188461s/30639529.jpg|51177155] - see my review here - but I do love Amy Andrews so I requested this second book in the series. Wow, am I glad I did.
Harper Nugent is a tall, very curvy girl. Her step-brother Chuck Nugent is a sports presenter and an all-round ass. When he humiliates her in front some of the Sydney Smoke rugby players Dexter Blake feels obliged to intervene, both because Chuck is obnoxious and because Harper has the sort of curves that make his mouth water. What starts out as a fake platonic relationship to annoy Chuck soons morphs into something explosive, but Dex doesn't have long left to prove himself as a rugby player and he doesn't have time for anything but his career. Well that's not going to end well is it?
I just loved everything about this book. What this book had (in my opinion) that the first book didn't was a hero who really, truly, LIKED the heroine. From the very start Dex is 110% clear that he likes Harper, he fantasises about her (even in her painting overalls), he thinks she is lush from head to toe. Dex may be my new book boyfriend. He also likes kids, plays computer games and looks great in a suit, swoon!
I was going to say my only complaint was that it felt short enough to be a novella, but after consulting Amazon I see that it is actually LONGER than the first book, which I'll be honest dragged for me. So basically I devoured this book in one day (whilst also working a full day AND going out for lunch) because I loved it that much.
And I get the impression that Amy Andrews enjoyed writing this too. There's just a lightness of touch and a sheer joy in the writing that shines through. With references to Notting Hill and great dialogue this was great from start to finish. Oh, and can I just say that I thought Harper's response to Dex's meltdown when he was late to practice was awesome. She kicked butt, took names and handed him his sorry ass.
I leave you with one of my favourite Dex lines (that can get past the Amazon censors):
"Oh, yes." He nodded. "She's exactly my type. I'm completely smitten. But please," he said, leaning in conspiratorially, encouraging both Chuck and Andrea to lean in, too. "Don't say anything to her, because I'm pretty sure she's just using me for sex."
I just can't wait for the next book, may have to resort to re-reading this one!
Bumped for release.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
From author Amy Andrews comes book two in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series...
Harper Nugent is a big girl. Always has been, always will be. When her douche of a stepbrother insults her in front of rugby star Dexter Blake, she is embarrassed and just wants to get on her way. She is more than a little surprised (and sceptical) when Dexter stops her from leaving to ask her on a date.
Dexter Blake's whole life is rugby. It was his ticket out of poverty, and there is no way he is going to let anyone, especially a woman, come between him and his career. When he overhears some douche reporter call the woman he has been eye-f@cking "fat" he finds himself asking her on a date.
One pretty great date later, and a plan has been hatched. Harper and Dexter will pretend to date. A little bit of fourberie to get one over on Harper's stepbrother and stepmother.
But when one date leads to another, and another, and another. Will these two be able to keep their hands and their growing feelings to themselves??
"“Hey, you want to talk masturbation? I’m up for that. But you’re talking to an expert here.” Her lips quirked, dragging his gaze south to their full, glossy pillows. “Expert, huh? “A Jedi,” he deadpanned. She laughed, but it was husky, the sound going straight to his balls. “A Jedi?” He nodded. “Obi-frickin-wan, baby."
To say I was excited to get an ARC for this book would be an understatement. I ADORED book one in this series Playing by Her Rules and could not wait to dive right into this one. I was NOT disappointed. The same great characters. Fabulous writing. Humor and heartache. A great supporting cast. Like the first book there isn't any OW/OM drama. No groupies hanging around. Neither were virgins. Dexter wasn't a manwhore. In fact very little space is given to their past sexual history (thankfully).
Harper was a great heroine. She was funny and strong, and a bit nerdy. Very likable, and wasn't a pushover. She had issues with her size due to her stepbrother and stepmom, but I didn't think they overshadowed the book. She got over them quick when the sexytimes with Dexter started and they only popped up a bit again towards the end. That said. "I" did have a slight problem with her size, or rather the way she is described. It's why I enjoyed this one SLIGHTLY less than the first. Harper is described on several occasions as "amazonian" and "big" and "thick" She is 6´ tall and stands the same height as Dexter. Her calves at one point are described as "muscular" and her thighs could "crack a walnut" Now had this been mentioned once I would have been OK, but it's repeated several times and all I could picture was a giant "mannish" looking woman with "tits and ass." That said, it was only slightly distracting to me so I only took half a star off.
"I think you may just be the perfect woman.” “Oh?” She kicked up an eyebrow. “Curvy,” he said, his gaze drifting to her breasts then lower to her hips and belly and lower again to follow the line of her thigh, “and kick-ass. My two favourite traits."
Dexter was a fabulous hero. Not as great as Tanner from book one, but still right up there. He was sexy and sweet and smokin hot. The friendship (with benefits) he developed with Harper was cute. They were both secret nerds that loved gaming and Star Wars. That isn't to say I didn't want to slap him upside the head and tell him to get his head out of his ass. Thankfully Tanner did that job for me. The conversation Dexter and Tanner have near the end of the book was hilarious.
Overall this was yet another fabulous read in this series. I enjoyed it just a SMIDGE less than the first book. It had the perfect combination of laugh out loud moments and teary eyed agnst. I can't wait to read who from the Sydney Smoke team is going to fall next (except Link. I am not totally sold on Link yet) Two thumbs up from yours truly...
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
When you finish a book and you go from smiling to one handed reading, then to crying and finally to swooning over "the big gesture", you can't help but to not want to close your kindle and to keep reading just to hold onto that feeling.
This story gave me everything I look for in a great book. Dex is what every book boyfriend should aim to be. He's sexy, smart, kind and doesn't give into the hype of what other people think of him or the pressure to be someone he isn't. Harper is insecure because of her step mother and brothers constant belittling of her curves, but she's also fierce, beautiful and honest.
From the moment they meet, to their agreement and the journey to becoming "more", I was in love with them as individuals as much as I was in love with who they were together. But don't get it twisted, when they were together it was fireworks and heat! That scene with the body painting...that was sexy as hell but also led to one of the more emotional scenes in the book.
When you feel the emotions between two characters so strongly that you find yourself crying for them, it's the worst feeling and the best at the same time. Being sucked into the story so much that it causes such a reaction is what makes reading so great.
I didn't even know this was the second book in a series but now I know I have to go back and read the first book and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This story gave me everything I look for in a great book. Dex is what every book boyfriend should aim to be. He's sexy, smart, kind and doesn't give into the hype of what other people think of him or the pressure to be someone he isn't. Harper is insecure because of her step mother and brothers constant belittling of her curves, but she's also fierce, beautiful and honest.
From the moment they meet, to their agreement and the journey to becoming "more", I was in love with them as individuals as much as I was in love with who they were together. But don't get it twisted, when they were together it was fireworks and heat! That scene with the body painting...that was sexy as hell but also led to one of the more emotional scenes in the book.
When you feel the emotions between two characters so strongly that you find yourself crying for them, it's the worst feeling and the best at the same time. Being sucked into the story so much that it causes such a reaction is what makes reading so great.
I didn't even know this was the second book in a series but now I know I have to go back and read the first book and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Really well written, but I wanted more!
Preface: I edited my review so that it would be more helpful!
This book was incredibly well written (I made several highlights) and the love story was really cute! I really liked Harper as a heroine, and her & Em’s friendship was delightful. I liked the hero as well- I’m a big fan of when heroes unashamedly are crazy attracted to the heroine, particularly when the heroine is plus sized❤️
The one thing that keeps me from rating higher is that I wanted more! The biggest block to their being together is that the hero is essentially lying to himself for most of the book, convinced that he can’t date while he plays rugby or he’ll lose his focus. I personally really loathe when characters lie to themselves- if you can’t be honest w/ others for various reasons, fine. But it’s a huge mark of maturity to be honest with yourself, & as an older dude and a romance hero, I want that kind of maturity.
The characters were multi faceted and interesting, their lives fully fleshed our, and their interactions both sexy and charming. I enjoyed readying this book. Considering the quality of the writing and the strength of the characters, I really wanted to love it! But since the biggest block to their relationship was his internal dishonesty, it felt a little uncomplicated. I loved Harper & Dex so much, I wanted more from them!!
Preface: I edited my review so that it would be more helpful!
This book was incredibly well written (I made several highlights) and the love story was really cute! I really liked Harper as a heroine, and her & Em’s friendship was delightful. I liked the hero as well- I’m a big fan of when heroes unashamedly are crazy attracted to the heroine, particularly when the heroine is plus sized❤️
The one thing that keeps me from rating higher is that I wanted more! The biggest block to their being together is that the hero is essentially lying to himself for most of the book, convinced that he can’t date while he plays rugby or he’ll lose his focus. I personally really loathe when characters lie to themselves- if you can’t be honest w/ others for various reasons, fine. But it’s a huge mark of maturity to be honest with yourself, & as an older dude and a romance hero, I want that kind of maturity.
The characters were multi faceted and interesting, their lives fully fleshed our, and their interactions both sexy and charming. I enjoyed readying this book. Considering the quality of the writing and the strength of the characters, I really wanted to love it! But since the biggest block to their relationship was his internal dishonesty, it felt a little uncomplicated. I loved Harper & Dex so much, I wanted more from them!!
Every now and then a book comes along that knocks you for six; this latest release from Aussie author Amy Andrews just happened to be that book for me.
Harper Nugent knows exactly who she is, and it’s this confidence that first draws Dexter Blake – a professional rugby player – to her. When Dexter overhears a comment from a smart arse reporter putting her down because of her weight, he steps in and asks Harper out and so begins their whirlwind fake relationship. With sizzling chemistry and a laid back friendship; the lines of fake and real have never been so blurred …
There was so much to love about this book. Andrew’s writing is simply perfection. The way she balances both the characters vulnerabilities and their playful side is nothing short of amazing. The sexual chemistry between the two leads is off the charts, and the humour in this book had me laughing out loud, in public I might add, for ages. It’s been a long time since a book was able to make me do that!
What’s more the characters and the entire plot is just so relate-able – okay, so maybe we haven’t all found a rich professional sportsman to shack up with, but a girl can dream that part can’t she. It’s written in such a honest way that you can’t help get swept up with the characters and their plight. But it also feels so real, like you could interchange the characters with people from your life and the story would still work.
I loved Harper Nugent. So much that I’m going to go out on a limb and say she’s my favourite female heroine of 2016. She’s feisty, playful and doesn’t treat much seriously. She deals with a pessimistic family who focus on her weight rather than her self worth and she doesn’t complain. Yes she has self worth issues because of it, but that’s where Dexter comes in.
Dexter Blake is all man and oh so so so good. Yes I’m aware he is fictional, but still, Andrews has ruined me for all other men here. Although flawed and blinded by what he has right in front of him, Dexter is down to earth despite his professional standing, and he knows what he wants. More importantly however, is that he isn’t afraid to get involved when a man is dressing down a woman based on weight right before his eyes. Sure he needs a few wake up calls along the way, but he was good for a laugh and the perfect hero to seep Harper right off her feet.
Playing It Cool packs one hell of a sizzling punch and is going to either make you want to watch a rugby game stat, or turn you off the sport forever more because you can’t stop blushing. It’s sweet romance, that’s a little bit nerdy and just comfortable. These characters were made for each other and I hope that Andrews features them in another book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series later on, because I couldn’t get enough of them!
Harper Nugent was the real deal. 100 percent diamond. Nothing cubic about her. And he’d know that from the beginning. From her reluctance to get involved with him in the first place, to her lack or artifice, to how easy it felt sitting there on her couch, Harper had been a breath of fresh air.
And that is exactly what this book is. Real. Honest. Vulnerable. It beats with a vibrant heart that is sure to have you turning the pages/swiping the pages faster and laughing out loud with the characters. It’s a book that you will remember for the way it made you feel. It was the most delicious breath of fresh air and I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.
Note: Although this is the second book in the series, each book can be read as a standalone. Full disclosure, I haven't read book one yet, but I downloaded it the second I finished this one!
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-15j
Harper Nugent knows exactly who she is, and it’s this confidence that first draws Dexter Blake – a professional rugby player – to her. When Dexter overhears a comment from a smart arse reporter putting her down because of her weight, he steps in and asks Harper out and so begins their whirlwind fake relationship. With sizzling chemistry and a laid back friendship; the lines of fake and real have never been so blurred …
There was so much to love about this book. Andrew’s writing is simply perfection. The way she balances both the characters vulnerabilities and their playful side is nothing short of amazing. The sexual chemistry between the two leads is off the charts, and the humour in this book had me laughing out loud, in public I might add, for ages. It’s been a long time since a book was able to make me do that!
What’s more the characters and the entire plot is just so relate-able – okay, so maybe we haven’t all found a rich professional sportsman to shack up with, but a girl can dream that part can’t she. It’s written in such a honest way that you can’t help get swept up with the characters and their plight. But it also feels so real, like you could interchange the characters with people from your life and the story would still work.
I loved Harper Nugent. So much that I’m going to go out on a limb and say she’s my favourite female heroine of 2016. She’s feisty, playful and doesn’t treat much seriously. She deals with a pessimistic family who focus on her weight rather than her self worth and she doesn’t complain. Yes she has self worth issues because of it, but that’s where Dexter comes in.
Dexter Blake is all man and oh so so so good. Yes I’m aware he is fictional, but still, Andrews has ruined me for all other men here. Although flawed and blinded by what he has right in front of him, Dexter is down to earth despite his professional standing, and he knows what he wants. More importantly however, is that he isn’t afraid to get involved when a man is dressing down a woman based on weight right before his eyes. Sure he needs a few wake up calls along the way, but he was good for a laugh and the perfect hero to seep Harper right off her feet.
Playing It Cool packs one hell of a sizzling punch and is going to either make you want to watch a rugby game stat, or turn you off the sport forever more because you can’t stop blushing. It’s sweet romance, that’s a little bit nerdy and just comfortable. These characters were made for each other and I hope that Andrews features them in another book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series later on, because I couldn’t get enough of them!
Harper Nugent was the real deal. 100 percent diamond. Nothing cubic about her. And he’d know that from the beginning. From her reluctance to get involved with him in the first place, to her lack or artifice, to how easy it felt sitting there on her couch, Harper had been a breath of fresh air.
And that is exactly what this book is. Real. Honest. Vulnerable. It beats with a vibrant heart that is sure to have you turning the pages/swiping the pages faster and laughing out loud with the characters. It’s a book that you will remember for the way it made you feel. It was the most delicious breath of fresh air and I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.
Note: Although this is the second book in the series, each book can be read as a standalone. Full disclosure, I haven't read book one yet, but I downloaded it the second I finished this one!
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-15j