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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I loved this book! After reading the first one, and having some issues with the Aussie terminology, I knew to flip to the back for the glossary first thing this time! It made it much easier and I enjoyed it so very much! Harper and Dex were combustible! Their chemistry was off the charts from go and I really loved their interactions with each other.
Dex plays pro rugby, on the same team with Tanner, the hero from book 1. He comes from a very poor background, and is always worried that his success could be snatched away like that, so he's very focused on his game. He doesn't date for that reason, but Harper appeals to him greatly. Then he hears her heinous, sports reporter step-brother say something nasty to her about her weight, on the sidelines after a match. He takes offense, and wants to stick it to the guy, so he asks her out. They have such fun together, and are into each other, but since he doesn't want distractions, they decide to keep it platonic. That lasts about 5 seconds, of course!
Harper is an artist. Her parents are both gone, but she's stuck dealing with her piece-of-work stepmother and jerk stepbrother, if she wants to see her younger brother and sister. So she takes their crap and doesn't put up much of a fuss. That starts to change when she meets Dex. He makes her feel confident and sexy, and she really enjoys that, and him. She knows they will never have a real relationship, so she's having fun and not making any demands. Things go well for a while, but then when things start to change, as these things do, it starts to crumble.
I really loved this couple together! Their banter was fantastic, full of humor and heat. Their chemistry was on fire, like whoa. And, best of all, there was an excellent man grovel towards the end. Boy, do I LOVE a good grovel. Everything about this book kept me smiling and I'm so glad I read it. I can't wait for more! I especially can't wait to see Dex's crazy, womanizer of a teammate, Linc, head over heels and no idea what to do. I'll be looking forward to it!
Dex plays pro rugby, on the same team with Tanner, the hero from book 1. He comes from a very poor background, and is always worried that his success could be snatched away like that, so he's very focused on his game. He doesn't date for that reason, but Harper appeals to him greatly. Then he hears her heinous, sports reporter step-brother say something nasty to her about her weight, on the sidelines after a match. He takes offense, and wants to stick it to the guy, so he asks her out. They have such fun together, and are into each other, but since he doesn't want distractions, they decide to keep it platonic. That lasts about 5 seconds, of course!
Harper is an artist. Her parents are both gone, but she's stuck dealing with her piece-of-work stepmother and jerk stepbrother, if she wants to see her younger brother and sister. So she takes their crap and doesn't put up much of a fuss. That starts to change when she meets Dex. He makes her feel confident and sexy, and she really enjoys that, and him. She knows they will never have a real relationship, so she's having fun and not making any demands. Things go well for a while, but then when things start to change, as these things do, it starts to crumble.
I really loved this couple together! Their banter was fantastic, full of humor and heat. Their chemistry was on fire, like whoa. And, best of all, there was an excellent man grovel towards the end. Boy, do I LOVE a good grovel. Everything about this book kept me smiling and I'm so glad I read it. I can't wait for more! I especially can't wait to see Dex's crazy, womanizer of a teammate, Linc, head over heels and no idea what to do. I'll be looking forward to it!
Curves for days, video game tournaments, and a sexy as hell rugby player? What is not to love?
Full review soon at All About Romance
Full review soon at All About Romance
There is so much sex in this book!! And I personally don’t really mind that, but I felt like the plot got buried. We missed the nice casual, tender moments of their relationship, and just.....read a lot of sex. Also to wrap it up with a PUBLIC PROPOSAL at the end? I simply.....can not fathom it. Truly.
I might have given it three stars tbh but Harper hates on her body so much and I couldn’t stand reading it.
Also I just have to tell you how much I hated the line where he says ““We’re not pregnant. But I can’t wait to give this woman one more curve.”
WHATTTTT
I might have given it three stars tbh but Harper hates on her body so much and I couldn’t stand reading it.
Also I just have to tell you how much I hated the line where he says ““We’re not pregnant. But I can’t wait to give this woman one more curve.”
WHATTTTT
I am loving this series! I still don't know much about rugby, but who cares? Hot guys. Tight pants. Romance.
Nothing.
Else.
Required.
;)
Favorite line:
Dexter Blake, a man clearly after the heart of curvy girls everywhere, truly appreciates a woman with--as he so eloquently puts it--some junk in her trunk. Harper Nugent catches his eye on the very first page of Playing It Cool, but he realizes before we even turn to page two that she can't possibly be for him. She's got "relationship" written all over her, and Dex doesn't have time for anything in his life but rugby. He knows his days are numbered in the league, and he can't afford to shift his focus even an iota. There'll be plenty of time for the c- and m- words ("commitment" and "marriage"--just to be clear) when his playing days are over.
But Dex also has a chivalrous streak about a mile wide, and when he sees Harper getting dissed by one of the people who should always have her back, he asks her out in a kind of white-knight reflexive moment. Harper declines--because really, she's seen pictures of him online with stick-thin models on his arm; what could he possibly want with her? But fortunately for everyone involved, Dex is persistent. Even more fortunately, their chemistry will practically melt your ereader.
One date turns into two, which turns into a friends-with-benefits situation, which turns into trouble. Basically, Dex acts like a major idjit and has to do some of the greatest groveling I've seen in...well...I don't even know how long. Seriously. His grand gesture alone is worth the price of the book. Harper's BFF Em and Dex's manwhorish teammate Linc are clearly being set up for a future book (book three, please?) and gosh darn it, that one's going to be awesome too. I. Cannot. WAIT.
(Playing It Cool should work fine as a standalone, if you haven't read book one, [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], yet. You'll see Tanner and Tilly just enough in this one that you'll want to see how they got together, though--don't say I didn't warn you!)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nothing.
Else.
Required.
;)
Favorite line:
His trousers cupped his a$$ like little elves had sewn it with threads of awesome.I ask you, how can you not love that imagery?
Dexter Blake, a man clearly after the heart of curvy girls everywhere, truly appreciates a woman with--as he so eloquently puts it--some junk in her trunk. Harper Nugent catches his eye on the very first page of Playing It Cool, but he realizes before we even turn to page two that she can't possibly be for him. She's got "relationship" written all over her, and Dex doesn't have time for anything in his life but rugby. He knows his days are numbered in the league, and he can't afford to shift his focus even an iota. There'll be plenty of time for the c- and m- words ("commitment" and "marriage"--just to be clear) when his playing days are over.
But Dex also has a chivalrous streak about a mile wide, and when he sees Harper getting dissed by one of the people who should always have her back, he asks her out in a kind of white-knight reflexive moment. Harper declines--because really, she's seen pictures of him online with stick-thin models on his arm; what could he possibly want with her? But fortunately for everyone involved, Dex is persistent. Even more fortunately, their chemistry will practically melt your ereader.
One date turns into two, which turns into a friends-with-benefits situation, which turns into trouble. Basically, Dex acts like a major idjit and has to do some of the greatest groveling I've seen in...well...I don't even know how long. Seriously. His grand gesture alone is worth the price of the book. Harper's BFF Em and Dex's manwhorish teammate Linc are clearly being set up for a future book (book three, please?) and gosh darn it, that one's going to be awesome too. I. Cannot. WAIT.
(Playing It Cool should work fine as a standalone, if you haven't read book one, [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], yet. You'll see Tanner and Tilly just enough in this one that you'll want to see how they got together, though--don't say I didn't warn you!)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review was first posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
This book was HOT! HOT! HOT! Literally off the charts, e-readers smoking kind of hot! The chemistry between Dexter and Harper was not only sizzling, it was also emotional, and their connection with each other was so profound that I had a hard time letting go of them, even after the book ended!
Dexter Blake is a football player, who has only recently gotten the recognition that he deserves, with just a few playing years left in him. So he has decided that anything that is a distraction isn’t permitted in his life. Until, he sees the one woman who seems to be the epitome of the kind of woman he loves getting his hands on!
Harper Nugent is a painter/artist by profession; even though her family doesn’t exactly consider it to be the best profession for her. She is also a curvy woman; not exactly the kind of woman who would be poster child for beauty really! So when she encounters Dexter, trying to play the Knight in front of her asshole Step-Brother; she assumes that he is asking her out either for laughs or as a pity date – neither of it she is actually happy about!
But when their first date, turns into two and then into three with an explosive chemistry; both of them have quite a lot to actually ponder upon!
This was honestly quite a beautiful read, really! I adored the connection between Dex and Harper; their reluctance to actually fall for each other, but their emotions are honestly the best part of this book. It is so heart-warming to see their connection, their inability to fight the pull they both have with each other and their character growth!
Do they both make mistakes? Yes, they do. But then again, they are both human(ish) and it is obviously to be expected, for how will they ever learn! And honestly, I enjoyed every bit of the journey they both had to get to their HEA!
My only issue was that I did wish they had a little bit more communication at the end – for the ending somehow seemed abrupt when it came, for me at least!
First book by Amy Andrews and I am a FAN FOR LIFE – so now I am gonna go stalk all her other books ;)
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page
This book was HOT! HOT! HOT! Literally off the charts, e-readers smoking kind of hot! The chemistry between Dexter and Harper was not only sizzling, it was also emotional, and their connection with each other was so profound that I had a hard time letting go of them, even after the book ended!
Dexter Blake is a football player, who has only recently gotten the recognition that he deserves, with just a few playing years left in him. So he has decided that anything that is a distraction isn’t permitted in his life. Until, he sees the one woman who seems to be the epitome of the kind of woman he loves getting his hands on!
Harper Nugent is a painter/artist by profession; even though her family doesn’t exactly consider it to be the best profession for her. She is also a curvy woman; not exactly the kind of woman who would be poster child for beauty really! So when she encounters Dexter, trying to play the Knight in front of her asshole Step-Brother; she assumes that he is asking her out either for laughs or as a pity date – neither of it she is actually happy about!
But when their first date, turns into two and then into three with an explosive chemistry; both of them have quite a lot to actually ponder upon!
This was honestly quite a beautiful read, really! I adored the connection between Dex and Harper; their reluctance to actually fall for each other, but their emotions are honestly the best part of this book. It is so heart-warming to see their connection, their inability to fight the pull they both have with each other and their character growth!
Do they both make mistakes? Yes, they do. But then again, they are both human(ish) and it is obviously to be expected, for how will they ever learn! And honestly, I enjoyed every bit of the journey they both had to get to their HEA!
My only issue was that I did wish they had a little bit more communication at the end – for the ending somehow seemed abrupt when it came, for me at least!
First book by Amy Andrews and I am a FAN FOR LIFE – so now I am gonna go stalk all her other books ;)
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page
emotional
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
Harper Nugent had always hoped that she and her stepbrother Chuck would be the best of friends. But when said stepbrother is a narcissistic, self-serving jerk, buddyhood is out of the question. When Chuck insults Harper within hearing of rugby god Dexter Blake, himself a fan of girls with plenty of bass to go with their treble, Dex comes riding to the rescue with a plan to show all the haters just where they can go.
PLAYING IT COOL by author Amy Andrews is just the sort of book that I love, full of charm, fun, and yep, plenty of sexy time. I mean, hello, Australian rugby player? Yes, please! And I absolutely adore Harper, she of the bootylicious backside. She is a poster child for a positive self-image, blessed as she is with a figure that, while not necessarily beautiful by society's standards, is more than perfect for the hot sports star.
"In front of the four hundred people here tonight...and the hundreds and thousands of people who will see this on their television and the millions more who will see it the second someone here uploads the video they're taking right now to Facebook...I want you to know how sexy you are."
There is plenty of the usual back and forth, the 'does he really like me, can I take him seriously, what will our friends say' from Harper, and the 'how does she not know how hot she is, her brother is a wanker, let's give them something to talk about' from Dex, but it all comes together beautifully to bring these two exactly where they're supposed to be, which is living life on their terms, and to heck with anyone else. The best friend, the teammates, the horrid stepfamily, all work together to make PLAYING IT COOL one of the most enjoyable romantic comedies I've had the pleasure of reading lately. If you're looking for a book guaranteed to make you smile, all while keeping you fanning yourself, I highly recommend this read, and happily give it 4.5 'big girls and their hot hunky men are awesome' stars. I will definitely be reading more by this author, and look forward to the next book in this series.
***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***
medium-paced
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...
