A review by read_on_reader
Playing to Win by L.M. Reid

5.0

Ashton and Claire have a tad bit of a history that ended in disaster so when her friends try to fix them up she can’t help but let all her anger she has held for him out. Ashton has never forgotten his night with Claire she was special to him and it scared him because he has secrets. Ashton’s secrets still haunt him and he has never really recovered from his grief yet he can’t help the way he feels towards Claire and he wants to be with her more than anything but can he truly be with her? Claire hates she still has feelings for Ashton after all these years but the time she spent dating her ex was way worse so when Ashton steps up to help her surely they can pretend date to throw her ex off or will Ashton play to win her over? Their back and forth was fun to read yet it also hurt to see Ashton hurt over her words and the way Claire kept pushing him away, yet Ashton can’t seem to let her in all the way. This book was sweet, fun, and emotional because of his past Ashton held onto to so much, he loved Claire but never turned to her and kept running from her. He hurt her so many times it was frustrating and made me hurt for her, so I was happy she was there for him yet refused to play second best to a ghost. The ending and epilogue sealed the deal for me because we got to see Ashton moving forward and showing Claire how much she truly meant to him and we see Claire loving him with everything she has.