Playing It Cool (Sydney Smoke Rugby #2)

My eReader was smoking and I had to wait for things to calm down before writing this review. 5 stars from me! Why? Characters, storyline, and the fact that I couldn’t … actually can’t … stop re-reading. First book by Ms. Andrews for me, but I’ve since downloaded the first book in the series and read that …. each one has been a good part of the series, a HEA, and a total standalone with characters from the other books. Harper and Dex find that they can’t stay away from each other. He’s a top Rugby star with a long term plan that includes putting life on hold until he retires. He’s made it out of poverty and is determined that nothing is going to jeopardize his focus on his sport and plan. Harper is an artist with a self-image problem that consumes her. She’s been hurt in the past and is all about protecting herself. When the two of them meet, they agree it’s temporary … but soon they find they can’t stay away from each other. There are scenes that sizzle and the story comes to an ending that will have you clutching your eReader while cheering on Harper and Dex. I’ve re-read the ending about 10 times since finishing Playing It Cool in as many days. If your’e looking for a great sports romance … actually a great romance, look no further! Download Playing It Cool. I am writing this of my own accord and didn’t receive an ARC! I’m totally on Team Amy from this point out. Off to download another one of her books!!!

A seriously hot rugby player who loves curvy women. Yes, he does exist. Playing it Cool (Sydney Smoke Rugby series # 2) is all about knowing what you want and not caring about what anyone else thinks. Amy Andrews delivers a story which will keep you laughing, cheering for the main characters and you will fall in love with them all. Dexter comes to the rescue of Harper when her stepbrother (sports reporter) belittles her in front of the football team. Harper is a real size women and is very suspicious when the great Dexter shows interest in her. What would a professional football player want with a girl like me? What starts off as a rescue mission, soon turns into something more.. Even know Dexter is slow to admit his feelings, once he does nothing will stop him from getting what he wants. Once you start this amazing story, you won’t want to stop. There are lots of hot and steamy sex scenes, please note you will lose your panties. I seriously can’t wait to read the next book in the series, if this book is anything to go by. Do yourself a favour and purchases this great read.

I’m not sure how this got such good reviews. Much of the commentary was cringy and repetitive, like things moving “interestingly” (intriguingly, perhaps?!) beneath her shirt. There are so many other ways to describe bouncy, full breasts. And the fact that it was obviously pandering to full figured women with some white knight who gets enraged when she gets picked on was so dull and not realistic. This woman was a stranger and the man would get into a blinding rage if her family members said something about her weight. This reminded me a bit of Fifty Shades (another series I couldn’t choke down). Needed an editor, or a better one at least. Pass.

Boy, did this book turn this series around for me! I really loved the story here! Dex seemed a very approachable hero, even when he was acting like a bumbling male! I loved Harper, how she never let anything knock her out of what she enjoyed and while she was down about it sometimes, she was never out! The ending was over the top and got me right in the heart! I especially loved all the shout outs to my husband\’s favorite sports team: the All Blacks! I had to call him at work every time they were mentioned, and he loved it! While I hesitate to recommend the first book, I would definitely recommend the series so far!

I loved this book. I read it in one day. Harper and Dex had fantastic chemistry. Harper, is easily one of the best characters/heroines written. She was realistically strong and vulnerable. This story is proof you can write a book about strong characters without falling into that alpha male with unhealthy possessive power dynamics. Harper was not pinning and it was refreshing. I give it 4.5 stars because two characters that provide the motivation for this relationship are not followed up on. By the end you forget that they were in the story. I couldn\’t put this down. Loved the dialogue and sort setting.

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