ONCE UPON A PLAYER (British Bad Boys #2) by Christina Phillips-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway tour

ONCE UPON A PLAYER
British Bad Boys #2
by Christina Phillips
Release Date: July 13, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary , romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / ibooks / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 13, 2018

Violet

When my mum gets sick, I volunteer to fill in for her and clean some hot jock’s penthouse. I’ve heard all the rumors about him, so the plan is get in, clean some toilet bowls, and get out. After my last experience with a “sports hero,” I’m done with that sort of guy.

But Lucas Carter is full of surprises. He wants to help me clean and is nothing like the toad the press has made him out to be. Resistance may be futile for some girls, but not me. Then he asks me to help him with the interior design of his new place. I can’t say, no. It’s going to look great on my resume.

Unfortunately, spending time with Lucas is dangerous. He’s so charming and sweet, but I can’t let myself forget––once a player, always a player.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ONCE UPON A PLAYER is the second instalment in Christina Phillips’ contemporary, adult BRITISH BAD BOYS romance series. This is British footballer Lucas Carter, and interior design student Violet Henderson’s story line. ONCE UPON A PLAYER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Lucas Carter is the twin brother of Harry Carter-Cinderella and the Geek-book one.

Told from dual first person points of view (Lucas and Violet) ONCE UPON A PLAYER follow the building relationship between British footballer Lucas Carter, and interior design student Violet Henderson. Lucas Carter is on medical leave following a potential career ending injury but an out of control party at his new penthouse finds Lucas face to face with his new house cleaner-Violet Henderson- the woman with whom Lucas will fall in love. When Violet’s mother takes ill, our heroine steps in to help with her mother’s contracted cleaning service never expecting to meet her teenage crush in the guise of Lucas Carter. What ensues is the friends with benefits/no strings attached relationship between Lucas and Violet, and the potential fall-out as misunderstanding and miscommunication force Violet to walk away from the man with whom she is falling in love.

Violet Henderson is an interior design student but works several jobs in an attempt to pay her way. Meeting Lucas Carter brings with it memories of her ex Geoff Hawthorne-Douglas, a footballer himself , who humiliated and betrayed our story line heroine. For all of Lucas Carter’s strengths, popularity and fame, our hero battles issues of self-esteem in the face of his twin brother’s successes in life. The brawn to the brain, Lucas believes he doesn’t measure up to his family’s high standards of education and fame. Lucas’ vulnerability and Violet’s insecurities make for some mistaken beliefs and heart breaking misunderstandings.

The relationship between Lucas and Violet is one of immediate attraction but Violet battles memories from the past, and the devastating humiliation she endured at the hands of her former boyfriend. With Violet’s refusal to date professional footballers, Lucas makes Violet an offer she cannot refuse. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Violet’s parents, and her best friend Katie; Lucas’ brother Harry and his girlfriend Alice, and their sister Mackenzie; Lucas’ friends Will, Caleb, and sometimes plus-one Yolanda; and an assortment of ex-girlfriends who may or may not add fodder to Lucas and Violet’s tremulous relationship.

ONCE UPON A PLAYER is a sweet and sexy story. The premise is engaging, entertaining and spirited; the characters are sassy and moving; the romance is spicy and captivating. ONCE UPON A PLAYER is an energetic and heart warming story.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

“D’you have a business card?”“What?” The word blurts out before I can stop it, and his grin doesn’t help, since it’s now obvious he knows I thought he wasn’t serious.

He wasn’t serious about wanting my help. Was he?

“I need your number to contact you for when I need your expertise.”

“Does that line ever work?”

“It’s the first time I’ve used it. You tell me.”

Stop flirting, Vi. Except, even though it’s a bad idea on so many levels, I haven’t had so much fun in ages. Which says a lot about my self-imposed exile from the human race, but whatever. The truth is it’s a relief to discover I haven’t totally lost my touch when it comes to guys.

“Honestly? It’s a bit dodgy.”

“I’ve never been accused of being dodgy before.”

“First time for everything.”

“I’m not asking for any special favors. I’ll pay the going rate.”

I’m smiling at him like a smitten groupie, but it’s impossible not to. “You’re funny. I’m not even qualified yet. If I do agree to help you out, all I’d ask in return is a release to use photos, and a testimonial.”

If you don’t ask, you don’t get…

“Deal.” He sticks out his hand, and after a second’s hesitation, when every warning bell clangs in my head that touching Lucas Carter is the worst idea ever, I cave, and his fingers wrap around mine. They’re warm, strong, and slightly callused, and I forget how to breathe.

Yep. Worst idea ever. I need to break contact, but it’s like I’m totally paralyzed, and Lucas doesn’t appear inclined to reclaim his hand any time soon, either.

I clear my throat, which shatters the spell and our connection. I resist the urge to flex my fingers since there’s no way I’m letting him know just how much his touch affected me.

“You’re going to make me ask again, aren’t you?”

I’ve no idea what he’s talking about, but right now that’s a secondary concern because I’ve just agreed to help Lucas freaking Carter redesign his penthouse. Holy shit.

Stop hyperventilating.

Luckily my brain kicks back into gear before he jumps to the conclusion I’m completely flakey. “My number, right. Okay.”

Before I have the chance to rummage for pen and paper in my bag, he hands me his phone. “Here you go.”

It’s a surreal moment as I add my number to his contacts. And so he never looks at my name and thinks, Who the hell? I add “Interior Designer,” and pride surges through me. I might not be qualified yet, but I only have one more year until I am. Having a big name like Lucas in my portfolio sure won’t be a disadvantage.

And then reality hits me, and I can’t believe I’m so flipping gullible. “Are you serious about this? Or is it just some kind of ruse to get my number?”

That didn’t come out right. But I can’t explain what I mean without digging myself further into a hole, and as if I don’t feel bad enough, my face starts to burn.

Well, fuck.

“It’s totally a ruse to get your number.” He’s laughing, and I’m not sure whether it’s because he’s trying to take his phone and I have a death grip on the bloody thing, or because he finds the fact I needed to ask the question in the first place hilarious. Did I really think he was nice? “And I’m deadly serious about needing your help.”

Christina Phillips is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their family. She enjoys writing contemporary, historical and paranormal romance where the stories sizzle and the heroine brings her hero to his knees.

She is a multiple finalist in the 2012 – 2014 ARRA Awards for Favorite Erotic Romance, Favorite Contemporary Romance and Favorite Paranormal Romance. She has been published by Entangled Publishing, Tule Publishing, Harlequin Escape, Penguin/Berkley Heat and The Wild Rose Press, and is also indie published. She is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia and helped establish the inaugural Professional Development for Authors program, and has been a member of the editorial team for the RWA’s monthly newsletter, Hearts Talk. She loves hearing from her readers!

Christina is addicted to good coffee, expensive chocolate and bad boy heroes. She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.

Connect:

Site: http://christinaphillips.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinaphillips.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaPh_

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3216349.Christina_Phillips