Playing House by Amy Andrews – a Review

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Description:
Eleanor is content with her boring life—mostly. She’s even fine being the quirky sister in a bevy of beauties. So imagine her surprise when one of her brother’s Sydney Smoke mates hits on her at an engagement party. Her. The weird sister, who wears vintage dresses and prefers her books to parties.

Bodie is shocked the next morning to find the soft, sexy virgin who seduced him with corsets is his best friend’s little sister. And two months later, she’s got an even bigger surprise for him. Now he needs to convince the corset-loving wallflower that he loves her uniqueness if they’ve got a chance at forever.

Review;

Playing House by Amy Andrews is part of her Sydney Smoke Rugby series and I really enjoyed it.  As this is only the second book in the series I’ve had the chance to read, I feel I really should go back and read the previous ones now thanks to the creative writing and story telling of Miss Andrews.  I liked the overall plotline, the characters, and pace of the story.  Even though it was a quick read, I felt events moved along at a good pace and didn’t rush the characters through their adventure.  Her character development for Eleanor and Bodie is nicely paced, allows the reader to get to know them, what makes them click and why they are drawn to each other. 

Eleanor is quite the quirky character and just made me smile.  I loved that she went by the beat of her own drum and followed her own heart and interests in life. She didn’t let life dictate to her, she created her own life, one that she was comfortable and happy with.  Sure she liked the Victorian era of things; clothing, romance and relationships etc, but she made it work for her, and that’s all that mattered where she’s concerned until she meets the dashing and debonair Bodie. 

Bodie plays on her brother’s rugby team the Sydney Smoke.  He’s your typical athlete, buff, macho, charming, and sexy as all get out.  I really, really liked Bodie, and just wish I could’ve heard his Aussie accent, as I love a good Aussie accent on a sexy guy 😉 We learn about Bodie’s bad experience where love was concerned and how he has since sworn off it until he meets Eleanor at her brother’s engagement party.  Poor Bodie doesn’t know she’s the sister of his best friend and teammate Ryder when he goes to talk to her, and Eleanor doesn’t tell him that fact, instead she gives him a fake name and the two of them hit it off and sparks fly.  The chemistry between Eleanor and Bodie is there from the beginning and continues to burn throughout the story.  They are two characters who just clicked from the first meeting and made their adventure fun, flirty, sexy and just darn right adorable.  Even with Eleanor’s quirks and love of all things Victorian, Bodie can’t help being attracted to her and all that she loves.  It’s just sweet watching them fall for each other and figure out how they will deal with becoming parents after their one steamy night together.  I was sad for them when Eleanor had the miscarriage, but I couldn’t help but hope somehow they’d find a way to stay together and have the HEA both of them deserve.  The scene where Bodie goes to Eleanor’s family home to convince her he loves her, and wants to marry her couldn’t have been more perfectly written for her character, and had me cheering Bodie on.  It was just the perfect ending to their fairy tale romance.  Bravo Miss Andrews, bravo for that scene. 

If you haven’t had the chance to read any of the Sydney Smoke series by Miss Andrews what are you waiting for??  Get on it already, trust me you won’t be disappointed.  I know I’m not. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!!   

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher