Tag Archives: Sydney Smoke Rugby

Playing It Safe by Amy Andrews – a Review

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Playing It Safe by Amy Andrews – a Review

 

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Description:
Donovan Bane loves playing rugby for the Sydney Smoke. And if that means he has to keep his sexuality a secret, that’s a sacrifice he’s prepared to make. At least until after he retires, anyway. He doesn’t want to be the first pro rugby player in Australia to officially come out while still playing. The team doesn’t need the media shit storm and he’d rather be known for his footy skills. Which means no dating, no relationships, no sex. Nothing but playing ball.

Until one man suddenly changes everything…

Beckett Stanton is out and proud—and not looking for a guy who isn’t. Been there, done that, complete disaster. Unfortunately, on the first day of his new job working for the Sydney Smoke, he locks eyes with Donovan Bane and he’s a goner. Big, gruff, and athletic isn’t usually Beck’s type, but for some reason this man is ticking all his boxes. And it’s clear the feeling is mutual. It’s also clear that Donovan is not out, and doesn’t plan to be anytime soon. Still, Beck can’t resist being the man to show Donovan everything he’s been missing.

For the first time, Donovan doesn’t play it safe and allows himself to indulge in things with Beck he knows he can’t have. But when their relationship gets serious, he knows he has to choose between the career he loves and the man he loves, because how can he possibly have both?

 

 

Review: 

Playing It Safe by Amy Andrews is the 7th book in her Sydney Smoke Rugby series. Donovan is a sports personality, so has an image to uphold. The last thing he needs is to be found out that he’s gay! So much pressure and financial worry has Donovan firmly in the closet! 

Beckett a financial genius, gay and proud of it. It’s taken him a long time to accept and live himself, and he’s dated men who are scared of being found out, he’s not going to do that to himself again. He wants a man to openly show his love. 

I loved the beginning of this story, the moment their eyes locked across the crowded restaurant, the chemistry practically sizzled off my kindle. Introductions are made and Donovan is just a gibbering wreck, he knows Beckett knows he’s gay, and hopes that he stays quiet. But at some point he wants to get to know this man. But working together is going to cause all types of hassles. 

Donovan is dismayed that Beck is going to be working at the club he’s at! People will only have to look at them and know he fancies Beck! Beckett Stanton is a wonderful character, gentle, kind and totally gets where Donovan is coming from. He’s patient when Donovan has a melt down, he’s assertive when needed, and such a foil for the rough and gruff rugby player. He sees the real Donovan and does his best to bring that side out. 

It’s about weighting up the pros and cons of a relationship. It’s about doing what’s right for you, and damn the consequences. But in Donovan’s case, he has his career/family to think about, what will his daughter think? What will his family and fans do? 

But spending time with Beckett has him questioning those values. What if he misses out on the best thing that will ever happen to him? Doesn’t he deserve happiness? Yes he could wait until his career is done. But would Beck wait that long? 

Beck understands where Donovan is coming from, but he won’t be a dirty little secret. He’s allowed to show his love, and if Donovan doesn’t want to show the world, then he’ll find someone who will! 

It does slow down a little, and the constant looking over his shoulder has me wanting to shake Donovan, you understand his reluctance, but he going to lose Beck if he’s not careful! 

This book is in a series, I’ve not read any of the previous books, but I probably will go back at some point. It doesn’t spoil this book if you don’t read the others first, but I was surprised to find it’s an MM (male/male) read in a FM (female/male) series (I’ve noticed a lot of authors branching out recently, which is good, nothing wrong with a little change up).

It’s also a sports romance (not a big fan) but it’s written really well. A slow burn romance that will tug at the heartstrings and the face muscles. It’s left me with a smile ? 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Playing Dirty by Amy Andrews – a Review

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Playing Dirty by Amy Andrews – a Review

 

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Description:
Sydney Smoke star recruit Kyle Leighton can’t believe the best sex of his life was just a one-night stand. He didn’t even know her name… Until she shows up at the locker room two weeks later and he connects the dots.

Val King. Oh shit.

Coach has one hard and fast rule: Never, ever date (much less f*ck ten ways to Sunday) his daughter. And not only did Kyle break that rule, but he wants to break it over and over again. In the shower. Against a wall. On every flat surface in his home.

 


Review;

Playing Dirty by Amy Andrews is the 6th instalment in her Sydney Smoke Rugby series.  I have to say this is only the 2nd book in this series that I’ve read, but I’m really enjoying this series.  Needless to say I’ve got the other books stockpiled for future reads.

Playing Dirty is a fast paced, charming, witty and steamy romantic adventure between Kyle and Val.  I loved these two from the get go, and enjoyed their journey to their HEA.  Val is a saucy, headstrong female lead who knows what she wants and decides she’s not going to be afraid to go for it regardless of her father’s rules where his players are concerned.  Kyle is your typical hot shot rugby player, but he’s fallen for the coach’s daughter and career be damned if that’s what it comes down to when it come’s to Val for him.  Kyle is a sexy, strong, charming, knows what he wants kinda guy.  He’s pretty much sex on a stick and knows how to keep his woman happy both outside and inside the bedroom.  Kyle and Val hit if off from the start and their scenes are fun, flirty, and steamy as all get out.  There’s never a dull moment between these two. 

Even though it’s a fast read I never found their story rushed or the chemistry between these two characters pushed on the reader.  It flowed from beginning to end at a good pace and let the reader really get to know both Val and Kyle.  We got to learn a lot of back story on both characters in a short amount of time that only helped to move their story along and give the reader a better understanding of both characters and why Val’s father is the way he is with Val. Her back story and her father’s is a sad one, but it was nice to see how Kyle played a role in helping to re-connect father and daughter and see Val’s father change his rule about dating the coach’s daughter where Kyle is concerned.  Those scenes between Kyle and Val’s dad were emotionally charged but well played out. Kudo’s to Amy for writing such meaningful scenes.  In the end when Kyle is trying his damnedest to win Amy back is just downright funny.  The way Miss Andrews describes Kyle as a hippy Jesus type camped out in the park across the street from her backery had me laughing out loud and I could so picture that description in my head.  Watching Kyle prove to Val that he really does love her and would give up his rugby career in a heartbeat to be with her were touching and real. 

I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to a fun, yet emotional adventure in romance and sports.  I can’t wait to read the next instalment and go back to read the first few in the series. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Playing House by Amy Andrews – a Review

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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

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Playing With Forever by Amy Andrews – a Review

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Playing With Forever by Amy Andrews – a Review

 

Playing With ForeverAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Country boy, Ryder Davis has the world at his feet. A stellar rugby career, a winning way with women and a beach view that keeps him in blue sky and bikini babes. He’s living the dream.  The last thing he needs is a Great Dane called Tiny destroying his feng shui.  

Dog whisperer, Juliet Morgan is about to start living her dream and she’s counting down the days. In two months she’ll finally be moving to Italy and no man’s going to stop her this time. Not even a rugby superstar with a badly behaved pooch.  

But when Ryder skids into the animal shelter looking for help Juliet agrees to assist him with his canine issues.  Pretty soon they’re assisting each other out of their clothes and tumbling headlong into a sex thing with an expiry date. 

Neither of them expected it to become more. But when for now starts to feel like forever Juliet hits the panic button. Ryder knows he has to play the long game and let her walk away. After all it’s not over until the final hooter sounds and all’s fair in love and rugby. 


Review;

Amy Andrews is a new author for me and I’m glad I had the chance to read Playing with Forever.  I really enjoyed this one from beginning to end.  Ms. Andrews seems to know how to grab the reader’s interest from the first page.  Playing with Forever is a fast paced, hot, steamy, sexy, charming and fun story. 

I quite enjoyed both of the lead characters in this one.  Both Ryder and Juliet are very strong, confident, take charge type characters.  Both know what they want out of a relationship and sex and aren’t afraid of showing it.  The chemistry between these two is off the charts, and every time they get together they set the pages a blaze. Their romance is fast to get going, but Ms. Andrews never made it feel like it was just thrown together.  Even though Ryder and Juliet’s romance started pretty much from the get go in their story, we were still allowed to learn what makes the two tick as individuals, and as a couple.  The supporting cast of characters help to propel their romance forward showing us different sides to both characters.   Along with their intense and steamy romance, they wind up forming a very strong friendship along the way and aren’t even aware of the fact they are falling in love with one another until it’s almost too late for them. 

The timing of the scenes that show us when they realized they’ve fallen in love with each other is spot on and perfect for the final climax of the book.  These scenes leave you hanging on the edge of each page wondering if they are going to make it or not.  I absolutely loved the scene when Ryder learns that Juliet loves him, it’s so Juliet and fitting how she tells him.  It was a cute, yet tender scene.  You have to read the book to know what I’m talking about and being one who doesn’t like spoilers, I’m not spoiling anything for you. 

Even though Playing with  Forever is a very intense and steamy romance, Ms. Andrews manages to lighten things up with some humour and fun involving a Great Dane named Tiny who isn’t very tiny and only seems to respond to the female gender.   This leaves poor Ryder frustrated at times and thus Tiny is the reason for Ryder and Juliet’s paths crossing.  Their interactions with Tiny are comical at times, but light and refreshing which is makes it a perfect balance against their intense and sexy romance.  Playing with Forever is a fun, charming and sexy read, with two lead characters who manage to carry the story with little to no effort.  It’s a perfect read for a lazy Sunday afternoon with a you favourite glass of wine and box of chocolates or carton of ice cream. 

Until next time, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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