“I’ll always want more of you.”Robert McKenzie lives to work. He’s fresh out of university as a video-game entrepreneur, and his new app could actually save lives. But burning the candle at both ends means missing out on the best parts of his own life—including his boyfriend, Liam.Liam Carroll works to live. His job as a bartender pays the rent—if not always the heating bill—and that’s plenty for … heating bill—and that’s plenty for now. But Robert’s workaholism reminds Liam his own life is going nowhere, and his own dreams are scaring the pants off him.
To jolt them out of their ruts, Robert invents a new game: He and Liam are to take turns offering each other sexy new challenges with irresistible rewards.
Of course, Robert gets more than he bargained for, as Liam takes their game in one surprising direction after another. Whether it’s in the bedroom, on the football pitch, or at the pub (or even the supermarket?), the things they learn about each other—and themselves—could change their lives forever.
Play Hard is the feel-good, staying-in-love story the world needs right now!
Note: This happier-ever-after novella features the main characters of Playing With Fire but can be read as a stand-alone story.
Glasgow Lads series
More Warriors are on the way! The series features a recurring cast of teammates, but each book contains its own stand-alone romance, so they can be read in any order.
– Play On, Duncan & Brodie novella
– Playing for Keeps, Fergus & John novel
– Playing to Win, Colin & Andrew novel
– Play It Safe, Fergus & John short story
– Playing with Fire, Liam and Robert novel
– Play Dead, Colin & Andrew short story
– Playing in the Dark, Evan & Ben novel
– Play Hard, Liam & Robert novella
Glasgow Lads on Ice (spinoff/crossover series featuring curling):
– Throwing Stones, Luca and Oliver novel
– Second novel (title and release date TBA), 2019more
Avery Cockburn is no stranger to me. Play Hard is the newest release in her Glasgow Lads series. It is sort of a standalone, but only if you’ve read Playing with Fire. I’d highly suggest you start there.
Play Hard revisits Robert and Liam. It really is a wonderful story outlining what happens after you reach your happily-ever-after. A relationship (and the partners) are constantly evolving and changing and Play Hard highlights this.
This is my favorite thing about Avery Cockburn’s books. They always include something realistic and meaningful. Even a light novella has depth.
A happy (and sexy, let’s be real here) visit into the lives of one of my favorite Scottish couples.
I missed the Glasgow Lads so very much! I loved catching up with Robert and Liam’s relationship as it matured with issues of balancing work/home life and the pressures of transitioning from young adult to making career choices. Let’s face it…we’ve all wondered what we want to do when we “grow up” and whether we’re making the right choice. But all that matters is that you have that other person in your life and for Robert…it’s Liam and vice versa. These two get down to some steamy challenges to keep their relationship fresh and wow. Some of these were just perfection. This story was fun to read and see the guys break out of their comfort zone and embrace the spontaneous side of life.
This is book 4.5 in the Glasglow Lads series. It is a MM sports romance novella. I have loved this series thus far and was thrilled to read this one. This book continues the romance from the Playing with Fire book in this same series. It was great to re-visit these characters. The pace of the story was wonderful. Another great story in the series.
*this review may contain spoilers
When I was offered an ARC of Play Hard I didn’t know who it was about. You can’t imagine how happy I was when I discovered that the book continues Liam and Robert’s story.
So,Robert is at an impasse in creating his app,”Be Less Shite” as Liam calls it. He also realizes that he’s turned into a workaholic ignores his boyfriend. That’s why he comes up with a series of games ,which should help with having both men more involved in each other’s lives ,but also with turning the app more fun.
The result is, in my opinion, the funniest book written by Avery Cockburn. Everything is amped up: the feelings, the banter, the humor, the love making. I’ve had fun reading about idea boards,a Knickers Challenge, plugs and a sexy blanket fort,among other entertaining situations. And all the while Liam and Robert rediscover the unwavering strength of their love and make new Plans for their future.
Play Hard is the perfect combination of laughter and emotions and I can’t recommend it enough.
More of Robert and Liam, so YAY!! This novella is a sweet and sexy read. We get to see more of their life after they have been together for a week.
They both work too much and when Robert comes up with an idea to spice up their life, it makes it interesting and sexy. I love them both and there was a lot of moments that laugh hard.
Love that her character are not perfect but flawed. Her book reflects real life and it’s one my favourite things. To be honest, it’s only been a while since i came to about bi-erasure in the LGBTQ community. I couldn’t wrap my head around how people could think that way.
Liam and Evan also sort of make up and Evan is so awesome at making Liam talk.
Funny and sizzling hot read!
*ARC provided by the author via Signal Boost Promotions in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
I loved revisiting with Liam and Robbie!! I might’ve even enjoyed this novella better than their full-length novel, and that’s saying something because I loved their full-length too. Avery Cockburn manages to pack character development and plot in this low-angst and sexy novella, and I loved it so much. It had a little bit too much sex for my tastes but I don’t think that will bother most m/m romance readers 🙂