Safe. Loved. Protected.As a single mom, my son was my world.From the moment I gave birth to Anthony when I was just a scared teenager, my fate was sealed. I knew that I would do anything; sacrifice anything, to make him feel the love I’d never had. And most days, I was pretty sure I succeeded. Life hadn’t always been easy. In fact, it pretty much never was. But that was fine. I had Anthony, and … fine. I had Anthony, and he had me.
I was determined that he would always feel safe, loved, and cared for, even if that meant I would be alone…. I knew that the only person my son and I could depend on was the person I saw in the mirror.
Until the day I met Cole Carson. And everything changed.
Passion. Love. Commitment.
As the Quarterback of the Los Angeles Legends, football was my world.
From the moment I picked up a football as a scrawny preteen, my fate was sealed. I knew that I would do anything; sacrifice anything to make my dreams come true. And I succeeded. I was considered a legend, on and off the field. Professionally, I was at the top of my game thanks to my passion and love for it. Personally, the closest to a commitment I ever wanted to make was signing the lease on my hook-up apartment, around the corner from my favorite pick-up bar. And that was month-to-month.
I wasn’t cut out for love, not in the romantic sense … I knew that my first and only love would be football.
Until the minute I saw Julianna Perez. And my world turned upside down.
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Omg what an awesome read! Seeing how Cole and Julianne built a friendship that turned to more is beautiful. To see how he treats her son makes you fall more in love with him. Knowing that he does more for her son because he wants to not because he has to shows us Cole’s character. Seeing the attraction between the H and h makes you sweat. You will now want to put this book down. Definitely a 5 star read!
I loved Cole and Julianna’s story. I could not put it down once I started it. Julianna is a single mother with trust issues. Cole is a professional athlete used to getting what he wants and what he wants is Julianna, which completely shocks him. I loved how persistent Cole was to gain Julianna’s attention amd trust. I loved all of the characters in this book. What a wonderful read.
Another great start to another series. This one is about Julianna and Cole. Julianna is a single mom who’s been raising her son Anthony for ten years by herself. She worked three jobs and had big walls up around her heart. Cole is the starting QB for the Legends and a bad boy meanwhile until he meets Julianna. Sparks fly immediately but can Cole break down the walls around her heart?
Loved this action packed, sexy, fun and engaging adventure filled with exciting charters, emotional twists and heart racing turns….. was a thrilling read from beginning to breathtaking end. Really adored this couple and so glad we get more of their heartwarming story!
I loved reading Julianna and Cole’s love story in Playing With Attraction, book one in the Playing the Game series, written by the amazing sister duo of Melanie Shawn. In this story we meet single mom Julianna Perez and Los Angeles Legends quarterback Cole Carson. Cole is also known to be a player with the women. Julianna has survived a more than difficult life. Her mother left her at an aunt’s when Julianna was young. Then at age sixteen, when Julianna was pregnant, her aunt kicked her out and after her son was born the baby’s father, with his parents, legally signed away his parental rights. Alone, people helped direct her to a home for single moms, gain her GED diploma, and finish a degree to be a Medical Assistant. She scraps by living in an apartment that she can barely afford with her salary as a Medical Assistant in a doctor’s office, transcribing medical records at night and occasionally working for a catering company.
Julianna’s son, Anthony, is ten years old and has been awarded an opportunity to attend a Youth Football Training and Camp. It is at these training sessions that Cole sees Julianna and falls for her. Cole cleans up his act – no more one-night girls, no more hook-up apartment, and no more party boy. Cole has tunnel vision with Julianna and Anthony being the prizes at the end. Julianna hasn’t dated since her son was born. Despite being pursued by numerous men, she turns them down. Cole asks his mom, who was once also a single mom, what sort of things she wanted or needed when he was growing up. Cole inserts himself into Julianna, and Anthony’s life, not allowing for her to turn him down. He uses the let’s be “friends” card.
The chemistry between the two characters is off the charts. Julianna gives them three nights together, while Anthony is away at camp. Cole encourages her to let go and share her fantasies with him, which he tries to fulfill in that short time. The love and passion these two share is amazing. Julianna cannot believe that Cole would love her or stay with her, as no one else ever did. She must learn how to trust others and let go of only her being able to take care of her family.
Melanie Shawn wrote a wonderful and sexy story that is definitely not to be missed. I enjoyed how this story evolved around the characters and how Julianna learned to trust and Cole learned how to love. I also loved the way Melanie Shawn showed the growth of these two characters. This sister team provided a tale rich with off the chart sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and fantastic characters giving Julianna and Cole a chance for happiness, love and an unexpected future together. I highly recommend Playing With Attraction to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Another great read from Melanie Shawn! This book just had all the feels for me! Julianna is a single mother who literally has worked her way up from nothing all while caring for her son, and makes sure that her son never has gone without. She’s extremely guarded and jaded from her experiences and does nothing to risk or rock the boat in her life. Structure is key for her. But that’s all thrown away when she meets Cole, a professional football player, and he sets his sights on her. While Cole starts out as the stereotypical womanizer in the beginning, it’s funny to see him change his whole life based on meeting someone and not even having a conversation with her. While it did help him change for the better, it’s a little unrealistic, but that is the best part of books. A combination of the couple working through their own respective issues together really made the book great, and Julianna’s son is the icing on top helping push them together and to what’s right for the both of them. I can’t say enough nice things about this book or this author, it seems that they can’t write anything bad in my eyes! Can’t wait for the next book, especially because with the teaser at the end of this one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Great story about love at first sight, even though Cole fights it as long as he can (not long at all). He want Julianna in the worst way and sets out to win her over. Julianna is a loving, caring mom who always puts her son first, until she gets she get convinced to let go for a little while. Wonderful story of two (three) people who find their Happily ever after. Outstanding job Melanie Shawn.
A good first book in a new series!
This is a new book starting a new series. This is the story of Cole and Julianna (and her son Anthony). Julianna is a reluctant participant, but the instant attraction she felt for Cole (and vice versa) could not be stopped. And Anthony is such a sweetheart!
I enjoyed this book, although I found myself wanting to tell Julianna to toughen up! Being a person who cries easily (and I’m an empathetic crier), I found he tears were over the top, and I started trying to skim those sections. However, this is a strong first book in a new series!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
Loving this new series by Melanie Shawn, Playing the Game. This book was great with Julianna and her son Anthony and of course, Cole. I really enjoyed watching these two decide whether to take a chance or not and keeping Anthony at the center of everything. I appreciated all the little things that Cole did for Julianna and our supporting cast of characters made this story even better. I will have to say, I’ll never be able to hear the song ‘Poison’ by Bell Biv Devoe and not think of this book, perfect. I also liked Julianna’s ‘attitude of gratitude’ perspective, something to definitely keep in mind. My favorite line of this book, I had a teammate. A soul mate. A forever-mate. Really, great story. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series next Spring.
Julianna is a single mother of a 10-year-old named Anthony. Anthony’s father signed away his rights to Anthony the day he was born making Julianna a 16-year-old girl raising a baby by herself. Life has been tough for Julianna, but she is more than happy to have Anthony by her side every day. Julianna lives for Anthony and would do anything for him. So, when Anthony gets chosen by his 5th grade teacher to go to a new program starting up to teach football to young boys she doesn’t hesitate to allow him to join the program. Julianna never thought allowing her son to play football would change her life forever, nor did she realize she would find love that she never thought she would have.
Cole Carson is a playboy that has his private home for himself and a bachelor apartment for the women he takes home most nights. An everyday woman and a child is not something on Cole’s radar, not now or in the near future. But that all goes out the window the moment he meets Julianna.
Cole can’t stop thinking about the beautiful mom of Anthony, that he has come to really like, so when Anthony leaves his bag at the stadium, Cole feels it’s the perfect time to go drop off the bag and hope to get to spend some time with Julianna.
Over the course of a few weeks, Cole hangs out with Julianna and Anthony most nights. He is no longer interested in taking women to his bed, he is interested in taking only one woman to his bed. But with Julianna having a tough time though her life and worried that starting anything with Cole will influence Anthony in a not so positive way, she can’t give in to his charms or the attraction they have for each other. But what happens when Anthony goes away to attend a five-day camp? Sex, romance, sex, and even more sex? However, the deal is only for the remaining 3 nights of freedom Julianna has before Anthony comes back from camp.
What happens at the end of the 3 days, when Julianna and Cole are supposed to go back to acting like nothing happened between them? Can they remain friends? Can they live each day without the other? Or will Julianna and Cole find a happiness that neither of them expected?
What is not to love about Julianna (a young single mom trying to make ends meet and provide her son with all life has to offer) and Cole (a gorgeous football playboy who falls hard and fast for the single mom). This story was sweet, hot and amazing all rolled into one. From the first pages you begin to root for these two mismatched individuals to find a way to bridge their differences and learn to trust in love. Throw in an adorable, smart and kind little boy and there is nothing bad about this book. I absolutely loved this book! The writing in dual points of view also made the book great. I can’t wait for the next in the series!
Loved this book! Julianna was determined not to be let down by love again. Ever since Anthony, her son, was born, it was just the two of them. There was no reason to bring a guy in & mess it all up. Or so she thought. Until she met Cole.
As the quarterback for a pro football team, Cole was used to women falling all over him. He had to admit being bored with his life lately. He just wasn’t looking for anything serious. He was told to help with the first day of a kids training program & met Anthony. He couldn’t get Julianna off his mind from the first time he saw her. He really couldn’t get over her telling him no. Could he get her to give him a chance?
I really enjoyed these two! Julianna was hiding from love because she was afraid to get hurt & abandoned again. Cole wanted more & for the first time, his reputation was hurting his chances. Anthony was a great addition to the story & really added to it. This was another great story!
I went in blind on this one, but this was really fun! The romance of Julianna and Cole is the duo’s first sports romance and a great one. I loved the main characters and the side characters were really fun. Melanie Shawn has a way of making you believe the characters. I read this was originally a novella released in the Dare universe, but they changed it up and expanded the story to become this. I really liked the freshness of it all. I’m a big fan of Melanie Shawn’s books, but this one felt like they had even more fun than usual writing it.
Cole and Julianna have instant attraction…..this is a fast paced, full of steam read…..lie I couldn’t put it down read….one sitting read. Loved it from start to finish. These two are meant to be together and I love that Cole goes for it from the beginning……can’t wait for book two!!!!
This story about Julianna Pérez and Cole Carson is one that will touch your hearts.
Julianna is a young woman who had a baby boy when she was sixteen and left without anyone to help. She has become the best mom to precocious ten year old Anthony.
Cole is a famous quarterback ,known as a playboy and one who is starting to realize his ways are getting old.
When Anthony gets a scholarship not only for a 6 weeks football camp, but also for a weeklong sleepover camp, Julianna will do anything to make Anthony happy, even if she’s scared to death he’ll get hurt.
Cole and Julianna meet at the camp, and it’s obvious that the attraction is instantaneous. But Julianna has no desire or time for a relationship, least of all with someone like Cole.
Cole is determined to win Julianna over . But Julianna is scared. Fear is a powerful feeling . Fear not only that she can get hurt, but also Anthony.
This story has it all. At times funny, at others sweet, with some very sexy moments thrown into the mix. It’s a story about self-discovery, and taking chances in life because in the end, you might discover that if you find someone who “gets” you, your life will be richer and wonderful.
Another winner by these talented authors.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
absolutely loved reading this book!
It’s a captivating, funny, steamy
& moving story.
Julianna, was a single mom at the
age of 16. Her took control & made something of her life. Her son
Anthony’s happiness is her first priority.
Then Cole, walked into their life.
He’d never had instant feelings before,
like he has for Julianna & Anthony.
Cole, is a famous NFL quarterback.
He also has the reputation for being
the biggest player there is.
Great characters & storyline make it
the perfect read.
A romantic story that pulls on your
heartstrings from start to finish!!
The book was sooo good. Finding herself a mom at 16 is not half as bad as the father of her son relinquishing his rights the same dad. Juliana Perez has had a difficult life, with a mother who left her at her aunts to being a single mom who has to do it on her own because the only family she had left kicked her out. Juliana is SUPERMOM, as I feel most single moms are. Not only has she raised an amazing son but she has sacrificed her life for her son. Enter Cole, playboy quarterback, sons hero, and delicious looking man. The second Cole and Juliana lock eyes Cole falls hard! What is a single mother to do when the sexiest man she has ever met is also the only man that lights her up inside. These two have such amazing sparks. I love how Cole knows immediately that Juliana is the game changer and does whatever he can to show Juliana. Such an amazing book!