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 … but he wants to break it over and over again. In the shower. Against a wall. On every flat surface in his home.
But the coach and his daughter share more than just DNA. Their issues run deep and fooling around with her could widen the family chasm.
And get Kyle benched for life.
So why can’t he stop thinking about her? Flirting with her? Suggesting they date for real and damn the consequences?
Each book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series is STANDALONE:
* Playing By Her Rules
* Playing It Cool
* Playing the Player
* Playing With Forever
* Playing House
* Playing Dirty
more
A steamy hot, forbidden affair! With the next book in her Sydney Smoke Rugby Series, Amy Andrews takes us on a delectable ride of riveting sex, heartfelt connections and just down right fun people to hang out with! I loved Kyle and Val’s story so much!
Professional rugby player Kyle Leighton might not have known anything but a first name for the one-night stand that rocked his world, but she certainly knew who he was … and the added metaphorical “screw you” finger in the air to her father was just icing on top of the yummy cake! Fast forward a few days and he happens to catch sight of her outside the locker room and lays a massive kiss on her … only to hear the growl of the coach who already seems to hate his guts behind him telling him to unhand his daughter. His daughter?? What has he done? He’s already on the outs for being the new guy, can he really afford to further antagonize?
Valerie King knew the rule her father laid down to his team about her, but she has had just about enough from her father to last a lifetime, so if she could thumb her nose at him in a way that also made her night, oh well! She’s not happy that she got Kyle in trouble though. He’s actually a really nice guy … and he doesn’t seem wiling to walk away from her just because he’s going to get into trouble either!
4.5 Stars
I’m a huge fan of this series and gobble these books right up. This book was no different. I instantly fell for Kyle and Val’s story. They had me hooked right from the beginning. I love their banter and the ease they have with one another. Though it’s not going to be easy because Val is the boss’s daughter and off limits. Kyle is exactly the person Val needs in her corner and life. Family is a complicated matter even at the best of times and both Kyle and Val know that first hand. This book had me laughing quite often, but it also had tears in my eyes. Over all it’s a well rounded book. It packs the heat, emotion, heart, and humor. The epilogue was the perfect ending for these two.
Playing Dirty by Amy Andrews
Sydney Smoke Rugby Series # 6
Valerie and Kyle meet and hookup on her birthday. She knew who he was and even knowing her father’s rule for his team she went home with Kyle anyway. The chemistry between them was hot and constant and even when trying to put it on the back burner for the good of the team…the embers could not be doused.
Valerie and her father have a difficult relationship that has been ongoing for over two decades. The fact she would like more from her father does play a part in this story and how that is resolved is almost as important as the romance between her and Kyle.
Kyle is talented but does have a few things to learn as a rugby team player. He is thrilled to work with the coach – Val’s father. He has a strong love of family. And, he falls for Val rather quickly.
Val is a baker that loves her work and has a love of rugby and also loves her father. She has suffered loss but seems to be a woman that is pretty much on her own without much more than her business and rugby in her life.
This is an easy to read romance without a great deal of drama between Valerie and Kyle but there is a big blow-up at one point and some time before a resolution is found that allows them their HEA.
Did I like this book? Definitely!
Will I read more by this author? Without a doubt!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
A smokin’ hot story that had me hooked all the way through
Book 6 in the Sydney Smoke series, while there are characters carrying over from the earlier books, this holds up well as a standalone.
I’ve loved this series from the very first book and this latest story is no exception. And while I’m thinking about it, don’t forget to check out the glossy in the back for all us non-Aussie types–definitely worth a few laughs all on its own!
I loved both Kyle and Val; they not only had chemistry (l had to turn my fan up to a higher speed for that bakery scene and things just kept getting hotter!) but a real connection as well as a lot in common. I felt so much for Val, wanting her to get that relationship with her father that she’s longed for. And I adored Kyle as he stood up for Val to her father–his coach–and refused to get in the way of their fragile new relationship. And when he screwed up (because of course he screwed up), I loved how determined he was, and the lengths he was willing to go to, to win her back.
From smokin’ hot chemistry to laugh out loud humor to the angst that kept everything grounded, all set against an Australian rugby background, this author created a perfectly blended story that had me hooked all the way through to the amazing epilogue that had laughing and crying in equal measure. 5+ smokin’ hot stars
B2B Kelly
4.5 Stars
I really love sports romances. My first book in the “Sydney Smoke Rugby” series didn’t disappoint! I’m definitely going to read the rest as well!
Kyle is the hottest thing in rugby. Valerie is his coach’s daughter and definitely off-limits but he doesn’t know that. They meet at a bar where Valerie goes to “celebrate” her 24th birthday alone. They spend the night together and after that Kyle can’t stop thinking about her.
The chemistry between Kyle and Valerie is off the charts. I like how Kyle is not the typical athlete playboy but he is sweet and considerate. Valerie is hurt because her dad is distant and the only thing she wants is for him to show her some love; I really felt for her. The gesture that Kyle does at the end of the book is something else. Girls you really need to get yourself a man like that!! The epilogue is really sweet and wraps up the story perfectly!
Do you love sweaty hot Rugby players and sassy smart women than this is the book for you!
Valerie King has finally gotten her book. Val has lived in the shadows of her coach father and family tragedy for years. She lost her twin sister at the age of two to an accident and her father has never forgiven himself. She feels as though she is a constant reminder of the loss. Each year her birthday is never a happy time …it is a time of reflection and loss. She finds herself in a bar on her 24th birthday and numbing the pain of the past. Kyle is the new guy on the block he is a lone wolf on the rugby field and has not had the pleasure of knowing the background on the coach or his family. Their meeting is instant attraction and full of such sexual energy . Val knows that he has no idea who she is and she will use this to her advantage ..he can get her through this night make her forget and she can move on before he is non the wiser . Yes that is going to backfire. They are too good together and once the truth comes out it is a full out mess for them personally and professionally ! I loved them together Kyle is a big burly man with such a soft heart
~~Michele McMullen ~~
I enjoyed reading it, more about it on my blog https://heyjustreadit.wordpress.com/2018/07/10/playing-dirty-bye-amy-andrews-review/
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah –
4.5 stars
This book is sexy and fun and dirty in the best possible way. A one-night stand between the Smoke’s newest star player and the coach’s daughter causes all sorts of problems when the coach finds out.
Val is the feisty, estranged daughter of the Smoke’s head coach. She also owns her own bakery and makes exquisite Chelsea buns. I loved her as a leading lady. She is funny, self-deprecating, and more than a little bit gobby.
Kyle is a pretty boy rugby star who needs to be taught to play well with others. The banter between Kyle and Val is brilliant and his clashes with her father are epic. This is a deliciously explicit and very sexy read. The chemistry between Kyle and Val is fabulous and their connection is playful and imaginative.
The storyline isn’t a new one in sports romance and the author does rely on some tired tropes, but I loved the rugby and the Australian details are thoroughly entertaining. This is a fun and steamy summer holiday read.
Ruthie –
This is the sixth book in the series – and somehow I have missed the previous books, something I will be remedying soon. I could imagine who got their happily ever after in previous stories, but I loved it without knowing all their details.
Kyle is new to the team, and unbeknown to him he breaks the coach’s cardinal rule. This leads to him having to make a very difficult decision – head or heart. Any book which pitches those two against each other, and makes a man have to choose will lead to some heartache, whether his or hers… in this case probably both.
I loved the rugby elements: the issues of being a new player, the family that is the team, the problems of being in love with the coach’s daughter, and the impact on the team as a whole. It is important as a background but is also sets up some pretty dramatic moments.
The bakery is a far more sweet and sexy element in the story, and also very heated moments in Val and Kyle’s relationships. I love the hygiene authorities comments! It is also the venue for Kyle’s big gesture, and in this media crazy world, it was easy to imagine the scene perfectly.
If you fancy a fun, sexy, and sport-based read, then this will surely entertain you.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Playing Dirty (Sydney Smoke Rugby #6) by Amy Andrews to read and review.
Valerie King could not remember a birthday that she had been happy to celebrate. She was having martinis in a bar, when the celebrated new addition to the Sydney Smoke chats her up. Val knows very well who he is, but it’s obvious he doesn’t because he would stay away from her. But he is nice, funny, and Val wants him badly, if only to forget that dreaded birthday, and to get back at her dad, coach Griff King, if only in her mind. Alas, all good things come to an end when Griff hears about it.
I love the Sydney Smoke Rugby series so much, that when I saw there was a new instalment, I grabbed it right away, not even bothering to read who it was about! We knew there would be Val’s romance at some point, but with Griff’s policy of non-fraternisation between Val and his players, we also knew it would be explosive, and it is! But Val hit the jackpot with Kyle; he is just wonderful, and even though he makes one mistake towards the end, he really meant well. The romance was really difficult, because of Val’s father, but it provides the reader with some of Ms. Andrews most inspired writing; some scenes are heartbreaking, others so testosterone-fuelled, I was almost hiding behind my e-reader, there was so much testosterone! Griff is a nearly terrifying presence; he is an extraordinary character and adds much to the story.
PLAYING DIRTY is, as expected, an excellent read, quick and sexy, and although it was amusing to some extent, there was a bit of a circus going on towards the end. Although I know I will be in the minority here, but I could have done without the epilogue. I liked part of it because important matters were settled, but on the whole, it was precisely what I do not like about epilogues. And O joy, O happiness, there will be two more books in this brilliant series!
I give 4 ½ stars
Man do I love these Smoke rugby players! The newest player on the team is Kyle Leighton and how very delicious he is! Too bad he breaks the coach’s number one rule without even knowing it. Everyone knows the coach’s daughter is off limits. If Kyle had known the woman he had a passionate night with and can’t get out of his head was the coach’s daughter he never would have gone there. But he had gone there and he wanted more! Val King might be the coaches daughter but he can’t seem to stay away. Do they dare??
This is a fantastic addition to the series and definitely a book I recommend.