Being labelled a player never stopped me from being successful with women. Until I met Truly Harbury.Truly was the first girl who ever turned me down.The first female friend I ever had.And she might just be the first woman I ever fall in love with.When an emergency means she needs my help running her family’s charity, I’m happy to introduce her to the glitz and glamour of the London business … glamour of the London business world—taking her to dinners, coaching her through speeches, zipping up the sexy evening gown I helped her pick out.
The more time we spend together, the more I want to convince her I’m not a man to avoid, that we’re not as unsuited as she believes.
She sees herself as the book-reading, science-loving introvert while I’m the dangerous, outgoing, charmer.
She thinks I love parties and people whereas she prefers pajamas and a takeaway.
What she doesn’t realize is that I like everything about her–the way her smile lights up a room, how her curves light up my imagination, and especially the way her lips taste when coated with tequila.
She’s the first woman I ever fell in love with. I just need to know if she could ever love me too.
A standalone novel.
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International Player by Louise Bay is another standalone romance with a gorgeous hero and an exceptional heroine. Told in dual POV between Truly and Noah, this story is quirky, romantic, emotional and has a great happy ending.
Truly has always been the Yin to her sisters Yang. They each have areas in which they excel and Truly is perfectly satisfied staying in her box. But when her sister has to take a step back from their foundation and fundraising and speech giving Truly has to step up. Something she has always allowed her sister to excel in as she is just not good at it. At all. So when her brother-in-law suggests that Noah step in and help Truly with her confidence and fundraising she can’t say no – even if spending more time with him, in close proximity is the last thing her heart needs.
Noah is not a guy who commits long term to relationships. While not really a player, he isn’t commitment centric. But when he spends time in Truly’s company again he remembers how close they were before he left for the States and is definitely ready to rekindle their friendship – and maybe even more.
Romantic & sweet, steamy and a little angsty this was another great read from a must-read author for me. Enjoy!
Louise Bay can do no wrong!! Every story just gets better and better
This is the story of Truly and Noah, a beautiful friends to lovers romance.
This is another story that really brings you into the world that Ms. Bay creates. London and New York. Even though I am not British, I feel as though I could be! With the lingo and mannerisms, you feel like you are there.
What I really enjoyed about this story is the fresh take on the heroine feeling as though she isn’t good enough and that directs how she relates to Noah. She is quirky and a bit awkward but she is true to herself and even a bit too hard on herself.
The friendship between Truly and Noah is perfect. I loved how Noah embraced Truly’s quirks and idiosyncrasies and made her see how much more she could be. I admired how Noah pushed Truly out of her comfort zones.
The chemistry between these two is electric and the things that Noah does for Truly is just swoon! I am not gonna name anything specific but trust me you are going to find something that makes you swoon too!
Get your hands on this story, it’s just brilliant!
Louise Bay continues to hone her craft in the field of romantic writing. Sure to be the latest in her long line of bestsellers International Player is a wonderful story that will have all readers panting for the charismatic male character and the quirky heroine. International Player is heartwarming and a page-turner. International Player by Louise Bay is another 5-star read in her repertoire of romances.
Truly Harbury runs a not-profit charitable organization with her twin sister Abigail. When Abigail and her husband got married his best friend Noah Jensen tried to seduce Truly and was shocked to find that she turned him down. Truly and Noah became best friends and she was determined to hide her crush on him. Since Noah has been gone for four years Truly has been able to carry on life as normal, until she learns that Noah is moving back. Truly knows she must distance herself from Noah so that she doesn’t fall back into her hidden feelings but when unforeseen circumstance pushes the two together Truly has trouble holding herself back. Noah Jensen is the only man that has held Truly’s attention, but she is terrified to lose her heart to an International Player like Noah.
Shes not seen him in four years, two months and three weeks, but who’s counting!
He was her friend who she secretly had a deep crush on. When he left, work became her life.
But now, hes back in London and her sister is married to his best friend. Fate is bringing them back together.
He forgot her, hes not quite sure how, or why but he regrets letting their friendship slide away.
He has what she needs, but will she put her personal feelings aside to let him help?
Oh wow, what an amazing heart stealing read thats left me an emotional mess!
I dont often cry at books but this, oh my it really got to me!
Her hidden feelings broke my heart, as it was so easy to relate to. We have all been there with an unrequited love.
Then as things progressed I felt hopeful. Butterflies fluttered and I got nervous on their behalf..
I fell in love with both the main characters. Their personalities shone through like a torch in the dark, and whilst they were poles apart on pretty much everything, they somehow worked and made each other better people.
Theres not a single thing that I didnt simply adore about this. The angst, the drama, the broken hearts, I sniveled through it all, and loved every second.
To me this book is nothing but perfection. Louise and her words are worth nothing less than 5*.
Noah and Truly’s story is sweet and beautiful. They are both wonderful characters. Truly learns to be more confident and strong, despite her insecurities, and her introverted personality. Noah is handsome and he has a strong personality, despite his difficult past. I like his protectiveness and his support to Truly. I like their slow burn, and friends to lovers story. Truly’s sister, Abigail, and her husband are also interesting characters. Shane East and Saskia Maarleveld did an amazing job with the narration. I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
Audiobook Review
This is a beautiful story about two friends that decided to have something more, something casual with no strings attached and failed because what they feel for each other was bigger than what they’ve thought.
I love the narrations, Shane Easton did an amazing job as Noah, his accent was perfect and it would make you feel goosebumps each time he speaks. And Saskia Maarleveld was amazing as Truly, especially when she narrates Truly’s feelings and insecurities. I love how both narrators make us feel the characters feelings.
This is a beautiful story, it showed us how to overcome from a tragedy and insecurities. Two amazing human beings who are better together, very inspiring.
I can’t wait to read the ebook version of International Player. It’s coming on April 30th.
If Shane East is narrating, I’m listening! International Player is another fantastic listen by Louise Bay. Excellent story development, fun characters and a unique story line make this a must listen. Oh and did I mention Shane East! Gahhh! Not only is his voice like a rich decadent cake, he puts 10000% into the performance which makes for a winning combo! Congrats Louise on another 5 star listen!
Kindle review:
I first listened to International Player by Louise Bay, as this was an audible first release and really enjoyed Truly and Noah’s story. I was excited to learn it was going to be released as an eBook as well and could not wait ti read it! This was such a sweet and charming friends-to-lovers slow burning romance with all the feels.
Truly has always felt like the introverted and shy sister who always hid behind her more beautiful and outgoing twin sister. But Truly was a beautiful woman inside and out, she just did not see herself that way. Enter Noah. Truly and Noah met at the wedding of her sister to his best friend and though there was an attraction there, Truly put Noah in the friend-zone. They became good friend and spent time together, but then he leaves for business for a few years and they lose touch.
Now he is back and when Truly has to get out of her comfort zone due to a family emergency, Noah is willing to help. But can Truly trust him and not lose her heart to him again? Truly was sweet and caring and always there to help where she could. Noah was a bit of a player, but he was always honest and upfront. As they spend time together and begin to see each other in a different light, can they trust what they have, or will they lose what they could be before they even try? International Player by Louise Bay was a sweet, charming, if a bit angsty, slow burning romance.
Read and reviewed for Reviews From the Heart.
Audible review:
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Shane East, International Player by Louise Bay is a charming friends-to-lovers second chance romance. Truly and Noah met when her twin sister married his best friend. He wanted Truly from the start, but Truly knew his reputation as a player and friend-zoned Noah from the start. They became good friends who enjoyed spending time together and when it seemed there could be more, Noah left the country for business.
Now years later, Noah is back. Truly believes she put Noah in a box to be forgotten, and then she laid eyes on him again. But Truly has never seen herself as the kind of woman men want. She likes her life orderly and controlled. Noah has always been known as a player. He is a man who likes to set goals and once he meets them, he moves on. So, a woman has no place in his life for more than a few months.
But when a family emergency drives them to spend more time together, they both begin to see each other in a different light. But can they see what it in front of them before it is too late? Truly was strong, beautiful and smart, but she did not see her self that way. Noah was determined, sexy and confident. They had great chemistry together and were friends, but do they take a risk that could destroy all they have or take a chance to have it all?
I truly enjoyed listening to International Player by Louise Bay. It was a charming read that was a slow burning and a bit angsty story. The narrators did a great job bringing the characters and story to life! Another great read from Louise Bay.
Listened and reviewed for Reviews From The Heart.
Happy reading!
Audio Review
Louise Bay has been one of my go to authors for a while now but this is first audiobook I have listen to from her and the narrators and I got so much more than I was expecting.
Two people running and hiding, Noah spends his time trying to forget painful memories from his childhood and Truly spends her time hiding in her twin sisters shadow can two broken souls help to make each other whole again……
This is a beautifully story about two people learning how to overcome the insecurities from their past and learning that being together can be better than living apart. This author certainly knows how to captivate her readers and in this case listeners, the narrators did an amazing job of bringing Noah and Truly to life including a fantastic London accent from Shane East. The story flowed and the narration was perfect and I will certainly be looking at other audiobooks narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Shane East as well as checking out Louise Bay’s audiobooks that I have previously read. This was a all round winner for me
5 star Review International Player by Louise Bay
Audio Review:
Narrated by Shane East and Saskia Maarleveld, International Player by Louise Bay ticked all the boxes for me.This is a friends to lovers story that drew me in and get me invested till the end.
The chemistry between them was sizzling and I loved how much Noah believe in Truly even when she didn’t. This was a steamy, sweet and at times emotional listen
Both Noah and Truly are strong, independent, yet vulnerable people who are not afraid to face the hands they have been dealt, although at times Truly frustrated me.
I fell for both Noah and Truly, there was just something about this couple that drew me to them and their story.
The story was well written, engaging and it was great to see the growth of both the main characters as the book evolved.
There is so much to love about Ms. Bay’s characters, the depth and layers that she weaves throughout her stories reminds me of peeling an onion, layer by layer.
The narrations by Saskia Maarleveld and Shane East were great!! I really love how they really made us feel all the emotions of these two great characters as well as the secondary characters.. definitely, they made this story deeper and better..
Truly and Noah have known each other for a very long time, Truly knows Noah is a not committed relationship guy, he only likes to have casual sex without any string attached.. His business is more important than anything but things are about to get weird.. after not seeing each other for so long .. Noah doesn’t know what is happening between them but he doesn’t want to stop being around Truly anymore..
Truly just wants to keep working and making her dreams come true, she is not looking for any complications, as she doesn’t have time to get hurt, but life is about to give her the biggest test of her life, a test that will help her gain confidence and trust in her own self.
When I started International Player I felt like Noah was really playing his part not showing his feelings or emotions to anyone and that really made the story even more intriguing.. I love how slowly he started to get closer to Truly.. and how she started to lower her walls with his kindness and love.. this is a very great part of the story to see how much these two characters grow ..
love how Noah’s and Truly chemistry was beautiful and so strong, they both kept trying to hide all this but they never really quite achieve it ..
Overall I really like the story, it was a light read but it also had the right amount of angst .. The characters were great and the story too..