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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A fun light hearted romance I was hoping for a little more drama with the misunderstanding as to how Noah left and when Truly confronted him with how she felt in the hall way I don’t want to say too much because one single detail could blow up the story for someone who hasn’t read it yet it’s such a delicate build up between Truly and Noah that you really must read it all to get the full impact of what a heart warming and swoon worthy connection these two have
Another really enjoyable read from Louise Bay. International Player was fun, flirty and a solid all round romance. I love a ‘friends to lovers’ romance, and this one ticked all the boxes.
Truly and Noah met a few years ago when her twin sister married Noah’s best friend. They met at the wedding, he made a pass at her, she turned him down, but they became friends as a result. After all he is a hugely renowned flirt and total player, and Truly just wasn’t interested in being another ‘conquest’ as such. Then Noah’s work took him to America for a number of years and they drifted apart and have not really been in contact since.
However now Noah is back and potentially back for good. Can their friendship continue where it left off? Do either of them even want that? When Noah and Truly see each other again there is definitely attraction and chemistry there.
Truly works with her sister at their family charity organisation. However Truly takes more of a behind the scenes role in front of the computer dealing with spreadsheets and numbers, as opposed to the face of the charity unlike her sister, who oozes confidence and the ability to charm potential donors.
When circumstances force Truly’s role to change she is overcome with anxiety. However will she cope? I loved this aspect as I thought it was very real and I could really feel for Truly’s feelings. She lacked so much self-confidence and self-worth, but really is such a great character. And with the help and support from Noah, she is determined to embrace the challenges that lay ahead of her! ish…!!
This was a really entertaining, easy to read story with great characters and a lovely storyline. Good pace, but with a lovely slow-burn element. Romantic, steamy, and sexy! A really enjoyable read.
International Player was my very first book by new to me author Louise Bay.
I came across the blurb and was immediately intrigued.
I was pleased to find I enjoyed this book so much!
Truly is exactly the kind of heroine I love and relate to the most!
Big heart, adorably quirky and unaware of just how gorgeous she actually is.
I liked the fact that it took some time for Noah to sort out his feelings past his initial attraction to her.
To me, this made the story more realistic in a way, which is something I appreciated.
I understood Truly’s fears and the decisions she made when it came to Noah, though I have to admit there were moments the both of them frustrated the heck out of me!
The love scenes in this book were steamy but also passionate in a way that left me no doubt that these two characters were deeply in love.
If you’re a fan of Louise Bay, I’m sure you’ll love this book and if, like me, she’s new to you I guarantee this book will MAKE you a fan!
This author is now officially on my auto #OneClick list!
Truly and Noah were amazing!!! Truly and her twin were the complete opposite. In her mind, Truly saw herself lesser Han her sister which wasn’t the case. She was unaware of he effect she had on men especially Noah. Noah was her brother-in-law best friend whom she thought was a player. He was a player in his own ways but not an obnoxious one like in other books. He was actually a sweetheart and treated Truly differently; they were actually best friends. It was slow paced and half the time I wanted to kill her because of her low self esteem and I loved Noah for building it up. The way together was surprising because I didn’t think Truly had it in her, you go girl!!! Noah jumped all over the opportunity and they were fire!!!! They were times when she felt she was below him but he wasn’t letting that happen. These two together were perfect.
Louise Bay is back in a brilliant friends-to-lovers romance that will make you swoon and keep you hooked as you follow Noah and Truly.
Truly is the quiet, geeky girl who doesn’t have the confidence to see her potential in the spot light until shes forced to step into her sisters shoes and be the face of her family’s foundation.
Noah is a massive flirt and international player. He never keeps women around for longer then 3 months. The only woman that sparks something in him is Truly. She is gradually breaking down his walls and opening his eyes to possibilities he just needs to break down her trust barriers and make her see she is more then just a casual fling.
It was good to see Louise Bay back at her best with this one. It was a well paced, page turner.
So good, impossibly couldn’t put it down. I loved it that much. I enjoy reading your books very much. I also love how the characters also sometimes make an appearance from past books sometimes.
Louise Bay just knows how to write those alpha businessmen with their struggling heroines. In this story we meet an international globe trotting entrepreneur with a dare devil side and a woman who’s almost afraid to leave to the house, or really her computer screen.
Noah and Truly were close friends, but Noah left for the US. However much Truly tries to forget him it just surfaces again when he returns. They both need each other for the opposite reasons. Both have been through past devastation. Noah’s living life to the fullest and overdoing his past. Truly needs to get out there, so getting to that magic point between them and the end result took time and angst!
This friends to lovers romance leaves all the good parts in while taking us to the next level. Noah and Truly are truly opposites attack material. It was fun watching them get to one another.
I’m a huge fan of Louise Bay. She writes genuine, top notch romance. International Player is another fantastic example of her engrossing tales. Truly and Noah take you on a journey of a slow burn, friends to lovers romance that will have you swooning. There’s so much to enjoy in this book!!
My favorite things about Louise Bay books are the characters! Each are so unique, they make the story flow effortlessly. Truly is such a thinker. The leads with her head and maybe consults her heart. She’s so different from a typical heroine. She’s very calculated with her thought processes, a true introvert. When it comes to love, she’s not sure if taking a risk on Noah is the best decision. However, Noah has different ideas. While less of a player than I would have thought, Noah loves a good challenge. As a complex character, I really loved watching Truly and Noah grow together.
International Player is full of heart, passion and swoony moments. Get ready for another fantastic read from Louise Bay!!
Steamy, lighthearted slow burn friends to lovers romance.
While this genre has been done repeatedly and the outcome is predictable, I enjoyed the author’s perspective on how the two main characters evolved.
Well written and well paced, the characters were likable and their banter and chemistry made this an old fashion fun read.
5 Noah Filled Stars!!!
Louise Bay is amazing! Her stories always get to me. Ethan Scott has always had my top spot on Louise Bay’s men. I can’t believe I’m saying this but Ethan has just met his match with Noah.
Truly and her twin sister run their family’s charitable foundation. Truly is the behind the scenes sister. In charge of the numbers. She’s the nerdy one. Her sisters the face of their foundation. She’s the one who goes to the dinners, galas and does the speeches. Truly’s more than fine with their arrangement.
Truly’s life revolves around work, books, Star Wars and spending time with her sister. Truly doesn’t realize her quiet, simple life about to explode. Her sister ends up having major complications with her pregnancy leaving her on bed rest for the next few months. Truly doesn’t have the slightest clue where to begin doing her sisters job.
Then, Noah steps in and offers to help Truly. Truly wants none of his help. Truly knows the kind of player Noah is. Which is why she shut him down two minutes into meeting him. They ended up becoming good friends. Until he moved to New York and they hadn’t spoke since. Truly doesn’t wanna fall for Noah again and than he leave. But, she does need his help, she’s hoping it doesn’t bite her in the end.
Noah sold his business and he’s got more money than he knows what to do with himself and nothing to do or spend his money on.
When his best friend suggests Noah help Truly until her sister is back his first instinct is no. Until he thinks about it. Noah knows he can be helpful and the latest fundraiser is for a cause close to his heart. It’s a win win for everyone so Noah jumps on it.
Noah wasn’t expecting things to go the way they went. He’d been friends with Truly and he can’t remember why or how the lost touch. He doesn’t know when he started seeing her more than just a friend. He’ll do anything to help her and that includes her seeing herself as the beautiful woman that he sees.
The more time these two spend together the more their feelings grow. Even when they cross that friends line to friends with benefits things don’t get easier. ESP bc Truly is so wishy-washy with her feelings and thoughts. Instead of talking to Noah she just breaks things off with him outta nowhere and he’s blindsided when he finally figures out his true feelings.
I dove into this story and couldn’t put it down. Truly and Noah were complete opposites. But, everyone knows the saying “opposites attract” and this works for Truly and Noah. This is another must read from Louise Bay. There is a new guy I’d like to get my hands on his story lol.
Louise Bay is always surprising! Her books are so lovely and characters always show a three dimensional side that makes them human and also show a lot of feelings.
Truly and Noah have know each other for quite some time and the connection was there, but for several reasons they decided to keep it on friendly terms. Noah has been gone for NYC and now has come back to London after selling his successful business.
Truly needs some confidence to assume a more outgoing whole in her family foundation and Noah is the perfect person to help them. They connect again and this time the attraction is strong and undeniable. However, their own insecurities will create difficulties and that is when we see them both in a cross road for their hearts.
The book is sensational and you will love these characters!
International Player by Louise Bay
2.5*
I’ve read a handful of Louise Bay’s books and have enjoyed them for the most part and have even reread a few so when the opportunity came to read and review an arc of International Player, I immediately put my hand up. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t really enjoy much of the book. I couldn’t connect well enough with the characters and there was something missing for me from the writing itself.
Noah and Truly used to be great friends before he moved from London to New York for word-related reasons and completely lost touch with his old friends. First of all, how does that even happen with you know, little things like cellphones or email? In any event, Truly had a crush on him then and now that he’s back and in her life, decides that she’s going to be in control of the situation and suggests a FWB relationship with a detailed guide of do’s and don’ts.
I think my main problem was that the character personalities seemed really forced. I can’t articulate exactly what I mean but I didn’t believe the characters or their personalities or their connection so I found this book to be a real struggle to get through. I couldn’t connect with Truly and I don’t think we got enough of Noah. He was involved in a huge accident years ago that impacted the decisions he makes even now but I don’t even know what exactly happened in that accident? I understand that Truly knows, but I don’t and I’d like to know what makes him, him. So anyway, overall, I didn’t really enjoy this but given that I’ve read and enjoyed the author previously, I’ll look forward to her next release.
*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.
Louise Bay does it again with Noah and Truly’s story in International Player. This is a good romantic story with characters who are different from other Louise Bay romances.
Truly has had a secret crush on Noah her sisters husbands best friend since they first met years ago at their wedding. Knowing Noah’s reputation of being a player Truly does all she can to protect her heart by keeping Noah as a friend, but the night before Noah is scheduled to leave to New York things almost changed – but then didn’t. Now Noah is back and Truly needs him to help her navigate through how to present herself and be social as part of her and her sister’s fundraising business. You see Truly is a numbers girl and is most comfortable behind a keyboard or at home with a good book, but with her sister out of commission for a while Truly needs to step up and Noah is there to help. Now if Truly can protect her heart as she learns what she can from the sexiest man she has ever met things will be ok – or will it.
Noah has been gone for 4 years building his company in New York but after selling it off and becoming a multimillionaire he returns to London richer and with a lot of time on his hands. Reconnecting with his best friend and his wife he sees Truly again who is as beautiful as she was before. She is also unassuming and a little bit of a recluse so when he is asked to help her with their company he does so willingly and as he spends more time with her he finds himself wanting her more and more. He is not sure if a relationship is what he wants or can have especially when Truly keeps him at arm’s length.
I really enjoyed Noah and Truly I thought their friendship felt authentic and natural. Told in dual POV’s we get to see both sides of the story from each MC which I love. The story is fastpaced with great dialog and story development. It feels a little short for me with the characters themselves – while I like Truly and Noah it sometimes felt a little disconnected – especially with Truly. Her self deprecating got a little old for me over time to the point where I wanted to shout that she is beautiful and to be ok with it. I think at the end Noah did show her how beautiful she is – it just took a long time to get there. Overall I did end up liking Truly and Noah and their story which is why I give it 4 stars.
Louise Bay’s books are always sure bets for me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them from the very beginning of her career, and I always look forward to what she might have in store. Friends to lovers, office romance, billionaires, royalty, she’s done it all, and always with wit, sexiness, class, and a healthy dose of humor that draws me in and keeps me invested throughout.
INTERNATIONAL PLAYER, Louise’s latest, has all of the warmth, humor, and quirk that I’ve come to expect and love, and is reminiscent of her earlier books in all the best ways. Reading this felt like a homecoming, of sorts, reminding me of what drew me to Louise’s stories in the very first place. Friendship, humor, some downright steam, and a dash of heartbreak, all woven together to create a story that I just couldn’t put down.
Truly is my absolute favorite, with her awkwardness masking an innate intelligence, warmth, humor, and sensuality that, once unleashed really allows her to come into her own. And the way that she navigates her relationship with Noah had me smiling over and over again, because he just didn’t know what hit him when it came to her. There are, of course, some bumps along the way, because, well, the path to true love, and all that, but the framework of friendship and a true liking for each other overcomes in the end.
INTERNATIONAL PLAYER, in all of its friends to lovers sweetness and sizzle, will quickly become a favorite of Louise’s books, and is an easy 4 stars from me.
International Player is the latest charming, slow burn, friends to lovers romance stand alone by Louise Bay. Heartwarming and a real page turner. With witty banter, sexual chemistry with some scorching love scenes this read gives you all the feels. I highly recommend reading it, like yesterday!
International Player is a light, sweet, and steamy friends-to-lovers’ romance with a sexy British hero and a quirky, intelligent heroine who take readers on quite the journey as they attempt to figure out exactly how they fit into each other’s life and if friendship is the only thing they have to offer one another.
Noah is definitely a typical playboy – one who lives in the moment, conquering whatever obstacles are in his way. And, in some ways, I can’t blame Noah for living his life the way he does because there was a time when Noah was younger that he thought he may never walk again, so the fact that he grabs hold of life and experiences all that it has to offer makes sense. But what it also does is indicate to Truly that he’ll never be the man she wants him to be because he’s not about a forever kind of relationship, which is exactly what Truly wants from him.
But it also feels like Truly gets stuck on who Noah used to be and doesn’t truly see the man who is standing in front of her because if she would listen to him, stop overthinking everything, and realize that love isn’t logical or certain and risking everything for the man who seems to know how to take care of her body, her head, and her heart if she’d only take a chance on what they could potentially be.
Even though Truly frustrated me with her mixed signals, her need to analyze every word spoken and action taken, and her feelings about not being just as beautiful and amazing as her twin sister, I really liked her and found a lot about her relatable. And it’s her differences that make her stand out, that draw people to her, that prove just how truly remarkable she is.
While the path that Noah and Truly’s relationship takes is a predictable one, I still enjoyed watching everything play out between them and just how much Noah opened Truly up, not just due to their sexual intimacy but also due to Noah’s ability to truly see her and tell her exactly how special she is, not only to him but to every person who comes into contact with her.
I love Louise Bay’s British alpha males and the women who show them how to live and love, and International Player was just the light read I needed after a string of emotional and dark romances!
4 Poison Apples
International Player was a fun easy to read friends to lovers romance. I absolutely adored Truly, I really can imagine being friends with her. Truly is shy and assuming, she has always felt in the shadows compared to her more vivacious sister. Noah is the outgoing confident player who values the friendship he has formed with Truly.
After a shaky start I warmed to Noah, he just took so long to see what had right in front of him the whole time. Yes I enjoyed the sexy times but I loved the depth of the relationship they formed. The drama is them overcoming their insecurities to form something that will last.
My favorite line in the book is the first line which is “if getting a kick from solving spreadsheet errors was wrong, I didn’t want to be right.” I laugh each time I read that line. The bookworm meets the play boy. These are my favorite type of books. The girl that is the underdog gets the boy that every girl wants to get. The book ended faster than I wanted it to end. Truly has a twin sister, Abigail. Abigail is married to Noah’s best friend, Rob. Truly and Abigail are complete opposites. Truly is the nerd and Abigail is the face of the foundation. Noah is the playboy. Rob makes fun of him for it. Truly and Noah are good friends until Noah leaves for New York. Noah told Truly a secret about his past that only a few other know.
Noah comes home after selling his company and becoming a millionaire. Everyone goes a trivia night at a pub. Everything is going fine until Abigail starts having issues with her pregnancy. Abigail is rushed to the hospital. Abigail is put on bed rest for the next 20 weeks. Truly is thrusted into running the foundation. It is the start of donation season. You can feel for Truly. It is a scary situation. One of the charities they are hoping to support this year is a rehab center where Noah went after his accident. Noah offers to help Truly with getting the presentations done for donations. You can see their romance build slowly. Truly comes up with this crazy idea for them. How do they get their HEA? You will have to find out.
International Player is an all new, standalone romance from Louise Bay!
Friends to Lovers Romance
The player falls for the bookworm
Office Romance
Second Chances
A Delicious British Hero
Slow Burn goodness
Tequila Kisses
4.5 Stars!
There’s something about stories featuring British playboys that make my ears perk up! International Player, a standalone friends-to-lovers romance, is a delightful and witty story; it’s not too heavy or light, just perfect for a lazy afternoon. The Player in the story, Noah, is surprised to realize he had feelings for Truly, someone who had friend zoned him years ago. It was fun to see how they evolved into more than friends, finding love along the way.
Truly Harbury and her twin sister, Abigail, work together at the charitable foundation their mother founded forty years ago. Truly loved working behind-the-scenes, distributing the money; she was more comfortable than the role Abi had, as the public persona doing the fundraisers and speaking events and asking for donations. Truly never liked being in the spotlight, it gave her anxiety, and she was much more content to help pick out the recipient the foundation would support each year. Abi and her husband, Rob, were expecting a baby soon and Truly was worried about having to participate more actively while Abi’s on maternity leave.
“Maybe Noah’s the guy you don’t get over because he’s the man you’re meant to be with.”
Adding to her list of worries was the news that Noah, Rob’s best friend, was moving back to London. Noah had been Truly’s best friend too, once upon a time, but she hadn’t heard a word from him in over four years. And two months. And three weeks. Not that she’d been counting. Truly had been hurt he’d never kept in touch with her. Especially after they’d almost kissed one night, right before Noah moved away. Truly always wondered about that night.
“I work short term. I’ve never thought about long term because I know how your life can turn on a dime and change everything.”
Noah Jensen didn’t do long term relationships. He’d come to the realization, after an accident years ago, that life was short and could change in an instant. Rob liked to joke Noah only had “three-month girlfriends” and then moved on. And Noah was constantly on the move, he was a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but was excited and looking forward to moving back home after living in New York City for the last four years. Noah had just sold the tech business he’d built for fifteen million dollars and he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do now. He was looking forward to being close to Rob and Abi again, and being there when the new addition to the family arrived. Not to mention Truly. Noah missed his friend, whom he’d met at Rob’s wedding and had hit on, only to be surprised when Truly rejected him and declared they’d be friends instead.
“The problem is you want breadth not depth when it comes to relationships.”
When Truly is forced into taking over for Abi, much sooner than expected, she takes up Noah’s offer to help deal with her anxiety and the unexpected attention. Noah makes Truly realize she can be the confident person he sees and admires. As these two spend more time together, rekindling their friendship, they come to an understanding, and so much more!
“It was as if pieces of a jigsaw were rearranging themselves in my brain, finally starting to create a bigger picture.”