Violet When my mum gets sick, I volunteer to fill in for her and clean some hot jock’s penthouse. I’ve heard all the rumors about him, so the plan is get in, clean some toilet bowls, and get out. After my last experience with a “sports hero,” I’m done with that sort of guy. But Lucas Carter is full of surprises. He wants to help me clean and is nothing like the toad the press has made him out … the press has made him out to be. Resistance may be futile for some girls, but not me. Then he asks me to help him with the interior design of his new place. I can’t say, no. It’s going to look great on my resume.
Unfortunately, spending time with Lucas is dangerous. He’s so charming and sweet, but I can’t let myself forget–once a player, always a player.
Each book in the British Bad Boys series is STANDALONE:
* Cinderella and the Geek
* Once Upon A Player
* Not So Happily Ever After
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Another great book in this series. I mean the cover alone, whew! And it’s on sale so how could you resist?
Violet meets Lucas when she covers for her mom. Lucas’ footballer (soccer) rep is well known around town, he’s a player and Violet is done with footballers and players. What Violet doesn’t expect is a sweet, caring guy underneath it all. Violet and Lucas are awesome. I’ve not enjoyed a couple this much in a while. They’re lovable goofballs I’d want to be friends with. They each have their own insecurities but their bumbling is adorable and irresistible throughout the story.
If you’re looking for an amazing read that has romance, humor and drama I recommend reading Once Upon a Player!
Once Upon a Player is a Cinderella-esqe story. Girl meets boy. Girl is cleaning his penthouse. Boy is smitten by the beauty…and then begins a different kind of dance.
You see he is smitten but she isn’t having it. Once Upon a Player is a chase. He is serious in his pursuit…but to what end?
Learn that no strings relationships can often come with big bows instead.
3.5 stars
That was a pretty good read!
Lucas is a british football star player, currently in leave because of a knee injury. Violet is his maid daughter. They meet when Violet goes to clean his penthouse because her mother is ill. They are both attracted to each other, but Violet wants to keep her distance. Instead, he asks her to help him rededign his penthouse and that’s how their friendship starts. However the sparks between them are flying and they can’t deny them.
Lucas and Violet are so cute together! I really enjoyed their story 🙂 I was so frustrated with Lucas for being so insensitive and I was glad when they worked thinks out!!
It’s fun, sweet and heartwarming. It’s well written with characters you will love. A great storyline. The connection and banter is entertaining. The chemistry between the characters is sizzling and sexy. It’s an enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading more.
I really enjoyed this one. I love sports romance, but I don’t normally go for a soccer/football books. I’m so glad to read this one. I wanted to read this one because I’m a fan of Christina Phillps so I knew it was going to be good. I was sucked into this one right from the beginning and I had a hard time putting it down. I loved Lucas. He’s more than his reputation and Violet learns that pretty quick. She’s been burned by a footballer before so that’s a big strike against Lucas right off the bat. Does Lucas have the patience when it comes to Violet because he’s has to convince her they have something that last. I loved the chemistry between the characters. I would highly recommend this one.
3.75 stars–ONCE UPON A PLAYER is the second instalment in Christina Phillips’ contemporary, adult BRITISH BAD BOYS romance series. This is British footballer Lucas Carter, and interior design student Violet Henderson’s story line. ONCE UPON A PLAYER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Lucas Carter is the twin brother of Harry Carter-Cinderella and the Geek-book one.
Told from dual first person points of view (Lucas and Violet) ONCE UPON A PLAYER follow the building relationship between British footballer Lucas Carter, and interior design student Violet Henderson. Lucas Carter is on medical leave following a potential career ending injury but an out of control party at his new penthouse finds Lucas face to face with his new house cleaner-Violet Henderson- the woman with whom Lucas will fall in love. When Violet’s mother takes ill, our heroine steps in to help with her mother’s contracted cleaning service never expecting to meet her teenage crush in the guise of Lucas Carter. What ensues is the friends with benefits/no strings attached relationship between Lucas and Violet, and the potential fall-out as misunderstanding and miscommunication force Violet to walk away from the man with whom she is falling in love.
Violet Henderson is an interior design student but works several jobs in an attempt to pay her way. Meeting Lucas Carter brings with it memories of her ex Geoff Hawthorne-Douglas, a footballer himself , who humiliated and betrayed our story line heroine. For all of Lucas Carter’s strengths, popularity and fame, our hero battles issues of self-esteem in the face of his twin brother’s successes in life. The brawn to the brain, Lucas believes he doesn’t measure up to his family’s high standards of education and fame. Lucas’ vulnerability and Violet’s insecurities make for some mistaken beliefs and heart breaking misunderstandings.
The relationship between Lucas and Violet is one of immediate attraction but Violet battles memories from the past, and the devastating humiliation she endured at the hands of her former boyfriend. With Violet’s refusal to date professional footballers, Lucas makes Violet an offer she cannot refuse. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Violet’s parents, and her best friend Katie; Lucas’ brother Harry and his girlfriend Alice, and their sister Mackenzie; Lucas’ friends Will, Caleb, and sometimes plus-one Yolanda; and an assortment of ex-girlfriends who may or may not add fodder to Lucas and Violet’s tremulous relationship.
ONCE UPON A PLAYER is a sweet and sexy story. The premise is engaging, entertaining and spirited; the characters are sassy and moving; the romance is spicy and captivating. ONCE UPON A PLAYER is an energetic and heart warming story.
Christina Phillips immerses her readers in the world of the sexy super jock. Her use of the slang and distinctive language of the British millennial is phenomenal. She gets into the insecurities they face even in the face of success. As a couple Violet and Lucas make a great pair. They are sweet, sexy and sensitive. They also share an intuitive sense of humor that gets them over all the bumps and sees them through to their happy ending.