Violet Marcus’s life is settled. She has it all: a place of her own, a business where her temper has its uses, and great people who work for her. But something is missing. The problem is, her stubbornness refuses to admit how lonely she actually is. She lost the one man she thought she could marry, a university love, but when their careers drive them in different directions they went their … their separate ways.
Now he’s back.
He’s also changed.
Unsure if she wants to hug him or throat punch him, she keeps her distance. Or tries to.
Travis Stewart moves to Ballarat for one reason—to have Violet back in his life. His love has never diminished. Not through the years, the distance, or even in the underworld he finds himself a part of.
He will always love her.
Now he just has to convince Violet that his heart is hers, and his soul isn’t as black as it seems.
His mission is simple: get Violet to understand they have a future together before getting kneed in the balls. Easy, especially as he refuses to be outplayed.
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This is Violet and Travis’ story. This story is interconnected from the Hawks’ MC series, and that is where we met these two characters. These two have been apart for years, and now Travis is back determined to get Violet. Can these two overcome the many issues, and can their love withstand this? This is a wonderful story which is a sweet second chance romance. I was captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I did not want the story to end. I recommend this talented author’s work for all.
Outplayed takes us back down memory lane with a visit with some of our original Hawks. Violet needed her story told and Lila Rose has given us exactly what we needed. A second chance romance that shows determination, an infinite connection and that sometimes love is best put on hold and taken at a later time. As Violet and Travis are drawn back together there will be push and pull from both sides, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Their story is drama filled with a touch of angst to have you ensnared right to the end. Outplayed demonstrates that sometimes love is worth fighting no matter how much time has passed. Violet is stubborn and sassy with an inner strength we would all be keen to have, but don’t overlook the compassion and love that this feisty character doesn’t always show everyone.
Another fantastic book by Lila Rose. She has a unique writing style that encompasses your heart. This was a captivating, entertaining, witty, and heartwarming journey to go on with Travis and Violet. I enjoyed every single second of this book.
What an awesome novella back into one of my favorite MC worlds. This is a beautiful second chance romance.
Violet runs her own PI business and goodness gracious she knows how to hold her own. LOVE IT! She must come by it naturally though since she is also the sister of the MC President. Eek!
Travis I wasn’t sure if I was going to like you at first. I was WRONG! Your imperfections only kept my intrigue high. Color me shocked when I learned his profession. Your little girl is the gem in this story. So sweet.
Even though this was a quick read it still packs a punch. Vi and Travis are all over the place and the issues they had where more then understandable. Ugh I really want to discuss them too but I won’t cause this is a review not my favorite book group. Boo hoo.
So yep… this is a sexy, angsty, awesome five Star read. Happy Reading!!!
It was great to see Violet and Travis finding their way together and liked seeing Talon flexing his big brother “muscles”. I hope this series keeps going because I love all of the characters and am not ready to see them go.
Violet has everything she wants in her life but she’s lonely. She is busy with her private investigative business but it can’t take the place of the man she loved in college. Travis is back in town to get the woman he’s always loved back. He has a dark past and business but he wants Violet to be in his life. Will the law abiding Violet and the unlawful Travis be able to work things out? This is a short but sexy, cute read that I really enjoyed and recommend.
Great Second Chance Romance! Travis and Violet’s was beautifully written! I wish it had been a tad longer, but it was still amazing! LOVED!
I was wondering when this author would give us more of Violet and Travis‘s story and she hit it out of the park with this novella. At University they burned right for each other and they had this undeniable chemistry, but they both were more career driven and focused on that path and they drifted apart. They get A second chance at the once in a lifetime love and Travis is holding on with both hands, but Violet is being stubborn. She only sees a part of the man he has become and she doesn’t like it. Will these two find their way back to each other? Will Violet lower her walls enough to let Travis in? And Travis‘s daughter captured my heart and from their first meeting Violet’s also.
Although this can be read as a stand-alone, it follows alongside the events in Holding Out, the first book in the Hawks MC (Ballarat Charter) series. I went back and read that first and felt it gave me a better understanding of this novella (I also fell down the proverbial rabbit hole and devoured the entire series, and that of the Caroline Springs spin off series).
This book sits well within the Hawks MC family and gives extra colour to a lot of the characters in that series (as well as being a great story in its own right). Having the benefit of coming to the whole series at this point, I can see that the story of Violet and Travis may have been long overdue. If I’d read all of the books before coming to this, I would have been anxious for this piece of the puzzle to be unveiled.
Violet, the sister of Hawks MC president Talon, has the chance to confront the past when Travis reappears in her life after years apart. He’s no longer the man she remembers; but she’s no longer the girl he left behind either. Watching this second chance romance spark into life is a great read.
Vi and Travis’s story was so amazing they were perfectly matched to battle against each other. I loved the story and all the characters that come into to make this book so amazing. Highly recommend this story and author. MUST READ!!!
Finally, finally we get Travis and Violet’s story! Ah so good too, this novella wraps everything up, explains things well and leaves you feeling fantastic.
Travis is quite a complex character and although not one I immediately loved before it was because I didn’t know him but I was intrigued by him. Now I know him better, I can honestly say he is a man of integrity yet still one who stuffs up- sorry guys but that’s men for you!
Violet is a character who has always been intriguing as well, so it’s no wonder they are a great match! She has a high moral code and stands by it no matter who you are, family, friends or strangers…something I admire her for as it’s not often people really stand strong for their convictions when push comes to shove.These two characters show growth and maturity but also a vulnerability that is enduring.
Many of the appropriate secondary characters that are in the series make appearance and they are always wonderful too. I do think Izzy steals the show a bit though, she is adorable!
Another great addition to this fabulous series by this talented author.
I am brand new to Lila Rose, but after this quick novella (which can stand-alone, but there are a lot of characters and plenty of history that I would have liked to have had before reading this, so I’ll just be doing it backwards) I will be finding more.
Travis and Violet have history and they both regret the way they fell apart, even though it made sense at the time. Neither has moved on and their current businesses and other ties bring them back together. It’s not going to be easy, but getting back together feels inevitable!
Violet is beyond feisty and I’m in awe of personalities like her. Travis is a little clueless, but likeable at the end of the day.
3.5 stars – worth a read if you like MC related romances and a quick novella is what you need!
Outplayed by Lila Rose is the story of Travis Stewart and Violet Marcus.
Violet ‘Vi’ is the sister of Talon who was the main hero in the first book (Holding Out) in the ‘Hawks Motorcycle Club Series’, in addition to being the President of the club. I have read that first book and truly loved it but I do feel you can make this a standalone if you wish to do so. Vi is a private investigator with her own business and her newly building up a relationship with her brother but she feels that something is is missing she hasn’t had but touched on it once with Travis. But they both decided to put their careers first which ended up keeping them apart. Travis has went on to other relationships and even has a daughter but no one had his heart like Violet. Travis has always been in love with Violet from the start, but situations and emotions have kept them apart. But Travis isn’t let anything get in his way now…not even Violet.
It’s finally time for Vi and Travis’ story! We met both of them in Talon and Zara’s story, and even though they were peripheral characters, they both played a huge part in that story. We found out just enough about them, and their past, to whet my curiosity! And now I know!
Vi is a private investigator, and the sister of Talon. Years ago, they had a falling out, over his involvement in the Hawks MC, which wasn’t exactly legit at the time. Because both are stubborn, the rift between them dragged on for years, leaving Vi pretty much on her own. She built her business, and formed her own sort of family with the guys she employed in her agency. She knew they had her back, but there was still something missing, something she had in the past, that left a hole in her life.
Travis is an enigma. Not much is said about him, or his past in Talon and Zara’s story. But so much is revealed in Outplayed, that I had several “Aha!” moments, and things started to make more sense about Travis, and his actions. I can only say, he has strong feelings for Vi, and is determined to make a place for himself in her life!
This book can totally be read on its own, as it’s a complete story. However, the events take place concurrently with those from Holding Out, giving you another viewpoint of those events. The story, to me, seems so much richer, and fuller if you have already immersed yourself in the world of the Hawks MC. So much is explained, and I’m so glad Vi and Travis found their HEA! (and I totally cried a tear for Richard during his scene!)
Review by; Melanie
(4.5 stars)
Oh yay, here we get to see Violet and Travis get their second chance. We saw the chemistry, and got a tiny bit of backstory to the pair, all the way back in the very first Hawks MC book: Holding Out. Well now we get to see what happened between the pair once they left Talon and Zara’s book. Violet and Travis obviously still love each other, despite being apart for many years. Will all their issues be resolved enough for Violet to give them the second chance that Travis is so desperate for?
I wanted this book all the way back when we first met them. We knew there was a story there, we just wanted to see it, so thank you very much to the persistent fan that convinced Lila Rose to tell it. I really enjoyed this and it put me in the mood for a reread, lol. I give Outplayed 4.5 stars.
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Review by: Jennifer
(4.5 stars)
For anyone that has read this series, we know just a tiny bit of how the Violet and Marcus situation plays out. Lila Rose finally gives us a novella that gives us more of those juicy details of how the two went their separate ways, and just how Marcus gets Violet back after all those years. My only complaint was I wanted more, like a lot more of Marcus and Violet, but what we do get packs a quick punch. Drama, danger, and of course it wouldn’t be Lila Rose without a super hot naughty bit! I give this 4.5 stars.