From New York Times bestselling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a new standalone novel.It started out like any normal day.Then the fender bender happened.The guy I collided with drove an expensive car and was drop-dead gorgeous. Too bad he was also a total jerk. We argued over whose fault it was and any other thing that came out of his condescending mouth.Eventually, the police came … of his condescending mouth.
Eventually, the police came and we went our separate ways. The insurance companies would have to figure things out. I had a job interview to get to anyway–one I was excited about.
Though that excitement changed to disappointment the moment the person interviewing me walked in. The guy from the accident.
Whoops!
Yeah, so I didn’t get the position.
The problem was, I really wanted it. No, I needed it. Anything to get me out of my current career and back into working with kids.
So, even though Hollis LaCroix was as intimidating as he was devastatingly handsome, I went back to see him and begged for a chance.
To my surprise, he gave me a shot taking care of his troubled niece.
At least my attraction to him wouldn’t be able to go anywhere. I wasn’t about to jeopardize my job or the strong bond Hailey and I formed.
But resisting the magnetic pull between us wasn’t that simple. (Then there was our little underwear game–don’t ask.)
We continued to flirt without crossing the line–until it finally happened.
This is the part of the story where we fall in love and live happily ever after, right?
Well, life has a way of throwing some major curveballs.
Ours was one I didn’t see coming.
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Once again, this duo has provided their readers with one fabulous book. Initially Hollis is an arrogant jerk… the best kind; the kind we all love to hate.
But as we get to know more about Hollis and his history, you quickly change your tune and begin to fall in love with him; just as Elodie does I. This latest installment of the Cocky Bastard series.
Park Avenue Player is the love story feature Hollis and Elodie. She’s the nanny hired to look after Hollis’ pre-teen niece that he is tasked with raising. Both Hollis and Elodie are strong minded, stubborn and fiercely independent, this they initially clash. But as they get to know each other, their relationship morphs into more…with a nice and unknown twist.
Not to give anything away, but I was able to kind of guess what the twist turns out to be. And I wasn’t the least bit disappointed with the outcome.
Well written, fast read with engaging characters. Pick up Park Avenue Player and you won’t be disappointed.
Hollis LaCroix is everything you hope for in a Hot Hero.
He’s gorgeous. He’s rich. He’s smart and witty. He also has a big heart that’s waiting to love, even if he doesn’t realize that yet. When he (literally) crashes into Elodie Atlier, he has no idea how much his life will change.
Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland’s latest book has the hallmarks of what you’ve come to love about them, and it also features a plot twist you likely will not see coming. Yet when it hits, it makes perfect sense. It sends your heart into your throat as you worry and wonder what will happen to Hollis and Elodie.
The romance is a slow burn. Hollis hires Elodie as the nanny for his niece Hailey, which proves to be the least difficult obstacle they must overcome. He’s reluctant to fall in love because he’s afraid he will be left (again), and she carries fears of being cheated on after her husband did that very thing a mere seven months into their marriage. Whereas Hollis plans to stay single, Elodie is a little more optimistic.
Their chemistry ignites the pages, practically sending up smoke as you read this book. At the same time, Ward and Keeland show you Hollis and Elodie’s feelings. She cooks for him and makes him feel as if he has a home, and he teases and flirts with her, making her feel desired and wanted.
Hailey is a joy, but the supporting character you can’t get enough of is Huey, an Australian black palm cockatoo that squawks a barrage of unwanted greetings whenever someone comes into Hollis’s home. I love Huey. I kind of wish he had his own book.
As for the aforementioned plot twist, you will gasp when it hits. Your first worry: how will Hollis and Elodie overcome this? Your second: props to you, Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland. I love it.
Let me know what you think of Hollis, Elodie, Hailey, and Huey. I enjoyed them a great deal, even if I don’t think Hollis is that much of a player. No, I think he’s a good man who needs someone to be true to him. Fortunately, Elodie (and Hailey and Huey) can do just that.
When these two authors come together, it is pure magic!! Elodie and Hollis were incredible! The emotions, heartaches and feels throughout this story were incredible! I felt the grief and soul searching they went through bleed off the pages and the depth of the characters and the realizations they made were raw, brutal and so eye opening. This story truly touched my heart and was so beautifully written!
THIS WAS EPIC!!!
I loved Park Avenue Player so much, Penelope Ward and VI Keeland have done it again. This book was so much more than I expected, I laughed, cried, swooned, and loved every single thing about the book. Elodie was the best, I loved how strong she was, how sassy, and sweet she was. Elodie never have up, all she wanted was a job that would be what she needed. When looking for a job, the last thing she expects is to meet someone who will make her blood boil, but make her heart skip a beat. Hollis was EVERYTHING!!! He was serious, rude, and closed off, but he was also someone with a soft heart who needed someone to understand him.
Hollis and Elodie needed each other,they needed to meet someone who understood where they came from and what they really felt. I was on the edge of my seat, I could not put this book down.
This is a must read, you cannot finish the month without reading this amazing book that will leave you wanting more.
If you aren’t aware or in case y’all didn’t know yet, Penelope and Vi are THE BEST writing duo. Just sayin’ cuz its a fact. Hollis “Holsy” and Elodie are so dang cute together. I loved every word, minute…just all of it. It’s my favorite of this fantastic duo as of today. And we cannot forget Hailey, she totally cracked me up! Such a witty girl and still absolutely lovable and for once not a bratty tween moping about because of her situation. I Just loved every minute of this book!
This was such a great read. It has all of the feels – sweet, sexy, fun, amazing chemistry, angst and so much more! I absolutely loved Elodie and Hollis. I loved Elodie’s quick witt and sarcasm and how she just gave it to Hollis. Hollis didn’t know what to think about it and it was so great! It just made their connection even more feel. There are also some intense moments that lead you to see how Hollis is a “Park Avenue Player” and you can’t help but feel for him. I definitely didn’t expect the twist but I absolutely loved it and how Penelope and Vi handled it. Their writing is just phenomenal!!!
If you are looking for a great romance with not only steamy moments but angst and emotion, this is the perfect read for you!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Ahh, a fender bender that ends with a curveball…! (Read the blurb, you’ll get it!) Who can resist the latest unputdownable story from super-duo Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland? Park Avenue Player is available now in Kindle Unlimited.
I hadn’t heard too much about this book, and I went in blind because I trust whatever these two authors collaborate on, I’m going to enjoy. Elodie and Hollis’s tale is not your typical love story with some bumps along the way but it is a good book to sink into.
Both of these characters had hardships growing up as well as a bad ending to a relationship so they were very guarded and skeptical on finding their sole mate. That was the furthest thing from their minds when they first met and crashed into each other. Elodie was a strong confident woman who might be atrocious at parking but she could defend herself from an attacker no worries. She’s very loyal and will help anyone who’s in need. Hollis was a little more jaded. He had a tough exterior but it’s all show. He had erected a wall so he couldn’t be hurt from loss again but over time we see just how much of a softie he really is with his niece and the kids at the hospital. There are some small twists to this story that will surprise some, and leads this couple down a path that they might not be able to recover from.
This novel has great secondary characters who play a big part in keeping Hollis and Elodie’s tale interesting. His niece is a sweet tween and has some of the funniest lines in the book. The besties for both Elodie and Hollis are pivotal in bringing to light the background and ambiance of each character. And I couldn’t end this without a mention to Huey, he nearly stole the show from the other Aussie making a cameo. Oi!
This Duo is unstoppable! Hollis and Elodie are combustible and intriguing. Supporting characters like spit fire Hailey and somber Anna make this book an all around five star read. The last few chapters may leave you with a gapping whole in your heart, but rest assure, Vi and Penelope know how to mend it back together. They never disappoint.
I love, love, love this book! Park Avenue Player is brimming with swoon, emotional intensity, and humor. I loved Elodie & Hollis together and the way their complicated pasts tangled up in their story. Hollis’ niece, Hailey, is just a joy in every scene. This story has two incredible characters whose emotional journey will steal your heart.
OMGosh!
THIS book is why PW & Vi are my absolute FAVORITE writing duo! I love them separately of course, but when they write together something beyond magical happens!
I LOVE so many things about this book. We get some friends to Lovers…and we also get some enemies to Lovers (which is my personal favorite because the chemistry is super hot!), we get tears..yes TEARS y’all! And we get some laughs and we get pranks and we get friendships. And most importantly we get love, forgiveness and the true meaning of family.
This story will make you heart crack! And ACHE. And expand with so much love you won’t be able to contain it all. Worst book hangover I’ve had all year! Read this book. You won’t be sorry!
Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland have penned my favorite co-written novel to date. Hollis and Elodie(love that name by the way). Are characters with so much heart as much as personal baggage. This story is another example of how they create magic together. 5 Stars
From start to finish this was an amazing book. Hollis and Elodie are so captivating. I loved these two together. From the very beginning I was glued to the book because I just need to know what was going to happen next. Until the early morning hours finally forcing myself to put it down. Hollis’s past just broke me, and because of the past he was so guarded until he met Elodie, but then the past ties to his future. I cried, I laughed and I LOVED. I was simply beautiful! I loved this book!
Penelope and Vi have done it again with this beautiful, eye opening, emotional story of Hollis and Elodie and how their past brings them together in a way you’d never expect. It has all you could want or need in a romance plus more. You wont be able to put it down. This is the type of story that stays with you for days to come. Hollis and Elodie and all the other characters add so much to the story you’ll fall in love with them all. A Must read for all. Don’t pass this one up
WoW!!!! After pondering, I’ve decided to put this book on my top shelf!! There are just certain ones who’ve left such an impact that they are placed on the top shelf and stored in my heart!! Park Avenue Player is definitely top shelf! I laughed so hard and cried for the loss! The games were the most entertaining of all! So many emotions were experience!! This one will have a special place in my heart! So many wonderful lessons learned! Phenomenal story that will fill your heart to the fullest!!
Vi and Penelope never disappoint! This was their first co-write of 2019 and it was amazing! Elodie and Hollis are everything! Great story full of love, sexiness, and lots of feels! I loved it!
A fun read that has some heartbreak included (and not just from a break up.) Both the Hero and the Heroine have some walls built up to keep people at a distance, but she is allowing him to break them down… him on the other hand, has a strong hold on that wall. She is will to wait until that wall crumbles, but she won’t wait forever. There are lots of sweet moments, and even more crazy back and forth banter (most, but not all, in good humor.) The way they banter and tease each other is my favorite part of the book. 😀 There are some deeper/heavier subject matters that are talked about in the book. But enough light-heartedness to keep it light enough. There is a bit of a surprise twist that may shock you (it certainly did shock the characters.) The characters are great and well developed. Both are wonderful people who may not always make the right decisions. It’s well written and easy to read. The story moves smoothly. It alternates POVs.
I love when Vi and Penelope team up I think they write great books and this book did not disappoint! The way that Elodie and Hollis meet is original, great, and perfect! This was such a cute boss – nanny romance with twists and turns that makes for a great story. Elodie is a strong, sarcastic, loyal, and has had her heart broken so she is guarded. Hollis is a jerk on the surface but you learned he has a kind heart but its been broken so he chooses to be a jerk and not let anyone in. The chemistry between these two are undeniable. It is apparent they want each other but things are holding both of them back. I loved to the supporting characters in the book and the things they added to the story. I loved the element of Bree in the story. It was something new that I learned through this book. You get so many feels in this book and in the end you are happy but sad that it is over. Great book, another must read!
Elodie and Hollis end up crashing into each other’s lives and nothing will ever be the same. Hollis seems like a grumpy, alpha, controlling jerk with a pretty face. Elodie is intelligent, intuitive, and determined. These two push and challenge and annoy each other from the moment they meet. But as time goes on they find common ground and both begin building more of a relationship with his troubled niece, Hailey. And eventually they have the whole forbidden boss and nanny thing going. They have witty banter and their dynamics are full of sexual tension, games, and a building up a friendship and passion.
But these two have some issues with trust and abandonment. He is especially guarded about love due to his history. Under his armor is a truly caring, vulnerable man who is a bit lost and scared. So there is a lot of push and pull and false starts. He does not always think he deserves Elodie, making him get her hopes up then pull away. And he messes with Elodie’s head at times. When they are good, they are really good. But when things get hard he has a tendency to get inside his head or run, while she is left with doubt and her own fears and self-worth issues.
But as the story progresses so do the twists and surprises. And in typical Vi and Penelope style, there is something that neither saw coming that gets both of their heads spinning.
This book hit all the feels and dealt with more than I was expecting. It is fun and sexy, but also emotional and angsty. It’s about having faith, taking risks, fighting for what is important, and living life to its fullest. I loved the main couple and how they pushed each other and tried to help heal the other. The side characters were important to the storyline and added depth, and I enjoyed the different relationships. There is even a fun little cameo. This is definitely one of my favorite books by Vi and Penelope and their writing flows together effortlessly.
The story of Hollis and Elodie is a complex romance about trust, love, broken hearts and a second chance at love. An emotional ride with twists and turns. It’s a good book with a great and creative plot.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.