Who will you be when the lights go down?ELLIEMy family never understood my love of music, and when forced to choose between the two, I walked away… from everything. I used to play as an escape. Now I play because it’s who I am meant to be and I’m not about to risk it all for a man I barely know. When the lights go down, and I step off that stage, we’ll both find out who I really am. LEEI’ve … that stage, we’ll both find out who I really am.
LEE
I’ve worked hard to build something I’m proud of, but I never thought about the possibility of forever… until I heard her sing.
Her voice drew me in, but her heart is what makes me want to stay. I need to tear down her walls, and maybe a few of my own.
I’m just not sure I’m ready to rush in like a fool, when I’m struggling to hold on to the only thing I’ve ever known.
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Play Me has all the elements I love in a romance. Add in cheesy pick-up lines and a singer chasing her Nashville dreams, and I’m hooked. Hart has a way with words, making you feel and get pulled into a story from the beginning. Play Me is no different. Between Ellie’s own family struggles and Lee’s unconditional loyalty to his Grans, I found myself cheering for these two to find their happiness while also questioning how they can juggle it all. This book is full of heart and sweet moments, weaving a story that transports you into this fictional world and keeps you there.
I absolutely love this authors amazing story telling! From the first page you become enchanted with the story, the characters are like friends. Laughable moments with cheesy pick up lines and some heartache this story has it all!
A wonderful start to a spinoff of the Battlefield of Love series. Lee is dealing with the illness that is now overtaking the woman who has raised him as her very own son, his Gran. Ellie has been disowned by her wealthy family and left to fend for herself – homeless/penniless and not even a phone to call for help. She is helped by her friend Rain and is now performing in Spotlight. When she meets Lee after performing, the two are completely attracted to each other. Will they be able to mesh their dreams together? Or will fate send them on their separate ways adding so much more disappointment and regret to their already sad hearts.
A wonderful start to a spinoff of the Battlefield of Love series. Lee is dealing with the illness that is now overtaking the woman who has raised him as her very own son, his Gran. Ellie has been disowned by her wealthy family and left to fend for herself – homeless/penniless and not even a phone to call for help. She is helped by her friend Rain and is now performing in Spotlight. When she meets Lee after performing, the two are completely attracted to each other. Will they be able to mesh their dreams together? Or will fate send them on their separate ways adding so much more disappointment and regret to their already sad hearts.
I absolutely loved it! I loved that it was full of love, hate and humor. Grans with her quick wit, Lee with his corny pick-up lines just made it more fun to read. The love/hate relationships we all have with our parents at one time or another just makes the book easier to relate to and adds more emotion to the story. The story line of Ellie and Lee kept you reading wanting to know more. Another great book from Cary Hart… I can’t wait for the next one!
Play Me
What a wonderful story of unconditional love, complicated families! Ellie and Lee have such chemistry from the start. I laughed , I cried! You feel so much when you read this story and you get your HEA!
Cary Hart knows how to write a beautiful love story that grabs you from the start!
Five captivating stars! This book will sing to your soul!
Oh. My. Stars! Cary Hart just delivered the most beautiful, intense, passionate book I have read over the month. Play Me took my breath away. It sang to my soul like a siren’s song, seducing and playing with it. Cary penned a work of outstanding artistry and skilled perfection; a great literary masterpiece! Her writing melted my heart smooth and slowly until it turned to a ray of joy and ecstasy.
The plot is refreshing and captivating. Each page haunted me until I devoured the whole book. Play Me played with my sanity and feelings. The intensity of it made me crave more. The characters are beautifully strong and real.
This is not a cliché book. This is not the typical story where girl meets boy and falls in love. This is so much more. Ellie is a strong girl that wants to follow her dreams. Her heart sings and she listens carefully to its song. Following her dreams will be hard because her parents, especially her Father, won’t support her; on the contrary, her father will be the man who will hurt her the most. But she is stronger and clever and she knows what her heart desires. Music is her passion and she will defy him and prove him he is wrong. Luckily, fate put in her path the man who will protect her, who will support her and who will love her unconditionally.
Lee is a keeper. Who doesn’t fall for a man who loves deeply? I wonder where my own Lee…is. Cary could you gift him to me pretty please? He loves his grandma so deeply and he has sacrificed so much in order to take care of her. His love is pure and warmth. He has a lot of baggage and Ellie will turn his world upside down. She will own his soul and heart like she owns the stage. That talented girl will bring him light, she will bring him pace and support. She will show him that he is not alone.
Lee and Ellie’s story is an intense journey of discovery and dreams, of duty and freedom, of love and passion. They are a like music notes and together they create the best symphony. Nothing is perfect. Their love will flourish tenderly. Trust and love will guide their life. Dreams and decisions will lead the way. The path will not be easy but at the end of it the light will brighten their darkness.
I really recommend you this book. Don’t wait more time and grab your copy right now. This book has the right amount of passion and it will excite all your senses. It will invade your heart leaving nothing to hold on. Every word will play on your heart strings, strumming the chords of a song you will desperately want to hear.
I absolutely loved the Battlefield of Love series and am so happy the author decided to make a spin off series. Play me was a wonderful book. Ellie and Lee’s story was real. It told of the hardships they’ve been through and the struggles they still had to overcome. Their story was beautiful and full of heart, a wonderful depiction of selfless love. I would definitely recommend giving this book a try.
Fantastic!
This series is amazing! Play Me definitely has all the feels! It is totally sweet in so many ways. It constantly touches the heart.
Ellie and Lee are destined to be together. I was pleased at how they love, support and heal each other. Each has a dream and the other is willing to sacrifice everything to see the one they love fulfill their dream.
This story is inspiring and so full of selflessness. Lee has a life that is all too familiar when relatives are dealing with mental health issues and the hopeless feelings that come with that. It’s heartbreaking to live with and watch loved ones suffer. Ellie warms your heart in her support of Lee and his Grans. She lends a shoulder for him to lean on when difficult decisions need to be made.
Lee sees the talent that Ellie has with her beautiful voice. He encourages her to follow her dreams when her family disowns her. This story is about unselfish love, encouragement and support. It allows us to see a little bit into the reality of memories fading away and the lives it affects. I love this blend of love and dedication in finding the best care out there for loved ones and the reality of recognizing the signs that life can be out of our control.
This is an incredible story that makes us feel but also has the ability to make us think. Excellent job! I loved it!
This was a sweet romantic read. There were times I wanted to throat punch Ellie’s dad and just hug Lee and his grandmother. My favorite character was Rain. I loved her. I’m hoping the next book is about her.
This book made me swoon. It also made me smile…and giggle a little, too. The pick-up lines added a little fun and sassiness to the story. My heart went out to Lee, as I can relate to what his character went through with his grandmother. Both Ellie and Lee were strong characters and made for a great pair. I loved this book as it had so many things that I love and could relate to. Can’t wait to read more!
PLAY ME-
First this is book one in the Spotlight Collection..Ellie and Lee were connected on a level that was strong. When they first met is was sweet, and so funny. He didn’t know who she was. A twist of events changed all that. But for some reason they found each other again. He couldn’t leave without
getting to know her. She was always on his mind.
Ellie couldn’t believe after all this time she would see Lee again. Her life changed after he left, and after her family took over. Now things were different, and she was on her own. She was going to follow her dream. Music was it for her, but Lee did something to her. He brought something she was missing.
Lee didn’t know what if anything would be between them, but he wanted to find out.
Ellie came to mean so much to him. But he had some much he was taking on. Taking care of his
grandmother. He loved Ellie. He would do anything for her.
See where things lead between them. Buy this book.
This book broke my heart, but warmed it right back up. You will see why.
The characters are amazing.
I really love this book… it is really hard for me to put into words just how much this book touched me. It is an amazing story. The connections the characters have just blew me away.
This was a great read. Once again, Cary Hart did not disappoint! This is a sweet romance book that gave me all the feels. I loved Lee with his cheesy pick up lines and how much of a selfless person he was, putting his grandmother before anything and getting Ellie to follow her dreams. I adored Ellie and felt so bad for her in this story because of how her father treated her. You will laugh, cry, & probably want to throw your tablet but it is an amazing story.
“In a perfect world, I would have been able to stay. To hold her, love on her, show her how much I need her in my life. But my world is far from perfect. It’s chaotic and unpredictable. It’s everything she doesn’t deserve.” ~ Lee
That quote is why the whole book slayed me from the first word till the last. Cary Hart done a phenomenal job in bringing Lee and Ellie to life. Words will never do this book justice. You have to read it where you can embrace the feels that it gives you and only then your heart will understand why soul mates exist.
Oh yes. This book hooked me from the first few pages and kept me on the edge of my seat til the last word. The humour, the heart, and the beautifully composed interactions between exquisitely imagined characters shows how rapidly Cary Hart is maturing as an author: this is her best work yet. I am so, so excited to continue reading this series! Love that some of our favourite characters made an appearance, too.
Brave and Selfless!
Play Me is the first book in the Spotlight Collection by Cary Hart. It is a character driven, beautiful, and emotional read. This book is filled with lessons in love and forgiveness. It showcases self discovery, courage, selflessness, and love.
Ellie Hawthorne is a talented musician that longs to live out her dream with the love and support of her family. However, she has never had their support for her dream. She has been rebelling. Fighting to be loved and acknowledged for exactly who she is…unconditionally.
Presley “Lee” Scott is a hard working, loyal, loving man. He was raised by his grandparents, when his mom abandoned him. His Grans is his life. The only mother he has ever known. His Grans has been given a difficult diagnosis and Lee is struggling to hold their world together.
When Ellie and Lee meet their connection is flirty, fun, and magnetic. They are definitely drawn to one another, but they are both scared. Ellie fears rejection and lack of support. Lee fears abandonment and not being enough for someone to stay. Yet, they can’t fight the attraction for long.
Play Me reminds us that perception is reality. Your life is shaped by what you believe. Mrs. Hart has a knack for developing characters that transform and grow through the story. They do not change fundamentally, but their perspective shifts. These subtle changes are a result of opening themselves up to possibility. Possibilities that they couldn’t fathom or feel before. As Ellie and Lee’s relationship builds, their world expands beyond what they thought they knew, wanted, or needed. Play Me puts the spotlight on a communication and connection that feels authentic and tangible.
My heart was with Ellie and Lee from their first meeting. I loved their banter and exchange of cheesy pick up lines. Their love was playful, supportive, and steamy. Play Me is thoughtful and courageous and passionate. The melody is pure and the notes crisp. Beautiful music that touches my heart and soul!
This is a must read. Ellie and Lee the two main characters of the book will have you wanting more and more of their story as you continue to read. Both Ellie and Lee have had struggles throughout their lives beginning at an early age. Both are very talented in different ways. Ellie with her talent of writing and singing songs and Lee with construction and wood working. Ellie and Lee’s worlds intertwine into something beautiful. Selfless love – can their love for each other be enough to hold them together? Well I could give you all the answers to what transpires in this book but that’s not happening. This is another great book by Cary and I look forward to reading the next book. Enjoy this one as I truly believe you will because I fell in love with these characters and their story.
Lee is such a sweet person trying his best to take care of the person who loved him when his own mother wouldn’t. A big difference from Ellie who had 2 parents and lacked the support she so desperately wanted. Yeah I admit it was a insta love kinda thing but this author sure doesn’t let it feel that way. This is a deeply emotional story mainly because of the topics it tackles. They each end up being a refuge for the other, their peace, their reason to stay. It’s a story about being selfless, no matter the costs. So get ready to laugh, sigh, cringe, oh hell just let the emotions flow.
I read a lot of books by various types of writers. Some when they first start out. This author is one of those that I started reading and something about her story and enthusiasm for sharing her love of writing drew me in. The more she writes the better she gets. Her characters are getting deeper and more engaging. Her plots are strong and her ability to draw you in and make you want more is better than ever.
The rich girl, Ellie, who has everything in life except the one thing she wants more than anything – her parents’ support. The poor guy, Lee, who has Grans support but very little else. Can these two make it as a couple or will their differences push them apart?
This was a fantastic book. From the minute They met, you could sense the attraction. On the opposite spectrum, you could sense both of them holding back to minimize any pain or damage. They’ve both been hurt numerous times from those that were supposed to love & support them. Instead of pushing each other away, these hurts seemed to bring them closer together. Ms. Hart has built an excellent cast of characters here from the father you dislike immensely for being possessive & controlling, the supportive best friend that does anything to help Ellie, the flighty mother that left her son to follow her dream & to Grans that raised Lee like her own son. It was easy to drop into the story & emerge at the end weary from the emotional pulls & tears eyed. Lee’s struggles to accept Grans’ new path & future were truly heart wrenching. This is one of those books that words just can’t do justice to & needs to just be experienced!