A brand new contemporary romance from New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.It started as a game.We flirted. We played. Most importantly—we won.Then I discovered who he was: Gambler. Famous playboy. Silver-eyed player who never plays to lose.…And my best friend’s soon-to-be brother in law, Cullen Carmichael.He needed a good luck charm, I needed a … Carmichael.
He needed a good luck charm, I needed a distraction.
So we made a gamble and set off for Vegas—but pretty soon—I was in too deep.
My heart, soul, and body weren’t supposed to be part of the deal.
But somewhere between big wins and long nights, my house of cards started to tumble.
What was this devil with those piercing eyes doing to me?
I’d given up on love, but the wicked, all-in Cullen Carmichael was upping the ante and wouldn’t stop until he’d won it all.
*This book contains characters of the Manwhore series but can be read as standalone.
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Playboy was a wonderful surprise. I enjoyed Wynn and Cullen. Their chemistry and connection was on point. Especially the flirting between them was exceptional. Being in their presence felt like watching a sensual dance. Cullen was so smooth, secretive and that’s exactly what I liked about him whereas Wynn held on to her opinions about her wants and needs in life. They crashed together and unleashed beautiful and sensual passion. The other characters from the other Manwhore books make appearances too. The gang was back together and gave me what I needed at the moment. An easy to read romance.
I would buy any book with Katy Evans name on it!!! She never disappoints.
6 Stars!!! **TOP READ LIST OF 2018**
You’d have to live under a rock to not know who, or what, a poker shark is. So, as everyone knows, a poker shark quickly studies their opponents to detect any tells and/or patterns they have, to strategize, and go in for the kill. They understand the game, all the risks, and they’re in it to win the war and not the small battles. Playboy features Cullen Carmichael, the ultimate poker shark, bidding his time before going all in. I loved this story, the fifth book in the Manwhore series, and the best story in the series as far as I’m concerned! This gem is going on my TopRead list; I’m still happy sighing, days later, over this amazing couple!
After breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, Emmett, Wynn Watson has decided to try dating again. When Carson, her new date, takes her to an undercover, and probably illegal, high stakes poker game she’s convinced it might be the worst date, ever. He’d heard the best poker shark in Vegas would be there, someone called Playboy, and Carson wanted to play against him. Wynn’s really not happy when he runs out of chips and Playboy wants him to include her as part of the pot. Of course, Playboy wins the hand, and Carson leaves her there.
“Wow, my luck with men has hit a new low.”
Cullen Carmichael’s known as Playboy, a professional poker player who lives in Las Vegas. He recognized Wynn as soon as she and her date approached the table; his twin brother’s fiancé is one of her best friends, and the lucky player just got luckier. He first laid eyes on her when she was still dating Emmett, and had been attracted to her, despite knowing she wasn’t available. Cullen’s in town for the wedding and now that Emmett’s no longer in the picture he’s decided to play a game for keeps with Wynn. He’d lost some of his mojo recently and now he thinks Wynn might be his lucky charm. So Cullen places a bet with her, he’s sure he’ll win, and Wynn takes him up on his offer. It’ll be fun and games and Wynn wonders: what does she have to lose? It soon becomes apparent that Wynn’s out of her league. There’s a reason Playboy has a reputation and is a professional player.
“I’m patient. That’s what makes me a good gambler. I always know when to call, and when to up the stakes with a raise.”
These two had magnetism from the get go, being pulled together despite Wynn’s reluctance and reservations. What starts off as a game slowly becomes serious, as they begin to share intimacies including some very painful confessions. I loved the sparks that flew, especially in and out of the bedroom, and I was placing my bet on Cullen’s game.
Playboy by Katy Evans is the 5. book in this series and can easily be read as a standalone.
While somehow connected and some characters of previuos books have appearances, there is no need to read the books in order.
Wynn Watson is a 30 year old gallerist who meets Mr. Tall Dark and Gorgeous on a date with another man. Both have a through the roof high chemistry. Fast forward, a few months later, both meet again at her best friends wedding . he’s the grooms brother.
Cullen Carmichael is a enigma. He’s a player, aka pro cards player and never has done relationships. He’s a stone in the sea, lonely and self centered. ’til he meets Wynn. He convinces her to play a game and he’ll make sure he’s the winner.
Playboy is a highly entertaining read, very beautifully written with a addictive story. I confess, I read the book in one sitting, I had to know what happens to the characters asap. But the book is more than a man meets woamn and is captivated romance. There are twists and unexpected turne that kept me at the edge of my seat and I strongly rooted for the characters.
Playboy is a beautiful story, a witty and fun read and I highly recommend this 5 star read.
Howwwww do I always find myself jumping into series a few books in? I’ve been reading Katy Evans for a few years now and for some reason, this series has completely slipped by me. Playboy is the first book I’ve read in the Manwhore series and I’m absolutely in love with Cullen and Wynn. I’m quite the fan of Katy Evans and will read just about anything she writes. And I couldn’t wait to dive into this one, it was one of the moments when I dropped everything I was doing when this book popped into my kindle.
These two are just sizzling off the pages from the very beginning, which made it one of the books that you can easily read in one sitting. Yes, their connection and chemistry is instant and absolutely hot. But thanks to that dual POV, we get to see into the mind of Cullen and we learn more about his attraction towards Wynn and when it actually began.
Now I’m not a huge fan of gambling and had the initial idea that poker for him was some sort of addiction. And I didn’t want to the story to go towards the direction of where he’d be choosing his profession over Wynn. It didn’t surround that one bit, it’s pretty evident what/who he’d choose if it ever came down to that. Cullen was such a surprising character because he’s a ladies man after all, so I was curious to see how he was going to win Wynn completely. They’ve got little bets going on during their time together and you’ll be eager to know who wins in the end. And when it comes to Cullen, there’s definitely a whole lot more than meets the eye.
What started out as bets turned into something real and rather unexpected. Can the “playboy” change his ways and make Wynn his end game? Will Wynn throw everything to the wind and try to capture Cullen’s heart?
Prepare yourself for a read that’ll completely capture your heart, it’s steamy and downright sexy!
After a failed relationship and a date that uses her to pay a gambling debt, good girl Wynn Watson decides perhaps it’s time to broaden her horizons. Have some new experiences. Do something out of the ordinary. Because living by the rules hasn’t got her what she’s wanted, has it?
Enter Cullen Carmichael. Professional poker player. Man of intrigue. Smooth, sophisticated, suave and sexy. Incredibly attracted to Wynn Watson. He is going to show her a good time in more ways than one.
This is most definitely a romance where the hero sweeps the heroine off her feet, then. The attraction between Cullen and Wynn is intense and their passion for one another is strong.
However, the journey for these two is a slow burn of the best sort. They talk, they banter, they enjoy themselves and get to know each other. For an interlude they agreed would be temporary, it’s looking like there might be a future for them as a couple.
Not only did I love the journey Wynn and Cullen took as a couple, I loved the lifestyle Cullen showed Wynn and I loved living vicariously through them. He’s got the advantages and he makes special efforts to share his life with Wynn. In fact, he reminds me of Pierce Brosnan’s character in the 1999 movie version of The Thomas Crown Affair. I loved living vicariously through Cullen and Wynn.
If I could change anything, it would be what I felt was the overly sentimental, syrupy sweet ending. Given this is (I believe) the final book in the Manwhore series, it might work for readers familiar with the series. For me, it was a touch too much.
PLAYBOY is a great story with interesting characters. It provided the escapism I look for in a romance novel. Highly recommended.
4.5 stars
5 There’s So Much More to this Playboy Stars!!!
I’m a lover of ALL things Katy Evans and this newest book is a perfect example of why my devotion is so steadfast!
Cullen Carmichael is a man that doesn’t hear the word “no” very often nor does he like it! So imagine when Wynn Watson strolls into an illegal poker game on the arm of another man and their eyes connect…she’s drawn to him, but she questions every move he makes especially when she’s the one at stake!!
This is how this magnificent book and game begins. These two have a connection that is so strong it gave me chills. He’s truly tall, dark and handsome with the most intense silver eyes and she’s a beautiful redhead that makes him think maybe he can have so much more than being the reigning poker champion of the world.
I loved how sassy Wynn is. She doesn’t cave to his every whim and desire, but the more she gets to know him and what makes him tick changes what and how she feels. The fact that Cullen is the brother of her bestie Livvy’s fiance, Callan, and they’re going to be spending a lot of time together given there’s a wedding happening just adds fuel to the game they’ve started.
This book is everything I wanted it to be from the moment I read the blurb. It moves with a smooth as molasses pace, the characters are as rich as the best dark chocolate, there’s a complexity to Cullen that while he can hide so many things from others, he can’t seem to hide it from Wynn…she’s an amazing woman that can see more than what’s on the outside. Which is exactly why she can bring him to his knees.
The heat these two generate is off the charts with its intensity. Neither of them have experienced anything like this in their lives. I fell in love with them as a couple and as individuals. Cullen is a strong, caring man that once you niggle your way into his heart, he won’t let you go. Wynn is a woman that has a heart that is so big that, yes, it’s resulted in her getting hurt. But once Cullen has decided he’s all in, her life changes on every level possible, bringing to fruition so many of her dreams. Some of which brought me to tears.
The fact that we get all our favorites from the Manwhore series is the cherry on top of the sundae for me. Ms. Evans has written a book that drew me in, took me for a ride in every way possible and left me with a smile on my face a tear in my eye with it’s all encompassing love!
Watching those in the Manwhore universe pair up and fall in love always made me hope for the same HEA for Wynn. I think she got exactly what she needed in Cullen Carmichael: the unexpected. While trying to escape the pain of her break up with Emmett, Wynn heads to Vegas with Cullen under the guise of a wager, and has a dream adventure with a dream guy. The banter and sexual tension between the two is toe-curling, but it’s the heart and tenderness that they find within each other that really warmed me up. Playboy a sexy, sure bet!
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~~ 4.5 HOT GAMBLER STARS!~~
“Winner takes all.”
Holy smokes…Sin City just got even more DECADENTLY DELICIOUS in PLAYBOY by Katy Evans! I just adored every single moment of this wildly addictive romance featuring a roguishly sexy high roller with nothing to lose…and a sassy wildcard who drives him to extremes! As the saying goes, to the victor go the spoils and this player is IN IT TO WIN!
THE STORY:
What starts out as a wicked wager turns into a stroke of good luck when Cullen Carmichael AKA “Playboy” wins a bewitchingly beautiful gallery owner in an illegal underground poker game from her scummy date…and decides he’s gonna keep her! Of course his feisty, flame haired prize, Wynn Watson, who is fresh off of a bad breakup, has no intention on being played by anyone! Even if there is an instant lightning bolt of attraction zinging between “Red” and this ”silver-eyed devil” who is just about the most hypnotically sexy man she’s ever laid eyes on!
There is something eerily familiar about Cullen and when she discovers that the “tsar of poker” is none other than her best friend’s soon to be brother in-law her hackles go up even more. But Cullen is a man on a mission and after a bad luck streak he has deemed Wynn his lucky charm so he is not about to let her slip away. So let the no-holds-barred WOOING commence!
Despite Wynn’s reservations, when they cross paths again at her bestie Livvy’s wedding, she can’t resist Cullen’s dare to jet off with him to Vegas to embark on a whirlwind adventure. And what ensues are long, sultry nights filled with sinful temptation, mega big wins and glitz and glamour galore! However, when they call each other’s bluff in all matters of the heart, can the ultimate gamble on love turn into the winning streak of a lifetime?
MY THOUGHTS:
PLAYBOY is pure giddy romantic escapism at its best…with a fascinating foray into the high stakes world of professional poker playing which I found utterly exhilarating!!!
This is the fifth standalone in Ms. Evans’ mega popular MANWHORE series and it was such a trip to catch up with all the beloved characters from previous installments. In this brand new, molten hot page-turner, Cullen Carmichael takes center stage, and he is just so friggin scrumptious I am still DROWNING IN BLISS!
Gah! This man! Cullen is strong, virile, fiercely possessive, sexy as sin and emanates PURE ANIMAL MAGNETISM! However, there is so much more to this almighty poker player than meets the eye! For even though on the outside this tall, dark, mysteriously handsome playboy may be all raw, earthy masculinity, if you look beyond that gorgeously arrogant smirk, those big, hard muscles and all that smoldering charisma, you’ll find a complex, darkly intense man who thrives on control and is as exquisitely tender as he is formidable.
This notorious player has definitely earned his jaded bad boy rep and has no qualms about leaving a string of broken hearts in his wake, and pity the woman who DARES to try to tame him. But then all the rules change when Cullen’s fate collides with a bewitching temptress who turns his whole world asunder. I just love how this rich, powerful, uber seductive Alpha Male becomes unhinged by the one woman on earth who holds all the cards… and that woman is Wynn!
Even though “Red” had her infuriatingly headstrong moments where I admittedly wanted to SHAKE SOME SENSE INTO HER, for the most part I really dug this heroine! She’s bubbly and sweet and saucy with a sparkling, winsome personality that’s so infectiously charming! But she’s also achingly vulnerabile and woefully insecure too. However, what Wynn isn’t is gullible and after everything she’s been through she refuses to fall prey to our suavely sexy PLAYBOY.
But alas, Cullen is NOT a man who ever folds! And despite Wynn’s romantic hang-ups, he wants her with a burning hot intensity and refuses to squander his good luck charm! And when he entices her to accompany him on a whirlwind poker playing extravaganza in Vegas, who is she to turn him down? But she vows to keep their dalliance purely professional.
However, as with all of Ms. Evans tantalizing Alphas, a woman can only resist Cullen’s intoxicating allure for so long, and Wynn eventually discovers she’s fighting a losing battle against this man who makes her feel so loved and cherished….like she can CONQUER THE FREAKING WORLD! And once this deliciously slow burning romance finally reaches a fever pitch all bets are off!!!!
Speaking of highly-voltage sensuality….Cullen and Wynn are so combustible together they GAVE ME FULL BODY SHIVERS! They click on every single level, OOZE chemistry, and I was so captivated by this magical coupling I truly felt each heated glance, every quivering touch, and each and every tender-hearted emotion down to my core. And fair warning…this dynamic duo’s version of strip poker is PANTY MELTING HOT!
Sexy times aside, there are some mighty big obstacles to overcome on the road to HEA, including heartbreaking secrets that both are keeping under lock and key. So you may wonder who ends up winning their sexually charged, no strings attached bet, which of course ignites into full throttle love affair? My lips are sealed but… sigh….lemme just say the way it all pans out is SPELLBINDING!
BOTTOM LINE:
PLAYBOY is packed with everything we crave in a Katy Evans novel. Sweet, sizzling temptation. Palpable push-pull. Filthy hot sexcapades. Swoony feels. And so much fun, flirty repartee you can practically see the sparks flying off the page! The end result? A soul-consuming love story that fulfills your every fantasy and leaves you with an EPIC BOOK HANGOVER!
One word: HOT! I loved Playboy so, so much. The slow burn was excellently executed, the banter was awesome, the romance hot, and the ending was heart-melting. I highly recommend this story!
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Playboy is a stand alone novel in the Manwhore series. You’ll see some of the other guys in this book but briefly. This book focuses on Cullen and Wynn. Cullen is a poker player who’s earned the nickname Playboy. Wynn is the best friend of Cullen’s brother’s wife. Follow that trail? 🙂
So they meet just before the wedding but at an underground casino Cullen happened to be playing in when Wynn’s date brings her in with him and uses her as collateral – which he looses! What the heck?! LOL But of course he couldn’t win because then Cullen and Wynn wouldn’t have the opportunity to start their push and pull.
This story is pretty cool. There may be some times where you’ll pause and think will Wynn ever get her act together? Because seriously she has the biggest chip on her shoulder for someone who doesn’t like to be judged herself. I just had to shake my head at her several times. In the end they’re good to go. I really enjoyed Cullen’s character and I’m glad he didn’t give up on Wynn!
Ahh Cullen I need to take him home with me. This book was explosive and Cullen and Wynn were just amazing together. Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved watching these two come together. The push and pull and the banter kept me intrigued the whole way through the book. Katy Evans really knows how to write one hell of a book.
Playboy by Katy Evans is a winning sexy romance that will bring heat, excitement and love. If there was ever a book to take a gamble on, this is it. This book was definitely the kind of read that was sizzling with chemistry right from the start as two strangers instantly have an undeniable attraction. Cullen and Wynn’s meeting is one you could say that was fated as these two discover that the only thing that they will be gambling on is their hearts. So if you are looking for a love story that undeniably sexy and captivating then I highly recommend you to read this book.
Wynn and Cullen…..sweet sweet Wynn who just got her heart broken and Cullen the playboy. Who would have though it would work out between them? Not me but I’m so happy to be wrong.
Can Wynn who…is ready to settle down….tame the playboy? She’s had her heart broken before from Emmett her long time on again and off again ex boyfriend. Does she risk getting hurt again?
This book was a wonderful addition to the series. I’ve always liked Wynn because she’s such a sweetheart and I just wanted her to have her forever HEA. Cullen as her hero was a surprise to me….a happy surprise but still a surprise. The chemistry was there between them and it worked. Loved it!
Reviewed by: Heather S.
In my opinion Cullen made this book, I didn’t care too much for the heroine because I found her to be juvenile.. I didn’t like how she handle stuff with her ex and most of her life.. the last 20% I wanted to strangle her.. thank god she opened her eyes and the end was better..
Sigh! Talk about breathtaking. Katy Evans knows what she’s doing. I absolutely love her writing it just keeps getting better and better. Playboy will leave you in a puddle and smiling like a fool. This book was insta-love for me. Such a pleasant read.
Playboy by Katy Evans is sexy, playful, and all kinds of romantic. Cullen Carmichael will squeeze his way into your heart and then all bets are off. I couldn’t help but relish in Cullen and Wynn’s attraction. The chemistry between these two characters is off the charts. It’s like the stars all aligned and when these two finally see each other and take a leap, it gets explosive.
If you love Katy Evans books then you are going to flat out treasure this one. It’s everything a book lover could want. There is so much fun and passion flowing from the pages. I couldn’t put it down and I never wanted it to end. This book is so deep and raw, I just can’t express how much I loved it. So make sure you one click because you won’t regret it. Such a beautiful story.
I give Playboy by Katy Evans 5 out of 5 LUCKY STARS!!
I love Katy Evans books , so you know the minute I found out about Playboy I jumped into this story as soon as I possibly could! and omg it was fantastic!! I loved it ! Cullen and Wynn are just everything !! there romance was swoon-worthy , sexy , fun and had that signature Katy Evans feel that will have you completely wrapped up in the story until the very end , I just loved these two together and It was such a pleasure reading there story . I also loved that I got to see other beloved Katy Evans ‘s characters through out this book as well. Playboy was sexy , addicting, hot , romantic and honestly everything I wanted in a story right now and I cannot wait to see what Katy Evans writes next .If your wondering if you should get this book the answer is YES !! as soon as you can .
I love Katy Evans’ books! Her heroes are swoon-worthy and her heroines are sassy, feisty ladies. In this last installment of the Manwhore series, the last of the girlfriends gets her man. Rachel has Saint, Gaby has Tahoe, Gabby has Callan, and Wynn had Emmet but he dumped her three weeks ago. At Gabby’s wedding, Wynn meets Cullen, Callan’s brother and they had lust at first sight. They made a silly bet that resulted in a trip to Las Vegas, where Wynn got immersed in Cullen’s poker games world. Initially she scoffed at Cullen’s profession and deemed it inferior to her career as an arts gallery owner. As they spend time together, Wynn starts to realize what she had lacking with Emmett and got with Cullen: a man who appreciated her in all her facets, and who made her feel whole and sexy and desirable.
I felt for Wynn because her heart was shredded by Emmett’s rejection, which made her feel worthless and inferior. With Cullen, she felt that it was too good to be true and he was so desirable that he would use her and dump her too. Thankfully, she got to know the man beneath that silver-eyed poker façade, and saw a guy who also wanted love and companionship.
I loved Cullen from the start. When his parents divorced, he went to live with his mother, because Callan stayed with their father and he didn’t want her to be alone. No matter how tiresome his mother is, if he has what she wants, she will have it. His early story with his son shows the caliber of his personality. And the fact that he saw Wynn, liked what he saw and went after what he wanted…. <>
Wynn made Cullen’s world complete, she have him a reason for his poker wins, made his working life so much more significant. He fought for them, up to a point where he left it to Wynn to make her choice.
I loved the book and found it one of her most romantic ones. Cullen was into Wynn from the start and didn’t hide it, he pursued, wooed, ravished, and seduced. The sexy times were many and hot as sin. The pace was great, the feelings heartfelt, and the family feels among the girlfriends and their men was the sweet topping of this lovely story.
Although this book is part of the Manwhore series, it can standalone
Love Katy Evan’s books’ especially this series. Hard to knock Saint off his pedestal but Cullin gave him a run for his money. A different kind of hero. Loved him and learned a lot about poker and gambling just from reading this book. All I can say is Cullin is hot and the two together are combustible.
I unfortunately don’t have a lot to say about this book. I’m usually a fan of pretty much anything written by Katy Evans. She gives me larger-than-life heroes, fierce heroines and swoon worthy stories but her most recent books haven’t really been my cup of tea. They are pure sexiness without any romance or interesting characters. And I KNEW this book was going to be just like that, all steamy without the substance, but apparently I don’t know how to trust my gut and here we are again.
It was hard for me to not put down this book. I wanted to give up on it pretty much since the beginning. And… okay, I’ll admit my reading slump wasn’t any help either but I think I still wouldn’t have loved it if I wasn’t in a slump.
The only thing I enjoyed about it was the writing. Katy Evans is such a wonderful writer. She can transport you to amazing places with her words. Sadly I didn’t enjoy where she transported me with this story. It is going to be so painful to write the following words when describing a book by one of my favorite authors but PLAYBOY was very fast-paced, bland and boring. I didn’t like the characters, or how they meet, or anything that followed after that. I wasn’t able to feel their so-called “love” or their immediate intense connection. And I also didn’t find it to be very realistic. I admit most romance books are not very realistic (not that I know from experience because I don’t know a thing about real life romance) but it was very hard for me to understand how things moved from a very purely sexual relationship to I-love-you-forever-and-ever. HOW. I felt like they didn’t really know each other enough to fall in love but whatever…
All in all, I learned I should stick with my Remy and Brooke (from her REAL series) and stay away from these steamy books because they are really not something I enjoy. If y’all don’t care about the romance and just want to read a story about an alpha male, a “shy” girl and all their steamy moments that somehow lead to a happily ever after then this is the book for you.