He’s a player.He plays the bass with expert fingers. He plays women with intoxicating charm. And he’ll play me with the ease of a virtuoso.Who better to teach me to play than the master himself?I’m his model student, front row, pencil sharp. Pick up lines? I’ve got them. Free drinks? By the dozen. Kissing? Let me grab my chapstick.But the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that there’s so much … I’ve learned is that there’s so much I don’t know. Like why his touch sets off a chain reaction straight to my nethers. Or how I’m certain each kiss is the best I’ll ever have, until the moment his lips take mine again.
There’s so much I don’t know.
Like the fact that I’m only a bet.
But we are what we are. He’s a player, through and through.
And I’m the fool who fell in love with him.
Standalone romantic comedy and part of the Red Lipstick Coalition Series–Val’s story
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This is a book I’d like to give more stars if I could.
Complete perfection!
I adored everything. From the characters, their development, the drama, comedy, love, and even some BIG TIME HATE towards one particular character.
Staci Hart is AMAZING. She got me to relate so much with Val. Her insecurities were so sad to read about. But then to have Sam there, try every single moment to have Val see herself as he sees her was just too beautiful. It made me tear up.
These two characters, Sam and Val, I couldn’t love them more if I tried. What started out as a bet ended up being the most beautiful love story. Gaaah! I can’t stop thinking about it. Seriously, Sam is a unicorn man. I 100% agree with Val. How does someone that good looking, get to have a heart of gold, as well?
And, the side character in this book? PURE COMEDIC GOLD.
Listen, I need to find some girlfriends just so I can start my very own Red Lipstick Coalition.
I can’t remember the last time I read a book where I wished and wished I could be a part of it.
I wanted to swing dance, I wanted to play the trumpet on the stage, learn tricks, have extremely weird and awkward conversations with girlfriends equally inexperienced, I just wanted it all.
That’s what Staci Hart did. She’s got me begging for a Willy Wonka machine, but instead of reaching in to the tv to grab a bar of chocolate, I want to shove myself inside the book.
And the snippet of her next book including Amelia… I NEEDS IT ASAP!
Val and Sam are co-workers, both of whom are Broadway musicians. And the similarities end here. The two are complete opposites, day and night. Val is introspective, demure, does not have many friends, does not consider herself pretty and the extra pounds bothers her. Sam is strong, athletic, handsome, well-connected, full of personality and a complete womanizer. Val nurtures a platonic love for him. Sam finds her attractive, but other than that, she is the girl who exudes kindness and innocence and who is prone to accidents.
Until a bet will bring them closer. Sam will want to protect her. Val will celebrate the chance to spend time with him. And there’s trouble in store. And in a world filled with trumpets, bass, music, dance, cooking and other cultures, the two will cultivate a true friendship and will realize that not everything is as it seems, that their perceptions of themselves may be wrong.
I loved Sam. Who would say that the womanizer has a good heart. He is incapable of being evil, whatever he does (and I agree that he makes mistakes sometimes, such as not telling about the bet) is always thinking about the well being of others, avoiding hurting anyone because of some of his actions. He was attentive, cute, funny and extremely passionate. The way he sees Val as he tries to show her how beautiful and interesting she is, is just one example of how wonderful he is.
Val suffered a lot as she grew older. The nasty comments she heard, all because of her body, were hard and made her feel ashamed of her silhouette. Her brothers supported and protected her, but the damage had already been done, she hid from herself, wearing loose clothing to protect herself.
The “fake date” phase was one of the funniest parts of the book. Sam decides to teach relationships techniques to Val, which generates several hilarious situations. Val’s repertoire of pickup line is one of the book’s highlights. The names of the chapters are equally funny, entirely consistent with the plot.
What to talk about Ian …. he is a psychopath, one of those people who are simply mean, without reason, evil for the simple pleasure of harming others, someone who does not know how to handle his lack of character and decides to attack others to try to justify his bad acts. Player has a good couple, with good chemistry, funny, interesting supporting characters, a cozy and interesting setting and a good story that entertain the reader. During the book, it is often said that Love is Music. I agree. I fell in love with every beat.
Packed by Jason Derulo’s Trumpets, I embarked on this delightful journey filled with music and movement … classes and kisses … rivalry and love.
Already for the synopsis, the book got right at my poor heart: first I love innocent girl’s book taking classes with expert player; second that I love book with a good bet to shake with the structures.
Val has crush on Sam for a long time, the poor timid girl can’t see the boy that becomes silly and lost and never imagined that one day he would approach her willing to help her in her conquests with men.
Sam is a music prodig and keeps a great secret from everyone but when approaching the sweet colleague his barriers are falling one by one, he gets inspiration to finish a project shelved with seven keys and ends up realizing that he wants much more than being a Val’s friend. I loved his relationship with his mother and even his conflicts with his father, the guy is an enchanted prince . A sweet dream !
Val is a member of the Red Lipstick Coalition, a group of different girls who joined by the force of the red lipstick that each one chose a tone to use with the right guy …. OMG ! Delicious….. She and her friends will live many adventures along with Sam that presents them a new, melodious and vibrant world besides showing Val the value that she has. The couple is cute, each scene together, every affection exchanged, each moment of connection made them one of my favorite couples in the literary world.
Narrated in the first person by Val and Sam, Staci Hart conquered my heart with a light, dynamic and super entertaining plot leaving me curious to know the next love stories of this group. And I want a story for Adam too, he is so cute and gentle.
I loved the cover and all the vibration it transmits, it’s exactly Sam. Perfect !
Quick paced and light hearted Player is a fun and exciting with just the right amount of conflict to keep you invested in the story and the characters.
Val is living her dream playing in an orchestra on broadway but there’s that sexy bass player that she just can’t take her eyes off. He’s the sexy player that she knows would never go for her but she severely pines after him anyway. However, to her surprise, he starts to befriend her and then gives her an opportunity that will allow her to spend time with him for one month. He’s going to be her teacher on how to get into the game. Little did they both know this would change their courses forever.
My inner band geek had fun with this one. I mean, a bass player, trumpet player and swing dancing? Can it get any better than that? And I might be slightly jealous that Val was given the talent to be able to play and swing at the same time. Former trumpet player here is in awe. Haha. I also love just how clumsy she was in the beginning. I found it endearing.
If you are looking for a light hearted and fun romance that will keep you laughing, then you need to pick up Player. Plus, you don’t want to miss out on Hart’s chapter titles. Seriously. The are the best!
When Sam (Samir) and his “friend” Ian come up with the brilliant idea to make a bet about whether or not Sam can date Val for a month, it’s a disaster in the making. You see, Sam is a big time player. An honest player who’s upfront about his intentions, but a player nonetheless. And Val is a sweetheart who deserves far better than just being the object of two men’s stupid competitive natures. Sam thinks though, that in taking the bet, he’s just doing it to protect Val from Ian. Or is he trying to protect her from himself?
“Goal number one: protect her from Ian. Goal number two: protect her from me.”
I admit to being unsure whether or not I was going to like Sam at first. After all, men (or women) who make bets involving other people tend to be douchebags who give no thought to others’ feelings, so I didn’t think Sam was going to end up being a good guy worthy of adorable Val. I should have known better, though, because Staci did the same thing to Court in Val’s friend Rin’s story, Piece of Work, and Court thoroughly redeemed himself, made me fall in love with him just as I ended up doing so with Sam. But, just as in Piece of Work, the real standout in Player is Val. She’s a sweet, adorable woman who’s fiercely loyal, who has the kinds of insecurities most of us ordinary humans suffer from. I love that Sam truly liked her from the very beginning, saw how amazing she was from the start, that it wasn’t some kind of makeover situation where he only saw her after she glammed herself up. No, he knew Val was a beautiful person from the very start.
Staci Hart has the rare ability to weave passionate, funny romance in and among real, relatable, likable (and unlikable) characters and aim right at the heart of the reader. Every time I read one of her stories, I end up falling hard for not just the characters, but for their story, and here in Player, none more so. Sam turned out to be an absolute gem. A player at first, with a huge, tender heart who just happened to fall for an incredible woman, one he knew he wasn’t really good enough for. But once he fell, he knew she was his, and he fought to the very last word to keep her. And Val…that woman! I LOVE her! Real, relatable, beautiful woman with a woman’s insecurities, the kind all women feel. She was my favorite part of Player, among many, many other things that I loved. This is a truly 5 star read!
First of all, I have to say how much I enjoyed how aptly named this book is; not only does Sam play instruments, but he’s a “player”. But that is not what drew me in. Just like with every other Hart book, I always look at what underlying messages and themes come across. There were so many times when I felt as though there was a comparison with this story and the Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast”. Why you ask? Because the player facade was a mask, almost beast-like because it kept Sam from his heart. And in comes Val, our sweet Belle, with a tenacity to rival and heart to bring even the most stoic to his knees.
But this wouldn’t be a Staci Hart book if she didn’t throw in a few twists to make you think and feel more. Like how sometimes good intentions without communication can lead you to a self-made hell or how often times we’ll excuse the behavior of people we’ve known for a lifetime, not wanting to believe that the facade they wear really covers an uglier inside.
But the best part about this book is how Hart reminds us that things are never black and white. The facade Sam hides behind as romantically untouchable? Yeah, his heart yearns just like ours. Val being a quiet, introverted woman with great insecurities? She is also just as feisty with a mean set of lady balls. And other black hearts in the twists in turns of this plot? Those are also broken sad people hiding behind the hurt.
I think it goes without saying that I find Hart’s writing to be thoughtful, well-paced, and intelligent. And that is why I will always jump at a chance to read her books.
There’s nothing a woman can’t do with a little red lipstick, some positive thinking, and quite a bit of gumption, even if she embarrasses herself, and let me tell you, any time our heroine, Val, is around her secret crush, Sam, things always seem to go wrong, which means that she needs every drop of inner strength and feistiness she has to take a chance and put her heart on the line regardless of the fact that the man she wants epitomizes a player in every sense of the word.
Without a doubt, Val is one of my favorite Staci Hart heroines, and a big reason for my love of everything Val is the fact that she’s an ‘every woman’ type of character. Hart portrays Val so realistically that it’s incredibly easy to connect with her struggles with the opposite sex as well as her body image and insecurities. Val’s internal musings are ones that many female readers have probably said themselves, which means that as Val comes into her own, realizing her self worth and the beautiful woman she is on the inside and on the outside, we cheer for her and commend her strength and empower ourselves to take the same journey that Val did in Player.
Sam’s an intriguing hero because while he’s the quintessential single guy who’s beyond attractive and charismatic, I didn’t feel like he truly knew himself or what he was capable of when it came to commitment because as Sam and Val’s ‘relationship’ deepens, he really seems to come into his own and his self confidence and determined attitude helps Val to see herself as the beautiful and captivating woman that she is.
Throughout the course of the story, Val and Sam connect on a number of levels, so despite what pushed Sam to pursue Val in the first place, what matters most is that their relationship changes them both; it challenges Sam’s view on anything long term and helps him to grow as not only a man but as a human being, and it’s their undeniable chemistry and the fact that Sam looks at Val like she matters that helps her to see herself, not only through his eyes, but also her own non-judgmental ones. Nobody is perfect and it’s with that idea in mind that helps them both to realize just how capable they are in all aspects of their lives.
I adored Staci Hart’s latest release; it’s steamy and sweet; it’s comical and witty; it’s everything I needed it to be and because Hart brings such uniqueness to her stories and characters, I’ll never get enough of her books!
4.5 Poison Apples
overall, a really sweet and fun book.
CHECK OUT THE FULL POST:
https://shahlas-world.blogspot.com/2018/10/so-achingly-sweet-it-almost-gave-me.html
#arc / #contemporaryromance / #Musician / #StaciHart / #SweetRomance
Staci Hart
5+ Stars!!
Love is music. You are music, and I want to learn every song, every note.
Have you ever finished a book and immediately wanted to begin again? Player is one of those books, it left me with all the feels, and wishing I could go back and experience it all again for the first time.
I was so excited to get back to the Red Lipstick Coalition after being introduced to these characters in Piece of Work, but nothing could have prepared me for just how incredible Val & Sam’s story would be.
Val is amazing. She has curves, and insecurities, and is one of the most refreshing characters I’ve read in a long time. She’s jaded, and only sees her flaws, not her perfections. After years of keeping her hopes and heart on lockdown she is given the opportunity to experience what she always wanted, even if it’s for a short amount of time. But is it worth putting her heart on the line?
Sam is a self proclaimed player, never giving more than a night or two, and never allowing anyone into his heart. He’s a musical genius, gorgeous, and seemingly perfect. Everything he does is with good intentions, but when he takes Val under his wing and tries to show her just how amazing she really is, he convinces himself the ends justify the means.
Staci Hart knocked it out of the park with this one. The characters are exceptional, the story perfectly executed. Her words were so vivid I felt like I was dancing right there with them, listening to the music they played, and feeling every emotion they were. She brought these characters to life, wove them right into my heart, and wrapped them up in a flawless little bow.
Do yourself a favor and read this book, I promise you won’t regret it!
Staci Hart knows how to play a reader’s heartstrings as well as any member of the orchestra that Sam and Val are part of. These two were cute, and sweet and gave me the biggest feels. I laughed, I cried. I swooned with Val.
Val is a curvy girl with Hispanic roots, she’s in lust with Sam, at least from a distance. She’d never admit it, especially not to him. He’s all kinds of hot… but he’s out of her league, or so she thinks.
Sam is intrigued by the introverted dark haired girl but he doesn’t date co-workers. But when his friend Ian gets involved, he’s forced to change his tune. One rash decision could see his life alter in ways he never expected but Val is just what he needs to conduct his future.
This book was all kinds of fun, and I heartily recommend it.
I loved this story! The writing was so good, and I really liked Sam and Val together. I thought Sam was a good guy, and even though I knew how the story was going to play out it was such a good read getting there. I liked Val for the most part. I can TOTALLY relate with the body issues, I’m a big girl too. I did feel like she should have listened to Sam more on that front though. He wouldn’t have said the things he did if he didn’t want to. While I know that Sam making a bet on Val was stupid, I did feel like he did it for the right reasons. I also feel like Val wasn’t completely honest with herself. She liked him too much to let herself just get “lessons” from him, and she never held their arrangement as a “friends only” thing. When the lie started, there weren’t supposed to be feelings involved. I was very happy that they get their HEA though. The secondary characters in this story are awesome! The girls always have Val’s back, and her family was great too. I have to say the whole conversation that Sam has with his parents toward the end of the book was awesome. It made me tear up, because that’s the exact way I feel about my kids! I would definitely recommend this story, and I can not wait for the next one!
I voluntarliy reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
4.5 stars
“Don’t ever give your love to a man who won’t give you everything he has to his name in exchange, heart soul in hand.”
This book is brilliant! This story is a song that touches your heart and each note vibrates though the author’s words along the chapters. It’s a song about learning to love and trust yourself, to follow your dreams and that your true happiness only comes from deep inside yourself.
“Sweet Val with her doe eyes and bright smile. The realness of her struck a chord in my chest as honestly as my hands on the guitar.”
Without doubt, Staci Hart has a talent. Her stories are always wonderful, full of love and telling you something between the lines. Player is by far – up to now – my favorite book of hers. It’s inspiring and a book I highly recommend reading!
“Sam, I’d discovered, was a doorway to a world I’d only dreamed of. A world of kisses and touches and music. A world of dancing and flipping and laughter.”
Sam, the golden boy with the good looks and a charisma that makes every woman swoon. With his love and talent for music he could easily reach for the stars and could collect all of them. But he’s so afraid of loosing that he doesn’t realize how much more he could win if he only tried.
Val, the self-conscious Spanish girl, with a smile that could brighten a dark room and a heart of pure gold. She’s a friend every girl wishes for: she’s honest, loyal, funny and full of energy. Yet she has to learn that we only see a fraction of ourselves while looking in a mirror. We’ll never be able to see ourselves like others see us. We tend to only see our flaws and cursing our bodies for not being according to the assumed standards of our society.
“”Why me Sam?” she asked quietly. “Why not you?” I asked her back.”
In “Player” we not only get the story of Sam and Val, how not to play other people no matter how good the intentions. In the end someone gets hurt and that’s never worth a game. But we get so much more. Val and Sam are wonderfully flawed characters who learn through each other how to be a better version of themselves without sacrifices. How to reach for your inner happiness and bring it to life. True happiness makes you beautiful inside out.
I also adore Red Lipstick Coalition. Those girls are beyond fantastic. I wish I could be part of their friendship. I love the way they care for each other, listen to each other and encourage each other to be brave and bold.
“”Love is music. You are music, and I want to learn every song, every note.” “Then kiss me and make me sing.””
You can never go wrong with a Staci Hart book and I loved everything about Player. She gives us stories that we can get lost in every single time and leaves us happy. This time around she takes us into the world of orchestras with Val and Sam and I loved every moment of it!
Val is a smart, strong and very determined woman. She loves her job and knows she is good, but when it comes to men, her confidence is lacking. This stems from her own self-worth, or lack thereof. She has crushed on Sam, a fellow orchestra member, but knows he would never notice a woman like her.
Sam is player and stays clear of relationships. He loves his life the way it is. It’s not that he has not noticed Val, but Val is not the kind of woman who wants one night. Though he has this reputation of a player, he is a good man at heart that is always honest in what he can give. But when backed into a corner by a friend, will he help or hurt Val?
I loved everything about Player by Staci Hart. It was funny, poignant and with so much sexy steaminess, but so much more than that. I loved Sam and Val together. They became friends who had crazy chemistry. Could they find a way to have more with each other? Another great read from this author!
4.5 stars! Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Player By Staci Hart
5++ STARS (another GREAT read of 2018) Very highly recommend!!
Phenomenal!! This story is absolutely everything!! What a fun, steamy, and heartwarming! PERFECTION!!
Val~ skilled trumpet player
Sam~ skilled bass player
“Like I said, practice makes perfect. I can tell you all day long what to do, but until you do it on your own, it’ll never stick.”
“I’m teaching you how to be brave, not fake.”
“That’s life. We change. The people we love change. Everything changes, which is a blessing as much as it is a curse.”
This is book 2 in the Red Lipstick Coalition and it this has become my favourite.
Staci’s writing is always one that I simply love, its flawless with emotions and humour. She always manages to have me completely captivated from the first page and totally in love with her characters. When people ask me to recommend an author she is one of my first thoughts.
Staci always brings us real characters with real flaws that we can relate to. In this series she’s given us some amazing ladies, they are down to earth with real insecurities. They founded this Red Lipstick Coalition with the pledge to put their red lipstick on and boost their confidence, making them feel brave.
Val has had a crush on her colleague Sam but she has never seen herself as someone that he would be attracted to. She doesn’t have any confidence in her beauty and her body after being teased at school for early development. I have to admit I loved Val’s lack of filter when it comes to Sam, it leads to some seriously comedic lines.
Sam is a totally swoon worthy Adonis. He doesn’t lack confidence and whilst he’s a player, he’s always honest with the women in what he wants and a relationship is not close to be anything he is interested in. Unfortunately he doesn’t have a very good taste in best friends and when this particular slimball says he is going to make a play for Val he ends up coming to her rescue, unbeknownst to her, and he now has a month to ‘Date’ Val and try to build her confidence up.
I honestly loved watching Val and Sam’s friendship blossom into a relationship even though they aren’t ready to admit that they have feelings for each other. It was so natural and real.
I loved seeing Val’s friends again and I am excited for the next book in the series which will be Amelia’s story. The glimpse at the end has seriously peeked my curiosity and interest.
Well done Staci another fabulous read from you <3<3
5.5 Amazing Stars!
Every now and then I read a book that features a female Main Character that I love everything about, one that I wish I knew in real life, and was my bestie. I can imagine calling her to gossip with, texting at all hours and meeting for drinks and/or shopping, and I might have a teeny, tiny girl-crush on. This would be Val; founding member of the Red Lipstick Coalition, a full-figured, trumpet playing beauty and the female love interest in Player, an incredibly funny and just a little angsty Standalone. Val and Sam, the H in the story, are my favorite book couple of the year! I loved this story, it gave me all the feels, and was I little sad to say good bye to them. For now at least; they’ll live on in the countless rereads I’m sure are to come.
“A wise man had once said, low expectations are the key to life, and I was inclined to believe him.”
Valentina “Val” Bolivar is living her dream; she got a permanent seat playing the trumpet in the orchestra pit for Wicked, on Broadway, after subbing for the original player. The buxom twenty-six year old beauty is content with her life even though she hasn’t dated in five years; her last date was in college, something she’d like to remedy with Sam, the bass player she’s crushing on. If only she could get the courage to talk to him; she’s usually pretty confident about herself except where men are concerned. Her self-esteem is riddled with body issues; something that she’s dealt with since she developed in fifth grade and has affected her deeply.
“Oh, how I had wished for Sam. I’d wished on every star and eyelash. Every eleven eleven and every dandelion. I’d wished for him before I knew I was wishing for him.”
Samhir “Sam” Haddad is aware of the beautiful new trumpet player. He knows she’s attracted to him, most women are, it’s always been that way for the handsome and wealthy serial dater. He’s never had a girlfriend, because he’s never wanted one, and he has a few rules when it comes to women.
“I know what I can and can’t be to somebody. I can be a date. I can be a night. I can even be a weekend. But I can’t be more than that.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Maybe a bit of both. Or maybe I just don’t. Truth is, I don’t want to hurt anyone, that’s all.”
Sam won’t make a move on Val, he never hits on anyone he works with, something his douchy best friend, Ian, isn’t so particular with. When Ian shows an interest in Val, Sam knows he’ll use any means to close the deal, even if he lies and hurts her to get what he wants. So when he makes a bet with Sam, the prize being Val, he takes the bet to protect her. When Sam suggests he give Val dating advice and lessons, that will last a month, she takes him up on his offer. And when Val suggests she needs expertise advice in everything dating related, Sam agrees to help her.
“My only comfort was that she’d be better off dealing with me than with Ian. At least I wouldn’t hurt her.”
It’s a month that she’ll spend with him, and Val’s roommates are sure that he’ll fall in love with her and they’ll live HEA. Her roommates were also her college roommates, and they’re hopeless romantics; living vicariously through her, since no one really has had any luck with men. Their advice is hilarious and kinda sad at times! Including sex advice:
“I just don’t get why it’s called sucking dick. Do you actually suck it? Like a skin lollipop?”
“I definitely know you don’t blow during a blow job.”
“Well, that explains some things.”
The more Sam and Val spend together, including swing dancing at Sam’s club, Sway, you just know something big is going to happen when the month’s up and lessons are over.
“Have you ever had something you loved so much, you couldn’t bear for anyone to see it? Because if they did, it wouldn’t be yours anymore. Then it would be theirs. That piece of you, that part of your heart.”
“Yes, I have, you.”
Hands down loved it! Loved everything about it. Val is a badass trumpet player…sold. Sam is a totally hot music prodigy….sold again. These two are so magical together. Gah this one had my black heart beating swooning love stuff. Totally checked out that Pinterest board too. Holy hotness. Nice visuals of Sam. What a great book in the series. I loved the first one, but these two so far are my favorite.
I can’t wait for the next book. That little sneak peak was amazing. Those two are going to be so much fun!
I didn’t like the trope of the story but I loved the characters and loved their story apart from the bet issue. Whenever there’s a bet involving a conquest, someone ends up hurt and humiliated, so I wait anxiously for the moment of discovery, then hurt for the person/victim of the game. In spite of this, the writing was excellent and it kept me riveted through the book.
Val, Sam and Ian are musicians playing the score in the Broadway play Wicked. Val is an overweight woman with serious image problems, exacerbated by over-protective brothers who didn’t give her the opportunity to develop her sexuality. She’s repressed, timid, but very funny and creative once she gets close to someone.
Sam and Ian are players in the complete sense of the word. They play the bass and percussion, and they also play the field with women. They have noticed that Val has a crush on Sam, so Ian eggs Sam on to make a move on Val. Sam doesn’t want to, because he knows Val is a nice girl but Ian forces the issue when he threatens to make a move on Val himself. Ian further forces a bet on Sam that he will be dating Val by the end of one month. Sam starts a friendship with Val, trying to protect her from Ian. What he never expected is to be enchanted by Val. She’s fun, makes corny jokes, cheesy pick up lines, and makes him laugh a lot. He invites her to the swing club where he performs, teaches her to swing dance, and they have a great time. Once Val shares her image problems, he also starts helping her out, turns into a dating tutor, and ends up ensnared with Val.
Val is constantly doubting herself, she finds herself so unattractive that she never thought to be in Sam’s level. As she finds acceptance and encouragement with Sam and his friends, she evolves into a charming and sensual woman that now Sam is afraid to let loose. You could say that Sam started out teaching Val and ended up being taught a lesson.
I loved a lot of things about this book: the fact that they play the score of Wicked, the musical flavor of the book, the swing dance club, the fact that Val is from Spanish descent and Sam is from Lebanese descent. Ian is the douchey jerk we love to hate, a real bad infuence on Sam and hateful to Val. He’s the necessary evil to make the book a little suspenseful, not knowing when he will hit.
It was a greatly entertaining book and I loved the evolution of Val and Sam. Her roommates were a riot and I hope there are stories about them. There were funny moments and angsty moments and I had a great time reading it.
I loved that this romance was based on music careers on Broadway. What an unexpected and fun dynamic to the story. Val is an amazing trumpet player but she struggles with her body confidence. The first time she saw Sam, well, she was under his spell. This leads to several rather embarrassing moments as she gets tongue-tied and clumsy around him. Sam has a natural music ability along with being drop dead gorgeous. He enjoys Val’s honesty, smile and body. When Val needs help dating, he agrees to be her teacher. The passion shared by these two for music is wonderful, it even carries to a swing club where Sam teaches Val to dance. Even though Sam doesn’t see himself as a commitment guy, when he’s around Val, well, he starts to feel something he never expected. Will the Player find a new game to play? I am loving the Red Lipstick Coalition stories. Val has a great group of friends, Rin, Amelia & Katherine, that provide moral support along the way. Truly a sexy, funny romance that kept me glued to my Kindle.
This is my new favorite Staci Hart book. I loved Val and Sam.
This book made me feel so much. I felt like I was Val during this story. I could feel my heartbreaking throughout the story, riding the highs and lows that she endured. She has such an amazing attitude. <3 And Sam.... ugh. He is so swoony. I wish I could find my own version. There was music and swing dancing in this story. Swing dancing is amazing to watch and it was so exciting to see a story about it. But what I adored most is the message that this story sends to women. "There is no one like you in the whole wild world." Embrace your flaws and make them your signature. Gah. Just hit me right in the heart. All of us have been there, doubting if we are good enough... and we are. Thank you Staci for reminding us.