Hot rugby star? Check. Ambitious style columnist ex? Check. A six-part feature series neither want to be part of? Check. Check. Check.Sydney Smoke captain and rugby god Tanner Stone wants to be interviewed about as much as he wants to snap an Achilles, but it may just be his chance for a rematch with his high school sweetheart. Matilda Kent s big mouth has landed her an interview with the one man … interview with the one man she hoped to never see again her high school boyfriend who broke her heart. But, with a promotion on the line, she s prepared to play nice while dishing the dirt on the guy.
An epic war or words leads to a flurry of action both on the field and between the sheets and this time winner takes all.
Each book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1 Playing By Her Rules
Book #2 Playing it Cool
”more
I dunno how to feel about this. Because this sports star and journo trope usually does it for me. but this one was an exercise in anger management for sure. I didn’t HATE it. But I thought a lot of the actions of Matilda (don’t call her Tilly whatever you do) were very frustrating. The amount of hot and cold she gives Tanner was borderline cruel and if the side characters hadn’t been witty as hell there’s a chance I would have DNF’d this. i think as my journey with this genre continues, I’ve decided that second chance romances just aren’t my favourite. Especially when there was this much animosity between the characters. I’m willing to give this author another chance, but her first outing with me did not sparkle like I hoped it would.
WARNING! Can’t stop re-reading … and my eReader was Smokin’
Playing by Her Rules is the second book I’ve read by Amy Andrews … and I’ve put the rest of the Sydney Smoke series on my TBR and am putting off my other ARCs to read those.
Why? In short, Playing by Her Rules is a super creative, well written story with terrific, realistic characters and scenes that are smokin’ hot! I’ve re-read the final scene about 6 times and I’m having a hard time not launching a re-read right now.
Tanner and Matilda knew each other in school … quite well, in fact. They were a couple that broke up in a moment of betrayal. They are now professionals that cross paths when Mathilda is forced to write a series of articles about Tanner who is now a pro sportsman.
The story is woven around their meetings, text messages, articles, and affection for each other that Matilda tries to resist.
I found myself rooting for these characters from the start, all while wondering how Ms. Andrews was going to pull off the HEA (she did, and in an incredibly creative and well-written manner)!
…. and I was enamoured by the other characters and am hoping my favs are featured in the other books in the series, which I’m anxious to read.
If you’re looking for a well written sports romance with a solid plot and terrific characters, download Playing by Her Rules today … and clear your calendar to read the whole Sidney Smoke series.
I purchased this book because I enjoyed another book by Amy Andrews. I’m following her on all sites (you should too) and this review is my own.
Amy Andrews
On my phone I check several of the above but then they disappear. Darn it!! This was a pretty good book. Tanner is every women’s dream man. Kind, caring, loving, very giving etc.. a very awesome man. Matilda was a very annoying, obnoxious baby, in my opinion. Tanner was so in love with Tilly he was just trying to help her achieve her dream. A standalone with an HEA! Pretty good.
I love sports and particularly men’s ball sports (he, he). A fun read. I loved the banter between the main characters. A delicious read!
In this book, we see the captain of Sidney smokes Tanner has his second chance with his high school sweetheart Matilda. Matilda is given an opportunity to start writing bigger stories for her newspaper but she has to write about Tanner, her ex-boyfriend with whom she had a really bad breakup. Because of him, she doesn’t believe any man since and has bad luck when it comes to a relationship so she sees this opportunity for stepping up in her career and to have a little revenge. Tanner sees this opportunity to have the One that gets away back and is willing to prove to Matilda that he is changed. So the story was an ok but it felt a lack in originality, I read similar story just different plot. I really liked Tanner he was a guy on the spot with a right set of mind. Matilda was because of her insecurities a bit unlikable but I was glad that she opened her eyes. I really loved how the attraction between them escalates and later explodes. The end is cute and they have their HEA.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly
This book has a bit of everything. It is funny and intriguing. Predictable , yet surprising. And of course a happily ever after! Enjoyed it!!
Sweet!
I really enjoyed this book , I wish there was a sequel.
A great second chance romance. From a Jerk to a Perk. LOL! Amy Andrews is one of my favorite Australian authors; no hesitation in choosing that One Click button.
Matilda and Tanner’s second chance love story in Playing by Her Rules by Amy Andrews was truly a fun and enjoyable read. Matilda landed an assignment she didn’t really want a six-part interview with her high school boyfriend, who broke her heart, and is now an elusive sports idol. Tanner avoids being interviewed by anyone in the media, wanting to avoid publicity and just play his best as he captains the Sydney Smoke rugby team. When he realizes that it is Matilda interviewing him he thinks that maybe this will give him a second chance with his high school sweetheart. Matilda plans to spill all the dirt on Tanner, especially since she believes he cheated on her. Instead she discovers he’s not what or who she expected. He has established numerous charities to give back to the community. Matilda also learns that he hurt her so she wouldn’t give up her scholarship to Sanford and a journalism career when she wanted to give it all up and follow him and his rugby career. Tanner is definitely hero material. He’s kind, passionate, caring, and loving. He never forgot her. In fact, one of the charities her established was “Matilda’s Muse”, a writing program for girls, involving local authors to assist those girls. Matilda was raised by her Gran, a real hippie-type, who taught her how to stand for herself. Tanner set the standard for all other men Matilda encountered and Tanner felt Matilda set the standard for the women he met. I loved how these two used twitter to communicate with each other, allowing their followers a peek inside their courtship. This second chance for Matilda and Tanner is finally that chance at achieving the love and marriage they weren’t ready for in high school.
Ms. Andrews wrote a wonderful, sexy and emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, fun twitter posts and endearing characters giving Matilda and Tanner a chance at finally having the future together, that they always wanted. I highly recommend Playing by Her Rules to other readers.
Didn’t have much to make it stand out.
Very good story. Would definitely read the entire series.
I put informative for those of us who don’t know rugby Amy kindly put a glossary at the back. I adored the cast of characters and learning about Sydney.
Book was more than I expected. The witty banter and the sassy, sexy interaction between the main characters kept me turning pages until I was done. I have already bought book 2 in this series.
Loved Tanner. Great second chance book.
I have zero shame when I say I needed to read this book based on the cover. Hot, tatted up rugby men. Yeah, no need to slow down when clicking on this one. Read the blurb and learn it’s a second chance romance…and you’ve got me swooning.
Playing By Her Rules is sexy and rife with tension, lust, and unresolved anger. Which means it’s a powder keg!
The Sydney Smoke definitely have me intrigued or at least the ones I’ve met. I look forward to watching them fall and fall hard.
I’m not even a fan of rugby but I loved this book. The characters, the dialogue, the storyline…all awesome!