What happens when revenge collides with love?In his pimply teens, Julien was led on, played and publicly humiliated by Noemi.But time has been kind to him. Now a heartthrob and formidable water polo defender, Julien has no trouble with the ladies. That means, he can finally get back at Noemi.Only… he hadn’t expected her to have grown from a shallow girl to a caring woman. A woman with feelings.… to a caring woman. A woman with feelings.
Nor had he anticipated the bitter aftertaste of his revenge, or how empty his bed — and his life — would be without her.
Might she still have his heart?
While Julien ponders the question, Noemi sets out on her own quest for payback…
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
“Loved the dark, yet sweet aspects to this tale!” — Jackie (Amazon)
“A heartfelt book.” — Becky Claxon (Goodreads)
“This book takes you on a journey of betrayal, forgiveness and finally love.” — J.A. (Goodreads)
“It is lusty and romantic, and I found it a very enjoyable read.” — Zena (Amazon)
“Amazing…. An emotional roller coaster.” — Arudedg (Amazon)
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The premise of the story is good but, I was uncomfortable about the level of deceit and cruelty on both Julien and Noemi’s parts. It took reading the whole story to put that particular aspect of the story in prespective. After everything Julien and Noemi do to each other, they do manage to confess all their secrets and find trust along with love.
I do recommend this second chance romance for the happily ever after that is well deserved.
Although this is second chances romance, I found the book to be terribly sad. Whilst I understand why Julien took revenge on Noemi, I was nevertheless uncomfortable with the form that it took. The story made me realise again that we judge the circumstances of our youth, both our own actions and those of others, through the eyes of an adult. However, as young adults people are still immature and unfortunately act irresponsibly. I was glad that both Julien and Noemi came to their senses, but the story left me feeling slightly depressed. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
My heart almost broke for Julien.
Alix Nichols’ books are fast paced shorter reads that pack in a lot. I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read and it is great to see how our favourite past characters are doing in their lives, and in this case, it’s the other players in France’s national water-polo team.
Playing Dirty steps straight into a romantic setting on a cruise where Julien Boitel is proposing to Noemi, seemingly enamoured with her, until we get to hear his internal dialogue revealing his plan for revenge for something that Noemi and her catty friends did to him years ago at high school. I feel sad for her even before we hear her voice of regret, and her long time love for him.
Never realising the devastating effects that her actions had on Julien, she didn’t see him again after that night. His family moved away, and her chance to apologise and to admit to her true feelings didn’t eventuate.
Julien was almost a tragic character, but he overcame such an event, searching for a sport that would strengthen him both mentally and physically. He really was amazing and eight years later, had re-invented himself as a crucial part of France’s national water-polo team. He’s re-connected with Noemi again to set his pay-back plan in place. Love, it seems, never runs to plan, and he is beginning to realise that perhaps she’s not the vindictive girl he thought she was. It seems she was just as much a victim of the same circumstance through the extremes of peer pressure, something she had always regretted due to her true generous and loyal nature. Maybe there is forgiveness to be begged for on both sides.
Thank you Alix for the opportunity to voluntarily review an advanced reader copy of Playing Dirty. 4 stars.
The story idea is good and the telling of it is also ok.
It is about revenge and payback and had me laughing at times and sad at others because of the very absurd and strange thoughts that were going through Julien’s head about Noemi. It is a second chance romance that shows just how cruel teenagers can sometimes be. It is also lusty and romantic and I found it a very enjoyable read.
Read it and see what you think.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book and this is my unbiased review.