This marriage of convenience is about to teach him a big life lesson…Ben Leach, a defenseman for the York Bombers, has everything in life he could want—except happiness. Terminally miserable, he’s settled into his rut with the acceptance of someone who knows he doesn’t deserve any better—until he runs into an old acquaintance during a quick trip to Las Vegas…a trip that changes everything.… that changes everything.
Natalie Kenney is on the run thanks to a stalker ex who thinks she belongs to him. Running into her old friend’s brother couldn’t have come at a better time and, in an impulsive move that surprises her, she accepts his half-hearted attempt to rescue her.
But the rescue comes with consequences. The new couple suddenly finds themselves in positions neither one expected, faced with challenges—and threats—that push them both out of their comfort zones. Will their new relationship lead to something more, or is it merely a marriage in name only? Ben expects it to crash-and-burn like the happiness that always seems to be just out of his reach and when the final buzzer sounds, he needs to decide if he’s simply playing a part or if life—and love—is a lot more than a spectator sport.
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I absolutely loved Ben & Natalie’s story! Score another win in this awesome series by Lisa Kamps! Love these Bombers and their women!!
What starts off as a spur of the moment fake marriage for very different reasons, turns into an amazingly heartwarming, tender and sweet love story. But it takes a long time to get there. These two have pasts that are messing them up and definite communication issues. Ben seems to be his own worst enemy most of the time. This is not your typical romance, that’s for sure, and nothing is perfect, but it feels real. Sure Ben and Natalie have chemistry, but they don’t really know how to use it at first. But when they do, they heat up the sheets like nobody’s business! Things are very complicated and murky between them but as they finally open up and get to know each other more and more, they also learn how to help/heal each other and their future brightens right up.
I enjoyed reading this book.
It’s engaging, sexy & emotional.
Natalie & Ben, were practically strangers,
when they literally ran into each other
in Las Vegas. Five hours later,
Ben proposed.
It is the first book I’ve read by
Lisa B. Kamps & it won’t be my last
A MUST READ!!
What happens in Vegas… Can lead to something amazing!
Playing His Part is the seventh book in the York Bombers series, and it is everything you would expect from Lisa B Kamps. It is a truly engaging and fun read – with great and intricate characters as well as a riveting and emotional storyline with a touch of drama and smoldering chemistry thrown in to make it an absolute page turner.
The story starts as any good story and marriage of convenience should start – in Vegas, but this marriage is anything but convenient for Ben Leach and Natalie Kenney. Life is pretty good for Ben being a defenseman for the York Bombers and having all the perks that come along with that, except one thing – happiness. Misery seems to be his constant companion. Natalie Kenney’s life has not been as picture perfect which includes running from an stalker ex, until she runs into Ben, who happens to be the older brother of her old school mate and is when things start to take an unexpected turn – for both of them, in ways that neither could foresee. And the reader gets to enjoy the ride along the way. I would recommend this book and cannot wait for the next one in the series!
It’s not often I come across a book that leaves me sighing as I finish the last page because the story has moved me and made my heart melt. Playing His Part had me hooked from the first page and despite planning on only reading the first couple of chapters before getting some sleep, I found myself sat reading until the early hours as I kept telling myself “just one more chapter”.
I don’t know how, but Lisa B Kamps always makes her characters journeys relatable in some way, and I find myself saying “that’s me” or “yeah, I know that feeling so well”. When it came to Ben and Natalie, it was their feelings of not being good enough and allowing the words of others to have an impact. It was also their fear of loving and being themselves. As with most of Lisa B Kamps’ books, I also came away realising how far I’ve come and how hard I’ve worked to deal with my own demons. Honestly, I could properly pick up any of her books when I’m doubting myself and come away having had a much needed ‘kick up the ass’ reminder of what I was before and what I am now.
This definitely isn’t a book you can put down once you’ve picked it up, but I’ve realised that’s to be expected when it comes to anything written by Lisa B Kamps who is a #fanbloomingtastic author.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book
This is book 7 in The York Bombers series and it features Ben and Natalie. The beginning starts out a little short on details but the story fills you in as you read. They knew each other slightly because she was his sister’s teenage best friend. Now, years later, they ran into each other in Las Vegas and for their own separate reasons decide on an impromptu wedding. I absolutely loved the build up to Ben’s reasons for wanting to get married. His character had amazing growth from beginning to end. Natalie, for being as bold as she was for marrying him, is kind of skittish most of the time.
This story line was fantastic! I wish Natalie wasn’t so skittish. Her constant uneasiness put a damper on some parts of the story. Regardless, still a fabulous read! This was my first book in this series and now I want more!
Ben’s hockey teammates are shocked to learn their defenseman who just months prior gave a teammate a hard time for marrying a girl he got pregnant, came back from a quick vacation in Las Vegas married to his sister’s childhood friend who he hasn’t seen in over a decade!
It’s not always “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. Is Ben and Natalie’s marriage of convenience just that? Or will theyhh be able to put their troubled pasts behind them and open their hearts to the possibility of real love?
Good thing with the Author’s books – even though it’s part of a series (#7 in The York Bomber series), you can definitely read it as a stand alone. I warn you, once you start you will be hooked
First, I had to think on this story and this review for a couple of days trying to do justice to the book and still I failed. This story captured me from the first couple of pages. I love Ben and Natalie. Both have insecurities. Both have baggage. Both have secrets. The story is well written. The characters have depth and dimension. The story is enough but I still find myself wanting more just because it is so good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this book. I would have loved to have more background on Ben and Natalie but it didn’t take away from the story.
This is book seven in The York Bombers series. I have not read all seven books at this time. Natalie is having trouble getting an ex stalker to get the message and back off. When she sees her friend’s brother, Ben. She needs to ask him for help. Ben is living the life, he has everything he needs a job playing hockey but he has no happiness. He is simply living. Ben goes to Vegas and crosses paths with Natalie. She tells him her troubles and a plan is made. Sometimes we are just pawns in our own fate and this is an entertaining story on how Ben and Natalie figure out their present plan will effect their futures.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another great book in The York Bomber series and once again I fell in love with this team and the guys in it
This is Ben Leach’s story he is a defenseman for the team and comes across as quite grumpy when we first meet him bu he does grow on you throughout the story which in a way makes him seem more human than many book heroes he isn’t the perfect alpha specimen he is totally normal He runs into Natalie Kenney when he is in Las Vegas she is an old friend of his sisters and she has got herself into a bad situation on a seeming whim he offers to marry her to help her. Don’t expect smooth sailing from here Ben is a enigma he may protect Natalie but he will also ignore her in fact he left he on their wedding night Is he so damaged that they have no chance of a future You will have to read to see
Hockey player romance is my favorite type of book and this one did not disappoint. I have enjoyed all the York Bombers books to date. Two acquaintances that haven’t seen each other in a decade meet in Vegas and get married. The question is why both have their reasons and that is the story of this book. Both have secrets dating back to childhood, slow to trust, to be involved with other people, they each have a hard time even communicating. This is a slow burn love that develops between Ben and Natalie but one that is flaming hot. Great storyline and wonderful characters, not always likable but interesting.
Natalie’s stuck in Las Vegas, and runs into her friend’s brother, Ben, a semi-pro hockey player. They get married on a whim, and go back to his home in York, PA. And now they’re not sure how to deal with the situation. Some of his teammates know he got married, so he can’t pretend they aren’t, at least in public. She doesn’t want to be a burden, but she has no job and no money, and doesn’t drive. He finally comes clean to her about why he wants to be married, but doesn’t think that she’ll want to stay with him when she realizes how broken he is. She admits what she had done in Las Vegas, and thinks he won’t want her because she’s not a good person. These two lost people manage to help each other, and find their HEA. I loved this book from the very first page. The story has a nice twist on the fake marriage theme, and characters that seem real – Natalie’s self-confidence could use a boost, and Ben is an idiot. This is my first read from this author – not the last, either.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book seven of The York Bombers series a well written story that held my interest until the end. I enjoyed reading the story of Ben Leach, a defenseman for the York Bombers and Natalie Kenney who is on the run for her life. They will have a lot to overcome before they get their happy ending. I enjoyed reading this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kamps is my new favorite author! She has a special talent painting a picture with words and pulling me into the story to the extent that I just can’t put the book down! “Playing His Part” is a sweet story of finding unexpected love. I loved it and can’t wait to read other stories about this hockey team.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ben and Natalie draws you into this story from start to finish. She is on the run from an ex that doesn’t know how to let go. She wasn’t expecting to run into her old friends brother but it was a blessing that she did. Ben not only sheltered her, he married her to give her a blanket of protection. He was just waiting for the bottom to fall out because it always did when it came to happiness for him. Will these two be able to weather the storm and ride the winds to a happily ever after when the drama dies down? I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I thoroughly loved and enjoyed this new “York Bombers” hockey romance. The story is well written and very captivating. I could not put it down until the very end. I love Ben and Natalie! Their is undeniable attraction and chemistry between these two characters the problem was learning to trust. This is a new twist on fake marriage that is somewhat different and unique. I highly recommend the story!!
No spoilers, not how I roll. This book hon7made me cry. It was touching, sweet, emotional, sexy and turbulent. You have to read this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As always such a page turner from Lisa! I loved this book and the glimpses of the other team that we get as well.
Ben has hockey, buddies and money…what more could he want? Happiness. He has had it drilled into his head since he was old enough to remember that he is failure and doesn’t deserve happiness. Enter Natalie, a friend of his sisters who is running from trouble in Vegas, namely her stalker ex. Ben wants to be worthy of something so he marries her to “save” her.
From the beginning Natalie and Ben are both in over their heads adjusting to their relationship, marriage and where they go from here. Enter said ex with threats, attempted kidnapping and we have action adventure.
I was offered an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ben and Natalie do something insanely impulsive after happening across each other in a bar and now they both have to deal with the fall out from it. Ben will frustrate you at times especially when internally he realizes what he needs to ie talk but then does the opposite, Natalie also has the issue of not trusting however it is understandable but also at times I want to shake her. This is a great read about not knowing what you really want and need until it is almost gone along with characters who take you through a raft of emotions and an ending that leaves a smile on your face.
I enjoyed this emotional read from the beginning and didn’t want it to end because I was totally immersed in all that was happening. I loved the attraction and undeniable chemistry between York Bombers defenseman Ben Leach and Natalie Kenney, his sister’s old friend that he runs into in Vegas and decides to help her out of a bad situation by marrying her. Ms. Kamps has given us another winner with action both on and off the ice. If you enjoy well-crafted sports romance, don’t miss Playing His Part. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. I also purchased a copy for my keeper library.