Score one for the curvy girls! Harper Nugent might have a little extra junk in her trunk, but her stepbrother calling her out on it is the last straw… When rugby hottie, Dexter Blake, witnesses the insult, he surprises Harper by asking her out. In front of her dumbass brother. Score! Of course, she knows it’s not for reals, but Dex won’t take no for an answer. Dexter Blake’s life revolves … Blake’s life revolves around rugby with one hard and fast rule: no women. Sure, his left hand is getting a workout, but he’s focused on his career for now. Then he overhears an asshat reporter belittle the curvy chick he’d been secretly ogling. What’s a guy to do but ask her out? It’s just a little revenge against a poser, and then he’ll get his head back in the game.
But the date is better than either expected. So is the next one. And the next. And the heat between them…sizzles their clothes right off.
Suddenly, this fake relationship is feeling all too real…
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
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Playing It Cool was HOT
My eReader was smoking and I had to wait for things to calm down before writing this review. 5 stars from me!
Why? Characters, storyline, and the fact that I couldn’t … actually can’t … stop re-reading. First book by Ms. Andrews for me, but I’ve since downloaded the first book in the series and read that …. each one has been a good part of the series, a HEA, and a total standalone with characters from the other books.
Harper and Dex find that they can’t stay away from each other. He’s a top Rugby star with a long term plan that includes putting life on hold until he retires. He’s made it out of poverty and is determined that nothing is going to jeopardize his focus on his sport and plan.
Harper is an artist with a self-image problem that consumes her. She’s been hurt in the past and is all about protecting herself. When the two of them meet, they agree it’s temporary … but soon they find they can’t stay away from each other.
There are scenes that sizzle and the story comes to an ending that will have you clutching your eReader while cheering on Harper and Dex. I’ve re-read the ending about 10 times since finishing Playing It Cool in as many days.
If your’e looking for a great sports romance … actually a great romance, look no further! Download Playing It Cool.
I am writing this of my own accord and didn’t receive an ARC! I’m totally on Team Amy from this point out. Off to download another one of her books!!!
Amy Andrews
Playing it Cool by Amy Andrews
Sydney Smoke #2
Dexter Blake has a plan that does not include a significant other…well…not for at least five more years. When he hears someone putting down a woman he considers beautiful his hackles rise, he steps in and ends up asking Harper Nugent for a date. What starts out as a “good time” to put her verbally abusive stepbrother and stepmother in their place ends up being a whole lot more. Dexter has a great deal of trouble realizing that Harper is “more” when his long term goals have been fixed so rigidly in his mind.
This was a fun easy-to-read sport romance with two people that were meant for one another. I would like to thank NetGalley and Entangled-Brazen for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
oh boy this book is sexy!!
3.5 stars
Fun, flirty, sweet and sexy sports romance with an Aussie twist that has a great mix of heart, humor and heat.
Playing It Cool is my first read by Amy Andrews (so it can totally be read as a stand-alone) but I’ll definitely be checking out the first in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series and her other books too.
Sweet accidental love story. Great story of support, encouragement and the importance of family.
A flirty and dirty read – after all, they discuss mastubation practices on their first date! Yay for Harper, who is a mostly confident muralist except when her family disparages her because of her weight to which I can relate. And smokin’ hot Dex who is a gentleman at heart but hadn’t planned on a relationship for at least another 5 years. But love doesn’t always follow a schedule as Dex finds out. Wished there was a little more grovelling as I felt Harper forgave too easily but this certainly didn’t ruin the book for me! I’ve already downloaded the others in this series.
I enjoyed the book. It was entertaining. Not exceptional, but still a fun read.
I really like Amy Andrews writing. I’ve read some books from this series and planning to read more in the future.
I always prefer a curvy girl for the female lead; I can relate with her more. Harper is being body shamed by her stepbrother when Dexter comes to her rescue. Dex may not has time for anything but rugby, but he can’t resist asking her out when he heard him call her fat.
Their first date is sexy as hell and he wants more time with her. Their encounters are charged with sexual tension and neither of them can resist. However, all he can offer her is casual sex and a buddy. It was really interesting to see their relationship evolve. I was sad with how Dex treated her at times. Her stepmom and stepbrother were plainly cruel to her and that really pissed me off.
The ending was beautiful and I’m looking forward to reading more from the author!!
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I really liked this one. The heroine was a little young to be so mature but otherwise the characters were great. It wasn’t super realistic as far as the premise goes – maybe the first time I could see Dex asking her out but after that… Once you suspend disbelief, it was a cute story. Worth rereading and I’ll be getting the sequel if there is one.
Was a good read. Liked the main female character, she seemed relatable. The male lead was hot and seemed truly interested. Overall good for a short sweet sometimes make you made read.
Enjoyed it so much I got the rest of the series. Worth the read!
It wasn’t a bad read, but I was getting tired of the DRAMA. Parts of the book were quite good! Parts were just too unbelievable like the auction. I felt the book needed more real plot rather than drama for drama’s sake.
I’m sooo loving all these books with BBW as a main character. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
I enjoyed this short read. After reading it, I purchased other books in the series.
I love when the bad boy really turns out to be the good guy.
I really loved reading this book. Real and realistic story.
Dexter Blake is a dedicated rugby player. Coming from an impoverished background, rugby was his way out so he gives the game all of his focus. That leaves little time for women and definitely no relationships. The one thing that can get his heart racing though is a woman with a little “junk in her trunk” and Harper Nugent definitely has that going on! She’s a big girl. Always has been and she doesn’t see that changing. So when Dex asks her out she certain it’s just part of a big joke the rugby guys have come up with but it’s no joke. Dex wants to know her – intimately! As they spend time together and feelings start to develop, Dex gets a little freaked out. Afraid he’s letting his focus on the game slip he calls things off. Now he can’t focus for missing Harper. What does he do now?
This is a fantastic fun and super sexy read! I definitely recommend it.
What a fun read this is!! I loved Harper and Dex together! Talk about sizzle!!
Harper is a curvy girl and that’s just what attracts Dex the most! When he overhears her dumb stepbrother making crude remarks about her, Dex surprises her by asking her for a date! She thinks they are just getting back at her stepbrother, but Dex ends up liking Harper the more time he spends with her.
Dex has only ever wanted to play rugby and play for the best. He’s worked hard and has been laser focused on his career. Having come from the poor side of the tracks, he doesn’t want anything to dampen his career. After he starts to spend more and more time with Harper, he starts to realize he likes her for more than just a friend with benefits! He can’t function without her! Awwww!
I loved this book! I totally enjoyed seeing how these two fall in love! Dex is all hunky and hot as sin, and Harper, well she has normal women insecurities! I liked how Dex made her feel good, and proud of her curves. Their journey together is not all hearts and flowers and they have to do some navigating, but we do get the ending we crave! A great summer read!
Stunningly funny. I love a good Aussie romance because there is nothing like there humor and word choice for everything. Body image is such a huge topic and I am happy that the author made it so upbeat. BTW loved the little glossary in the back. I am now officially a rugby “expert” – not. The description of the artwork was really beautiful. A very good story!