Cinderella plays dirty…One crown prince; one “playboy prince”…One con artist; one petty thief…One twisted plot for revenge.When Grand Duke Reginald Winchester is exiled in disgrace, he vows he won’t go down without a fight. Crossing paths with Zee Wilder and her younger sister Ava at a gambling resort in Miami is the stroke of luck he needs.Zee is the counterfeit courtier in Reggie’s plan … needs.
Zee is the counterfeit courtier in Reggie’s plan to humiliate Rowan, the controlled heir who kicked him out of the kingdom. In return, the sisters get a permanent spot on Easy Street.
If only Zee didn’t keep finding herself in a clutch with Cal, Rowan’s playboy younger brother. Ava’s no help, as she finds quiet walks in the moonlight discussing poetry and leadership with the brooding, future king irresistible. Even more irresistible is kissing his luscious lips.
The whole plan is falling apart, and neither sister is sure she wants to stop it.
ALL-NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE featuring secrets, lies, royal high jinks, scams and double-crosses; breathless, swooning lust, cocky princes, dominant alpha future-kings, and crafty courtiers, who are not always what they seem.
#Dirty
#Cinderella
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When I heard Tia Louise was renaming the books in this series and rolling out with some hot new covers, I figured now was the time to pick them up- nothing like a new cover to reignite fan fervor and pull in new readers to this fun modern day take on a fairy tale.
This was a unique story for me in terms of the romance genre because it is really is the story of TWO couples – two thieving sisters (Zee and Ava) who are scraping to get by and two alpha badboy princes (Rowan and Cal). Zee is the caretaker- always protecting Ava, which is why she’s trying to play prince Rowan by getting him to fall for her- only issue is that Rowan wants Ava and will do anything to have her, and Prince Rowan’s brother Cal and Zee are lusting after each other, which is a major wrench in her plans. What a fun twist- our leads fall for the wrong sibling!
The narrative structure was interesting, and I’m not sure it worked for me. We have two POVs, but the two POVs are from two different couplings- told by Zee and Rowan. I love the interesting approach- it is different from anything I’ve read, but with two couples in one book and only understanding ½ of each couple’s story, I just felt like we didn’t get the full story with either nor really feel the connection and chemistry (it felt more physical). I don’t think we needed all 4 POVs, but I need more feeling/experiencing to get Ava and Cal. I just didn’t know where or who to focus on- I’m selfish, and I want to fully experience my romance- and here I felt like the interesting POV structure just left me missing out. With two couples and a lot of action, it is just a lot to pack in one book. Even so, it took longer to get the story started for me- the beginning moving very slow- lots of exposition, trying to wrap our brains around many characters all at once. And, the emotional connections never fully “click” for me- the lusty/steam was definitely here- just not quite enough emotion. Lots of insta-love and steamy times, though- and I love some good dirty talking, bossy princes.
The pace really picked up at the end with lots of suspense and action- the pace triples, just a lot going on! This is also not a standalone/HEA- the stories are not done, both couples are not clearly resolved, and we have a cliffhanger! Overall, not my favorite of Tia’s, but I appreciate her risk taking in the narrative structure, and the premise is a fun and interesting one- just didn’t quite click for me. But, if you like a good fairy tale reinvention, dig the royal trope, or are looking for some dirty talking royals, this is worth the read.
I didn’t know I was looking for a Cinderella meets Ocean’s Eleven story. But I found one and I loved it. I’m really picky with my royalty romances, but this author didn’t do me dirty. (HA) I wish I had read this a lot sooner than i did, but i must say, i really do love the new cover.
I recieved a complimentary copy of this from wildfire pr on behalf of the author and i volunteered to leave an unbiased review.
Wish it wasn’t a 2 book I like ending this continues to another book is unfortunate
This is a great book that gives you a little Cinderella and Ocean’s Eleven mixed together with deceit and danger lurking. Zelda has been taking care of her little sister Ava since she was 17 and Ava 15. They have lived on the streets and done what was necessary to survive. When a quick scam exposes them to the wrong person they are faced with a decision that will change their lives forever.
Rowan has inherited the kingdom after his father the King died. He is trying to make his country better but there are roadblocks along the way. When he is caught in a compromising photo he if forced to make some changes in his personal life. Along comes Zelda and Ava and they will forever change his and his brother Cal’s life.
This was the first time for me to listen to Joel Froomkin and Natalie Duke. They did a great job portraying these characters.
I enjoyed listening to this book and recommend it. I can’t wait to listen to book 2.
What a rush!! Sexy meets spy next door!! I have enjoyed several of Tia’s other books and this one fell right in line! The Prince & The Player is the first in her Dirty Players Series. I like that their are 4 main characters that intertwine. Tia is great at writing scenes that keep you in the moment. This book is a fast pace, edge of your seat, sexy as hell, read it in one setting whirlwind romance!
Zelda and Ava are always on the go, trying to make money the best way they know how. Unfortunately, the sisters get caught on one of their “jobs” and are blackmailed into helping a revenge seeking relative try to strip a future King of his title.
Zelda’s only job is to make Rowan fall for her. But what happens when hearts get involved? Hers wants Cal, Rowan’s younger brother and Ava’s wants Rowan.
Will falling in love with the wrong brothers have horrible consequences for all those involved? Will anyone walk away alive?
Wow! What a ride! Tia keeps you glued to the book the entire time. And the cliffhanger!! I can’t wait to start the next book!!
Great modern royal romance with a twist. This story is amazing Tia Louise did an excellent twist from what I thought the story would be about making it way more entertaining. I listened to the audiobook and Joel Froomkin and Natalie Duke did a terrific job, Joel accent was a good choice and great voice change for Rowan and Cal, I also enjoyed how Natalie portrayed Zee and Ava, it was good paced, the voices went in pair with the emotions and what was happening in the story making it interesting. Can’t wait to dig into the next one.
Audiobook: Narrators – Joel Froomkin, Natalie Duke
This duo did a great job with the many characters introduced in this book, many who had an accent. Other than one place, the accent was done in such a way that I never struggled to understand what was being said. Mr. Froomkin definitely does an exceptional job of the male voices, giving added characterization to them to the point I knew who was speaking without the book having to tell me.
Wow! This was nothing like I expected! This is actually two stories/romances in one.
First we have Zelda and Cal. They can’t keep their eyes or hands off of each other, even though Zee was hired to make Cal’s brother, the future king, fall for her. Everything between this couple sizzled with sexy undertones. As the more carefree of the brothers, Cal didn’t hesitate to flirt and make his move. There were times he had to step back and those times drove him crazy.
The second story is Rowan and Ava. From the minute Rowan heard, then saw Ava, he was a goner. Despite what was expected of him and that Ava didn’t fit into the picture of those expectations, he wanted her more than his next breath. This was the more serious of the two relationships, lacking the sharp wit that existed between Zee and Cal. That doesn’t mean they didn’t set their own fires along the way, but everything between them was deeper, more intense. I loved that each couple had a different feel to them.
This has some political intrigue, humor, and some danger that left me breathless from shock. While one couple finds a happy place at the book’s conclusion, the other couple leave us with a cliffhanger. I was immediately pulled into this story, kept engaged by not only the characters but the plotline, and now determined to find out what will happen to that couple that didn’t get their happy ever after. This is different than the current books I’ve been reading by this author and I’m delighted to see another side to her talent in this earlier publication.
Horrible. DNF
This must have been a rough draft that was written by multiple writers. One person would start, someone ease would pick up the story and continue to write. Without knowing all of the details.
King Rowan is introduced to Zelda Benedict outside a ball. Sentences later He calls her Zelda Wilder. Then the next paragraph Prince Rowan (same man) is introduced again to Zelda Benedict for the first time as she enters a ball. It’s confusing as hell. I read and reread and highlighted the mistakes.
I couldn’t read any more.
Finished the first one and immediately had to start the second
Oh how I loved the Prince & the Player!!! #TeamCalAndZee forever!! There is tons of passion, suspense, and action. A little something for everyone.
Zelda and Ava are sisters on the run and on the streets of Miami when the Prince & the Player first starts off. Flash forward to several years later and Zelda and Ava have hooked up with a small group of grifters and are running little cons in casinos in Florida. Unfortunately for both of them, one of their cons is noticed by the wrong people. Reginald, uncle of Princes Rowan and Cal (MacCallum), gives Zelda a proposition, no, more like an ultimatum: make Rowan (crown Prince) fall in love with her so Uncle Reginald (who has been thrown out of the country by Rowan) can humiliate Rowan and take the government back. If she succeeds in getting Rowan to fall for her, Reginald will make sure she and Ava never have to worry about money again in their lives.
The plan goes sideways, though, as soon as the sisters meet the brothers and Zee falls for the wrong prince, Cal, instead of the crown prince, and Ava falls for Rowan. The fact that there are two separate love stories going on sounds as if it would be too much, but Tia weaves them together seamlessly and without overwhelming either story with the other. I have to admit, though, that I love Cal and Zee just a little more than Rowan and Ava. Probably because Cal is exactly my type of man: a sweet, dirty talker, dirty doer who is brought to his knees by a woman who is his match in every way.
The cliffhanger got me though, and now I am very impatiently awaiting the sequel, a Player for a Princess.
Whew what a ride !! Ms. Tia has done it again!
Let me ask you a question…What do a crown prince (Rowan) , playboy prince (Cal) , a sexy, street smart, sassy , con artist (Zee) and a beautiful petty thief (Ava) have in common? Happy you asked..Tia has put them in a fast paced, high energy, sexy mysterious romance!
Zee~ `A plan, a job, a complete distraction and oh yes I fell in Love, why did he have to be so irresistible. Zee wants nothing more to get in, get it done, protect her sister Ava and scram before anyone has the chance to figure who the hell they are.
Ava~~The beautiful little sister/petty thief that has tried to stay out of the limelight. Unfortunately, her beauty, kindness and compassionate personality always giver her away but this time she has caught the eye of a Prince……Yes a Prince NOT part of the plan!
Reggie~~ The jaded uncle who wants nothing more that to bring down his nephews Rowan and Cal. His plan is to of course takeover the country and rule how he sees fit! Hire a pretty con artist and then once she figures out the real plan blackmail her!! What could possibly go wrong?
The entire scheme is falling apart at the seems and both sisters want nothing more that to finally be happy…..Let the Chips fall where they may!!
We have a cliffhanger here but hop on and enjoy the Ride!!!!
Gifted a copy for an honest review!
~~Michele McMullen
Wow!
Tia Louise just took me on a wild ride of intrigue, deception, and royal love!
Zelda Wilder and her sister Ava have make a living the only way they know how. After they escaped the foster system, grifting became their way of life. They just might not be as good as they think they are. Getting caught and being blackmailed into another job, they find themselves on their way to Monogasco (? can’t remember how that’s spelled). Prince Rowan is in line to be the next king if he can prove himself competent. That won’t happen if Zelda fools him into thinking she’s an oil heiress.
I was hooked from the beginning. I felt like I was watching an episode of Leverage, with amateurs! Zee is good when it’s small time, but she’s paranoid and not confident in herself. Ava starts out cocky and seemingly superficial until she meets Rowan and we get to see a deeper, smarter side of her.
Cal was my favorite. He was just plain sexy! I loved his playboy attitude and devotion to his brother. Zee has that same devotion toward Ava. It makes them the perfect pair.
Although the con inevitably gets screwed up and the girls fall for the wrong brothers, it really is for the best. I think seeing Rowan and Ava’s story from his point of view diminished it a bit. I wasn’t as invested in them as I was in Zee and Cal. I can’t wait to finish their story in A Player for the Princess!
the prince and the player
I so enjoyed this story..amazing characters, lust, love, action, lies and intrigue.
I found it difficult to connect with Zelda at first, but as I kept reading and got to know her better I fell in love with her big heart. Ava, Zelda’s sister, is such a gentle soul and so charming and beautiful.
Rowan and Cal are brothers and Def different in every aspect, one is serious where the other is mischievous, but they share the same passionate nature.
I was so intrigued by this story, because not only there are two couples, but everything going on with state affairs and the secrets.. I couldn’t put it down!!!
As far as the ending go, it wasn’t that bad lol..but I am still happy I can read book 2 straight away.
Loved how it kept me wanting to continue reading. But Was not thrilled with the end and must go to next book to continue the story. Just saying
Book 1 is a good read!
Great book
A very good read !!!
Once you think yuou know what’s happening next , then surprise!
Really enjoyed this book, however, it is a cliffhanger, so be prepared. It’s intriguing enough to read the rest of the bppks in the series.
hate cliff hangers