Even one-night stands deserve a second chance in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken’s novel of sporting desire.What else can a virgin do when she’s ditched at the altar? Seattle heiress Mackenzie Dupont is treating herself to a single-girl honeymoon in Mexico and a desire to relinquish her innocence to a gorgeous one-night stand. Fake names. True pleasure. But when she wakes up … But when she wakes up alone, Mackenzie realizes just how much anger is left in her broken heart.
Suffering a tragic personal loss, pro soccer player Slade Rodriguez has his reasons for vanishing without a goodbye. Right or wrong, he’s blaming the beautiful and infuriating stranger he never wants to see again. They’re both in for a shock when Mackenzie shows up as his new personal assistant. And they both have a lot to learn about each other. Because they share more than they could possibly know, including a common enemy who’s playing his own games. And he’s not afraid to get dirty.
Now there’s only one way Mackenzie and Slade can win: to trust in each other and to stop hiding from the lies they’ve told, the secrets they’ve kept, the mistakes they’ve made, and the attraction that still burns between them.
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Left at the altar, Seattle heiress Mackenzie Dupont treats herself to a single-girl honeymoon, hoping for a hot, anonymous one-night stand. But once her fate collides with pro soccer player Slade Rodriguez, there’s no stopping this fun, roller-coaster romance. A fast-paced, second-chance love story with a delightful spark of comic relief.
Rachel Van Dyken…..Girl, I believe this is my new fav read by you!!! I fell sooo hard for this book!!
I had soo many Laugh out Loud moments while reading!!!
Mackenzie was running away from a failed engagement. Slade was running away from a crappy relationship and a much needed break from his team.
“Are we going to die?
Ohhh goodness y’all, what would you do if you thought you were about to die?? Maybe kiss a complete stranger that you were having a nice talk with on a plane that you were totally attracted to??
Well that is just what Mackenzie did. She kissed Slade. On that plane. That she thought she was about to die on. She had no idea who he was, and he had no idea who she was either.
Fast forward a bit..lol Well you know the plane didn’t go down..cuz that would be the shortest book ever..haha Anyway, since Slade and Mackenzie had this near death experience, they decided to hang out for the evening. One thing lead to another and you think all is right in the world. Nope, Slade ends up leaving in the middle of the night, no message, no calls, no nothing. Mackenzie was sooo heartbroken. She thought what they had experienced was special. Well guess not.
Sooo do you believe in fate? What about two times with the same person? Yupp, you guessed it. These two meet again under very different circumstances and ohhh LAWD, they don’t seem to hit it off as lovey-dovey as before…lol Yeaahhh this is where my review will end. You will have to pick this lovely read up on release day and find out what the heck happened with these two and why Slade flew off in the middle of the night that night. Can Mackenzie ever forgive him??
5 Shining Stars for Risky Play from me!!! Y’all I Loved it sooo much!!!
This was such a good story! All my favorite tropes – sports star, jilted bride, enemies to lovers and sexy times.
This was a great fun read. Mackenzie is left at the alter and Slade had been cheated on my his fiancé. They end up sitting next to each other on a plane and the story is born. It was touching how they brought out the best in each other. Another great romantic comedy by Rachel Van Dyken!
Great book! I love Rachel’s writing and she never disappoints me! This story was emotional, funny, sexy and angsty! Even with all the things trying to keep them apart, they figured out how to make it work even if it was hard and they had to own up to their mistakes! I loved it and can’t wait to hear more from the supporting characters!
First, let me start by saying, I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Second, you can absolutely never go wrong with a Rachel Van Dyken book! She has this innate ability, to pull to pull you into her beautifully and sometimes twisted worlds and she refuses to let you go until you’ve read the last page!
I absolutely loved Risky Play from start to finish!! This story takes two beautifully, broken people, with their own set of problems and insecurities and throws them together in the most unexpected ways!!
Rachel writes Slade and Mackenzie with such authenticity, I felt as if I really knew them!! I sympathized with them, yelled at then and cheered for them throughout the entire story!! Throw in a couple of conniving exes and things really spin out of control!
Slade is a famous soccer star, with a bad boy reputation and all he wants is to relax, without being recognized.
Mackenzie is good girl, jilted at the alter heiress to a billon dollar wine company. These two have nothing in common, except wanting to be someone else for just a little while.
What starts as a one night stand turns into something else entirely!
When Slade disappears and Mackenzie heads home to begin picking up the pieces of her broken heart. What comes next is a mixture of karma, fate and two people trying to figure out what comes next! As the stakes rise and things heat up how do you fall in love with the whole world watching?
Well read Risky Play and find out!
If you like a fast paced, sexy story with just that right amount of comic relief and a heart melting happily ever after then Risky Play is definitely the book for you!!
4.5 Stars
Mackenzie was just left by her fiancé – in front of all the high society wedding guests!
Alton has been her best friend since they were born – they were going to have a happy life together. But when she’s honest with herself, she never really love-loved him like a girl should love her future husband.
She still has to work with him at her family’s wine company – time to use that honeymoon ticket! Off to Mexico we go.
And on the plane we meet Slade. He’s just left his England soccer team to play with Seattle – career suicide – but he couldn’t stay in London anymore. His girlfriend is expecting a kid from his former best friend!!!
There’s no better way to get over someone than to get under or over or behind someone new!
Mackenzie and Slade meet on that plane, but because they’re both more of less in the public eye, they decide to give each other a fake name: Ashely and Hugo. LOL!
After some very sexy moments in that Hotel they will never see each other again anyway! Right?
NOPE!
Let the fun times begin!
What will happen with Mackenzie & Slade?
WILL THERE BE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER???
BUY THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
Well, that was adorable and so funny!
I really loved reading it!
We have this mega-sexy, mega-famous international soccer star and the virgin wine business heiress. And they so belong together, but they have to go through a lot of fighting until we might see a happy end on the horizon.
Turns out Slade’s nemesis is on his team now too and he was a groomsman in Mack’s wedding – and he’s now interested in her too. Plus, her ex is not really the nicest guy. He’s not done with her yet either.
Add to all that lots of sexy and hilarious and sparky and adorable and footbally and moving moments. Plus a cute dog and family and friends and problems and feelings. What do you get? A really great sports romance. I loved it. Can’t wait to read Jagger’s and Matt’s books!
The only thing that bothered me – and that will take away half a star from my rating…. nothing to do with the story, but the author. Rachel’s first line in the acknowledgements? She thanks god. I just can’t deal with that in my romances. If I wanted to read christian romances, I’d buy them. Which I never in a million years would do. And before I go on another anti-religion rant, I will stop this here.
Oh – and another tiny little thing. I think Mackenzie was a bit too old. A 30 year old virgin? 26 would’ve been ok too.
GREAT ROMANCE! I LOVED READING IT!
I wouldn’t mind if Netflix came along and made something out of it!!
RISKY PLAY was a really adorable & funny sports romance – full of feelings!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own Slade – this one is MINE!!!!
Everytime I pick up a Rachel Van Dyken book, I know I am in for an unforgettable ride. Risky Play was no exception. The characters, the story line and the writing all were crazy perfection.
Star soccer player Slade and wine company heiress Mackenzie’s first meeting was a chance encounter in a plane with failed engines when they were both going for a vacation in Mexico. They were not honest about identity but they were honest about the scorching hot bone deep chemistry between them. But something makes Slade leave her without a goodbye and that was devastating for her as she was recovering from being left at alter. Now months after they meet again. And in entirely different circumstances. Can they start over? Can Slade overcome his misery and heartbreaking guilt over his father’s death and realize his true feelings about Mckenzie?
Slade is perfect. Well more than perfect. Of course he is the hottest man alive. But his caring, vulnerable, compassionate and emotional heart is what made me fall head over heels love with him. And Mckenzie is just the perfect match for him. She moulded herself to her family’s expectation and so called picturesque future. But she has learnt her lessons and now she is a stronger woman. But even the strongest woman needs someone tp care for and fight for her. And Slade is exactly that! They make each other better and that’s what true love is all about. The secondary characters like teammates from Slade’s soccer team were amazing.
Rachel Van Dyken excelled at incorporating wicked humor in her story. The writing is flawless and smooth. I found myself laughing uncontrollably and squirming in my seat with all the arousal and sighing with the sweetest emotions. I devoured it in one sitting. Risky Play was like one of those extravagant carnivals. You won’t want to come out once you enter. You will be spoilt by so many great choices entertain yourself. And I gurantee you the best time of your life!
Received ARC for Honest Review
Risky Play is the best kind of revenge. It’s karma without help. It’s just desserts. It’s a full circle complete with black eye. So I’m short it’s a smile inducing second chance love story with an arrogant soccer star and an heiress. It’s a chance to breath and a chance to live.
With jokes, snark, and one liners that keep you on your toes, RVD brings the funny back. Enjoy Risky Play because I have a feeling soccer is going to only get sexier…(The season/series is just beginning!)
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
Mackenzie is taking her honeymoon by herself, why not since her ex left her at the altar. She was hurt but didn’t love him. It seemed more like a business merger than a marriage of love. When she meets a sexy man on the plane, she thinks a one night stand is what she needs to make her life right.
Slade is the sexy man on a plane, everyone recognizes him but the beautiful girl sitting next to him. He is trying to forget the last year he has been through before he heads to a new city. So why not spend the night with a beautiful woman.
Neither of them gives there real names or tells the other what they do for a living. It would change things for them both but would it be so bad. Their chemistry is off the charts, they have fun together and they love hard.
Will they tell each other their truths before others try to ruin things for them? Can Mack accept what Slade does for a living? Will Slade accept who Mack is and who her family is? Will Mack and Slade be able to move forward when his past comes back?
I love Rachel Van Dyken and her writing style draws you in until you feel like you are friends with the characters. This story starts out with a bang and takes you on a roller coaster ride that will leave you wanting more. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
**Wicked Reads Review Team**
How fun is this book? Enemies to lovers with a unique twist, Risky Play is classic Rachel with all the humor, Heat and amazing characters her readers have grown to expect from her cannon.
Why am I so attracted to left at the altar books?! Actually, I dont care. I need them all, including this hot new one by RVD. Swoon.
Rachel Van Dyken has another hit series in the Making with Risky Play, the first book in her Red Card Series. I loved every moment. I was drawn into this incredible world instantly. She created wonderful characters, combustible chemistry and I devoured this story.
Mackenzie and Slade bore deep into my heart and did not let go. I loved their feistiness and ability to be stubborn, yet loving.
Rachel made me laugh. She made me cry. I never wanted this book to end. I would highly recommend this book. I can’t wait for more in this series!
I devoured this book in one sitting and loved every minute and moment I spent reading it. Risky Play was such a fantastic read with great characters. MacKenzie, Slade, Matt and Jagger are characters you can’t help but love and I enjoyed the back and forth banter between all of them. Throw in sports and I’m all in. This read was full of funny, sweet, steamy and all around great moments that will have you laughing out loud more than once. There were touching moments here and there and those were special when they happened. I wished the drama didn’t happen with the ex but I knew it was coming, it was all a matter of when and I knew exactly who would be a part of it before it even began. The ending was sweet and wrapped this story up nicely. It definitely left me happy and with a smile on my face. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Rachel Van Dyken does not disappoint when it comes to her stories and she’s one author I recommend to my book loving friends.
I loved this book! Mackenzie is on the same flight as Slade when an engine goes out. Mack takes matters in her own hands and kisses this stranger. She has been jilted by her fiance and is taking the honeymoon for herself. Slade is taking a break after his ex cheated on him with a fellow soccer player. He is transferring to a team in Seattle. They both give fake names and have a one night stand, when Slade hears that his father has died. Mack decides to take a job before going back to her father’s winery. It is Slade’s house that she is taking care of. Can they find their way back to each other? This is a must read! 5 stars
Enemies-to-lovers alert! Rachel Van Dyken scores a goal with this sports romance.
Laugh out loud hilarious at times love story! You are in for a treat.
Mackenzie was left at the alter by her best friend. Needing a vacation she meets this gorgeous hunk named Slade. Only fake names are given.
Six months down the road a chance encounter happens with some not nice words on Slade’s part. He’s a full on jerk.
Crazy antics and fist fights having you out right laughing.
I loved getting to know the characters and hopefully we hear more from them!
Rachel made me fall in love with reading again in this sweet and sexy story. Slade and Mackenzie start off their chance encounter with a lie, but it is hot until it’s not and then all hell breaks loose. I swooned, smiled, yelled and got all turned on and worked up while reading this book. Things aren’t always what they seem and trust can make or break it all. You will be rooting for this amazing couple. Rachel, you made me realize that some risky plays are totally worth it. I could read this book over and over again.
This is book 1 in the Red Card series. Mackenzie (Mack) DuPont had always thought she knew how her life was going to go. But when she is left at the altar in the middle of her wedding by the man she had spent most of her life being with, she knew she needed to take time for herself and have some fun. So she goes on her honeymoon on her own. And when she meets one the hottest men she has ever seen, she decides to be someone else and give him a different name. Slade Rodriguez is a professional soccer player and is on a much needed break. They both decide to spend the night together, but Slade is called away and Mack wakes alone. But when she decides she needs a change of scene and jobs, she never expects to suddenly be his personal assistant. Or for him to be so angry with her.
This was a great way to start this series out! Mack and Slade seem to be perfect for each other once they make it past their own issues. Reading about them working through their problems and figuring out what they wanted in their lives is great. The only drawback I had was I didn’t like the way he treats her when they first meet up again. I get that he was angry but taking it out on someone who has nothing to do with it was a slight turn off for me. But on a whole I truly did like it. And the side characters are just as good. On a whole I did enjoy the read and will definitely read the next books in the series!
I was lucky enough to get this book early and OMG I think it might be my favorite RVD book yet. It was sweet and romantic, but it was more the characters are amazing. Mackenzie is this strong woman who might be broken a little from her past but she pushes through. She knows her self-worth and isn’t afraid to say so. She gets knocked down and gets right back up. I love this about her. She never loses her sense of humor or her sense of self.
Slade is a heartbreaker in more than one way he really put my heart through the wringer! You could feel his pain it was bleeding through the pages. Even when I wanted to shake him I still had empathy for him.
Matt hahaha Oh Matt is a character he and Jagger I swear I want them both to get books because they really gave this story that little extra to make you feel the friendship even if it was more enemies ;).
Mack and Slade have this back and forth that I love in my romance, he pushes she pushes back and when she pulls away he follows it is really interesting to read and root for them. I am in awe of this book and I just want more.
I don’t get to eye read as often as I like but I am so glad I made the time for this book, I even bought the audio version so I will be listening to it as well.