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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I always enjoy a good story from Rachel. One of my go to’s when I’m not sure what I want to read. The story of Mackenzie and Slade is a bit complicated.
Mackenzie is left at the altar and Slade well he is also going through a tough time. Heading for vacation, they are both looking for an escape. From their reality. They quickly find it in each other until reality comes crashing in.
I did love the characters. Was I ok with what Slade did? Not really. But I understood. And I believe they were destined for each other, but it just wasn’t the right time. There are a lot of fun moments, emotional moments, and ones where you wish to wring someone’s neck. But as usual, the writing style is on point. Rachel, I don’t think has ever disappointed. She has a way of making you feel connected and care for the characters.
So for Risky Play, I’m giving it Four Boundless Stars.
Another phenomenal read from Rachel Van Dyken. As soon as I went into reading this novel, I was unable to put it down. I devoured this book in one sitting.
I completely fell in love with Mackenzie. She is such a real character. Nothing in her life, or in her story are sugar-coated. You get the real Mackenzie. You see the pain she has been through, and how many times she has been burned in her past. Things in life haven’t been handed to her. She has worked hard for everything she has. When you get into her personal life, and how many struggles she has been through in her past you can’t help but get emotional and feel that raw pain that she has to deal with.
Slade was definitely an attractive character. At first, he may appear arrogant and very sure of himself. I mean, he is a soccer god after all. Yet, as you keep reading his story, you get to see why he acts the way he does. Just like Mackenzie, he has been hurt far to many times in his past, and does whatever he can to protect himself and make sure his past is never repeated in his present and future.
Together, Mackenzie and Slade were wonderful. The chemistry they shared was definitely one for the books. They may appear to “hate” each other and want nothing to do with each other; however, you can see that deep down, all they want is love, and most importantly, love from one another.
I loved Risky Play by Rachel Van Dyken. Yet another read of Rachel’s that I cannot say enough wonderful things about!
5/5 Stars!
The characters in this story were so much more than I had expected. It was easy to empathize with them, fall in love with them, and get angry for them as they journeyed through the challenges they faced as people and as a couple.
Thank you for this great story.
Risky Play is the first book in the new Red Card series, featuring a swoony soccer star. This semi-emotional Sports romance features a jaded, world famous player and a virginal jilted bride; both main characters were still licking their wounds, sustained from past relationships, when they meet under auspicious circumstances. But what could have been a promising start soon takes a turn for the worse. It’s funny at times when it isn’t pulling at our heart strings, and I loved these two damaged characters.
Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Allistar DuPont is the only daughter, and heir, to the Prosser Winery empire. While Mack doesn’t need to work, she inherited sixty million dollars from her trust fund, she loves being a master sommelier. Unfortunately, her former best friend and ex-fiancé, Alton, works for her father, too. He caused quite a scandal six months ago when he left her at the altar, without a reason. Mack’s on her way to Puerto Vallarta since she decided not to cancel the trip she’d planned to surprise Alton with. Hah, the surprise was on her instead.
Slade Rodriguez is professional soccer star; he recently decided to play for Seattle having played in the European leagues his entire life, and some people thought it was a step down for him. He really just wanted to get away from the paparazzi and one of his old teammates, not to mention the huge scandal involving his former girlfriend. Slade decides he needs a little vacation by himself, before he starts training. What better place than Puerto Vallarta, to relax and get away?
These two meet on the flight and hit it off and when Slade realizes Mack has no idea who he is, he decides to use a fake name. He’s tired of women being interested in him for his fame and fortune. Mack’s afraid Slade will recognize her name, the jilted bride scandal was international news, and she gives him a fake name, too.
When Slade receives devastating news, after one of the best nights he’s ever had, he cuts his vacation short and heads home, without saying goodbye to Mack. She’s hurt and upset; the least she deserved was to be blown off by Slade. But fate has something up its sleeve.
“He’d made me feel alive. Then killed my soul in one fell swoop. Because people like Slade, they were used to thinking about one thing and one thing only. Themselves.”
Much to their surprise, they’re thrown together again and Slade holds Mack erroneously responsible for the pain he’s going through. He never wanted to see her again, much less have her involved in his life.
“So you didn’t find out who I was and just show up? F*ck, how much money do you even want? So we had sex—that doesn’t mean you get to write a tell-all story about the one night you got Slade Rodriguez to f*ck you.”
Mack had given Slade something she’d thought would belong to her husband, something she regretted and obviously meant nothing to him. The longer these two are forced to spend time together, they begin to realize how the assumptions they made about each other were so wrong. But can they make up for so much hurt and misunderstanding?
“The fantasy that I’d been holding in my heart came crashing down at those words. I never wanted to believe my gut instinct. That I was nothing to him. I wanted to believe that it had meant something.”
Loved this book. Live the storyline and all the characters.
Absolutely adored Slade and Mack. Loved the instant connection they had from the time they thought the plane was going to crash to the end when they got their HEA. Brilliant book.
I got sucked into this book. It had all the drama: left at the alter, honeymoon for one, almost dying, hidden identities, death, cheating, angry athletes. Loved it all. Read it!
Have you ever wanted to just go somewhere and be someone else and live outside the box? That’s what Mackenzie Dupont did after being dumped and left at the altar.
On her trip she meets a drop dead gorgeous man who she has a instant connection to and she shares one night of incredible sex only to wake up and find him gone.
Slade meets Mackenzie and is instantly attracted to her but after there night of incredible sex Slade get’s some heartbreaking news and leaves in the middle of the night with no goodbye.
Slade becomes unbearable to deal with while Mackenzie trys to find herself again. She takes a job and who would she come face to face with but Slade. Sparks fly but not in the good way, Slade is hurting and blames the world for his loss. Mackenzie is hurting after being humiliated twice.
Can they find a way to heal together and put what happened to them behind them or will Slade continue to blame Mackenzie for something that wasn’t her fault?
Such an amazing book with all the feels. I love Rachel’s books and can’t wait to read the next one!
What can I say. I think I would read the phone book if it was written by Rachel Van Dyken. I was a little hesitant going into this one. I’m not a soccer fan at all. But with the way that Rachel writes, I still got completely sucked in. Now I’m kicking myself for not reading this sooner.
And I can’t wait until the next one!!
Mack and Slade are both great characters.
You would think with what their exes put them through that they would be the exact opposite of how they are.
I wouldn’t have held it against them if they both had sworn off the opposite sex.
I will keep this review short and sweet.
If you’re looking for a great read, that will suck you write in and have you begging for more…Go One Click this now!
I am so in love with this book that I don’t know what to do now since I finished. I’m in awe.
Mack and Slade are everything I look for in a couple in the book world. They’re beautiful and their chemistry is so damn hot it could melt your damn panties off. They banter, they argue, they make mistakes but in the end they know what they want and know that it’s each other no matter the heartache they have to go through to reach the end goal.
Mack is one of my favourite heroines I’ve ever come across. She had to deal with one of the worst things a woman could deal with on an important day and it changed the way she viewed people and relationships. She put up a barrier which began tumbling down after meeting a stranger on an airplane who’s engine gave out with them on.
Slade, this guy has been through a fair bit. Horrible and heartbreaking and it changed him into a man he hated seeing, a cold bitter man until a not so stranger turns up at his door and starts changing things for him.
This book and the storyline was absolutely amazing. I never knew how much I needed this book until I had it. It was incredible and I’m in awe.
This is my first book from this author and I’m now wondering why the fuck I haven’t read her books before. She’s an phenomenal writer and I NEED more of her books.
Risky Play was sad and heartbreaking mixed with fun and happiness and lots and lots of sexy times. I loved it so much. Most definitely one of my top reads!
I am actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Once I found out this book had the audio included on Kindle Unlimited, I quickly grabbed it… the fact that it was about a soccer player was just icing on the cake! Mackenzie and Slade meet when they both take a trip to Mexico as a little escape from their lives. In typical romance fashion, they hit it off and spend an amazing day together until real life butts in and tragedy strikes. After they return to their lives in Seattle, they get thrown together again and they try to fight the attraction. Mack tries to hang out with an old friend, Slade gets jealous, her ex causes problems, punches are thrown. Really, this book has drama, comedy, romance and the cutest bulldog with a gas problem!
Absolutely loved it.
I received a copy of Risky Play by Rachel Van Dyken from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the first time I have read any books written by Rachel Van Dyken and it was quite enjoyable. Risky Play is the first in her new series Red Card.
Mackenzie Dupont is treating herself to a vacation after being left at the alter by her fiance and childhood friend. During her flight, she meets pro soccer player Slade Rodriguez, who is also running from a failed relationship. Both use fact names when introducing themselves and share a wonderful night together. However, Mackenzie wakes up alone in the morning, and realizes she is hurt but being ditched…. again.
Slade had his reasons for leaving but when the meet up months later with their real names and the truth is revealed, Slade does his best to win her back. But is it too late?
Fun and easy read watching Mackenzie and Slade reach their HEA. It was rather predictable but for me in this story that was fine. There weren’t any deep angst feelings but simple and honest trust issues, hurt feelings, and confidence issues. Things everyone has to deal with. But, I really enjoyed the secondary characters, Matt and Jagger!! Such fun and I look forward to their stories. #RiskyPlay #NetGalley
New to me author. Loved! I thought this was an awesome story. I love a great heroine decides to take her life into her own hands after it seems to have been destroyed. Despite her fiance leaving her at the altar she takes her life and lives it…. goes on her honeymoon. Allows herself to hook up with some one…. and then when she sees this man later on in her real world and he is a total jerk she keeps her head high and takes it with style and grace. She doesn’t let any of these men get the better of her. And I totally admire that. The drama was fun. The romance was super sweet and very romantic. And the characters were lovable. I am really hoping to read a great story about Jagger getting a HEA in the near future.
I loved this story. Slade and Mack are terrific together. The book made me swoon and the scene with Slade and Danny brought tears to my eyes. Mack starts off being a person who is afraid to live her life but by the end of the book, she is a person who is strong and knows what she wants. While on a trip to Mexico by herself, she meets Slade on the plane and kisses him because she thinks she’s going to die. They spend a glorious night together but then Slade receives tragic news and leaves. They run into each other a few weeks later and neither one knows how to act or what to think. Mack is hurt that he walked away from her and then treats her like dirt. Slade is angry with her because he blames her for what happened to his father. Mack refuses to give up on him and he slowly starts to heal. The more time he spends with her, the more he realizes that he wants her her in his life. However, his past comes back to haunt him and threaten everything Mack and Slade could have together. The ending was satisfactory but I just wasn’t ready for the book to end
This was fabulous! I initially started on this book to read in between those life moments. You know..in between my DVR shows, dinner, sleep. Nope, that’s not how it turned out. Once I started there was only one thing to do, so I did it. I literally put those life moments on pause. There was no way I could pause in the middle of Mack and Slade’s story. No way! I was only 25% when my heart truly felt like is what breaking. And not just for one or the other. The hurt both characters were feeling were so different from each other but no less palpable on either side. I could even feel my frown lines get deeper.
Mack was a girl raised with raised with any and every luxury she could want. She was a good girl, through and through. Her money never went to her head. She was kind and caring and lived as simple life as possible. But heartbreak led her to try something spontaneous and into the arms of a sexy man with an even sexier accent.
Slade was practically on top of the world. An extremely successful career and more fame than he wanted. He, too, was trying to escape heartbreak. Time away from it all and everyone.
But heartbreak wasn’t over for either of them and after an amazing night and an incredible connection they were both hurting more than before. So many times I had to fight back tears. I aches for them both so badly. And watching them overcome and come out on top was an amazing experience. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t all heartbreak and tears. There were plenty of funny moments in here to lighten the mood and make me giggle.
Both characters were incredible and I felt EVERYTHING they did. Rachel Van Dyken wrote an incredible story for Mack and Slade.
Wow! I really love this book!! I wasn’t sure if I was going enjoy this at first. I was thinking where can this go? Well I am impressed. The back and forth between these two MC’s is fast…and it’s not all fun banter. Many times I was sad for Mackenzie then to turn around and feel for Slade. Then i would laugh at something silly or smile right along with Mackenzie. As you can see a gambit of emotions. I can really see why Mackenzie/Slade hesitates after their past. Trust issues are no joke and s/he have them. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure Slade is my new BBF. Sorry Mackenzie…I loved seeing all sides of him and his personal growth is great.
These secondary characters are amazing! I really can’t help but love them. Each one is unique but they all have an element of fun. Jagger! Dang! Could you be any hotter? Not only a rockin bod but also the kindness to add to it. Matt you are so funny with your antics…seriously though I don’t know how you control those guys. Matt and Jagger….I cant wait for your books!
I listened to this on audio. I don’t think I will ever forget Slades voice performed by Eric London. That sexy drawl/accent was amazing! Not knocking CJ Bloom she did great as well!
This is my new favorite book and one of the BEST I have read this year! This is going on my re-read shelf but probably for listening (Thank You Eric). I really can’t say enough nice things about this story. It is so so good and it lightened my heart! I LOVE smiling and laughing while reading/listening. Dont you?
I can’t stop smiling and laughing while reading. Jagger and Slade….even Matt! This is a MUST read if you enjoy a good romance and laughing.
I love a great love story written by RVD! She will bring you the swoons and a plot that will have you guessing how it will all end.
Mack is ready for some R&R by being alone far far away. She is ready to reset and take on the world. She never expected Slade. There was a lot of passion and a whole lot of chemistry when these two got together. Risky Play will definitely keep you warm at night. I loved the drama in this story as it kept me on my toes! I am excited for the Red Card series!
*4 Stars*
Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As always with RVD books, I really enjoyed this one. Mack and Slade were both really likeable characters, even if Slade is a bit rude to start with once they reconnect after their initial meeting. Its an understandable reaction and as such does not make him a character that you dislike.
I really liked seeing Mack find herself after everything she went through with Alton, and its refreshing to have such a genuine and sweet character. She doesn’t give up and she is a lot stronger than she realises.
Slade is a great character under all his anger and regret, and I really liked the elementary school scenes with he and Jagger. Jagger is another character I would like to learn more about. Also the scenes with Matt were great.
Everything in this one rounds out nicely, and there is not drawn out angst when the big issue inevitably hits near the end. Everyone got what was coming to them, and things worked out well.
Definitely enjoyed this and look forward to more of this series.
Two people who seem to have everything find themselves at their lowest points when a near-death experience has them clinging to each other in a moment that changes their lives irrevocably. The road to HEA doesn’t go smoothly for these two though as his grief has him pushing her away at every turn while her vulnerabilities and battered self-esteem has her doubting every feeling he arouses in her. Oodles of sexual tension, witty banter, and lots of push and pull moments eventually has their one-night stand taking them from friends to lovers in a hard-fought journey to HEA that had me rooting for them every step of the way.
Mackenzie DuPont’s life seemed all mapped-out with her and family friend Alton destined to marry one day and take her family’s winery to the top. Being with Alton was like being with a friend, every part of her life entwined with his, so she felt lost when he left her at the altar. It was a moment of shame (in front of their social circle and the media) that had her wanting to hide as she felt lacking in some way. Months of sadness and constant introspection led her to Puerto Vallarta where she meets a sexy man who helps her start living again before breaking her heart too. With her ex still employed at the family winery, along with his new girlfriend, what was once a haven now feels like a betrayal that she isn’t ready to deal with. Taking a job that’s dramatically different from what those in her circle usually takes has her coming face to face with the mystery man who’s now angry and bitter and sets both of them on a path of healing that’s raw and painful but empowering nonetheless. Mack’s a likable heroine who was betrayed by not only a man she saw as a lover, but also as a friend. Alton made sure that he was the center of her world and then pulled the rug out from under her. It was a blow to not only her heart but to her soul, making her feel that she’s not good enough and not worthy of love. Her one-night stand with Slade made her feel wanted and powerful which is why his walking away hurt so bad. Their reunion was just as hurtful as his words and deeds cut deep, making her again feel unworthy. I hated him for it too but applauded her reaction to it as she gave as good as she got. She finally stood up for herself in a defining moment that set her and Slade on equal footing and gave them a chance at HEA. Mack was clearly broken down at the start of the story and with each turn of the page she slowly picked herself up and dusted herself off. No matter how hurtful Slade was to Mack she was still able to forgive him, and help him through his own pain, and this too spoke of her strong inner-strength and made me like her all the more.
Readers first glimpse of Slade Rodriguez is of a man also betrayed by love as his fiancee got pregnant with his best friend’s child which led him to the bold decision to leave everything behind to start over in the US. As a star soccer player every move he makes is watched by the world which is why the sexy woman not recognizing him while on vacation has him immensely attracted to her. His ex and far too many other women have only wanted him for what he is instead of who he is behind the athletic mask. He’s drawn to Mack as she brings light and joy to his sadness and frustration, even though they don’t know each other’s real names. A moment of heaven leads to tragedy though and has him leaving without a word. The loss of the one person to support him unconditionally threw him into a very dark place, a place that left him unrecognizable to himself, that had him saying the most hurtful things to Mack the moment she unexpectedly shows up on his doorstep as his new assistant. Slade was truly awful when Mack first started working for him and it made me doubt that he would ever be worthy of someone so kindhearted. Each day that she stood up for herself, each moment that he thought only of her instead of his pain, brought him back to the endearing and flirtatious man he was during their time away from the world. He truly humbled himself to her, exposed his vulnerabilities, and slowly but surly he redeemed himself in my eyes and I could see why he and Mack were so right for each other. Despite those bad behaviors Slade’s one super sexy soccer player, competitive with a bit of alpha that shows up when teammate Jagger shows an interest in Mack. His interactions with his lovable dog Alfie also warmed my heart and showed him more than capable of loving someone despite how angry he became through the heartbreaking death and betrayal that befell his life.
When it comes to Ms. Van Dyken’s writing I can always count on her for crackling dialogue teeming with sexual tension and this series starter had just that and more as Mack and Slade were a realistic couple whose emotions were on display for all to see. They weren’t afraid to show their vulnerabilities to each other and it made for a strong foundation to build their instant attraction into friendship into a HEA. It wasn’t an easy journey though as jealousy, and the truly unlikable Alton, caused a few speed bumps along the way before reaching the immensely satisfying final chapter and the charming epilogue. Mack and Slade were fun and flirty, crackling in their banter, while sizzling in the bedroom and out, and I enjoyed their journey even when I wanted to slap Slade for his bad behavior. Alongside this appealing main couple was an equally likable cast of secondary characters who are mostly in Slade’s inner circle. Slade’s agent Matt definitely left his mark as the playful yet supportive friend who was a shark when it came to business. He didn’t hesitate when calling out Slade on his bad behavior and the mocking way he did so showed their deep decades-long friendship. Slade’s interactions with teammate Jagger were much more antagonistic as years of battles on the soccer field bled out off the field in regards to Jagger’s obvious attraction to Mack. I enjoyed the fiery side Jagger engendered in Slade and the push it gave him to step up and be the kind of man Mack needed. Jagger’s feelings for Mack endeared him to me as he cared for her for who she was inside, not for her family name. He would’ve been happy if their friendship had evolved into something more and it warmed my heart that all he wanted was for her to be happy…even if it was with Slade. I long to learn more about him as the glimpses we got of him, and his past with Slade, are truly tempting. On a whole this is a well-crafted series starter with a decadently delightful balance between romance and athleticism. Fans of HEAs will be thrilled by this book’s near-perfect conclusion and counting down the days until the next installment.
When Mackenzie Dupont gets left at the alter without a groom her world as she knows it changes. She decides go on her honeymoon trip by herself and meets Hugo (who wants to give your real name to a stranger who you plan to just have some fun with. Slade and Mackenzie’s story is a lot of fun and steamy as heck in spots. They won’t have an easy road, but then what fun would that be. Risky Play has a good story-line and great characters that you want to hang out with and get to know even more.
I hope to see more books in this series and from this author.