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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ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
From a bride left at the altar to a sexy one night stand on her so called “honeymoon”, Mackenzie sure doesn’t do thing by halves.
Poor Mackenzie is my first thought, but then she is anything but poor and the dumping is the catalyst for her to finally tackle life.
And Slade – hellllooooo sir! As much as he is a dick, as the story progresses you can understand why he is a lot of the ways he is, even thought I wanted to throw a soccer ball at his head a lot of the time.
You can feel the sparks between our lovelies from the first meeting, and I for one couldn’t wait for Slade to remove his head from his sphincter and see how amazing Mack is.
I gotta say, I really, really wanted to nut punch Mack’s ex, Alton. Oh man, when you read I am sure you will have the same reaction.
I liked that though yes, our lovelies did have their issues, they – eventually – sorted them out. I also had my issues with Mack’s family for a while. They made me so made!
Risky Play was a cute and sweet read, just the antidote to the darker reads I have been reading a lot of lately.
I can’t wait for more of this series.
I loved every page and every word. It was well developed and kept attention from the beginning. Another hit by Rachel Van Dyken!!
I loved this book!! Rachel Van Dyken is one of my favorite authors. She gives us a romantic comedy that will have you laughing out loud. I loved how the story unfolds. Love and tragedy can sometimes go hand in hand. I swooned when Slade finally takes what he wants. Mack is a sarcastic, strong female. She makes me so happy because she stands her ground and despite all the hurt, she never backs down. It has made her so much stronger. She makes you literally LOL due to her sarcasm. They get their HEA, but it takes a little while to get there. This story definitely hit all the heart strings throughout the whole book.
I loved every page and every word. It was well developed and kept attention from the beginning. Another hit by Rachel Van Dyken!!
I loved this story! There are so many different emotions in the story ranging from love, to heartbreak, jealousy and more. The relationships between the characters are deep and well written. Mack and Slade compliment each other well. And Alfie is the best!
Slade Rodriguez is very handsome and very famous soccer player. Labeled as a player of more than just soccer.
Mackenzie DuPont is a beautiful and strong women. She also is the daughter of a wine mogul and was just left at the alter. Deciding she needs to get away so she goes on what would of been her honeymoon but herself.
I absolutely love this story line. It grabbed my attention right from the beginning and never let go. I had trouble putting it down and stayed up way to late reading it. I love a book that can take you through so many emotions and that’s what this book did, I was happy and laughing, got mad in a few parts, sad in some and even felt kind of sick to my stomach in one part, but I enjoyed the emotional ride all the way to the end. I love how strong Mackenzie is and even though she has had some bad things happen she never gives up. And Slade I love how sexy he is and how when he realizes he is acting like a jerk he truly tries to change and becomes so loving. I also love the other Characters, Matt the agent and Jagger, Slade’s teammate, I am hoping to see another book or two in this series! Another great read by Rachel Van Dyken, one I will definitely be reading again and again and one I Highly recommend!!
Another outstanding book by an amazing author. Rachel Van Dyken has knocked this one out of the park – I could not put it down. I fell in love with Mack and Slades story. I loved how kind Mack was but at the same time she wasn’t a push over. There were a couple time I wanted to slap Mack but he definitely redeemed himself. I think my favorite character was Alfie! If your looking for a book with both tears and plenty of laughter-this is a definite must read.
3.75 stars–RISKY PLAY is the first instalment in Rachel Van Dyken’s contemporary, adult RED CARD sports, romance series. This is thirty-year olds, professional soccer player Slade Rodriguez, and heiress / sommelier Mackenzie Dupont’s story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Mackenzie and Slade) RISKY PLAY follows the building but contemptuous relationship between thirty-year olds, professional soccer player Slade Rodriguez, and heiress Mackenzie Dupont. Growing up as part of the Dupont Wine Dynasty didn’t protect Mackenzie from humiliation when her fiancé walked away, leaving a heart broken Mackenzie to pick up the pieces of her life. Needing time away, six months later, Mackenze went on her honeymoon alone, only to meet the man with whom she would fall in love but a man who, hit it and quit it, their first night together. Enter professional soccer player Slade Rodriguez. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Slade Rodriguez, and the potential fall-out as both Slade and Mackenzie’s pasts are determined to destroy our leading couple.
Mackenzie Dupont worked side by side with the man she was going to marry but when her father refused to let the man go, Mackenzie went in search of other employment only to come face to face with her one-night stand. Slade Rodriguez’ life fell apart while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta but blaming the woman with whom he would fall in love would cause all kinds of problems for our story line heroine.
The relationship between Mackenzie and Slade begins as a vacation affair that quickly turns into a one-night stand. Waking up alone, Mackenzie struggled with what happened and why. Slade Rodriguez’ call from home found our hero destroying what little self-esteem Mackenzie had left when he vanished in the night without explanation or good bye. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to a colorful and energetic cast of secondary and supporting characters including high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston; Slade’s on and off the field nemesis Jagger Kozlov, as well as Mackenzie’s mother and father, and Mackenzie’s ex-fiance Alton Davis.
RISKY PLAY is a story of family, friendship, betrayal, power and control. The character driven premise is fast paced with a little bit of fun, snark, heart break and romance. The characters are charismatic and animated; the romance is sweet, sassy and seductive. I did have to question the number of times our heroine had tears in her eyes, wet cheeks, or was about to cry- she should have been dehydrated by the end of the story; and thirty year old virgins are only found in romance story lines 😉
The book begins with Mackenzie being left at the alter by the man she had known all her life and thought she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Six months later, she decides to take her honeymoon by herself. When her plane loses an engine she grabs onto her seat mate and kisses him. They end up sharing a wonderful day and night with him. She wakes up, and “Hugo” was gone. Slade is the number one soccer player in the world. He is getting away from his cheating fiancé and teammate who she cheated with. When his plane loses an engine, his beautiful seat mate grabs him and kisses him. He and “Ashley” spend a great day and night together, until he gets a phone call that changes his life. He leaves without a word to the sleeping “Ashley”, knowing he will never see her again. Of course, when his new personal assist shows up, it’s Ashley aka Mackenzie. This is a great story, both characters has a lot of issues to work through. I also love Jagger and hope he gets his own story. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
Two perfect storms collide, what could possibly happen? This book starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up. There are tears and wit and full belly laughs. I haven’t laughed out loud to a book in a while but this one got me a few times.
If you are looking for a book that has it all, I suggest checking out this one. Be warned you may not do anything else until you finish this book, but don’t worry you will be happy you did.
Need another funny, steamy, sexy, heart throbbing, magnetic read?
The all-round package for this is given to you within Rachel Van Dyken’s new release Risky Play.
Sexy soccer player who is torn between his own feelings and trying to maintain his super cool athlete image: Check!
Slade Rodriguez has just the right amount of cocky and self-confident macho, mixed with a vulnerable soul who cares like no one else about those people he loves.
Actually confident, but currently shaken up and beaten down by life, woman. Check!
Mackenzie Dupont is one of those female characters we all can identify with (even without us having a 62Mio$ trust fund…)
Most adorable dog to ever set foot in a romance novel. Check.
Alfie will win your affection in a heartbeat.
Absolute douchebag you want to strangle several times. Check.
Ok, let’s not get too much into him … pfft.
The ever-present push and pull between the lead characters. Check! Check! Check!
While reading this start of another great series by Rachel I literally laughed so hard sometimes (“Was that high-pitched scream that sounded like a goat getting sacrificed coming from you or did we actually hit a goat on the way down?”) I am sure people around me questioned my sanity.
At the same time, as always, Rachel didn’t disappoint with those sexy times we enjoy so much.
This is a must read for all RVD fans as well as everyone else, because let’s face it: If you’re not a fan already, what are you waiting for??
Risky Play is the perfect way to start a new series! This book has all the feels. Mack is the perfect heroine to deal with a broken Slade. She’s a little flawed and a lot strong. Once she decides what she wants there’s no stopping her. Ultimately her strength brings her her HEA.
I read an advanced copy for an honest review.
Mackenzie and Slade meet while trying to escape embarrassing situations; Mackenzie is stood up at the altar and Slade was dumped by his fiancee. They are both high profile people, who just want to relax and be anonymous for a while.
Since neither has any idea who the other is, them embark on fun an passion, until tragedy strikes Slade’s family and he abandons Mackenzie, blaming her for his distraction.
Flash forward a bit and Mackenzie still dwells on her romance with her secret guy until she starts working for him, as his P.A. Slade acts like a total jerk and Mackenzie feelings are crushed.
This is a story about enemies to lovers and the path they need to take to get there. Both characters have trust issues and walls and insecurities. It’s a wonderful story about feeling better about the person you are, as well as letting someone close enough to see and love the real you.
There was tenderness, in this story, as well as some humor and a great HEA.
A big thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel for my advanced copy for which I leave my honest review!
Risky play is the first book in a new series by Rachel and it is everything I expect when I read a Van Dyken book! It has chemistry, a wonderful storyline, great well developed characters and moments that make you want to cry as well as laugh
Mackenzie decides six months after being jilted at the altar that she is going to take the honeymoon vacation she purchased for herself and her supposed to be husband. When the plane unexpectedly has a motor failure, she turns panicked to the man next to her. Having no idea that he’s a famous soccer player, they kiss to distract themselves from what’s happening around them. Suffice to say they survive and are attached to each other by the hips as they realise that they are both staying at the same hotel, right next door to each other. This leads to MORE……
However, Slade receives a call with regards to a family tragedy and hightails out of the hotel to the U.S, which finds Mack waking up alone Needless to say, they find their way back to each other by way of Mack working for Matt, Slade’s manager as an assistant to Slade. But their path to be together is fraught with interference by others and the media. Will they manage to trust the other to overcome all obstacles?
Definitely a must have story and I’d recommend as a book to anyone who loves second chances
Rachel Van Dyken kicked it out of the park with this book! I absolutely couldn’t put this book down . Read the whole thing in a day . This book grabs you and takes you on a journey of defeat , finding yourself , finding strength in yourself and love. It’s hard to put into words to describe the journey. Love Mack and Slade . It’s a must read book . This book will make you laugh , dislike and then jump for joy.
One of my picks for reluctant hereos to read for my monthly PopSugar feature for a reason!
I truly loved these characters. Slade and Mack were everything. Mack is your self confident women who owns her true self and Slade is the sexy soccer star who has it all but missing that one thing. Together these two find it and make for an awesome couple.
This story is an epically fun joyride…one of Rachel’s best books yet!
Two people from different worlds, but very much the same…both trying to forget, to move on, but mired in their pasts mistakes. Finding anonymity, needing fun and spontaneity, they just might be what the other needs, at least until reality calls.
Mackenzie and Slade must be fated because their two meetings would never have happened otherwise. When they stumble upon each other for the second time, Slade isn’t the same man Mack met at first and she sure doesn’t like this version of him. She isn’t going to let the lemons life handed her define her, she’s going to make the best damn lemonade out there (love RVD’s strong female characters). Slade might be sexy as hell, but he was also infuriating. Luckily Mack makes him see the error in his ways and I totally lost track of my swoon count!
As always, Rachel Van Dyken introduces us to a cast of characters you will either love or hate, but you won’t be able to get enough of them. The teasing, sarcastic banter is seriously entertaining and had me giggling out loud on numerous occasions. Don’t even get me started on the sex scenes…just…wow!
Risky Play by Rachel Van Dyken should be a play on words. Wait…is it a play on words? Who knows! What I do know is that this book was FABULOUS. So out and out funny and jam-packed with all the feels! It was hard to put it down! From Mackenzie trying to get away from a disastrous botched wedding day to Slade trying to get over a bad break-up. Ms. Van Dyken just packed it in. I really enjoyed reading this book. The chemistry between the main characters was awesome. The witty banter and one-liners made for great reading. The sub-characters were also enjoyable and fun to get to know in this book. Ms. Van Dyken gives us complex and well-rounded characters that make them easy to love. The book had a good pace and was very quick and easy to read. If this is just book one in Ms. Van Dyken’s new series I can’t wait to read the others!!
I really enjoyed this book. The blurb had me anxious to get my hands on it and let me tell you Risky Play did not disappoint. Once I started I couldn’t put it down, I ended up staying up late into the night finishing. These characters and their story was perfect.
Mackenzie and Slade are both trying to escape life for a little and go on vacation in Mexico. They met on the airplane and after that they had to spend time together. It was only one day but changed both of their lives. Mackenzie had been left at the alter and was doing something for her. While Slade needed to get away and take a break from his crazy life.
Mac decides to spend the night with Slade and thought it was more than a one night stand. Slade had gotten a terrible phone call in the middle of the night and left. They never expected to see each other again. They didn’t even know each other’s real name. Will they be able to move past Mexico and get back to what they had?
These two characters had great chemistry and you couldn’t help but hope they found their way back to each other. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. This was a fun fast paced read.
This book had me hooked from page 1. I loved it!!! With an RVD book, I always know I am going spend hours of enjoyment reading and being drawn into the story!! The story is fantastic as are all of the characters! I was throughly invested in Mack’s story and the hopes she would bounce back from that initial kick to the gut she takes in the Prologue. I was truly rooting for her after that!! Then there is Slade. Ooo-la-la. If anyone can make her feel better it is the hottie she meets on the plane. I love both of them and I love their story and where it takes them. It definitely was not always easy as life never is, but it was so worth it!! Can’t wait for more of this series!!
Thank you to Netgalley/Publisher for this ARC!!
Risky Play is such a great read. It is a contemporary sports romance with some strangers to lovers to enemies to lovers vibes 😉 Did you follow that?
It makes for a delicious storyline as Mackenzie and Slade learn to trust each other once again. Slade is a grumpy alpha who finds his heart again through Mack’s strong and unwavering influence.
You need to make some risky plays to stay in this game.
This is a sexy, fun read that you will want to just devour from start to finish.