I’ve got to admit, life is sweet these days. As a starting NFL quarterback, I do okay, and I haven’t been lacking for female companionship. But I’d give it all up in a heartbeat if I could get back the woman I loved and lost–my ex-wife, Katy. Now I’m at a wedding, watching one of my best friends tie the knot. I’m happy for him–really. I just wish things had turned out better when I’d taken … I’d taken that walk down the aisle. Still, those days are over.
I’m on my way up to my room when I run into my ex in the elevator. It’s like karma. Has to be. Only she’s with some random guy, who’s getting a little too handsy for my liking. I can’t help myself–I have to say something. Something that ruins her night…and mine, too.
Now, I’m sitting alone in my hotel room, when suddenly, Katy’s at my door, complaining that I ruined her 30th birthday. Her solution–that I give her the night of sexual adventure I’d derailed in the elevator.
I never was very good at saying no to her…
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Absolutely loved Grant and Katy. They have such a history, such a deep connection that I loved every second of their story, their reconnection and journey. It’s a great story, with characters that feel real and are honest with their struggles and decisions. Mix in the heat and heart and this makes for a must read book.
After years of running from sports romance, 2020 has been an incredible dive in for me. Luckily, all the books I’ve read read in the sub-genre have made it so, and this book was no exception.
When a book starts as audacious as the book did—Grant’s big mouth, and makes you laugh, you know you are in for a heck of a ride.
I mean what happens when two exes who hate to admit they still have feelings for each other, end up in an elevator, both with their planned one night stand—a disaster.
A sweet disaster that led to so many panty erotic moments and romantic scenes. There was chemistry. There was scorching heat. There was banter, and there were endearing moments.
It was a balanced meal of romance in so many forms. This book will have you smiling, and heaving so many times. This second chance romance will curb your craving of a sweet and redemption themed romance.
Grant Howard is a NFL quarterback headed towards the end of his career but his main regret is losing his ex-wife Katy, his true love. When a chance encounter with her in an elevator leads to a night of passion will Grant be able to prove to Katy that he continues to be the man for her?
Katy McCord has never had a problem with the chemistry with her ex-husband, Grant, but with a busy career as a lawyer their marriage began to fall apart. When Grant ruins Katy’s 30th birthday by interrupting her on her way to having sex with her date, she wants him to make it up to her.
Can Katy and Grant get a second chance at their marriage or are their life goals continuing to drive them apart?
I struggled getting through this book although I really liked the premise behind the book it definitely fell short for me. I struggled with the language and I felt as though the author was trying to make more of an erotic book filled with sex but not using any dirtier words. At times the language was so “cringy” and made me lose interest in the book.
I liked Grant’s character but I wondered if he gave up easily on his marriage to Katy. It seemed like he would’ve done whatever she asked him to do. I liked his dedication to his job and how he had a rivalry with the new quarterback, Jimmy Harrington. I liked the volunteering he was doing and what he saw himself doing in the future.
Katy seemed to have a lack of confidence which stemmed from her relationship with her dad. Nothing she did seemed to impress her dad and she felt like it was because of her relationship with Grant that she received certain job perks. Yet Katy was also willing to use Grant to get herself ahead in her company.
There was a lot of chemistry between Katy and Grant but their sex scenes were written so that the reader could not relate and they seemed so forced and the words unnatural.
The end of the book really felt like a cop out with the way it ended with Grant. I was actually frustrated as it seemed to allow all of their previous marriage issues to just disappear. I was glad that Katy and Grant got back together but I just didn’t dig it. – By Rebecca
Grant’s shocked to run into his ex-wife, even more shocked to see her with some guy. So shocked and unhappy about it that he pulls the possessive act and ruins her birthday plans with the guy. So Katy decides Grant will have to be the one to fulfill her birthday wishes. But can they do sex only, or will their old feelings pop up?
Sigh…I had high hopes for this story, but it just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t for the life of me find a connection with either Grant or Katy, and honestly I didn’t feel one between them either aside from in the bedroom. I think the problem I had with it was that their back story wasn’t detailed much, so in the present I just didn’t see their feelings. There wasn’t anything horribly wrong with the story or the writing, it just wasn’t particularly memorable. I’d go as far as saying it was a little bland for my tastes.
I’m giving this one a 3.5˙* and here’s why;
the main reason is that I don’t think they were ready for second chance. They both had a lot of issues left from their failed marriage and how they worked them out was a bit flat.
Now to the things I liked; I liked how protective Grant was. I believed him when he said he never wanted to hurt her. I needed time to connect with Katy. She was so driven in regards to her work that she let her relationship get to a point of no return. But as they start to spent time together we get a glimpse into her family life and I understood why she was or is that way.
I want to say I know what would I change to give this a full 4 or maybe even a 5* but to be honest I don’t. I just know that while I loved Grant I couldn’t get there with Katy.
As a new to me author I wasn’t blown away but I did enjoy myself so I’ll (probably) pick up Alice Gaines again in the future.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
4.25 stars
Grant is an NFL quarterback who is attending his friend’s wedding when he accidentally runs into his ex-wife. Katy is an attorney who fell in love with Grant when they were both in their teens. Each one had an idea as to what he/she wanted out of life but unfortunately, they were not on the same page which led to them splitting up and going their separate ways. Since their split, Katy has thrown herself into her work and has not really dated but decided to change that situation on her thirtieth birthday. If she had any luck, it would be bad luck until her good friend gives her a piece of advice which turns her birthday around. However, all does not go as planned and Katy winds up in a pickle that only Grant can help get her out of? Is Grant willing to help out? Can Katy and Grant overcome their shared past and reconcile what transpired between them? This is one enjoyable second chance sports romance that brings the heat. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
Meeting Grant and Katy gives you a sense of Love is today and gone tomorrow. Two people are who are headstrong and allow their personal goals to get in the way of their happiness.
The Author Alice takes us through their story showing the good the bad and the ugly. She has done a great job of showing us whether or not time will heal all wounds. This story will have you thinking about whether or not someone gives up too soon. When the chips are down will Love prevail.
This will give one a sense of what is important in life. If you enjoy a good read that will grab at your heart, then be sure to add this to your list of books to read.
Katy- young up and coming lawyer. Lots of self-doubt, Lack of confidence mostly from an overbearing father figure. Ex wife to Grant
Grant- veteran NFL football player. Top of his game. All Star Quarterback for the NYC team. Has a strong protect and Provide vibe. Ex-husband to Katy
Trope: Second Chance Romance.
A random meet between Grant and Katy after being apart 2 years. A leaked video from that night of Katy knocking on random hotel doors to find Grants room. A push from both Katy’s boss and her best friend puts her back in Grant’s life temporarily. One thing Katy and Grant always did well was the bedroom. They still have all the heat. It is finding balance in the other aspects of their lives that cause them issues. For Katy she has always made her career her biggest priority. Grant really wants family.
Both Characters are relatable. They are both well written. In the beginning you love Katy but you do feel like she is just using Grant to keep her boss happy. As the story progresses you aren’t sure she is really with Grant for the right reasons. Grants is the strong protector provider type. No matter what Katy does he will always care about her and she is always going to be his person.
You really want Grant to have the HEA. He is such a good guy overall. This is book 2 in the series. I read it as a stand alone and was just fine. This was a 4/5 read for me. A quick and easy Second Chance Romance Read.
Grant is an NFL quarterback, and Katy is an attorney. These two were married and madly in love until career demands take their toll and they end up divorced. Now fate brings them together again in a hotel elevator. Grant has been to a wedding, and Katy is celebrating her 30th birthday, and she has decided to spend the night with a random stranger. When Grant takes exception to seeing Katy with her handsy date he ruins the evening for all of them, so when Katy shows up at his door demanding he make up for ruining her evening, he does. Can Katy separate her personal life and but her job on the back burner? This is a well written story which is emotional, heart-warming, and a steamy 2nd chance love story. The only down-side in my opinion only, it that I struggled just a tad to engage with the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Second chance with your ex..? Most people say exes are exes for a reason. And yet Katy and Grant never fell out of love…they just let their pride and insecurities drive a wedge in between them.
The best do over meet cute… riding in an elevator with you ex and each of your prospective hookups. Yes, that happens. From then on, these two act completely out of character and wind up back where they belong…in each others arms.
Watch them grow even more and finally back together in The Player’s Game.
The blur of this book sounds like a really good story, unfortunately for me wasn’t all what I was expecting.
The characters almost lost me at the beginning, but I was hopping that with such a good synopsis it has to be good.
Well I do liked the male hero, he’s such a good guy, very noble and caring person, and that’s one of the reason that I think I decided to keep reading, sure he make mistakes in his marriage but Katy wasn’t specially someone you feel sorry, in fact her attitude feels so selfish, she wants and take advantage of Grant when she needs to please her boss so he don’t fire her.
I honestly never connect with the couple, at least not on how much they supposedly be in love, but I believe Grant, he does catch me and keep me reading until I finish the book, maybe is because with him the author portrait a very kind, caring human who wants to be a father and was planning on adopting a kid from his charity project, that’s something I always love to see and read on books.
The book is definitely a good read, I just wished that the heroine be more confident about herself and maybe that way she stands and fight for her happiness, I guess that’s why she’s so dependent and try to pleases everyone besides her self and at my eyes her character never really attract me.
As I always say, read the book and come up with your own opinion, this book my surprise you on a different way 🙂
Thank you to the author and #indiesagepr for the advanced copy on exchange for my honest opinion.
3.5
A lighthearted and funny story. Grant and Katy are divorced but haven’t gotten over each other. An accidental elevator meeting sets the stage for them ending up right back in bed. They steam up the pages as they recapture all the reasons why they should still be together. Fun characters that will keep you entertained as you turn the pages.
They once shared a home, a life, and a last name… but somewhere along the way things went array and it lead to divorce. One that Grant regrets still to this day, he wishes he never let Katy walk away, and if he ever had a second chance with her he would take it in a heartbeat. But he is certain that chance will never come… or will it?
The Player’s Game is a story of second chances and righting the wrongs of the past. Katy and Grant were once married and had their future all laid out in front of them, but dreams of success derailed their chance at a happily ever after. Katy is a driven woman who craved success at every level in her career, and she let it take over her life, often pushing her life with Grant aside. While he too had his distractions, he still tried to make time for her, but it wasn’t enough. Now he is on the tale end of his football career and looking forward to settling down and having a family… only he has no one to do that with.
Then a chance meeting with Katy in an elevator sparks a little love affair and suddenly these two are looking at a second chance they never thought would come. I enjoyed watching these two fall for one another again, they had me fully invested in their story from beginning to end. It wasn’t a easy fall, their work lives were once again at the center of relationship, but Grant tried his best to make Katy see that wasn’t all she needed, that she needed love in her life too. She wasn’t an easy sale though, she was having a hard time putting her work life on the back burner for love and her own happiness… but this time Grant wasn’t giving up. This heart-string tugging tale will have your heart in throat at times, but also have it soaring at times too… nothing is sweeter than a second chance at love! If you like steamy and emotional second chance romances then this one should be right up your alley… it has all that and more!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Katy and Grant go from pretending to a real relationship!
Quarterback Grant Howard still wasn’t over his ex-wife lawyer Katy McCord so when he ran into her, he had to say something to Katy ruining both of their plans for the evening. Katy tried to find Grant to give him a piece of her mind. Katy and Grant had to pretend they were working on their relationship when the video of her knocking on doors went viral.
The Player’s Game is about Grant and Katy pretending to repair what went wrong to finding out that they still love each other and are stronger together when things happen.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book both broke my heart but also gave me hope.
Grant has and will always be in love with his ex-wife. Even though they divorced, it wasn’t because they stopped loving each other, it was more that they didn’t see their lives going in the same direction.
Katy is a woman who has a very demanding job and an equally father she just won’t ever measure up to. While she won’t admit it, because of these issues, she does tend to me a little insecure about herself and unfortunately took it out on Grant.
The sexy times were extremely hot in this book but the emotional ride for me was my more fun. These two are good together but they need to work out past issues if they want to ever get the chance to start again.
so we have Grant who is at his friends wedding and while he happy for them that they found their happiness, it reminds him about the woman he loves his ex-wife and wished they would have made it. Coincidentally he ends up seeing her in the elevator and he thinking this was fate since he was just thinking of her but she happens to be with some guy and he intervenes..Katy is pissed he messed with her on her birthday and since she lost her chance she feels that Grant has to give her the sex he missed. These two have chemistry and different views, he wants his wife back, and eventually kids. She is on the way up and not wanting children and not wanting anything serious, who will win..
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions (less)