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Play #1
Play
I'm Payton Blake. Just another twenty-something girl, living the dream.
That’s what I tell myself every morning. That I’m successful, self-aware, and well-balanced.
It's just a tiny fib. I would be all of those things, if I had friends who didn’t work with me at the bank. And if I made it to pilates more than once a quarter. And if watermelon slushies weren't the main source of nutrients in my diet. It wouldn’t hurt if I’d had sex in the last year, either. (My best friend insists Jorge the Nightstand Boyfriend doesn’t count.)
But when you know where you're going, you don’t need to enjoy the ride. Right?
Even if some teeny part of me did want to fool around, Max Donovan would be the last guy I’d call. Sure, he made the indie video game that broke the internet. And yeah, his eyebrow piercing’s sexy, in a ‘what-are-you-in-a-band?� kind of way. And fighting with him gets me going faster than Jorge on bezerker mode…He’s still colder than a cactus and twice as prickly. And I’m not talking about his face, because the guy’s barely old enough to shave.
It’d really be best if we just ignored each other. Which is a problem, because Max Donovan is my new biggest client.
So what happens when the girl who lives to work meets the guy who was born to play?
Game on.
That’s what I tell myself every morning. That I’m successful, self-aware, and well-balanced.
It's just a tiny fib. I would be all of those things, if I had friends who didn’t work with me at the bank. And if I made it to pilates more than once a quarter. And if watermelon slushies weren't the main source of nutrients in my diet. It wouldn’t hurt if I’d had sex in the last year, either. (My best friend insists Jorge the Nightstand Boyfriend doesn’t count.)
But when you know where you're going, you don’t need to enjoy the ride. Right?
Even if some teeny part of me did want to fool around, Max Donovan would be the last guy I’d call. Sure, he made the indie video game that broke the internet. And yeah, his eyebrow piercing’s sexy, in a ‘what-are-you-in-a-band?� kind of way. And fighting with him gets me going faster than Jorge on bezerker mode…He’s still colder than a cactus and twice as prickly. And I’m not talking about his face, because the guy’s barely old enough to shave.
It’d really be best if we just ignored each other. Which is a problem, because Max Donovan is my new biggest client.
So what happens when the girl who lives to work meets the guy who was born to play?
Game on.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2016
1,038 people are currently reading
1,879 people want to read
About the author
Piper Lawson
69books2,377followersPiper Lawson is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of smart, steamy romance! She writes about women who follow their dreams (even the scary ones), best friends who know your dirty secrets (and love you anyway), and complex heroes you’ll fall hard for (especially after talking with them). Brains or brawn? She’ll never make you choose. Piper lives in Canada with her tall, dark and brilliant husband. She believes peanut butter is a protein, rose gold is a neutral, and love is ALWAYS the answer.
Join her VIP list now �
Hang with Piper in her Facebook reader group! �
Stalk her on:
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Books by Piper Lawson:
DENVER KODIAKS SERIES
Hard to Fake
Hard to Take
Hard to Break
KING OF THE COURT SERIES
Game Changer
Shot Taker
Play Maker
Game Day
WICKED SERIES
Good Girl
Bad Girl
Wicked Girl
Forever Wicked
RIVALS SERIES
A Love Song for Liars
A Love Song for Rebels
A Love Song for Dreamers
A Love Song for Always
ENEMIES SERIES
Beautiful Enemy
Beautiful Sins
Beautiful Ruin
Beautiful Salvation
OFF-LIMITS SERIES
Crave
Collide
Claim
Tempt
TRAVESTY SERIES
Schooled
Stripped
Sealed
Styled
Satisfaction
PLAY SERIES
PLAY
NSFW
RISE
MODERN ROMANCE SERIES
Easy Love
Bad Love
Twisted Love
Join her VIP list now �
Hang with Piper in her Facebook reader group! �
Stalk her on:
The Interwebs�
Ǵǰܲ�
Books by Piper Lawson:
DENVER KODIAKS SERIES
Hard to Fake
Hard to Take
Hard to Break
KING OF THE COURT SERIES
Game Changer
Shot Taker
Play Maker
Game Day
WICKED SERIES
Good Girl
Bad Girl
Wicked Girl
Forever Wicked
RIVALS SERIES
A Love Song for Liars
A Love Song for Rebels
A Love Song for Dreamers
A Love Song for Always
ENEMIES SERIES
Beautiful Enemy
Beautiful Sins
Beautiful Ruin
Beautiful Salvation
OFF-LIMITS SERIES
Crave
Collide
Claim
Tempt
TRAVESTY SERIES
Schooled
Stripped
Sealed
Styled
Satisfaction
PLAY SERIES
PLAY
NSFW
RISE
MODERN ROMANCE SERIES
Easy Love
Bad Love
Twisted Love
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
September 9, 2016
You have to be willing to stick your neck out for things you believe in, even if no one else sees it that way. Relationships are a long game..."
I've never read a novel with a game developer hero, and I've never read any of Piper Lawson's books before, so I had no idea what to expect from Play. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the tone of the novel, the pace, and Piper's writing style.
Payton Blake, a newly promoted financial associate, has always been the one to successfully manage the harder (read asshole) clients at Alliance Financial. Like her best friend Charlie—legally named Charlotte Elizabeth—said, Payton "holds hands and soothe egos and turn big, snarling wolves into sweet, fluffy lambs". Charlie even dubbed her as the "Dick Whisperer", and generously placed it on Payton's business card.
Payton knows some of her clients are assholes, but she will never "let it out". She'll just smile and let it go, because well, decent employees don't scream at their clients, do they?
When she checks her calendar and spots the lunch schedule for an appointment with an "M Donovan", she has no idea what to expect. A good looking guy with an eyebrow piercing is definitely not who she expected, and definitely not a game developer who insults her twice, then asks for a twenty million loan for a new game his company is developing. Thinking it's a set up from her asshole co-associate, Avery Banks, she mouths off "M Donovan" and walks out.
Turns out, "M Donovan" is none other than Max Donovan, the genius game developer who released a smash indie hit called Oasis two years ago. Now Payton has to go to him and get him as a client.
Obviously, the two didn't leave decent first impressions and it's not love at first sight, but they need each other. Payton needs Max as a client to win the bonus to help her mother, and Max needs Payton (and Alliance Financial) for a loan to fund Titan's newest project, Phoenix.
Payton finds herself in a bit of a pickle when she discovers that Max has not disclosed his company's full financial needs (they need an additional ten million). If she tells the company about it, she might risk losing him as a client and losing her chance to get that bonus. If she doesn't tell the company, she'll have to help them look for another bank to help fund the remaining ten million.
Obviously, Payton doesn't tell the company about the hiccup, so she spends her days outside work going to Max's office to help him and his chief legal counsel/best friend Riley McKay find a way to get ten million. In the process, she gets to bond with Max and the people at Titan.
I have no knowledge about financing and loaning banks and all that, so I thought, shouldn't they have just adjusted the budget from twenty to thirty million? Or is that not allowable if the contract has already been signed? I don't know. Haha. If anyone can explain this in layman's terms, I'd appreciate it!
Max Donovan is an emotionally unavailable guy, but as he and Payton get to know each other, he opens up more and becomes comfortable with each other. An incident leads to them opening up about their angsts and troubles—Payton's past and her mother's cancer, and Max's childhood and his cheating ex-wife.
The story is low on angst, although there is the thing about their pasts and Max's reluctance to open up and get close to Payton. Max has to deal with choosing his priorities and choosing who to trust.
I love Payton and Charlie! They're both hilarious and they won't stand for anyone's bullshit. Payton's more inconspicuous than Charlie, of course, but the both of them do not have the time to be treated like crap. I'd love to read more about Charlie and Avery, since there's obviously a thing going there.
This story has a bit of a slow-burn going on as well which, as some of you might know, I absolutely adore! The book is written in Payton's POV, so we can see that she's attracted to Max from the moment they met. It's also a bit obvious that the attraction is reciprocated, but no one acts on it immediately. They started off on the wrong foot, but gradually found their way to comfortable grounds. I really enjoyed seeing them get to know each other before the feelings get in the way.
Apart from an extremely hot make out session on top of a pool table, they hold off for so long. When they finally give in to the sexual pull, woohoo! Hot! And sweet! And hot. All I can say is it was caused by Max's game Oasis, a cosplay job at comic-con, and a little jealousy and overprotectiveness on the side.
As I've said, Max has trust issues to deal with, and it hinders their blooming relationship. Max started off as this laconic yet sarcastic genius, but when he finally opened up to Payton, I may have swooned a little. This man does not half-ass anything.
I also love how we got to see a glimpse of the works in making a game. Piper managed to write about the gaming industry without giving an information overload.
All in all, I quite enjoyed reading this book, and it's pretty safe to say I'll be reading Piper Lawson's book and will be on the look out for future releases.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
| | |
September 28, 2016
***4 "Game On!!!" stars***
This was my first book of Piper Lawson and i have to admit that i had such a wonderful time with this story!!!
It was funny at times, emotional at others, sensual, steamy and very enjoyable!!!
I freakin' loved it!!!
In some scenes, i couldn't hold my laugh and in others, my heart was beating very fast...
But let me tell you more about the plot...
Payton was surving in a cruel world... She just became an associate in the financial company that she is working and the competition is too big, especially by other men...
But she could handle them... After all she was the "Dick Whisperer"!!! LOL
Everything was going smooth until the time, Max Donovan stepped in the picture...
He was arrogant, cold, pressumptuous, but damn, he was so damn hot, like a rock star...
But she couldn't give him what he was asking for... and this was a huge loan from her company!!!
The worst thing of all???
He turned out to be her biggest client and she just turned him down...
Now, she had to do everything she can to land him back and to have the opportunity of her life!!!
But Max is going to make her work for it!!! With his most popular video game!!!!
“You think I sent you a copy of my best-selling game to punish you?� When he put it like that, it did sound stupid. He lifted his palms in the air. “Maybe I wanted to open your mind, huh? Maybe when you met me, you didn’t give a shit about what I did, just that I was a client you could land.�
...As much as I hated to admit it, he wasn’t wrong.
“You’re not what I expected,� I confessed. “It’s taking me some time to calibrate.�
The corner of his mouth twitched. “Translation: when you read ‘gamer,� you thought I’d be some stammering nerd with glasses who can’t talk to a pretty girl.�
Well, honestly, i don't know what more to say to you!!! There were so many things that was going on this book and it will be better to discover them by yourselves...
The only sure thing is that Max and Payton had to work together but the things weren't always smooth...
The collissions between them were too many and the distrust was always there from both parts...
But except all those problems, there was a sparkle!!! A fire that was burning between them...
For how long, can they resist???
“I’d been sure the game was me against Max, but I’d been wrong. It was both of us against this. While I was holding out against him, the tension threatening to overtake us caught me off guard like a riptide.�
Payton and Max were awesome together!!! The chemistry between them was huge, even though that they couldn't be more different personalities... The Coyote and the Road Runner!!!
But in a way, that fact was working just great for them!!!
In their private moments, there were explosions!!!
“I was watching you tonight. Dancing like no one else was there. And the thing was, there might as well have been no one there. Twenty thousand people, Payton, and you’re the only one I see.�
Payton was preppy and a little bit of uptight but there was a burning flame inside of her... and with Max, her fiercy self was getting out of her body and she was making extremely awkard things that were so damn funny!!!
She wasn't always like that, but something happened to her and she became responsible and she couldn't afford to get loose...
But Max brought something of her old self back... She became more carefree and playful!!!
And as much as she didn't want to admit it, she desperately wanted to jumb his bones...
For how long a woman can be satisfy with only Jorge??? (Don't ask!!!)
Max was the master of video games and he was dedicated to his new project...
He was a nerd with a rock star attire... Who wouldn't love this guy???
Max had burned from love and he was against it!!! But damn, Payton was doing something to him, and he had to stay away from her... But every damn day, she was coming near to him and he was charmed by her...
How long will he manage to keep his hands away from her???
“You know, Payton, the only game I hated as a kid was Super Mario. I didn’t get the rush-the-tower, save-the-princess shit. Why you’d do everything just to get the girl. But I get it now. Because you’re the girl. And you’re all of it. The prize, the gold, the ever-fucking-after.�
My time passed so wonderfully with this book in my companion...
There were so many funny moments inside of it and the storyline was lovely!!!
I also liked very much all the secondary characters, as Riley, Charlie and Payton's mom!!!
God, and i have to admit that i would love to read a story about Charlie and Avery...
I'm so curious about them and the strained relationship that they are having!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
This was my first book of Piper Lawson and i have to admit that i had such a wonderful time with this story!!!
It was funny at times, emotional at others, sensual, steamy and very enjoyable!!!
I freakin' loved it!!!
In some scenes, i couldn't hold my laugh and in others, my heart was beating very fast...
But let me tell you more about the plot...
Payton was surving in a cruel world... She just became an associate in the financial company that she is working and the competition is too big, especially by other men...
But she could handle them... After all she was the "Dick Whisperer"!!! LOL
Everything was going smooth until the time, Max Donovan stepped in the picture...
He was arrogant, cold, pressumptuous, but damn, he was so damn hot, like a rock star...
But she couldn't give him what he was asking for... and this was a huge loan from her company!!!
The worst thing of all???
He turned out to be her biggest client and she just turned him down...
Now, she had to do everything she can to land him back and to have the opportunity of her life!!!
But Max is going to make her work for it!!! With his most popular video game!!!!
“You think I sent you a copy of my best-selling game to punish you?� When he put it like that, it did sound stupid. He lifted his palms in the air. “Maybe I wanted to open your mind, huh? Maybe when you met me, you didn’t give a shit about what I did, just that I was a client you could land.�
...As much as I hated to admit it, he wasn’t wrong.
“You’re not what I expected,� I confessed. “It’s taking me some time to calibrate.�
The corner of his mouth twitched. “Translation: when you read ‘gamer,� you thought I’d be some stammering nerd with glasses who can’t talk to a pretty girl.�
Well, honestly, i don't know what more to say to you!!! There were so many things that was going on this book and it will be better to discover them by yourselves...
The only sure thing is that Max and Payton had to work together but the things weren't always smooth...
The collissions between them were too many and the distrust was always there from both parts...
But except all those problems, there was a sparkle!!! A fire that was burning between them...
For how long, can they resist???
“I’d been sure the game was me against Max, but I’d been wrong. It was both of us against this. While I was holding out against him, the tension threatening to overtake us caught me off guard like a riptide.�
Payton and Max were awesome together!!! The chemistry between them was huge, even though that they couldn't be more different personalities... The Coyote and the Road Runner!!!
But in a way, that fact was working just great for them!!!
In their private moments, there were explosions!!!
“I was watching you tonight. Dancing like no one else was there. And the thing was, there might as well have been no one there. Twenty thousand people, Payton, and you’re the only one I see.�
Payton was preppy and a little bit of uptight but there was a burning flame inside of her... and with Max, her fiercy self was getting out of her body and she was making extremely awkard things that were so damn funny!!!
She wasn't always like that, but something happened to her and she became responsible and she couldn't afford to get loose...
But Max brought something of her old self back... She became more carefree and playful!!!
And as much as she didn't want to admit it, she desperately wanted to jumb his bones...
For how long a woman can be satisfy with only Jorge??? (Don't ask!!!)
Max was the master of video games and he was dedicated to his new project...
He was a nerd with a rock star attire... Who wouldn't love this guy???
Max had burned from love and he was against it!!! But damn, Payton was doing something to him, and he had to stay away from her... But every damn day, she was coming near to him and he was charmed by her...
How long will he manage to keep his hands away from her???
“You know, Payton, the only game I hated as a kid was Super Mario. I didn’t get the rush-the-tower, save-the-princess shit. Why you’d do everything just to get the girl. But I get it now. Because you’re the girl. And you’re all of it. The prize, the gold, the ever-fucking-after.�
My time passed so wonderfully with this book in my companion...
There were so many funny moments inside of it and the storyline was lovely!!!
I also liked very much all the secondary characters, as Riley, Charlie and Payton's mom!!!
God, and i have to admit that i would love to read a story about Charlie and Avery...
I'm so curious about them and the strained relationship that they are having!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
September 4, 2016
I liked this unlikely pair because they brought about the best in one another. Payton is a newly promoted financial agent and Max is a brilliant application developer that needs her company's funding for what is sure to be the next big thing. As they work closely together, they start to step out of their comfort zones and onto something that could become a lot more for both of them. If they can open themselves up. I really liked the characters. They experienced growth and development as individuals and together. They complimented each other. The plot was interesting and really delved into the internal conflicts associated with human emotions such as trust, betrayal, friendship, and love. All in all a solid read. Bonus: If you like gaming, there's a convention, cosplay and other fun references. Safety: No OW/OM/Sharing. No rape or abuse.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2016
While I had devoured Play in one sitting, I have to admit that the male lead,
Max,
didn't win me over.
It's either you will like him for being so passionate (an understatement) about the game he developed, or you will (kind of) hate him for having a one-track mind, and putting his game above anyone else - I went with the latter. I usually have a soft spot for a hero who started off being an asshole but turns out to be a sweet, swoon-worthy guy in the end. But Max Donovan didn't make me swoon until I'm at the last 7% of the book, and that's too long a wait.
He can be hot (in more ways than one) to the female lead, Payton, and then he'll gone cold all of a sudden. To be honest, he's worse than a PMSing chick. He's cynical, and always assumes the worst of others. I mean, he cannot think that Payton is out to betray her one second, and then go to bed with her at night. I felt that Payton doesn't deserve to just accept whatever scraps Max is willing to give her, and to be treated as his last priority.
On one hand, I liked the fact that Payton is not some doormat, and had even let Max go for a while until he can trust her fully. As cliché as it may sound, you can't make a relationship work without trust.
But that last part (which stopped my heart) made all this drama worth it - Max was able to prove, in his cute, geeky gamer way, how he trusts Payton more than anyone. So I guess that leaves me with another cliché: "All's well that ends well."
It's either you will like him for being so passionate (an understatement) about the game he developed, or you will (kind of) hate him for having a one-track mind, and putting his game above anyone else - I went with the latter. I usually have a soft spot for a hero who started off being an asshole but turns out to be a sweet, swoon-worthy guy in the end. But Max Donovan didn't make me swoon until I'm at the last 7% of the book, and that's too long a wait.
He can be hot (in more ways than one) to the female lead, Payton, and then he'll gone cold all of a sudden. To be honest, he's worse than a PMSing chick. He's cynical, and always assumes the worst of others. I mean, he cannot think that Payton is out to betray her one second, and then go to bed with her at night. I felt that Payton doesn't deserve to just accept whatever scraps Max is willing to give her, and to be treated as his last priority.
On one hand, I liked the fact that Payton is not some doormat, and had even let Max go for a while until he can trust her fully. As cliché as it may sound, you can't make a relationship work without trust.
But that last part (which stopped my heart) made all this drama worth it - Max was able to prove, in his cute, geeky gamer way, how he trusts Payton more than anyone. So I guess that leaves me with another cliché: "All's well that ends well."
July 8, 2018
⭐️4.5 stars⭐️
Everything's a game, Payton. That's the big secret.Work, life, sex.
If you're not playing one game, you're playing another.
If you can't tell you're playing a game? You're losing.
Everything's a game, Payton. That's the big secret.Work, life, sex.
If you're not playing one game, you're playing another.
If you can't tell you're playing a game? You're losing.
October 12, 2016
4 « well played » stars.
It’s been my third Piper Lawson’s book and it’s been given in exchange for an honest opinion.
First of all, let me tell you I really enjoyed myself. It was not too angsty, too tortured or anything. It was light but not too light either so I would say "well balanced" for us to have a good time reading it.
By now I also recognize her “signature�: writing about strong heroine with sassy BFF loving to play pranks or queen of the sarcastic remarks. In every one of her books the humor is present and I loved the banter between Payton and Max but also the pranks played at the office by her BFF Charlie. That girl relished in torturing some associates, especially Avery always with an innocent look on her face. How the girl never got caught and fired is beyond understanding but it was really funny reading about all this.
The plot is about Payton, young and recent associate at Alliance, a financing firm and concluding a deal with Titan, Max’s firm. Max is a genius and launched a successful game recently and is now looking for funds to sustain the development and launch of his new game and platform.
Their first encounter is quite� unconventional and they did not begin on the right foot. Soon enough Payton is convincing Max to use Alliance’s loan. There will only be a slight “glitch� but I don’t want to give any spoiler away.
Just know that Payton will soon be very invested in Max’s work and world. She tries to “manage� the brilliant but very closed-off man with many difficulties.
What I loved:
-as I already said: the humor! It’s one of Piper’s greatest assets in my books. I find myself snickering many times while reading about the sarcastic remarks, the pranks;
-Payton. Piper always writes great heroine, relatable, strong, driven but also caring. They’re never perfect but that’s what makes them relatable. I loved how Payton "matured" with her mom's sickness as she seemed a real firecracker when young but…she became a little too “rigid�. She should relax some more and just enjoy life. That’s what Max helped her to do introducing her to the gaming world and the sleepless nights playing to reach the next level;
-The gaming world. Piper was spot on about any things: the idea’s "theft" by competitors, the need to time the release of your new game right on the market else it goes at the bottom, the long working hours when you have to meet the deadline; the comic-cons, etc. I loved reading about all this as my son and my husband are real gamers.
What left me wanting:
-Max. He is sexy, a genius and I liked him by the end but he was very difficult to read and connect with for a very long time. He is distant, aloof, closed off. I understand all this comes from his youth, from his bad experience with someone. He also is brilliant and is totally focused on creating games. He is in his own head, in his own reality that is a fantasy to others. � I spend every day building fantasy. This is how I like my reality. At a distance.� “Not all reality’s bad.� “No,� he conceded. “It’s just…impermanent. Fantasy never disappoints. Sometimes I wonder if the only thing you can count on are the good moments in life being too short.�
Anyway it took me a great time to warm to Max. It was only because I saw him through Payton's eyes that I was interested in learning more about him.
Now, when you have quotes like: �"“Max?� “Yeah.� I felt the word reverberate through his chest to mine. “You’re not a mistake. Not your parents�, not anyone’s. You’re exactly who you’re supposed to be and I’m so glad I met you.� how can you remain unmoved? That’s what made me realize there were unseen depths and suffering in Max’s life.
I also saw some potential about other developments in the book, more possible drama but it was not the author’s choice I think to deliver a very angsty story and it worked very well so I’m not complaining at all.
If you’re looking for a light, interesting, entertaining and fun story, this could be your book.
It’s been my third Piper Lawson’s book and it’s been given in exchange for an honest opinion.
First of all, let me tell you I really enjoyed myself. It was not too angsty, too tortured or anything. It was light but not too light either so I would say "well balanced" for us to have a good time reading it.
By now I also recognize her “signature�: writing about strong heroine with sassy BFF loving to play pranks or queen of the sarcastic remarks. In every one of her books the humor is present and I loved the banter between Payton and Max but also the pranks played at the office by her BFF Charlie. That girl relished in torturing some associates, especially Avery always with an innocent look on her face. How the girl never got caught and fired is beyond understanding but it was really funny reading about all this.
The plot is about Payton, young and recent associate at Alliance, a financing firm and concluding a deal with Titan, Max’s firm. Max is a genius and launched a successful game recently and is now looking for funds to sustain the development and launch of his new game and platform.
Their first encounter is quite� unconventional and they did not begin on the right foot. Soon enough Payton is convincing Max to use Alliance’s loan. There will only be a slight “glitch� but I don’t want to give any spoiler away.
Just know that Payton will soon be very invested in Max’s work and world. She tries to “manage� the brilliant but very closed-off man with many difficulties.
What I loved:
-as I already said: the humor! It’s one of Piper’s greatest assets in my books. I find myself snickering many times while reading about the sarcastic remarks, the pranks;
-Payton. Piper always writes great heroine, relatable, strong, driven but also caring. They’re never perfect but that’s what makes them relatable. I loved how Payton "matured" with her mom's sickness as she seemed a real firecracker when young but…she became a little too “rigid�. She should relax some more and just enjoy life. That’s what Max helped her to do introducing her to the gaming world and the sleepless nights playing to reach the next level;
-The gaming world. Piper was spot on about any things: the idea’s "theft" by competitors, the need to time the release of your new game right on the market else it goes at the bottom, the long working hours when you have to meet the deadline; the comic-cons, etc. I loved reading about all this as my son and my husband are real gamers.
What left me wanting:
-Max. He is sexy, a genius and I liked him by the end but he was very difficult to read and connect with for a very long time. He is distant, aloof, closed off. I understand all this comes from his youth, from his bad experience with someone. He also is brilliant and is totally focused on creating games. He is in his own head, in his own reality that is a fantasy to others. � I spend every day building fantasy. This is how I like my reality. At a distance.� “Not all reality’s bad.� “No,� he conceded. “It’s just…impermanent. Fantasy never disappoints. Sometimes I wonder if the only thing you can count on are the good moments in life being too short.�
Anyway it took me a great time to warm to Max. It was only because I saw him through Payton's eyes that I was interested in learning more about him.
Now, when you have quotes like: �"“Max?� “Yeah.� I felt the word reverberate through his chest to mine. “You’re not a mistake. Not your parents�, not anyone’s. You’re exactly who you’re supposed to be and I’m so glad I met you.� how can you remain unmoved? That’s what made me realize there were unseen depths and suffering in Max’s life.
I also saw some potential about other developments in the book, more possible drama but it was not the author’s choice I think to deliver a very angsty story and it worked very well so I’m not complaining at all.
If you’re looking for a light, interesting, entertaining and fun story, this could be your book.
April 18, 2018
4.25 Stars
Payton Blake works for a financial lending company. Max Donovan, 28, is her new client in need of money to launch his next video game.
“‘I am an extremely satisfied client…If you want to go in that bathroom, I’ll show you just how satisfied.’�
This is a sweet and sexy, low angst romance. And labeled as a hot gamer romance…well I just had to bring my real life hubs to the bookshelf (or to be accurate I 1-clicked a copy on his kindle) for a buddy read since he’s a total gamer.
So hub’s end of this review first�.He says, “The writing was good, the characters were good, and I kinda wanted to play Max’s game.� I suspect Max and my hubs would have hit it off well. See when Max was “romancing� Payton by loaning her game systems and taking her to comic-cons, I realized that his angle was a fresh approach from most of the romance novels I’ve read but also a trip down memory lane in my real romantic life. (Yep, my own sweetie once loaned me his Super Nintendo and took me on Comic-Con vacations.)
Unlike my own love life, Max and Payton start out a bit at odds. It’s a little adversaries to friends to lovers. The premise provided some engaging push/pull, and his Coyote nickname for her was a cute touch.
“Most first kisses are either tentative or sloppy. This was hot and raw…�
I liked that Payton knew when to stand her ground. She was also loyal and had a sharp business sense.
“I’m thinking that now that I’ve caught you, Roadrunner, I’m not sure what to do with you.�
While at first Max comes off a little broody, he had a good reason for trying to protect himself and some of his personal life reveals tugged at my heartstrings a bit. At the same time, he could roll off with swoonworthy and suggestive lines.
“‘So maybe we can lose a little more sleep together, yeah?’�
I can’t give enough credit for the fact that Max was just a regular guy despite his career success and not a manwhore in the least. It was nice to read about a hero who could keep it in his pants and only had eyes for the heroine. Told via Payton’s first person POV (the epilogue is told by Max), the pair made a good fit.
While hubs and I both felt the ending lacked a little zing, it was still an enjoyable read. The supporting characters are also very likable. I definitely want to check out Charlie and Riley’s stories.
Safety Recap:
*I purchased this as a freebie from Amazon. All Book-Bosomed Book Blog's reviews are honest and unbiased.
Payton Blake works for a financial lending company. Max Donovan, 28, is her new client in need of money to launch his next video game.
“‘I am an extremely satisfied client…If you want to go in that bathroom, I’ll show you just how satisfied.’�
This is a sweet and sexy, low angst romance. And labeled as a hot gamer romance…well I just had to bring my real life hubs to the bookshelf (or to be accurate I 1-clicked a copy on his kindle) for a buddy read since he’s a total gamer.
So hub’s end of this review first�.He says, “The writing was good, the characters were good, and I kinda wanted to play Max’s game.� I suspect Max and my hubs would have hit it off well. See when Max was “romancing� Payton by loaning her game systems and taking her to comic-cons, I realized that his angle was a fresh approach from most of the romance novels I’ve read but also a trip down memory lane in my real romantic life. (Yep, my own sweetie once loaned me his Super Nintendo and took me on Comic-Con vacations.)
Unlike my own love life, Max and Payton start out a bit at odds. It’s a little adversaries to friends to lovers. The premise provided some engaging push/pull, and his Coyote nickname for her was a cute touch.
“Most first kisses are either tentative or sloppy. This was hot and raw…�
I liked that Payton knew when to stand her ground. She was also loyal and had a sharp business sense.
“I’m thinking that now that I’ve caught you, Roadrunner, I’m not sure what to do with you.�
While at first Max comes off a little broody, he had a good reason for trying to protect himself and some of his personal life reveals tugged at my heartstrings a bit. At the same time, he could roll off with swoonworthy and suggestive lines.
“‘So maybe we can lose a little more sleep together, yeah?’�
I can’t give enough credit for the fact that Max was just a regular guy despite his career success and not a manwhore in the least. It was nice to read about a hero who could keep it in his pants and only had eyes for the heroine. Told via Payton’s first person POV (the epilogue is told by Max), the pair made a good fit.
While hubs and I both felt the ending lacked a little zing, it was still an enjoyable read. The supporting characters are also very likable. I definitely want to check out Charlie and Riley’s stories.
Safety Recap:
*I purchased this as a freebie from Amazon. All Book-Bosomed Book Blog's reviews are honest and unbiased.
April 30, 2018
You guys, if you haven’t read this one yet, please do! Everything I’ve said in my review for NSFW is true for the first book, too.
Lawson’s books are what I consider perfect romance reads, especially these two books. Awesome characters, tons of chemistry and no ridiculous monster dicks or insta love. I’m bumping up my rating for this one from 4 to 5 stars because if a book can make me stay up all night to read, even though I’m reading it for the second time, it really deserves all the stars.
Rereading this because of all the updates I've seen recently by a certain someone ;)
*
Hot nerd, kick ass girl, what's not to like? This was seriously hot!
Lawson’s books are what I consider perfect romance reads, especially these two books. Awesome characters, tons of chemistry and no ridiculous monster dicks or insta love. I’m bumping up my rating for this one from 4 to 5 stars because if a book can make me stay up all night to read, even though I’m reading it for the second time, it really deserves all the stars.
Rereading this because of all the updates I've seen recently by a certain someone ;)
*
Hot nerd, kick ass girl, what's not to like? This was seriously hot!
September 26, 2016
PLAY is a fun and quirky, quick read with plenty of sweet, nerdy and funny moments. I've never read a story about video games, much less a game creator, so this one was definitely new to me but I really enjoyed it! PLAY has every element that I love in a romance novel: a strong heroine who knows what she deserves, a hot as hell, occasionally arrogant hero with a tough shell and insides sweeter than fresh chocolate chip cookies, a dash of heat, a sprinkle of angst, PLUS witty and charming banter and secondary characters. This book really does have it all.
What an unlikely pair Payton and Max were, but sometimes those are the best to read about. From the first interaction between else two, I was hooked. If I could've managed to stay awake, there's a good chance I would've just read through the night, but alas, a kindle to the face doesn't feel too nice. Max was abrupt and prickly, with good reason of course, but I loved watching Payton break down his walls, even when he tried to fight it. Watching these two grow closer was a real treat because it wasn't instant, you never knew what would happen in each situation and how they would react to each other. The reader experiences those small, budding romantic moments that you might see in a real relationship during its developmental stages. It feels real. Then as they grew closer, the tension grew. Have I mentioned that I'm an INSANELY HUGE fan of tension? Just making sure everyone is aware.
This is the type of story that you pick up and just want to keep reading. The connection from scene to scene, the dialogue, banter between characters and settings, is all incorporated smoothly and flows with precision. I don't know if I would market this as a RomCom, but it's definitely cheeky and has its funny moments. I'll even admit to a small snort or two while reading. Only a small one since I'm a lady, of course. ;)
*See what I mean? Max is a bit of a cheeky bugger!*
Something that was great about PLAY is that not only was this book revolving around gaming and how Payton and Max's careers intercepted, but how they both additionally had background stuff going on in their life as well. It gave the characters more dimension and really aided in their likability, growth, and shows the reader why they have the thought processes they do and made the decisions that they did. I loved getting an inside glimpse into what else they both have going on - no one likes one dimensional stories.
For some readers, myself included, angst is like bacon. When you crave bacon, you eat bacon. But sometimes when you aren't craving bacon, but still find bacon bits, your extremely happy. You're all like "Hey! There's bacon bits in my salad. AWESOME!" Because who wouldn't be happy with surprise bacon? This is how I feel about angst. I was not at all in the mood for an angsty read, even though I love them to pieces. Sometimes you just need something a little easier on the heart. But then there were small delicious bacon bit morsels of angsty goodness and I feel a little more in love with this book because of it. These moments were well written, throughout and expertly placed within the storyline. I agreed with every single one, all the while they were never over the top.
*insert my heart cracking here*
Piper is a new to me author but I definitely want to look into her other stuff! Sometimes when I see new releases or am asked to review an ARC, sure they'll look good but I can be hesitant towards new to me authors. But then I remember that some of my favourite authors started out either lesser known or relatively new, and I like to take a chance on people - sometimes it works, sometimes you might find something that isn't your cup of tea. In relation to PLAY, this decision definitely paid off! I'm so glad I was given a copy of this book, I can't tell you enjoy how cute and enjoyable it was. I really do love stuff like this.
There were two relatively minor things I found that could've been changed and these were why I didn't rate this book as five stars. One, is that some of the sentences were worded slightly funny or should've been written in a different order. Same words, just slightly shifted placings, if that makes sense. This definitely wasn't an all the time thing, just something small that my neurotic little brain picked up on. The other was that some concepts might have needed to be explained a teeny tiny bit more in laymen's terms, and expanded upon a little. For the most part I could keep up, but then there were times when either gaming or financing or loans would be discussed, and there was a lot going on at once. Between these unfamiliar concepts (to me, since you know, adulting isn't really my thing), the scenes being breezed over and the fact that there is a lot of information at once, it was a little confusing at times. I get that the author tried to keep the pacing smooth and not bore anyone, but I think a bit more explanation in a few key areas could've helped out tremendously.
If you're looking for a new book to read, something catchy and out of the norm, check this one out. I'm not a video game person but this book was a lot of fun with loveable characters and an intriguing story line. A sassy heroine, crusty turned sweet hero and ComicCon convention round out the package quite nicely and gives a unique reading experience. Give this one a shot, or better yet, take a chance and PLAY.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
JOIN THE SISTERHOOD! FIND US ON: / / /
“So� did you want to talk?� I prompted when I thought I’d won the battle against my nausea.
“About what?�
“I don’t know. The weather? The Fed’s interest rate policy? The Red Sox pitching lineup? Though if you want the last one, you’ll have to take the lead.�
What an unlikely pair Payton and Max were, but sometimes those are the best to read about. From the first interaction between else two, I was hooked. If I could've managed to stay awake, there's a good chance I would've just read through the night, but alas, a kindle to the face doesn't feel too nice. Max was abrupt and prickly, with good reason of course, but I loved watching Payton break down his walls, even when he tried to fight it. Watching these two grow closer was a real treat because it wasn't instant, you never knew what would happen in each situation and how they would react to each other. The reader experiences those small, budding romantic moments that you might see in a real relationship during its developmental stages. It feels real. Then as they grew closer, the tension grew. Have I mentioned that I'm an INSANELY HUGE fan of tension? Just making sure everyone is aware.
This is the type of story that you pick up and just want to keep reading. The connection from scene to scene, the dialogue, banter between characters and settings, is all incorporated smoothly and flows with precision. I don't know if I would market this as a RomCom, but it's definitely cheeky and has its funny moments. I'll even admit to a small snort or two while reading. Only a small one since I'm a lady, of course. ;)
“It’s hard to play a video game when you’re imagining your face under a skirt.�
*See what I mean? Max is a bit of a cheeky bugger!*
Something that was great about PLAY is that not only was this book revolving around gaming and how Payton and Max's careers intercepted, but how they both additionally had background stuff going on in their life as well. It gave the characters more dimension and really aided in their likability, growth, and shows the reader why they have the thought processes they do and made the decisions that they did. I loved getting an inside glimpse into what else they both have going on - no one likes one dimensional stories.
� [...] you’re my escape, Payton. You’re the good place I get to go when I need to forget about work, and all the shit that goes along with it. And, maybe I wanted to keep you out of the darker bits of my world.�
His words touched me. “Max?�
Ԩ?�
“I kind of want to be in all the bits of your world.�
For some readers, myself included, angst is like bacon. When you crave bacon, you eat bacon. But sometimes when you aren't craving bacon, but still find bacon bits, your extremely happy. You're all like "Hey! There's bacon bits in my salad. AWESOME!" Because who wouldn't be happy with surprise bacon? This is how I feel about angst. I was not at all in the mood for an angsty read, even though I love them to pieces. Sometimes you just need something a little easier on the heart. But then there were small delicious bacon bit morsels of angsty goodness and I feel a little more in love with this book because of it. These moments were well written, throughout and expertly placed within the storyline. I agreed with every single one, all the while they were never over the top.
“Maybe you were right, Max. Maybe this thing with us wasn’t ever meant to last.�
“I don’t want to be right. Not about this.� Desperation edged into his voice. It made me miss him horribly—how was it possible to miss someone when they were sitting right next to you?�
*insert my heart cracking here*
Piper is a new to me author but I definitely want to look into her other stuff! Sometimes when I see new releases or am asked to review an ARC, sure they'll look good but I can be hesitant towards new to me authors. But then I remember that some of my favourite authors started out either lesser known or relatively new, and I like to take a chance on people - sometimes it works, sometimes you might find something that isn't your cup of tea. In relation to PLAY, this decision definitely paid off! I'm so glad I was given a copy of this book, I can't tell you enjoy how cute and enjoyable it was. I really do love stuff like this.
“Did you sleep with him?�
I shot her a look. “Definitely not. And I’m not going to,� I felt the need to add as a flush crept up my neck.
“We’ll see. But in the meantime, what are you going to do about him?� she asked as we carried our finds back down the hall.
I juggled my sandwich and chips so I could take a long sip of my watermelon slushy. Today, I’d gone straight for the large. No dicking around.
“I’m going to go find him,� I decided. “And then I’m going to kill him.�
“Hot. There are few things that get a guy going more than the threat of impending death.
There were two relatively minor things I found that could've been changed and these were why I didn't rate this book as five stars. One, is that some of the sentences were worded slightly funny or should've been written in a different order. Same words, just slightly shifted placings, if that makes sense. This definitely wasn't an all the time thing, just something small that my neurotic little brain picked up on. The other was that some concepts might have needed to be explained a teeny tiny bit more in laymen's terms, and expanded upon a little. For the most part I could keep up, but then there were times when either gaming or financing or loans would be discussed, and there was a lot going on at once. Between these unfamiliar concepts (to me, since you know, adulting isn't really my thing), the scenes being breezed over and the fact that there is a lot of information at once, it was a little confusing at times. I get that the author tried to keep the pacing smooth and not bore anyone, but I think a bit more explanation in a few key areas could've helped out tremendously.
If you're looking for a new book to read, something catchy and out of the norm, check this one out. I'm not a video game person but this book was a lot of fun with loveable characters and an intriguing story line. A sassy heroine, crusty turned sweet hero and ComicCon convention round out the package quite nicely and gives a unique reading experience. Give this one a shot, or better yet, take a chance and PLAY.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
JOIN THE SISTERHOOD! FIND US ON: / / /
September 27, 2016
Review in english and portuguese
Resenha em inglês e português
ARC provided by the author. Thank you!
4 stars
I think this is the 5th book I read by the author Piper Lawson and I always enjoyed her books. It hasn't one I didn't like. However, PLAY has become my favorite. I think the auhtor's writing got even better. This isn't a book hard on drama, it is actually quite of fun.
Payton is a financial associate and just got a promotion. Max is a simple guy who created a game that became famous. Now he's with a team to create another game that promises to break the internet and needs a loan to be able to accelerate and release the game as soon as possible. Payton is the responsible for this account, despite knowing how to deal very well with her clients, she never had one with the personality and temperament as strong as Max.
The story in general is common, but the author doesn't let the plot fall into an exaggerated drama. On the contrary, she brings us some entertaining characters with really good timming to make us laugh at certain situations, without being forced.
I loved Payton and Max. I loved the development of their relationship. It wasn't something like "love at first sight." It was gradual, natural. In fact, all the characters are captivating. Charlie was the one that made me laugh the msot. Crazy friend. I wanted to know more about her.
Once I finished the book, I already started to miss them. It is a very good book to read, the kind that you feel happy with a smile on your face when is over. I highly recommended it.
--------
ARC fornecido pela autora. Obrigada!
4 estrelas
Acho que este é o 5º livro que leio da autora Piper Lawson e sempre curti os livros dela. Não teve nenhum que não agradou. Entretanto, PLAY se tornou meu favorito. Acho que a escrita da autora evoluiu além de ser um livro com um drama mais leve do que os outros e bem mais divertido.
Payton é uma analista de finanças em um banco e acaba de ganhar uma promoção. Max é um cara simples que criou um jogo que se tornou famoso. Agora ele está com uma equipe para criar outro jogo que promete quebrar a internet e precisa de empréstimo para poder acelerar e lançar o jogo o quanto antes. Payton acaba responsável por esta conta, apesar de saber lidar muito bem com seus clientes, ela nunca teve um com a personalidade e temperamento tão forte como Max.
A história no geral é comum, entretanto a autora não deixa a trama cair na num drama exagerado. Pelo contrario, ela tornou seus personagens engraçados soltando frases nos momentos certos para fazer a gente rir com a situação, sem ser forçado.
Eu adorei a Payton e o Max. Adorei o desenvolvimento do relacionamento deles. Não foi algo tipo "amor a primeira vista". Foi gradativo. Na verdade, todos os personagens são cativantes. A Charlie foi a que mais me arrancou risadas. Amiga louca. Queria até saber mais sobre ela.
Assim que terminei, já comecei a sentir saudade dos personagens. Foi um livro muito gostoso de ler, daquele tipo que você se sente bem, com um sorriso no rosto quando acaba. Super recomendo a leitura.
----------------------
* Pick a Book
/ /
[email protected]
Resenha em inglês e português
ARC provided by the author. Thank you!
4 stars
I think this is the 5th book I read by the author Piper Lawson and I always enjoyed her books. It hasn't one I didn't like. However, PLAY has become my favorite. I think the auhtor's writing got even better. This isn't a book hard on drama, it is actually quite of fun.
Payton is a financial associate and just got a promotion. Max is a simple guy who created a game that became famous. Now he's with a team to create another game that promises to break the internet and needs a loan to be able to accelerate and release the game as soon as possible. Payton is the responsible for this account, despite knowing how to deal very well with her clients, she never had one with the personality and temperament as strong as Max.
The story in general is common, but the author doesn't let the plot fall into an exaggerated drama. On the contrary, she brings us some entertaining characters with really good timming to make us laugh at certain situations, without being forced.
I loved Payton and Max. I loved the development of their relationship. It wasn't something like "love at first sight." It was gradual, natural. In fact, all the characters are captivating. Charlie was the one that made me laugh the msot. Crazy friend. I wanted to know more about her.
Once I finished the book, I already started to miss them. It is a very good book to read, the kind that you feel happy with a smile on your face when is over. I highly recommended it.
--------
ARC fornecido pela autora. Obrigada!
4 estrelas
Acho que este é o 5º livro que leio da autora Piper Lawson e sempre curti os livros dela. Não teve nenhum que não agradou. Entretanto, PLAY se tornou meu favorito. Acho que a escrita da autora evoluiu além de ser um livro com um drama mais leve do que os outros e bem mais divertido.
Payton é uma analista de finanças em um banco e acaba de ganhar uma promoção. Max é um cara simples que criou um jogo que se tornou famoso. Agora ele está com uma equipe para criar outro jogo que promete quebrar a internet e precisa de empréstimo para poder acelerar e lançar o jogo o quanto antes. Payton acaba responsável por esta conta, apesar de saber lidar muito bem com seus clientes, ela nunca teve um com a personalidade e temperamento tão forte como Max.
A história no geral é comum, entretanto a autora não deixa a trama cair na num drama exagerado. Pelo contrario, ela tornou seus personagens engraçados soltando frases nos momentos certos para fazer a gente rir com a situação, sem ser forçado.
Eu adorei a Payton e o Max. Adorei o desenvolvimento do relacionamento deles. Não foi algo tipo "amor a primeira vista". Foi gradativo. Na verdade, todos os personagens são cativantes. A Charlie foi a que mais me arrancou risadas. Amiga louca. Queria até saber mais sobre ela.
Assim que terminei, já comecei a sentir saudade dos personagens. Foi um livro muito gostoso de ler, daquele tipo que você se sente bem, com um sorriso no rosto quando acaba. Super recomendo a leitura.
----------------------
* Pick a Book
/ /
[email protected]
October 10, 2016
5 Hot Gamer, Max-is-mine-don't-even-think-about-it stars
Arc generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Everything's a game, Payton. That's the big secret. Work, life, sex. If you're not playing one game, you're playing another. If you can't tell you're playing a game? You're losing."
Sooo, where to start? "Play" was a nice surprise It was also my first book by Piper Lawson and her amusing, clever style definitely got to me. I'm a sucker for witty heroines and stormy, brilliant heroes, so this book was right up my alley.
But first, let me introduce you to the main characters. Payton is a financial advisor that is climbing the corporate ladder (is it even a thing? anyway) and is asked to cover for a friend with a new client. Now, enter Max: pale, spiky dark hair, eyebrow piercing and lips to die for. They're off to ride toward the sunset, right? Er, no. What I loved most about them is that they really started off hating, or at least strongly not-loving each other. Sure, with both of them being attractive, lust was omnipresent, but the negative feelings they had for each other always prevailed.
Their first interactions were stilted and funny especially given the mutual disappointment and hatred for one other. Also, Piper Lawson has a way to make every situation so funny and light, she managed not to turn the story into a cumbersome journey from hate to love.
So, as Max, who is a video-game engineer/visionaire/genius tries to keep her at bay from himself (past issues) and from his business, Payton manages to sneak in his world and under his skin.
What I loved about them was how slowly yet meaningfully they progressed in their interactions. It was a slow burn, but damn if it didn't result into a mind-blowing explosion. In the end, I got to see so many facets of Max's personality that it got my head spinning and my heart reeling. Under the cool, detached facade hides a very generous, passionate heart that conquered mine.
Max was sweet at times, then possessive, then funny and light. Uptight. Downright assholish, stand-offish. Amazingly romantic. And no, he doesn't come off as crazy moody (okay, only a bit).
Also, lots of things happen in this story. We get to see many settings, some of them utterly fun and others plainly romantic .
"I was watching you tonight. Dancing like no one else was there. And the thing was, there might as well have been no one there. Twenty thousand people, Payton, and you're the only one I see."
Swoon. Max is so... I don't know if I'm biased given my professed love for Hot Nerds, Hackers ("Heart-Shaped Hack" anybody?) and computer Geeks. But he's both genius and so human, you know? Half the time you want to curse him up one way and down the other for even being so smart and the other half you want to crush him to you because he's like a lost kid.
Anyway, back to the book. You should totally read it. It's fun, it's spunky, it will make you cry a bit and then it will warm your heart. Payton and her best friend Charlie are some cool chicks, and the hero is amazing. The story picks up slowly but I can guarantee you won't regret it. The second half is what really brought my stars from four to five.
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author! Piper Lawson definitely knows how to write steamy, heartfelt, fun romance!
"You know, Payton, the only game I hated as a kid was Super Mario. I didn't get the rush-the-tower, save-the-princess shit. Why you'd do everything just to get the girl. But I get it now. Because you're the girl. And you're all of it. The prize, the gold, the ever-fucking-after."
And with this, Talia's out (*drops the mike*)
Arc generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Everything's a game, Payton. That's the big secret. Work, life, sex. If you're not playing one game, you're playing another. If you can't tell you're playing a game? You're losing."
Sooo, where to start? "Play" was a nice surprise It was also my first book by Piper Lawson and her amusing, clever style definitely got to me. I'm a sucker for witty heroines and stormy, brilliant heroes, so this book was right up my alley.
But first, let me introduce you to the main characters. Payton is a financial advisor that is climbing the corporate ladder (is it even a thing? anyway) and is asked to cover for a friend with a new client. Now, enter Max: pale, spiky dark hair, eyebrow piercing and lips to die for. They're off to ride toward the sunset, right? Er, no. What I loved most about them is that they really started off hating, or at least strongly not-loving each other. Sure, with both of them being attractive, lust was omnipresent, but the negative feelings they had for each other always prevailed.
Their first interactions were stilted and funny especially given the mutual disappointment and hatred for one other. Also, Piper Lawson has a way to make every situation so funny and light, she managed not to turn the story into a cumbersome journey from hate to love.
So, as Max, who is a video-game engineer/visionaire/genius tries to keep her at bay from himself (past issues) and from his business, Payton manages to sneak in his world and under his skin.
What I loved about them was how slowly yet meaningfully they progressed in their interactions. It was a slow burn, but damn if it didn't result into a mind-blowing explosion. In the end, I got to see so many facets of Max's personality that it got my head spinning and my heart reeling. Under the cool, detached facade hides a very generous, passionate heart that conquered mine.
Max was sweet at times, then possessive, then funny and light. Uptight. Downright assholish, stand-offish. Amazingly romantic. And no, he doesn't come off as crazy moody (okay, only a bit).
Also, lots of things happen in this story. We get to see many settings, some of them utterly fun and others plainly romantic .
"I was watching you tonight. Dancing like no one else was there. And the thing was, there might as well have been no one there. Twenty thousand people, Payton, and you're the only one I see."
Swoon. Max is so... I don't know if I'm biased given my professed love for Hot Nerds, Hackers ("Heart-Shaped Hack" anybody?) and computer Geeks. But he's both genius and so human, you know? Half the time you want to curse him up one way and down the other for even being so smart and the other half you want to crush him to you because he's like a lost kid.
Anyway, back to the book. You should totally read it. It's fun, it's spunky, it will make you cry a bit and then it will warm your heart. Payton and her best friend Charlie are some cool chicks, and the hero is amazing. The story picks up slowly but I can guarantee you won't regret it. The second half is what really brought my stars from four to five.
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author! Piper Lawson definitely knows how to write steamy, heartfelt, fun romance!
"You know, Payton, the only game I hated as a kid was Super Mario. I didn't get the rush-the-tower, save-the-princess shit. Why you'd do everything just to get the girl. But I get it now. Because you're the girl. And you're all of it. The prize, the gold, the ever-fucking-after."
And with this, Talia's out (*drops the mike*)
August 29, 2019
This is the first book by Piper Lawson that I have read even though I have several of her books on my Kindle (I have a huge TBR pile). Why did it take me so long to read this book? I loved the story. You would never think that a book that is about gaming could be turned into such a great romance book but it was done. I loved it. This book had everything � humor, some swoon worthy moments and plenty of heat. I will be reading more of her work starting with what I have on my TBR and will go from there. If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly suggest it and do it soon, you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2017
I was so hoping this book would be fun and exciting and cute, but it bored me to studying tears.
For the longest time, I couldn't decide on whether to give this 1 or 2 stars only because contrary to many new adult books, the main guy isn't a complete asshole and the main girl a hopeless pushover who deals with the main guy's shit because who the fuck knows?
But I was so bored.
And I don't think authors should get credit for making their characters humane, only because we're so used to the contrary, especially in this genre of books.
It was nothing like I hoped it would be -- exciting, fun, cute, that butterflies-in-my-stomach effect. It started off good, but after the first few chapters I was bored and unamused and honestly grateful as to how short this book is. The author had a nice writing style, but this whole book felt like a nonevent. So much so that although along with my book I received a free copy of another one of this author's books, given the fact that it's a series and I personally must finish series them at all costs, despite the fact that the first instalment came free, I can positively say I will never read it.
I don't know what else to say except that I was bored and it mostly felt like instalove for me and everything was so generic and to be honest, I finished this book a week ago and could have probably written a more detailed review then, but instead I rushed to read something else, something better, because I was so scared I'd be put off by reading if I didn't.
The worst part about this was that I was so in the mood for a cute, smutty book that I went out of my way to purchase this and it was such a colossal letdown. And usually those only happen when a book has been too hyped. This one wasn't hyped at all.
For the longest time, I couldn't decide on whether to give this 1 or 2 stars only because contrary to many new adult books, the main guy isn't a complete asshole and the main girl a hopeless pushover who deals with the main guy's shit because who the fuck knows?
But I was so bored.
And I don't think authors should get credit for making their characters humane, only because we're so used to the contrary, especially in this genre of books.
It was nothing like I hoped it would be -- exciting, fun, cute, that butterflies-in-my-stomach effect. It started off good, but after the first few chapters I was bored and unamused and honestly grateful as to how short this book is. The author had a nice writing style, but this whole book felt like a nonevent. So much so that although along with my book I received a free copy of another one of this author's books, given the fact that it's a series and I personally must finish series them at all costs, despite the fact that the first instalment came free, I can positively say I will never read it.
I don't know what else to say except that I was bored and it mostly felt like instalove for me and everything was so generic and to be honest, I finished this book a week ago and could have probably written a more detailed review then, but instead I rushed to read something else, something better, because I was so scared I'd be put off by reading if I didn't.
The worst part about this was that I was so in the mood for a cute, smutty book that I went out of my way to purchase this and it was such a colossal letdown. And usually those only happen when a book has been too hyped. This one wasn't hyped at all.
November 23, 2018
Just like the author said: gamers should really have more space in the contemporary romances. They are amazing to read and understand. Dorky but cute and sexy. Loved it.
In this story, we meet Payton and Max.
Max is a gamer developer. He created an amazing game that everybody loved and, now, he wants to release another one that will blow everyone’s mind. But, he needs money to do that and that’s when Payton enters.
Payton is a financial professional and is assigned to Max’s case. Their first meeting is weird and they already start with the wrong foot. Payton let it out, like Charlie (her best friend) instructed instead of bottling everything inside. But, Payton was not ready to the bad boy gamer that she encountered.
”Payton,� he murmured. “Nice to see you again.�
Does he say everyone’s name like he knows what color their panties are?
Payton is sassy and so funny. I laughed a lot with her.
Max was cool and cold, always maintaining that chip on his shoulder.
”Everything’s a game, Payton. That’s the big secret. Work, life, sex. If you’re not playing one game, you’re playing another. If you can’t tell you’re playing a game? You’re losing.�
But, with all their bickering and fighting, their feelings and tension were growing. Something was bound to happen. Who would break first?
”I was watching you tonight. Dancing like no one else was there. And the thing was, there might as well have been no one there. Twenty thousand people, Payton, and you’re the only one I see.�
Everything about this story was fierce and filled with fire. Every scene and sentence I read, i felt the tension and the fire! It was so good!
They were funny, exciting and so carefree. Living the moments like they didn’t have a care in the world.
”You really need those glasses or do you just wear them to drive me crazy?�
“They’re entirely to get the girl,� he replied solemnly.
“Don’t you mean the girls?�
“Nope. Just one.�
I loved every part of it. It was a great read.
The secondary characters were also great. Charlie and Riley were amazing and I can’t wait to read their books.
In this story, we meet Payton and Max.
Max is a gamer developer. He created an amazing game that everybody loved and, now, he wants to release another one that will blow everyone’s mind. But, he needs money to do that and that’s when Payton enters.
Payton is a financial professional and is assigned to Max’s case. Their first meeting is weird and they already start with the wrong foot. Payton let it out, like Charlie (her best friend) instructed instead of bottling everything inside. But, Payton was not ready to the bad boy gamer that she encountered.
”Payton,� he murmured. “Nice to see you again.�
Does he say everyone’s name like he knows what color their panties are?
Payton is sassy and so funny. I laughed a lot with her.
Max was cool and cold, always maintaining that chip on his shoulder.
”Everything’s a game, Payton. That’s the big secret. Work, life, sex. If you’re not playing one game, you’re playing another. If you can’t tell you’re playing a game? You’re losing.�
But, with all their bickering and fighting, their feelings and tension were growing. Something was bound to happen. Who would break first?
”I was watching you tonight. Dancing like no one else was there. And the thing was, there might as well have been no one there. Twenty thousand people, Payton, and you’re the only one I see.�
Everything about this story was fierce and filled with fire. Every scene and sentence I read, i felt the tension and the fire! It was so good!
They were funny, exciting and so carefree. Living the moments like they didn’t have a care in the world.
”You really need those glasses or do you just wear them to drive me crazy?�
“They’re entirely to get the girl,� he replied solemnly.
“Don’t you mean the girls?�
“Nope. Just one.�
I loved every part of it. It was a great read.
The secondary characters were also great. Charlie and Riley were amazing and I can’t wait to read their books.
Want to read
April 12, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/12/2018)!💝
Blurb:
I'm Payton Blake. Just another twenty-something girl, living the dream.
That’s what I tell myself every morning. That I’m successful, self-aware, and well-balanced.
It's just a tiny fib. I would be all of those things, if I had friends who didn’t work with me at the bank. And if I made it to pilates more than once a quarter. And if watermelon slushies weren't the main source of nutrients in my diet. It wouldn’t hurt if I’d had sex in the last year, either. (My best friend insists Jorge the Nightstand Boyfriend doesn’t count.)
But when you know where you're going, you don’t need to enjoy the ride. Right?
Even if some teeny part of me did want to fool around, Max Donovan would be the last guy I’d call. Sure, he made the indie video game that broke the internet. And yeah, his eyebrow piercing’s sexy, in a ‘what-are-you-in-a-band?� kind of way. And fighting with him gets me going faster than Jorge on bezerker mode…He’s still colder than a cactus and twice as prickly. And I’m not talking about his face, because the guy’s barely old enough to shave.
It’d really be best if we just ignored each other. Which is a problem, because Max Donovan is my new biggest client.
So what happens when the girl who lives to work meets the guy who was born to play?
Game on.
Blurb:
I'm Payton Blake. Just another twenty-something girl, living the dream.
That’s what I tell myself every morning. That I’m successful, self-aware, and well-balanced.
It's just a tiny fib. I would be all of those things, if I had friends who didn’t work with me at the bank. And if I made it to pilates more than once a quarter. And if watermelon slushies weren't the main source of nutrients in my diet. It wouldn’t hurt if I’d had sex in the last year, either. (My best friend insists Jorge the Nightstand Boyfriend doesn’t count.)
But when you know where you're going, you don’t need to enjoy the ride. Right?
Even if some teeny part of me did want to fool around, Max Donovan would be the last guy I’d call. Sure, he made the indie video game that broke the internet. And yeah, his eyebrow piercing’s sexy, in a ‘what-are-you-in-a-band?� kind of way. And fighting with him gets me going faster than Jorge on bezerker mode…He’s still colder than a cactus and twice as prickly. And I’m not talking about his face, because the guy’s barely old enough to shave.
It’d really be best if we just ignored each other. Which is a problem, because Max Donovan is my new biggest client.
So what happens when the girl who lives to work meets the guy who was born to play?
Game on.
August 31, 2016
Damn,this was beautiful and hilarious too.
Full Review to come soon during the blog tour.
August 6, 2018
Okay, I love this series. A lot. I know I read the second book first, but this, book one, was just as good.
Payton intrigued me during reading NSFW. The loyal friend who tamed the gaming mogul, Max.
She's essentially a loan officer and is instructed by her boss to meet with a prospective client, Max, so the bank can branch into the tech scene. When she meets Max, though, she's taken aback by the laid-back, confident man with an eyebrow piercing. They butt heads immediately.
Max judges her harshly at first, until he needs her help beyond the initial loan. They progress into somewhat partners, working toward the goal of launching his newest game.
There's a LOT of chemistry between the two of them, but he's had a rough early life and doesn't want a relationship. She's persistent in making him believe that there's a real chance for them.
Seeing their back-and-forth, his and her work ethic, it was really great. And when they finally get together, it is hot(tttt).
Still really impressed with Lawson's writing.
February 6, 2017
Three and a half stars.
I felt slightly disappointed in this book, it didn't quite live up to its big opening, I mean a chapter entitled "Because You're the Dick Whisperer"!
Payton Blake works for a bank. Her role is helping small and developing companies get finance. Newly promoted she finds a lunch appointment in her diary for "M Donovan". Arriving at her lunch, she finds Mr Donovan is a casual-looking guy with an eye-brow piercing and a massive 'tude. Sure she is being punked by her colleagues, Payton acts totally out of character and mouths off to her rude lunch date and walks away, only to find out from her boss that he was Max Donovan, gaming wunderkind, looking for funding for his latest top secret project.
Whilst I'm sure it really happens, it seems odd that Payton and her colleagues are in competition to 'win' business when their business is lending money. Anyhoo, the competition ends with a large bonus for the best salesperson which Payton desperately needs to help her mother to keep her home. So when Payton finds out that Max has not disclosed his full financing needs, putting her chance at the bonus in jeopardy, she decides to help him find alternate financing to bridge the gap. I totally understand that this is a necessary plot device but why couldn't Payton increase Max's lending from her own bank? I am happy to admit that I know nothing about project financing in the UK or the USA.
Anyway, helping Max get additional financing necessitates Payton spending evenings and weekends with Max and his team of coders with a sub-plot of Max's ex-wife trying to wrest his business from him through corporate espionage.
I liked this book, there was enough about gaming and creating a computer game throughout to make it feel 'real' - too often novels are allegedly about gaming (or something else) but contain next to nothing about it. Max had some issues but they seemed well established and understandable. Payton too was a likeable character.
I think my biggest issue was that I was more intrigued by the sub-plot involving Payton's friend/ assistant Charlie and her obnoxious rival Avery - I do hope that is the subject of the next novel!
I would definitely read more by Piper Lawson.
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I felt slightly disappointed in this book, it didn't quite live up to its big opening, I mean a chapter entitled "Because You're the Dick Whisperer"!
Payton Blake works for a bank. Her role is helping small and developing companies get finance. Newly promoted she finds a lunch appointment in her diary for "M Donovan". Arriving at her lunch, she finds Mr Donovan is a casual-looking guy with an eye-brow piercing and a massive 'tude. Sure she is being punked by her colleagues, Payton acts totally out of character and mouths off to her rude lunch date and walks away, only to find out from her boss that he was Max Donovan, gaming wunderkind, looking for funding for his latest top secret project.
Whilst I'm sure it really happens, it seems odd that Payton and her colleagues are in competition to 'win' business when their business is lending money. Anyhoo, the competition ends with a large bonus for the best salesperson which Payton desperately needs to help her mother to keep her home. So when Payton finds out that Max has not disclosed his full financing needs, putting her chance at the bonus in jeopardy, she decides to help him find alternate financing to bridge the gap. I totally understand that this is a necessary plot device but why couldn't Payton increase Max's lending from her own bank? I am happy to admit that I know nothing about project financing in the UK or the USA.
Anyway, helping Max get additional financing necessitates Payton spending evenings and weekends with Max and his team of coders with a sub-plot of Max's ex-wife trying to wrest his business from him through corporate espionage.
I liked this book, there was enough about gaming and creating a computer game throughout to make it feel 'real' - too often novels are allegedly about gaming (or something else) but contain next to nothing about it. Max had some issues but they seemed well established and understandable. Payton too was a likeable character.
I think my biggest issue was that I was more intrigued by the sub-plot involving Payton's friend/ assistant Charlie and her obnoxious rival Avery - I do hope that is the subject of the next novel!
I would definitely read more by Piper Lawson.
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
December 30, 2019
Another enjoyable "enemies to lovers" story from one of my new favourite authors, Piper Lawson. Payton Blake was a gutsy, ambitious and attractive young banking associate who ended up mixing business with lots of pleasure with her new client, the hot-shot game developer Max Donovan. I loved how these two could not seem to keep their hands off each other despite her determination to keep the relationship "all business" and his "once bitten, twice shy" attitude to relationships.
Quite an enjoyable, well written read. Highly recommended!
Quite an enjoyable, well written read. Highly recommended!
February 3, 2017
4:5 stars! I loved this read it was slightly angsty without OW/OM drama! I loved the 2nd characters too and would love to read about Avery and Charlie!
May 21, 2017
I was still reading this at 3 AM so that probably says enough. Funny, cute and hot. Thanks for the rec Jess!
February 22, 2019
I loved the characters in this book. It was easily read and I couldn't put the book down. It was humurous and was filled with great conversations. If you like hot romance with a twist this would it.
September 14, 2016
5 you're the only one I see stars. I walked into the novel having read a book by Piper Lawson and knowing she writes in a way that speaks to me. I loved this book by five pages in and kept loving it all the way to the end. The characters are real, conflicted, confusing and so very human. I laughed more than I didn't because Payton and Max were hilarious with their banter and wit. I have so many screen shots of moments I loved from this book which is a sure sign that I was totally loving the read.
"You're not what I expected," I confessed. "It's taking me some time to calibrate."
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Translation: When you read 'gamer,' you thought I'd be some stammering nerd with glasses who can't talk to a pretty girl."
Max isn't the "classic gamer" that comes to mind when you think of a game developer by any means. He's confident, sexual, witty and gorgeous while knowing he's all that and a genius. He doesn't get nervous around girls, isn't shy and is quite the crafty one. Beneath his exterior, Max has a complex makeup that comes from a relationship gone horribly wrong, fierce competition in the gaming world and his own addiction to creating the perfect gaming system. Max is passionate, rough around the edges, compassionate, loyal and beyond anything I thought he would be.
Sometimes I use the Magic 8 ball to make business decisions. Don't tell Riley.
Payton is in a man's world and playing by their rules yet still owning her career. She's called the "dick whisperer" as she can deal with her male colleagues in a way that allows her own work to shine while still not stepping on too many toes. She is focused, driven, compassionate and charming yet strong. It wasn't hard to like her since she was willing to play a game, even when she's not a gamer, to really get Max, her client. She also goes above and beyond to help Max when he runs into some trouble. She's good at what she does and even better when it comes to buffering people and keeping everything afloat.
The two come together, against the initial horrific meeting, and find something they didn't expect, love and acceptance. Payton learns how Max operates, gets him on another level, and accepts him for who he is while loving him the way he needs all the while. Max gets Payton and goes out of his way to show his affection in his own way. The path isn't easy, but then again, nothing worth having ever truly is. I loved the story and the characters equally.
"You're not what I expected," I confessed. "It's taking me some time to calibrate."
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Translation: When you read 'gamer,' you thought I'd be some stammering nerd with glasses who can't talk to a pretty girl."
Max isn't the "classic gamer" that comes to mind when you think of a game developer by any means. He's confident, sexual, witty and gorgeous while knowing he's all that and a genius. He doesn't get nervous around girls, isn't shy and is quite the crafty one. Beneath his exterior, Max has a complex makeup that comes from a relationship gone horribly wrong, fierce competition in the gaming world and his own addiction to creating the perfect gaming system. Max is passionate, rough around the edges, compassionate, loyal and beyond anything I thought he would be.
Sometimes I use the Magic 8 ball to make business decisions. Don't tell Riley.
Payton is in a man's world and playing by their rules yet still owning her career. She's called the "dick whisperer" as she can deal with her male colleagues in a way that allows her own work to shine while still not stepping on too many toes. She is focused, driven, compassionate and charming yet strong. It wasn't hard to like her since she was willing to play a game, even when she's not a gamer, to really get Max, her client. She also goes above and beyond to help Max when he runs into some trouble. She's good at what she does and even better when it comes to buffering people and keeping everything afloat.
The two come together, against the initial horrific meeting, and find something they didn't expect, love and acceptance. Payton learns how Max operates, gets him on another level, and accepts him for who he is while loving him the way he needs all the while. Max gets Payton and goes out of his way to show his affection in his own way. The path isn't easy, but then again, nothing worth having ever truly is. I loved the story and the characters equally.
February 3, 2017
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK THROUGH NETGALLEY. THIS IN NO WAY INFLUENCED MY REVIEW. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this opportunity.
4 Video Game Loving Stars/5
I loved this story! It was cute, funny, and sexy. The characters were great, the plot was great, and I loved the ending too!
The Characters
Piper - Piper goes through a lot of crap in this book and is put under a lot of stress, but she never comes off as being annoying as most characters would be in this situation. You really feel for her and want her to do good. She makes smart decisions throughout the book, which makes me love her even more. Plus there are all sorts of weird quirks about her that make her unique.
Max - Ahhh I loved Max. He was such an interesting character. And first of all let me say that I’m a sucker for piercings ;) Anyways, I’ve always grown up with a love for video games, so to see his passion for them coming through in this book was pretty cool. And I loved how he showed Piper different games, and then she found her love for video games and her love for him at the same time. It was just so cute to watch them discover themselves and each other through this story.
The Plot
I was very interested in the plot of this book and it kept my interest because it was more than just a romance novel. There was an actual plotline that unfolded. You can’t help but cheer for Piper and Max in their love lives but also in the aspect of Max’s company and Piper’s mom’s house. Max has a deadline to reach with the release of his new game, and Piper has to find the money to keep her mother from selling her childhood house. There are many things going on in this story, but I never felt lost.
4 Video Game Loving Stars/5
I loved this story! It was cute, funny, and sexy. The characters were great, the plot was great, and I loved the ending too!
Love isn’t what makes you weak, it’s what makes you strong.
The Characters
Piper - Piper goes through a lot of crap in this book and is put under a lot of stress, but she never comes off as being annoying as most characters would be in this situation. You really feel for her and want her to do good. She makes smart decisions throughout the book, which makes me love her even more. Plus there are all sorts of weird quirks about her that make her unique.
Max - Ahhh I loved Max. He was such an interesting character. And first of all let me say that I’m a sucker for piercings ;) Anyways, I’ve always grown up with a love for video games, so to see his passion for them coming through in this book was pretty cool. And I loved how he showed Piper different games, and then she found her love for video games and her love for him at the same time. It was just so cute to watch them discover themselves and each other through this story.
The Plot
I was very interested in the plot of this book and it kept my interest because it was more than just a romance novel. There was an actual plotline that unfolded. You can’t help but cheer for Piper and Max in their love lives but also in the aspect of Max’s company and Piper’s mom’s house. Max has a deadline to reach with the release of his new game, and Piper has to find the money to keep her mother from selling her childhood house. There are many things going on in this story, but I never felt lost.
September 5, 2016
4.5 Stars
Yep, this really is as the synopsis says "a quirky 70k word standalone about life, love, and the pursuit of orgasms, I mean, video games." I adored this story so much, I loved Max, he was arrogant, smouldering and sexy, ooh, and rich and intelligent. What's not to like? Then we have Payton, she was an absolute blast, she's funny, sexy, intelligent, and just a straight up good honest person, I loved her. Payton works for a bank and is appointed to manage a financial loan for Max who owns one of the biggest gaming companies going. Let's just say they don't always see eye to eye in business. Lines get crossed and business becomes pleasure. Payton is unable to mix the two, the lines get all blurry. Does Max trust Payton enough to let her truly 'in'? The chemistry between the two is a definite 'hell yes", and the banter between all the characters that make up this wonderful story just adds to the fun, easy vibe of the book. Loved it. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Yep, this really is as the synopsis says "a quirky 70k word standalone about life, love, and the pursuit of orgasms, I mean, video games." I adored this story so much, I loved Max, he was arrogant, smouldering and sexy, ooh, and rich and intelligent. What's not to like? Then we have Payton, she was an absolute blast, she's funny, sexy, intelligent, and just a straight up good honest person, I loved her. Payton works for a bank and is appointed to manage a financial loan for Max who owns one of the biggest gaming companies going. Let's just say they don't always see eye to eye in business. Lines get crossed and business becomes pleasure. Payton is unable to mix the two, the lines get all blurry. Does Max trust Payton enough to let her truly 'in'? The chemistry between the two is a definite 'hell yes", and the banter between all the characters that make up this wonderful story just adds to the fun, easy vibe of the book. Loved it. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 16, 2018
Newly promoted Payton, christened “The Dick Whisperer� by her best friend, Charlie, has one chance to land a big new client, and she screws it up, first by walking into a door and they by mistaking said client for a prankster. Turns out Max Donovan is anything but. The only way she can salvage the situation, and her career, is by learning to play Max's games, starting with his RPG bestseller, Oasis.
Max was a bit of an asshole to start with, too used to getting his own way and obsessed with gaming above all else. But he needs Payton's help, and as the two learn to work together, the chemistry between them is off the charts. I loved both characters, and parts of this book made me laugh out loud, which earned me some strange looks!
The supporting characters were great too � Riley the lawyer and especially Charlie, Payton's assistant. At the moment, I'm not keen on Avery, Payton's rival at work, but since the next book in this series follows him and Charlie, I'm hoping he'll grow on me.
Max was a bit of an asshole to start with, too used to getting his own way and obsessed with gaming above all else. But he needs Payton's help, and as the two learn to work together, the chemistry between them is off the charts. I loved both characters, and parts of this book made me laugh out loud, which earned me some strange looks!
The supporting characters were great too � Riley the lawyer and especially Charlie, Payton's assistant. At the moment, I'm not keen on Avery, Payton's rival at work, but since the next book in this series follows him and Charlie, I'm hoping he'll grow on me.
May 5, 2018
Play: A Really HOT Pastime
I am not a gamer,but my daughter and my grandson are. I wondered how a love of video games could translate into an erotic romance;
Piper Lawson showed me how! This book had
humor,depth and joy. It never lost its respect for the characters and their humanity. I am now a real fan. Can't wait to see the fireworks between Charlie and Avery! Keep writing ,girl!
I am not a gamer,but my daughter and my grandson are. I wondered how a love of video games could translate into an erotic romance;
Piper Lawson showed me how! This book had
humor,depth and joy. It never lost its respect for the characters and their humanity. I am now a real fan. Can't wait to see the fireworks between Charlie and Avery! Keep writing ,girl!
June 9, 2018
Loved it
Completely fell in love with this book from the start. From the slow build and intense emotion that the characters brought out in each other is great. Has some lol bits in it that are great.
It also has some scorching hot 🔥🔥sex scenes, so would only recommend to 18+
Being a gamer 🎮 myself made me enjoy the book even more, and look at my husband in a different way, he's also a gamer 🎮 so thank you Piper Lawson.
Completely fell in love with this book from the start. From the slow build and intense emotion that the characters brought out in each other is great. Has some lol bits in it that are great.
It also has some scorching hot 🔥🔥sex scenes, so would only recommend to 18+
Being a gamer 🎮 myself made me enjoy the book even more, and look at my husband in a different way, he's also a gamer 🎮 so thank you Piper Lawson.
June 18, 2018
Took a while for me to get into this. The dynamic between the two main characters seemed to be forced, with the male MC going a tad bit overboard with the asshole ways. Didn't like the fact that it was a single POV. I did learn a lot about the gaming world. So there's that.
January 19, 2019
Sweet, sensual and steamy romance novel!
A strong main character, a heroine who is not only a financial professional but too hot as a partner.
I enjoyed this novel as this plot is my first of its kind.
A strong main character, a heroine who is not only a financial professional but too hot as a partner.
I enjoyed this novel as this plot is my first of its kind.
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