Book Review for Playing For Keeps by J.C. Grant

Living in LA and dating celebrities wasn't what it was cracked up to be. I found out the hard way many had a lifestyle I wanted no part of.

Then David Taylor forced his way into my life. A sledge hammer breaking down my well crafted walls.

He was gorgeous and sexy and intimidating. I was drawn to him in a way I had never been to anyone or anything. And I knew I couldn't have him, I was too damaged, too flawed to really connect.

David saw what I was from the beginning. A broken scared girl locked away inside an aloof woman. And he was determined to free me. To make me his. 

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Readers who like their romances steamy with a hint of the 50 Shades of Grey idea of love that borders on obsession will experience just that in Playing For Keeps.  In a story that's rather simplistic readers will find themselves caught up in the whirlwind relationship between the slightly jaded Austin and the commanding yet somewhat insecure David as their connection crackles from the moment their eyes meet.  It's a relationship that's a bit unequal though as David is larger than life with a presence that's all-consuming.  It all makes for a read that you can't help being drawn to despite it's faults as for a few hours you get caught up in its sensual haze.

Austin came to LA to become an actress but is merely just surviving as she's a little fish in a big pond.  Relying on her mother's financial help though batters her self-esteem and leaves her lost as to what she wants out of life.  When it comes to her love life she's even more lost as she's left unsatisfied by every man she's met and not been with one in over a year.  Catching the attention of David is like being hit by lightning.  Though she senses the danger surrounding him she can't stay away and through texts, phone calls, and unexpected run-ins their steamy bond grows stronger.  Austin is an okay heroine as she's not too much of a doormat nor does she easily fall at David's feet.  She's not an energetic presence though either which made it difficult to truly connect with her.

From the first moment David's introduced there's a palpable shift in the story as everything finally comes to life.  With Austin being so average it was thrilling to have the sexy and commanding David to see and hear.  While many of his actions towards Austin would be considered stalker-like, in the context of this story they're sexy and add to his mystique.  David's the kind of man who knows what he wants and goes after it using every weapon in his sensual arsenal to win over Austin.  The majority of his words and deeds show a man in charge but Austin's early rebuffs show a man with vulnerabilities too which made him more human.  I just wish we would've learned more about him, gotten his viewpoint, in order to make a deeper connection to him overall.  He was such a compelling character with a background I longed to know more about and it would've made the overall story a richer one.

From start to finish this was a story teeming with sensuality and chock full of erotic encounters.  The relationship between Austin and David is mostly sexual as they spend little time interacting in other ways which isn't a bad thing as the erotic interludes are well done, but it does make for a read that could've been so much more.  While David's actions throughout the story are questionable in their appropriateness is does make for a sizzling foundation for HFN for him and Austin that kept me captivated despite my feelings once I put the book down.  This story is a bit rough around the edges, but like a drug it kept me coming back for more.  It's not a thought provoking or life altering story, but it was one that took me away from my daily troubles through its scorching encounters and the man wholeheartedly focused on the only woman he wants.  On that level it completely succeeds and as pure escapism I recommend it.

My rating for this is a C+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.