A fake relationship slowly becomes something more as two people try to navigate self-doubts and family obligations in this contemporary romance set in the world of sports. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Playboy's Reward by Gina Azzi, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this fourth installment in the Tennessee Thunderbolts series to your bookshelf!
It was supposed to be one fake date...
When sexy-as-sin Harper Henderson launches profanities into the night sky from the balcony below mine, I’m forced to intervene. I may be a professional hockey player with a playboy reputation, but I’m also a good guy.Charming and affable with unrivaled cheekbones and a lack of serious commitments (save for hockey), I make an impressive plus-one.
Volunteering to be Harper’s date to her dreaded ten-year high school reunion is easy. Pretending not to fall for her when our innocent kisses turn passionate is a little more challenging.
But when Harper returns the fake date favor and accompanies me to my parents’ anniversary party, everything changes. She garners my dad’s respect and effortlessly mingles with my childhood friends. She eases the familial pressure I drown under and makes me crave the things I used to laugh off.
Tangling up with Harper was supposed to be a fun way to pass the summer. So, why does it feel like she’s the real prize? The elusive, fleeting kind of real I’ve avoided for years?
And how can I prove that this playboy wants a different kind of reward? One that sounds a lot like commitment...
BUY here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Readers find themselves welcomed back into the sports world with open arms in this (at times) charming and (sometimes) frustrating tale of two neighbors whose fake romance slowly becomes something more. When these two neighbors decide to help each other out by being the plus-one to each other's social events, they end up feeling much more for each other but must work past self-doubts and familial expectations if they have any chance for a HEA. From the first page to the last readers will find themselves fully invested in this couple's journey, rooting for them to stop letting outside voices hurt their burgeoning romance, while delighting in their sweet and sexy interactions.
Damien Barnes has shown himself to be the playboy of the team, both on the ice as a hockey player and off the ice as a real hottie with a quick smile and an easygoing nature. His family life though is something that greatly affects him and has held him back from fully committing to another person. Meeting Harper, and spending time with her, has him wanting to put his heart on the line and into her hands for safe keeping though. With him starting to let his guard down with her things soon turn serious...and emotional speed bumps soon arise. Damien's family caused a lot of frustrations for me and dimmed my enjoyment of this story whenever their toxic selves showed up. They fueled doubts in him, had him questioning his feelings for Harper, and caused unnecessary angst and melodrama late in the story before he finally groveled his way to HEA.
Harper recently returned to her hometown, the place where her best friend (now, former) hooked up with her boyfriend (now, her ex). She works for the Coyotes, the local football team (and another series from this author), and lives next door to a super sexy hockey player whose friendship soon turns more romantic. Harper's a strong-willed heroine, someone focused on her future/her career, and is all in with Damien once things turn romantic. I admired her making a new life for herself after so many betrayals and was rooting for her through all the good moments between her and Damian as well as their low point late in the story.
On a whole this was a satisfying tale with a likable main couple who were endearing as friends and sizzling as lovers. I enjoyed seeing their friendship build but was frustrated by the speed bump they experienced late in the story that jarred me from my happy place. Despite that I still found much to enjoy about the burgeoning connection between Damien and Harper, just as I enjoyed the friendships they cultivated between other hockey players as well as Damien's football teammates. The banter amongst these individuals was surprisingly heartfelt and playful and added a unique layer to both of these sports series. Fans of the themes of fake relationships and friends to lovers, along with lovers of sports romances, will find this a delightful addition to the Tennessee Thunderbolts series and it will give them something to reread while waiting for the next book by Ms. Azzi to be released.
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
I’m Gina Azzi, a book-obsessed, coffee-drinking, globetrotting, mama of soon-to-be three! I write sweet with a dash of spicy New Adult and Contemporary Romance full of good men putting in work to win the hearts of even better women.
A total Jersey girl at heart, I struggle with insatiable wanderlust and currently reside in Ontario, Canada with my family.
When I’m not dreaming up storylines or writing all the words, you can find me hanging with my littles, attempting to bake, or planning my next adventure.
Connect with me on social media or at ginaazziauthor@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy Reading! Xo,
Gina
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