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Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases—on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder, but if he doesn’t clean up his act, his career is over—so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He’s not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she’s not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she’s determined to give it her best shot.
When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields.
“Guaranteed to be a phenomenal series.”—Joyfully Reviewed
“[Jaci Burton] delivers the passionate, inventive, sexually explicit love scenes that fans expect.”—USA Today Happy Ever After reviews
3.5 Stars
I have grown to expect extraordinarily hot, pushy alpha males who know how to get down and D-I-R-T-Y while dealing with some pretty heavy emotional turmoil in Jaci Burton's Play by Play series. But Playing to Win, while still a great read with a great hero and heroine, didn't quite pack the same punch that we've had in the other books.
Cole Riley, cousin to Mick, Gavin and Jenna, has just been traded to St. Louis as a last ditch effort to keep him playing. His performance on the field has never been his problem. Instead it's his off ice antics and his unwillingness to engage with his teammates. To help improve his image, the team and Liz (Cole's new agent) hire Savannah Brooks to work with Cole.
Savannah is a Southern Belle who prides herself on her professionalism and being able to turn a player's image around. When she meets Cole, the sexual sparks ignites almost immediately. Savannah is determined to keep things on a professional level because her career is all she has. But the attraction between her and Cole is undeniable and she finds herself unable to resist.
I really liked Cole. He had a hair trigger when it came to his temper and his mouth, but he was also a big enough man to apologize once he'd cooled down and realized he was wrong. He was a man who had an enormous heart, but after getting it torn apart early in his career he keeps it closed off to everyone except his family. He was a man who liked to be in control, but wasn't unwilling to accept that maybe someone else might have a better answer to a situation than him. The fact that he could admit when he was wrong or that someone might have a better idea makes you love him.
Savannah was a tough cookie. She has a horrible childhood and was able to rise above those events to become the successful woman that she is today. Unfortunately, those events also caused Savannah to believe the only thing that will stick around for her is her career. While she enjoys the moments of unprofessionalism she has with Cole, she's convinced he will eventually leave her. What she needs to figure out is how to take someone's word when it comes to matters of her heart.
Cole and Savannah were great together, but there wasn't the same level of emotional upheaval between Cole and Savannah that we've seen in other books in the series. When they were in the bedroom (which didn't happen until almost half way through the book), but Cole didn't seem to have that down and dirty trait his cousins possess (if you've read the series, I'm sure you can guess what all three Riley siblings had in common with their sexual relationships in their perspective books). He was more on the sweeter side and needed that emotional connection when he and Savannah were together.
With football season upon us, if you're looking for a great football story with a HOT tight end, pick up Playing to Win. Despite my expectations, this is still an awesome addition to the Play by Play series. I can't wait to read Cole's sister, Alicia's story next.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.azkindlefan
Posted September 12, 2012
I am a fan of this series. Loved the last book with the hockey player but this book was my least favorite. I normally finish a book I start quickly and this one I am still not done. I have put it down several times and started and finished other books in between. Not the author's best work and sorry I paid over $10.00 for this one.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Meh. It was ok. I just didn't connect with the characters or the story with this one like I have with the others in the series. Cole I got. I connected with him. Savannah though, I just did not connect with at all. She didn't come off as tough, independent, and in-charge. Instead she came off as weak, scared, and slightly snotty with a severe case of multiple personality disorder. She was bouncing back and forth so fast that it felt a bit like whip lash and kept me from connecting with the story.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 13, 2012
This book is nothing good! Its ok but it was just really a repeat of the same kind of sex over and over they never got upset never much emotion .... bored
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SuperBookish
Posted September 5, 2012
I Also Recommend:
Great book with great characters. Kept me entertained
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 17, 2012
Not a lot of depth but cute characters.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 8, 2012
but the story could be told in more details
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Harleygirl2011
Posted September 4, 2012
I Also Recommend:
I really love this series. Jaci Burton really knows how to suck you into her books. Cole is such a deep character and Savannah is just the right woman for him.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 11, 2013
What?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.bananaspecies
Posted May 8, 2013
This was a fantastic addition to the Play by Play series. The tension between the two lead characters is intense and makes the story great!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2013
I love the way the author protrays strong woman in this series!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 19, 2013
This is a hot need the fan on full of hot stesmy sex and romance, LOVED IT!!!! Didn't want
It to end!!!!!! If you loved fifty shades you will love this!!!!!!
Anonymous
Posted March 19, 2013
I love, love, loved these books.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 9, 2013
As a "sports nut" I love Ms. Burton's series on high profile sports stars and their "private" lives... She weaves a good tale and her characters all seem to come to life in my mind... If I have one complaint it would be that the graphic sex scense sometimes take away from the intimacy of the moment... I think when two people are very much in love the scenes could be a bit more delicately handled... Other than that I enjoy each story very much...
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 24, 2013
Great to see how this series can continue outside of the core family. It was awesome to see how this player could learn from his past mistakes and understand the true meaning of what a team truly is. Great in the series
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 31, 2013
Ugghh usibg review to talk weird!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 24, 2013
Lynch.ed
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 24, 2013
Gtg. Oh Brother Where Art Thou GOOGLE IT
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 24, 2013
I gtg :/ sorry
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 31, 2012
I love the Play by Play series. Good/Easy read. I enjoyed this series. Compared to the other books this book took some time developing the main characters. #1 was my favorite followed by #4 then #2 then #3.
The story line in each book is similar, but I really enjoyed how Jaci Burton brings all the characters back in each book. I am looking forward to the next book.
Overview
Someone’s going to have to let down their guard…
Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases—on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder, but if he doesn’t clean up his act, his career is over—so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He’s not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she’s not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively ...