Playing it Tough by Amy Andrews is the eighth installment in the Sydney Smoke Series, a cosmetic tattoo artist, a rugby player, and a twist on a celibacy pact- yes please! Wait, there’s more – forced proximity, neighbors with benefits trope, and deep fried hoho’s. No, that’s not a trope but trust me, it adds to the fun.
Amy writes her stories with compelling characters and takes us on their journey through a difficult subject matter of cancer and how they find their way. It’s a sensitive topic and for some, it can be a trigger. There are plenty of scenes that provide laughter, others you might shed a few tears. There is always the potential for hearts breaking as these characters reflect and grow through the unexpected. From the dedication page to the last I was unable to put this book down. Each reader has a reason they gravitate towards their books and no matter the season or reason, genre, trope, or author, this is a must read.
Ronan Dempsey is laser focused in his career aspirations to play rugby and will do whatever he must to stay focused on his game, distractions of any kind could lead to injury or dreams shattered in an instant. What will happen when needs to move out of his apartment, will he be able to focus after meeting his new “neighbor” or will his pact be in jeopardy?
Orla Stewart overhauled her life to stay healthy and loves her job as a cosmetic tattoo artist, a job with rewards that go beyond those she works with. Everyone handles the effects and impact of trauma and loss differently. Sometimes we need a village to find our way. When Orla meets Ronan her entire world will shift, can she stay focused on her plan, or will the sexy new neighbor force her to face her fears and reassess her rules?
Are we defined by our past, or does the past define our future? While we can’t predict it, some say our destiny is written in the stars, and others say it’s pure luck. Sometimes the path we think we need to take becomes a stepping stone. A landing to lead us to our next new adventure that is bigger and brighter than the one we imagined. To achieve our dreams we need to take a leap of faith. In our weakest moments if we accept help, it allows us to be vulnerable, and that’s when the magic happens.
If you’re looking for a scorchin hot read with off-the-charts chemistry, witty banter with frequent food references, and a “not having sex” layer seamlessly woven into the world of Sydney Smoke rugby one-click today.
Caution, this Scorchin hot read may lead to unexpected need to turn on the A/C. So steamy the pages ignite. May include a dash of Erotic elements or elude to further exploration of desire and need. Trigger warning – cancer and mention of scars.
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this advance reader copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
