Tag: Play-by-Play Series

Review: The Final Score by Jaci Burton

Posted September 11, 2017 by Rowena in Reviews | 4 Comments

Review: The Final Score by Jaci BurtonReviewer: Rowena
The Final Score (Play by Play, #13) by Jaci Burton
Series: Play by Play #13
Also in this series: Holiday on Ice, Rules of Contact, Changing the Game (Play by Play, #2), Shot on Gold (Play by Play, #14)
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: September 12, 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

In the new Play-by-Play novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Contact, a star quarterback is torn between his love of the game—and the woman who may be the love of his life.

Nathan Riley is ready to follow in the footsteps of his famous football player father. He’s been drafted as quarterback for his dad’s former team, and his sports future is bright. When his friend Mia Cassidy moves to the same city, their years-long friendship suddenly sparks hot, reminding him of the one night they had together in college that he can never forget.

Like Nathan, Mia is from a sports dynasty family and embarking on an incredible new career—as founder of her own sports management company. Her friendship with Nathan means everything to her, and tossing sex into the mix again could jeopardize it all. But the chemistry between them has always sizzled, and it isn’t long before Mia realizes she wants more with Nathan than just late-night talks and pizza.

Passion has a funny way of changing the rules, and soon Nathan and Mia realize that to win it all, they’ll have to make an unexpected play for love.

The Final Score is the thirteenth book in the Play by Play series and it was another cute contemporary romance that made for a pleasant way to spend a few hours.

Nathan Riley and Mia Cassidy have been best friends since college. They’re good as friends. They’re supportive of each other, they care about each other and Nathan has wanted more for a long time. Mia has dug in her heels and has refused to risk their friendship on a relationship that she wasn’t sure would work out. His friendship meant too much to her and she didn’t want to rock the boat…even though they rocked the boat once in college. So they continue on as friends only and Nathan has put his feelings for his bestie on hold.

Fast forward a few years and they’ve graduated from college and are both working hard in their respective careers. Nathan is the new starting QB for his father’s team and he’s feeling the pressure to lead a team that has always been his father’s team. Mia, on the other hand, has opened up her own sports management business and she’s feeling her own pressure to make the business a success. She’s got employees who are relying on her to keep them employed and she’s doing everything she can to not let anyone down. They’re both busy, much too busy for a relationship but when Nathan brings up that they could be friends with benefits, Mia at first says no but Nathan keeps after it and before long, Mia has caved and the benefits begin.

I liked both Nathan and Mia as characters but my favorite part of this romance was how normal it was. Sure, both Nathan and Mia have high profile jobs but at their cores, they were normal everyday people who loved and wanted to be loved in return. I loved that Mia was a planner babe (I’m one too!) and I adored that Nathan was very upfront about what he wanted from Mia. He didn’t fight his feelings, he just waited for Mia to be ready for him. I totally respected that.

I didn’t understand a lot of Mia’s hangups about a relationship with Nathan. I wish she had more faith in him as a partner but those were just little gripes in an otherwise, perfectly put together contemporary romance. I enjoyed seeing all of Mia’s family and Nathan’s too. I’ve been itching for a baseball romance so I’m going to look into reading Mia’s brothers books since I haven’t gotten around to them yet.

Overall, this story was refreshingly simple. It wasn’t bogged down with angst and feelings and the characters didn’t have any of that annoying push and pull crap. It was a straight up romance about two friends who fall in to love with each other and find a way to make it work. It was perfect for what I was in the mood for so I enjoyed it.

Grade: 3.75 out of 5

four-stars


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Sunday Spotlight: The Final Score by Jaci Burton

Posted September 10, 2017 by Rowena in Features, Giveaways | 3 Comments

Sunday Spotlight is a feature we began in 2016. This year we’re spotlighting our favorite books, old and new. We’ll be  raving about the books we love and being total fangirls. You’ve been warned. 🙂

Sunday Spotlight

I’m not going to lie. I’ve been collecting this series because of the covers. I mean, who wouldn’t? Ha! I haven’t read all of the books of the books in this series but the ones that I have read, I’ve enjoyed so I am looking forward to reading this book because the hero is the son of the couple from The Perfect Play, book 1 in this series. That should be interesting, right? Either way, I’m stoked about it. The heroine is the sister of the hero in the last book, Rules of Contact.

The Final Score by Jaci Burton
Series: Play by Play #13
Also in this Series: Rules of Contact, Holiday on Ice, Taking a Shot, Taking a Shot, Changing the Game, The Perfect Play, The Perfect Play
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 12, 2017
Publisher: Berkley

In the new Play-by-Play novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Contact, a star quarterback is torn between his love of the game—and the woman who may be the love of his life.

Nathan Riley is ready to follow in the footsteps of his famous football player father. He’s been drafted as quarterback for his dad’s former team, and his sports future is bright. When his friend Mia Cassidy moves to the same city, their years-long friendship suddenly sparks hot, reminding him of the one night they had together in college that he can never forget.

Like Nathan, Mia is from a sports dynasty family and embarking on an incredible new career—as founder of her own sports management company. Her friendship with Nathan means everything to her, and tossing sex into the mix again could jeopardize it all. But the chemistry between them has always sizzled, and it isn’t long before Mia realizes she wants more with Nathan than just late-night talks and pizza.

Passion has a funny way of changing the rules, and soon Nathan and Mia realize that to win it all, they’ll have to make an unexpected play for love.

Order the Book:

AMAZON || BARNES AND NOBLE || KOBO

Excerpt

Check out some Nathan and Mia goodness… 🙂

“Oh, you know what?” she said as they paused to refill their drinks. “Amy Mackenfield broke up with her boyfriend.”

Nathan feigned shock. “What? The couple that was going to be together until the end of time?”

Mia laughed. “That was my thought, too. I guess ‘until the end of time’ didn’t last very long past college graduation.”

Nathan braced a hip against the kitchen island. “So what happened?”

“She got a job offer in Houston and Bill wouldn’t make the move with her. He said his job in Austin was going so well that he didn’t want to lose it. They tried the long-distance thing for about six months. Amy realized it wasn’t going to work any longer, so she broke up with him.”

“Ah. I always thought they were mismatched anyway.”

She tilted her head at Nathan as they made their way back into the living room and resumed their seats on the couch. “Really? How so?”

“She’s very ambitious. He was content with the status quo and wasn’t the motivated type. Seems that didn’t change much after college.”

“You’re right about that.” She swirled her wine around in the glass, then took a sip. “I don’t know of many relationships that last through the tumultuous years of college.”

“Ours did.”

She laughed. “We’re not in a relationship, Nathan. We’re friends.”

“Is there a difference?”

She leaned back and kicked off her shoes. “Of course there is. I’m friends with several people from college.”

“Close friends?”

“Maybe not. I’d say I’m closest to you and to Monique. You’re the two people I tell all my secrets to.”

“I’m glad I know all the dirt. At least the non sex dirt.”

She laughed. “That’s true. You don’t get to hear about my sex life.”

“Why is that?”

“Because that would be weird.”

“In what way?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess maybe because we’ve been intimate before. Or maybe because you’re a guy. I don’t know.”

“Now you’re being sexist. Just because I’m a guy doesn’t mean I can’t hear the dirty details of your sex life.”

“Oh, please. Like you share the details of your sex life with me.”

“True. I don’t. I wouldn’t want to make you weep about what you’re missing out on.”

She rolled her eyes. “Please.”

“See? Now you’ve resorted to begging. I knew this would happen.” He stood and reached for the zipper of his jeans. “Okay, give me a second to lose my pants and we’ll get down to it.”

She was laughing so hard she had to put her glass down. “Oh, my God, Nathan. Stop.”

He stilled and turned to face her. “This is not the reaction I typically get when I’m about to drop my pants, Mia.”

She wiped her eyes. “Well, I’m not your typical woman, am I?”

He took a seat and picked up his beer. “No, you’re not. I can’t figure out why you’re so immune to me.”

She leaned into him. “I wouldn’t say I’m exactly immune to you. I find you immensely hot. It’s just that I love our friendship more than I love your penis.”

He sighed and tugged her close. “Dammit. Maybe I should be meaner to you.”

“Oh, please don’t do that. Then who would give me those awesome shoulder rubs when I’m tense?”

“Was that a hint?”

“Not even a hint.” She pulled herself forward. “I’ve had a rough day.”

He sighed. “Come on and sit between my legs.”

She got up, then nestled her butt in between his thighs, spreading her fingers over all that delicious hard muscle.

Keep it in the friend zone, Mia, she reminded herself. Ignoring her body’s reaction to being cradled against him, she decided it would be more prudent to keep the touching to a minimum. She removed her hands and placed them in her lap and focused on the way his hands moved over the tight muscles of her shoulders. He knew exactly where the knots of tension were located. In a matter of minutes all those muscles were relaxed as his fingers glided over her skin.

But as he moved his hands over her body, that tension was replaced with something else. For some reason, she was aware of Nathan like never before. The way it felt to be caged between his thighs, the sound of his breathing as he leaned forward to dig deeper into her muscles, and his cool, clean scent whenever she took a deep breath.

What was wrong with her? This wasn’t the first time he’d given her a massage. But for some reason, tonight she was vibing off him in a distinctly sexual way.

She found it very disturbing. After that one night a few years ago, she’d shut those feelings down completely. Other than having a penis, he’d been no different than one of her girlfriends.

Something had definitely changed, though. It had to be the unmet sexual need on her part that had surfaced with all the stress she was under.

She really needed to take care of it so that whenever Nathan put his hands on her or looked at her or breathed near her she’d stop feeling achy and aroused.

And stop feeling this overwhelming need to ask him to strip her down and lick her all over.

Play by Play Series

Take a moment to admire these beautiful book covers. Are you drooling about as much as we are? swoon

Giveaway: We’re giving one lucky winner their choice of one of our Sunday Spotlight books. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for one of this month’s features.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you as excited for this release as we are? Let us know how excited you are and what other books you’re looking forward to this year!

About the Author

Jaci Burton

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TUMBLR | GOODREADS

Jaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 70 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline (which is often), she can usually be found wrestling with her uncooperative garden, wrangling her dogs, watching an unhealthy amount of television, or completely losing track of time reading a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.. Visit her website at www.jaciburton.com for excerpts, book information and contests.


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Guest Review: Holiday on Ice by Jaci Burton

Posted November 18, 2014 by Tracy in Reviews | 0 Comments

Guest Review: Holiday on Ice by Jaci BurtonReviewer: Tracy
Holiday on Ice by Jaci Burton
Series: Play by Play #8.5
Also in this series: Rules of Contact, The Final Score (Play by Play, #13), Changing the Game (Play by Play, #2), Shot on Gold (Play by Play, #14)
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: November 18th 2014
Pages: 127
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
three-half-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

Superstar hockey player Patrick “Trick” Niemeyer and dancer Stella Slovinski have picked up where they left off a year ago, resuming their hot, uncomplicated affair. Stella refuses to call it dating, or a relationship. But lately, Trick is looking for more…

Stella’s been burned before—in a relationship she never talks about—not with her family, not with her friends, and definitely not with Trick. But now it’s the holiday season and Trick is determined to give Stella his heart wrapped up in a bow. He knows Stella is the right woman for him, but he’ll have to melt the ice surrounding her heart to keep her from walking away.

 

Tracy’s review of Holiday on Ice (Play by Play #8.5) by Jaci Burton

Trick and Stella were a thing earlier in the year. She’s a dancer and he’s a hockey player and while they had fun in the bedroom neither one of them is serious about the other. When they run into each other after months of separation they both have the same desire to get the other back into bed.

They have some fun together but it seems like Trick is getting serious and that’s not how he’s ever been. Stella is confused by his affection. She’s pushed guys away for years and after having been burned in a big way decided never to let another into her heart. Except…Trick seems to be winding his way around her heart and she’s pretty sure he’s found a way in. She’s not gonna give in too easily though and a misunderstanding might tear the two apart.

This was a short yet sweet tale and it was pretty darned good.

I loved Trick to pieces. He seemed to have his life together with his hockey, his home and friends. He was a sweet, sentimental guy and I was surprised that he had never gotten serious about Stella when they were sleeping together the first time around.

Stella I had to take with a grain of salt. She was prickly, to say that least, when it came to relationships. She’d been burned but it had been a decade earlier. I would have thought that she would have grown up a bit and realized that not every guy is like the jerk that screwed her over. While I liked her and Trick together I found myself hoping that she would sweeten up a bit for Trick’s sake. She seemed like a great person when she was with her friends and pretty cool with Trick, even, before he started getting serious.

Overall it was a good Christmas story that I enjoyed reading.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

This title is available from InterMix. You can buy it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

three-half-stars


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ARC Giveaway: One Sweet Ride by Jaci Burton

Posted May 7, 2013 by Holly in Giveaways | 107 Comments

Before we get into any pesky little things like ARC giveaways, let’s take a minute to deal with the important things. Like how mother-effing hot this cover is.

Must.Not.Lick.Screen.

Book Cover

Seriously, Jaci Burton has the most amazing covers. Even if you don’t want to read the series (and that’s just silly, because they’re awesome) they’re worth buying for the covers alone.

Alright then, moving on…

We have FIVE (5) ARCs of One Sweet Ride to give away.

Gray Preston was born into money, but he’s built his racing empire on hard work and muscle. And now that Gray has millions of fans, his senator father sends one of his aides, Evelyn Hill, to elicit Gray’s help in garnering votes for the upcoming national election. Gray wants nothing to do with his estranged father’s campaign, but Evelyn can be pretty persuasive. She’s willing to learn about racing, and maybe even get a little dirty.

Evelyn’s number-one goal is politics, which makes working with Gray difficult, because his only passion is fast cars. As she and Gray spend time together, he teaches her about the sport he loves, and she learns a lot about the man behind the wheel. The more she learns, the more she wants him. But any desire that threatens to derail the carefully laid plans for her future is a dangerous one.

With the passion Gray and Evelyn share running hotter than either imagined, one of them is going to have to compromise, or else run the risk of losing more than their hearts.

Burton’s entire Play-by-Play series is great, though I admit I have a weakness for professional athletes. What do you think about them? Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win. Please note: You must include a valid email address with your comment to be eligible. Contest ends 5/14/13 @ 11:59pm. 

This book will be available from Berkley June 4, 2013. You can buy it here or here in e-format.


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Drool Alert: Playing to Win by Jaci Burton!

Posted July 21, 2012 by Rowena in Promotions | 4 Comments


Cole Riley’s a hot headed football player who has put his career on the line with his off field behavior. Consultant Savannah Brooks comes on board to save his image—and to get his game on the right track. When two opposing forces collide, there’s bound to be sparks.

How lucky is Jaci Burton that she keeps getting blessed by the Cover Gods? I mean, look at this latest cover for her Play by Play series?

*swoon*

This is Book 4 in the Play by Play series and it comes out on September 4, 2012 so there’s still a few months wait but goodness, I can’t wait to see this in real life.

Who’s excited for this book?


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