Playing to Win

by Jaci Burton

Series: Play by Play (#4)

Published by: Tantor Media Inc.

July 29th, 2013

Genre: Erotic Romance

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library Loan

Rating: 4 Stars

     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.

     I have been in love with the Riley family since I read book one of this series years ago. What I love about this series is that the family is not just centered in one sport but in a variety of them. From baseball to car racing to ice hockey to football and more. So that as you follow this lively bunch you don't get bored with the same "gameplay".

     In this fourth installment, we have Cole Riley, bad boy wide receiver, who has been traded one too many times and his new agent (his cousin Gavin's fiance Liz) doesn't want the bad reputation that will be attached to her name if she can't turn him around. Everywhere he goes and every team he's being with the media is there to trash his name with blown out of proportion gossip.

     Enter Savannah Brooks, an image makeover consultant. She has been hired to fixed Cole's image since this might be his last chance before no other team wants to pick him up. The problem is that Cole doesn't think he is the problem, the media is and he makes Savannah's job hard, but she is used to the type of reception she receives from Cole. She will not be easily intimidated.

     The banter between these two characters and the way Savannah handled Cole had me glued to the story. The Riley's are a bunch of macho a-holes that are marshmallows inside thanks to the loving upbringing. I love all the family dynamics and how this is one big family that supports every one of their own no matter what they've decided to do in their lives.

     The only reason this book didn't get a 5 stars rating is because of the narrator. I didn't want to judge the book because of my not liking the narrator (it is not the author's fault I didn't like her) but I still couldn't enjoy completely because of it.