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Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Book Review: Tempting the Player by J. Lynn

Title: Tempting the Player
Author: J. Lynn
Release Date: 23 October 2012
Series: Book #2 in the Gamble brothers series
Number of pages: 200 pages
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Source: ebook provided by publisher
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author's Website, , Barnes and Noble, Read an excerpt

Grade: 4.5 stars

Novellus superbus!
Goodreads appetizer: Chad Gamble, all-star pitcher for the Nationals, is one of the best players on—and off—the field. And right now, the notorious bad boy wants Bridget Rodgers. But with her lush curves and snappy comebacks, the feisty redhead is the kind of woman a man wants to settle down with…and that’s the last thing Chad needs.

When the paparazzi catch them in a compromising position, Chad’s manager issues an ultimatum: clean up his act or kiss his multi-million dollar contract goodbye. To save his career, his meddling publicist says he'll have to convince everyone Bridget isn’t just his flavor of the week, but his girlfriend.

Being blackmailed into a fake relationship with Chad Gamble isn’t easy, especially when the sizzling physical attraction between them is undeniable. With a month to go on their arranged pretense, it's going to take every ounce of willpower they have not to fall into bed together...or in love.

My Thoughts: The second book in J. Lynn's Gamble Brothers series and if possible I loved it even more than the first! Tempting the Player is the second brother's Chad's story, who is a serious player on and off the field: as a popular baseball player both men and women fawn over him, his sexcapades are the talk of the tabloids and the town,
"I kissed a woman. That's all. They don't even know who she is. What if she was my girlfriend? Would they have a problem with that, too?" Interest sparked in her dark eyes.
"Is she your girlfriend?" A surprised laugh escaped him.
"No. I don't do the dating thing."
"And therein lies the problem. You do the screwing thing."
"I'm sorry, but this is probably the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. Pretend to be Chad Gamble's girlfriend? Are you on crack? I don’t think anyone in the city would believe that he was capable of being in a relationship with an oven mitt, let alone with a woman."
so when he meets a woman so very different from the usual lingerie model runway beauties who throw themselves at him, it sure makes a lasting impression on him. Bravo to J. Lynn for managing to make Chad a very likeable character despite his womanizing ways, he was charming, and I loved and melted at his naughty boy smiles and moments, he was adorable. :-D

Bridget is one of the most relatable and real heroines I've ever had the opportunity to read about. She was a real girl with real issues: her weight, her insecurities, celebrity curiosity and sexy boy crush, all were places and things we have all experienced.

And I loved how sincere Chad's puzzlement, admiration and attraction for Bridget was. He really didn't get the things she questioned (e.g. why he picked her), when it was clear to him she was a babe, a very sexy and desirable woman.

"What I'm trying to say is that out of everyone there, you could've taken home one of the girls who looked like she stepped off a runway.' Chad frowned.'
I did take home the one I wanted."
"But—"
"There isn't a 'but' in this." He cupped her cheek, tilting her head back. When he spoke, his lips brushed hers."I want you. Bad. Right now. Against the wall. On my bed. The floor and maybe in the bathroom later. I have a shower stall and a Jacuzzi we could put to really good use. I know you’d like it."
Dear God…

Oh yep, dear God indeed! *fans herself* The chemistry between these two was more than explosive, the pages almost caught fire, I loved every minute of Chad's cocky and playful naughty boy seduction and how Bridget just melted in his hands. *sighs*

He was in front of her in seconds, cupping her cheeks. He kissed her, as quickly and gently as she had kissed him…and she was undone.
"Please…" she whispered. He grew very still.
"Please what?" She wetted her lips, and Chad's groan rumbled through both of them.
"Touch me, but don't stop. Please."
His hands slipped down her neck and landed on her shoulders. Tipping his chin down, his fevered eyes met hers.
"Are you sure that's what you want, Bridget? Because once I start, I won't stop again. I will take you—take you so hard that every breath afterward is only going to remind you of me."

So as you can see this story is full of potent steamy scenes, so it's not for the faint-hearted, or easily blushing types ;-)

Being a big fan of the "taming the bad boy" and "faked engagement" tropes, I couldn't have asked for a better story than Tempting the Player!

Verdict: Tempting the Player is everything and more than the first story in the series, Tempting the Best Man was: it is a sexy and funny romance that will make you tingle and sigh and definitely crave more, much more! I loved both Chad and Bridget and how their romance developed, and now that I devoured their story once again I'm left with withdrawal symptoms until I can get my hands on the third brother's Chandler's book (to be released in June 2013)! I. Just. Can't. Wait.

Plot: 9/10 - I'm a big fan of the "reformed bad boy" and the" faked engagement" tropes :-D
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 8/10 - I found it a bit rushed, would have liked if the story hadn't ended so abruptly
Cover: 8/10

Buy it:




Order of the series:

Book #1 - Tempting the Best Man (Read my review - )
Book #1 - Tempting the Player (Read my review - )
Book #1 - Tempting the Bodyguard - to be released in June 2013