Playing it Country

Clementine Creek #4

by Alexandra Hale

Making the world believe I was a playboy was easy.

Falling for the girl with one foot out the door? Even I didn’t see that coming.

I’d do anything for my twin brother.

Even put my own life on hold when his first love disappeared and left him heartbroken.

I donned the mask. I played the part. I smiled at the whispers around town.

I took the heat so my brother wouldn’t have to.

Now six years later he’s settled with the love of his life and I’m free to be - me.

It’s a new beginning for both of us. A fresh start.

I’ve barely taken a breath when I’m blindsided by a dark-haired beauty in the local bar.

But just like that, I’m begging for her help before I’ve even gotten her name.

A kiss for a favor.

And what a kiss it is.

I thought that was the end of it but fate had other plans.

Now I need another favor and she needs a place to stay.

It should be easy. Our arrangement has an expiration date.

No need to blur the lines.

Just one night together and suddenly I can’t remember all the reasons I should stay away.

And now? I'm not sure I want to.

I need to figure out how to turn a temporary favor into forever.

Before it’s too late.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance, Westerns, Forced Proximity

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2023

About the author

Alexandra Hale is a small town girl living with her family in Upstate New York. She routinely runs on caffeine, dry shampoo and thrives on procrastination.

A romance lover and reading enthusiast, Alexandra finally began putting pen to paper shortly after graduating college. An unobtainable dream has slowly become a reality with the love and support of her friends and family and the romance community.

She currently writes steamy, small town romance with a dash of lighthearted fun and happily ever afters that will make you swoon.

Reviews

[Marian. · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4.5

I think this is definitely my favorite of the whole series!!! I loved Hannah and Case's story, how she comes to town just passing through and falls in love with all the people, how Case helps her feel at home, besides the spicy scenes? I think that of all of the series they were the best, Case let it be seen that he was a playboy only because of his brother but when he met Hannah he realized that she was the only one and friends I love that, it was a good read, I loved the crazy things from the whole Clase family and above all I loved that ending.

Thanks to Alexandra Hale & The Author Agency for the ebook copy in exchange for my honest review 📚!!

---

Creo que definitivamente de toda la serie este es mi favorito!!! la historia de Hannah y Case me encanto, como ella llega al pueblo solo de paso y se enamora de toda la gente, como Case la ayuda a sentirse en casa ¿además de las escenas spicy? creo que de todos de la serie están fueron las mejores, Case dejaba ver que era un playboy solo por su hermano pero al conocer a Hannah se dio cuenta de que ella era la única y gente aquí amamos eso, fue una buena lectura, ame las locuras de toda la familia de Clase y sobre todo ame ese final.

[Onceupona.spine · Rating 4 out of 5]

|| 𝐁 𝐎 𝐎 𝐊 𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝐖 📝          
          
𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: Playing it Country    
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Alexandra Hale      
          
𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:       
“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴.” 
“𝘚𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦?” 
 
𝘔𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦.  
 
“𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦.” 
 
“𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬?” 
𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩. “𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵. 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶—𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦.”      
 
Case & Hannah's love story is utter perfection.  
I loved everything about this small town, roommates to lovers romance. Case is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero that I know you will fall head over heels for, just like me and Hannah is the perfect heroine to help him on his way to one of the BEST happily ever afters. 
 
This series has blown me away time and time again and Playing it Country is another incredible addition to an already phenomenal collection of love stories. 
I highly recommend it. 
 
𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝟎𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 
* 𝘏𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦. 
         
𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅:      
• Contemporary Romances         
• Steamy Reads        
• Small Town Romances        
• Forced Proximity  
• Roommates to Lovers  
• Fling to Forever 
• Found Family       
          
𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:  
I could not recommend this romance enough. 
   
@Talk_About_Romantic          

[Whitney Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandra Hale just created the most relatable FMC I've ever read.

Hannah is everything. A girl who doesn't settle down, needing the spark of passion back into her photography career that finds herself in a conundrum when she finds herself wanting to stay in small town America. While all of this is me, any reader will connect with Hannah when she has to make real life decisions about what she really wants in life.

She enters Clementine Creek on a short term stay and immediately runs into Case. If you've read the previous books, you know that Case is definitely the town playboy not looking to settle down, but now he's looking for more. A reason to come home at night now that his brother has found his forever.

What happens when the small town boy meets the city girl with big dreams?

Another one by Hale that will keep you flipping pages. She brings you in and makes you want to stay.

[Nicole Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She's everything I wasn't ready for..."

Case Thayer is a bachelor and self-proclaimed playboy. He knows it, everybody in Clementine Creek knows it. That is until Hannah steals his move in the only way a "hot girl", stud-loving wandering soul can.
Hannah and Case are the perfect addition to Clementine Creek. This book was a balm to my soul.
I loved watching these two find their way.

"I've been searching for the next big adventure when all this time I've been waiting for you..."

[Abby Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s official: Case is my favorite Thayer.

This story is sweet and sassy and comforting all at once. If you love a small-town group of people who love each other fiercely, then this series is for you.

[readingwithShelbyyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another less than 24 hour read for me.

Gosh I ate this book right up. Every single book in the Clementine Creek novels are 5 star reads. (Hank is my favorite though, sorry Clementine Creek boys lol)

My absolute favorite part of all these books has to be the group chats between the siblings - they always have me rolling in my seat. It definitely plays a huge role in their personalities.

Case, oh Case. The big teddy bear that would give his shirt off his back to anyone who matters to him. But when it comes to relationships, he stays clear away until he was smacked with asking the “hot girl” for a favor.. little did he know, that favor might just changed his life.

Hannah, a girl who was always on the move. Wanted to keep traveling and score her once in a life team dream job - or she thought it was her dream. She was visiting her aunt and uncle, but being back at this small town made her rethink her life. I absolutely loved how sassy she was!

The bantering between them and having to be roommates while she was visiting was my second favorite thing in the book. They were full of teasing one another because they tried their hardest to stay casual with each other. Umm can I also say the vibrating panties ?! LOL

Then, my heart just shattered when it came to Mason and Bodhi. They are introduced later in the book and began working for the twins. LORD Alexandra. You got me good with their talks with Case and Mrs. Thayer. It makes me want to be adopted by a small town country family 😭

The dirty talk was ✔️ and the spice was just right. Definitely 10/10 recommend everyone to read the CC series!

[Deanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so dang cute! I love the Clementine Creek novels, they’re just so fun and easy and there’s no major angst. They’re the perfect remedy when you need a comfort read and this book was no exception!

In the previous books, Case comes off as a big, loveable goofball so I was curious how his story would go. It was so lovely to see himself, Hannah, and the family recognise that there was more to him than meets the eye. Hannah and Case really fit well together. Their personalities balanced and played off each other in a really fun but sweet way.

One of my fave things about the CC series is the group text chains. I look forward to them with each book because they’re always chaos and make me giggle madly. All the characters personalities come across so clear and it makes for some hilarious banter.

I’d say the level of spice was medium and didn’t take away from the plot at all. The dirty talk and vibrating panties were top notch 🔥

Overall this was a super sweet, easy, funny read with a dash of spice. If you love a crazy, overwhelming family and small town antics and no third act break up then you’ll love this!

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing it Country is book four in the Clementine Creek series and can be read as a standalone.

The Thayers will forever be one of my favorite Small-town families. The support they show each other is absolutely amazing. They grab you and hold on and give so much love to anyone.

I love everything about this town right down to Miss Thelma and her cat. In this book we got to follow Case, Ottos twin brother and the town playboy. I was so excited to read this story, I’ve loved his character throughout the series and from the prologue it didn’t disappoint.

The group texts in this series are the absolute best. They really help connect you to past characters and love them even more. I love seeing their relationships together and everyone’s personalities just shine through. Especially Sorren, i am obsessed.

I really liked Hannah, reading about her discovering what she really wants vs what her parents tell her she wants was great. She was the perfect match for Case right from the beginning.

Overall a wonderful read and I know I said it was a standalone but do yourself a favor and just binge the whole series. You won’t regret it.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that all of Case Thayer's brothers are happily paired off, the matchmakers of Clementine Creek have set their sights on him. It seems as if everyone in town has a single niece, granddaughter, or friend who would be just perfect for him. The problem is that Case has zero interest in becoming the Clementine Creek Bachelor; even though he's been considering the prospect of a long-term relationship lately, he'd prefer to find a partner on his own. When he meets Hannah Spence, who's in town temporarily to work at her aunt and uncle's bar, he realizes that they might be able to help each other out. Hannah needs a place to stay, and Case has had an extra bedroom since his twin brother Otto moved out. Hoping to put a stop to all of the blind dates, he offers it to Hannah in exchange for acting as his fake girlfriend. Hannah has never been the type of person to stay in one place for very long, so she figures there's no harm in agreeing. However, something about Clementine Creek makes her think that it wouldn't be so bad to put down some roots. Has she finally found the right place - and person - to call home?

This book made me so happy! Case and Hannah were absolutely perfect together. I loved their flirty banter and Hannah's doomed efforts to resist becoming part of Case's group of family and friends. She reminded me a bit of Sorren (Marlee's brother) in her efforts to maintain distance, though she wasn't a grump like him, just independent. The group text threads had me laughing out loud more than once. I can't wait for more of the group's antics in the next book of the series.

This series keeps getting better with every book, and I can't say enough good things about it. I highly recommend "Playing It Country" for all contemporary/small town romance fans and can't wait to get my hands on whatever Alexandra Hale writes next.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jenny Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Case and Hannah

This was one of those books that made the world disappear. I was so invested in Case and Hannah. They were fun and flirty but both had vulnerabilities they hid from everyone else. Hannah was searching for somewhere to belong, even if she didn’t realize that was what she was doing, and reevaluating your life can be hard. Case was finally in a place where he felt comfortable being himself, instead of the persona he picked up in solidarity with his twin.

I always love the interactions of the Thayer family and this book had a lot of relationships progressing in the background, which I loved. I loved the way the girl group invited Hannah in, and demanded she was family. I loved Otto and Case’s relationship. They may have been twins, but they chose to be best friends. I loved his role as Uncle Case with Briggs. I loved his relationship with Sorren and the bits of wisdom Sorren just throws out.

I think my favorite part of this book was getting to see a more serious side of Case. I loved his caring side and his determination to finally get what all his brothers had. I loved the thunderstorm scenes and the emotions they brought out.

I loved this book. It was entertaining and engaging and well written. I loved all the hints about Sorren and I have to know what happens with the prank Case and Otto are pulling on him with the thirst trap videos! I’m crossing my fingers for what I hope comes next!

[Macey (spoilers!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 Larry the Hotdog ⭐️

💚 Briggs #1 fan
--I freaking love Briggs. He was literally the star (in my eyes) in every book he appears in. That cute af scene in the Epilogue when he bought a Larry the Hotdog book. Don't ask if I cried (I did, a bit).
🟢 Small town rizz
-- I love the execution of the small town scenery in this book. And I know that if this was a longer book, it would be expanded even more. There's room for improvement but I like what I read.
🔴 Not convinced
-- we've established that Case is a playboy and Hannah is a wanderlust fairy who doesn't want to stay. I think it would have been a stronger plot if they really appeared to be that way. Instead I wasn't convinced even a little bit that they are what I was told they are.
🟢 Emails with bro
-- I like the way that Hannah's relationship with her brother is portrayed. That one played a significant role in her being a wandering soul. She grew up having little to no roots in any place she has ever been to. It was the same thing with her relationship with her parents and even her only sibling, they weren't close but they were not awkward like two friends who reconnects every other year. I bet a few years from the epilogue they'd be even closer because she's now able to build stronger relationships with the people in her life because she has established a root, a home. I love that.

[Brayzen Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy Story with Lots of Heart

Playing it Country by Alexandra Hale, book four in her Clementine Creek series, continues the momentum of the Thayer boys falling for their perfect HEAs with a fun and steamy story full of banter and heart.

Case and Hannah are so perfectly matched, and they definitely ignite the pages with their intense attraction to each other. The theme of found family is consistent and authentic in this book as in all of the Clementine Creek series. And the meddling side characters Hale’s fans have come to know and love are in full and glorious effect.

Hale’s approach to characters finding their way, digging deep and understanding what they really want, and realizing they can have everything they need creates a heartfelt emotional connection between the reader and her characters. The vulnerability they portray makes them wonderfully relatable as well.

I definitely recommend reading Playing it Country within the series structure. There are a lot of supporting characters in this novel, and understanding their relationships and the dynamics of Case, his family, and Clementine Creek in general are a huge element of what makes this story successful.

[Taylor Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re something else Case Thayer. This line basically sums up this entire book. Truly. Every time I read one of these books I think thats it. She cannot write a more swoony, lovey, passionate, and loving man. And then I read the next one. Case will do literally anything for the people he loves. Especially his twin brother. When Otto's world fell apart, Case did what he had to to walk through the darkness with his best friend. Now that Otto has his happily ever after Case is trying to find his own. Hannah is a free spirit who is used to never landing anywhere for long. This book is very much lost boy meets flight risk. And it is everything. I love this family more than words can even say. Alexandra truly has a way of pulling you into these stories and making Clementine Creek and Blackstone Falls feel like home. Knowing and loving these characters like a long lost friend.

[Atlee Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good Time Boy is All in with the Good Bye Girl

Case and Hannah are so perfect together! The chemistry and the wit between these two was great. Hannah thinks she doesn’t have staying power and doesn’t want to set down roots. Case has watched his siblings find their love and he no longer wants to be wild and free. He wants to settled down. He wants love and he is convinced Hannah is it for him. He just has to convince Hannah he can be enough for her. I love the themes of found family, trusting in love and learning to trust yourself. The humor, the love, the romance, and the steam you see in all the Clementine Creek novels are all strong in this book.

[Kims.reading.nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Case & Hannah's chemistry was explosive and their meet cute in the bar was hilarious! Their strangers to friends to house mates with benefits (with an expiry date) was extremely flirty and fun and had all the 🔥

The way the author has created such an intricate 'found family' throughout the series is easily my favourite aspect and why I'm absolutely devouring it. The banter in the group chats are hysterical and I think we all wish we were surrounded by such a supportive and actively involved group of people.

I'm so excited to keep reading and see Cullen (Isla's Dad) and Gwen (Cheyenne's Mum) on their romantic trip to New Zealand 💕

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing it Country is a good friends with benefits, fake dating, and roommates to lovers.

Case is looking for a roommate and someone to keep the other girls away, Hannah is the perfect solution since she is not sticking around.

When the lines blur and feelings get involved, Hannah and Case have a decision to make.
I really enjoyed this story and the characters.

Case is one of the brothers that I adored from the beginning of the series.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one where everyone else loved it except for me. The second book in the series was so freaking good and this fell short in every way possible. The two main characters were boring, I didn't give one single shit about either of them and never got the feel of Case as a playboy or Hannah as a free spirit who doesn't like planting roots anywhere, same goes for their chemistry. They were two bowls of Corn Flakes cereal, bland and slightly disappointing.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I loved Case and Hannah. Case has a playboy reputation but he is really just putting on an act. Hannah is visiting family and never stays in the same place for long. There are sparks when they meet, but Case is looking for long term and Hannah is just visiting Clementine Creek. I think Case is my favorite so far in this series. He is sweet and is always there for this he cares about. Even though Hannah has been a wonderer, she is now trying to decide if that still fits her or not.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a small town novel lover you need this one! In fact you need this whole series! I devoured this book! The banter between the sibling is awesome. I loved how Case and Hannah complimented themselves and their story was so fun to read. I can’t wait for the next one! Not only is this small town great but the family dynamic is one some envy. Highly recommend!

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Much Fun!

This book was a boy who has been wandering more than he realized even with his roots in his hometown and a girl who has never truly known what it means to have roots and to follow dreams of her own.

These two were so incredibly good for each other! Opposite in some ways and so much alike in others.

I am so incredibly addicted to this series! ❤️❤️

[AnnaMeansFun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t even care about the romance anymore, I just want Mama Thayer to adopt me. I’ll even learn the accent.

Family vibes in this series and the banter (text chains, y’all!) are absolutely unreal and I’m a complete sucker for it.

The romance was good too, I guess. Swoony, spicy and all that jazz. But whatever, I just wanna be Miss Thelma when I grow up.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! Case and Hannah are just perfect! I enjoyed this story so much! Hannah comes to town for a break and to figure out what she will do next. Case wants to find a serious relationship and something meaningful. Case’s family as usual pulls Hannah in and it is great watching to see how much love they give. So many laughs and so much support! Definitely a must read!

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series so much, I have already pre ordered the next in the series. Such great additions to the other books as well. Always new information popping up in all of them. Yes, it is predictable, but what HEA isn't. That is why we read them so we get the outcome we want.

[mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Thayer twin brothers will be the death of me 🩷

This is not my favorite out of the Clementine Creek series, but it's still a very fun read! Case is so sweet (and hot as hell), and Hannah is a very good fmc. Though I don't know how any of them can top Isla 😂

Anyways, loved it 🩷

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun

I love Case and Hannah and how good they are together. They just have this instant natural connection that was so fun and light hearted. I cannot get enough of them and this series.

[Marika · Rating 1 out of 5]

⛔️(in notes)

[Hendrix Fan 4ever · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED IT!

They just keep getting better and better! I can't wait to read more of this series and any thing else she sets her mind to!😍

[Sarah McCord · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Shannon]

No rating, should have read the first four books first. For a series I liked how much of the other couples were included.. but it was short and the building of the relationship lacked.

[Sayde · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️