Played

by Sandra Alex

A child taken. A woman that got away. And a man so afraid of his own future that he ruins it before it starts…until his past saves him.


As I get ready to celebrate my birthday with friends, I try to keep Ethan at arm’s length, not letting him know that it’s my special day. Trudy, my bestie, thinks that I’m an idiot for not telling him, but then that would be two lies that I’ve been keeping from him. I made a mistake and if he finds out, he won’t ever forgive me. At first, I didn’t tell him, because I wasn’t vested in the relationship. He’s never introduced me to his family or his friends, like I’m some precious stone that he wants all to himself, but when he tells me he loves me, I get a look from Trudy that I can no longer ignore. And when I tell him, I soon learn that it’s the worst mistake I could have ever made...or the best?

***

Sure, Freya is successful, in a manner of speaking. But to my da, she’ll just be another lass, and I don’t want to be that low on the family totem pole. It’s lonely being down here, as much as I care for her. And it’s not like I don’t want to show her off. She’s beautiful, smart, hard-working, and so entrepreneurial, she could be another billionaire one day, but I don’t want to see that look of disappointment on either my da’s or Freya’s face. My feelings for her I’ve kept hidden, until I find out it’s her birthday, and learn that she kept it a secret. Once I tell her I love her, a strange look crosses her face, and then she hits me with something that I never could have imagined.
...and I run.
…But I soon learn that I can’t hide for long. And when her name pops up a year later, the tables are turned, hearts are broken, things precious to us are taken, and a tailspin of lies turn into dark reality
...until someone sees the barrel of a gun in their face.


HEA (Happily Ever After)
Billionaire romance
Second chance romance
Medium heat
Course language
Cliffhanger ending

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2024

About the author

Sandra Alex is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, and immigrated to the United States in 1978, to attend an intensive English course in Iowa City, IA, with additional training in transcription of spoken recordings, book editing, and English-Portuguese-English translations. She then moved to Los Angeles, where she currently lives with her husband. An entrepreneur turned creative writer, Sandra worked for ten years towards the publication of her first book while raising a daughter, starting up and running a successful software business with two partners, and consulting for major television studios. Currently, Sandra runs the small production company, Shoot to Film (www.shoottofilm.com), and has launched Livre Press, Inc. (www.livrepress.net) to support her career as a self-publishing author.

Reviews

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Played is Book 2 in the Harris brother's series. It's a steamy, second-chance romance with lots of twists and turns. Our couple has great chemistry, even if Ethan started as a jerk, and I love how Freya is so sassy. I loved seeing Laney and Caleb's wedding. Our couple ends on a happy note, but we do have another cliffhanger. I love this series so much.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in The Harris Brothers series and it is Ethan and Freya’s story and omg it is definitely a must read. We start this book where book one ended in a cliffhanger because Peg got kidnapped so now it is a race against time to find her and bring her home before it is too late and also take down the people responsible. Ethan had been in love with Freya until he found out that she had also had a thing with his brother Caleb so he walked away which then started a chain reaction leaving the brothers at each other’s throats. Ethan and Freya had really not got over what happened or each other but now trust was not on their side at all and things between them are so frayed and even though the attraction and chemistry between them is still as strong as ever there is such a wide gap between them that keeps them apart even though they are still in love with each other and are still angry and heartbroken with what happened even after all this time. When Freya is in danger and has a target on her back Ethan will do everything possible regardless of what it is or the consequences to make sure that she is safe and protected while bringing her home. Freya and Ethan will now have to communicate and trust each other if they are ever going to have a second chance of being together again and also having the future that they both want and deserve and then you get another cliffhanger ending that will have you needing the next book. I absolutely love this book and series as the storyline always pulls you in and keeps your attention throughout along with danger, drama, action, hope, love and family situations that will have you turning the pages to see what happens next and I can’t wait to read the next book in this amazing series.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we are, right smack dab in the middle of a child kidnapping. The book really hits the ground running. There are a bit of stilted writing in the beginning, but the story opens up into a story of unfinished business in many ways.
Caleb and Laney are frantic to rescue the kidnapped Peg from goons dead on making a quick, big buck, and the Harris family is scrambling to make things right. They are so desperate that they go to an unwilling contact who has a sordid past with members of the Harris family.
While the search for the kidnappers ensues, we are unexpectedly thrusted into the disastrous reunion between Ethan and Freya, Caleb’s brother and the woman that got away.
It was frustrating to see Ethan make nothing but excuses as to why they can’t be together. Even his own da told him he was ridiculous. And poor Freya was trying to tread water with someone who she knew wasn’t treating as well as she deserved. When they got reacquainted, she gave him a piece of her mind. Good thing was… he accepted it.
The HEA seemed really rushed - really would’ve liked to have seen a slower burn between the two. Instead, it was like a nuclear explosion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of the Harris brothers series. This is a continuous story series so we pick up with the cliffhanger twist in book one. We learn about Ethan and Freya. This is a bumpy story as it reveals the past events that have impacted their present. The feelings of love and attraction that these two characters have for one another are obvious but a key component - trust is not something either one has much of in the other. I was once again sucked into this temporary world as their story unfolded and left me reaching for the dangling carrot at the end - wanting more. I look forward to the next book in the series. Enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JM G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading Played, I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to keep reading so I could see what was going to happen next. The characters are great and the storyline hooked me from the start. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so I won't go into details. Please read the book blurb for some information about the book. I recommend reading this book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Played, book 2 of The Harris Brothers, is packed full of action, drama, suprising twists, romance, faulty communication, misunderstandings, angst, determination and commitment. You sense a HEA for Ethan and Freya, but there are so many roadblocks in their way.

The secondary characters were amazing, and the storyline was engrossing. I'm hooked on this series after reading the first 2 and can't wait for more Harris brothers! I did receive a gift copy of this book abd volunteered my review.  Don't miss out. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Liz M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. There was a lot going on here.
This was a fast paced interconnected family drama. Enthralling. So many twists and turns! Sometimes it feels like you take one step forward and two steps back, but it's just engrossing. You finally get a little closure on one storyline, and another surprises you. And the relationships, though sometimes frayed, are neatly woven together, as you would expect with such a family.
It will be interesting to see how the storyline progresses.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Played picks up right where Hitched left off. The Harris family patriarch continues his attempts at matchmaking. Ethan and Freya have a complicated relationship, made more complex by her previous affair with his brother. With lots of surprises and suspense, the couple will find their romance eventually. Their story closes - for now - with a cliffhanger. Never fear... the author will tidy up all the loose ends in the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Harris Brothers are a force. Sandra gives us excitement, action and intrigue from the beginning. Then when things start to settle she gives us a story of love, commitment, miscommunication and angst only to twist it up and bring back even more action. A great ride and an excellent read. I am looking forward to reading more about the brothers and the Harris family.

[Lulu Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya and Ethan, and their backstory, fascinated me. They have great chemistry together that doesn't lose its fire and intimacy even after a year. It's the perfect mix of action, romance, and intrigue. A major highlight was Laney and Caleb's wedding, which I was looking forward to since the first part.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out with Caleb's adopted daughter getting kidnapped and turns into another story with his brother Ethan and Freya. This was intriguing and fast paced which drew me in I just hate I did not read book 1.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Freya and Ethan’s story!
Is such a storm of emotions, with a lot of uncertainties, thrills and dangers.
I don’t like Ethan attitude toward Freya in the past, and his reasoning.
But the happy ending is a relief.
And I want the rest of the stories from this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another exciting story from Ms. Alex that warms the heart and have you cheering on these wonderful characters as they rise above the obstacles that are holding them back from achieving their happiness. It is well written and had me all caught up in it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Crystal Junebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second book from the Harris Brothers series I've read and I thought the first book was good. No, this was even better. Ethan is, hands down, hot and Freya is a smark and spunky FMC. You won't be disappointed with this scorching read. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan and Freya's story is a second chance romance with a twist of drama and mystery that keep you turning the pages.

This book picks up where the last book left off and continues to keep you on the edge.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan was an asshole at first, but I couldn't help but fall for him. I truly enjoyed this story. Great characters with amazing chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lesley Badham · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a steamy, second-chance romance with lots of twists and turns. Our couple has great chemistry, even if Ethan started as a jerk, and I love how Freya is so sassy. I loved seeing Laney and Caleb's wedding. Our couple ends on a happy note, but we do have another cliffhanger.

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick easy read that had a twist that I didn't see coming.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, really enjoyed! I received an arc of this book.

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Played
Book 2 of Harris Brothers
Sandra Alex

The story and characters were well written and developed. I enjoyed the chemistry and journey. Great read.