Playing Hooky

by Rosie P. Burke

Conor McGradyAn invite from my college roommate has me back stateside a few weeks before I’m set to start training for the next marathon on my team’s schedule. As a professional marathon runner with commitments to the local Irish businesses sponsoring me, the timing was fortuitous. When Tommy Hark introduces me to a friend of a friend, sparks fly. My attempt at a simple one-night stand fails epically when I invite Ginny to come stay the week with me at my cabin in the middle-of-nowhere, Minnesota. Virginia TobiasLong-distance relationships never work. That’s why this thing I’ve got going on with Conor McGrady isn’t a relationship. No. It’s fun and sexy and uncomplicated. So what if he invites me to spend a week with him in a cabin. On a lake. Tucked away and miles from anyone else. I can totally handle seven days of frenzied, passionate, “not exactly labeled” sex that has a definite end date. I am a progressive woman, after all. Seven days. Countless positions and one very arousing catchphrase. Then he heads back to Ireland and I’m off to a new job in Washington. Simple. Easy. Fun. That’s all. That is all, right?

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2023

About the author

When Rosie P. Burke got her Bachelor AND Masters degrees in Recreation and Sport Management, she never thought she'd be using them to write sweet and spicy sports romance stories. And yet... PIVOT! She recently published the final book in her first series: the Dropped Puck Series, a six-book series of interconnected stand-alones that focus on the Chicago Sharks hockey team and the women who put those all-stars in their place. Her books are love stories with witty banter, fun spicy-times, and semi-realistic situations (she's never actually dated a professional athlete, so don't AT her if you have. Or do. She loves a good story!) The ultimate compliment would be a "one handed read with relatable characters"! She's hard at work on her newest series which is sure to be sports-themed since sports + smut is a lot of what she knows.

This SAHM lives in Illinois with her husband, their two kids, and a dog who does just enough to keep his spot in the bed. A big fan of historical fiction, Young Adult, and romance of all tropes. She also likes cross-stitch, watching movies, and working out in her home gym. While she's not big on peopling for long periods of time, this southern-raised author does love making new friends.

*** Truth? The older I get, the more I realize: Read the books. Watch the movies. Do you and be you because lord knows we need more gems in a world of fakes. Late in Life doesn't mean it's too late.

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author always writes relatable characters, in stories you want to put yourself into, and this book is no exception.

You will fall in love with Conor. You will understand Ginny. And you will want to find a sexy irishman of your own to dominate you and call you a beautiful bitch.

[lissyloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Ginny and Connor. Connor is a marathon runner in the States for a short visit. Ginny is moving home after a job turned sour. It is an insta attraction and they spend a week in a cabin together. It has some hot and steamy scenes. It has some Dom/sub elements. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

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

[Erika W · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
4🌶️

I absolutely mowed through this book. I loved the story, and the pace of it was super fast but not in an overwhelming way where I got lost and didn’t know what was happening.

Normally I go for books where there’s more build up and anticipation of couples getting together so I was pleasantly surprised that the fast-paced romance didn’t bother me in the slightest. In fact, it added to the whole “fast and sure, one time fling” thing. The book is also on the shorter side so it’s understandable why things needed to happen as fast as they did.

Conor and Ginny were adorable together from the moment they met all the way to the epilogue. I was intrigued by the dom/sub aspect of their “situationship” as I wasn’t anticipating that in the story, and it totally worked. I also liked that it was a new thing for both of them to navigate together, as opposed to the typical “MMC being an experienced dom while the FMC is a newbie sub”.

It’s a great read for the holidays and makes me want to move to Ireland and settle down with a Conor of my own LOL

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Conor and Ginny. The author takes you into their lives as they come together and learning their way in the dom/sub relationship. She paints her scenes perfectly and delivers an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing Hooky is a quick listen about Conor and Ginny.
Conor is an Irishman and he runs marathons for a living he is in the USA visiting friends.
This is when he meets Ginny and they have a passionate night together..it is supposed to be a one night stand no complications.But is doesn't seem to go that way. What happens is one time doesn't feel enough for both of them,and so Conor invites her to stay with him before he goes back to Ireland.
They spend a week away in a cabin just the two of them and this is were they explore a sub/Dom relationship.
They are both new to this lifestyle,it is always something Conor wanted to try,it has always been an instinct of his and when he has tried with previous partners,they left him.
Ginny has never even thought about being dominated before,but when Conor takes charge she has no issues and she likes it..She likes the way he takes care of her and she discovers things about herself that she never knew she needed.
Being together in the cabin they get to know one another and feelings begin to grow between them...But Conor is leaving to go back to Ireland to train for his Marathons,he does ask Ginny to go with him.
Finally Conor has found someone who excepts him for who he is and he can be himself with her...but he can't keep her and it breaks his heart.
But Ginny has commitments in the USA and her family friends and a job,but her heart is with Conor and she is torn of what to do.
Could a long distance relationship work when you are in completely different countries?..
Even though this book is mainly about the Sub/Dom relationship between two people,and there are alot of steamy scenes.There are also some sweet tender moments too and it is a very interesting listen from Rosie P Burke.
The narration is a solo narration by Paxton Hite and I think he did a wonderful job at telling the story.He did an admirable job at an Irish accent and female voice and I really enjoyed his voice and listening to him.
Playing Hooky is a very pleasant listen with little angst and a HEA..
A great listen.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just about Christmas and Conor McGrady is visiting his college roommate and good friend, Tommy Hark. Tommy was a professional hockey star, former right winger in New York, but now he's the head coach of the NHL Chicago Sharks. Conor is a professional marathoner, based in Inistioge in Kilkenny, but he'll be spending the holiday in Chicago. Tommy has dragged him to a wedding and he's not a happy camper, but that changes as soon as he sees a beautifully elegant blonde walk into the room. Ginny sees Conor coming toward her and she's a little tongue-tied, or at least a bit off her game, because she proceeds to babble the first thing that comes to mind, even if it makes no sense. They are really cute together and have a natural camaraderie. They anticipate what the other one wants and aren't afraid of exploring their sexuality. There is a smattering of dom and sub lifestyle throughout the book, and the sex is extra spicy and thoroughly sweet. There is something particularly relatable in this book for me since I have a lake home in Minnesota and could well-imagine the snow, the severe weather reports and the beauty everywhere you look. There are always special touches in Rosie's books, and I find myself smiling when I turn the last page.
Paxton Hite did a wonderful job with the narration. His dynamic, well-modulated voice perfectly portrayed each of the characters, bringing them to life and giving each their own voice and personality. I have to admit that I haven't heard a better Irish accent in years!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing Hooky
By: Rosie P. Burke
Narrated by: Paxton Hite

His accent is everything. Conor is in the states enjoying some time right before he starts training for his next marathon. When he sees Ginny, he is smitten and with charm, he woos her into a one night stand. But he can't just leave it there. Ginny loves to listen to him speak, and with the Irish brogue, she knows this is fun, not a relationship. When he asks her to go to a cabin for a week of pleasure, she takes him up on it. And what happens next? Well, I can't give all the details, but it's spicy, and it's sweet. A quick look into dom/sub relationship, the heat raises and passion is real. The question is when the week is up, will they find a future together? I enjoyed this one. Not the typical Rosie P Burke I am used to, this shows her versatility as an author. I loved it!

Paxton Hite is the narrator, taking the role of both Conor and Ginny. His Irish brogue is spot on and he easily transitions to Ginny. He brings out the feels, the heat and love. He is new to me, and I enjoyed his performance.

[PelicanFreak · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started out promising with a sweet enough meet-cute and likable characters. But then, 7 chapters later, they were still just having smex, so I must say it got boring FAST and I had to ‘power through’.

Except … it didn’t pay off. This book is listed on retailers as romance and it isn’t—for it to be romance, there has to be a plot, for starters. This is erotica. No hate whatsoever—but I prefer a plot and I wouldn’t have opted into this if the it hadn’t been miscategorized and didn’t have a blurb that promised a plot.

Not for me. If you like non-stop smex, then probably pick this up!

Fast-burn.
Wedding / one-night stand.
Insta-attraction.
Newbs exploring dom/sub dynamic.

1 star for poor writing—’drenched channels’ and ‘staring’ br3asts everywhere. FYI to whoever needs to hear it: br3asts can’t stare.

🎧 Audio:
Overall sound quality: Great!
Narration / voice-acting: Good! A little robotic at times, but most of the time it was great.
4 stars.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Situationship. That's what they call their relationship. Conor and Virginia. They agree to spend one week together at Conor's cabin. Then he goes back to Ireland and Ginny is moving back to her hometown.

If you enjoy a story with more steam than substance, you'll find that here. The steam is...wow. They are trying out a D/s and it's working. Conor is great.

I was gifted an Audible version of this book from the author. Paxton Hite presents this story beautifully. He has a very sexy, kind Irish voice for Conor. And his female voices works very well too. 5 stars for him.

[Tiffany Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saucy
Ginny and Connor accidentally meet when she shows up at his home seeking relief from an unhappy love situation.
When she arrives Connor first rejects her. Thinking she’s way to innocent for his liking
But the more his interactions with Ginny, she silently begs him to be with her.
Finally giving in to impulse he rents.
The rest is history…
Will it last? Or will Ginny’s past come to take her away?
Only one way to find out

[bella rhys (semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read novella!

Ginny and Connor meet at mutual friends’ wedding and hit it off immediately. Even though they have a connection, they’re both on different paths, with Ginny about to move back to her hometown, and Connor going back to racing within the week. So, they have a one night stand intending to never see each other again. Their connection is so strong, however, so Connor invites Ginny to spend the week with him at his cabin before he leaves, and she has to move. Whilst at his cabin, they explore and experiment with a D/S relationship.

I’m soo sad that this did not work for me as much as the author’s other books did. 😭 I just did not connect that much with Connor or Ginny, or their story. Overall though, it wasn’t all that bad (I still gave it 3 stars after all 😜), and if you’re looking for a relatively short romance book/novella about D/S dynamic, with a one night stand trope included, I’d recommend this.

The narrator, Paxton Hite, also did good. His Irish accent especially, was great (although I’m not Irish so I’m not sure my opinion is worth much lol). And, he was good at bringing the story to life.

Thanks to the author, Rosie P. Burke, for letting me be on her audio arc team and providing me with a review copy of this book. All opinions provided in this review are entirely my own.

[Nicole Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Connor and Ginny
3.5*
4* narrations

The narrators did a good job especially loved Connor and his accent.
The two meet and hook up at a wedding. Then Connor invites her to spend the week with him at his cabin before he goes back to racing and she was moving back to her hometown. The story is based on these two experimenting with a D/S relationship for the week.

[Trisha c · Rating 5 out of 5]

A one night stand that turns into a week of isolation for Connor and Ginnie in a mountain cabin.
Their connection is electric, strong, but can it survive the long distance?
This is a short hot and steamy sports romance.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to to this spicy, holiday romance narrated by Paxton Hite.
#RosiePBurkeARCteam

[Kirsty Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story. Different to the others as the relationship between the main characters is not just a straight forward lovers but a sub/dom. I did like this that this story connected two series of sports romance by the author.

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing Hooky
Rosie P Burke

The story and characters are well written and developed. I enjoyed the drama, chemistry and journey. Good read.

[Kelly Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sports romance, it was really good, written very well and the story flowed seamlessly. I couldn't put this book down.

[Kat Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. I loved the play between the personalities of the characters. I did not want this one to end.

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

[Tami Winbush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book made me feel with the intensity that Conor and Ginny's meet-cute brought about. It wasn't close to a slow burn... it is a full-on raging inferno that has time limits and no strings. Until...



Ms. Burke gave us all a little something to talk about in this short little masterpiece.



Paxton Hite did a really good job with the voices nailing the Irish accent with ease. I could listen to him any day of the week.



I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to review this wonderful audiobook.