Playing to Win

by Lynn Mapp

Every male in the family has scaled the marriage mountain only to take catastrophic tumbles.
They’ve dubbed their issue The Chandler Curse.

Angelina Harris has been sitting on the sidelines since her husband’s death three years ago. Her long-held dream of having a family of her own is slipping away because grief has left her frozen in time.

Winston Chandler will do anything for his friend and business partner’s widow, even a pretend romance. By helping her move forward, perhaps the guilt he suffers because of his friend’s death will ease. He believes a makeover will show both Angel and others an external transformation has taken place
.
Trouble is, he’s too good at the job. Win is drawn to Angel 2.0. When these friends becomes lovers they cross the fake dating line and real complications begin. Win isn’t the man to complete the perfect life she envisions. Chandlers and romance are a volatile mix that end in one way. Disaster.

Can Win overcome his family’s legacy of romantic failure and conquer The Chandler Curse?

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2024

Reviews

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be entertaining and I enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed the characters and the message was well received.


Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Charmy Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read. Anyone that knows my reading tastes knows that I love emotional books but need something cute to reset me after all that drama. Although Angel's late husband Joe's unexpected passing is continually mentioned, this could definitely be put in the category of those books. It's something I would recommend as a palette cleanser. It's not too heavy or emotionally draining.

Angel is a widow who is trying to get back out in the dating scene. One night while trying to keep an eye on her sister in law and what a lot of the people around them would call an "inappropriate crush" she hints that she is dating her late husband's best friend, Win, to cover up her true actions. A fake dating plan ensues and of course they fall for one another in the process. That is just my bare bones summary, of course.

Personally, I was entertained enough to want to finish the book but not deeply invested in the characters. There was no build up to their attraction that made me necessarily root for them as a couple. The way the story unfolded it was clear they were always going to be a couple. And once it was realized by both main characters it went from 0 to finish line fairly quickly and ended.

I do appreciate that Angel's husband's family was still involved in her life. After his passing they still considered her as family. I thought there would be a little more internal conflict within Angel and Win being Joe's wife and best friend respectively. Again, I do say if you are a contemporary romance reader or in the market for something not so heavy in between heavier reads I would recommend this one.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading something by this author and it was quite an enjoyable experience. The story caught my attention from the beginning and held it all the way through. It's a fun and sweet story with a fake dating trope, which is one of my favorites, so I was eager to start reading it, and I was not disappointed! Angel is a widow and she is ready to get back out in the dating scene, but she needs help. Her husband's best friend, Win, steps in, and he's willing to do anything to help her, even fake a relationship. But it doesn't take long for the facade to turn real. Win's family has a long history of failed relationships. His family seems to be cursed, and despite his feelings for Angel, he doesn't trust he can escape that curse.
This heartfelt romance had me rooting for the couple from the very start as I got swept away in all the romance, laugh out loud moments, and emotions. The book definitely left me with a smile on my face and a happy feeling afterwards. The characters were interesting and well-developed with realistic qualities that gave them an authentic personality and were easily relatable. The story was delightfully cute and I really enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold onto your hats, romance lovers, because Playing to Win is about to sweep you off your feet and into a whirlwind of emotions! Picture this: a widow stuck in the past, a charming billionaire with a heart of gold, and a friendship that blossoms into something more – sounds like the recipe for a swoon-worthy romance, right? Well, buckle up, because this book delivers all that and more! From the sizzling chemistry between Angel and Winston to the laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled throughout, this story had me hooked from the get-go. But it's not just about the romance; it's about overcoming grief, challenging family legacies, and embracing the possibility of a second chance at love. So why should you read Playing to Win? Because it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions that'll leave you cheering for love, friendship, and happily ever afters!

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing to Win is a heartfelt romance that had me rooting for the characters from the very first page. Angel and Winston's journey is one of healing, friendship, and ultimately, love. What struck me most about this book is its portrayal of grief and how it can impact every aspect of one's life. Angel's struggle to move on after her husband's death felt raw and authentic, making her journey towards happiness all the more satisfying to witness. Winston's unwavering support and friendship added depth to their relationship, and their slow-burn romance kept me eagerly turning the pages. With its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and emotional depth, Playing to Win is a great read for anyone looking for a heartwarming love story that will leave you with a smile on your face.

[Turtleberry Turtleberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angel and Winston are friends. He was her late husband’s best friend. They quickly jump into a fake relationship. Just as quickly, they cross the line and sleep together. Then they continue on with the fake relationship with the agreement that they won’t cross the line again. A few difficult weeks later, they end up sleeping together again. It was clear they had fallen for each other. The problem is that she wants a forever relationship and he doesn’t think he can be that guy because of some curse with the men in his family.

I enjoyed this book. The plot felt a little rushed in the beginning but the story flowed well otherwise.

This is the first book in a series and I will definitely be adding the other books to my TBR.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her husband’s untimely passing shattered Angel’s dreams of family. Winston, her late husband’s business partner, tries to help her move forward. A seemingly innocent makeover ignites an unforeseen spark between them. Can Win allow himself to find true love?

I enjoyed the light-hearted tone and writing style of this book. I liked the characters as well. I wasn’t crazy about Win’s idea that Angel has to turn herself into a vamp in order to attract a husband. If you can overlook that, you might find it to be a fun read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[LaTarsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angel's dreams of having her dream family seems to have disappeared with passing of her husband. Then she receives some help from Winston who happens to have been her late husband's partner tries to help her revamp her life and move on. What neither expected was for sparks to fly between the two of them. Can love win out in the end for the two of them? Read and find out.

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

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing to Win is a book about loss and trying to get back into the world of living. Angel’s husband passed away and is dealing with grief and everything around the loss of a husband. Friends and family believe it is time for her to move on and begin to set her up on dates and she is uncomfortable with these. Her husband's best and she decides to start fake dating which sounds good until the lines or the bed gets crossed. A good book with good characters, worth the read.

[elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and BookBuzz for the E-ARC. I know Im late to the party but this was such a fast and easy read. Angel (FMC) is trying to become a different version of herself since it has been a few years that she became a widow. She recruits the help from Win (MMC) her late husband's buss partner and best friend. They get involved in a fake relationship until it isnt ....but there is the Chandler Curse that Win firmly believes in. Can it be broken by Angel ?