The Player

The Soldiers of Anarchy #4

by Nikki J. Summers, Shane East (Narrator), Evelyn Rose (Narrator)

Most love stories are written in the stars. Ours was forged in darkness. A love born from survival.

One, two, three, four...

You want a fight, I'll bring a war.

Five, six, seven, eight...

I'll even use such pretty bait.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, why...

Did you leave me there to die?

But I'm not dead,

I survived... somehow.

And it's my games that you'll play now.

Rich men, poor men, begging men, bleed.

A brutal death is what they need.

Our lives were theirs; they stole our souls.

Now, it's our turn to take control.

So, do you dare to join me in my game of whys?

Where hidden truths become wicked lies.

Will you survive the ultimate test?

Which one of you will be the best?

They call you The Player, but I'm going to show

That those closest to you can be your greatest foe.

The Taskmaster is ready, are you? The Player is a standalone dark romance set in the Soldiers of Anarchy world by international bestselling author Nikki J Summers. Intended for mature listeners.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Forced Proximity, Crime, Suspense, Contemporary

10 pages, Audible Audio

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down my favorite book from the Author. With each new book, the author outdoes the previous book. Who knew psychological torture games were my jam? If I were to get a book tattoo, it would be from The Player. Top read of the year.

I always liked Will. He was and still is my fan favorite, but now we see a completely different side of him, and he didn’t disappoint.

Bee and Will find themselves in a peculiar situation with The Taskmaster. The problem is dark, psychological, and a complete mind fuck. With a whole bunch of trauma, Kudos to the author for originality. I haven’t been this psyched after reading a book in a while.

At one point, I threw my Kindle down on my table, and you will, too, but all I can say is trust the process.

The Player is a Masterpiece! Bee’s character growth, Will, is everything. Let’s put it this way: she needs to forget, and Will doesn’t exactly what she wants.

The Author seriously helped me out and put me back on track to reading. Thank you.

[nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unaliver who has a golden retriever personality and falls first and harder for his girl? LOVE LOVE LOVE. If there's one thing I appreciate in Nikki's books, then it's the way the hero always falls first and isn't afraid to pursue the heroine. If you're looking for a fast paced book filled with a good plot, smut and lots of games, then The Player is the book for you! I'm looking forward to reading Tyler's story.

*Thank you to Nikki J Summers and Candi Kane PR for providing me with an ARC!

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

These two had chemistry in the last book. Now, it's their turn. They started off bad when Will wanted to get Bry attention he dropped her in a duck pond, so he's trying to make up for it. Keeping her safe and all that and teasing her. Bry does push away a few times, but she does give in when the halloween party is going on, and it wasn't even Will it was the kidnapper in a mask pretending to be Will. Kidnapped and chained in an unknown basement isn't what what Will and her were planning.

Twisted game of broken promises, betrayal, and getting close to one another. They are trying to figure out who this guy is and why he kidnapped them. Clues are left, but they are still blank. Games of killing and these torture scenes were a lot.

Until one man breaks Bry her father we learn the truth on why they were taken. And who thos kidnapper is. And he does let them go. And that's the next thing kill him.

The guys do find him and try to finish the job, but like poof he's gone. But our couple gets there hea with a cute wedding.


I'm kinda confused at the end. If Abigail is for Tyler or that other. Or is he that another person getting a book?


Low angst, no ow/om drama, no cheating, Slight secondary character, drama, sexy times, no virgins


Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Prologue
Slowinsta
24h/26H
Explicit torture scenes (vigilantes)
Tiny push away from h
Drugging
Kidnapping
Forced imprisonment
Torture and mind games
Murder
Violence
Gore
Use of horror masks (for violence)
Role-play using masks (non-violent)
Child cruelty and neglect (one historical scene)
Reference to historic child sexual abuse but not detailed on the page (no descriptive scenes)
Scenes of a sexual nature (between the hero and heroine)
Praise kink
Hea
Epilogue

[Lindsey Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal. I am obsessed with this story and the clever twists, the turns, the games, THE SPICE… HELL YES!
Will is just *chefs kiss*
Bee is awesome, and the character growth is out of this world.
Another fabulous addition to the Soldiers series. I never want this series to end!
Five epic stars!

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 "Are you ready for the Taskmaster???" stars***



"Are you ready to play my game?"

I love the Soldiers of Anarchy and their crazy ways!!!
But I never thought that my most favorite book in the series would be Will Stokes's story!!!
It was a truly crazy story, scary and at the same time, emotional in a weird way...
I even shed one or two tears for a person that deserved or not my tears and the only sure thing is that I am craving more of the Taskmaster.
Am I in my right mind??? Hmm... The jury is still out on that!!!

"Tell me every terrible thing you ever did, and let me love you anyway." -Edgar Allan Poe

Will is sniffing around Bryony for a while now, but she doesn't give him the time of the day, even though deep down she wants him too...
And then, the craziest, fucked up thing is happening to both of them and they are finding themselves in a very peculiar situation...
Now, they are forced to play the Taskmaster's games, but will they survive them???
Will this experience weaken them or make them stronger???
Will they get out of these games alive???

"Welcome to my game of consequences...
You are my players and I expect you to play by the rules."

OMG!!! I adore Nikki's stories, but this one was perfection!!! It had psuchological thriller vibes and so much darkness...
The trauma that Bryony and Will had suffered in here, is not something that many could endure...
But into the pit of Hell, these two had formed an impenetrable bond... A bond that has the ability to get them alive to the other side!!!
OMG!!! My heart was breaking for these two so much!!!

"We weren't two people anymore, we were one entity. One mind, one heart, one soul, fighting for our freedom."

This story was very different from the previous three in the series, but it was powerfull and masterfully written...
The feelings were very intense and I think i had formed a Stockholm syndrom cause I am craving more of the Taskmaster and his story... Some of the pieces that I gathered for him had made me aching for his behalf, even though he had a sick side that wasn't very appealing...
Well, yes!!! This story was my most favorite among the Soldiers and Will with Bryony had stolen a part of my heart!!!
Bravo, Nikki!!! You did an exceptional work with this story!!!

"God put a smile on my face
But the Devil poured joy into my soul."

[Rachel Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our future wasn't certain. And nothing here felt right, except her.
The future we had in this room was all that mattered, all we could focus on, because tonight, I'd had her the way I'd always wanted to, and I wouldn't stop there.”

To say how I thought this book could go I never imagined this path. This was so good! I started this morning and couldn’t put it down. As dark romance goes I don’t read many but as soon as Nikki Summers announces a book I immediately add it to my TBR. Thank you for this ARC Nikki! I have truly enjoyed this series 🖤

As for Will and Bryony *sigh*

Will is the player. He can be calm cool and collected but in the heat of any moment he can be the guy you need. His home life matches he fellow brothers and all he wants to justice to be served.

Bryony knows what the soldiers of anarchy are capable of. She saw first hand. But that will not hold back her attraction to Will. She has had a crap love life but when Will has entered she has loved their game of cat and mouse.

When the taskmaster enters will they be able to overcome the game together? Or will only one survive?

Please be sure to check the trigger warnings. Again thank you Nikki. Can’t wait for The Thief!!🖤🖤

[kait (kaitjaycreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far Nikki’s darkest book yet. So please check your TWs.
I have been waiting for Will’s story for a long time and who better than Bryony to be his person. He definitely fell first, already enamored by her. But the situation they are thrust into gives light to the connection that’s always seemed to have been there. The Taskmaster phew! I can’t even start to describe his twisted, revengeful edges!
The spice was absolutely delicious and this was definitely a medium burn but when it started, they couldn’t stop!
Phenomenal!

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Player by Nikki J Summers
(The Soldiers of Anarchy Book 4)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️~Stars
🌶️🌶️~Spice

▪️This book was absolutely phenomenal! From the very first page I was hooked and I couldn't put it down!!! If you are a fan of the ’SAW’ movies, you will REALLY love this book🙌🏻 The mental terror Nikki managed to pull off in this book was something else entirely and I'm here for it!😏 You will notice as you read this book that all is not as it seems but trust the process and ENJOY!!! Because your questions will be answered and you will want so much more from a specific character in this book, TRUST ME🥹 I'm not going to write much more than this, because this book really deserves you to go in blind and not to offer any spoilers whatsoever🥂

[Nikki reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute rollercoaster! The one thing I absolutely love about Nikki's books is the plot is always absolutely solid. This was flawless, the twists and turns where phenomenal my love for all the characters in this series will never stop! I was so excited to get Will's book and it didn't disappoint at all, this was emotional and gripping. I loved all the characters even the villain! I'm hoping he finds his HEA! Incredible book.

[Another librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

✍️ 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾 ✍️
“THE PLAYER” NIKKI J. SUMMERS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Scorrete le slide👉🏻

Nuovissima autrice per me, non avevo mai letto niente di suo, e devo dire che c’è stato un inizio un po’ burrascoso: fino al 20-30% volevo mollare, non mi stava prendendo e non sapevo dove volesse andare a parare, ma poi ha preso il via e BOOM

“The Player” è il quarto della serie dei Soldiers of Anarchy, ma sono standalone, vi spoilerate le coppie ma non troppo e non si vedono così spesso come in tutte le altre serie interconnesse.

Will fa parte dei Soldiers of Anarchy, un gruppo di vigilantes che si fanno giustizia da soli quando le autorità e chi di competenza si girano dall’altra parte. E’ il chiacchierone del gruppo, quello burlone a cui nessuno crederebbe mai. Eppure, sotto c’è un uomo che non aspetta altro che qualcuno scopra le sue carte.

Bryony è la sorella di una delle ragazze di un altro Soldier, conosce il gruppo grazie a lei, e quando conosce Will ne rimane affascinata e infastidita, per lei è insopportabile, ma non riesce a smettere di pensare a lui.

Qualcosa di estremamente traumatico però li porterà a unirsi come fronte unico contro una persona che sta facendo loro del male, che li segnerà per tutta la vita, nel bene e nel male.

Come dicevo all’inizio, l’approccio con questa lettura non è stata dei migliori, ed è per questo che ho tolto mezza stella, ma poi si è ribaltato tutto.

Ho trovato una scrittura bellissima, mi ha fatto provare davvero emozioni forti, tutti i plot twist e le rivelazioni e la sottotrama quasi da thriller mi ha tenuta incollata al Kindle.

Scoprire i personaggi a poco a poco e soprattutto nelle circostanze in cui si trovavano è stato fenomenale, Will è uno di quei personaggi da proteggere a tutti i costi. Duro all’esterno ma dentro un uomo tutto da scoprire, con i suoi traumi e le sue debolezze e insicurezze.
Bryony ha uno sviluppo interessante, anche se non si capisce cosa faccia nella vita lei o cosa facesse prima dell’inizio della narrazione. Non matura come avrei voluto, ma è forte come quelle protagoniste badass che piacciono a me.

Consiglio assolutamente di leggere i TW e una volta appurato che è per voi, fondatevici perché proverete ansia, frustrazione, amore e passione tutto in una volta.

[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit! My mind is f’ing blown! This book was phenomenal, I think it’s the best one in the series. It had me on the edge of my seat, and biting my nails from the suspense. I kept anxiously waiting for the shoe to drop and the huge reveal, and oh my god it was better than I expected! I don’t want to give anything away, but I must say that this book is a definite MUST read!
The suspense, darkness, and the spice was off the charts. And that scene with Will wearing the mask for Bryony, f’ing HOT! One of the best and hottest scenes ever! I loved Will, he was amazing and I loved his protectiveness over Bryony. The flashbacks from his time at Clivesdon House tore my heart out. It made me see “The Taskmaster” in a different light and I felt bad for him.
I loved the back and forth banter with Will and Bryony at the beginning and even when they first got taken. Bryony was quick with her comebacks and kept Will on his toes. These two were perfect for each other in so many ways, they were the perfect team.
Nikki is a fantastic writer and I’m absolutely obsessed with her Soldiers and Rebels series and don’t want them to end! They’re one of my favorite series and I can’t get enough.
I already knew before I started this book that it would be a 5⭐️, and I was right! But it exceeded 5⭐️’s, it’s definitely a lot better than that. It was absolutely phenomenal. But I hate having to wait until next year for Tyler’s story! After that epilogue it’s gonna be torture. I need answers!!!

[Laura Reads Too Much · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next installment of The Soldiers Of Anarchy and we have Wills story.
Will, the hyper, impulsive, fun-loving, acts-before-thinks, dangerous and lethal man that is also adorable!

We know from before that he has a thing for Bryony, what we thought was just attraction seems to be so much more - there is genuine want and hope there, I fully loved it! I loved that she bites back, he may be a bit nuts but she matches him in the battle of wits, love them together!

This isn't your typical soldiers storyline, Nikki has went that extra step this time and it had me glued!

There's an extra person involved and he is pure twisted, full on mind-f*** of a person and I'm not gonna lie - I kinda like him!!

And as annoying as it is - I'm leaving it at that. You need to read this with that air of mystery and not knowing what is actually going to happen.
Sorry, but 🤷🏻‍♀️ needs must!

It's intense, it's hot, fun, twisted, steamy - there's one scene in particular 🥵🥵 you'll know it when you read it but oh man, I didn't know I liked that kind of thing!!
It's also deep and sad, when things come to light and realisation hits - it's heartbreaking!

Thoroughly enjoyed this, I'm excited for Tyler's story and I'm also hoping for an extra story!!







*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.

[Willie Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling story us told by three characters: Will, Bryony, and The Taskmaster. It's not mandatory to have read the previous installments, but you should. The plot takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster as Will and Bryony are kidnapped after a Halloween party and wake up to find themselves at the mercy of The Taskmaster. They are forced to participate in a game where their survival depends on completing various missions. The reveal of The Taskmaster's identity is heartbreaking, as it reveals the source of his motivations. I am wanting more of The Taskmaster and eagerly anticipate Tyler's story.

Things to know

Explicit torture scenes (vigilantes), Drugging, Kidnapping,
Forced imprisonment, Torture, mind games, Murder, Use of horror masks (for violence), Role-play using masks (non-violent), Child cruelty and neglect (one historical scene), Reference to historic child sexual abuse but not detailed

[Danielle's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook read.

Will is the Player only in this book, the word player can refer to a few different things. For example if we want to play a game he might be player one.

This book gives SAW vibes and is horror as well as a morally grey romance.

Bryony has a crush on Will but she’s aware he likes to play and joke around with her. He doesn’t do commitment and she’s not quite sure how he feels about her.

When the pair end up in a sick twisted game Will is forced to deal with his feelings for Bryony head on. If they want to survive they’ll have to leave their morals at the door and take care of each other for the mental health.

Enter the game master… a man sent from the devil himself to avenge wrong doings by men he believes are to blame. The answers to these games (why these men) will make you questioning your own moral compass.

This is dark, dangerous and addictive. Bryony and Will have great chemistry and the ending is worth the journey.

Morally grey RARE readathon.

[Tasha_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I had no idea where this going....at all. What a ride though! Will and Bee, once they sorted their shit out they were beautiful together. The trauma and things they suffered would send people over the edge. Of course in normal nikki
fashion a few curveballs and gasp out loud moments....i was blindsided by a few of the twists! Another great book and can't wait for more!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've had a crush on Will ever since he threw Bryony into that pond. So obviously I was excited for his book. And Nikki J Summers did NOT dissapoint, there's a reason she's my second favorite author. She absolutely smashed it.

Will and Bryony were great together. I loved how they teased each other, they both had great comebacks. Especially Bryony which was really fun. I love when the girl keeps the guy on his toes and Bryony did that.

The taskmaster was amazing. In the beginning I couldn't help imagining Alex Horne having gone absolutely haywire. But then he went and overshadowed Will a little bit.

That's something Nikki J Summers is the queen of. She writes the best secondary characters that often steal the show.

I enjoyed seeing another side of Adam. He's still my favorite soldier.

And don't even get me started on that second epilogue, because holy.....hell.

Also we are now at 8 as in 8 consecutive 5 star books by one author. It's looking more and more like a record that will be very hard to beat.

[ritika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I, too, wouldn’t mind being held captive with will stokes :)

[Katrina Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this more than five stars because I would. This book was wow. There were a lot of things I read that I didn't see coming. I am not going to say much but this is a must read. I think Will has become my favorite, shh don't tell Colton that

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was the player. Put me in the game and I'd act it, time after time. Some might say I liked to toy with people's emotions, and they'd be right. There was nothing I liked more than playing with our victims, messing with their heads. A true player doesn't care if their victims get hurt; it's all a game to them. And I loved the game. I was the best player of them all.


5/5 Stars
4/5 Spice

Thank you to Candi Kane PR for giving me the opportunity once again to continue my ARC journey for the Soldiers of Anarchy series by giving me The Player by the talented Nikki J. Summers.

Let's start off with "Read Those Trigger Warnings!" This book is a standalone, don't have to read them in order but I still suggest you do case characters from previous books show up and that means their ladies show up and it gives you a background of what has happened thus far.

I honestly love each book in this series. Each book that comes out is becoming better than the previous one. The Player has a different twist in it, unlike our previous three books. Not only do we have our MMC Will Strokes and our FMC Bryony Masters but Nikki tossed in a third player in the series or should I say the Taskmaster. Just with that nickname alone, you know where this story is going. If you love the movie SAW, this is somewhat like it. This book had suspense and thrills, everything one could love in a dark romance series and not to mention it literally put them in the dark for a bit. Pre-warning get the tissues for later in the book when you visit Will's past as a child cause you gonna need it.

Now Will and Bryony have always had a thing for each other if you read the previous book, Will has a funny way of showing his crush on her while Bryony is the type that likes to deny she likes him. The banter between them is amazing, they like feeding off of one another's insults. The spice between them was chef's kiss.

The book ended with a possible future book for our Taskmasker who was the villain in our story, but once reading the ending, you can't help but wonder if he was even a villain after all, he is totally an anti-hero like our Will. I believe our Taskmaster also deserves his HEA like Will and Bryony got.

The next book in the series will be called The Theif and it's about the last Soldier of Anachary, our tech guy Tyler. I can't wait to read his story and here's to hope that Taskmaster gets one as well.

[Emma Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

The anticipated next installment of the PHENOMENAL Soldiers of Anarchy series was worth every second I waited to sink my teeth into Will Stokes, because oh my goodness, this book has just somehow elevated the series even higher than I imagined it ever could. I mean it's no secret that I go feral for these guys, and in my opinion this really is top tier in it's tropes. A vigilante romance executed to perfection every single time!

I have been waiting for these two since Will chucked Bryony in the duck pond at the Halloween party in Colton's book, and couldn't work out how to make it right. That scene will forever live in my head where he is pondering his options for forgiveness whilst him, Colton and Tyler are trying to carry out their vigilante work, still giggle to myself thinking about it. And it has the effect on me because Will is the golden retriever of the group, he's a lighthearted and uplifting spirit who carries out some not so uplifting acts from tome to time. And I am an absolute goner every time for the these guys in the group.

I love the different twist on this book to the others. This book needed to be special because Will Stokes is special. And although we still get everything we absolutely crave from this series from the guys righting some wrongs with their vigilante work, to the boy banter between Will and Colton, to the intensity of Adam, bloodthirsty ways of Devon and the seriousness of Tyler, we get so much more than I bargained for. New tropes like captivity, trauma bonding, it-was-always-you vibes, and a whole new protective side to Will 🫠

I think its so perfect that Colton and Will are dating the Masters sisters, because these two are thick as thieves and it just feels poetic, I went crazy for that burning intensity between him and Bee, and the connection to a previous life with Adam, lemme tell you if I wasn't already obsessed with Adam Noble, hearing how protective he was even back then? Honestly just do me a favour and gimme a cushion because I swear I'd live on my damn knees for him.

I'm left in awe every single time I read a Nikki romance and I am always left impatiently waiting for the next book she gifts up, and considering how this one ended, well, it will be a very impatient wait indeed!

[Kayy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Let me carry that. You deserve the light. It’’s yours, take it. And let’s be crazy together. Make stupid choices and laugh about them. Not Bonnie and Clyde crazy, more like dumb and dumber.”
.
.
One, two, three, four… you want a fight, I’ll bring a war. Five, six, seven, eight… I’ll even use pretty bait.
Tinker, tailor, soldier, why… did you leave me there to die? But they aren’t dead, they survived and now it’s their games they will be playing. Their souls were stolen and now it’s time for them to take control. They call you the player but he is going to show them that the people closest to you could be your biggest foe.

Absolutely my favourite from this series so far, I loved the whole mystery plot line, I loved the mind games and it generally had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down I just had to know what happened in the next chapter, it was so addictive, and I loved it! I really enjoyed also knowing that we really shouldn’t love the main ‘villain’ but also truly feeling his pain through his own actions, this was extremely well written I couldn’t fault it one bit. Will, generally is the sweetest soul out of all the boys and I loved his whole golden retriever type energy and I really liked the way we got to see his whole protective side when it comes to Bryony. I also, loved their whole playful banter relationship, how they had such quick responses for everything the other one had said. I generally think they are one of the strongest couples from this series and Tyler’s story couldn’t come quick enough, I adore this series so much!

[Becca Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This book is next level fucked up crazy amazing.

I devoured it in one sitting, I was so hooked. Which was hard to do through the night as it is not for the faint hearted!
💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

This book is all Wills.
I actually fell for Will way back in Colton’s book (The Joker) when he pushed Bryony into the pond and then went on to send her armbands as she couldn’t swim!!
What I didn’t expect was to see a different side to Will, gone is the care free boy with all the banter, and here is the man who needed to protect his Bryony at all costs. And boy did it nearly cost him.

Wanting to write a review without giving any spoilers is hard, just trust me when I say that this book is worth the read and you don’t even need to read a single other book in the series for the whole thing to make sense.

Nikki you are an absolute genius. Hats off to you woman because this book came out of nowhere and knock us on our asses. WellFUCKINGdone 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Jayne limb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Received an arc of this book and I'm leaving a voluntary review. I have read all Nikki's books and I have loved them all they have me addicted. This is the 4th book in the soldier's of anarchy series they can be read a standalones but I strongly advise you read them all I promise you won't be disappointed. I was looking forward to will's story and Nikki you did not disappoint this book had me gripped from the first page I found it really hard to put my kindle down I laughed I cried and I nearly threw my kindle. This book has it all the action, the drama the smut the tears (happy and sad) the revenge and secrets and not to mention it's the soldiers need I say anything else ( if you have read the rest then you know wot I mean) it's so hard to chose a favourite as they are all HOT!!!. Nikki you have wrote another masterpiece.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by Nikki J. Summers and it didn't let me down. The Player is NOT for the faint-hearted. I don't want to get too into the book details, but The Player sucked me in with it being twisted and fast-paced, and I am all the way here for it! The book ends with a possibility for another book, so there's that... I love the way that Briony and Will worked together. Their banter is funny at times, and I found it quite entertaining. ALSO!!!!! The masked scene.... IYKYK. fffffuuckkk!
Then we have The Taskmaster was such an interesting and dark character. I really do need more of them.

I really enjoyed this book. So, now, I have to go ahead and read the previous books because I want to know about the other characters in those ones.

Please make sure you check TWs before reading this!

Thank you so much for the opportunity, Candi Kane PR & Nikki!

[Florence Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very, very dark… so very well done.

With Nikki, you can be sure of two things, great writing and the darkest of dark romance.
This is by far her darkest book to date, and it’s not for the faint hearted, but it packs a punch in terms of emotional journeys.
Will and Bryony are put through cruel, horrendous, twisted ‘games’, where the stakes are their lives and their sanity, and in this most unlikely of setting, they have to drop their guards and open up to each other in order to survive, physically and mentally.
From harrowing to heartbreaking, the story moves at pace with no let up, don’t expect to put the book down before the end!
The sex scenes are pretty intense too. Don’t expect flowers and balloons and get ready for a good bit of twisted domination (F on M, which is such a welcome twist on the trope).
You may get away with reading this as a stand-alone, but I’d recommend you read all the Soldiers of Anarchy books in order first.
Another dark romance classic from Nikki, who’s claiming her spot as a mistress of the genre.

[Bookreviewsbysusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Damn this was intense. I have been on edge waiting for this book, which didn’t disappoint. Will didn’t disappoint. This series keeps getting better and better. It was an absolute journey, a rollercoaster of twists, turns, games, and character growth. The games had me on the edge and the spice was good. Will and Bryony are so perfect for one another. I was hooked from the start till the end and I read it so fast. I personally didn’t see this plot coming, I thought I knew what to expect but damn I was surprised. Colton is still my fav tho but I love Will so much.

🌶️🌶️

I dropped everything to read this book. One thing Nikki is going to do is eat and take you an emotional roller coaster because this book ate. It was perfect it was so worth the wait.

RELEASE DATE: October 26

Dark romance 🔥
Kidnapped 🪢
Torture games 🎯
Mask men 🎭
Revenge 🔪

[Smuttybooks_geekystuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME NIKKI?!
This book is freaking amazing and has definitely overtaken The Joker as my favourite.

The Player is Will's story and it's so different from what I was expecting, but I loved every minute because I was completely captivated by it.

I didn't know I'd have a thing for torture games, but I do now.

I'm so intrigued by The Taskmaster and their story. I absolutely love suspense and with how dark and twisted this was, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

And that ending... I'm sorry what?
How am I going to cope until Tyler's story comes out?

Nikki J Summers is an incredible author that is highly underrated.
If you haven't read any of her books and you are a dark romance fan, you NEED to check them out.

🖤

[Brittany Hayley Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished The Player by Nikki J Summers and Will has always been one of my favourites. I’m so happy he got his story. This was darker I think then the previous books in the series but I was living for it. Wills past comes back and he and Bryony must play the game to make it out. And the twist at the end maybe the ghost (yes that’s what I’m goin to call the person so I don’t give much away) will show up in the next book or will they have their own book. Only time will tell as we wait for the next book to come out.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad we got Will’s story, his was one of the soldiers I was looking forward to learning more about the most and it didn’t disappoint.

Each book in this series gets better and better and Nikki did such a good job, you’ll be hooked straight away and kept on your toes!

I loved the banter between Will and Bryony and seeing how their relationship developed.

This was a great read that was dark and full of great twists.
Can’t wait to see what comes next on this series.

[Holly Annaleisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOW DO I MOVE ON FROM THIS BOOK??!! Have you ever finished a book and then wondered how the next one could possibly measure up? This one is that. I was up all night reading this book, with my boyfriend yelling at me to turn off the bedside lamp at three in the morning

I went through an entire day of work on an hours sleep because I could not put this book down but holy hell was it worth it. Watching Will and Bee triumph over all the dark and psychological elements of this story was absolutely epic. Will is my all-time favourite character of this series.

This is the perfect book for you if you're ready for the biggest mindf*ck of your life and can handle dark, emotional content.

Thank you to the author and CandiKane PR for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️