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Windy City Kink #3

Playing Dirty

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What seems like surrender may not be surrender at all...

Paige Nelson has an amazing new life in a new city with her own business and new friends, her abusive ex-husband firmly in her past. Plans to expand her business are running into a few roadblocks, but she doesn't need a man to help her. She can do this on her own.

From the minute he lays eyes on Paige, prominent developer Raff Lauden wants her. Intensely. Urgently. Though petite and delicate usually isn't his type, he finds himself asking her out. Even more surprising? She says no.

Paige has a history of being attracted to dominant, controlling men. The kind she swore never to get involved with again. But maybe she's trying to resist the one man who can give her everything she's ever really wanted...

Warning: This book contains a feisty little blonde who likes to play with fire and a big wounded hero who won't let her get burned.

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2015

194 people are currently reading
455 people want to read

About the author

Kelly Jamieson

115 books2,648 followers
Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 70 romance novels and novellas. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex,” “sweet and satisfying,” and “blisteringly sexy.” She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels…and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season! She loves hearing from readers, so please visit her website at www.kellyjamieson.com.

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5 stars
183 (41%)
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164 (37%)
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80 (18%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Cécile Smits .
1,473 reviews290 followers
August 2, 2020
Another book i had in my library for a while,and this time i’m glad i decided to take a chance on this one.
This story deals with abuse in the past,and finding a way to move on from that.

Finally free from her abusive husband,Paige moves to Chicago to build a new life for herself.
Vowing to never fall for a man that dominating,that abusive,she is shocked to find herself attracted to Raff.
A selfmade millionaire,and attracted to Paige,he is ready to play dirty to win her over.
Even as they become closer,Paige is still reluctant to let him in entirely.
She dóes trust him,up to a point,enough to allow him to take control in the bedroom.
When her ex,or almost ex,shows up and harrasses her,he decides to deal with him once and for all.
But the way he does could be a dealbreaker......

Can Paige see through the rough façade?
See the real man?
Can she trust him with her most precious posession,her heart?
That is the question......
Profile Image for Victoria.
1,188 reviews93 followers
January 28, 2015

There was something about her, something that appealed to him, grabbing him by the guts and squeezing . Glimpses of sweetness and vulnerability in those gray -blue eyes with long eyelashes. Hints of shadows, but also strength. Yeah, he wanted her. And it had been a fuck of a long time since he hadn’t gotten what he wanted.

Wow. I wasn’t expecting such a sexy read when I started reading Playing Dirty. While this is the second book I’ve read by Kelly Jamieson, it’s the first I’ve read in the Windy City Kink Series and I wasn’t sure what to expect. While Playing Dirty is book three in that series, it works fine as a stand-alone. Expect minor spoilers on the earlier books (main characters in those books play supporting characters here) but nothing major. This book does include what I consider BDSM- lite themes.

The sleeve of her sweater had pulled up a little, exposing a rubber band on her wrist. His eyes fastened on it as he took that in. He’d seen that before, and connections fired in his brain. Someone who needed a little sting, a little pain to center herself… Oh man. That worked for him too . Really worked for him. Holy hell. Excitement curled inside him.

Readers that appreciate a dirty talking, rich, alpha hero will find no fault with the hero, Raff. He feels an instant attraction to the heroine, Page, and stops at nothing to get her attention. My favorite type of hero! I liked Paige but did feel like she should have been totally up front with Raff about her previous relationship. Also, how she continued to resist Raff, I still have no clue. I was a big fan of his!

There’s something about you,” he continued . “Something that feels like we fit together. Something about you makes me want to look after you. Protect you. Make you feel good.”

She liked those words too, although they confused her a little. “I don’t need to be looked after.”

“No. You don’t. I can see that. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to.”


As mentioned, this was the second book I’ve read by Kelly Jamieson, but it won’t be the last. Solid writing, hot and steamy scenes…her writing is just so sexy! Overall, it wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but rated high for me for sexiness, readability, and overall enjoyment. Just wanted I needed! A solid 4.25-4.50 RATING!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
July 9, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/9/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Cocktails and Books.
4,149 reviews322 followers
January 3, 2015
This enthralling story filled with steam and passion grabbed me from the first page. Paige Nelson first meets rich, successful developer Raff Lauden when she is looking for a new rental space for her business. Raff is immediately taken with Paige but he reminds Paige too much of her ex-husband and she keeps her distance. Her former husband was controlling and abusive and he messed with Paige’s head. So Paige is cautious and afraid to trust Raff. She doesn’t have any interest in dating or getting involved with anyone and her only goal in life is trying to establish her fledgling business.

Raff stole my heart. He is a force to be reckoned with and once he meets Paige, he is relentless in his pursuit of her. Raff grew up poor and clawed his way to success. He has a dark past, and has done things he isn’t proud of. He’s rough around the edges, but yet he’s always sweet and patient with Paige. Although he’s a controlling guy, and used to getting what he wants, he’s always fair and treats Paige well. Raff understands Paige’s concerns and continually pushes her for more, but never more than she can take. He’s a fabulous lover and seems to know instinctively how to please Paige and what turns her on.

I’m never disappointed when I read a Kelly Jamieson book. I have read and enjoyed all the books in the Windy Kink Series. This is the third book in the series and each one is a stand-alone. I especially enjoyed the relationship Paige has with girlfriends. They are also involved with kinky guys and they give Paige advice and guide her as she tries to find her way. What I loved most about this story was Raff. He never gives up trying to win Paige and she finds it harder and harder to resist him.

Reviewed by Karen for Cocktails and Books
Profile Image for Kristy Dean-Veen.
1,203 reviews15 followers
July 30, 2020
Perfect HEA book and couldn't put it down

This was a great story. It's a perfect HEA story. I now need to buy the rest of the series.
Overview. Paige was looking at expanding her business (online shopper for people who don't want to buy clothes). She was meeting a guy at a new location. Before she walks in the door, she falls on the ice. When she goes in a gorgeous guy was there. She thought he was the one, but he wasn't. When he noticed that she hat a cut on her leg and her coat and pants were damaged. He sends her a new coat and pants. But when she finds out that he was the owner/CEO of the company, she thought he was buying her. So she send the clothes back to Raffi, causing him to get mad. Raffi goes to her and fights to get a date as well as give her the clothes. Raffi is a billionaire that fell hard and fast for Paige. But Paige had a horrible Ex husband and Rafgi has a bad past and both have some trust issues. But will their love be strong enough?
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
January 27, 2015
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

There is something about this Windy City Kink series by Kelly Jamieson that has her writing some of her best work of her career. Playing Dirty is the third book in this series and it is every bit as compelling and sexy as the first two yet it was also a really emotional story making it very well balanced. A white knight hero with a need to take care of those around him, a strong and independent heroine who aims to stay that way, attraction that would melt the ice on a Chicago sidewalk at 20 below, and two people with trust issues makes Playing Dirty a captivating love story.

I really love when a couple meets strictly on accident and there is an immediate attraction, I think it goes back to reading fairy tales and believing in the whole “love at first sight” theory. Of course as an adult I know it’s really more like “lust at first sight” but there was no denying that when business owner Paige Nelson meets land developer Raff Lauden that there is something between them. While Paige is attracted she feels Raff is just like her soon to be ex-husband; controlling, dangerous, and not something she wants in her life. For Raff it’s a feeling he’s never had before but one ne knows he wants to explore but he also senses her hesitation and even a little bit of fear and he sets out on a mission to figure her out.

So Raff…yeah I’m going to admit I went all swoony over him. First off a man in a well tailored suit is hard to ignore and when you add in his self confidence, his ability to get things done quickly and efficiently, and the way he bends over backwards to help people he cares about he really is quite the package. That’s not to say Raff doesn’t have his demons because he does and they are some pretty big ones , but I have to give him a whole lot of credit for opening himself up and for trying to do the right thing even when it may not be the best thing.

I really have to admire Paige for taking herself out of a bad situation, for following her dreams, and I do very much admire her need to do things on her own. Yes at times she drove me a little nuts with refusing to let others help her, but knowing her background I could also understand why she insisted on doing it herself. I do hate (and yes I know that’s a strong word) that she lumped Raff in with her ex-husband from the start without really knowing him. In fact I kind of hate that in general when women assume the worst in men without taking time to get to know them. However, she’s a good person and friend and given her history far more trusting than most women would be.

As much as I adored Raff as first he was kind of throwing off some stalker vibes but in reality it was the immediate connection he felt for Paige that led him to pursue and woo her and oh man alive Raff is good at the woo. Paige wasn’t easy and even when she did decide to give into the attraction she told herself and him it was a one time thing, little does she know she’s dealing with a man that’s going to take that to the extreme. Early on Raff realizes Paige has a need for something more and he has no problems giving her exactly what she needs both in and out of the bedroom but it’s the out of the bedroom things she has a hard time accepting. Along the way mistakes are made by both parties, things are said that shouldn’t be said, but most of all they both gain a wealth of understanding about each other and their past lives.

A swoon worthy story that is undoubtedly sexy yet filled with so much emotion Playing Dirty is another amazing offer from author Kelly Jamieson and a book I found impossible to put down.

Review copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for Downward dog.
1,946 reviews12 followers
December 28, 2014
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

I was given a copy of this book to write an honest review for Netgalley and Cocktails and Books.

This enthralling story filled with steam and passion grabbed me from the first page. Paige Nelson first meets rich, successful developer Raff Lauden when she is looking for a new rental space for her business. Raff is immediately taken with Paige but he reminds Paige too much of her ex-husband and she keeps her distance. Her former husband was controlling and abusive and he messed with Paige’s head. So Paige is cautious and afraid to trust Raff. She doesn’t have any interest in dating or getting involved with anyone and her only goal in life is trying to establish her fledgling business.

Raff stole my heart. He is a force to be reckoned with and once he meets Paige, he is relentless in his pursuit of her. Raff grew up poor and clawed his way to success. He has a dark past, and has done things he isn’t proud of. He’s rough around the edges, but yet he’s always sweet and patient with Paige. Although he’s a controlling guy, and used to getting what he wants, he’s always fair and treats Paige well. Raff understands Paige’s concerns and continually pushes her for more, but never more than she can take. He’s a fabulous lover and seems to know instinctively how to please Paige and what turns her on.

I’m never disappointed when I read a Kelly Jamieson book. I have read and enjoyed all the books in the Windy Kink Series. This is the third book in the series and each one is a stand-alone. I especially enjoyed the relationship Paige has with girlfriends. They are also involved with kinky guys and they give Paige advice and guide her as she tries to find her way. What I loved most about this story was Raff. He never gives up trying to win Paige and she finds it harder and harder to resist him.
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,147 reviews25 followers
August 20, 2018
Paige struggles to trust her judgment, but Raff isn’t playing fair!

Hiding from an abusive ex, Paige couldn’t be less interested in Raff, a man who displays all the same outward characteristics that she was fooled by before. Raff is a man of power and substance, and he is thoroughly fascinated with Paige, especially by her cool dismissal of his advances. He pulls out all the stops to convince her to give him a chance to show that he’s not at all like her ex-husband.

I loved that this story addresses the wrong vs. right way to structure elements of power exchange in a relationship. Trust is such a huge issue overall, and the author wisely makes it the focus of the tension between Raff and Paige. Their scenes are sizzling hot, but tender and gentle at the same time.

It’s a fascinating story that feels authentic as it draws you into a unique circle of friends who truly love and support each other. I loved each of the books in this series, and this one wraps them all up beautifully. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Taylor.
1,564 reviews55 followers
February 7, 2015
Would have given it more stars if it wasn't for the heroine.
She just irked me.
She overthought EVERYTHING, after a while it got very annoying.
Raff was just ready to dive in because that's just who he is but Paige made everything so complicated.
49 reviews2 followers
July 14, 2020
Repetitive

Into 33% of the book ansd was tired of the repetitive phrasing of "holy sh%tballs" and
"Sweet zombie Jesus". The storyline was okay, but way too much cursing for my taste.
333 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2020
Wasn't for me.

I love this author. I just couldn't connect emotionally with the story or characters. There is nothing wrong with the story. It was like assigned reading , I read it, I understood it, and now it's over. Sorry, it's me, not you...
230 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2020
Raff needs a restraining order

I'll say first that I didn't finish this book. It could be that if I had given it more of a chance, the review would be better.

Maybe.

But it crossed too many lines for me, lines between romance and criminal behaviour. Control can be hot in the bedroom. Out of it? Doesn't work for me.

[There are minor spoilers that follow. There aren't major ones because I didn't get that far].



TL;DR:
Paige is recovering from an abusive relationship. It seems that she's falling into another one, in the classic cycle of abuse. I wasn't rooting for the promised HEA because in this case I really think she should get counseling and he should get a restraining order.

Standalone. 3rd person point of view. Supposed to be steamy, but didn't get there.
Profile Image for Becky Wise.
2,850 reviews52 followers
August 10, 2018
This one took a little longer for me to get into then the other two books. You know what I'm okay with that because in the end I really enjoyed Paige and Raff. Paige is struggling to become independent and get passed her abusive husband. Raff is dominate in his ways and once he sees Paige all bets are off. You can feel that draw from the start. You understand the fight in Paige to be with Raff. Raff is full of surprises and you will find out what I mean once you read this one. He is amazing when it comes to breaking down her walls slowly and taking the time to get to know her and her friends. Paige and Raff are hot together. I love how he shows her the right way in with their kink. This series is amazing and I love every couple featured. Now if only Beamer had love too. If you love a little kink then do pick up this entire series.
1,714 reviews14 followers
December 28, 2018
While I liked all the books in this series, I think this was my favorite. Raff was a s strong man with a past that he is trying to overcome. Paige is a sweet woman who has trust issues due to her 'ex' husband. He is immediately captivated by her and vows to help her any way he can, even when she refuses. Paige is having a hard time getting her husband to sign the divorce papers and he abused her trust, so she finds it next to impossible to trust people.
Just when Raff thinks he is being let in to her heart, her ex interferes and she pushed him away. Will she realize that Raff isn't going to hurt her, or will it be too late? What makes her so afraid that she pushes him away? I really liked how other stories were interwoven and wrapped up
Profile Image for Stephanie Bolen.
2,158 reviews29 followers
July 29, 2020
The time line was way off

I hate whirlwind romances. They are cute when you are twelve and don't know how much relationships take. But rushing into a relationship is just stupid. There are too many assumptions and issues that should be dealt with before taking the next step. Kink isn't a work around for talking. You have to unpack your emotional baggage around that other person. You have issues of feeling worthless and not good enough. He has issues with people not trusting him. If you have those conversations it can help when those issues pop up. And they will pop up because we never really let go of our emotional baggage we just unpack it and show the tangled broken bits to other people.
Profile Image for Carol.
3,588 reviews3 followers
August 1, 2020
Playing Dirtying

One amazing story. Paige met Raff thinking he was her leasing agent, she had thoughts right off about him, more than she should, then realizing he wasn’t who she thought. He was infatuated with her right off, they just clicked, but unknowingly she was just getting out of a bad relationship, and her trust issues were great. Awesome story to read, enjoy, you won’t be disappointed in their journey of trust, openness, love.❤️
447 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2020
Well thought out with great follow through!

Raff and Paige’s journey is exciting, tense, romantic and extremely sexy. Well written with excellent descriptive passages of an alternate life style that many people dream about. To me this is worthy of 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars I would give more if I could. Read it worth the time invested.
Profile Image for Petal Reynard.
118 reviews
July 27, 2020
Sweet, Hot, Sexy, Erotic Love Story

You know the genre: This is a superb example of the modern adult romance.

Full of sweetness, angst, hot sex and deep feeling, without the crudeness this type of story can descend to.

Kelly Jamieson is a mistress of her art and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Profile Image for Gladys.
14k reviews163 followers
August 16, 2018
This book is a great combination of spicy and emotional. With wonderful characters that share hot chemistry and a powerful attraction. Sweet, witty, fun and passionate, with a bit of the lighter side of BDSM tossed in, this is an excellent read. I'm voluntarily posting an honest review.
2,216 reviews6 followers
October 14, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. It was fun to see how the main characters, as well as their friends, worked out their love lives to be just what worked best for them. And seeing a creepy ex get his comeuppance is always a plus.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2,511 reviews13 followers
July 13, 2020
Cute

Nicely written and we'll developed characters. Not quite what I expected but it kept me entertained. Had some good humor going on.
90 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2020
BAGGAGE

Interesting read. Couldn't put it down. Why do we carry out baggage on our sleeves??? It only makes it harder for the next person to show love and appreciation.
517 reviews
July 19, 2020
Can you say Dirty?

Absolutely dirty, fun, sexy, sweet, and touching. This is a start to what can only be a delicious series! Love love loved it!
5 reviews
July 20, 2020
Loved It

Loved Loved Loved It. Couldn't stop reading it. Characters were so believable. Wished it was longer. Looking for a sequel
Profile Image for Sarah.
562 reviews
July 28, 2020
Sexy, enjoyable story and while technically a standalone, it was difficult to keep the supporting characters straight (Paige’s friends) without having read the prior two books in the series
Profile Image for Jeff.
1,637 reviews4 followers
August 17, 2020
Great story

I enjoyed this book the characters were very passionate about what they wanted that made for some very intense story.
Profile Image for Darcy.
1,706 reviews9 followers
August 18, 2020
Good book, but Paige was annoying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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