Playing the Fool

Paws by the Beach #4

by H.Y. Hanna

Charlie is the youngest vet at a busy animal hospital and passionate about her work. She's horrified when an injured baby koala is brought in - and even more horrified when she recognises the handsome stranger who rescued it as her first love. Todd Novak broke her heart once and there's no way she's letting him get under her defences again! Todd can't believe that his friend's little sister has grown up into such a beauty. As a dotcom billionaire, he's used to getting what he wants and suddenly, all he wants is the key to Charlie's heart. But with his playboy reputation and her bitter memories, can he ever convince Charlie to give him a second chance? escape Down Under... and find love in Summer Beach! * EACH BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE, or read them in order for more fun! Characters you loved from past books often return to delight again in this sweet romance series set in Summer Beach, Australia.
Playing for Love (Summer Beach Vets #1) ~ Sara & Craig Playing to Win (Summer Beach Vets #2) ~ Ellie & Dan Playing by Heart (Summer Beach Vets #3) ~ Pippa & Matt Playing the Fool (Summer Beach Vets #4) ~ Charlie & Todd Playing Santa (Summer Beach Vets Christmas Special) ~ Holly & Nick

Genres: Romance

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 24, 2014

About the author

USA Today bestselling author H.Y. Hanna has written over 30 mystery novels, many of which have been translated into several languages. Her mysteries blend humour and clever plotting with vivid settings, featuring quirky characters - and cats with big personalities! After spending years trying to fit in and do a “real” job, Hsin-Yi finally returned to her first love: writing.

Throughout her life, she has called many places home—from Taiwan to Oxford, Dubai to New Zealand. She’s finally unpacked for good in Perth, Western Australia, where she spends most days fighting with her rescue cat Muesli for the use of her office chair.

You can learn more about her and her books at: www.hyhanna.com

And don’t forget to join her newsletter to get updates on new releases, exclusive giveaways and other book news—as well as a free novella and short story! Go to: www.hyhanna.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same review as that of the previous installments. This is a pleasant way to pass the time and I appreciate the clean content. However, because these are novellas, nothing is really fully fleshed out. And the forgiveness is way too fast. LOL. I appreciate a good grovel when it's warranted.

[Carolyn G. Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance

Veternarian Charlie Appleby is the youngest vet at the Sunset Beach Veterinary Hospital and she’s having a bad day. When a baby koala is brought in she walks in on Todd Novak her crush in high school. Thinking his dog attacked the baby she gives him a earful. Todd always liked Ben’s little sister but you don’t miss with your mate’s sister. Can he get a second chance. Author’s other series are great.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful second-chance romance! Todd was Charlie’s brother’s best friend growing up and was off-limits according to the “guy code.” Charlie had a huge crush on Todd and unfortunately, Charlie got humiliated when the whole school found out.
When Todd comes back into her life, can she give him that second chance and have her HEA?
Sweet Romance, HEA!

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of the Summer Beach Vet books can read as a standalone. They do bring in many of the characters from previous stories and are too good to miss. I recommend reading each of them in order.

Todd Novak was best friends with Ben Appleby in high school. Ben's sister, Charlie, has a secret crush on Todd, but four years age difference from 17 to 13 in high school is a lot. Todd left Summer Beach after his senior year and it is now fourteen years later and he has returned after making his fortune in the dot com market. Dr. Charlie Appleby has followed her dream and has become a vet, something she and Todd had talked about all those years ago. The story has flashbacks to incidences that happened in high school with Todd, Ben and Charlie, and some are very embarrassing to relive. Present day trouble comes in the form of a braggart waitress named Jolene who has no shame and lies. Can Charlie and Todd move past things that happened in high school? Can Charlie take a chance on breaking her heart again? I enjoyed the dialogue which is entertaining with all the Aussie slang. A good moral to this story, "Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see!"

[Deanna Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the series of Summer Beach Vets and I enjoyed it just as much as the first three! When Todd brings in an injured baby koala to her Vet clinic,first, she thinks he has let his dog off leash and is his fault the koala is hurt. Then her old resentments of an overheard conversation from years ago causes her to be even more rude and unfriendly. Todd was Charlie's big brothers' best friend in High School and when she hears he has moved back to town and she finds she still has a crush on him but doesn't trust that he has changed over the years. Todd is confused over Charlie's attitude and tells her so. This story turns into a sweet romance and another winner in the Summer Beach Vets series.. I was gifted a copy by the author for my honest opinion which I have given.

[Winnie Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing the Fool is the fourth book in the Summer Beach Vets series and my favourite to date. It is a second chance romance where Charlie and Todd who were way to young to be together 14 years ago meet again 14 years later. Charlie had had a great crush on Todd way back and it didn't end by very happily so she was definitely not happy when she met Todd again.

There are a lot more emotions in this book compared to the others - pawrents being told that their dog had to be put to sleep, koala injured because of us humans encroaching into their territory, 13 year old girl being humiliated by her biggest crush and much more. Really great book.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Charlie Appleby is the youngest veterinarian in the Summer Beach veterinary practice. She works hard, loves animals and does her best. Todd, a friend of her brother’s when they were in High School, is back in town and shows interest in Charlie. Will Charlie be able to overcome a traumatizing past high school experience and find true love or will her lack of trust prevent her happily ever after? Thank you to the author for giving me this sweet story to read and review.

[Jeanne Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read....

The follow upon all the angst of high school crushes was fun and slightly silly but made for a great story.....I did wonder what the character Jolene's motivation was in her storytelling? Loved all the koala info, and will follow that up with some factual reading on the subject...Sweet book, I have enjoyed this series.....

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved this series of 5 short novels/novellas. With that said, this was probably my least favorite of the 5; not quite sure why. But, I look forward to the spinoff series, Summer Beach Brides though coming this summer or for those of you down under, winter for you,.

I received this book from the author in exchange for a honest review.

[Stephen Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another 3 worth while hours spent reading this book. Entertaining and easy to read it's a good romantic novel and I feel it's a shame the vets have run out because I could happily have read more.

[kim reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing the fool

AWESOME read. This series was a wonderful read. I love all the books written by H.Y. Hanna. Try them out for yourself.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute and sweet story. I am a sucker for a good second chance romance, and the setting of this story just made it that much better.