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The Playmaker
Ask Meg, and she'll say she's content. A promising career, a steady boyfriend—her future is secure. Just like her position on the Brentley Women's Rugby Team.
Her fascination with Jacqueline, the team's wild and beautiful flanker—that's nothing more than infatuation. When Jacqueline unexpectedly corners her and kisses her breathless, Meg is blindsided.
Forced to admit her secure future isn't nearly as appealing as it had seemed, Meg realises she has two keep playing it safe or change the game.
Her fascination with Jacqueline, the team's wild and beautiful flanker—that's nothing more than infatuation. When Jacqueline unexpectedly corners her and kisses her breathless, Meg is blindsided.
Forced to admit her secure future isn't nearly as appealing as it had seemed, Meg realises she has two keep playing it safe or change the game.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2015
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 1, 2015
I really loved Meg and Jacqueline's romance and the affection between them. The part that stuck with me, though, was when Meg decides to depart from the safe path she has planned out and strike in a new direction that is very uncertain, even if it will make her happier. I thought the author did a wonderful job of capturing the fear, trauma, and roller-coaster of emotions that accompanies such a decision. And then having that darkness alleviated with some lovely moments of friendship and love made for a very satisfying ending.
June 15, 2015
See this review on my blog, After Hours at Lilybloombooks
3.5 stars
Lately, I have really broadened my horizons in the romance genre, branching out to books that I haven't read much of or in some cases, not at all. F/F romances are few and far in between - from what I have seen, anyway - and it's one sub-genre in romance I would like to see more of in the future.
The Playmaker, was quite enjoyable. Sitting at only 140(ish) pages, I enjoyed the level of depth that Swift was able to put into Meg. The course of the book is over the span of a few months - so there is that small part of me that feels like had it been longer, the reader could take more away from Meg's decisions and her love for Jacqueline.
Meg is what I would have initially called a SETTLER. She is content, but longs for more in her life; realizing after spending years with her current boyfriend that their relationship isn't what she wanted after all. I had a small issue with the way she handled the situation - however, it could have been worse.
While I got a good read on Meg - her fears, hesitations, and longing for more - but I never got a good read on Jacqueline. I liked them together - but again, I do feel like I would have enjoyed them more, with more depth to Jacqueline and/or a longer story.
Overall though, I did enjoy their story. It's sweet, fun and one I recommend.
*I received a copy of this book from The Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
3.5 stars
Lately, I have really broadened my horizons in the romance genre, branching out to books that I haven't read much of or in some cases, not at all. F/F romances are few and far in between - from what I have seen, anyway - and it's one sub-genre in romance I would like to see more of in the future.
The Playmaker, was quite enjoyable. Sitting at only 140(ish) pages, I enjoyed the level of depth that Swift was able to put into Meg. The course of the book is over the span of a few months - so there is that small part of me that feels like had it been longer, the reader could take more away from Meg's decisions and her love for Jacqueline.
Meg is what I would have initially called a SETTLER. She is content, but longs for more in her life; realizing after spending years with her current boyfriend that their relationship isn't what she wanted after all. I had a small issue with the way she handled the situation - however, it could have been worse.
While I got a good read on Meg - her fears, hesitations, and longing for more - but I never got a good read on Jacqueline. I liked them together - but again, I do feel like I would have enjoyed them more, with more depth to Jacqueline and/or a longer story.
Overall though, I did enjoy their story. It's sweet, fun and one I recommend.
*I received a copy of this book from The Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
May 27, 2015
I quite enjoyed this novella. The story was interesting and the characters likeable.
My pet peeve - the use of the "c" word multiple times. It doesn't matter to me if it's used as profanity or anatomy (the latter in this book), I just don't like it and seem to cringe whenever I hear it or see it written. It certainly detracted from the love scenes in my view (and my overall rating).
3.5 stars
My pet peeve - the use of the "c" word multiple times. It doesn't matter to me if it's used as profanity or anatomy (the latter in this book), I just don't like it and seem to cringe whenever I hear it or see it written. It certainly detracted from the love scenes in my view (and my overall rating).
3.5 stars
November 8, 2015
I soo wanted to like this book more. I mean honestly, I read female romance (well not the exact words) on the synopsis and just figured I had to read it.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t have much else to offer besides that.
The story follows Meg, who is a player at what I’m guessing is an amateur rugby team (I don’t really *get* sports so I don’t know) but also wants to be a kindergarten teacher. She has a great boyfriend and her life seems all put together, until her sexy, unattainable team mate Jacqueline kisses her.
So Meg starts to realize that maybe the plan she set out for herself isn’t really what she wants to do with the rest of her life and she is not really happy with these decisions, even though they are the easy logical way to go.
So far so good, right? Changing perspectives, opening up your mind to the world, getting to know yourself and what you really want out of life…Those are some great themes! But the execution of this book just fell flat for me.
First of all; the characters: I couldn’t really feel like they were real - I just didn’t really care about any of them. Meg is super indecisive - and even though she already knows she doesn’t really love her boyfriend Frasier she stays with him - and she is super mean to him sometimes too. The boyfriend is a complete push over and just sucks up everything that Meg says to him. He didn’t seem to have any kind of personality what so ever. And Jacqueline was just there - this magical lesbian representation of everything Meg wants but “can’t” have. I pretty much couldn’t see any of them as real people rather that character types, which is so not the way a story like that should have gone.
Another thing was the writing style. Everything is told to you. And there is this bunch of info dumping about Meg’s life previously to this, or her constantly thinking that she doesn’t really want to do what she is doing, but doing it anyway…It just got really annoying, really fast.
Which is all too bad, because the romance was actually really sweet and I really liked the discussion the characters have about taking risks on things in order to find happiness and also on the topic of bisexuality, which is something that doesn’t get discussed a lot, not even on the LGBTQ community or on books with LGBTQ characters.
I think if the book would have been slightly longer and had some editing out in some of the character background informations and some of Meg’s inner monologue, it could have been a lot better. I did enjoy it a lot more after the first half, which is when the romance actually happens.
Overall, I’m glad I read this book, despite its faults, and I could recommend it to people looking for a quick romance and a LGBTQ read.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t have much else to offer besides that.
The story follows Meg, who is a player at what I’m guessing is an amateur rugby team (I don’t really *get* sports so I don’t know) but also wants to be a kindergarten teacher. She has a great boyfriend and her life seems all put together, until her sexy, unattainable team mate Jacqueline kisses her.
So Meg starts to realize that maybe the plan she set out for herself isn’t really what she wants to do with the rest of her life and she is not really happy with these decisions, even though they are the easy logical way to go.
So far so good, right? Changing perspectives, opening up your mind to the world, getting to know yourself and what you really want out of life…Those are some great themes! But the execution of this book just fell flat for me.
First of all; the characters: I couldn’t really feel like they were real - I just didn’t really care about any of them. Meg is super indecisive - and even though she already knows she doesn’t really love her boyfriend Frasier she stays with him - and she is super mean to him sometimes too. The boyfriend is a complete push over and just sucks up everything that Meg says to him. He didn’t seem to have any kind of personality what so ever. And Jacqueline was just there - this magical lesbian representation of everything Meg wants but “can’t” have. I pretty much couldn’t see any of them as real people rather that character types, which is so not the way a story like that should have gone.
Another thing was the writing style. Everything is told to you. And there is this bunch of info dumping about Meg’s life previously to this, or her constantly thinking that she doesn’t really want to do what she is doing, but doing it anyway…It just got really annoying, really fast.
Which is all too bad, because the romance was actually really sweet and I really liked the discussion the characters have about taking risks on things in order to find happiness and also on the topic of bisexuality, which is something that doesn’t get discussed a lot, not even on the LGBTQ community or on books with LGBTQ characters.
I think if the book would have been slightly longer and had some editing out in some of the character background informations and some of Meg’s inner monologue, it could have been a lot better. I did enjoy it a lot more after the first half, which is when the romance actually happens.
Overall, I’m glad I read this book, despite its faults, and I could recommend it to people looking for a quick romance and a LGBTQ read.
May 10, 2015
FourandHalfStars
What would you risk to follow your heart?
For Meg, it would be everything. She is excited about her new career and content in a long-term relationship. But when a crush on a teammate becomes something more, Meg must take a hard look at her life and make some very difficult decisions.
There are such universal themes in this story. Is it wrong to settle for a comfortable, easy life with a good partner? Is chasing after a fantasy ever a good idea? I love the way Swift doesn’t shy away from tough coming-of-age questions or offer easy answers. Meg’s character is plagued by the choices and doubts of every twenty-something everywhere.
Swift’s characters are exquisitely written. Jacqueline is the perfect girl crush. Beautiful, self-confident and slightly aloof, she is the ultimate unattainable fantasy. And Fraser is a pretty amazing boyfriend. Swift doesn’t create any villains in this story, just good people Meg will inevitably hurt with her decisions.
This story is an emotionally charged, introspective journey. But the journey isn’t just cerebral. The chemistry between Meg and Jacqueline is exquisite. A first bewildering kiss builds to steamy, sensual love scenes.
This is a beautifully written book for anyone who has ever had to choose between security and passion.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Sarah
ThreeStar
A modern English romance, well titled and written in an interesting way. Although based around the sport of rugby it's a tale of coming to terms with what you tolerate as an acceptable relationship and what you really long for in a truly genuine relationship.
Well written but I feel many of the emotional situations could have been expanded further and more made of the supporting characters. Little was made of the scene on the rugby pitch or indeed of the reactions to the other players when the end of Jacqueline's relationship exploded. Feel this had the bones of a good story which could have expanded to a great one.
Good read if you want to pass an afternoon reading a love story with a happy ending.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Chris
What would you risk to follow your heart?
For Meg, it would be everything. She is excited about her new career and content in a long-term relationship. But when a crush on a teammate becomes something more, Meg must take a hard look at her life and make some very difficult decisions.
There are such universal themes in this story. Is it wrong to settle for a comfortable, easy life with a good partner? Is chasing after a fantasy ever a good idea? I love the way Swift doesn’t shy away from tough coming-of-age questions or offer easy answers. Meg’s character is plagued by the choices and doubts of every twenty-something everywhere.
Swift’s characters are exquisitely written. Jacqueline is the perfect girl crush. Beautiful, self-confident and slightly aloof, she is the ultimate unattainable fantasy. And Fraser is a pretty amazing boyfriend. Swift doesn’t create any villains in this story, just good people Meg will inevitably hurt with her decisions.
This story is an emotionally charged, introspective journey. But the journey isn’t just cerebral. The chemistry between Meg and Jacqueline is exquisite. A first bewildering kiss builds to steamy, sensual love scenes.
This is a beautifully written book for anyone who has ever had to choose between security and passion.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Sarah
ThreeStar
A modern English romance, well titled and written in an interesting way. Although based around the sport of rugby it's a tale of coming to terms with what you tolerate as an acceptable relationship and what you really long for in a truly genuine relationship.
Well written but I feel many of the emotional situations could have been expanded further and more made of the supporting characters. Little was made of the scene on the rugby pitch or indeed of the reactions to the other players when the end of Jacqueline's relationship exploded. Feel this had the bones of a good story which could have expanded to a great one.
Good read if you want to pass an afternoon reading a love story with a happy ending.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Chris
April 7, 2015
Check out my full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
The Playmaker is an LGBT romance novella from Lane Swift and is a pretty quick read about a young woman at a crossroads in her life. Everything appears to be mapped out for her, ready for the taking, but when she meets and spends time with a teammate of hers, things begin to change and she questions who she really is and what it is she wants and needs.
Both Meg and Jacqueline are in committed relationships but there's a mutual attraction that both try to keep under wraps. Now, kissing may not be considered cheating by some but the others, it's even more intimate than actually having sex with someone, so did Meg and Jacqueline cheat when they shared that kiss? In my humble opinion, yes, they did.
Naturally, there's a great deal of sympathy that I feel for both Fraser and Luisa because it wasn't as if they were terrible partners for either Meg or Jacqueline. My heart broke for poor Fraser because he seemed so loving and kind yet so clueless. Still, the cheating itself was handled realistically and with a sense of maturity that I very much appreciated.
Overall, I liked that the idea of cheating wasn't glamorized and that the story was about one woman's journey of self-realization, needing to be honest with herself and with those around her. Both Meg and Jacqueline were by no means perfect but they felt real and that made them easier to relate to. I'm giving The Playmaker four stars out of five.
Release Date: 08 April 2015
The Playmaker is an LGBT romance novella from Lane Swift and is a pretty quick read about a young woman at a crossroads in her life. Everything appears to be mapped out for her, ready for the taking, but when she meets and spends time with a teammate of hers, things begin to change and she questions who she really is and what it is she wants and needs.
Both Meg and Jacqueline are in committed relationships but there's a mutual attraction that both try to keep under wraps. Now, kissing may not be considered cheating by some but the others, it's even more intimate than actually having sex with someone, so did Meg and Jacqueline cheat when they shared that kiss? In my humble opinion, yes, they did.
Naturally, there's a great deal of sympathy that I feel for both Fraser and Luisa because it wasn't as if they were terrible partners for either Meg or Jacqueline. My heart broke for poor Fraser because he seemed so loving and kind yet so clueless. Still, the cheating itself was handled realistically and with a sense of maturity that I very much appreciated.
Overall, I liked that the idea of cheating wasn't glamorized and that the story was about one woman's journey of self-realization, needing to be honest with herself and with those around her. Both Meg and Jacqueline were by no means perfect but they felt real and that made them easier to relate to. I'm giving The Playmaker four stars out of five.
Release Date: 08 April 2015
July 15, 2015
The Playmaker is the perfect story about love, heartbreak, attraction, conflict, and so many other emotions. The author portrayed each one well, making the reader feel each one alongside of Meg. She seems to coast through life always doing the right thing. Even if that conflicts with her own happiness. I found Meg easy to connect with throughout the story. When she broke things off with her longtime boyfriend, I felt pain and fear alongside of her. As for Jacqueline, I found her difficult to connect with. But, she made Meg happy and that made it easy to tolerate her.
The emotions and angst throughout the story really pull at the reader. As for the chemistry between Meg and Jacqueline, it was off the charts HOT!!! However, the sensuality of their sex scenes made the relationship seem more long term than a rebound quickie. Like I mentioned, the author did such a fantastic job of portraying each emotion and making it easy to connect with them. I loved that most about this book.
If you have an open mind and enjoy LGBT stories, I highly suggest picking up this short book to read.
*I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
The emotions and angst throughout the story really pull at the reader. As for the chemistry between Meg and Jacqueline, it was off the charts HOT!!! However, the sensuality of their sex scenes made the relationship seem more long term than a rebound quickie. Like I mentioned, the author did such a fantastic job of portraying each emotion and making it easy to connect with them. I loved that most about this book.
If you have an open mind and enjoy LGBT stories, I highly suggest picking up this short book to read.
*I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2015
The chemistry between Meg and the object of her initial lust and eventual deeper feelings is scorching hot. Their first encounter, the kiss from the blurb above, is so steamy I think my glasses almost fogged up. Even through all the second guessing and angst the connection between them is constantly sparking.
[Full review at Keysmash]
[Full review at Keysmash]
April 5, 2015
A short read on a journey of attraction and discovery. For Meg, it's a journey of discovery knowing where her feeling lies and making the leap of faith which changes her life; for Jac, it's finding her way to Meg. Though short, the story ties up reasonably well.
April 5, 2015
I had the privilege of beta reading this story and loved it. A great F/F story with real, likable, flawed women in a great British setting. Recommended read!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews