Playing with Surrender: A spicy opposites attract bodyguard romance

by Erika Wilde

470 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2026

About the author

Erika Wilde (aka Janelle Denison) is the USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary romances for multiple print publishers.

Reviews

[Amber (Amber Reads Romance)]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Playing with Surrender is the 3rd book In the Players Club Sinner series. I have been enjoying this series centered around the sex club and I was even more excited since this was a bodyguard romance.

Stella comes from an rich and influential family that doesn't support her dream of opening her own fashion boutique. They just want her to get married and live the socialite lifestyle. She goes to the club to experience one night of freedom and has an amazing night with Tate. Stella thought that was just her one night, but then he shows back up in her life as her bodyguard after she gets a stalker.

I really loved Stella's character. She is sick of being controlled by her family and also doesn't let Tate push her away. She made it impossible for him to resist her. I appreciated how Tate saw her for who she was and supported her completely.


AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Dual Narration by Sean Masters & Rose Dioro

This audiobook was narrated by Sean Masters and Rose Dioro. They both brought the heat and chemistry!

Thank you to Must Love Audio for providing the ALC.

[The Romantic Rush Blog]

Playing with Surrender was such an sexy read. Fast paced, emotional, seriously steamy, and packed with the kind of chemistry that grabs you from the very first chapter. Erika Wilde had me hooked almost immediately, and I flew through Tate and Stella's story in one sitting.

Their first meeting at the Players Club is unforgettable. One incredible night together leaves Tate wondering why Stella disappeared without a word...only for fate to throw them back together when he's assigned as her bodyguard. Bodyguard romances are one of my soft spots, but adding a shared history, forbidden tension, and a BDSM club backdrop? YUM.

What really made this romance work for me was the balance between the heat and the heart. This isn't just smutty fun. The chemistry between Tate and Stella is off the charts from the very beginning, but there's heart to this one too. Tate may be dominant, guarded, and carrying more than his fair share of scars, but underneath all that control is a man who loves fiercely. The quiet ways he supports Stella, believes in her, and fights for her absolutely melted me. Protective heroes are my weakness, and Tate delivered on that. And add in Sean Masters' voice? MELTED.

Stella was just as easy to love. She's spent her entire life trying to be the daughter her powerful family expects, all while having her dreams, ambitions, and opinions dismissed at every turn. Her parents were endlessly frustrating. Watching Stella slowly stop living for everyone else and finally choose herself was such a win. Her growth felt authentic, and seeing Tate encourage that instead of trying to control her made their relationship even stronger.

I also appreciated that both characters are carrying emotional wounds of their own. Their relationship isn't about one person fixing the other. It's about finding someone who makes healing feel possible. The romance is built on trust, vulnerability, and mutual support just as much as attraction, which gave the story a lot of emotional depth beneath all the spice. The suspense element keeps the story moving without overshadowing the romance. The danger surrounding Stella raises the stakes and gives Tate every opportunity to step into full protective mode, which I happily devoured.

The dual audiobook was such a fun way to experience this one. Sean Masters and Rose Dioro were fantastic choices for Tate and Stella. Sean's deep, commanding performance was basically made for Tate's dominant, protective personality, while Rose brought so much warmth and vulnerability to Stella's emotional journey. Their performances captured both the intensity of the romance and the quieter emotional moments beautifully, making the chemistry feel even stronger. Not gonna lie, Sean Master is the reason I picked this up, and he did not disappoint.

Playing with Surrender is sexy, heartfelt, and surprisingly emotional. If you love fiercely protective heroes, heroines finding their strength, forbidden bodyguard romance, and plenty of heat with genuine heart, this one is absolutely worth picking up. Def go for the audio.

What to Expect
🖤 Bodyguard Romance
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Forbidden
🖤 BDSM Club
🖤 Good Girl x Bad Boy
🖤 One Night Stand
🖤 Instant Attraction
🖤 Protective Hero
🖤 Opposites Attract
🖤 Emotional Healing
🖤 Family Trauma
🖤 Romantic Suspense
🖤 Touch Her and Die

[FionaBluesBookCafe]

Playing with Surrender is the 3rd book in the Players Club series by Erica Wilde. Each book in this series seems to get better and better. Tate and Stella were no different. I loved it and I look forward to book 4.

Blurb and such...
Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…
🔥Opposites Attract
🔥Protector Romance
🔥Close Proximity
🔥Good Girl/Bad Boy
🔥Dominant, Alpha Hero

He’s the man I can’t forget. I'm the client he can’t touch. But some rules are meant to be broken.

I’ve spent my whole life being a good girl, and where has it gotten me? Nowhere. So I do something reckless, just for me. I let my best friend drag me to The Players Club where I taste freedom for the first time…and a dark, intense stranger catches me watching what it looks like to truly surrender. With nothing but his voice and hands, he gives me the most explosive night of my life.

It was supposed to be one night of pleasure, until Tate Holland walks back into my life as my full-time bodyguard. Now, he’s professional. Controlled. Off-limits. But every look ignites me. Every command makes me ache. Every moment alone feels like one breath away from breaking every rule just to touch him again.

While keeping me safe, Tate sees the real me beneath the privilege. He challenges me. He believes in me even when my own family doesn’t. And I see the truth behind his walls, the darkness he’s too afraid to unleash, the guilt he carries. The man who thinks he’s too dangerous to love.

But I crave that primal side to him, and I want every piece he tries to hide.

When the danger escalates and betrayal strikes from someone close by, Tate becomes the one man I can trust with my life…and my heart. Now, all that’s left is for him to trust me with his.

Playing with Surrender delivers a spicy bodyguard romance with forbidden tension, a protective alpha hero, good-girl rebellion, forced proximity, and a love story where surrender isn’t weakness—it’s everything.

#erikawilde #protectorromance @theauthor.agency

[Jennifer]

Stella comes from the type of family that expects her to marry the right type of man and get the right type of job. Her parents think of her clothing design business as a phase and hope she’ll grow up soon. So Stella has a fake boyfriend and tells her parents what they want to hear. Tate first meets Stella at the Player’s Club. They have a wonderful night together as he introduces her to the world of the Player’s Club. They never expect to see each other again but Stella ends up in danger and Tate is hired to protect her. Will sparks fly when they see each other again or was it just the passing excitement of the club?
Stella is a good character. The author makes her feel real and likeable. I like that she owned her desires and was willing to act to figure out if the club was something she wanted in her life. I like that she has strong friendships and a good support system. I felt bad for her when her parents talked down to her like only they knew what was best for her. Tate starts out as the man from the club but ends up a good character with a solid foundation. He has strong ties to his family and community. He protects Stella as best as he can given how fast everything moves. The bad guy feels like a real person because they aren’t perfect. I like the conclusion of that part of the story.
I don’t like it when a couple starts out meeting each other at a club like in this book because there is often not a good foundation for a relationship. Stella and Tate actually do get to know each other as they work together to stop the bad guy so I think they could work as a couple.
This is a contemporary romance with adult activity club elements. This story takes place in Los Vegas. I enjoyed this book and will read more from this author in the future.

[Noreen Hussain]

Stella wants to open her own fashion boutique.She has designed clothes for high end clients and wants to launch a new line for men.Her parents think its just a hobby she will grow out of,once she finds the right partner from their social circle.She has had enough of playing the obedient daughter and goes to the players club with her best friend.
She meets Tate and he gives her a night to remember.It is one night only.
Tate has a dark past and doesn't do relationships.He has built walls so high no one can get in.Then he meets Stella and the emotional and physical connection he has with her is different.Then she flees without a single word.
Stella finds out she is in danger when one of her father's enemies targets her.He hires a bodyguard for her,it turns out to be Tate.
They try to keep their relationship professional,but the chemistry they share makes it impossible.
Tate is also not someone her parents will approve of,but Stella doesn't care.She breaks down all the walls Tate has built and they both fall in love.The threat is still out there and Stella is still in danger.
They eventually sort everything out and get to their well deserved happily ever after.
Loved the friendships.Tate and Stella were amazing in their support for each other.
Cannot wait for the next book in the series.

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

[Donna Smith]

Stella and Tate! The connection these two have is right there from the start! The Sinners Club is where Stella might find a new groove that she wasn’t sure she wanted but wants to find out. Her exploration through the club leads her to the public rooms and observing. She also finds a stranger willing to help her explore. Tate can’t help but watch and observe the woman who captures his attention the moment she walks in. No details here but they definitely find something in each other they both have been missing.
Fast forward a bit and they find themselves thrown together in a semi professional fashion. Stella is being threatened and Tate is the bodyguard given the task to protect her. The more they are together, the more they find they never want to be apart.
There is so much I want to say about this book. First and foremost, I love the connection that happens here. Secondly, the support that’s given from each of them is what dream relationships are made of. Third, I love both of them. Stella is not a product of her environment. She is kind and strong. Tate is not a product of what his environment was. He has overcome so much and still feels broken. Stella is the perfect one to show him he’s not.

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

[Laurie]

Oh my, The Sinners Club series just keeps getting sexier with each new book. Erika Wilde’s newest book in this series is Playing With Surrender. This author never disappoints with all aspects of her books. Writing style, beautiful and heartfelt characters that are well developed, sexy, even half the story takes place in the very exotic location of the exotic club, and fall hard for the women their hearts decide to love. I am totally in love with this series. Tate shows Stella what it is really like to surrender to him for one night and how freeing surrender can be with the right person. The connection is instant and so intense that keeping to themselves becomes almost impossible. The between-the-sheets scenes you wonder about? Well, whether you read or listen to Playing With Surrender you will definitely need a fan! No matter whether you’ve read &/or listened to an Erika Wilde book before or are new to this author I’m quite confident you will completely and utterly fall in love with Tate and Stella.🔥🔥🔥

[Elizabeth Hayman]

I absolutely devoured Playing With Surrender by Erika Wilde; an easy 5-star read for me! As an ARC reader, I was hooked from the very first chapter. Stella is strong yet vulnerable in all the right ways, and Tate is the ultimate dominant, alpha protector; intense, commanding, and completely devoted once he lets his guard down.

The bodyguard/protector trope combined with close proximity created nonstop tension, and the good girl/bad boy dynamic made their chemistry absolutely electric. Tate’s need to protect Stella while also battling his own demons added so much depth, and I loved watching their relationship evolve into something real and powerful.

This was steamy, emotional, and addictive; everything I want in a romance. Definitely a must-read if you love possessive heroes and high-stakes passion!

[Riley]

I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my own opinion and I am not influenced by anyone.

Stella Hayward is a strong female but she needed a wild night. She meets a handsome stranger, Tate who shows her how. Later when Stella becomes a target, a security expert from Noble and Associates is assigned to be her bodyguard, Tate Holland.

Tate has what it takes to protect Stella but he is worried that he will ruin her with his dark side. Stella loves that Tate see her for who she really is. The chemistry between these two jumps off the page.

I love the world of the Players Club and the folks at Noble and Associates. The story is written and paced well. I feel like their world is real. There is action and suspense too and didn't want to put the book down at night. Playing With Surrender is another great addition to the series.

[Lyn Brownlie]

Wow! So spicy
What a fantastic story.
This is book 3 in The Players Club Sinners series which follows bodyguard Tate and up and coming fashion designer Stella, meeting and spending one memorable night together.
Surprisingly this is not the end of their interactions together and their next meeting is very unexpected.
I absolutely loved both Stella and Tate, they were perfect for each other plus their chemistry and the spice was amazing.
This was a story of danger, revenge and kidnapping but also of a woman’s growth in believing in herself, standing up for what’s right and pushing herself to the limit with the pleasure she wants to experience with her body.
I adored the characters and storyline and am looking forward to more books in this series.
Thank you Erika and Booksprout for the opportunity to read this book.

[SJ]

Tate and Stella are absolute fire together. The tension, build-up, and forbiddeness of their relationship were just delicious. Let me tell you, the whole good girl/bad boy opposites attract with this dominant pure alpha man just did it for me, and I ate it up. The spice balanced well with the suspenseful plot. This was so easy to read, I was entertained the whole way through.

Tropes:
Opposites attract
Bodyguard
Forbidden
One night stand
Close proximity
Dominant Alpha MMC
Primal Play
Kink
Bad boy/Good Girl
Dual POV

Check TW

Book 3 in the Players and Sinners series can be read as a standalone.

Thank you, TAA and Erika Wilde, for the opportunity to read this book.

[gabreadsbooks]

Exactly what I wanted from this book. It was sexy and romantic.

The dynamic between Abby and Tate is fantastic. I couldn't get enough of them. The romance really blossoms over time but the attraction is instant which created a lot of great tension between them. Their chemistry is also electric and undeniable. These two were passionate! I also liked that the romance really delved into how much trust and vulnerability is needed in romance. I thought the BDSM bits of the story played well into that theme.

The characters were also wonderful on their own. Watching Abby gain her independence and Tate heal from his emotional scars were great to read. They both had emotional journeys to go on which were satisfying.

A great read! Can be read as a standalone.

[Heather]

This was a seductive and spicy story. Erika Wilde writes great books, and this one is no exception. The story centers on Stella and Tate, two people who have an intense anonymous encounter and then meet again under very different circumstances. Tate has been hired to protect Stella, yet despite his work ethic, he finds himself unable to resist the intriguing woman. There was just the right blend of romance, suspense, spice and seriousness. The characters are both multi-faceted and their chemistry was off the charts delicious. I enjoyed every word of this one. Recommended.

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

[Linda]

Oh. Em. Gee.
I am so in love with Ms. Wilde's stories!

Bodyguard. Off-limits. I'm swooning! I want a Tate!!!

He believes he can't have her!
She believes he can!

Will Stella win the battle or will Tate?
I was on Stella's side the whole way (you know, since I could jump into the pages myself! LOL!)

Suspense.
Great plot.
Great characters.
St.St.St.STEAMY!!!

Book 3 from her Players Club Sinners.
I sure do hope there are more than four!
I am in love with this series!

[Kimberly]

This book was pure fire, and I couldn't get enough of it. I finished it in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. Stella meets a sexy stranger at the Player's Club, and they have an incredible night. She meets Tate again when he becomes her bodyguard. This romance is forbidden and spicy and Stella wants it all. Tate believes he doesn't deserve anything because he is to dark.

This book has everything from the hot bodyguard, steam, and betrayal. It was good from start to finish and I enjoyed reading it.

[lf]

Absolutely Fantastic!

Playing with Surrender is the third book in the Players Club Sinners series by Erika Wilde. I really enjoy this author and this book lived up to my expectations....running on all cylinders so to say. The story is filled with passion, seduction, intense emotions, forbidden fruit, longing, awakening, and a lot more. From the first page in the story of Stella Hayward and Tate Holland you are sucked into the pages and I guarantee you will not be able to put it down.

[Surrender2silk]

book three in the Players Club Sinners series. stella has no control of her life. her parents tell her what to do, what to say and act. one night she decides to make sure own decision and have fun at the playing club. that where she meets tate. he shows her how to take control. the next morning he wakes up alone. when her father slide gets treated he hires bodyguards to take care of his family. that’s where she meets tate again. her new bodyguard. he knows she off limits. he can’t get her out of his mind. he hates how she puts everyone needs before her. he wants to keep it professional it when her life is in danger all bets are off he’s claiming his girl.

[Theresa]

Stella and Tates story is so good. Erika Wild never disappoints with the story, love, intrigue and just never wanting to put the book down, and always wanting more. Stella and Tate have that spark and you can’t help rooting for them. I can’t wait for whatever is next with Erika Wilde. This series has always been one of her best.

[The Rampant Reader]

Want something spicy to read? This is it.

This book seemed to have it all from a s€x club to k!nk exploration including consensual primal and voyeurism. Add in an alpha hero/bodyguard, a good girl who wants to be bad and isn’t afraid of crossing that client line, and mix in a dash of dirty talk and call it a night.

This is a standalone in a series. It isn’t necessary to read in order.

[Erika]

Stella accompanies her friend to the Player Club. She is able to lose control and have a night worth remembering. She is stunned to see who her bodyguard is. Let the sparks start to fly. This is a hot story from the first word.

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

[Pennie Morgan]

This is book 3 in this series and Stella and Tate's book. Stella is dragged to the Players Club and there she meets Tate. He knows what she needs and she is able to let herself go. Oh yes!

**Received this ARC for review**

[Michele]

I absolutely loved everything about this book. If you like really spicy romances. Then this a book for you. I finished it in 1 day. I can not wait for Erika’s next release.

[Nate]

Playing with surrender was Stella and Tate‘s story. It was a wonderful experience. Looking forward to reading more in this series. I received an early copy. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Karla Escutia]

Good read.