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The Wedding Pact #2
The Player
Book two in the USA Today bestselling The Wedding Pact series.
Divorce attorney Blair Hansen is convinced that marriage should be based on practicality, not passion. But as her own wedding approaches, she finds herself remembering her law school boyfriend, the only man she's ever loved, and regretting what might have been. Then a twist of fate lands Garrett back in her life, and the man who loomed large in her past is suddenly casting a shadow over her wedding, making her question everything. To complicate matters further, the job she loves is in peril, and she can feel the ‘perfect’ life she’s fashioned for herself start to crumble under her feet. Could everything she's believed about life and love be wrong?
Garrett Lowry is a divorce attorney who's ready to settle down. The problem is that he can’t find a woman who suits him nearly as well as the one he loved and lost. He broke her heart by playing the field after their break up—something he’s always regretted. But after months of pining for Blair, Garrett stumbles across her in a freak coincidence—and then destiny keeps throwing them together, the coincidences becoming ever more unlikely. He’s convinced it's a sign they should give their love a second chance, but Blair is engaged to another man—a man who is absolutely wrong for her.
Can Garrett convince Blair that a player once isn’t a player forever, and that happy endings aren’t just for dreamers?
Divorce attorney Blair Hansen is convinced that marriage should be based on practicality, not passion. But as her own wedding approaches, she finds herself remembering her law school boyfriend, the only man she's ever loved, and regretting what might have been. Then a twist of fate lands Garrett back in her life, and the man who loomed large in her past is suddenly casting a shadow over her wedding, making her question everything. To complicate matters further, the job she loves is in peril, and she can feel the ‘perfect’ life she’s fashioned for herself start to crumble under her feet. Could everything she's believed about life and love be wrong?
Garrett Lowry is a divorce attorney who's ready to settle down. The problem is that he can’t find a woman who suits him nearly as well as the one he loved and lost. He broke her heart by playing the field after their break up—something he’s always regretted. But after months of pining for Blair, Garrett stumbles across her in a freak coincidence—and then destiny keeps throwing them together, the coincidences becoming ever more unlikely. He’s convinced it's a sign they should give their love a second chance, but Blair is engaged to another man—a man who is absolutely wrong for her.
Can Garrett convince Blair that a player once isn’t a player forever, and that happy endings aren’t just for dreamers?
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2015
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June 2, 2015
The Player is book two in The Wedding Pact series by Denise Grover Swank. This author can just about do it all. She can make you laugh, make you cry, make you angry, and make you sigh. This book covers just about all of these emotions.
Blair Anne Myers Hansen is a tough woman, or at least she wants you to think she is. There is only one man that she has ever let see her vulnerable side and that was five years ago and he was the man that broke her heart. Now she is a divorce attorney. She sees the worst side of love, the side that happens after all the flutters wear off. She is never going to allow herself to be in that position so she is getting ready to marry a man that she sees as safe. A non-passionate union that is beneficial to them both. She needs to be married to be promoted to partner in her law firm. This is what she wants, right? The career, the safe marriage? But what about love?
Garrett Lowry never got over Blair. After they broke up, he tried to fill the emptiness with every female he could get his hands on. But five years later, nothing worked. She was the only woman he wanted. All of a sudden, he finds himself face to face with her. Could this be fate giving him a second chance to win her back. But she is wearing an engagement ring. Come to find out, she is marrying his cousin who he has never liked. But he has a week. Can he prove to her that he still loves her and that his cousin is not the man for her, that he is the only man that she should be marrying?
Neil is the man Blair is supposed to be marrying. Let me just get to the point here. Neil is worse than a snake in the grass.
He is worse than pond scum.
He is worse than mold.
But when all of this seems so easy to see to me, Blair seemed blind to it all. Maybe she just didn’t want to see it. When Garrett was thrust back into her life, her emotions woke up. She finally started to question what it was that she really wanted.
“As she stared at him now, an undeniable feeling of longing rose up within her, and she wasn’t sure she had the strength to stay away from him.”
So…when you throw together one very stressed out bride to be, one man willing to do anything to win back the woman he loves, one conniving low life groom to be, a crazy monster-in-law mother of the groom, two feuding mothers, a couple of crazy grannies, what do you get…CHAOS!
This book was so much fun as these characters stumbled through all the pre-wedding festivities. I laughed out loud more than once. But one emotion I wasn’t prepared to feel so strongly was anger. I caught myself talking, or maybe it was yelling, at Blair. Wanting her to see what I saw.
This book was a crazy ride that kept me entertained from the beginning to the end. I also loved re-visiting Megan and Josh from the first book of this series, The Substitute, and getting a glimpse into their wedded bliss. Denise Grover Swank has done it again with The Player and I look forward to the next book in the series, The Gambler which will be Libby’s story.
Blair Anne Myers Hansen is a tough woman, or at least she wants you to think she is. There is only one man that she has ever let see her vulnerable side and that was five years ago and he was the man that broke her heart. Now she is a divorce attorney. She sees the worst side of love, the side that happens after all the flutters wear off. She is never going to allow herself to be in that position so she is getting ready to marry a man that she sees as safe. A non-passionate union that is beneficial to them both. She needs to be married to be promoted to partner in her law firm. This is what she wants, right? The career, the safe marriage? But what about love?
Garrett Lowry never got over Blair. After they broke up, he tried to fill the emptiness with every female he could get his hands on. But five years later, nothing worked. She was the only woman he wanted. All of a sudden, he finds himself face to face with her. Could this be fate giving him a second chance to win her back. But she is wearing an engagement ring. Come to find out, she is marrying his cousin who he has never liked. But he has a week. Can he prove to her that he still loves her and that his cousin is not the man for her, that he is the only man that she should be marrying?
Neil is the man Blair is supposed to be marrying. Let me just get to the point here. Neil is worse than a snake in the grass.
He is worse than pond scum.
He is worse than mold.
But when all of this seems so easy to see to me, Blair seemed blind to it all. Maybe she just didn’t want to see it. When Garrett was thrust back into her life, her emotions woke up. She finally started to question what it was that she really wanted.
“As she stared at him now, an undeniable feeling of longing rose up within her, and she wasn’t sure she had the strength to stay away from him.”
So…when you throw together one very stressed out bride to be, one man willing to do anything to win back the woman he loves, one conniving low life groom to be, a crazy monster-in-law mother of the groom, two feuding mothers, a couple of crazy grannies, what do you get…CHAOS!
This book was so much fun as these characters stumbled through all the pre-wedding festivities. I laughed out loud more than once. But one emotion I wasn’t prepared to feel so strongly was anger. I caught myself talking, or maybe it was yelling, at Blair. Wanting her to see what I saw.
This book was a crazy ride that kept me entertained from the beginning to the end. I also loved re-visiting Megan and Josh from the first book of this series, The Substitute, and getting a glimpse into their wedded bliss. Denise Grover Swank has done it again with The Player and I look forward to the next book in the series, The Gambler which will be Libby’s story.
October 7, 2016
This novel tested my patience throughout the length of the book!!!
All the pet peeves combined in a single book ???
What more can a girl ask for ???
▬Love triangle ?? ✅
▬Two brother/Cousins one girl?? ✅
▬Family drama?? ✅
▬Pathetic MCs?? ✅
▬Cheating Partners?? ✅
▬Poor writing?? ✅
▬An attorney who can't win a single argument in real life?? ✅
▬No chemistry between the MCs ?? ✅
▬Marriage calling off with one guy, calling on with the other, then calling off with the seceond guy to call on with the first one, then calling off again to be with second guy then calling off and so on and so forth......?? ✅
This had to be the shittiest novel I ever read!!!
Need I say more??
All the pet peeves combined in a single book ???
What more can a girl ask for ???
▬Love triangle ?? ✅
▬Two brother/Cousins one girl?? ✅
▬Family drama?? ✅
▬Pathetic MCs?? ✅
▬Cheating Partners?? ✅
▬Poor writing?? ✅
▬An attorney who can't win a single argument in real life?? ✅
▬No chemistry between the MCs ?? ✅
▬Marriage calling off with one guy, calling on with the other, then calling off with the seceond guy to call on with the first one, then calling off again to be with second guy then calling off and so on and so forth......?? ✅
This had to be the shittiest novel I ever read!!!
Need I say more??
June 15, 2015
I have absolutely loved every book I have read by this author but this book did not work for me at all. Blair is a successful attorney but she is so stupid when it comes to her personal life. I did not feel any kind of romantic connection between her and Garrett or even why she was with Neil. I had so many issues with all three of them and the silly back and forth that I just could not enjoy this story. I will read the next book in this series because I did love the first one but this particular story just was not for me.
November 3, 2015
This book was doomed from the start. It had poor foundations and I think the story just isn't good. First, it depended heavily on misunderstandings. I haaaaate this. I hate it when conflicts are drawn out when it could be solved with one conversation. This drawn out conflict also affects the characters. Blair has to be characterized as overly critical but she doesn't apply that characteristic to her fiance, who was so one dimensional in his villainy that I was surprised he wasn't twirling a moustache. I thought this was a cheap ploy on top of another cheap ploy to have the hero and heroine be sympathetic. Of course I'm going to be against the villain who is a manipulative, cheating, gold digging, lying asshole. Who would root for such a person? However, I recognize it was a cheap and not so subtle manipulation and I fault the author for that. I dislike one dimensional characters and this one and the other people in this story were so undeveloped.
The book does have some occasional jokes here and there but in the context of the other flaws, I view it as kind of desperate. There is an appeal to familiarity with contemporary references to hashtag twitter stuff, which just reeked try hard. I did laugh at the heimlich manoeuvre being mistaken as the heil hitler.
The book has the beginnings of a good book, it's there but the writing isn't up to par. I think the book had a good idea but a bad execution. To be sure, the conflict of rekindling a broken relationship was a hard one to tackle but the book went about it in a sloppy manner. I think it wanted the cake and eat it too. It wanted the break up to make sense while keeping the characters likable, hence the misunderstanding as the main reason for breakup. The book wanted the characters to be fated for each other, hence the really drawn out misunderstanding, despite the fact that if they just listened, it could have been resolved really quickly. You'd think that if they loved each other and they would be able to have one conversation where they didn't assume the worst. I thought the use of misunderstanding was the easy solution when the author didn't want to make hard choices or take up the challenge, hence why I didn't like the book. I thought the book employed really cheap tactics and it wasn't a good read.
Anyways, on top of the big misunderstanding cliche was Blair. I thought she was a bitch. She was a bitch in book one and I thought she was a bitch in her book too. I wanted to know why Garrett was in love with her, for her to exhibit the traits he found adorable. All I got was this lady who was really rough around the edges with little redeeming factor. I was rolling my eyes when she accused him of cheating again but I give points to the fact that she realized she was wrong before he plead his innocence AGAIN.
By the end, I kind of wanted her to grovel because the effort had been so one sided on his part. Why were they trying to win her over? She was absolutely not worth it. The romance kept being told instead of shown and it just didn't help. I was glad when the book was over, I felt like it was floundered from the very beginning.
The story revolves around Blair and Garrett. They were once in love but broke things off after a hot tempered fight. She instigated the fight because she didn't know how to deal with her father's death. He didn't know about her father's death and he was also having a crappy day. They fought over a small thing and it blew up. He packed his things and went drinking with his friends. The next day, she found a woman in his room and she assumed the worst. Nothing happened between the woman and him. She was just one of the people he was drinking with. He went to explain and went to great lengths to do so. She rebuffed him at every turn. He did so for two weeks until he gave up. He proceeded to enjoy his single life while she resented him for it. Years later, they meet again when both are stranded.
He was sent by his grandmother, who was playing matchmaker, to Blair's wedding under the guise of solving a family issue surrounding a ring. He realized he wanted her and when he saw that she wasn't happy with her impending marriage, he made efforts to see if they could work out. It just so happens that the fiance is an asshole of the highest order who was cheating on her and wanted her money. The asshole raised the stakes by getting his friend to spread the story that she would only make partner if she was married. She was then conflicted. A lot of dialogue ensued surrounding whether she should marry her fiance. A lot of it surrounded the fact that she can't trust her feelings for Garrett and it was safer to go with Neil. It turns out he wasn't safe at all as he turns out to be a blackmailing asshole. She and Garrett end up together.
The book does have some occasional jokes here and there but in the context of the other flaws, I view it as kind of desperate. There is an appeal to familiarity with contemporary references to hashtag twitter stuff, which just reeked try hard. I did laugh at the heimlich manoeuvre being mistaken as the heil hitler.
The book has the beginnings of a good book, it's there but the writing isn't up to par. I think the book had a good idea but a bad execution. To be sure, the conflict of rekindling a broken relationship was a hard one to tackle but the book went about it in a sloppy manner. I think it wanted the cake and eat it too. It wanted the break up to make sense while keeping the characters likable, hence the misunderstanding as the main reason for breakup. The book wanted the characters to be fated for each other, hence the really drawn out misunderstanding, despite the fact that if they just listened, it could have been resolved really quickly. You'd think that if they loved each other and they would be able to have one conversation where they didn't assume the worst. I thought the use of misunderstanding was the easy solution when the author didn't want to make hard choices or take up the challenge, hence why I didn't like the book. I thought the book employed really cheap tactics and it wasn't a good read.
Anyways, on top of the big misunderstanding cliche was Blair. I thought she was a bitch. She was a bitch in book one and I thought she was a bitch in her book too. I wanted to know why Garrett was in love with her, for her to exhibit the traits he found adorable. All I got was this lady who was really rough around the edges with little redeeming factor. I was rolling my eyes when she accused him of cheating again but I give points to the fact that she realized she was wrong before he plead his innocence AGAIN.
By the end, I kind of wanted her to grovel because the effort had been so one sided on his part. Why were they trying to win her over? She was absolutely not worth it. The romance kept being told instead of shown and it just didn't help. I was glad when the book was over, I felt like it was floundered from the very beginning.
The story revolves around Blair and Garrett. They were once in love but broke things off after a hot tempered fight. She instigated the fight because she didn't know how to deal with her father's death. He didn't know about her father's death and he was also having a crappy day. They fought over a small thing and it blew up. He packed his things and went drinking with his friends. The next day, she found a woman in his room and she assumed the worst. Nothing happened between the woman and him. She was just one of the people he was drinking with. He went to explain and went to great lengths to do so. She rebuffed him at every turn. He did so for two weeks until he gave up. He proceeded to enjoy his single life while she resented him for it. Years later, they meet again when both are stranded.
He was sent by his grandmother, who was playing matchmaker, to Blair's wedding under the guise of solving a family issue surrounding a ring. He realized he wanted her and when he saw that she wasn't happy with her impending marriage, he made efforts to see if they could work out. It just so happens that the fiance is an asshole of the highest order who was cheating on her and wanted her money. The asshole raised the stakes by getting his friend to spread the story that she would only make partner if she was married. She was then conflicted. A lot of dialogue ensued surrounding whether she should marry her fiance. A lot of it surrounded the fact that she can't trust her feelings for Garrett and it was safer to go with Neil. It turns out he wasn't safe at all as he turns out to be a blackmailing asshole. She and Garrett end up together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2015
~~I received this in exchange for my honest opinion~~
Denise has done it again. This book will definitely make you laugh hard at some of the crazy things that happen in this book. But what can you do? They are family (or at least they will be). Blair is the next to get married in The Pact series. She is a nonsense kinds of woman. She is also a divorce lawyer, she knows that when you love someone or something, it will break, or you will. When her past sneaks up on her, will she be the same old Blair, or will she remember what it is like to feel?
OK, so I stayed up until almost two reading this book, yes, you are not going to want to put it down.. AT ALL!!! There are parts of this book that you will laugh... with such lines as "does anyone know the Heil Hitler". That is just the beginning of the shenannigans. I had tears in my eyes, I was laughing, I was angry. Hell, I think I went through the entire steps of grief, this book as it all! If you loved Gram and her Naked Yoga, you will love Nana Ruby and her Ozark penny pinching (I know I do!!). You need to get this book now!! You will not regret it at all!!
Denise has done it again. This book will definitely make you laugh hard at some of the crazy things that happen in this book. But what can you do? They are family (or at least they will be). Blair is the next to get married in The Pact series. She is a nonsense kinds of woman. She is also a divorce lawyer, she knows that when you love someone or something, it will break, or you will. When her past sneaks up on her, will she be the same old Blair, or will she remember what it is like to feel?
OK, so I stayed up until almost two reading this book, yes, you are not going to want to put it down.. AT ALL!!! There are parts of this book that you will laugh... with such lines as "does anyone know the Heil Hitler". That is just the beginning of the shenannigans. I had tears in my eyes, I was laughing, I was angry. Hell, I think I went through the entire steps of grief, this book as it all! If you loved Gram and her Naked Yoga, you will love Nana Ruby and her Ozark penny pinching (I know I do!!). You need to get this book now!! You will not regret it at all!!
May 30, 2017
I had no expectations going into this book. It was free, and looked like it was going to be a veritable trope fest of cutesy couples running around the altar so I was more than prepared to dislike whatever contemporary crapfest the author came up with.
Surprise! It was pretty funny.
The heroine is in a boring relationship with a boring fiancee so she can make partner at her law firm. A emotional and passionate relationship has left her cold. Her old flame shows up to put a wrench in her plans.
Okay, okay, okay, okay. The romance was okay, but what held my interest and had me laughing was the Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya-ness of it all. Boring fiancee's family, especially the Mom, is so horrible it's hysterical.
Surprise! It was pretty funny.
The heroine is in a boring relationship with a boring fiancee so she can make partner at her law firm. A emotional and passionate relationship has left her cold. Her old flame shows up to put a wrench in her plans.
Okay, okay, okay, okay. The romance was okay, but what held my interest and had me laughing was the Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya-ness of it all. Boring fiancee's family, especially the Mom, is so horrible it's hysterical.
March 16, 2021
Audiobook Review:
Well I thought this second book would be a bit better than the first but it just did not do it for me. Not sure what happened but it just couldn't keep my interest although I finished the listen. Not sure if I want to continue to book 3 of this series or maybe third times the charm and might be a bit better.
Well I thought this second book would be a bit better than the first but it just did not do it for me. Not sure what happened but it just couldn't keep my interest although I finished the listen. Not sure if I want to continue to book 3 of this series or maybe third times the charm and might be a bit better.
June 5, 2015
what the fuck?
did not finish at 80%. i could finish the book. i could. but i don't want to because it will be a complete waste of my time.
this is the most ridiculous book ever. i felt like i was reading some soap opera shits. what's up with all the cheesy storylines and theatrics. the common 'misunderstanding' plot is just lame.
and the fact that blair went from agreeing to marry neil, then to garrett then back to neil AND THEN GARRETT AGAIN? fuck off. i do not have time for this childish crap.
i've read awful books but i've never been so pissed after reading a book. blame it on the ridiculous plot. blair is dumb for a lawyer. ugh.
did not finish at 80%. i could finish the book. i could. but i don't want to because it will be a complete waste of my time.
this is the most ridiculous book ever. i felt like i was reading some soap opera shits. what's up with all the cheesy storylines and theatrics. the common 'misunderstanding' plot is just lame.
and the fact that blair went from agreeing to marry neil, then to garrett then back to neil AND THEN GARRETT AGAIN? fuck off. i do not have time for this childish crap.
i've read awful books but i've never been so pissed after reading a book. blame it on the ridiculous plot. blair is dumb for a lawyer. ugh.
August 13, 2017
2.5 Stars. I really enjoyed parts of this. I like the 2nd chance romance trope and thought it was done pretty well here. I liked Garrett. Blair was just so, SO unlikable, though! I hated her in the first book of the series and thought being in her head this time around would make me understand her behavior, but it didn't. Sure, she was hurt in the past, but I don't think that can completely excuse how bitchy she was to everyone, including her best friends who were always there for her. I was going to give this 3 stars, but the more I think about Blair, the more it brings the whole story down for me, so I'm going with 2.5.
February 25, 2019
Denise brings the girls back together in this second book in the Wedding Pact series. This one is Blair's wedding. We also get a peek as to what Megs and Josh have been up to, as well as Libby.
Practical, pragmatic, sensible Blair wanted a heart-stopping, butterflies-in-her-stomach kind of love. Was she going to find it with Dr Neil Fredrick? These are the things Blair was contemplating whilst stranded on her way home to finalize her wedding, when in walks Garrett Lowery, her ex.
Garrett Lowery was her boyfriend back in college 5 years ago. After a heated argument, Garrett storms home to cool off. Blair waits until the morning to go over and sort out their problem when she is greeted at the door by a strange woman only wearing her underwear. No second chances is Blair's middle name, and even though Garrett pleaded to let him explain, that ended their relationship.
Not seeing each other in 5 years, they have now met twice in a 24 hour period. Garrett thinks it is kismet - a sign of pursuing Blair and working out their differences. But she has other ideas, and the major one being her wedding. He also has to sort out a family feud between his mother and Aunt, at his Nana Ruby's insistence. Garrett only has a few days to convince Blair that she is not meant to marry his boring cousin, but instead she is meant be marry him.
Denise brings plenty of humor into this tale, and one of course that has you laughing is Megan's Gram, who makes an appearance at the Kitchen Tea hosted by Knickers. Grams loves a good party, so she was happy to join in on the one in the pool! Another scene that had me giggling was when Neil's mother is faking to joke, and her husband asks "does anyone know the Heil Hilter?" To which Garrett replies, "it's the Heimlich, Uncle Gene,".
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it whole heartedly. It can be read as a stand alone, but you would be missing out on the other girls weddings, which would be tragic in my opinion.
I was luck enough to be chosen to receive an ARC for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
Practical, pragmatic, sensible Blair wanted a heart-stopping, butterflies-in-her-stomach kind of love. Was she going to find it with Dr Neil Fredrick? These are the things Blair was contemplating whilst stranded on her way home to finalize her wedding, when in walks Garrett Lowery, her ex.
Garrett Lowery was her boyfriend back in college 5 years ago. After a heated argument, Garrett storms home to cool off. Blair waits until the morning to go over and sort out their problem when she is greeted at the door by a strange woman only wearing her underwear. No second chances is Blair's middle name, and even though Garrett pleaded to let him explain, that ended their relationship.
Not seeing each other in 5 years, they have now met twice in a 24 hour period. Garrett thinks it is kismet - a sign of pursuing Blair and working out their differences. But she has other ideas, and the major one being her wedding. He also has to sort out a family feud between his mother and Aunt, at his Nana Ruby's insistence. Garrett only has a few days to convince Blair that she is not meant to marry his boring cousin, but instead she is meant be marry him.
Denise brings plenty of humor into this tale, and one of course that has you laughing is Megan's Gram, who makes an appearance at the Kitchen Tea hosted by Knickers. Grams loves a good party, so she was happy to join in on the one in the pool! Another scene that had me giggling was when Neil's mother is faking to joke, and her husband asks "does anyone know the Heil Hilter?" To which Garrett replies, "it's the Heimlich, Uncle Gene,".
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it whole heartedly. It can be read as a stand alone, but you would be missing out on the other girls weddings, which would be tragic in my opinion.
I was luck enough to be chosen to receive an ARC for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
March 22, 2023
1.5 Stars
I don't know if I am the best person to review this book since I am not a big fan for second chance romance, but I had other issues with this book
The book is about the other friend Blair, she is a top notch lawyer who is dreaming to be partner in her firm, and she is getting ready to marry her two years boyfriend Neil, but to her surprise she stumbles upon her past love Garret during her rehearsal dinner, and Garret see's it as the second chance he wanted with her, can he convince Blair that he didn't sleep with other women until they broke up ?
I hope I'm conveying my irritation with the story, and I feel bumped about it because Blair was such a good character and I wanted her to end up with someone understanding who wants her to be a new and improved version of herself, but Garret was getting on my nerves, because all he wanted was the Blair he knew in college .. that's why I don't like second chance romance, because most of the time their "second chance" will be just recreating our past romance which will be based on our memories, nobody is allowed to change, because if they do, they will not be compatible anymore, it's really toxic and I don't like it
also, what's up with cheating in the this series???!!!, everyone is cheating on everyone, Garret whored around and everyone knew it but nobody bat an eyelash, but when Neil does ?? the sky will fall
I never liked Garret .. Blair deserves better than this
I don't know if I am the best person to review this book since I am not a big fan for second chance romance, but I had other issues with this book
The book is about the other friend Blair, she is a top notch lawyer who is dreaming to be partner in her firm, and she is getting ready to marry her two years boyfriend Neil, but to her surprise she stumbles upon her past love Garret during her rehearsal dinner, and Garret see's it as the second chance he wanted with her, can he convince Blair that he didn't sleep with other women until they broke up ?
I hope I'm conveying my irritation with the story, and I feel bumped about it because Blair was such a good character and I wanted her to end up with someone understanding who wants her to be a new and improved version of herself, but Garret was getting on my nerves, because all he wanted was the Blair he knew in college .. that's why I don't like second chance romance, because most of the time their "second chance" will be just recreating our past romance which will be based on our memories, nobody is allowed to change, because if they do, they will not be compatible anymore, it's really toxic and I don't like it
also, what's up with cheating in the this series???!!!, everyone is cheating on everyone, Garret whored around and everyone knew it but nobody bat an eyelash, but when Neil does ?? the sky will fall
I never liked Garret .. Blair deserves better than this
April 18, 2021
Miałam zamiar przeczytać parę stron przed snem, a zarwałam noc bo nie mogłam się oderwać!
Świetny romans z nutką humoru, gdzie autorka manipuluje czytelnikiem by od pierwszych stron wiedzieć, do kogo nie pałać zbytnią sympatią😂
I diabeł przemianowy na Lorda Voldemorta to miód na me serduszko 💛⚡
Świetny romans z nutką humoru, gdzie autorka manipuluje czytelnikiem by od pierwszych stron wiedzieć, do kogo nie pałać zbytnią sympatią😂
I diabeł przemianowy na Lorda Voldemorta to miód na me serduszko 💛⚡
December 12, 2022
Trochę gorsza od poprzedniej części, ale również dobrze się bawiłam.
May 29, 2015
***I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
Let me start by saying Blair is a woman after my own heart. I've loved her since she first showed up in the Substitute. Her brash, warrior attitude is not only front that helps her protect those that she loves the most and herself, its also truly a part of who she is and I love all of her. Her sharp mind, quick wit and fierce demeanor would be a challenge for any man, so finding a man that will push her to let go of her hard fought for control would be tough. Garrett was more than up for the challenge. HIs support of all things Blair, his willingness to sacrifice his own heart for her happiness and his overall charm won me over. It was hard fight I'll admit. I wasn't completely sold on Garrett from the beginning and not because of his 'player' status. It took me a while to really get to know him in order to see how he fit for her. At one point, though, during Blair's loss of control, before she started listening to her heart, Blair spiraled, taking me with her. I was confused about who she was becoming and for a while I thought I wasn't going to like Denise's latest release, then as the ending drew nearer I realized that I had unwittingly been on one of Denise's character building roller coasters for both of them. Both Garrett and Blair were built, torn down then rebuilt into something far more beautiful than they ever started as. This is why I read Denise. After countless books she still manages to take me on a ride that I'd never expect. While this is essentially a Rom-Com, so the plot is predictable - the characters are not. Things that you might right off as, 'trying to hard' turn into mind blowing changes that I should have seen coming - but I didn't. Maybe because Blair is a woman after my own heart, I was blind to the natural growth (begin to close and all that jazz) initially but by the end, in true Denise fashion it all came tumbling into perspective. Great job Denise on this sneaky, sneaky win! I can't wait to see how you surprise me in the future!
Let me start by saying Blair is a woman after my own heart. I've loved her since she first showed up in the Substitute. Her brash, warrior attitude is not only front that helps her protect those that she loves the most and herself, its also truly a part of who she is and I love all of her. Her sharp mind, quick wit and fierce demeanor would be a challenge for any man, so finding a man that will push her to let go of her hard fought for control would be tough. Garrett was more than up for the challenge. HIs support of all things Blair, his willingness to sacrifice his own heart for her happiness and his overall charm won me over. It was hard fight I'll admit. I wasn't completely sold on Garrett from the beginning and not because of his 'player' status. It took me a while to really get to know him in order to see how he fit for her. At one point, though, during Blair's loss of control, before she started listening to her heart, Blair spiraled, taking me with her. I was confused about who she was becoming and for a while I thought I wasn't going to like Denise's latest release, then as the ending drew nearer I realized that I had unwittingly been on one of Denise's character building roller coasters for both of them. Both Garrett and Blair were built, torn down then rebuilt into something far more beautiful than they ever started as. This is why I read Denise. After countless books she still manages to take me on a ride that I'd never expect. While this is essentially a Rom-Com, so the plot is predictable - the characters are not. Things that you might right off as, 'trying to hard' turn into mind blowing changes that I should have seen coming - but I didn't. Maybe because Blair is a woman after my own heart, I was blind to the natural growth (begin to close and all that jazz) initially but by the end, in true Denise fashion it all came tumbling into perspective. Great job Denise on this sneaky, sneaky win! I can't wait to see how you surprise me in the future!
May 26, 2015
This book is simply amazing! I must admit I wasn't keen on Blair in The Substitute but being as this is her story we obviously see a lot more of her character and her vulnerable side.
She's engaged to the smarmy, creepy Neil who makes my skin crawl. He also has the most horrible family, especially his controlling mother with her 'curse kitty' purse for every time Blair swears, which, being around his awful mother is quite often!
Neil's nana insists on making the cousin he has hated since childhood one of his groomsmen, to both of their dismay. However, the cousin just happens to be Garrett, her ex boyfriend from law school who broke her heart 5 years ago.
She hasn't seen him since the breakup and is shocked by how much of an effect it has on her to be around him. It soon becomes obvious that they are both still in love with each other, however, there's a snag. Her chance of partnership depends on being married.
While she knows full well that she doesn't love Neil, he is safe, reliable and a Dr. After getting her heart broken by Garrett and having seen the devastating effect her fathers affairs and subsequent divorce had on her and her mother, she has given up on true love and is happy to settle for Mealy Neily.
We get to see more of her friendships with Megan, Libby and her assistant Melissa who are all really worried about her making a mistake by going through with her wedding and after initially being cool to Garrett, they soon see how genuine he is and how much he cares about her.
I'm not going to say any more for fear of giving any more of the story away. All I will say is that this book is simply amazing, it will make you laugh, cry and want to jump into the story to dish out a few sharp slaps!
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 50 stars, another well written book by a fantastic author and I'll look forward to reading Libby's story in September.
She's engaged to the smarmy, creepy Neil who makes my skin crawl. He also has the most horrible family, especially his controlling mother with her 'curse kitty' purse for every time Blair swears, which, being around his awful mother is quite often!
Neil's nana insists on making the cousin he has hated since childhood one of his groomsmen, to both of their dismay. However, the cousin just happens to be Garrett, her ex boyfriend from law school who broke her heart 5 years ago.
She hasn't seen him since the breakup and is shocked by how much of an effect it has on her to be around him. It soon becomes obvious that they are both still in love with each other, however, there's a snag. Her chance of partnership depends on being married.
While she knows full well that she doesn't love Neil, he is safe, reliable and a Dr. After getting her heart broken by Garrett and having seen the devastating effect her fathers affairs and subsequent divorce had on her and her mother, she has given up on true love and is happy to settle for Mealy Neily.
We get to see more of her friendships with Megan, Libby and her assistant Melissa who are all really worried about her making a mistake by going through with her wedding and after initially being cool to Garrett, they soon see how genuine he is and how much he cares about her.
I'm not going to say any more for fear of giving any more of the story away. All I will say is that this book is simply amazing, it will make you laugh, cry and want to jump into the story to dish out a few sharp slaps!
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 50 stars, another well written book by a fantastic author and I'll look forward to reading Libby's story in September.
May 25, 2015
I've never been real good at doing reviews, and when I accepted the ARC I wasn't real sure what I would say or how to say it. So bear with me =0)
I immediately fell in love with Blair in The Substitute. She reminded me a lot of myself. Ice Queen, no nonsense kind of girl. And I was NOT disappointed in The Player. I loved getting to know Blair better.
We start this story with Blair and her fiancee Neil. All seems well, until an unexpected chance encounter with her ex Garrett in a Phoenix hotel. Blair's world seems to tilt on its axis, though she tries in vain to not get thrown off her game by her player ex-boyfriend. As the story progresses we learn that not everything or everyone is how they appear. Everyone is pointing fingers and only one person has a big bag of skeletons in his closet. Garrett finds himself in a battle royal with Neil in order to protect Blair and to try and win her back.
Denise Grover Swank has a way of writing that You feel like you're right there along with the main character, fighting their battles with them, falling in love when they do, being angry when they are. Thus far, everything I have read that Denise has written has made me laugh, cry, and scream out loud "are you kidding me, right now!??!" all within the same book. you will not be disappointed in this book.
I immediately fell in love with Blair in The Substitute. She reminded me a lot of myself. Ice Queen, no nonsense kind of girl. And I was NOT disappointed in The Player. I loved getting to know Blair better.
We start this story with Blair and her fiancee Neil. All seems well, until an unexpected chance encounter with her ex Garrett in a Phoenix hotel. Blair's world seems to tilt on its axis, though she tries in vain to not get thrown off her game by her player ex-boyfriend. As the story progresses we learn that not everything or everyone is how they appear. Everyone is pointing fingers and only one person has a big bag of skeletons in his closet. Garrett finds himself in a battle royal with Neil in order to protect Blair and to try and win her back.
Denise Grover Swank has a way of writing that You feel like you're right there along with the main character, fighting their battles with them, falling in love when they do, being angry when they are. Thus far, everything I have read that Denise has written has made me laugh, cry, and scream out loud "are you kidding me, right now!??!" all within the same book. you will not be disappointed in this book.
May 27, 2015
I was giving an eARC in return for an honest/early review for its' upcoming release
Review
Two lawyer driven people are about to get their second chance in correcting a wrong to an right.
Blair is determine to get her career push by becoming partners at her firm, however there's a snag . . .
Can she show her bosses that she has a softer side?
All Garrett want to do is settle this never-ending feuding over an family heirloom and get through this wedding that he all of the sudden got put into.
Both Blair and Garrett are about to get the wake up call of a lifetime . . .
Blair and Garrett are reunited, the heat between them are igniting but can they follow their hearts?
With only 5 days both must quickly decide what path they want to go down in life
I give this 4 Cat's Tails Up, When second chance is presented to, you don't let it go to waste.
Read my non-spoilers thoughts with pictures!
http://sassycatsbooksreview.blogspot....
Review
Two lawyer driven people are about to get their second chance in correcting a wrong to an right.
Blair is determine to get her career push by becoming partners at her firm, however there's a snag . . .
Can she show her bosses that she has a softer side?
All Garrett want to do is settle this never-ending feuding over an family heirloom and get through this wedding that he all of the sudden got put into.
Both Blair and Garrett are about to get the wake up call of a lifetime . . .
Blair and Garrett are reunited, the heat between them are igniting but can they follow their hearts?
With only 5 days both must quickly decide what path they want to go down in life
I give this 4 Cat's Tails Up, When second chance is presented to, you don't let it go to waste.
Read my non-spoilers thoughts with pictures!
http://sassycatsbooksreview.blogspot....
May 28, 2015
This is the 2nd book in this series and although I had not read the first book, I didn’t think that it was an issue starting with book #2. Blair is all set to marry her fiancé in a couple of days when her flight back to Kansas City gets delayed and she sees her ex-boyfriend, Garrett (the one who broke her heart) in the bar of her hotel. Blair’s father was a cheater and she is convinced that her ex was a cheater and she has built a wall around her heart. Can Garrett (who has never stopped thinking about her) win her back in time to stop the wedding? The writing and the story line of this book are very well developed. So much so that you will feel like you are right there along with the family. I thought this book was very entertaining. I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review – I liked it so much that I am now going to buy Book #1!
February 22, 2016
Denise Grover Swank has done it again! This delightfully humorous addition to her Wedding Pact series is just so much fun to read and full of laugh out loud quirky situations and heart warming moments that will make you smile. I love Denise's style of writing, no mater what genre she is dealing with, she brings her unique sense of self to each of her books with character driven stories that will touch your heart!
Thank you once again Denise!
Thank you once again Denise!
December 27, 2015
Ridiculous fun, and with a great ending.
Unfortunately, it used the same formula as #1 in the series. which made it a little too predictable along the way. I would have loved more scenes with the icy cold, closed off Blair and her first-love, player Garrett; who turns up five years after they broke up to stop her impending wedding and convince her to choose him insteaf. But he only has five days to do it!
Unfortunately, it used the same formula as #1 in the series. which made it a little too predictable along the way. I would have loved more scenes with the icy cold, closed off Blair and her first-love, player Garrett; who turns up five years after they broke up to stop her impending wedding and convince her to choose him insteaf. But he only has five days to do it!
August 31, 2021
Pierwszy tom serii pokochałam całą sobą i przyznam szczerze, że nie polubiłam Blair i była moją najmniej ulubioną przyjaciółką, dlatego cieszę się, że to jej dotyczy drugi tom i mogę ją poznać lepiej. Uwaga spoiler: jej historia jest świetna, chociaż na pewno nie porwała mnie tak, jak historia Megan. Nie zmienia to faktu, że dostarczyła mi ogromu radości i śmiechu i szukałam każdej sposobności, żeby usiąść w pouśmiechać się jak głupia do siebie.
Blair jest zupełnie inna, jest zamknięta w sobie, zraniona i do bólu praktyczna. Jej związek z Neilem sprawiał mi wręcz fizyczny ból, bo był... no powiem wprost. Był do dupy i nawet najgorszemu wrogowi nie życzyłabym takiej relacji, a myślenie Blair jest głupie i choć chce ona zapobiec pewnym sytuacjom tak naprawdę je prowoku. Sama siebie zapędziła w kozi róg, dlatego tym bardziej cieszy zakończenie, a obserwacja jej przemiany jest cholernie satysfakcjonująca.
Kiedy czytasz mnóstwo książek i skaczesz między gatunkami, ogromnie zaczynasz doceniać historie, które potrafią podnieść cię na duchu, rozbawić i wnieść trochę słońca do twojego życia i to jedna z tych historii. Ma momenty, podczas których się skrzywiłam, czasami chciałam walnąć Blair w głowę, żeby się ogarnęła i zdecydowanie byłam #teamGarett! Doceniam też to, że jednak bohaterowie poprzedniej historii występują i biorą czynny udział, a nie stanowią tylko tło historii i nie zapomnieliśmy o nich. Chociaż zdecydowanie większą rolę odgrywają poznani już mężczyźni.
To ciepła, zabawna historia, zdecydowanie dla tych, którzy wierzą w romanse i miłość, inaczej możecie się gorzko rozczarować.
Blair jest zupełnie inna, jest zamknięta w sobie, zraniona i do bólu praktyczna. Jej związek z Neilem sprawiał mi wręcz fizyczny ból, bo był... no powiem wprost. Był do dupy i nawet najgorszemu wrogowi nie życzyłabym takiej relacji, a myślenie Blair jest głupie i choć chce ona zapobiec pewnym sytuacjom tak naprawdę je prowoku. Sama siebie zapędziła w kozi róg, dlatego tym bardziej cieszy zakończenie, a obserwacja jej przemiany jest cholernie satysfakcjonująca.
Kiedy czytasz mnóstwo książek i skaczesz między gatunkami, ogromnie zaczynasz doceniać historie, które potrafią podnieść cię na duchu, rozbawić i wnieść trochę słońca do twojego życia i to jedna z tych historii. Ma momenty, podczas których się skrzywiłam, czasami chciałam walnąć Blair w głowę, żeby się ogarnęła i zdecydowanie byłam #teamGarett! Doceniam też to, że jednak bohaterowie poprzedniej historii występują i biorą czynny udział, a nie stanowią tylko tło historii i nie zapomnieliśmy o nich. Chociaż zdecydowanie większą rolę odgrywają poznani już mężczyźni.
To ciepła, zabawna historia, zdecydowanie dla tych, którzy wierzą w romanse i miłość, inaczej możecie się gorzko rozczarować.
January 4, 2021
Twisted fun
Wow this book was a absolutely frustrating yet highly addictive read. I absolutely loved it.
Blair is getting married soon to Dr. Frederick. But yet she has her doubts. Especially lately. She doesn’t really love him, but he is
compatible and safe. But things just go from bad to worse when his cousin in the wedding turns out to be the very man that broke her heart in law school. Now the seeds of doubt is worse and she doesn’t know what’s true and what’s a conquest.
Garrett is lost in life. No one has measured up to the girl who broke his heart years ago. Then he finds her....sitting at a bar. Blair. His Blair and she is just as beautiful as before. But when he realizes she is his cousin’s bride to be, he is determined to change her mind.
Overall this read was highly entertaining and lots of fun to read. It was a twisted up story of betrayal and second chances. The characters are strong and have chemistry that is undeniable. And the ending will have you standing up cheering!
If you love fun and second chance romance, then this book is for you. It is a lot of fun to read and has plenty of laugh out loud, yet unbelievable moments. Love love love. Can’t wait to read more about Blair and the gang.
Wow this book was a absolutely frustrating yet highly addictive read. I absolutely loved it.
Blair is getting married soon to Dr. Frederick. But yet she has her doubts. Especially lately. She doesn’t really love him, but he is
compatible and safe. But things just go from bad to worse when his cousin in the wedding turns out to be the very man that broke her heart in law school. Now the seeds of doubt is worse and she doesn’t know what’s true and what’s a conquest.
Garrett is lost in life. No one has measured up to the girl who broke his heart years ago. Then he finds her....sitting at a bar. Blair. His Blair and she is just as beautiful as before. But when he realizes she is his cousin’s bride to be, he is determined to change her mind.
Overall this read was highly entertaining and lots of fun to read. It was a twisted up story of betrayal and second chances. The characters are strong and have chemistry that is undeniable. And the ending will have you standing up cheering!
If you love fun and second chance romance, then this book is for you. It is a lot of fun to read and has plenty of laugh out loud, yet unbelievable moments. Love love love. Can’t wait to read more about Blair and the gang.
June 26, 2016
The Player - Another great book from Denise!!!
Denise gives us the second installment to the Wedding Pact series and it doesn't disappoint! Just like The Substitute, this book was a fast paced read full of characters you fall in love with (Garrett and Blair), some you want to push off a cliff (Neil), those you already love (Megan, Josh and Libby) and the ever spunky grandmother (Nana Ruby). Even Knickers and Gram make an appearance!
I am so happy that Blair got her own book! She’s tough, ambitious and driven, but in a relationship of convenience lacking sparks and most of all love. Her wedding to Neil (aka the evil weasel) looms upon her and you can see she just doesn't have her heart in it. Enter ex-boyfriend Garrett in a “chance” meeting in Phoenix and her world suddenly gets turned upside-down. I desperately wanted Blair to give Garrett a second chance, but completely understood her reluctance. He broke her heart at a time when she needed him most.
I fell in love with Garrett instantly. Talk about being humble, knowing you screwed up in a big way yet determined enough to go get the only woman he ever loved. After five years of replaying his mistakes, Garrett’s only concern now was Blair and her happiness. Plain and simple. Talk about the perfect guy!
I do wish there were more hot scenes with Blair and Garrett. Who doesn't like some steamy sex?! However it really wasn’t needed. The story was solid and the sexual tension between Blair and Garrett was just right.
I definitely recommend The Player to anyone who likes a fun, fast read with a HEA. It left me with a “book hangover”. Now I can’t wait for Libby’s book, The Gambler!
**I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
Denise gives us the second installment to the Wedding Pact series and it doesn't disappoint! Just like The Substitute, this book was a fast paced read full of characters you fall in love with (Garrett and Blair), some you want to push off a cliff (Neil), those you already love (Megan, Josh and Libby) and the ever spunky grandmother (Nana Ruby). Even Knickers and Gram make an appearance!
I am so happy that Blair got her own book! She’s tough, ambitious and driven, but in a relationship of convenience lacking sparks and most of all love. Her wedding to Neil (aka the evil weasel) looms upon her and you can see she just doesn't have her heart in it. Enter ex-boyfriend Garrett in a “chance” meeting in Phoenix and her world suddenly gets turned upside-down. I desperately wanted Blair to give Garrett a second chance, but completely understood her reluctance. He broke her heart at a time when she needed him most.
I fell in love with Garrett instantly. Talk about being humble, knowing you screwed up in a big way yet determined enough to go get the only woman he ever loved. After five years of replaying his mistakes, Garrett’s only concern now was Blair and her happiness. Plain and simple. Talk about the perfect guy!
I do wish there were more hot scenes with Blair and Garrett. Who doesn't like some steamy sex?! However it really wasn’t needed. The story was solid and the sexual tension between Blair and Garrett was just right.
I definitely recommend The Player to anyone who likes a fun, fast read with a HEA. It left me with a “book hangover”. Now I can’t wait for Libby’s book, The Gambler!
**I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
June 20, 2015
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I absolutely love these romance comedies that Denise Grover Swank has written. The Substitute was hilarious and emotional. The same can be said for The Player. The story is funny, dramatic, surprising, and something that everyone will enjoy. I don't tend to like romance novels because they are all the same. Not true for this series. In this one, Blair is getting married but it's a marriage of convenience, not of love, which is totally fine with both Blair and her fiance. However, she's been pining for her long lost boyfriend Garrett. What she doesn't expect is to run into in not once, not twice, but 3 different times. Is it fate telling her to rethink her decision to get married? Is it the "wedding curse" that is messing with her? She's got her life set on a specific course and things have to go according to plan. Or else.
The romance in this book was not over the top, not insta-love, not predictable, and completely believable. Both of the main characters are human, and they are flawed. We all question our choices when faced with life changing decisions, especially when we are young. Denise Grover Swank does a great job portraying these characters as realistic and they are totally charming. There are a lot of characters in these stories but you never feel like they are unnecessary or not important. Everyone plays a role and is included for a specific reason and not just place filler. The sexy bits (what few there are) are not too sexy for me and have just the right bit of heat for me. I highly recommend this book and this series and can't wait for the next installment.
I absolutely love these romance comedies that Denise Grover Swank has written. The Substitute was hilarious and emotional. The same can be said for The Player. The story is funny, dramatic, surprising, and something that everyone will enjoy. I don't tend to like romance novels because they are all the same. Not true for this series. In this one, Blair is getting married but it's a marriage of convenience, not of love, which is totally fine with both Blair and her fiance. However, she's been pining for her long lost boyfriend Garrett. What she doesn't expect is to run into in not once, not twice, but 3 different times. Is it fate telling her to rethink her decision to get married? Is it the "wedding curse" that is messing with her? She's got her life set on a specific course and things have to go according to plan. Or else.
The romance in this book was not over the top, not insta-love, not predictable, and completely believable. Both of the main characters are human, and they are flawed. We all question our choices when faced with life changing decisions, especially when we are young. Denise Grover Swank does a great job portraying these characters as realistic and they are totally charming. There are a lot of characters in these stories but you never feel like they are unnecessary or not important. Everyone plays a role and is included for a specific reason and not just place filler. The sexy bits (what few there are) are not too sexy for me and have just the right bit of heat for me. I highly recommend this book and this series and can't wait for the next installment.
May 24, 2022
Blair Hansen es un personaje un poco difícil... es una abogada de divorcios que está a punto de casarse por los motivos equivocados. Si bien Blair es una mujer fuerte y segura en su carrera, en su vida personal hay grietas que las oculta detrás de una actitud distante. La única persona que pudo traspasar esa barrera de hielo fue Garrett Lowry, su novio de la universidad.
A días de su boda, la vida de Blair está completamente patas para arribas.... Garret está de vuelta y no solamente en el ámbito laboral si no también en la boda ya que es es primo de su prometido. La atracción entre ellos no se diluyó con los cinco años que pasaron y a medida que se acerca la fecha de la boda más verdades salen a la luz y Blair se va a dar cuanta quien en realidad es el mejor jugador.
Es una historia simple, fácil y rápida de leer. Se me hizo un poco insoportable Blair en algunos momentos con su actitud "Yo resuelvo todo" pero a pesar de todo es fácil entenderla. Garret por otro lado es un amor de principio a fin!!!!! Creo que me gustó más que Josh... no es el hombre perfecto, para nada; y él lo sabe. Ha estado tratando de olvidar a Blair durante cinco años sin éxito, todo lo que necesito fue una boda, un anillo y una larga batalla familiar para reunirse con la chica.
May 25, 2015
Wow! This book totally exceeded my expectations. I loved the first book in the series, The Substitute, and when Blair was introduced, I didn't initially see her as likable. However, as soon as I started reading The Player, I immediately loved Blair....she's a no nonsense type of girl who you learn not to mess with professionally or personally.
Blair was burned once with love and was definitely not taking a chance on it again and I loved how she came to realize throughout the book just how important it is to be in a loving relationship. We learned early on that Garrett was regretting his choices from years past and realized that he needed to get the girl, thus the action in the book starts. Megan's Gram (whose appearance in this book was super funny) provided so many laughs and humorous situations in the last book, the same as Garrett and Neil's family did in this book. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud, which is a pretty impressive feat for me while reading a book. I didn't think it was possible, but this second installment in the series really pulled me in and I enjoyed it so very much, probably even more so than the first!
This book was a fast paced, fun read, that kept us wondering what would really happen right up to the very end, I loved that! I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the last installment of the series!!
Blair was burned once with love and was definitely not taking a chance on it again and I loved how she came to realize throughout the book just how important it is to be in a loving relationship. We learned early on that Garrett was regretting his choices from years past and realized that he needed to get the girl, thus the action in the book starts. Megan's Gram (whose appearance in this book was super funny) provided so many laughs and humorous situations in the last book, the same as Garrett and Neil's family did in this book. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud, which is a pretty impressive feat for me while reading a book. I didn't think it was possible, but this second installment in the series really pulled me in and I enjoyed it so very much, probably even more so than the first!
This book was a fast paced, fun read, that kept us wondering what would really happen right up to the very end, I loved that! I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the last installment of the series!!
May 30, 2015
Denise has done it again! She brought us a new series that is everything we want in a romcom! In The Substitute we fell in love with Megan, Josh and all their friends, including Blair. In the Player we get her story, one full of craziness and family and tough decisions and people who need a good throat punch...or ten. Blair was the hard ass we loved for her strong devotion and protection of her friends. Here we get to see the conflict and heartache her mind and heart go through on a daily basis. She doesn't trust men to be forever. She has plenty of reason to and that's what makes her so good at her job. But with a surprise in the beautiful man package that is Garrett all her stability she works so hard for goes out the 12th story window. I loved the way he was with her. He knew what he wanted from moment one and had to fight the whole way but finances and family have a way of stepping on your toes. We had plenty of laughs and fighting but it was the moments of rightness that made you see there could be a happy ever after of Blair's kind in the future. I loved seeing her softer side and also see what made her so badass in the courtroom. Garrett was a man amongst men and that ending will have you laughing and jumping for hard lemonade joy!
May 27, 2015
Denise does it again. I LOVED the first book in this series,The Substitute, and didn't think it could get better, but Denise once again proves me wrong. As always you are drawn into the story and feel like you are reading about your friends. I couldn't put the book down. You will go through many emotions in this book. It is witty and will have you laughing out loud with the some of the antics.
We got to know Blair a little in The Substitute, but I loved getting to see her vulnerable side. She is a divorce attorney and that has caused her to be jaded when it comes to love and add to that her past relationships, she is scared of risking her heart and getting hurt again. But we soon learn she does want her HEA. You will really feel what Blair is going through and want to be there to comfort her. I was rooting for her and Garret through out. It still always amazes me how Denise can make you feel that the characters are real. I wish they were so that I could punch Neil and give him a piece of my mind. (Nevermind the fact that I was while I was reading lol).
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book for my honest review.
We got to know Blair a little in The Substitute, but I loved getting to see her vulnerable side. She is a divorce attorney and that has caused her to be jaded when it comes to love and add to that her past relationships, she is scared of risking her heart and getting hurt again. But we soon learn she does want her HEA. You will really feel what Blair is going through and want to be there to comfort her. I was rooting for her and Garret through out. It still always amazes me how Denise can make you feel that the characters are real. I wish they were so that I could punch Neil and give him a piece of my mind. (Nevermind the fact that I was while I was reading lol).
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book for my honest review.
September 5, 2015
Admittedly, I really liked and enjoyed everything about the first 2 thirds of this book. It was easy to read, had its swoony lollipop moments and made you root for the hero but after the 65% mark, the drama-for-drama's-sake started piling up until it slowly started to turn into a Melrose Place episode.
Then the ending (as sweet as it tried to be) was like watching a cheesy 80's rom com where the "stop the wedding" cliches were all tied up in it's slightly rushed, slightly over-the-top, rainbow ribbons. Now I do love my 80's rom coms so this wasn't such a bad read for me but unfortunately, I slowly started disliking the heroine after the 65% mark cos her insecurities, indecisiveness, double standards (when it came to cheating) and other crappy personality traits kept repeating themselves again and again until it wasn't as tolerable as when I first picked up the book.
Standalone story in a series (book #2 in series) and told in dual, third person POV
Then the ending (as sweet as it tried to be) was like watching a cheesy 80's rom com where the "stop the wedding" cliches were all tied up in it's slightly rushed, slightly over-the-top, rainbow ribbons. Now I do love my 80's rom coms so this wasn't such a bad read for me but unfortunately, I slowly started disliking the heroine after the 65% mark cos her insecurities, indecisiveness, double standards (when it came to cheating) and other crappy personality traits kept repeating themselves again and again until it wasn't as tolerable as when I first picked up the book.
Standalone story in a series (book #2 in series) and told in dual, third person POV
May 29, 2015
** I WAS ASKED TO READ THIS BOOK IN RETURN OF MY HONEST VIEW **
Having read The Substitue (No1 The Wedding Pact series) it was nice to see characters from The Substitue still playing a roll on this new story. The Player is based and centered around Blair and I was egar to find out more about her. In the first book she was very closed and guarded and within a book of her own I knew that Denise would open her character up and show her many sides. I wasn't left disappointed!!
After the first chapter I was totally hooked!! I laughed and cried throughout the entire book whilst screaming at Blair to do what I thought was right for her character! Throughout the whole book I became more and more agitated to 'find out what happened' and many times had to stop myself from reading the last chapter just to find out! I became totally in-captivated in this story and was sitting on the edge of my seat until I read the very last word!
Another fantastic book by Denise and I eagerly await book number 3 in September!
Having read The Substitue (No1 The Wedding Pact series) it was nice to see characters from The Substitue still playing a roll on this new story. The Player is based and centered around Blair and I was egar to find out more about her. In the first book she was very closed and guarded and within a book of her own I knew that Denise would open her character up and show her many sides. I wasn't left disappointed!!
After the first chapter I was totally hooked!! I laughed and cried throughout the entire book whilst screaming at Blair to do what I thought was right for her character! Throughout the whole book I became more and more agitated to 'find out what happened' and many times had to stop myself from reading the last chapter just to find out! I became totally in-captivated in this story and was sitting on the edge of my seat until I read the very last word!
Another fantastic book by Denise and I eagerly await book number 3 in September!
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