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Portland Storm #1
Playing to Win
Playing to win means playing dirty…
Holly Evans is intelligent, educated and crazy about sports—so how did she end up prancing about in a miniskirt and teasing her hair like some broadcasting bimbo? Of course, since she's already iced her journalistic integrity, Holly might as well indulge in a little fangirl lust for the ripped captain of Portland's hockey team.
Luke Maguire sees right through Holly's bunny disguise, and he's ready to pull her into the locker room and strip it all off. Then Holly discovers someone on the team is profiting from a little over/under betting. Suddenly her lusting for Luke is going head-to-head with her reporting instincts. And if she's caught offside, there's no telling what the penalty will be…
Holly Evans is intelligent, educated and crazy about sports—so how did she end up prancing about in a miniskirt and teasing her hair like some broadcasting bimbo? Of course, since she's already iced her journalistic integrity, Holly might as well indulge in a little fangirl lust for the ripped captain of Portland's hockey team.
Luke Maguire sees right through Holly's bunny disguise, and he's ready to pull her into the locker room and strip it all off. Then Holly discovers someone on the team is profiting from a little over/under betting. Suddenly her lusting for Luke is going head-to-head with her reporting instincts. And if she's caught offside, there's no telling what the penalty will be…
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
22 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 12, 2016
Playing to Win stars Holly Evans, reporter for the Women's Hockey Network, and Luke Maguire, Captain of the Portland hockey team. Holly gets her first real break reporting about sports on YouTube through the Women's Hockey Network where she mixes fun facts about everyone's favorite players along with comments about each game by explaining certain plays in layman's terms. And the world loves her! Everyone, that is, except Luke Maguire. His team is in the playoffs and he doesn't have time to answer questions about whether he prefers boxers or briefs. But his team manager has hired Holly for a series of interviews with the team to increase their exposure and likeability during the playoffs.
Let me start off by saying that I'm one of those women who would benefit greatly from the Women's Hockey Network! I didn't understand half the stuff Holly said about the game of hockey but it didn't stop me from enjoying this hilarious story. The author mixes in a bit of intrigue, a little sadness (Luke's brother was paralyzed playing hockey) and a lot of steam (though straight up vanilla sex). There was never a dull moment and I really enjoyed how the whole story came together in the end. The secondary characters were also enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start off by saying that I'm one of those women who would benefit greatly from the Women's Hockey Network! I didn't understand half the stuff Holly said about the game of hockey but it didn't stop me from enjoying this hilarious story. The author mixes in a bit of intrigue, a little sadness (Luke's brother was paralyzed playing hockey) and a lot of steam (though straight up vanilla sex). There was never a dull moment and I really enjoyed how the whole story came together in the end. The secondary characters were also enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2018
After reading a spin off book about a different hockey team by this author that focused on one of the minor characters in this book, I immediately had to go out and find the rest of the series in this universe! This wasn't a bad book, but it did have a few issues.
Holly rubbed me the wrong way from the start, and it was how she did her job more so than anything else. It felt as if the author was saying that all a woman would care about was the superficial parts of an athlete: looks, sex appeal, etc, rather than anything meaningful about how he played the game. Holly's own father also fueled this theme! And yet, Holly herself blew the stereotype out of the water! I thought that Luke was too bitter about his brother's injuries, and it didn't give him any depth, but made him feel like he was martyring himself because of them.
Despite my problems with characterization, I liked seeing what the minor character I mentioned earlier was like in his rookie days of his career. Those interactions alone brought the story's rating up for me! This was also a quick and steamy read, but I'm not sure if I'd continue down this road of reading the rest of the universe or not.
Holly rubbed me the wrong way from the start, and it was how she did her job more so than anything else. It felt as if the author was saying that all a woman would care about was the superficial parts of an athlete: looks, sex appeal, etc, rather than anything meaningful about how he played the game. Holly's own father also fueled this theme! And yet, Holly herself blew the stereotype out of the water! I thought that Luke was too bitter about his brother's injuries, and it didn't give him any depth, but made him feel like he was martyring himself because of them.
Despite my problems with characterization, I liked seeing what the minor character I mentioned earlier was like in his rookie days of his career. Those interactions alone brought the story's rating up for me! This was also a quick and steamy read, but I'm not sure if I'd continue down this road of reading the rest of the universe or not.
January 19, 2016
Taryn Leigh Taylor has another winner on her hands and I'm not just talking about the hero of her newest hockey romance. I'd loved her first book, Kiss and Make Up, so knew I wanted to check out her next story. Definitely not disappointed. The characters are colorful and leap off the page and their chemistry is combustible. This book had lots of sassy action, sexy banter and steamy scenes yet the story was still heartwarming and actually made me weepy in a few spots. It takes a great book to get tears in my eyes. I loved it so much I devoured it in one sitting. Nicely done Ms. Taylor. I will absolutely be on the look out for your next book as well.
January 9, 2016
Rating: 5*
Trope: Sports romance
Chemistry: Off the charts Scorchio
One-Sentence Summary: The captain of a hockey team and a reporter stumble across a betting scandal
Review: I can't tell you how excited I am to finally stumble across a 5* Harlequin read! It's been awhile since I've thoroughly enjoyed one half as much as I did this one.
Its brilliance lies in the fact it nails it in these three areas:
1) The main characters had sizzling chemistry and the secondary characters were all interesting and had a role to play. Also a minor secondary romance was thrown in for good measure.
2) There was actually a plot which had depth and it wasn't just sex-sex-sex.
3) Most importantly the characters waited 50 or more pages before jumping each others' bones. Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is a Blaze read but for the story to work for me there has to be UST, groundwork and build-up.
So yes the characters ... Luke and Holly are interesting and engaging in their own right but what I really enjoyed was their interaction with the secondary characters. Holly's interaction with Ethan was brilliant, her relationship with her Dad was interesting and I liked the history between Luke and his brother and his parents. The 'surprise' relationship between Jay and Paige was a great addition.
The whodunnit betting arc was a nice counterpoint to the romance but didn't overwhelm the story but my favourite plot bunny was how Holly's mock-idea of dumbing down hockey turned into a career opportunity for her and how she had to pretend she knew less than she did about sport.
I hope beyond hope that there are more books to come in what would be an excellent series. We have met 2 other team players at least that deserve their own happy ever after, not to mention Ethan who could do with a little romance of his own (maybe with his physiotherapist?!).
Originally posted @ Love's A State Of Mind
January 1, 2016
This is a fun romantic comedy, from a new writer. I loved the author's debut Blaze book, Kiss and Makeup. This book was a little harder for me to get into, simply because I'm not a sports fan and the book revolves around ice hockey. Having said that, there was enough detail about the games and the hero's non-scoring streak for me to understand the plot and the banter between the characters was great. I enjoyed the heroine, trying to make it as a sports reporter and battling a bimbo reputation. The hero is lovely...full marks there. 3.5 stars.
November 27, 2025
Review of Playing to Win by Taryn Leigh Taylor
Playing to Win is a sizzling sports-romance about Holly Evans, a smart and passionate sports reporter who hides her real knowledge under a girlish “bunny” broadcasting persona and the irresistible but guarded hockey captain Luke Maguire, who ignites in her more than just a media squabble when she uncovers a betting scandal on his team.
From the very start, this book made me root for Holly. She’s clearly not your stereotypical “bimbo” on screen; in fact, she knows hockey inside and out, but she downplays her smarts to fit the image that the network wants. Her energy and vulnerability are so real, I found her internal conflict between integrity and opportunity deeply compelling. Luke, on the other hand, is sexy and serious, with a past that weighs on him, and I loved watching their chemistry evolve from mutual suspicion to warm, tension-filled attraction. Their banter is sharp, but when things go deeper, there's real heart there.
What really surprised me was how the romantic tension doesn’t overshadow the mystery at the center: Holly stumbling on an over/under betting scheme that could threaten everything for the team. That plotline added stakes beyond just “will they or won’t they,” and made the story feel like more than a typical fiery romance. The pacing is well-balanced, there are steamy moments, but also quieter scenes that let you feel Holly’s growth, her ambition, and her fears. Secondary characters also feel fleshed out (Holly’s history with her dad, and Luke’s family, for instance), giving this more emotional depth than you might expect from a short Harlequin read.
On the flipside, there were moments where the “broadcasting bimbo” act felt a little overplayed, and I wished some of the betting mystery pieces were tighter. But those are small quibbles in what is otherwise a very engaging, sexy, and surprisingly smart romance. I closed the book feeling satisfied and hopeful, not just for Holly and Luke, but for the sense that Holly can truly “play to win,” both in her career and in her heart.
Rating: 4 out of 5 — I loved the chemistry, the balance of romance and suspense, and Holly’s emotional journey. It’s not perfect, but it’s warm, fun, and unexpectedly thoughtful.
Playing to Win is a sizzling sports-romance about Holly Evans, a smart and passionate sports reporter who hides her real knowledge under a girlish “bunny” broadcasting persona and the irresistible but guarded hockey captain Luke Maguire, who ignites in her more than just a media squabble when she uncovers a betting scandal on his team.
From the very start, this book made me root for Holly. She’s clearly not your stereotypical “bimbo” on screen; in fact, she knows hockey inside and out, but she downplays her smarts to fit the image that the network wants. Her energy and vulnerability are so real, I found her internal conflict between integrity and opportunity deeply compelling. Luke, on the other hand, is sexy and serious, with a past that weighs on him, and I loved watching their chemistry evolve from mutual suspicion to warm, tension-filled attraction. Their banter is sharp, but when things go deeper, there's real heart there.
What really surprised me was how the romantic tension doesn’t overshadow the mystery at the center: Holly stumbling on an over/under betting scheme that could threaten everything for the team. That plotline added stakes beyond just “will they or won’t they,” and made the story feel like more than a typical fiery romance. The pacing is well-balanced, there are steamy moments, but also quieter scenes that let you feel Holly’s growth, her ambition, and her fears. Secondary characters also feel fleshed out (Holly’s history with her dad, and Luke’s family, for instance), giving this more emotional depth than you might expect from a short Harlequin read.
On the flipside, there were moments where the “broadcasting bimbo” act felt a little overplayed, and I wished some of the betting mystery pieces were tighter. But those are small quibbles in what is otherwise a very engaging, sexy, and surprisingly smart romance. I closed the book feeling satisfied and hopeful, not just for Holly and Luke, but for the sense that Holly can truly “play to win,” both in her career and in her heart.
Rating: 4 out of 5 — I loved the chemistry, the balance of romance and suspense, and Holly’s emotional journey. It’s not perfect, but it’s warm, fun, and unexpectedly thoughtful.
May 31, 2020
Playing to Win has been my inauguration to Blaze and I personally can’t fathom why it was discontinued if these are the kind of books it had in its corner. This is the first sports romance I’ve read in a while too, as I do find with sports romances the sport itself always overshadows any romance the book may have. This, however, is not the case here, the two blend seamlessly. Taryn Leigh Taylor’s stories always burst to life in my mind, like a movie. Her dialogue is engaging and so much fun, witty and clever. Taryn is very character-driven, it’s what she excels at, creating real people who don’t always live up to their expectations. They have relatable life problems, conflicts that could happen to you or I. Not that I’d ever end up stripped bare in a locker room by Luke Maguire, but a girl can dream right…
Talking of Luke… damn! Does she know how to write a hero or does she know how to write a hero! Luke is the captain of Portland's hockey team and the man can play! This is one of those books where I really was interested in the game and what the hero could do both on and off the ice, because the author just knows what she’s talking about, she knows the game and knows the stakes and brings this together perfectly with the emotional conflicts.
The chemistry between Holly and Luke is phenomenal, the banter, the flirting, the actual sex scenes everything just fit like pieces of a jigsaw. As well as our H/H there are a host of secondary characters that add depth to the story, I love the interactions between Holly and Luke’s brother, whom I am very much in love with and really want to see more from.
This is a really flirty, fun read, but with real heart and emotion running through it. I love, love, love this series!
Talking of Luke… damn! Does she know how to write a hero or does she know how to write a hero! Luke is the captain of Portland's hockey team and the man can play! This is one of those books where I really was interested in the game and what the hero could do both on and off the ice, because the author just knows what she’s talking about, she knows the game and knows the stakes and brings this together perfectly with the emotional conflicts.
The chemistry between Holly and Luke is phenomenal, the banter, the flirting, the actual sex scenes everything just fit like pieces of a jigsaw. As well as our H/H there are a host of secondary characters that add depth to the story, I love the interactions between Holly and Luke’s brother, whom I am very much in love with and really want to see more from.
This is a really flirty, fun read, but with real heart and emotion running through it. I love, love, love this series!
March 13, 2018
Playing to Win
Great story. Hockey Captain Luke and reporter Holly meet, mesh as he thinks she’s an idiot who asks stupid non hockey questions. What a journey this story takes you on through the playoffs. Great story, hot,hot, hot sex. Certainly worth reading as it is not only entertaining but there is some in triggering in the story as well. Good job, really enjoyed this book!!!
Great story. Hockey Captain Luke and reporter Holly meet, mesh as he thinks she’s an idiot who asks stupid non hockey questions. What a journey this story takes you on through the playoffs. Great story, hot,hot, hot sex. Certainly worth reading as it is not only entertaining but there is some in triggering in the story as well. Good job, really enjoyed this book!!!
October 25, 2017
Loved this book! Holly plays her ditzy blond sports caster role to perfection. And Luke - my oh my what a Hottie ("porn-hot")! The chemistry and interaction between them is funny and swoonworthy for sure. And exactly who is the player involved in a betting breach. Loved the secondary characters!
February 2, 2018
They play to win
This was a well written book with some fun banter, some mystery (of who was rigging the games) and some forbidden love...and hockey!!!! (Ok...Taryn Leigh Taylor....you had me at hockey!!!)
I loved all the added parts of Luke and his brother, an up and coming hockey powerhouse paralyzed in a hockey incident.
Loved his book!
This was a well written book with some fun banter, some mystery (of who was rigging the games) and some forbidden love...and hockey!!!! (Ok...Taryn Leigh Taylor....you had me at hockey!!!)
I loved all the added parts of Luke and his brother, an up and coming hockey powerhouse paralyzed in a hockey incident.
Loved his book!
January 7, 2023
Fun hockey romance read.
Well developed characters in a just over 200 pages. Kept a fast pace with the storytelling and time line of the characters meeting and developing their relationship.
Nice amount of spice incorporated into the plot.
Well developed characters in a just over 200 pages. Kept a fast pace with the storytelling and time line of the characters meeting and developing their relationship.
Nice amount of spice incorporated into the plot.
May 14, 2018
Luke & Holly's story --- Someone is shaving points and Holly's going to find out who it is, even if it's the captain of the hockey team, Luke Maguire.
June 22, 2020
Hockey Romance at its best!!
If you like romance and hockey this is the book for you! This is a book you can't put down!
If you like romance and hockey this is the book for you! This is a book you can't put down!
January 27, 2021
A few of my favorite things: protagonist named Holly, hockey, shout out to Vancouver, and a sexy man who is not a jerk. This book has all of that.
February 25, 2022
This book has both on-screen sex and cursing. If those things will cause you to leave a bad review, you might want to skip this book. But you'll be missing out on a heck of a book. Also, you absolutely don't have to be a hockey fan to enjoy this story.
This book was really, really well written. It was the perfect balance of a ton of humor, some really scorching chemistry, a really intriguing mystery plot, and a ton of heart. The first kissing scene was so hot that I actually blushed while reading it it was that hot. I loved it. The chemistry between Luke and Holly was insanely hot, but they weren't a one-trick pony of just sex. As a reader I very much appreciated that they actually developed a personal relationship with each other because that makes their happily ever after so much sweeter and it makes me believe whole-heartedly that they'll make it as a couple. I hope that Ethan will get a book in the future because that man deserves his own happily ever after!
Taryn Leigh Taylor has very quickly become a must-read author for me and I cannot wait for more from her.
This book was really, really well written. It was the perfect balance of a ton of humor, some really scorching chemistry, a really intriguing mystery plot, and a ton of heart. The first kissing scene was so hot that I actually blushed while reading it it was that hot. I loved it. The chemistry between Luke and Holly was insanely hot, but they weren't a one-trick pony of just sex. As a reader I very much appreciated that they actually developed a personal relationship with each other because that makes their happily ever after so much sweeter and it makes me believe whole-heartedly that they'll make it as a couple. I hope that Ethan will get a book in the future because that man deserves his own happily ever after!
Taryn Leigh Taylor has very quickly become a must-read author for me and I cannot wait for more from her.
April 27, 2016
** Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway organized by the author. All opinions in this review are mine and mine alone **
Romance books sure weren't like this when I started reading them on summer holidays way back when. In those days they were so light and thin that I could finish tales of heady romance and repartee in half and hour at most. This, this is not like those at all and I like it. Reader, there's actually a *story* and it took me much longer to finish and I really, really like it. The romance is still there and it's sizzling hot but it plays side-by-side with the non-romance plot.
Never in a million years would I have thought to have picked up a romance book about ice hockey but Taryn has made me a convert. More please!
Romance books sure weren't like this when I started reading them on summer holidays way back when. In those days they were so light and thin that I could finish tales of heady romance and repartee in half and hour at most. This, this is not like those at all and I like it. Reader, there's actually a *story* and it took me much longer to finish and I really, really like it. The romance is still there and it's sizzling hot but it plays side-by-side with the non-romance plot.
Never in a million years would I have thought to have picked up a romance book about ice hockey but Taryn has made me a convert. More please!
June 22, 2016
Great writing - witty, interesting, engaging, steamy - really enjoyed both hero Luke and heroine Holly for the most part, except for a few knee-jerk judgmental moments. I was entertained from start to finish, and was glad there was not too much angst, but lots of heart energy. Loved the healing both their families went through - had to reach for kleenex a couple of times with some aahhh moments.
5 Star all the way for me until final scene, which I found to be an echo of the movie Notting Hill climax, but still HEA and very enjoyable read. Want to read more by this author; hoping there will be more stories about secondary characters. Would love to see Hero's brother Ethan get his own love story with HEA.
4.5 Stars
5 Star all the way for me until final scene, which I found to be an echo of the movie Notting Hill climax, but still HEA and very enjoyable read. Want to read more by this author; hoping there will be more stories about secondary characters. Would love to see Hero's brother Ethan get his own love story with HEA.
4.5 Stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2019
Luke and Holly; perfect romance.
I love this story and I read and reread it regularly. Luke is Captain of the Ice Hockey team Storm. Holly is a sports reporter and an expert on the game. Luke distrusts Holly and yet is attracted. Sometimes chemistry can’t be denied.
What I loved was that the romance was so real and believable. The story was told so beautifully. Serious Luke battling family issues and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Along comes Holly who has the ability to be honest emotionally and to ease Luke’s worries. There is an interesting mystery on betting to keep the conflict bubbling along. The banter between Holly and Luke is witty and real.
If you enjoy good romance this book is perfectly paced and timeless.
I love this story and I read and reread it regularly. Luke is Captain of the Ice Hockey team Storm. Holly is a sports reporter and an expert on the game. Luke distrusts Holly and yet is attracted. Sometimes chemistry can’t be denied.
What I loved was that the romance was so real and believable. The story was told so beautifully. Serious Luke battling family issues and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Along comes Holly who has the ability to be honest emotionally and to ease Luke’s worries. There is an interesting mystery on betting to keep the conflict bubbling along. The banter between Holly and Luke is witty and real.
If you enjoy good romance this book is perfectly paced and timeless.
January 16, 2016
Hockey Captain Luke is trying to keep everything together and support his family. Holly is trying to be accepted by her Dad and further her career, when these to meet sparks fly, well written hot romance. Loved it.
December 15, 2019
The relationship between Holly and Luke did develop fast in Playing to Win, but it was fun. I liked that Holly and Luke were equal and having fun together. The ending was a bit over-the-top. I plan on reading more by Taryn Leigh Taylor.
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December 25, 2015Really enjoyed this book. This was a new to me author. Well written hero and heroine. Hopefully this author will write many more books that are series romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 14, 2017"Sports romance fans will cheer for this sexy story, which features an ambitious, career-minded heroine who’s more than a match for her alpha male love interest" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
May 19, 2016
Over all it was a good book. I didn't really get into it until 3/4 of the way through.
October 21, 2016
For my first harlequin, this novel surprised me as it had a lot more to it than just sex and romance. Overall I liked the story and characters, and it was a really quick read that I enjoyed !
April 4, 2017
Holly Evans wants nothing more than to be a serious sports reporter, reporting on the big issues facing the Portland hockey team, like Luke Maguire's scoring slump. But she's trying to make her big break and she's been hired to to women's hockey reporting as a bimbo asking silly questions to hockey players. Luke Maguire certainly doesn't take her seriously. But he does suspect her of being smarter than she acts and he's determined to get to the bottom of things. When Holly discovers that someone on the team is betting on scores, she sees her chance for some hardcore sports journalism. But she's developing feelings for Luke and Luke seems to be returning them. But she's lying to him about who she is and he may not forgive her for that.
I am totally a sucker for a sports romance. I don't know why. Luke is a fantastic hero - he's honorable, sexy and a bit grumpy - which is how I like them. He's got issues of his own reltating to his family and his little brother and it surprised me how willing he was to trust Holly with personal things given that she was a reporter. At first I figured it's because he thought she was dumb, but that didn't hold water for very long. It seemed strange that he'd worry so much about her integrity regarding the betting story when he'd trusted her with everything else. But I totally get why he'd be pissed with her, since she questions his honor and dedication to the team. Holly was a likeable heroine too. For all that she claimed she was acting like a bimbo, she never came across as one. Maybe she asked fluffy questions, but she never once came across as an idiot. I was a bit surprised that she wasn't angry at Luke for . Luke and Holly had a great, steamy relationship with a lot of unexpected trust there. I really enjoyed this one and will be on the look out for more from this author.
I am totally a sucker for a sports romance. I don't know why. Luke is a fantastic hero - he's honorable, sexy and a bit grumpy - which is how I like them. He's got issues of his own reltating to his family and his little brother and it surprised me how willing he was to trust Holly with personal things given that she was a reporter. At first I figured it's because he thought she was dumb, but that didn't hold water for very long. It seemed strange that he'd worry so much about her integrity regarding the betting story when he'd trusted her with everything else. But I totally get why he'd be pissed with her, since she questions his honor and dedication to the team. Holly was a likeable heroine too. For all that she claimed she was acting like a bimbo, she never came across as one. Maybe she asked fluffy questions, but she never once came across as an idiot. I was a bit surprised that she wasn't angry at Luke for . Luke and Holly had a great, steamy relationship with a lot of unexpected trust there. I really enjoyed this one and will be on the look out for more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 2, 2017Liked the premise however the pacing was way too slow and I wasn't overly engaged by the characters. This was a DNF for me.
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