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Fair Play
Who knew love could bring a playwright so much drama?
Writing three plays for a nationally acclaimed theater in Phair, Texas, was never supposed to put Ashlyn Carter’s inheritance at risk, or make or break her future. And it certainly wasn’t supposed to force her into constant contact with the very guy she’s avoided since her teenage crush-gone-bad days.
Noah Blake. He's Ashlyn’s enemy, for good reason. As her older brother's best friend, he seems hell-bent on interfering with nearly every aspect of her life. So how then does he also seem to be her muse?
When Ashlyn reluctantly agrees to act out scenes with Noah from the play she’s writing in order to trigger her creativity, the spark of passion she’d felt for him as a teenager flares up again. But there's more at stake than just her future as a playwright or the inheritance she never cared about in the first place. Finding out the theater she loves is in danger of closing puts everything she thought she knew and felt about Phair…and Noah...to the test. Will there be a standing ovation for Ashlyn Carter, playwright, or will the curtain drop on her heart and fade to black?
Writing three plays for a nationally acclaimed theater in Phair, Texas, was never supposed to put Ashlyn Carter’s inheritance at risk, or make or break her future. And it certainly wasn’t supposed to force her into constant contact with the very guy she’s avoided since her teenage crush-gone-bad days.
Noah Blake. He's Ashlyn’s enemy, for good reason. As her older brother's best friend, he seems hell-bent on interfering with nearly every aspect of her life. So how then does he also seem to be her muse?
When Ashlyn reluctantly agrees to act out scenes with Noah from the play she’s writing in order to trigger her creativity, the spark of passion she’d felt for him as a teenager flares up again. But there's more at stake than just her future as a playwright or the inheritance she never cared about in the first place. Finding out the theater she loves is in danger of closing puts everything she thought she knew and felt about Phair…and Noah...to the test. Will there be a standing ovation for Ashlyn Carter, playwright, or will the curtain drop on her heart and fade to black?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2013
3 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Tracy A. Ward
2 books86 followersAfter the birth of her children, Tracy had an epiphany: banking just wasn’t her thing. So she quit her corporate job, let her nanny go and became a not-so-desperate housewife by day, Sexy Women’s Fiction author by night. Her characters are every-day women, following their dreams, searching for that elusive happily ever after.
Growing up the youngest child of a freakishly large family in a small Midwestern town means she never lacks for ideas, inspiration, or moral dilemmas. Being the wife of a corporate attorney, mother of two young children, and living in a Dallas suburb provides unlimited insight into the rest.
In her spare time, Tracy is a chauffeur, a maid, a short-order cook, a coach, a psychic/intuitive who always finds what her husband loses, a yoga nut, a mango margarita connoisseur, and a really bad dancer. She’s currently contracted through Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence imprint. Her debut novel, Fair Play, is now available where ebooks are sold.
Growing up the youngest child of a freakishly large family in a small Midwestern town means she never lacks for ideas, inspiration, or moral dilemmas. Being the wife of a corporate attorney, mother of two young children, and living in a Dallas suburb provides unlimited insight into the rest.
In her spare time, Tracy is a chauffeur, a maid, a short-order cook, a coach, a psychic/intuitive who always finds what her husband loses, a yoga nut, a mango margarita connoisseur, and a really bad dancer. She’s currently contracted through Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence imprint. Her debut novel, Fair Play, is now available where ebooks are sold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 12, 2013
Fair Play by Tracy A. Ward proved to be a quirky, sweet, romantic little gem of a novel. I was pleasantly surprised by how well-rounded, complex, and how invested I became in Ashlyn and Noah as characters. Their relationship with each other and with fellow people of the small town of Phair, gave me that close-knit, southern feel that I felt when I watched Sweet Home Alabama all those years ago and attempted to convince my parents that we just had to move down south.
Told through alternating points-of-view, Fair Play gets us in the heads of both Ashlyn and Noah. Ashlyn, a playwright struggling to make a name for herself, is trying to write the play of her lifetime to save not only her career and inheritance but also the small town of Phair and the theater she works for, has a lot on her shoulders. Being stuck in close proximity to her brother’s best friend and her former crush from long ago is so not the thing she needs…or is it? Noah, a successful, dedicated, kind man with a bit of a shaky past, is dead-set on protecting his best friend’s little sister, if only he could ignore the feelings he’s had for her over the years. These two characters, with all of their extra baggage and the feelings that they both harbor for one another, made some pretty intense, interesting moments that sparked off the pages.
Ashlyn was such a fun, well-rounded character. She was flawed in the best ways possible. She was insecure of her writing talents at moments, she was wounded by her past feelings for Noah, and the stress she felt for keeping her career and the town afloat, was no laughing matter. It was because of these faults, or human characteristics depending on how you look at it, made Ashlyn seem so real to me. I felt that it was so easy to connect with her as a character. It was so nice to see her work through all of her problems, family, work, and romantic, and find that confidence within herself to fight for what she wants.
Noah was just as fantastic of a character as Ashlyn was. He was a swoon-worthy character with is good looks and hero complex but like Ashlyn, he had flaws that made him truly come to life. Worry over turning into his alcoholic, abusive father, dictated a lot of what and how Noah does what he does. Also, his loyalty to his best friend prevented him from going after what he really wanted, his best friend’s little sister, Ashlyn. Watching him work through his inner demons and like Ashlyn, learn to fight for what he wants, was one of the best parts of this story.
Tracy’s writing also played a big part in why I loved this story so much. First off, the whole story line, while seemingly simple, was so interesting. I loved how this one woman had the fate of a small town basically falling on her shoulders. I loved how the theater and play writing played a part in the story. And I especially loved how the past relationship between Noah and Ashlyn played a part in this story. There were actually quite a few pieces of the puzzle when it came to Noah and Ashlyn’s story, and Tracy managed to piece them together really well.
It seems as I have stumbled across yet another story that would make a great beach, or anytime read. This story had the romance, it had the cuteness, and it had two wonderfully crafted characters. If these all sound like aspects of a story that you enjoy, I strongly suggest picking up a copy of Fair Play!
Told through alternating points-of-view, Fair Play gets us in the heads of both Ashlyn and Noah. Ashlyn, a playwright struggling to make a name for herself, is trying to write the play of her lifetime to save not only her career and inheritance but also the small town of Phair and the theater she works for, has a lot on her shoulders. Being stuck in close proximity to her brother’s best friend and her former crush from long ago is so not the thing she needs…or is it? Noah, a successful, dedicated, kind man with a bit of a shaky past, is dead-set on protecting his best friend’s little sister, if only he could ignore the feelings he’s had for her over the years. These two characters, with all of their extra baggage and the feelings that they both harbor for one another, made some pretty intense, interesting moments that sparked off the pages.
Ashlyn was such a fun, well-rounded character. She was flawed in the best ways possible. She was insecure of her writing talents at moments, she was wounded by her past feelings for Noah, and the stress she felt for keeping her career and the town afloat, was no laughing matter. It was because of these faults, or human characteristics depending on how you look at it, made Ashlyn seem so real to me. I felt that it was so easy to connect with her as a character. It was so nice to see her work through all of her problems, family, work, and romantic, and find that confidence within herself to fight for what she wants.
Noah was just as fantastic of a character as Ashlyn was. He was a swoon-worthy character with is good looks and hero complex but like Ashlyn, he had flaws that made him truly come to life. Worry over turning into his alcoholic, abusive father, dictated a lot of what and how Noah does what he does. Also, his loyalty to his best friend prevented him from going after what he really wanted, his best friend’s little sister, Ashlyn. Watching him work through his inner demons and like Ashlyn, learn to fight for what he wants, was one of the best parts of this story.
Tracy’s writing also played a big part in why I loved this story so much. First off, the whole story line, while seemingly simple, was so interesting. I loved how this one woman had the fate of a small town basically falling on her shoulders. I loved how the theater and play writing played a part in the story. And I especially loved how the past relationship between Noah and Ashlyn played a part in this story. There were actually quite a few pieces of the puzzle when it came to Noah and Ashlyn’s story, and Tracy managed to piece them together really well.
It seems as I have stumbled across yet another story that would make a great beach, or anytime read. This story had the romance, it had the cuteness, and it had two wonderfully crafted characters. If these all sound like aspects of a story that you enjoy, I strongly suggest picking up a copy of Fair Play!
May 17, 2016
*2.5 rounded up to 3. Characters, writing style, and plot would be a solid 3 to 3.5, but overall I have to go with 2.5.
Read more reviews like this one here.
The tone for this felt very "film noir" throughout, which I enjoyed. It's very different than many of the romance novels I've read in that way and I loved the overlap between Ashlynn and Noah's story and "Caroline and Andy's" story. There were good splashes of humor, at times in the banter and at others Noah's reactions to the "improv" scenes.
I have since been advised by Tracy Ward that this continuity issue is being corrected.
This book left me feeling a bit confused though. I suppose it's because it's an ARC, but there were some glaring continuity issues that pulled me out of the story, which makes me feel the need to address them in my review (generally, I overlook editing issues in ARCs). Ashlynn met Noah when he was a freshman at Columbia for his undergraduate degree, and she is 24, almost 25. Both of these things are mentioned multiple times in the beginning. However, halfway through both of them start talking about how they have known one another "most of their lives" or "half of their lives" and there even being "sixteen years of friendship" between Ashlynn's brother, Quinn, and Noah. If Ashlynn was 17 while Noah was in college, there would be a maximum of 5 years between them, making present-day Noah 29 or 30. But for "sixteen years" to be accurate, Noah would need to be in his mid 30s, which would have made him a "late bloomer" college-wise.
Aside from that, this was a very quick read and the pacing was a bit slow at first, but ramped up as it went. To the extent that it did feel a bit quick the last chapter or two. I was surprised at 94% that things didn't seem to be that close to being resolved, in fact.
For about 45% of this, I was still unsure as to whether or not Ashlynn actually liked Noah. Sexual tension was there, but I wasn't really feeling a basis of friendship that could turn into romance. By the end, I did get more of a sense of an emotional connection between the two, but it took awhile to actually build.
I liked Ashlynn and Noah and the side characters seemed to work well. I was curious to figure out exactly what had happened to Ashlynn years prior, so that kept my interest for awhile. The weaving in of her playwriting was well-done, though I was also a bit in disbelief that she not only hadn't noticed the parallels between her own life and her play, but insisted there weren't any for awhile. The character of Kyle felt like it fit the "film noir" feel, but he was a bit too sleazy and one-dimensional for my taste.
Writing this review, I still feel a bit unsettled. I enjoyed this and see a lot of potential in it, but it felt disjointed and the first half and second half didn't necessarily line up. I will be keeping my eye on Tracy Ward as I liked most of what I read.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My opinion is my own.
See more reviews here:
Read more reviews like this one here.
The tone for this felt very "film noir" throughout, which I enjoyed. It's very different than many of the romance novels I've read in that way and I loved the overlap between Ashlynn and Noah's story and "Caroline and Andy's" story. There were good splashes of humor, at times in the banter and at others Noah's reactions to the "improv" scenes.
I have since been advised by Tracy Ward that this continuity issue is being corrected.
This book left me feeling a bit confused though. I suppose it's because it's an ARC, but there were some glaring continuity issues that pulled me out of the story, which makes me feel the need to address them in my review (generally, I overlook editing issues in ARCs). Ashlynn met Noah when he was a freshman at Columbia for his undergraduate degree, and she is 24, almost 25. Both of these things are mentioned multiple times in the beginning. However, halfway through both of them start talking about how they have known one another "most of their lives" or "half of their lives" and there even being "sixteen years of friendship" between Ashlynn's brother, Quinn, and Noah. If Ashlynn was 17 while Noah was in college, there would be a maximum of 5 years between them, making present-day Noah 29 or 30. But for "sixteen years" to be accurate, Noah would need to be in his mid 30s, which would have made him a "late bloomer" college-wise.
Aside from that, this was a very quick read and the pacing was a bit slow at first, but ramped up as it went. To the extent that it did feel a bit quick the last chapter or two. I was surprised at 94% that things didn't seem to be that close to being resolved, in fact.
For about 45% of this, I was still unsure as to whether or not Ashlynn actually liked Noah. Sexual tension was there, but I wasn't really feeling a basis of friendship that could turn into romance. By the end, I did get more of a sense of an emotional connection between the two, but it took awhile to actually build.
I liked Ashlynn and Noah and the side characters seemed to work well. I was curious to figure out exactly what had happened to Ashlynn years prior, so that kept my interest for awhile. The weaving in of her playwriting was well-done, though I was also a bit in disbelief that she not only hadn't noticed the parallels between her own life and her play, but insisted there weren't any for awhile. The character of Kyle felt like it fit the "film noir" feel, but he was a bit too sleazy and one-dimensional for my taste.
Writing this review, I still feel a bit unsettled. I enjoyed this and see a lot of potential in it, but it felt disjointed and the first half and second half didn't necessarily line up. I will be keeping my eye on Tracy Ward as I liked most of what I read.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My opinion is my own.
See more reviews here:
March 17, 2016
Fair Play was a sweet romantic read that I devoured in about a day. I believe that this is Tracy A. Ward's first book and if that's the case, I'm excited to have found a new author to follow because this one was great!
I liked the premise of this book from the very beginning but I'll be honest, I was kinda hoping that the play-writing thing would take a backseat to the rest of the novel because I'm just not into plays. Unless it's The Music Man but who doesn't love Gary, Indiana, right?!? Anyway, the play stuff most certainly DOES NOT take a backseat and man, am I ever glad that I didn't get what I want. It would have been a totally different book, a bad book, if Ward didn't write Fair Play the way that she did.
Laughter was not what I expected from this one, either. There was just this snarkiness between Ashlyn and Noah that was hilarious at times and some of the situations that they found themselves in were rife with sexual tension that neither character wanted to admit and/or act on. That tension just brings a romance novel to a whole new level. I don't want to read a book where the attraction comes easy and then it's all downhill from there. I enjoy the controversy and unsure feelings because that's how it is in real life. Love doesn't come easily for most people and it's just fun to see how things will play out in these fictional situations.
Nothing left to say unless I want to start divulging secrets and no one wants that! This is a great book for someone who wants an easy romantic read for sitting next to the pool or curled up in your favorite chair. It has characters that will make you laugh, make you angry and make you want to fall in love all over again. I'll definitely be on the lookout for new works by Ward. I think she's one to watch in the coming years.
* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *
Check out more of my reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
June 22, 2013
Tracy Ward nailed it! This book is a fun, sexy read. It is full of interesting characters with depth and emotion. The words fell from the page creating the wonderful world of Phair, Texas. As a native Texan, I found the dialect and characteristics of the supporting characters to be spot on. The wit, sarcasm, and sexy dialogue made the book for me. And just when you thought the dialogue was steamy enough, Ward didn't disappoint and backed it up with steamy descriptions of the characters intimate moments. I could not put this book down. I read it from cover to cover! Ward created a strong and dynamic Ashlyn, and coupled her with an equally strong and dynamic man, Noah. However, there was so much more to the book and the characters than simply steam... even though there was also plenty of steam involved, both literally and figuratively! Ward managed to create a vivid world with inspiring characters, which is often hard to find in a quick read. Praise for an upcoming author! I look forward to reading many more books from Ward in the future!
July 19, 2013
This was a very sweet book J I stayed all night to read it and I don’t regret this. This was the first book I’ve ever read whit a person who actually writes. Ashlyn is a thirty-year-old-woman who writes plays for the theater. She and Noah known each other for many years, but she started to hate Noah when she was seventeen and from then, they were in the opposite sides of the boat.
But Ashlyn had a crush with Noah and when Lucas, the theater’s director, put them to work together, that fire started to smolder. The attraction between them was palpable and they were consumed by it. Their lives weren’t simple and they really needed that relationship.
Noah’s father died and he was an alcohol addict and he also was violent. He moved in Phair with his stepmother and he actually loves this city. Only the city won’t be the same if the theater will be closed. So, Ashlyn is the only one who could save it. And for that, Noah and Ashlyn must work together.
And when this is happening, they can’t stop it. The love between them grows faster and they have the urge to be near each other. Noah is Ashlyn’s muse and her play is actually about her and Noah, so they had to improvise. And the play is even better when they have sex :)
But then Kyle comes in town and old memories came out. Noah wanted to protect Ashlyn, but he didn’t see that she doesn’t need help. He is overprotective and he is afraid that he would turn into his father. He blames himself for what happened 13 years ago, but that really wasn’t his fault. He loves so much Ashlyn, even he doesn’t want to admit it. He loved her for all of those years and Ashlyn loved him too, but was so hard until they finally admitted this.
Their love-story was like a rollercoaster. And there was Ashlyn’s brother who didn’t agree with their relationship and he was actually a reason for Noah. He didn’t want to fall in love with his best friend’s sister. But after all, you can’t control your heart. When Queen found out, he was pissed, but in the end he agreed.
Ashlyn has done a great job with her play and the theater hadn’t closed. She won the bet with her father and she made a career from theater. Kyle was a jerk, as always, but he didn’t succeed in his dirty plan. Ashlyn and Noah, even with their divergences, remained together and they had their happy-ending.
I liked their story because it started many years ago (when they almost kissed) and their love has resisted until now, over so many years. They both had their demons and their fears, but after all, they found the happiness and the love into each other. They were both difficult and stubborn, but they finally made it together. They deserved something good because the life wasn’t exactly easy with them.
The book was well written and I’m happy I had the opportunity to read it. I liked that Ashlyn writes plays. It’s not really easy and it’s interesting that she actually put her life on the paper. I recommend you this book because you won’t be disappointed.
RATING: 4/5 STARS
But Ashlyn had a crush with Noah and when Lucas, the theater’s director, put them to work together, that fire started to smolder. The attraction between them was palpable and they were consumed by it. Their lives weren’t simple and they really needed that relationship.
Noah’s father died and he was an alcohol addict and he also was violent. He moved in Phair with his stepmother and he actually loves this city. Only the city won’t be the same if the theater will be closed. So, Ashlyn is the only one who could save it. And for that, Noah and Ashlyn must work together.
And when this is happening, they can’t stop it. The love between them grows faster and they have the urge to be near each other. Noah is Ashlyn’s muse and her play is actually about her and Noah, so they had to improvise. And the play is even better when they have sex :)
But then Kyle comes in town and old memories came out. Noah wanted to protect Ashlyn, but he didn’t see that she doesn’t need help. He is overprotective and he is afraid that he would turn into his father. He blames himself for what happened 13 years ago, but that really wasn’t his fault. He loves so much Ashlyn, even he doesn’t want to admit it. He loved her for all of those years and Ashlyn loved him too, but was so hard until they finally admitted this.
Their love-story was like a rollercoaster. And there was Ashlyn’s brother who didn’t agree with their relationship and he was actually a reason for Noah. He didn’t want to fall in love with his best friend’s sister. But after all, you can’t control your heart. When Queen found out, he was pissed, but in the end he agreed.
Ashlyn has done a great job with her play and the theater hadn’t closed. She won the bet with her father and she made a career from theater. Kyle was a jerk, as always, but he didn’t succeed in his dirty plan. Ashlyn and Noah, even with their divergences, remained together and they had their happy-ending.
I liked their story because it started many years ago (when they almost kissed) and their love has resisted until now, over so many years. They both had their demons and their fears, but after all, they found the happiness and the love into each other. They were both difficult and stubborn, but they finally made it together. They deserved something good because the life wasn’t exactly easy with them.
The book was well written and I’m happy I had the opportunity to read it. I liked that Ashlyn writes plays. It’s not really easy and it’s interesting that she actually put her life on the paper. I recommend you this book because you won’t be disappointed.
RATING: 4/5 STARS
April 9, 2016
* I received an ARC copy of Fair Play for an honest review by the publishers on Net Galley*
So im not sure where to start with this book other than that I enjoyed it, but I didn't LOVE it the way I thought I would after having read the synopsis. What I did really enjoy about the book was Tracy's writing. It was phenomenal. I was pleasantly surprised with how well written it was, how well the story flowed together, and the grammer and spelling was on point. This definitly added to the quality of the book. I also really liked how sweet Noah was with Ashlyn. I didn't get why Ashlyn supposedly "hated" Noah so much. So your past crush on him went sour, and he over reacted to something that happened in your past which, from my point of view, was well justified. If anything, that would have made me love him even more. Not make him the villian in your life's story. I just couldnt connect with Ashlyn's reasoning as to why she couldn't get along with him. And he wasn't the "ass" she kept making him out to be throughout most of the book. Is he cocky? Ya, a little, but in a funny and sweet sort of way. Is he over protective of his best friends little sister? A little, yes, but for me that was no reason to hate the guy. And he had a pretty good reason to protect her anyways.
Which leads me to another reason why I couldn't love the book as much as I wanted to. There was no in depth explanation as to Ashlyn and Noahs shared history. I don't like a lot of back and forth in the books I read anyways, but a little sneak peak into their past at the begining would have explained why Noah does what he does, and why Ashlyn hates him to begin with. Instead, it's brought to the readers attention slowly throughout the entire novel, and by then I just wasn't really invested in the characters.
I also didn't quite like or get why Noah becomes invested in Ashlyn's play and the directors involvment in the decision. It was a little silly and unnecessary, at least for me. Especially the parts of the book where they rehearse and "become" the characters of her play, and do things together that apparently voids their actions in real life? That it was the characters fault that they did them, almost? Nope, I just couldnt connect with that development of the story, and found myself rolling my eyes at those parts.
As the story went on, it became a bit better, especially when Ashlyn connects her aversion to Noah's protective behaviour with her dad, which did make it a bit easier to relate to her need for independance in her actions and decision making. The ending was also super cute and again, I loved Noah and how sweet he was to her. but over all I didnt love it. I couldnt connect with the story line or the characters, but I do thank the publishers for giving me the chance to read and review it all the same.
So im not sure where to start with this book other than that I enjoyed it, but I didn't LOVE it the way I thought I would after having read the synopsis. What I did really enjoy about the book was Tracy's writing. It was phenomenal. I was pleasantly surprised with how well written it was, how well the story flowed together, and the grammer and spelling was on point. This definitly added to the quality of the book. I also really liked how sweet Noah was with Ashlyn. I didn't get why Ashlyn supposedly "hated" Noah so much. So your past crush on him went sour, and he over reacted to something that happened in your past which, from my point of view, was well justified. If anything, that would have made me love him even more. Not make him the villian in your life's story. I just couldnt connect with Ashlyn's reasoning as to why she couldn't get along with him. And he wasn't the "ass" she kept making him out to be throughout most of the book. Is he cocky? Ya, a little, but in a funny and sweet sort of way. Is he over protective of his best friends little sister? A little, yes, but for me that was no reason to hate the guy. And he had a pretty good reason to protect her anyways.
Which leads me to another reason why I couldn't love the book as much as I wanted to. There was no in depth explanation as to Ashlyn and Noahs shared history. I don't like a lot of back and forth in the books I read anyways, but a little sneak peak into their past at the begining would have explained why Noah does what he does, and why Ashlyn hates him to begin with. Instead, it's brought to the readers attention slowly throughout the entire novel, and by then I just wasn't really invested in the characters.
I also didn't quite like or get why Noah becomes invested in Ashlyn's play and the directors involvment in the decision. It was a little silly and unnecessary, at least for me. Especially the parts of the book where they rehearse and "become" the characters of her play, and do things together that apparently voids their actions in real life? That it was the characters fault that they did them, almost? Nope, I just couldnt connect with that development of the story, and found myself rolling my eyes at those parts.
As the story went on, it became a bit better, especially when Ashlyn connects her aversion to Noah's protective behaviour with her dad, which did make it a bit easier to relate to her need for independance in her actions and decision making. The ending was also super cute and again, I loved Noah and how sweet he was to her. but over all I didnt love it. I couldnt connect with the story line or the characters, but I do thank the publishers for giving me the chance to read and review it all the same.
July 28, 2013
3.5 Fair Play caught my attention from the cover to the synopsis and I was eager to jump in and read Noah and Ashlyn’s story. This was a fun, hot read that I consumed in a single evening. Three word review: sweet, sexy and entertaining.
Ashlyn is a struggling writer who has been hired to write three plays for the nationally acclaimed theater in Phair, Texas. Her first two increased sales but didn’t enthrall the critics. With just a few weeks to go before the playwright festival she hands in a rough draft of her first scene and admits she is suffering from writer’s block. Her director thinks there is a link between her characters and her relationship with her brother’s best friend Noah Blake. He wants Noah to be her muse and insists they spend time together. Blake runs a successful pub chain across the street from the theater that is about to go international. She has a love/hate relationship with Noah and the tale that unfolds found me laughing, swooning and completely captivated.
The tale is told from Ashlyn’s POV which in my opinion added to the tale. I found her to be strong, brilliant, witty and carrying around a few issues. It was fun seeing her overcome them and take a chance. Noah just oozes smexy from his handsome good lucks, smirky smile and brilliant career mind. He has known Ashlyn forever but as his best friend’s little sister she is off limits. The banter between them was hilarious with an edge of snark. They both have commitment issues which only added to the tale and had me wanted to bop them over the head. We meet other characters and a sleazy character from their past, all of which had me turning the pages. The town of Phair is one I would like to visit and the townsfolk we met added to the story and made you envious of the people who lived there. I am hoping the author decides to revisit this small town and create new stories there.
I love troupes that force two characters together. Especially when it’s obvious the couple is attracted to one another and are the only ones who can’t see it. Ward added some clever twist including the play Ashlyn was writing which created some delightfully sinful and smoking hot scenes. I laughed and giggled despite the predictability of the tale. The romance and sexual tension built slowly and when it all collided it was oh-la-la! I found the characters to be fleshed-out, genuine and believable. This book offered me a lovely escape as reality simply slipped away. I loved that it made me burst out laughing and had me sighing the next moment.
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Ashlyn is a struggling writer who has been hired to write three plays for the nationally acclaimed theater in Phair, Texas. Her first two increased sales but didn’t enthrall the critics. With just a few weeks to go before the playwright festival she hands in a rough draft of her first scene and admits she is suffering from writer’s block. Her director thinks there is a link between her characters and her relationship with her brother’s best friend Noah Blake. He wants Noah to be her muse and insists they spend time together. Blake runs a successful pub chain across the street from the theater that is about to go international. She has a love/hate relationship with Noah and the tale that unfolds found me laughing, swooning and completely captivated.
The tale is told from Ashlyn’s POV which in my opinion added to the tale. I found her to be strong, brilliant, witty and carrying around a few issues. It was fun seeing her overcome them and take a chance. Noah just oozes smexy from his handsome good lucks, smirky smile and brilliant career mind. He has known Ashlyn forever but as his best friend’s little sister she is off limits. The banter between them was hilarious with an edge of snark. They both have commitment issues which only added to the tale and had me wanted to bop them over the head. We meet other characters and a sleazy character from their past, all of which had me turning the pages. The town of Phair is one I would like to visit and the townsfolk we met added to the story and made you envious of the people who lived there. I am hoping the author decides to revisit this small town and create new stories there.
I love troupes that force two characters together. Especially when it’s obvious the couple is attracted to one another and are the only ones who can’t see it. Ward added some clever twist including the play Ashlyn was writing which created some delightfully sinful and smoking hot scenes. I laughed and giggled despite the predictability of the tale. The romance and sexual tension built slowly and when it all collided it was oh-la-la! I found the characters to be fleshed-out, genuine and believable. This book offered me a lovely escape as reality simply slipped away. I loved that it made me burst out laughing and had me sighing the next moment.
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
September 10, 2013
First line: Sitting on the ladder-backed barstool at the Double Shot, still sweaty from spending the day shut in my oven for an apartment-who didn't have AC in Texas?-I took a slug of my gin and tonic and glanced at my watch for the eight billionth time."
This was a lovely story that I easily read in one sitting. The characters drew me in and the unique set-up of the plot and the external conflict was well done.
Ashlyn is a struggling playwright on the verge of either making it really big or becoming a colossal failure. Everything hinges on a play she is writing for the local theater in Phair, TX. The theater plays host every year to a well-known festival, and being part of the play that wins the accompanying contest means you can write your ticket to Broadway. The theater is the heart of the town, and has fallen into a state of disrepair. The owner needs Ashlyn to write the play that wins it all so he can take the cash award and keep the theater open.
The only problem is that Ashlyn is blocked writing her play, and as the minutes tick by bringing the festival closer and closer, intervention is required. It arrives in the form of Noah, who owns the bar across the street from the theater and is also Ashlyn's brother's best friend from college. Ashlyn and Noah haven't gotten along in twelve years after a big misunderstanding and now the theater's owner forces them to work together.
Noah plays the part of Ashlyn's muse and as the attraction between them grows, Ashlyn's writer's block disappears. The lines start to blur between what's real between Ashlyn and Noah, and what's part of the play (as they role play the two lead character's scenes), and once you throw in a contest judge from their past who is holding a big grudge against them, there is lots of conflict and angst.
I thought the premise of the story was fresh and engaging. Ashlyn and Noah's denial of their feelings but inability to keep their hands off each other was kept from feeling like the usual push/pull you find in romance stories because of the role playing element.
There was almost too much conflict to have to work through- Ashlyn and Noah's "almost" encounter/misunderstanding from 12 years ago, Ashlyn's brother, the pressure that the play is great, Noah's internal demons, the evil contest judge- my head was spinning just a little bit on that front. Still, the characters manage to find their HEA, and I liked that the ending wasn't completely predictable.
This was a lovely story that I easily read in one sitting. The characters drew me in and the unique set-up of the plot and the external conflict was well done.
Ashlyn is a struggling playwright on the verge of either making it really big or becoming a colossal failure. Everything hinges on a play she is writing for the local theater in Phair, TX. The theater plays host every year to a well-known festival, and being part of the play that wins the accompanying contest means you can write your ticket to Broadway. The theater is the heart of the town, and has fallen into a state of disrepair. The owner needs Ashlyn to write the play that wins it all so he can take the cash award and keep the theater open.
The only problem is that Ashlyn is blocked writing her play, and as the minutes tick by bringing the festival closer and closer, intervention is required. It arrives in the form of Noah, who owns the bar across the street from the theater and is also Ashlyn's brother's best friend from college. Ashlyn and Noah haven't gotten along in twelve years after a big misunderstanding and now the theater's owner forces them to work together.
Noah plays the part of Ashlyn's muse and as the attraction between them grows, Ashlyn's writer's block disappears. The lines start to blur between what's real between Ashlyn and Noah, and what's part of the play (as they role play the two lead character's scenes), and once you throw in a contest judge from their past who is holding a big grudge against them, there is lots of conflict and angst.
I thought the premise of the story was fresh and engaging. Ashlyn and Noah's denial of their feelings but inability to keep their hands off each other was kept from feeling like the usual push/pull you find in romance stories because of the role playing element.
There was almost too much conflict to have to work through- Ashlyn and Noah's "almost" encounter/misunderstanding from 12 years ago, Ashlyn's brother, the pressure that the play is great, Noah's internal demons, the evil contest judge- my head was spinning just a little bit on that front. Still, the characters manage to find their HEA, and I liked that the ending wasn't completely predictable.
July 3, 2013
I love small town settings, interesting pasts and anything hot and steamy and Fair Play comes through with all of those.
Character Development:
Told from the alternating point-of-view of both Noah and Ashlyn makes Fair Play a very fun book to read. Not only do you know that one side is really confuse about the relationship and things that are happening between them, but you know what both sides are thinking. I loved hearing from each of them. They both have things to deal with and are trying to figure out the chemistry between the two of them even though each is sure the other hates him or her. It's amusing and the chemistry soars. Their banter is especially fun and one of my favorite things about the book. But I also love that Noah is so protective of Ashlyn. That really touched my heart.
Plot:
Throwing Noah and Ashlyn together so she can finish the play that could save the town, makes a very interesting premise and it also makes the sparks fly. Add in a somewhat mysterious man from the past (we know who and what he did, but have to figure out what he's up during the book). But the main focus is on the developing attraction between Noah and Ashlyn. I loved this, it really worked in the book and kept me turning the pages. I was thoroughly involved in their outcome.
Final Thoughts:
Fair Play provides an interesting premise, builds on it, holds my attention and makes me care about the characters. It's a fun and spark-filled romance with the great back drop of a small town and some of the people in it. All-in-all it's a great romance read for the summer or for anytime!
Character Development:
Told from the alternating point-of-view of both Noah and Ashlyn makes Fair Play a very fun book to read. Not only do you know that one side is really confuse about the relationship and things that are happening between them, but you know what both sides are thinking. I loved hearing from each of them. They both have things to deal with and are trying to figure out the chemistry between the two of them even though each is sure the other hates him or her. It's amusing and the chemistry soars. Their banter is especially fun and one of my favorite things about the book. But I also love that Noah is so protective of Ashlyn. That really touched my heart.
Plot:
Throwing Noah and Ashlyn together so she can finish the play that could save the town, makes a very interesting premise and it also makes the sparks fly. Add in a somewhat mysterious man from the past (we know who and what he did, but have to figure out what he's up during the book). But the main focus is on the developing attraction between Noah and Ashlyn. I loved this, it really worked in the book and kept me turning the pages. I was thoroughly involved in their outcome.
Final Thoughts:
Fair Play provides an interesting premise, builds on it, holds my attention and makes me care about the characters. It's a fun and spark-filled romance with the great back drop of a small town and some of the people in it. All-in-all it's a great romance read for the summer or for anytime!
July 28, 2013
I really enjoyed Ashlyn and Noah's story. I loved that the author switched between the character's voices each chapter. It was a fun way to get to know how each of them was feeling as their relationship developed. The plot was unique and I thought Tracy Ward did a great job developing the story. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Favorite quote from Noah:
"All at once, fifty years of nights just like this flashed before my eyes-of coming home from a long day and finding her cooking, or working, or daydreaming. Of shared dinners and kids doing homework at the kitchen table." Location 2004
Hello handsome! What woman wouldn't want a man imagining a future with them! Loved this so much & thought it showed great insight into Noah's true character.
Favorite quote from Ashlyn:
"I love you." I said. "That's what's real. And I don't know what happens next, but I don't have to. I just need to know you're willing to work it out because I know you feel something for me, too." Location 2073
Seeing Ashlyn express what it was that she was feeling & willing to put her heart on the line was a great moment!
Favorite quote from Noah:
"All at once, fifty years of nights just like this flashed before my eyes-of coming home from a long day and finding her cooking, or working, or daydreaming. Of shared dinners and kids doing homework at the kitchen table." Location 2004
Hello handsome! What woman wouldn't want a man imagining a future with them! Loved this so much & thought it showed great insight into Noah's true character.
Favorite quote from Ashlyn:
"I love you." I said. "That's what's real. And I don't know what happens next, but I don't have to. I just need to know you're willing to work it out because I know you feel something for me, too." Location 2073
Seeing Ashlyn express what it was that she was feeling & willing to put her heart on the line was a great moment!
June 2, 2013
I'd actually give Fair Play 3 1/2 stars, but Goodreads doesn't let you give half stars.
Fair Play by Tracy A. Ward: Ashlyn and Noah have known each other for years, but for the past few years, Ashlyn has, as she says ‘hated’ Noah for what she perceives as wrongs he’s done. By a quirk of fate (or is it fate?) they both end up in small town Phair, Texas. Ashlyn is a struggling playwright and Noah is running a bar in on of the chains he owns. Ashlyn sees her move to Phair as her last chance to prove herself as a playwright – to critics, the public, and most of all to her father. If she doesn’t succeed as a playwright by her 30th birthday she has a contract with her father that means she will forfeit her significant inheritance. Read More
Fair Play by Tracy A. Ward: Ashlyn and Noah have known each other for years, but for the past few years, Ashlyn has, as she says ‘hated’ Noah for what she perceives as wrongs he’s done. By a quirk of fate (or is it fate?) they both end up in small town Phair, Texas. Ashlyn is a struggling playwright and Noah is running a bar in on of the chains he owns. Ashlyn sees her move to Phair as her last chance to prove herself as a playwright – to critics, the public, and most of all to her father. If she doesn’t succeed as a playwright by her 30th birthday she has a contract with her father that means she will forfeit her significant inheritance. Read More
June 25, 2016
Fair Play by Tracy A. Ward is a nice romance with a few sensual love scenes splashed throughout the second half of the story. The book moves along at a reasonable pace and the characters are believable and likeable. It is an original and intriguing read.
The two main characters, Ashlyn and Noah have crushed on each other since college. However, Ashlyn has always been off limits because her brother Quinn is Noah's best friend. Ashlyn is a sharp and witty playwright working diligently toward a Broadway debut. Noah is a successful restauranteur, constantly seeking new opportunities for his restaurant chain. For the time being, they have both settled in Phair, Texas and they still have feelings for each other.
I believe the author has a bright future!
The two main characters, Ashlyn and Noah have crushed on each other since college. However, Ashlyn has always been off limits because her brother Quinn is Noah's best friend. Ashlyn is a sharp and witty playwright working diligently toward a Broadway debut. Noah is a successful restauranteur, constantly seeking new opportunities for his restaurant chain. For the time being, they have both settled in Phair, Texas and they still have feelings for each other.
I believe the author has a bright future!
March 16, 2016
I tried so hard to like it. Keyword here is "tried."
I don't know.
The book was very promising to me, but it ended up just okay. Maybe because I didn't like the characters that much, or maybe because I just couldn't with the writing style.
I just realized that in the past week, this was the only book I was reading. And it's only 175 pages!
It could have been 4 stars to me if only there were no sex scenes. I'm very open to sex scenes, much much dirtier is better, but with the author's writing style, the characters' personality, the narration's tone, the sex scenes should be vague or more vague than what the writer did.
*Review copy provided by author/publisher in exchange of an honest review.*
I don't know.
The book was very promising to me, but it ended up just okay. Maybe because I didn't like the characters that much, or maybe because I just couldn't with the writing style.
I just realized that in the past week, this was the only book I was reading. And it's only 175 pages!
It could have been 4 stars to me if only there were no sex scenes. I'm very open to sex scenes, much much dirtier is better, but with the author's writing style, the characters' personality, the narration's tone, the sex scenes should be vague or more vague than what the writer did.
*Review copy provided by author/publisher in exchange of an honest review.*
March 30, 2016
I really really wanted to like this one but I just couldn't get into the writing style. I felt awkward and almost forced at times. There was a lot of telling and not enough showing. I was a bit confused about the timeline of this one too, because at one point in the story the said they met because her brother was his roommate in college but then they said they've known each other since they were kids?? I'm so confused. I don't know if I read something wrong or not but it really threw me out of the story. I also didn't connect with the characters at all. I wanted to enjoy this one since I am a big theater dork but I just don't think this one was for me.
June 7, 2013
Very addictive! Hard to put down so clear up your schedule for the day. This is a great easy read if you are looking for a fun romance book! Characters come to life in this adorable Texas town. Good amount of sizzle without being too much. Look forward to more from this author. Would recommend book to my friends.
Read
June 16, 2013A friend recommended to me Fair Play by new author Tracy A Ward and after spending the afternoon with Ashlyn and Noah I will in turn recommend this read to anyone who would like to lose themselves in fun, drama and sizzle for a fast pace afternoon read. I felt as if the characters were anyone I could know in real life. The author did a terrific job and I look forward to more books by her.
June 16, 2013
Couldn't put this book down!!! I stayed up way past my bedtime on a work night to finish this book because I had to know what happened! It was worth it. The main characters are smart and clever with great dialogue and serious chemistry! Sexy! The ending was heartfelt but not sappy! Perfect summer beach read!
July 19, 2013
Fair Play is the kind of novel that draws you in, makes you feel right at home and, when it's over, you kinda don't want to leave. Ashlyn and Noah are a fun couple, and I loved the story line of her as a playwright saving the town's theater and Noah as her muse. This is definitely a story I want to visit again.
May 24, 2013
Such a fun read! I loved the sass and quick wit of the main character, Ashlyn. The town of Phair sounds like a place I would visit, especially during the festival time. I'm not going to lie, I teared up at the end. If you are looking for a fun, sexy, quick read, check out Fair Play!
June 13, 2013
Best friend's little sister and sworn enemies to lovers--Fair Play had my two favorite story lines wrapped into one! Loved the banter and at times the book was laugh out loud funny. This was a fun, fast-paced read. Can't wait to see what this author does next!
June 13, 2013
Loved it. Kept me entertained and wanting more from the characters. It was hot!
July 7, 2013
Very fun by the beach book to read. Love the characters. Can't wait for her next book.
October 7, 2013
I loved this book! From page one I was hooked! And the storyline was so different than anything Ive read before! A great,fun and sexy read that youll want to devour! Fantastic read!
March 31, 2016
3.5 “Broadway love” STARS
Looking for a sweet romance with a theater/Broadway background? Fair Play is a good choice for you, then.
This is the love story of Ashlyn and Noah with three of the tropes I like in this genre: hate to love + brother’s BFF + (a variation of) fake relationship.
Ashlyn, the main character, is a writer who dreams of conquering Broadway. After a few successful plays, Ashlyn sees the opportunity to take her career to the next level with her next project, a play for a nationally acclaimed theater in a small town in Texas. If she does well, she’ll not only get closer to her dream, but the theater will also win a prize that will guarantee it keeps its door open. If she fails, the town of Phair will lose its main attraction, which will impact the economy greatly, and Ashlyn will lose her inheritance because of a deal she made with her control-freak father a while ago. A successful career on Broadway means money and independence, so Ashlyn is ready to fight for that.
But fighting might be what she needs to STOP doing in order to win. That and kicking this writer’s block to the curb, because she needs to finish the play ASAP.
When Lucas, the play director and Ashlyn’s boss, sees her interacting with Noah – her brother’s best friend and the owner of the local bar, he recognizes the similarities between Ashlyn and Noah’s relationship and the one portrayed by the main characters in the play. Ashlyn doesn’t know it at first but she’s writing her love story with Noah. I honestly don’t know if Lucas intended on forcing them to acknowledge their feelings for each other or if he was just trying to save the theater, but he proposes (forces) Ashlyn and Noah to work together so she’ll draw inspiration from their interactions and finish the play. Basically, they start a (different kind of) fake relationship; one almost everyone knows it’s fake.
It doesn’t mean that their feelings aren’t real.
I thought the author did a good job putting a spin on the “fake relationship” trope. Instead of pretending to be a couple to please or deceive other people (like it normally goes in stories like this), Ashlyn and Noah use the excuse of playing characters to hide their feeling from each other, and as the story progresses to explore those feelings.
This is more like a slow-burn romance, since it takes a while for things to go from platonic to romantic, and for Ashlyn and Noah to finally admit they never really disliked each other and have wanted to be more than frenemies for a long time. But sometimes all people need is a push, which was what Lucas provided by proposing that deal.
Aside from the romance, there were other aspects that made this story interesting. The theater references, from writing a play to rehearsing to taking part in a contest, were a big part of the plot; and so was Ashlyn’s past with one of the judges. I won’t get into details because I don’t want to spoil anything, but the guy was a real douchebag. I’m glad Ashlyn found a way to deal with him and that she did it herself instead of letting her brother or Noah fix the problem.
That aspect was also a big part of Ashlyn’s character arc and it matched Noah’s struggle. While Ashlyn came from a relationship with a father who tried to control her life, Noah’s father was the complete opposite. He saw his father lose control of his emotion so many times that he became a control freak himself. So Ashlyn tried very hard to be independent and Noah wanted to fix everything for her. In order to work as a couple, they had to learn how to find balance. Just like in real life, huh?
This story was sweet and romantic, pretty much everything you’ll probably want to find when searching for this type of books, right? So go read it.
March 28, 2016
"Fair Play" was a fun take on the unrequited love/forbidden fruit trope with a little "role playing" thrown in for good measure. The hero and heroine have a like - hate relationship ... he likes her, since he's his best friend's little sister and he's known her almost half his life and she hates him because he's a controlling asshole. Unfortunately, they are both living in the small Texas town of Phair. Ashlyn is there because it's her best chance to get one of her stage plays sent up to Broadway which is part of the prize if her play wins the Phair Theatre Festival. Everything depends on her getting her play to Broadway because of a contract she signed with her father. Noah, owns a chain of bars, Double Shot, and he recently opened one in Phair. He recommended Ashlyn to the owner of the town's historical Marshal theater, Lucas, who felt she showed promise and hired her. Unfortunately, Ashlyn's last two plays got terrible reviews from a particular critic and her reputation has suffered. Ashlyn's script, for the competition, is incomplete and the performance is in a few weeks. Upon reading it, Lucas, who is also the director, feels that the two main characters are based on Ashlyn and Noah - Ashlyn strongly disagrees. Lucas says it may be subconscious but it's his gut. He has some suggestions as to how Noah and Ashlyn can fix the writer's block. Noah and Ashlyn definitely have history which comes out in brief "snapshots" of memories. They also have a very good reason to stay away from each other - Ashlyn's brother and Noah's best friend Quinn. There is also another person from the past that was a threat then and is still a threat now, Kyle Pritchard. All of these elements swirl together to form a tsunami of passion, peril, and regret. Tracy A. Ward creates two very strong main characters who not only fight against each other but are irrefutably drawn to one another.
Tracy A. Ward creates a compelling story of a Love that has lasted through the years which was also discouraged by loyalty to the Hero's friend. "Fair Play" not only has the fun and sexy elements of role play and improvisation but a high risk element to the entire enterprise of success or failure of this one play. Not only do you have the familial feel that one has in the theater but you also get that intimacy from the small town that the story is set in. I would have liked to see a little more of the script reading between Noah and Ashlyn - sitting across from each other, in her small hot apartment, reading to one another from the script, staring into each other's eyes. Something very intimate that led into the improv rather than just jumping into the role play. I'm not sure if I felt that there was too much going on or if the cast of characters should have been cut down. Maybe Ashlyn's confidant could have been Babs rather than Jess, a character that seemed to be in the book solely for the purpose of being a confidant. There were a lot of things that occurred in the book which seemed as if they were leading up to something important, but they never evolved into anything. It was rather frustrating. I really liked the characters, I found them engaging and appealing. However, I did find the other things to be somewhat extraneous and bothersome.
To read the entire review please visit: http://bit.ly/1URzTJz
This novel was provided in exchange for an unbiased review.
Tracy A. Ward creates a compelling story of a Love that has lasted through the years which was also discouraged by loyalty to the Hero's friend. "Fair Play" not only has the fun and sexy elements of role play and improvisation but a high risk element to the entire enterprise of success or failure of this one play. Not only do you have the familial feel that one has in the theater but you also get that intimacy from the small town that the story is set in. I would have liked to see a little more of the script reading between Noah and Ashlyn - sitting across from each other, in her small hot apartment, reading to one another from the script, staring into each other's eyes. Something very intimate that led into the improv rather than just jumping into the role play. I'm not sure if I felt that there was too much going on or if the cast of characters should have been cut down. Maybe Ashlyn's confidant could have been Babs rather than Jess, a character that seemed to be in the book solely for the purpose of being a confidant. There were a lot of things that occurred in the book which seemed as if they were leading up to something important, but they never evolved into anything. It was rather frustrating. I really liked the characters, I found them engaging and appealing. However, I did find the other things to be somewhat extraneous and bothersome.
To read the entire review please visit: http://bit.ly/1URzTJz
This novel was provided in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 28, 2016
"Fair Play" was a fun take on the unrequited love/forbidden fruit trope with a little "role playing" thrown in for good measure. The hero and heroine have a like - hate relationship ... he likes her, since he's his best friend's little sister and he's known her almost half his life and she hates him because he's a controlling asshole. Unfortunately, they are both living in the small Texas town of Phair. Ashlyn is there because it's her best chance to get one of her stage plays sent up to Broadway which is part of the prize if her play wins the Phair Theatre Festival. Everything depends on her getting her play to Broadway because of a contract she signed with her father. Noah, owns a chain of bars, Double Shot, and he recently opened one in Phair. He recommended Ashlyn to the owner of the town's historical Marshal theater, Lucas, who felt she showed promise and hired her. Unfortunately, Ashlyn's last two plays got terrible reviews from a particular critic and her reputation has suffered. Ashlyn's script, for the competition, is incomplete and the performance is in a few weeks. Upon reading it, Lucas, who is also the director, feels that the two main characters are based on Ashlyn and Noah - Ashlyn strongly disagrees. Lucas says it may be subconscious but it's his gut. He has some suggestions as to how Noah and Ashlyn can fix the writer's block. Noah and Ashlyn definitely have history which comes out in brief "snapshots" of memories. They also have a very good reason to stay away from each other - Ashlyn's brother and Noah's best friend Quinn. There is also another person from the past that was a threat then and is still a threat now, Kyle Pritchard. All of these elements swirl together to form a tsunami of passion, peril, and regret. Tracy A. Ward creates two very strong main characters who not only fight against each other but are irrefutably drawn to one another.
Tracy A. Ward creates a compelling story of a Love that has lasted through the years which was also discouraged by loyalty to the Hero's friend. "Fair Play" not only has the fun and sexy elements of role play and improvisation but a high risk element to the entire enterprise of success or failure of this one play. Not only do you have the familial feel that one has in the theater but you also get that intimacy from the small town that the story is set in. I would have liked to see a little more of the script reading between Noah and Ashlyn - sitting across from each other, in her small hot apartment, reading to one another from the script, staring into each other's eyes. Something very intimate that led into the improv rather than just jumping into the role play. I'm not sure if I felt that there was too much going on or if the cast of characters should have been cut down. Maybe Ashlyn's confidant could have been Babs rather than Jess, a character that seemed to be in the book solely for the purpose of being a confidant. There were a lot of things that occurred in the book which seemed as if they were leading up to something important, but they never evolved into anything. It was rather frustrating. I really liked the characters, I found them engaging and appealing. However, I did find the other things to be somewhat extraneous and bothersome.
To read the entire review please visit: http://bit.ly/1URzTJz
This novel was provided in exchange for an unbiased review.
Tracy A. Ward creates a compelling story of a Love that has lasted through the years which was also discouraged by loyalty to the Hero's friend. "Fair Play" not only has the fun and sexy elements of role play and improvisation but a high risk element to the entire enterprise of success or failure of this one play. Not only do you have the familial feel that one has in the theater but you also get that intimacy from the small town that the story is set in. I would have liked to see a little more of the script reading between Noah and Ashlyn - sitting across from each other, in her small hot apartment, reading to one another from the script, staring into each other's eyes. Something very intimate that led into the improv rather than just jumping into the role play. I'm not sure if I felt that there was too much going on or if the cast of characters should have been cut down. Maybe Ashlyn's confidant could have been Babs rather than Jess, a character that seemed to be in the book solely for the purpose of being a confidant. There were a lot of things that occurred in the book which seemed as if they were leading up to something important, but they never evolved into anything. It was rather frustrating. I really liked the characters, I found them engaging and appealing. However, I did find the other things to be somewhat extraneous and bothersome.
To read the entire review please visit: http://bit.ly/1URzTJz
This novel was provided in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 29, 2016
Fair Play was a fun and flirty novel about falling in love with your brother’s best friend. I absolutely adored this book. Noah met Ashlyn’s brother when they became roommates at college and Ashlyn’s been crushing on Noah for almost that long. But after a disastrous visit one year when she was seventeen, things have been tense. Noah thinks he can’t cross that line. You know that invisible guy line that best friends don’t cross? Ashlyn thinks he’s just the Patron Saint of…well you can fill in the blanks. But in order to save the town, her inheritance and the theater where she works, they are thrust into close proximity to each other.
These characters are well-developed and complex. Noah just may be your next book boyfriend. He’s definitely swoon worthy, overprotective and has some alpha tendencies. Ashlyn is feisty, independent and has a lot of sass. The banter between Noah and Ashlyn that could be hilarious and sometimes snarky kept me giggling and smiling. It was just what I needed. The side characters definitely add to the story. I loved Babs.
This is the perfect light, easy read for curling up with a mug of something hot (or a glass of something alcoholic if that floats your boat). I read it after a tough day with my teething toddler and it helped my day melt away. It’s perfect for a little escapism when you need it. I hope there will be more. I think Quinn needs his own story.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
These characters are well-developed and complex. Noah just may be your next book boyfriend. He’s definitely swoon worthy, overprotective and has some alpha tendencies. Ashlyn is feisty, independent and has a lot of sass. The banter between Noah and Ashlyn that could be hilarious and sometimes snarky kept me giggling and smiling. It was just what I needed. The side characters definitely add to the story. I loved Babs.
This is the perfect light, easy read for curling up with a mug of something hot (or a glass of something alcoholic if that floats your boat). I read it after a tough day with my teething toddler and it helped my day melt away. It’s perfect for a little escapism when you need it. I hope there will be more. I think Quinn needs his own story.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2016
Fair Play
is Tracy A. Ward's debut novel.
Fair Play is about a woman named Ashlyn and a man named Noah, who happens to be her older brother's best friend...and the guy she has avoided since her crush-gone-bad days. Now her director thinks that Noah is the key to her creativity, she has no choice but to collaborate with her worst enemy. Everything Ashlyn thought she wanted is put to the test and the guy she swore she was over still has her in his grasp.
Tracy A. Ward's novel, Fair Play, was an absolute sensual read, with a splash of romance and drama. The novel was reasonable paced, the dialogue felt right, and the characters felt real. I felt like every page was sizzling with the chemistry that seemed to be bouncing off of both Ashlyn and Noah. Speaking of chemistry and characters, I felt that Tracy A. Ward was able to both realistically and wondrously bring to life the characters. They seemed both real yet so unique.
If you haven't yet picked up Fair Play, I recommend you do so today.
ARC was kindly provided by publisher, Barclay Publicity, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For this review and more, check out: http://amalialock.blogspot.ca
Fair Play is about a woman named Ashlyn and a man named Noah, who happens to be her older brother's best friend...and the guy she has avoided since her crush-gone-bad days. Now her director thinks that Noah is the key to her creativity, she has no choice but to collaborate with her worst enemy. Everything Ashlyn thought she wanted is put to the test and the guy she swore she was over still has her in his grasp.
Tracy A. Ward's novel, Fair Play, was an absolute sensual read, with a splash of romance and drama. The novel was reasonable paced, the dialogue felt right, and the characters felt real. I felt like every page was sizzling with the chemistry that seemed to be bouncing off of both Ashlyn and Noah. Speaking of chemistry and characters, I felt that Tracy A. Ward was able to both realistically and wondrously bring to life the characters. They seemed both real yet so unique.
If you haven't yet picked up Fair Play, I recommend you do so today.
ARC was kindly provided by publisher, Barclay Publicity, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For this review and more, check out: http://amalialock.blogspot.ca
June 9, 2016
I could feel the chemistry smoldering off the pages between Noah and Ashlyn – and that’s what helped sell the story for me. It was easy to like these two and hope they ended up with their own HEA, especially when it comes out that these two have been pining away for one another for years, even though Noah is Ashlyn’s older brother’s best friend. They’ve kept their friendship platonic and pretended to dislike one another, but deep down Noah had forced himself to put his friendship with Ashlyn’s brother first. The improvisation scenes prompted by Ashlyn’s theater director to encourage creativity lead the two to the truth, but they’re both still too proud to admit their true feelings. Noah and Ashlyn are likeable characters, but each one confronts individual issues in a struggle to find each other. Noah is worried he’ll turn into his late father, and Ashlyn has to fight off her insecurities and fear of failure. They each have to figure out in their own way how to fight for what they want individually and together.
Fair Play is an endearing and romantic read laced with a bit of angst that nearly costs Ashlyn and Noah everything, including the loss of a best friend and the loves of their lives. Through the process, Ashlyn finds her voice to confront the past and Noah gives up control and bares his heart in a show of vulnerability.
Fair Play is an endearing and romantic read laced with a bit of angst that nearly costs Ashlyn and Noah everything, including the loss of a best friend and the loves of their lives. Through the process, Ashlyn finds her voice to confront the past and Noah gives up control and bares his heart in a show of vulnerability.
March 26, 2016
Gah! I loved this book! I'm a sucker for a novel with a spunky heroine, and in FAIR PLAY, I absolutely adored Ashlyn. She's talented and self-sufficient, with a sense of quirky humor and lightheartedness about life, even in a somewhat dire situation. You just want to root for this girl to get everything she ever dreamed of, and I loved seeing her go for what she wants without hesitation.
And what she wants includes the incredibly sexy Noah. Oh, Noah, how I love you! Who wouldn't love a man who has always had our heroine's best interests at heart? And I wasn't even mad at him when he went behind Ashlyn's back and tried to get the scoop on the bad guy. (Even though Ashlyn was- and oh, the sexual tension between them after! Scorching!) The rule play aspect of this novel is so well done, and the sexual chemistry between the two lead characters is smoking hot. I loved the way the book followed the play that Ashlyn is waiting and how seamlessly the author played upon both storylines to a thrilling conclusion.
If you're looking for romance with a ton of heart and a lot of sexy times, look no further. FAIR PLAY is fun, with a little bit of danger thrown in, and it is really an amazing read!
And what she wants includes the incredibly sexy Noah. Oh, Noah, how I love you! Who wouldn't love a man who has always had our heroine's best interests at heart? And I wasn't even mad at him when he went behind Ashlyn's back and tried to get the scoop on the bad guy. (Even though Ashlyn was- and oh, the sexual tension between them after! Scorching!) The rule play aspect of this novel is so well done, and the sexual chemistry between the two lead characters is smoking hot. I loved the way the book followed the play that Ashlyn is waiting and how seamlessly the author played upon both storylines to a thrilling conclusion.
If you're looking for romance with a ton of heart and a lot of sexy times, look no further. FAIR PLAY is fun, with a little bit of danger thrown in, and it is really an amazing read!
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