Next in line as CEO of his family's international luxury-resort empire, Liam Westbrook didn't make his way to the top playing it safe. So when the fast-living British bachelor spies an exotic beauty under a smoldering North Carolina moon, he makes a scandalous proposal. The night culminates in an all-consuming passion that leaves them both burning for more. Liam knows he can't just walk away. But after a devastating past betrayal, can he trust where his heart is leading him?
Maya Alvarez's two young daughters are her entire world. But when she ends up alone—on her birthday—the divorced single mother does something totally out of character. She accepts an invitation that leads to a hot summer fling with a seductive stranger who makes her feel bold and desirable again. When Maya must return to the real world, will Liam and their pleasure-fueled fantasy end up as only an affair to remember?
Vivian Award-winning author Reese Ryan writes sexy, emotional, “grown folks” romantic fiction set in small Southern towns. Her characters find love while navigating career crises and family drama.
Reese's books have been featured on Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, and BookRiot. She is the host of Story Behind the Story—her YouTube show where readers and authors connect.
I love it when a hot Alpha male meets his match and she totally throws all of his plans out of the window!
Liam Westbrook is a take charge CEO who refuses to ever give his broken heart to another woman again. The betrayal he experienced also tore his family apart. Then he met divorced mom, Maya Alvarez. And despite the heartbreak she suffered at the hands of her sleazy ex-husband, Maya shows Liam what true love is suppose to look like.
But will Liam take another chance on love or walk away again?
Unlike my previous Reese Ryan read this is a multiracial and multiethnic romance. The lead leading lady Maya Alverez is an Afro-Latina and leading man Liam Westbrook is a mixed race Brit. One aspect Reese excels at is writing sexy and charming millionaire and billionaire heroes that instantly suck you in. And I was intrigued from the first two chapters with this one.
Liam is the usual millionaire playboy who can't see himself being tied down. We find out he is still hurting because he felt his brother betrayed him by getting with his ex girlfriend and his family relationships have been fragile ever since. I think he's fleshed out well enough where you see the him embracing this fantasy life with Maya and growing to have genuine feelings for her.
Maya is a mother of two and divorcee trying to find her groove again. Her daughters are away with their father for the summer and she's ready to discover herself outside of just being a mother and wife. So she purposely hides that she's a mother and instead plays the role of a single woman with no baggage letting go of her inhabitations for the summer. I liked reading about her exploring her sexy side that her ex husband never liked her to embrace. And Reese writes steamy somewhat erotic sex scenes so perfectly.
That being said the chemistry inside the bedroom wasn't enough to make this a top romance read for me. Where the story ended up falling apart for me was that the not telling Liam about her kids plot was dragged out too long so the bonding time with her daughters was rushed into one chapter. And I just couldn't gel with how overly comfortable these girls were with this strange man. Them sitting on his lap, rooting for him to kiss their mom, and falling in love with him in one day was too much. Especially when Maya and Liam didn't know each other well outside of the facades they put up during their fling. I needed to see those interactions eased into. He met the girls and instantly seemed to let ago of his feelings towards kids and being involved with a single mother. I needed to see more of Maya with her girls as we're told she's very devoted to them but we don't really get to see it on page. I just couldn't root for them to come together as a family of four.
One night stand turns summer fling, but those pesky feelings...and what will happen when he finds out that she never told him she was a single mom and her kids come back from visiting their dad. A trope filled fun romp, hit the spot on a hard day.
Because of her sister's family emergency, Maya Alvarez is alone on her birthday, on the day of her ex-husband's wedding to another woman. Her daughters are in the wedding and away for the summer with their father, so Maya has lots of time on her hands. Maya's sister encourages her to have dinner and let loose, without her.
At the restaurant she meets Liam Westbrook, an attractive man that saved her from the lecherous attentions of another restaurant patron. Liam asks her to dine with him and he commences to gaining her trust and showing her a great time. They bond, laugh and flirt and though she finds him attractive -- she knows he's Mr. Love 'em and Leave 'em.
During the course (and near the end) of a very fun and exciting evening, they both come to an agreement to have a summer fling and walk away. Maya withholds the fact that she has kids because she knows Liam would never be interested otherwise and because it's just a fling -- with no long-term expectations.
Weeks later, Liam returns home after five years and we find he's still trying to deal with the betrayal by his brother and girlfriend. Everybody in this story wants him to have a stiff upper lip and can't seem to fathom why Liam isn't over it already. Forgiveness is not automatic -- forgiveness, like grief takes time.
When your brother steals your girlfriend and marries her ... what else is NOT off limits?! Hunter chose betrayal over loyalty, a choice that he knew could be irreparable -- consequences be damned.
Tension tightened the muscles of his face and jaw. “Certain lines you don’t ever cross. I don’t know if I can forgive him for that.”-Liam
There's a juxtaposition in this story. Maya is being selfless in her need to put the welfare of her daughters above her own needs and desires and Liam's brother was selfish in putting his needs and desires ahead of and at the expense of his brother's trust and love.
I'm not a fan of exchanging partners, there are too many men and women in the world to end up with someone your brother or sister has already known in the biblical sense. In the words of Jimmy Fallon ... Ewww!
I’ve had Reese Ryan’s Playing with Desire on my nightstand for quite some time and was finally able to read it over the weekend. It was my first read by the author, but I’ll definitely be playing catch up and check out some of her other work.
Liam Westbrook is handsome, rich, and a bit reckless; the kind of book hero I don’t mind reading about. Maya Alvarez has been bitten once by love and now as a single mother is wary of falling for someone for fear of pain for both herself and her children; something a lot of women can relate to.
What I liked: I loved that we saw a single parent romance (something I’ve mentioned a few times before that I would like to see more of in romance novels).
What I didn’t like: I didn’t necessarily agree with Maya’s decision to keep “the secret” from Liam. It did seem a little bit out of character at first since readers were well aware that she was very much devoted to her children.
Liam and Maya both had a bit of growing up to do in this film. Maya had to be open to love after her ill-fated marriage and be willing to put both her and her children’s feelings on the line. Liam had to shed a lot of his selfishness; he had to learn how to love and let go but most importantly how to forgive.
Playing with Desire was a quick sexy and playful read, and I fully expect to visit Pleasure Cove again with the next installment in this series, Playing With Temptation.
Great love story which is part of The Pleasure Cove series.
Enjoyed the one night affair that turned into true love for business millionaire Liam Westbrook who is next in line to be CEO of the family business and divorced mom of two little girls Maya Alvarez.
It all started as Maya meeting her sister Kendra for a birthday dinner for Maya. While is waiting for sister to arrive she meets Liam Westbrook who helps her out of situation where another not so likable suitor is pursing her and Liam graciously says our table is ready love.
Liam is having family issues about his brother marrying his ex-girlfriend and Maya's ex-husband has recently married on her birthday.
There are several books in front of this one of which I read out of order. There is a online read entitled "Baby Be Mine" and a E-book entitled "Playing By The Rules" and "Playing With Temptation" which is the latest in the series with another being released Never Christmas Without You (His Holiday Gift) and a novella being released 09/26/2017 and guest what another being released 12/19/2017 "Playing With Seduction".
Playing with Desire #1 [Summer Loving Next in line as (CEO of his family's international luxury-resort) empire, Liam Westbrook didn't make his way to the top playing it safe. So, when the fast-living British bachelor spies an exotic beauty under a smoldering North Carolina moon, he makes a scandalous proposal. The night culminates in an all-consuming passion that leaves them both burning for more. Liam knows he can't just walk away. But after a devastating past betrayal, can he trust where his heart is leading him? Maya Alvarez's two young daughters are her entire world. But when she ends up alone—on her birthday—the divorced single mother does something totally out of character. She accepts an invitation that leads to a hot summer fling with a seductive stranger who makes her feel bold and desirable again. When Maya must return to the real world, will Liam and their pleasure-fueled fantasy end up as only an affair to remember?]
Playing with Desire is the first in Reese Ryan's Pleasure Cove series, and is about Liam Westbrook and Maya Alvarez. Liam and Maya meet by chance and agree to one hot night together of dancing, and maybe a bit more. Liam's been burned badly by what he sees as his long-time girlfriend's betrayal, and he guards his heart fiercely now. Maya is a single mom, and her heart and focus are fully on her beautiful daughters, but with them out of town with their father for the summer, she feels a little free to recall the woman she still is inside.
Reese Ryan's story is emotional and moving and hot. Liam and Maya both have some growing to do and some changes to make before they are ready to be a partner to the other. Liam especially is hung up on his past heartbreak, and it is great that Maya doesn't hold back from calling him out on this.
Playing with Desire is ultimately a deliciously satisfying read, and I look forward to the rest of this series!
Dear god in heaven, this book was eh-ve-ry-thing! This story really really pulls you in and make you root for both of the leads, Maya & Liam.
Despite the chasm between the filthy rich bachelor and down to earth single mother, their differences aren't that noticeable, and them interacting is no more stark or difficult than a boy meets girl at the local bar story.
& the romance, the intimacy?-was spot on. It was so tastefully erotic, I don't know how it was managed. It was hot, steamy, overwhelming, subdued, sexy, and just soul snatching. Whew!
Really, you won't be disappointed with this book or their story. It was incredibly well written. Set aside a day, because it's a definite page turner.
What started out slow became HOT. This love story is realistic an slow paced. Maya Alvarez gets stood up none the less on her Birthday an a chance meeting with Liam Westbrook turned into a Summer Adventure. Alpha male Billionaire Liam Westbrook gave Maya a birthday to remember. I loved the innocence of Maya she didn’t know nor it phase her who her Date was. Unbeknownst to Liam Maya kept a big secret but so did Liam. However rock climbing another double dares turned into love. I loved the dedication Maya has for her daughters. Her ex husband Carlos had ulterior motives an Liam to the rescue with flowers an candy pouring his heart out. Great novel, romantic, suspenseful an finished it in one night. Bravo
What can I say other than I loved it. This is one of those reads where the hero has you rooting for him from the beginning because you see that even though he tries to hide it, he has a good heart. Liam’s been hurt and has a contentious relationship with his family. You just know that the love of a good woman will heal him.
Maya, although a little insecure, steps up to the plate beautifully. She is brave in her own right and a mama bear when it comes to her girls. Liam helps her understand that it’s ok to be a woman and a mother. That the two can co-exist.
A few scenes had me grabbing the Kleenex so be prepared for a few misty eyes. On to book 2.
I definitely enjoyed reading about Liam and Maya's story. Loved the characters in the story except Maya's ex. These two met and decided to have a summer fling without any strings attached,however things didn't go as planned. I really enjoyed reading there story so much I wanted more like their marriage and weather they had any children together. That said I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loved reading a love story so tender. Thank you Reese Ryan please keep stories like this coming.
Wow, purely amazing. I really enjoyed this inspirational and uplifting unique story.
This talented author creativity used natural emotions that was quite intriguing. The writing styles and unpredictable techniques were powerful and phenomenal. This story was dramatic, as well as, loving and it was absolutely the sweetest.
I admired Maya loyalty, dedicated, and respect for her daughters, Sophia and Ella. I also love the ways Liam supported her and the kids, unconditionally. I smiled while reading this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The relationship between Maya and Liam was very intense. Maya was a single mother and feeling down on herself. Liam was feeling heart broken and not looking for a relationship. They end up healing each other with love and compassion. The love scenes were fire. I also enjoyed Maya's daughters, Sofia and Ella. They were so cute and precocious. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read Ms. Ryan's other books.
I enjoyed reading this story about a divorced single mother that had lost part of her identity. With a child free summer, "Maya" was able to reclaim her total essence with "Liam". Liam found the missing pieces of his life and they developed a deep love.
Read this book today and the rest of the series, including, "Playing by the Rules "! Read as well the " Bourbon Brothers " series.
I partially understood why Maya did what she did but all in the same breathe she shouldn't have concealed that part of herself from Liam. In the end it changed him for the better. Sofie and Ella are just too cute. Sofie is a handful. I was really captivated by the characters. So hoping that Kendra gets a story. I would love to see how hers would develop
I read this book/series when they first came out and it was still wonderful! Liam and Maya was soul mates that both had to overcome some issues. With love and working together to get over the hump and with each other helping the other to smooth the path of love is a beautiful thing. Love this author
This was a good book to lose yourself in. From the couple meeting to their parting to their reuniting was good. I like how they fell for each other and it seemed as if they had known each other longer.
I started the book the week of my Birthday .Maya was out on her birthday and met the love of her life. Liam was nothing but a man though the whole book. Both of them learned from each other that Oppposite do attract . This book is amazing. Read about Liam & Maya you will love their story.
Five Stars!!!!!! Maya and Williams love story was so beautiful. A birthday dinner mishap leads to a blossoming love story that neither of them expected. It was supposed to be fun, a summer fling. It grew into so much more.
I'm not sure why but this book just missed the mark for me. It was nice towards the end but the earlier chapters were boring. I think the author does show some promise.
I love Playing With Desire, it was fun, loving , family and forgiveness. Which made a powerful introduction of Liam and Maria's story. I would recommended this beautiful story.
This book was very intriguing. Once I began reading, I could hardly put it down. I love the way the book starts out as two strangers meet and then wind up going on a whirlwind romance that neither of them want or are ready for. I love the characters and the book . This book is very sexually explicit and it made me feel as though I was right there with Liam. A very hot and sexy book,which I thoroughly enjoyed to the end!
Picked this up on a recommendation of a friend and I'm so glad I did! I loved the balance of sexy and sweet and the author managed to pull off the "I'm keeping one very big secret" thing so well! Maya's decision to not say something initially made sense and so did her struggle with how to bring up the omission later. There wasn't a time when I was frustrated with her choice on that front, which is impressive because it could easily have gone that way. I thought Liam's emotional development was well done too, he definitely had some growing up to do and even when it was a little painful to watch, it made the payoff of the ending worth it.