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For Your Love #1
Play For Your Love
In order to find love, you have to take a chance. You have to open yourself up to the possibility of being hurt. You have to expose yourself in a way that you usually wouldn’t; allow others to see vulnerabilities that you try to hide. Journalist Aria Smith tried that three years ago and it ended in disaster. Now, she’s just trying to focus on moving up the ladder in her career. She’s just been handed the most coveted interview in sports writing, so it looks like she’s well on her way. Basketball star Tory Barker is fresh off of a championship season and is in high demand right now. He’s riding high off of his success, avoiding drama as he does so. His usually introverted and stress free lifestyle is upset when he comes face to face with Aria. She’s everything he never knew he wanted and everything he plans to get. Aria’s not sure she’s ready for the likes of Tory. Yes, he’s a sweetheart. Yes, he’s easy to talk. However, living life in the limelight was never her dream. Nor, was dating a basketball player. She’s throwing up strong blocks every time he makes a move. Tory knows she’s worth it and is more than ready to play for her love. Can he win is the question…
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2016
273 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
AshleyNicole
66 books807 followersI'm just a girl in love with literature. My love affair with romance novels started with I was 13 and has flourished into an obsession. I've always been a writer. Even when I was a little girl, I always had a pen and a notebook poised to let something out. You Make Me Better is my first project that will be published and I am STOKED. My goal is to write stories surrounding positive black love, with a little humor tossed in.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 10, 2021
Ma'am, how you gon' wait until the last chapter of the book to give us all that drama?!!! Just when I thought we were going to have a drama free storyline, bam! Here comes Aria showin' her azz. Lord, she was frustrating! I just wanted to shake her and slap some common sense into her. But, she had her reasons for the way she acted. Aria was sexually assaulted by a basketball player she use to date. The trauma of that had a strong hold on her for three years. She wouldn't date and, unless she was socializing with her besties or traveling for work, she didn't like to leave her house. On top of that, she was also dealing with a boat load of family drama. Then she met Tory. What was suppose to just be a quick phone interview turned into a two hour in person interview and the sparks flew. Aria and Tory had a connection from the moment they met but, she fought her attraction to the bitter end. She was stubborn, spoiled and, at times, self centered. There were more than a few occasions where Aria wasn't very likeable. Tory didn't make it easy for Aria and he fought just as hard for them to be together. He was just what she needed to help her start healing. Once Aria started therapy, she was able to get past that traumatic and emotional roadblock that was living rent free in her head and move forward with Tory. One a different note, can we all just agree that Maya stole the book? That little girl was too adorable. I absolutely loved the relationship Tory had with his niece. Play For Your Love was a sweet romance with all the fixins'. I highly recommend it for your reading pleasure.
February 4, 2021
* my first but not my last read by this author
* story that was equal parts sweet and heartbreaking
the heroine has some past trauma dealing with the sexual abuse she suffered from her previous partner
tw she was scared badly and that happened three years before this storyline..it is mentioned here
there is also some family drama addressed here so overall it was a great mix of heavy and light!
* not five stars because that ending was very abrupt, I had to rewind the audio to check did I missed something
* story that was equal parts sweet and heartbreaking
the heroine has some past trauma dealing with the sexual abuse she suffered from her previous partner
tw she was scared badly and that happened three years before this storyline..it is mentioned here
there is also some family drama addressed here so overall it was a great mix of heavy and light!
* not five stars because that ending was very abrupt, I had to rewind the audio to check did I missed something
October 10, 2022
Ok then Tory! You can play for my love 🤣🥰! Tory was definitely the real MVP in this book!!!! I mean could he have been anymore patient and caring and nurturing!!! Despite being young he had a level of maturity that oozed sex appeal!
After experience the ultimate violation, Aria spent the past 3 years tuned out and turned off from all things love related and I honestly couldn’t blame her. Tory was a family man with a strong foundation. Despite this however he spent the last two years celibate, focusing solely on his career, family and giving back to the community. Neither Aria nor Tori could have prepared to fall head first in love with each other. Looking for redemption after he flaked on 3 scheduled interviews, Tory knew he had to come correct and make his first impression with Aria the journalist a good one and he did not disappoint. Tory was so protective when it came to Aria and the scene when they were intimate for the first time was everything. His mama raised him right!
I wish I could say the same about Aria’s trash @$$ brothers!! I meannnnn 🗑 I don’t see how she let those triflin boys run her husband off. They would’ve had to go!
Despite the terrible male narrator this was a good sports story! And I can’t wait to get into book 2 and see how AJ and Dominique’s relationship evolve
After experience the ultimate violation, Aria spent the past 3 years tuned out and turned off from all things love related and I honestly couldn’t blame her. Tory was a family man with a strong foundation. Despite this however he spent the last two years celibate, focusing solely on his career, family and giving back to the community. Neither Aria nor Tori could have prepared to fall head first in love with each other. Looking for redemption after he flaked on 3 scheduled interviews, Tory knew he had to come correct and make his first impression with Aria the journalist a good one and he did not disappoint. Tory was so protective when it came to Aria and the scene when they were intimate for the first time was everything. His mama raised him right!
I wish I could say the same about Aria’s trash @$$ brothers!! I meannnnn 🗑 I don’t see how she let those triflin boys run her husband off. They would’ve had to go!
Despite the terrible male narrator this was a good sports story! And I can’t wait to get into book 2 and see how AJ and Dominique’s relationship evolve
April 28, 2024
3.5⭐️s
May 19, 2017
Short and sweet.
I love, love stories with substance. Stories that aren't just about a girl and a guy getting together. That is ok from time to time, but it gets boring REALLY fast.
What I am loving about AshleyNicoles books so far is that there is always something ELSE going on. The story isn't just being carried by the number of times the characters kiss or have sex. There are real things going on in their lives that draws you in and allows you to be invested in more than just the characters' relationship, but about the characters themselves.
While reading this book, I CARED about what was going on with Aria mentally. I cared about her getting the help she needed to heal, not just because I wanted her to get her ish together so that she could be the greatness that was Tory Barker, but so that SHE could heal and be mentally healthy and confident. I loved the dynamic Tory had with his family and the adorable relationship with his Neice Maya. I enjoyed the moments Aria had with her brother and seeing them both band together and try to make a better life for their mom. All of these things...that have nothing to do with the characters as a couple, helped make the story better and in turn allowed me to enjoy them as a couple MORE.
SUBSTANCE! I'm telling you, it will get me every time.
I would have liked to know a little bit more about why Tory was on his hiatus from women, but to be honest, AshleyNicole did such a good job of hashing everything ELSE in this story out, that I didn't even realize I wanted a little more closure on Tory's back story until I started writing this review.
I say all that to say....I am SUPER excited to see what stories will come out of this book. There was a GREAT set up for Aria's best friend Dom and her brother AJ. While they all joke about his lack of a personality, I really enjoyed and grew to love AJ and I can't wait to see where his story will go.
In my DJ Khalid Voice. "ANOTHER ONE" -- meaning, another great book from AshleyNicole. LOVED IT!
I love, love stories with substance. Stories that aren't just about a girl and a guy getting together. That is ok from time to time, but it gets boring REALLY fast.
What I am loving about AshleyNicoles books so far is that there is always something ELSE going on. The story isn't just being carried by the number of times the characters kiss or have sex. There are real things going on in their lives that draws you in and allows you to be invested in more than just the characters' relationship, but about the characters themselves.
While reading this book, I CARED about what was going on with Aria mentally. I cared about her getting the help she needed to heal, not just because I wanted her to get her ish together so that she could be the greatness that was Tory Barker, but so that SHE could heal and be mentally healthy and confident. I loved the dynamic Tory had with his family and the adorable relationship with his Neice Maya. I enjoyed the moments Aria had with her brother and seeing them both band together and try to make a better life for their mom. All of these things...that have nothing to do with the characters as a couple, helped make the story better and in turn allowed me to enjoy them as a couple MORE.
SUBSTANCE! I'm telling you, it will get me every time.
I would have liked to know a little bit more about why Tory was on his hiatus from women, but to be honest, AshleyNicole did such a good job of hashing everything ELSE in this story out, that I didn't even realize I wanted a little more closure on Tory's back story until I started writing this review.
I say all that to say....I am SUPER excited to see what stories will come out of this book. There was a GREAT set up for Aria's best friend Dom and her brother AJ. While they all joke about his lack of a personality, I really enjoyed and grew to love AJ and I can't wait to see where his story will go.
In my DJ Khalid Voice. "ANOTHER ONE" -- meaning, another great book from AshleyNicole. LOVED IT!
September 16, 2022
🥺
I just loved this sports themed book. Now Aria wore me out but she definitely had her reasons. I completely felt bad for her and all she endured - I’m glad she did the work to heal and she had supportive friends and family. However, that ending had me ready to come through my kindle and knock some sense into Aria because she almost lost a good man!! Whew! Tory was everything- I loved his humbleness and his calm demeanor. He was perfectly crafted for Aria. The chemistry between these two was so well written and they had intimacy without being physical. It was sweet. I really liked this story.
I just loved this sports themed book. Now Aria wore me out but she definitely had her reasons. I completely felt bad for her and all she endured - I’m glad she did the work to heal and she had supportive friends and family. However, that ending had me ready to come through my kindle and knock some sense into Aria because she almost lost a good man!! Whew! Tory was everything- I loved his humbleness and his calm demeanor. He was perfectly crafted for Aria. The chemistry between these two was so well written and they had intimacy without being physical. It was sweet. I really liked this story.
August 13, 2021
Worth The Play
This was a really good read. Although it was a pretty quick read, it packed a whole lot.
Aria was a bit of a tortured soul. I was NOT ready for what entailed once her story unfolded. WOW. How horrible. Her ex truly was a monster.
I liked Tory from the beginning. I liked that, for whatever reason, he was celibate and was truly focused on his career and charitable happenings. I wasn't too sure how this "no drama" way of life would fair for him, because even the slightest amount of drama can creep into your life without warning. Either way, the drama that was Aria seemed to change his stance a bit😏. And his relationship with his niece Maya was beyond the most precious thing EVER 😍.
I loved Aria's brother AJ. What a fierce protector. I cannot wait to see just what he and Aria's friend Dominique, aka Dom, develop into in the next book.
AshleyNicole can write in such a descriptive way that you certainly get lost and just want her books to never end. Highly recommend any of her books, especially the Mason Family, and this series as well. Really good read.
This was a really good read. Although it was a pretty quick read, it packed a whole lot.
Aria was a bit of a tortured soul. I was NOT ready for what entailed once her story unfolded. WOW. How horrible. Her ex truly was a monster.
I liked Tory from the beginning. I liked that, for whatever reason, he was celibate and was truly focused on his career and charitable happenings. I wasn't too sure how this "no drama" way of life would fair for him, because even the slightest amount of drama can creep into your life without warning. Either way, the drama that was Aria seemed to change his stance a bit😏. And his relationship with his niece Maya was beyond the most precious thing EVER 😍.
I loved Aria's brother AJ. What a fierce protector. I cannot wait to see just what he and Aria's friend Dominique, aka Dom, develop into in the next book.
AshleyNicole can write in such a descriptive way that you certainly get lost and just want her books to never end. Highly recommend any of her books, especially the Mason Family, and this series as well. Really good read.
August 21, 2024
First book for this author and I believe it’s the 1st time I’ve listened to the narrators. I was a little nervous but I really enjoyed the book. The narrators were not my favorite. Aria and Tory were good for each other. She had been through so much in the past but Tory was a stand up guy. He just needed to be given a chance. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
February 2, 2026
3.75⭐️
Aria’s brothers were the worst!!!! Felt so bad for her mom having to deal with them and losing so much for men that could not care less. The MMC was truly everything! He knew exactly what he wanted just waiting on Aria to catch up. Her push and pull drove me crazy, but I could understand why. Can’t wait to read about her brother next!
Aria’s brothers were the worst!!!! Felt so bad for her mom having to deal with them and losing so much for men that could not care less. The MMC was truly everything! He knew exactly what he wanted just waiting on Aria to catch up. Her push and pull drove me crazy, but I could understand why. Can’t wait to read about her brother next!
April 12, 2020
So good!!
Once Tory and Aria got over everything to finally have sex she got omn when she kept push him away. I love Shara she always told it like it is. I want AJ and Dom together, I feel like she will change his all the time mood.
Once Tory and Aria got over everything to finally have sex she got omn when she kept push him away. I love Shara she always told it like it is. I want AJ and Dom together, I feel like she will change his all the time mood.
August 7, 2019
Such a great read!
I loved Aria and Tory together. They were a great match! Khalid was a devil and hopefully he will truly get his! I hope AJ and Dominique get it together as well as a love connection for Shara! Great beginning to a great series!
I loved Aria and Tory together. They were a great match! Khalid was a devil and hopefully he will truly get his! I hope AJ and Dominique get it together as well as a love connection for Shara! Great beginning to a great series!
August 10, 2023
About 3.5 check the CW.
September 11, 2024
3.5
Miss mamas being crazy at the end was not necessary: good story though. Loved Tory
Miss mamas being crazy at the end was not necessary: good story though. Loved Tory
October 16, 2024
Tory and Aria had a cute story. She was wary of dating a ball player, with good reason. But he worked past her reservations.
This ended a little abruptly for me but I still enjoyed it.
This ended a little abruptly for me but I still enjoyed it.
April 5, 2023
Aria Celine Smith 🤬🤬🤬🤬
I'm just going to give that warning.
Aria is a well established journalist & her career is thriving. She's given the opportunity to interview Tory Barker after he has a phenomenal year on the court. The problem is that he agreed to the phone interview, but its like pulling teeth to actually get the man otp. Tory finds out his assistant has been dropping the ball & decided to make it up to Aria by offering her face to face interview, in the comfort of her home ANDDDDD he's feeding her. The chemistry was there from the jump, but Aria is a little skeptical about getting involved with another basketball player.
Tory was the absolute sweetest & most patient. Their first time being intimate was amazing. He took his time & made sure to keep her grounded & in the moment. He let Aria take the lead and was always there to reassure her. I was so heartbroken when Aria dived into her assault. Never in my life would I even THINK I would read something like that. I completely understood her apprehension about letting her walls down, but once Tory started showing her who he was, she wasn't believing him. Tory continued on tho & I loved when he basically gave her the ultimatum because he always picked her, but she rarely picked him. & then that last freaking chapter. I thought this was going to be an unproblematic drama free story & the last chapter irritated me 😑 Aria really convinced herself into losing Tory. I was so mad because its like GIRL, forget your damn brothers & all that bullish you got going on with your family.
I'm just going to give that warning.
Aria is a well established journalist & her career is thriving. She's given the opportunity to interview Tory Barker after he has a phenomenal year on the court. The problem is that he agreed to the phone interview, but its like pulling teeth to actually get the man otp. Tory finds out his assistant has been dropping the ball & decided to make it up to Aria by offering her face to face interview, in the comfort of her home ANDDDDD he's feeding her. The chemistry was there from the jump, but Aria is a little skeptical about getting involved with another basketball player.
Tory was the absolute sweetest & most patient. Their first time being intimate was amazing. He took his time & made sure to keep her grounded & in the moment. He let Aria take the lead and was always there to reassure her. I was so heartbroken when Aria dived into her assault. Never in my life would I even THINK I would read something like that. I completely understood her apprehension about letting her walls down, but once Tory started showing her who he was, she wasn't believing him. Tory continued on tho & I loved when he basically gave her the ultimatum because he always picked her, but she rarely picked him. & then that last freaking chapter. I thought this was going to be an unproblematic drama free story & the last chapter irritated me 😑 Aria really convinced herself into losing Tory. I was so mad because its like GIRL, forget your damn brothers & all that bullish you got going on with your family.
January 21, 2021
Ugh! Sorry this is not the one!
No disrespect to Ms. AshleyNicole but this book was horrible. I just wanted to punch Aria in the face. She was so stubborn,self centered and plain ole boring! It’s really hard to believe that Tory fell in love with her. She’s definitely an acquired taste. She was whining and negative. I struggled majorly to finish this book. I hope the rest of the books in this series is good.
No disrespect to Ms. AshleyNicole but this book was horrible. I just wanted to punch Aria in the face. She was so stubborn,self centered and plain ole boring! It’s really hard to believe that Tory fell in love with her. She’s definitely an acquired taste. She was whining and negative. I struggled majorly to finish this book. I hope the rest of the books in this series is good.
June 17, 2025
Please read instead of listen to. The male narrator is horrible.
Also glad I read/listened to the Mason family series before reading this one.
The female wasn't annoying - just poorly written. She didn't come across as a person suffering from PTSD. More like Bipolar. She did nothing to heal for over 3 years. Her behavior made it hard to justify her trauma. As a victim, you should know your triggers. She allowed a basketball player/stranger to her home for a interview. no trigger there. She had no problem receiving gifts, initiating kisses, or going on a private trip with him. all with no triggers. After one therapy session she goes to his hotel to have sex. The convo & behavior after her story was revealed was so weird. She can face & assault her attacker but can't handle other women showing interested in her boyfriend. So after meeting his family, she breaks up with him because of jealously. Really!
The male is a grown ass NBA player that still sucks his thumb when he sleeps. WTH! Is this a flex? a turn on? a flaw to humanize him? Hmm...just realized that grown people still sucking their thumb may be a trigger for me!
The whole mother storyline could have been replaced with more insight on her healing process. They are well aware of what's going on at their mothers house. so why are they giving and leaving money there!! Just pay her bills for her. The parallels with the mother & her story didn't go.
And there makeup at the very end was...I don't know what to say. SIGH!!
Also glad I read/listened to the Mason family series before reading this one.
The female wasn't annoying - just poorly written. She didn't come across as a person suffering from PTSD. More like Bipolar. She did nothing to heal for over 3 years. Her behavior made it hard to justify her trauma. As a victim, you should know your triggers. She allowed a basketball player/stranger to her home for a interview. no trigger there. She had no problem receiving gifts, initiating kisses, or going on a private trip with him. all with no triggers. After one therapy session she goes to his hotel to have sex. The convo & behavior after her story was revealed was so weird. She can face & assault her attacker but can't handle other women showing interested in her boyfriend. So after meeting his family, she breaks up with him because of jealously. Really!
The male is a grown ass NBA player that still sucks his thumb when he sleeps. WTH! Is this a flex? a turn on? a flaw to humanize him? Hmm...just realized that grown people still sucking their thumb may be a trigger for me!
The whole mother storyline could have been replaced with more insight on her healing process. They are well aware of what's going on at their mothers house. so why are they giving and leaving money there!! Just pay her bills for her. The parallels with the mother & her story didn't go.
And there makeup at the very end was...I don't know what to say. SIGH!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2020
Aria and Tory...almost perfect...almost
The story of Aria and Tory was almost perfect, until it wasn't. Around the 90% point, it all went downhill.
The story flowed so perfectly until then. Aria was dealing with family drama, along with serious trauma from a previous relationship, and Tory was just super chill. Issues were addressed and conversations were had. We, the reader, had climbed Mount Everest with this couple, their family and their friends. We had our angst, our sorrow, and finally, our victory. It was all there. And then, after all that, when our happily ever after was nearly in our grasp, right there in the home stretch, it was snatched away from us. I wasn't sure if it was still the same book. One sentence there's harmony, and the next there's discord. Just that quick. Out of nowhere.
There were a lot of heavy issues in this book, and for the most part, the author dealt with them well - addiction, sexual assault, parent abuse, therapy, etc.
I highly recommend the first 90% of this book. The last 10% should've happened earlier and not at the end. Up until the end I would've ranked this as one of my top AshleyNicole romance novels. Having read these books out of order, I've already had glimpses of Aria and Tory in other AshleyNicole books, so I know they got their HEA. Unfortunately, I just can't say that it happened in this book.
The story of Aria and Tory was almost perfect, until it wasn't. Around the 90% point, it all went downhill.
The story flowed so perfectly until then. Aria was dealing with family drama, along with serious trauma from a previous relationship, and Tory was just super chill. Issues were addressed and conversations were had. We, the reader, had climbed Mount Everest with this couple, their family and their friends. We had our angst, our sorrow, and finally, our victory. It was all there. And then, after all that, when our happily ever after was nearly in our grasp, right there in the home stretch, it was snatched away from us. I wasn't sure if it was still the same book. One sentence there's harmony, and the next there's discord. Just that quick. Out of nowhere.
There were a lot of heavy issues in this book, and for the most part, the author dealt with them well - addiction, sexual assault, parent abuse, therapy, etc.
I highly recommend the first 90% of this book. The last 10% should've happened earlier and not at the end. Up until the end I would've ranked this as one of my top AshleyNicole romance novels. Having read these books out of order, I've already had glimpses of Aria and Tory in other AshleyNicole books, so I know they got their HEA. Unfortunately, I just can't say that it happened in this book.
October 6, 2018
3.5 but I was inclined to round up
Tory is so patient and sweet. Tory and Aria are super cute together. I loved that webisode she did that was funny how they struggled to not make googly eyes with each other. I will say Aria made me want to strangle her a few times.
Maya is a trip. "You want me to share uncle with you" She loved her some uncle. I really loved how much she was in love with him. She had him wrapped around her little finger.
off topic when Aria was talking about her and her brother getting full scholarships to college even though they had a college funds was kind of irritating to me. I get they wanted to feel like they did things on their own, and earned it with their skill but I'm bothered when rich folks accept them. It takes away from people that need the scholarship, it's their only means of attending school. Ok let me get off my soapbox.
When Tory was about to beat life out of Khalid I was cheering him on. "Call her a bitch again, bitch." One of the best moments with Tory and Aria is when she waxed the floor with him in ball. Then when she really went beast mode b/c when she beat him the first three times she was taking it easy on him. I loved it.
Tory is so patient and sweet. Tory and Aria are super cute together. I loved that webisode she did that was funny how they struggled to not make googly eyes with each other. I will say Aria made me want to strangle her a few times.
Maya is a trip. "You want me to share uncle with you" She loved her some uncle. I really loved how much she was in love with him. She had him wrapped around her little finger.
off topic when Aria was talking about her and her brother getting full scholarships to college even though they had a college funds was kind of irritating to me. I get they wanted to feel like they did things on their own, and earned it with their skill but I'm bothered when rich folks accept them. It takes away from people that need the scholarship, it's their only means of attending school. Ok let me get off my soapbox.
When Tory was about to beat life out of Khalid I was cheering him on. "Call her a bitch again, bitch." One of the best moments with Tory and Aria is when she waxed the floor with him in ball. Then when she really went beast mode b/c when she beat him the first three times she was taking it easy on him. I loved it.
April 20, 2024
This was my first time reading anything from this author. I am now an Ashley Nicole fan. I loved the writing style of this author and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This novel was an absolutely great sports story. I found myself laughing and smiling throughout the entire story. This love story was fun and mature. Though I understood the trauma Aria had experienced previously, I must admit she was wearing me out with her inability to open herself to love. I am so happy Tori had the patience of Job and wore her down with genuine love. He found a way to touch every part of her and be extremely intimate with her without even physically touching her. I am very happy for Aria and Tory. This love story was very sweet.
I was not happy with the narrator’s voices and felt the ending was too premature and abrupt, it was like they were on a high one second and in the valley the very next second with no transition, but the story was so good that I can look past that. With that being said I give this book a 4.5-star rating. I look forward to their continued love story and the love story of AJ and Dominique.
I was not happy with the narrator’s voices and felt the ending was too premature and abrupt, it was like they were on a high one second and in the valley the very next second with no transition, but the story was so good that I can look past that. With that being said I give this book a 4.5-star rating. I look forward to their continued love story and the love story of AJ and Dominique.
June 29, 2024
Two Words. Tory Barker.
Tory Barker was Mr Everything. He was kind, patient, considerate, giving, loving and just an amazing guy. I liked Aria at first. She is smart, competent and strong willed. She's had to endure a lot of trauma but has had a good life despite. From the beginning Tory wanted to be with her and she fought it the entire time. He persevered and helped her through so much. But at the end, she messed it up with her insecurities and self doubt and unfounded doubts about him. I swear we can be our own worst enemy. It was a HEA but it was a bit underwhelming. I was rooting for them cause she is who Tory wanted. Aria stayed on my nerves the last 10% of this book. Their love kind of was assumed and I just felt bit cheated how abruptly the story ended. This should have been a 5 star read based on Tory alone but Aria definitely knocked it down for me. The angst at the end was unnecessary. 4.5.
Tory Barker was Mr Everything. He was kind, patient, considerate, giving, loving and just an amazing guy. I liked Aria at first. She is smart, competent and strong willed. She's had to endure a lot of trauma but has had a good life despite. From the beginning Tory wanted to be with her and she fought it the entire time. He persevered and helped her through so much. But at the end, she messed it up with her insecurities and self doubt and unfounded doubts about him. I swear we can be our own worst enemy. It was a HEA but it was a bit underwhelming. I was rooting for them cause she is who Tory wanted. Aria stayed on my nerves the last 10% of this book. Their love kind of was assumed and I just felt bit cheated how abruptly the story ended. This should have been a 5 star read based on Tory alone but Aria definitely knocked it down for me. The angst at the end was unnecessary. 4.5.
March 23, 2025
To be at the top of your game as a star Basketball player but be everything on an off the court made Troy everything!!!! I loved the way that he and Aria first meet in person. It was super relatable and personal yet Aria was not looking at the bigger picture that her friends seen in front of her. Troy was so loving, giving, considerate and, patient. Trueing to break down Aria’s walls was a challenge Trop was willing to take on because he felt she was more than worth it. All hell breaks loose toward the end of the book but it ties altogether and makes way more sense.
Aria has a great support system and that will go to war for her. After all she went through it makes her friends and brother look completely different but in the best way. Having something so traumatic happen and constantly try to keep a smile on your face and in her line of work. Hats off to her.
Aria has a great support system and that will go to war for her. After all she went through it makes her friends and brother look completely different but in the best way. Having something so traumatic happen and constantly try to keep a smile on your face and in her line of work. Hats off to her.
July 31, 2023
I love everything Ashley Nicole does so I’ll preface and say my review is bias lol!
This was really good though! I always love the men AN writes. A well written, strong, secure man, that just wants to love his woman down will always be top tier! The level of patience Tory had is unmatched. Aria had a right to feel traumatized but that man just wanted to love her and shower her with it! Now Ms. Nicole definitely waited until late in the game for everything to ramp up, I’d consider this somewhat of a slow burn for a short book, but it didn’t disappoint! I enjoyed the gentle love chapters before the drama!
This was really good though! I always love the men AN writes. A well written, strong, secure man, that just wants to love his woman down will always be top tier! The level of patience Tory had is unmatched. Aria had a right to feel traumatized but that man just wanted to love her and shower her with it! Now Ms. Nicole definitely waited until late in the game for everything to ramp up, I’d consider this somewhat of a slow burn for a short book, but it didn’t disappoint! I enjoyed the gentle love chapters before the drama!
May 14, 2017
Yes !!
This was such sweet and wonderful romance with all the fixings.I love that we got such a mature alpha male in a young hero.Also the writer doesn't waste time with all the trappings of what a star life is like or the age difference between the characters.What you are getting is a story about just the characters this relationship and how they want to move forward.This was fun and sexy from the beginning to the end.My only problem was that there were quite a few typos that somewhat took away from the story at times but didn't lesson how good it was.
This was such sweet and wonderful romance with all the fixings.I love that we got such a mature alpha male in a young hero.Also the writer doesn't waste time with all the trappings of what a star life is like or the age difference between the characters.What you are getting is a story about just the characters this relationship and how they want to move forward.This was fun and sexy from the beginning to the end.My only problem was that there were quite a few typos that somewhat took away from the story at times but didn't lesson how good it was.
January 11, 2018
A little bit disappointed!!
I was really looking forward to this story and it was actually vey "blah"
I do think one can grab a copy because it is so refreshing of reading a book without having to work around the mistakes, or grammatical errors that it becomes very refreshing but one that should have taken me a day to read, I had to stop, picked up another book, started that other book and when I became too guilty, I ended up going back to it and finished it within another day..
I will still read any book of MS. Nicole that interest me...
I was really looking forward to this story and it was actually vey "blah"
I do think one can grab a copy because it is so refreshing of reading a book without having to work around the mistakes, or grammatical errors that it becomes very refreshing but one that should have taken me a day to read, I had to stop, picked up another book, started that other book and when I became too guilty, I ended up going back to it and finished it within another day..
I will still read any book of MS. Nicole that interest me...
October 28, 2018
What the what! !
I love black female authors and I've been trying to give this one a chance, but what the what happened at the end of this book? Seriously that's how you end it? Then say you'll have a follow up in her brothers book...it's been more than a year. I normally wait until the author has the whole series done before I start a book because I normally have no patience to wait...if I knew this was a sorta cliffhanger I would never picked it up sis. Come on now. ..not kool!!
I love black female authors and I've been trying to give this one a chance, but what the what happened at the end of this book? Seriously that's how you end it? Then say you'll have a follow up in her brothers book...it's been more than a year. I normally wait until the author has the whole series done before I start a book because I normally have no patience to wait...if I knew this was a sorta cliffhanger I would never picked it up sis. Come on now. ..not kool!!
March 15, 2019
Loved it!
I wanted more of this couple. Tory was so damn patient with Aria. He was all man. I mean he stayed celibate for two years, is a drama free athlete and he just lived all over Aria. I was so happy when Shara gave Aria the business, crazy thing is...she still was her own worse enemy. Poor thang. Little Miss Maya was too darn cute! I wish I could've gotten the proposal, wedding and all.
I wanted more of this couple. Tory was so damn patient with Aria. He was all man. I mean he stayed celibate for two years, is a drama free athlete and he just lived all over Aria. I was so happy when Shara gave Aria the business, crazy thing is...she still was her own worse enemy. Poor thang. Little Miss Maya was too darn cute! I wish I could've gotten the proposal, wedding and all.
April 15, 2019
Tory and Aria
Aria almost got on my nerves. It just goes to show how big of a control our past has on is. Reminds of the book, The Body Keeps the Score!!! Good for Aria for working through with therapy. Now for Tory, he seems too good to be true. I love how patient he was with Aria; but even he had a breaking point. Can’t wait to catch up with him and Aria in the next installment.
Aria almost got on my nerves. It just goes to show how big of a control our past has on is. Reminds of the book, The Body Keeps the Score!!! Good for Aria for working through with therapy. Now for Tory, he seems too good to be true. I love how patient he was with Aria; but even he had a breaking point. Can’t wait to catch up with him and Aria in the next installment.
March 29, 2023
This was boring, or maybe the story wasn’t boring but Aria was. The ending was unfulfilling. Did her mom and nephew ever move, why was that such a big part of her storyline only to not find out. Aria needed to work on more that just the assault in therapy. That unnecessary late third act break was bland at best. Tory is a good man.Full stop. The stuff romance MMCs are made of.
This is a slow burn and they do eventually have nasty sex, the good kind.
This is a slow burn and they do eventually have nasty sex, the good kind.
June 15, 2017
Feel good
This book was so good. It was a good heart felt book with plenty of laughs. Even though Aria was the oldest, she definitely acted childish at times. Tory was exactly who she needed to help her love and to live life fully again. Loved her dad, AJ, Dom, Shara, and little Maya. It was a feel good story dealing with love and relationship on and off the court.
This book was so good. It was a good heart felt book with plenty of laughs. Even though Aria was the oldest, she definitely acted childish at times. Tory was exactly who she needed to help her love and to live life fully again. Loved her dad, AJ, Dom, Shara, and little Maya. It was a feel good story dealing with love and relationship on and off the court.
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