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Portland Storm #3

Playing Dirty

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A game they both want to win

Lainey Harper has never been a puck bunny. She wants nothing to do with hockey or hockey players--not after what she's been through. So why can't she resist Cooper Mead?

Portland's newest hockey star, Cooper, is all muscle and charisma. And he's Lainey's worst nightmare. Hooking up with him would bring back memories that Lainey needs to keep buried. And risk the hard-earned anonymity she's sacrificed everything to protect.

When Lainey finally gives in to Cooper's sexy charm, the chemistry's intense--but so is the media exposure. And now Lainey's got even more to lose than her secret--she's got Cooper.

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 18, 2017

27 people are currently reading
82 people want to read

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Taryn Leigh Taylor

35 books67 followers

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5 stars
34 (29%)
4 stars
37 (31%)
3 stars
30 (25%)
2 stars
10 (8%)
1 star
6 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Heather K (dentist in my spare time).
4,108 reviews6,672 followers
May 2, 2017
This isn't a bad book, but I've read a LOT of excellent books featuring hockey players and this one just didn't measure up.

I have a thing where I really prefer sex to NOT happen in the first 25% of a story. If the relationship leads with sex, I'm usually more checked out. It isn't that I don't think that sizzling sex can lead to a great romance, but I live for the build-up, that intense sexual tension, and I think that books that draw it out are just more compelling for me.

These two jumped to sex pretty quickly, but I can't place all the blame on that. The romance was... sweet. It was nice, but I just couldn't focus on the story. I kept wanting to reach for another book, which isn't ever a good sign for me.

Playing Dirty isn't a bad story, but I think when it comes to M/F contemporary romance, you really need to wow me and this one just didn't.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Paige.
1,315 reviews114 followers
January 23, 2021
1.5 stars rounded up.

These didn’t feel like actual characters to me. There were just series of unrelated actions tied together by a person’s name. No personality or motivation that was consistent for more than a scene or two at a time. The plot was ridiculous and made no sense. The romance and connection and chemistry between our main couple was practically nonexistent.

One star because I never considered DNFing. Half a star because there’s a pretty hot sex scene in a parking garage.
Profile Image for Caitlyn Lynch.
Author 210 books1,825 followers
April 23, 2017
Honesty time; I know absolutely nothing about ice hockey. I'm Australian by way of the UK, alright? Ice hockey is like baseball; it's one of those strange sports that Americans (and Canadians) get all excited about and quote stats obsessively.

That said, I didn't need to know anything about ice hockey to enjoy this book, because while hockey was there, and played a significant part in the story, it's really a story about two people finding each other and learning to live with each other's complicated lives and backgrounds.

Lainey's had more bad experiences with hockey than good ones. A buried disaster in her past, an absent father and now a younger brother who's been sucked into the same world, the last thing she wants is to be stuck in Portland trying to sell her late father's failing sports bar.

Scratch that... the last thing she wants is to fall for Cooper Mead. He's living in the spotlight she's tried so hard to avoid, but when she finds he's hiding his own secrets, she realizes they have more in common than she ever expected.

Despite my complete ignorance of hockey (this is the first hockey romance I've ever read) I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a great story about two people who are perfect for each other figure out how to be together in spite of all the things that could keep them apart. There were a couple of really steamy sex scenes and some hilarious banter between the protagonists - Lainey was a fantastic heroine who takes no shit from anyone, and I laughed my ass off at the initial meeting between her and Cooper.

A thoroughly enjoyable read even if you know literally nothing about ice hockey. Five stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
Profile Image for Jen.
3,439 reviews27 followers
May 4, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin (US & Canada)/Harlequin Blaze for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

Contemporary romance and I just don't get along and I think I must be getting old and crusty, because despite the fact that the H was 32 and the h was 29, they didn't really seem to act their respective ages. Though the H was a tad better than the h. She was insufferable.

They had what she wanted to be a one-night stand. But then she sends him a booty call text. When he doesn't respond, she sends another. And then another. And while the number is vague, it was between six and 21 texts, with the last one being a (tame) video of her pleasuring herself without him. Showing him what he was missing out on. She saw it as a big F-U because he ignored her. I saw it as slightly un-hinged and having no pride whatsoever. If he isn't responding to a booty-call text immediately, he's either 1) REALLY REALLY busy or 2) just not that into you. He actually had a VERY legit reason for not responding, but he never told her when he tried to collect on the BC text the next day.

I always flip the genders when something like this happens. If it was the guy doing that to the girl, would it be ok? If the answer is no, then it isn't ok for the girl to do that to the guy.

Also, while she hadn't had sex in a year, she had a condom in her purse, because prepared. That's really good. The said purse was in the office, which was a good walk away from the bar where they were and she HAD TO HAVE it RIGHT now and didn't want to go get said condom, so she asks if he has one and he does. And she looks down on him for it, saying to herself something like, "Typical cocky hockey player."

EW! Double standard much?? I really did NOT like this h. And she treated her half-brother HORRIBLY. He wasn't perfect, but he stood up for her (my fav part of the book actually) and then she treats him like garbage the next time she sees him? NOT cool.

And don't get me STARTED on what she did when the H offered her the playoff tickets. GROSS.

Sorry, but I didn't like this book, due to the characters. The spicy scenes were pretty good and THAT COVER. Everything else? Not my cup. Recommended if you enjoy quick, don't think too hard about it, spicy romances.

1.5 stars, rounded down due to the h.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Crystal.
Author 75 books427 followers
August 16, 2018
Lainey and Cooper were just what each needed but they fought it. And then they just fought each other until they both did what they needed to do. A great book!
Profile Image for Natalie.
19 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2020
“Puck-bunny - A slang term for a female ice hockey fan, often one whose interest in the sport is primarily motivated by attraction to the players rather than enjoyment of the game itself.”

I feel positively labelled.

I loved Lainey and Cooper’s story. Of the three I think they had the most to contend with in terms of them getting their happy ever after. Lainey wanted to be invisible, she wanted to hide into the background. Cooper, on the other hand, was a rising star, he lived in the spotlight. So how were they ever going to work? Well, my friends, let me tell you a story. Taryn Leigh Taylor can do anything! She took these two characters and made them need each other, made them want each other and it was beautiful. Not to mention the fact we get to see Holly, Luke, Brett… a whole host of characters from other books which I loved! This whole series was flawless from start to finish, romantic, emotional, funny, witty, warm and just downright perfect!
Profile Image for Kari Lemor.
Author 42 books168 followers
May 26, 2017
Another winner from Taryn Leigh Taylor! I love this author's writing. It's sexy and playful with lots of steam and fun. But interspersed with the good times she's got moments of deep emotion that everyone can relate to. This book was no different. The characters draw you in and make you root for them to win, in all areas, not just the game! I devoured this in one sitting!! Hope she's got more stories waiting to go!
Profile Image for TashNz.
729 reviews21 followers
July 12, 2017
Loved this story. It was a quick read with fun characters and I had a smile on my dial reading it. Theme is Ice Hockey and since I don't have that sport in my face in NZ I really enjoyed what I read about it. I loved Lainey and Cooper and I loved the banter between the two. I'd highly recommend this story to anyone who'd love to read a book bit different (with the sport theme) and fun characters and a fun and quick read!
Profile Image for Rae Latte.
1,340 reviews14 followers
November 19, 2017
If you love sports romances then this one does not disappoint. Lainey is working overtime to separate herself from her family legacy and Cooper Mead is trying to change his.

Can they both find what they desire in the one place they thought they'd never be?

Discover what happens when you give love a chance and find out that you can have it all.

Be sure to check out Taryn Leigh Taylor's backlist for more must read hockey fun!
Profile Image for Cocktails and Books.
4,143 reviews322 followers
May 11, 2017
This hockey romance had potential, but Lainey irritated me to the point that I wanted Cooper to skate as far as his skates could take him away from her (the game 7 ticket scene sealed the deal on that one). And then there was her brother, Brett. I get that he's nineteen, but the way he acted reminded me more of a 10-year-old than someone nineteen.
Profile Image for Lindi.
78 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2017
Another great book by Taryn Leigh Taylor! I knew nothing about Hockey before reading this book and this book made me feel like I was one of the characters. Such a page Turner, I could not put it down. I hope the Reader Service sends me more of her books. I rate it 5 stars!
Profile Image for Cynthia Brooks.
2,332 reviews11 followers
November 5, 2018
Cooper walks into Lainey's bar and there's a spark. They know they should stay away from each other, but they can't seem to stop. Can they make it last? Really enjoyed the story and characters.
177 reviews14 followers
August 21, 2022
Prob closer to 3.5, but a fun little snack of a book. These Harlequin Blazes are fun to read!
4,010 reviews10 followers
December 15, 2019
I enjoyed the romance in Playing Dirty. I liked that Cooper wanted a relationship and pursued Lainey, but also gave her space, was supportive, and called her out when it was warranted. I also liked Lainey’s relationship with Brett.
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews162 followers
March 27, 2017

Cooper is ever the optimistic one, “oh, definitely. Good food, cold beer, dirty jokes, sexual tension. If this was a date, I’d definitely be getting lucky tonight.” I liked this book, Cooper and Lainey had some sparks flying.
Profile Image for Hope.
166 reviews10 followers
April 6, 2017
Lainey Harper is pretty damn cool. She has overcome a tough childhood, a tough early adult experience and now she is back in Portland after inheriting her dead father's sports bar. She is there to clean the place up and sell it. She is singularly focused. When she meets Cooper, a star on the local NHL hockey team, she wants nothing to do with him. Her father played, her brother plays, and she ain't no puck bunny. So she shuts him down. It turns out she was only a bet between her brother and his teammate Cooper. The Black Widow is a very clever shutdown from The Ice Princess herself.

So this is a cute hockey story that was easy to read. I liked it. Also...there is a really cute kid with cancer in this one. Cue melting heart...

ARC from Netgalley
Profile Image for Maura.
3,883 reviews113 followers
April 13, 2017
Cooper is the newest recruit for the Portland Storm hockey team and he's instantly attracted to Lainey Harper, owner of the sports bar he visits and half-sister to the guy who bet him he couldn't pick her up with a lame pick up line. He lost that bet and nearly lost his chance with Lainey. She has a huge chip on her shoulder regarding hockey and Portland itself. And even though she knows she needs to stay away from Cooper, to protect her heart and her secrets, she can't deny the attraction nor how much she likes him.

I loved Cooper. He kinda felt like a fledgling bird all awkward and trying to adjust to new circumstances, but a beautiful, confident one who still manages to impress people. He's really sweet and patient with Lainey, who is a little on the annoying side for me. She has a serious attitude and isn't really all that endearing. She sort of knows that her attidude and especially the way she treats her brother Brett are immature, but it doesn't stop her from reacting the way she does. She comes across as pretty selfish at times. But Cooper made this book. As did the pretty hot sexy times they share. Especially the first one - usually one-night stand, stranger sex is fairly awkward, but this was extremely well done. And the connection grew from there, so it felt like a natural progression from stranger sex to friends with benefits to love. This was an enjoyable story, and it doesn't hurt that I'm a sucker for sports romance for some reason.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Downward dog.
1,943 reviews12 followers
April 21, 2017
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com

I was given an advanced copy of this book to write an honest review for Netgalley and Cocktails and Books.

PLAYING DIRTY is a sweet hockey romance about Cooper Mead, a hockey player with the Portland Storm and Lainey Harper. Lainey is running her deceased fathers sports bar and plans on leaving Portland as soon as she can sell it. She didn't have a good relationship with her father and she is anxious to sell the bar and get back to her life.

Cooper is the newest member to join the Portland Storm and he is still trying to acclimate himself to the team and the city. At thirty two, Cooper is nearing the end of his career and he changed teams for a chance at winning the cup before he retires.
I found it easy to like Cooper. He is sweet and open and for all his bravado, a little insecure. He has never had a girlfriend but there is something about Lainey that draws him in. For some reason he finds himself attracted to her snarky remarks and he keeps returning to her bar because he just can't seem to resist her.

The last thing Lainey plans on doing is falling for an arrogant hockey player. She has a few issues and hides behind a tough demeanor. She is distant, sarcastic and sometimes, outright mean. As I read the book, I was able to understand Lainey and why she acts so tough. However, it was hard for me to understand why Cooper would pursue Lainey when she doesn't treat him well.

I love hockey stories and I enjoyed this feel good story. Cooper and Lainey meet at a perfect time in their life. Even though they have always been afraid to open their hearts and share their inner most fears with anyone, they feel comfortable letting down their guard with each other. Not only is there a lot of chemistry between them, but they have fun and help each other with their issues.
Profile Image for Lynn Brooks.
3,516 reviews43 followers
April 22, 2017
4 1/2 STARS!

Flirty & fun! The sass between these two kept me smiling ... loved them together! Real characters, a plot to sink our teeth into and just a lot of ups and downs on the way to happy endings for all.

Lainey Harper is minding her own business, just trying her best to get things settled and get her life back to normal again. She never expects Portland's newest and hottest hockey pro to come waltzing into her bar and turning her life on end. She hates hockey with a passion, why would she want to hang out with the epitome of it?

Cooper Mead might be getting up there in hockey years, but he still loves it and is playing at the top of his field. When a bet with a teammate has him matching wits with a sexy lil' bartender, he is intrigued ... even thought she's giving off a major "hands off!" vibe. Can he convince Lainey to take a step forward and face her fears about being around hockey again ... and convince her that he's a good guy?
Profile Image for Elizabeth H..
1,075 reviews77 followers
April 25, 2017
I absolutely loved PLAYING DIRTY! It’s a Harlequin Blaze book so you know it’ll be hot and steamy but it also has a lot of heart!

Cooper is your above average cocky, alpha male. He’s sexy and he knows it and he knows you know it too! But his bedroom eyes and heart-breaking smile are his armor. Underneath it all, he’s a genuine guy with problems of his own and with the same worries and fears as the rest of us. His flaws made him the ideal hero.

Lainey is another story. To describe her, I totally want to use the word “bitch” but I think she was more shrewish and extremely defensive. She’s very abrasive and it was hard for me to like her. But all that rough exterior and the massive chip on her shoulder disguised some very personal and professional hurts. Lainey is a tough heroine and a good match for Cooper, but I felt she was almost too unapproachable.

You’re probably wondering if Lainey ever redeemed herself, well I don’t want to spoil it so I’ll let you decide. Cooper and Lainey’s story is awesome and I’d recommend it to all readers that prefer their romance a little dirty :)

***I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own***
Profile Image for Kristy.
1,576 reviews18 followers
April 30, 2017
A fun, witty, sexy look at what it takes to make things work, when two people come together with a lot of baggage. Hockey was the sport of choice, but it could have been anything, really, and it still would have been a great book! Lainey was snarky and smart, and Cooper was fun and athletic. I'd read more from Taylor, but it seems this was her last Blaze book. I guess I will have to go back and read the others previously published.
Profile Image for CL.
1,203 reviews17 followers
May 6, 2017
 photo LIASOM_zps9e498f89.png



Rating: 5*

Trope: Sports romance

Chemistry: Simmering

One-Sentence Summary: A hockey star walks into a bar ....

Review: I have waited in anticipation for OVER A YEAR for the follow-up to Taylor's excellent first hockey romance and I am pleased to say it was worth the wait.

There was lots to love about this book, starting from the "Meet Cute". It was refreshingly different and made me laugh. I love Cooper's big heart and the way he tried to hide his insecurities but in the end revealed all for the benefit of a sick kid.

Lainey was a girl on the run from her past, both her past hockey career and her less than perfect family life, but by the end she learnt to stop running and face up to both in order to move forward.

Cooper and Lainey's romance was hot and sexy and perfectly paced. Taylor's writing makes this story a real pleasure to read.

The only thing less than perfect about this book is that this is apparently the last book in the two-book hockey series! Really disappointing news. :(

Originally posted @ Love's A State Of Mind
Profile Image for Nikki Reeves.
Author 0 books22 followers
May 19, 2017





I love a good sports romance and this one did not disappoint. Lainey and Cooper were adorable together and kept me laughing quite often.

Lainey gets thrown into a situation she really doesn’t want to be in. She had a rough child hood and still holds onto demons from her past. She wants to get in and get out easy peasy. Yeah not so much because Cooper literally turns her world upside down in more ways than one. She makes it very clear she isn’t a puck bunny and refuses to date a hockey play. Both are hiding secrets that neither are ready to share. Can Cooper convince Lainey he is the real deal or was there connection a game from the start?

Super cute read. I really enjoyed both Lainey and Cooper. I totally sympathized with Lainey’s heartbreak and I was rooting for Cooper from the beginning. The chemistry is off the charts. If you love a good sports romance, will love this one.



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