Playing by the Rules

Playing by the Rules #1

by Reese Ryan

When Meredith Jane encounters her ex's elder brother at a saucy Valentine's Day party for singles, the last thing she expects is to spend 'seven minutes in heaven' with him or to discover that he has feelings for her.

Hunter Westbrook adored Merrie long before his competitive younger brother asked her out. Now that their relationship is over and done, he faces the hardest decision of his life. Will he risk his relationship with his brother and jeopardize the future of their family's luxury resort empire by pursuing the woman he loves? Or will he suffer in silence to keep peace in the family and risk losing her forever?

Merrie has spent her entire life playing by other people's rules. One of the few women on the management team at her firm, she can ill afford to get caught up in the gossip and scandal sure to come if she chooses to be with Hunter. Nor does she wish to hurt Liam's family or disappoint her own. Nevertheless, she has discovered a startling truth: She's been with the wrong brother all along.

In a society where perception is everything, is true love worth risking everything they've both worked so hard for?

Genres: Contemporary Romance

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2017

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been six months since Meredith (Merrie) Jane broke up with Liam Westbrook after a five-year relationship. She's clear that it's really over this time and the first step in moving on is attending her cousin Daphne's Valentines Day party for singles. When she runs in to Liam's brother, Hunter at the party, things move in a direction she never saw coming.

I've read the first book in the Pleasure Cove series (this is also the prequel for that series), which is Liam's story, and never thought these two could redeem themselves. Boy, was I so wrong. You'd think it would be impossible for a brother (Hunter) who takes up with his sibling's ex to dig out of this kind of hole but not so here.

I really liked Merrie and Hunter, their romance and how maturely they faced the issues created from them just being in a relationship. I loved how honestly Merrie faced her feelings, especially those related to Liam. Both characters were extremely well written. The scenes at Daphne's party were hilarious, bringing some needed comic relief to a touchy situation.

I'm a big fan of Reese Ryan and will read whatever she chooses to write. Even so, I was skeptical about this relationship and was thrilled at how wonderful their story turned out to be. This was outstanding. 4.5 stars

(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)

[DeeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although "Playing by the Rules" was a good read, there was something missing from Meredith and Hunter's relationship for me!!!!!

3.5 stars

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing By The Rules was cute, sweet and sensual read with a somewhat forbidden aspect to it. I liked it and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Karen's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter has been in love with Merrie for years but he never found the right time to make his move. Well he's waited long enough, and now is Hunter's chance. Will he take it, or will he let this opportunity slip away.
Merrie is tired of waiting for her ex to commit. She's ready to move on and find her Mr. Right. What she didn't expect was that her Mr. Right would be her commitment phobic ex's older brother. What Merrie and Hunter feel for each other is like nothing they've ever felt before, but is it worth the turmoil it will undoubtedly cause their loves ones?
Merrie and Hunter's choice to date wasn't an easy choice to make, but they felt it was the only choice for them. What I loved about this couple was how they seemed to click so well together. I loved how once Hunter made the choice to pursue Merrie, he was determined to let nothing or know one stand in his way. Merrie, on the other hand, wasn't as sure as Hunter and needed a little push to stick to her decision of having a relationship with Hunter. This was a sweet love story about two people who couldn't deny each other even if they wanted too. This was my first read from this and I look forward to enjoying more of her work. I especially hope to read Hunter's brother Liam's story. I hope he will have his chance at love also. As for Hunter and Merrie's story, I give this one 3.5 stars.

[Lilly Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six months after Meredith breaks up with her boyfriend, her cousin invites her to a Valentine's Hook-up party. Meredith is reluctant to go, but she knows she needs to move on from a bad break-up or she'll go back to her jerk ex-boyfriend. Again. When  she runs into Hunter at the party, she's more than relieved. She's always liked Hunter, probably more than she should, but Meredith always plays by the rules.

Hunter has always had a thing for Merrie, and seeing her again reminds him of just how much he wants to make her his. There's only one problem. Merrie is his brother's ex, and both he and Merrie would never do anything to hurt his family. He stepped aside once before. He's not going to do it again, even if it means breaking the rules.

Everyone knows bro code says don't mess with a buddy or your brother's ex, but there is a time and place for breaking the rules, and Ms. Ryan sets this up beautifully, giving Hunter and Merrie their happily ever after.

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars - I found this book an okay read. The writing was good. The plot was decent and the characters were sweet on each other from the start. Which I love. I didn't like how Merrie seemed to want to give her ex, Liam, the benefit of the doubt all the time (given how he's treated her in the past.) That knocked some character points off her, in my book.

Hunter was a good guy, too nice in some aspects, but this story is him going after what he wants. Which I liked. I found the book sorta stalled for me around 90%, then ,all of a sudden it was the end. It was an odd feeling, just all wrapped up quick. I would be interested in checking out some of her other stories as I enjoyed the chemistry between Hunter and Merrie.

If you like stories involving sibling’s exes.. this may be a story for you!

~Paragraphs and Petticoats ~

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet love!

I read, "Playing with Desire" and after reading this novella I understand more about Meredith and Hunter's passion and relationship. Liam was wrong for Merrie and he knew it. Meredith and Hunter had an affection for each other before Liam interfered, thinking he would lose her friendship. Thanks to her cousin for noticing the attraction.

Looking forward to book #2, "Playing with Temptation"!

[KAREN MCCRAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

She got it right

It felt like a sibling rivalry with Liam when it came to Hunter. I was Merrie and Hunter got it right