Money, power, prestige…failure. Bryce Coulter is … The Player.
Don’t call it a come back….Because no one else is. Poised to live up to his legacy, tennis player, Bryce Coulter, loses it all on one swing. Now, with the pressure on and his future in jeopardy, the last thing he needs is a smart-mouthed, training partner with attitude and a killer swing — or maybe she’s exactly what he needs.
Rich, spoiled and moneyed — seen that, been dragged through the dirt behind that. Tami Ivey, gets enough of the bad boy trust fund kids at work. She doesn’t need it in her sanctuary too. Playing tennis is the only way to connect to the girl she used to be before tragedy struck. The day Bryce Coulter turns up at her court, she turns on that classic attitude. If there’s anything she’s learned it’s how to make a guy run. Except, he’s not running. And maybe she doesn’t want him to....
Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, Nana Malone writes Sexy Feel-Good Romance and loves of all things romance and adventure.
That love started with a tattered romantic suspense she "borrowed" from her cousin. It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She's been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.
I was so excited to read this when I saw that both the hero and the heroine were tennis players. But, wow, was this book boring. Both of the main characters are bland, the plot is bland, and the romance is bland. I didn't care about any of the characters or anything they were going through. This romance felt like it's been done before and it really had nothing special. I would have DNFd it if the audiobook wasn't so short. The ending was also cringey and felt very insta-love, which sealed my feelings for this book.
Nana Malone è una piacevole entrata per le amanti dello sport romance, come la qui presente, e grazie a Hope ho avuto l'opportunità di leggerla in anteprima. Bryce Il Giocatore è il primo volume di una serie sportiva che non potete perdervi, forse per la prima volta dopo tanto tempo ho letto uno sport romance che rappresenta per la maggior parte della narrazione lo sport, in questo caso il tennis. L'autrice all'interno della storia ha bilanciato ogni scenario alla perfezione. Non posso dire che questo romanzo mi abbia deluso perché non è affatto così, anche se mi aspettavo un protagonista più alfa, più dominante. Nonostante ciò la lettura è stata scorrevole e interessante. Non mi aspettavo, dalla trama, che i protagonisti fossero giovani.
Sei tu l'unica ragazza che mi interessa.
Dio, era fantastica! Bryce avrebbe potuto guardarla tutto il giorno.
Il romanzo scritto in terza persona non mi ha dato alcun problema, mi è piaciuto e ancora di più mi sono piaciuti i punti di vista alterni. I protagonisti della storia sono Bryce e Tami, Bryce è un prodigio del tennis, giglio di una famiglia importante, fratello di sportivi, ma a causa di un infortunio metterà la sua carriera professionistica in pausa. In cuor suo, è consapevole che all'età di ventiquattro anni tutti i suoi sogni per il futuro potrebbero sgretolarsi e cade in una specie di tunnel, dove teme che non rivedrà mai la luce. Ma quella luce è inaspettata e una sera la troverà... La vedrà allenarsi in un campo da tennis che un tempo ha visto giorni migliori e lui non ha mai visto nulla di così grintoso, talentuoso e aggraziato al tempo stesso. Tami è giovane, senza una famiglia su cui contare, sogna di giocare a tennis da una vita e di continuare a studiare. Ha una sola amica e lavora per potersi mantenere e per pagare i debiti che i genitori, dopo la loro morte, hanno lasciato sulle sue spalle. È diffidente e tende a tenere distanti i ragazzi, specialmente un tipo come Bryce Coulter...
La desiderava, ma non solo per quella sera.
Questa cosa tra noi sta succedendo.
Bryce è tenace e in lui non c'è solo il desiderio di conquistarla, ma desidera conoscerla. La vuole con ogni fibra del suo essere e non gli importa se la sua famiglia non approva le sue scelte, non gli importa che credano sia una cacciatrice di dote in cerca del ragazzo d'oro da sposare per poi piantare in asso, niente e nessuno potrà impedirgli di passare il suo tempo accanto a lei, nemmeno lo zampino scettico di suo nonno.
Lei lo ha salvato e Bryce è intenzionato ad ancorarla stretta stretta a lui, per sempre.
La storia mi ha conquistata, come la scrittura di Nana e ora sono curiosa di conoscere bene anche gli altri protagonisti che ci ha presentato in questo libro, so che anche loro hanno una storia da raccontare.
4.5 stars This book was so good in a very simple manner. This reminds me of that rom-com Wimbledon with Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany. This book was a bit different but that off the charts chemistry is the same. Tami was a hard working undiscovered tennis player and Bryce was a legacy player. I loved that she made him work to get a date with her as well as respecting her as a partner instead of a kept woman. His family was incredibly classist but I suppose I would try to protect my kids from all perceived gold diggers if he was as famous as Bryce.
This is my favorite book by Nana Malone so far and I will continue this series next month.
Bryce by Nana Malone is a sports romance with all the feels when these two opposites meet. Though they come from different worlds, they find so much in each other.
Bryce Coulter is a rising star in the professional tennis community, but an injury may put an end to all of that. He needs to recover and get back in the game. He has been so cocky and sure of himself and now he finds himself in need of help.
I loved Tami. She has been down on her luck and still she is strong. She has lost so much and still she perseveres. She gave up playing tennis professionally because she was needed at home. Now she is just trying to survive.
When Bryce and Tami meet, she has her doubts about him, but he is determined to show him he is different. But with interfering family, secrets, and stubbornness, can they find a way to stay together?
This was a great read with characters you like, even if they frustrate you a bit. Both characters grow so much during their journey. I am looking forward to reading more from this series!
This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last.
This is a great, fun, down to earth read. Opposites attract, sports comeback read. A journey of trust and love. It is well written and the pace and flow are good. It captivated me and held my intention from the very first word to the last. The plot was well thought out and had me rooting for bot Tami and Bryce. I really enjoyed this book and here is why.
The book opens with Bryce having injured himself while he was an up and coming tennis player. Now he has to rehab after an injury. He is well off and has a family legacy to live up to. He doesn’t let it take over his life. He is a genuine all around good guy, good morals, and a big heart. He plays it off as he is a bad boy.
Tami is strong, confident, beautiful and doesn’t want to depend on anyone. She is rebuilding her life after tragedy and carving her new path. She gave up a dream. She only has one really good friend but, doesn’t let that stop her.
Tami heads to the court to let off some steam after work. While there Bryce comes walking down to the court and Tami helps Bryce. This is where I liked the turn of events. They are there for each other and these two are great together. I loved watching the blossoming of their friendship and how they grow into more. It is not all roses, though. Some people don’t agree and don’t want Bryce to get sidetracked while trying to recover from his injury.
These two are different but so alike. They don’t let anything get them down and they love tennis. Together they can be unstoppable. Bryce’s family is somewhat supportive, with the exception of Grandpa. The author does a good job and makes you feel like you are right there. This, like I said, is a very enjoyable and well worth the read.
I found this to be an engaging and exciting read. It’s an Opposites attract type story and comeback type sports read. Bryce Coulter up and coming tennis player has finally met his match on and off the court in Tami Ivey. This is the Opposites attract story here. Tami missed out on her chance to play tennis professionally. She is just surviving by carving out a new path for herself. Bryce is recovering after having surgery for a torn ACL. He meets Tami one night on an out of the way tennis court and this brings two lost souls together. He comes from a rich family while she is just struggling to get by. Yet these two people discover that maybe they needed that injection of something new to give them that shot of whats been missing in their lives. Bryce has been worried he wouldn’t play again due to his injury and Tami has been coasting by in life after not making pro. Now these two complement one another and a romance is brewing. Will Tami open her heart and let Bryce in and will Bryce let Tami show him there is more to life than coasting on his talent and sleeping around? This was a great read that shows some rivalry, some secrets, a few twists and turns and a beautiful romance. Can't wait to see Dax and who he ends up falling in love with. Look forward to the next book in the series.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ***** “I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
In realtà 3 stelle e 1/2 CLICCA SULL'IMMAGINE PER LEGGERE LA RECENSIONE COMPLETA: Arriva in Italia Nana Malone con una serie sport romance che ci permetterà di conoscere i fratelli Coulter che eccellono in sport diversi. Iniziamo con Bryce, un campione nel tennis, che conoscerà una tennista tutto pepe che saprà tenergli testa, Tami. Bryce Coulter ha subìto un infortunio piuttosto importante durante la semifinale degli US Open e sta passeggiando tra le strade della parte più degradata di San Diego quando si imbatte in una tennista schiva ma molto determinata. Prova spesso il bisogno di allontanarsi dalla famiglia e dalla pressione continua che sente su di sé e sulla sua ormai compromessa carriera e il modo in cui quella ragazza impugna la racchetta lo affascina e lo incuriosisce. Bella, tonica con gambe lunghe e flessuose ne è talmente ipnotizzato da non accorgersi di quel colpo dritto sul suo viso, a salvarlo solo una logora rete in metallo e tutto l’astio di una giovane donna che non vuole essere vista nel momento di sua più grande vulnerabilità e ricercata solitudine.
Tami Ivey lavora come commessa presso un negozio di articoli sportivi e nonostante i turni massacranti tutti i giorni cerca di andare ad allenarsi nei campi da tennis della sua scuola superiore dove era stata a un passo dal fare il salto verso l’agonismo e il successo nel suo sport preferito. Ora è soprannominata la tennista stramba, sbatte la palla ferocemente contro un muro, riversa tutta la sua frustrazione per una vita che l’ha delusa e lo fa nei suoi pochi e unici momenti di spensieratezza. Un intrusione, un ragazzo sexy che cerca di darle qualche dritta. In lui Tami riconosce il campione Bryce Coulter ma non si può permettere di sognare per le sue esplicite parole di incoraggiamento e si ritrova a fare ciò che le riesce meglio, fuggire e non ritrovarsi più davanti a un dubbio, a una scelta e ritornare a sognare con la racchetta in mano.
È un racconto fatto di sfide, da una parte c’è una guarigione da affrontare per Bryce e farlo tornando a giocare in doppio misto con Tami gli dà speranza, lei lo provoca con i suoi no fino a conquistarlo e non solo nello sport. Dall’altra c’è una Tami che non può permettersi di sognare, non di nuovo e la testardaggine di Bryce la porterà a giocare, a vincere e a sfidarsi di nuovo. Il cuore la preoccupa più di ogni altra cosa perché il passato non gli ha portato via solo il tennis ma anche la possibilità di credere nell’amore.
Bryce Coulter up and coming tennis player has finally met his match on and off the court in Tami Ivey. Six weeks later after surgery from an ACL injury during his US Open match he meets Tami on a worn out high school tennis court in a shady part of town; his pursuit beings.
Tami Ivey was a budding high school tennis star until her mother was diagnose with cancer ultimately dying from her illness. Two years later her father is killed in car crash. With no family to depend on she meets and falls for Michael whom only uses her for sex and breaks her heart. Deciding to go at life all alone using her love for tennis as a way of coping and making it through life.
Their problem is Bryce has too many family members involved in his business and Tami has not enough. Together they find a balance and so much more. They become each others healing balm and saving grace.
Perk up and pay attention to this hot, swift, wicked serve. Tami has the goods and don’t mind showing them. She serves a wicked ball and a bit of ice to chase it down. But that does not stop Bryce. This was an introduction to a new series that has grabbed my attention from the jump start of the blurb, prologue, and then as I continued to turn each new page. Tami and Bryce have some serious chemistry and make a fantastic team.
I was excited to see that Nana had returned to tennis again. She gave a good solid growth to love with the subtle hints at attraction for the game, the serve, the feeling, the couple. Things did not just steam roll over you and jump you straight to the chemistry brewing between them. They taught one another and things grew from there. The passion. The drama. The next page, please.
York and Odom did the job required of them. They transported the read to the world of Legacy, Coulter, Tennis.
New author to me Nana Malone makes this one new author for me to look out for.
This was a lovely little sports romance, rich famous tennis player, meets poor ex tennis player.
Bryce Coulter is a semi famous tennis player, he has had an injury and had to have an operation so he is not playing at the moment. This doesn't stop his filly of bed mates though, his family name makes him just as attractive as he is!
Tami Ivey has had a bit of a rough time, she was at one point a professional tennis player, but gave this up to look after her sick, dying mother.
A couple of years later she also has another devastating blow, and finds herself dating a horrid man that treats her really badly. So tennis helps her forget her life problems.
Bryce and Tami meet one evening while she is practicing, and he decides that she is the one for him, only she doesn't see it that way!
Doing all of the chasing, Bryce and Tami start dating, but it isn't without it's hurdles, and Bryce's family don't help either!
🎧🎧 Narrated by Sebastian York #SebYes and new to me narrator Traci Odom, who did a great job, Mr York is a narrator that i openly stalk on Audible, so this book was a no brainer for me, and the pair did a great job.
Perk up and pay attention to this hot, swift, wicked serve. Tami has the goods and don’t mind showing them. She serves a wicked ball and a bit of ice to chase it down. But that does not stop Bryce. This was an introduction to a new series that has grabbed my attention from the jump start of the blurb, prologue, and then as I continued to turn each new page. Tami and Bryce have some serious chemistry and make a fantastic team.
I was excited to see that Nana had returned to tennis again. She gave a good solid growth to love with the subtle hints at attraction for the game, the serve, the feeling, the couple. Things did not just steam roll over you and jump you straight to the chemistry brewing between them. They taught one another and things grew from there. The passion. The drama. The next page, please. I am looking for Dax, up next.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Great start to a new series "the Player Series". This is a great combination of sports, love at first sight, & romance. Bryce and Tami made a great couple, they were exactly what the other person needed. Both was dealing with whether or not a comeback was in their future. Bryce dealing with an injury and Tami dealing with her mothers illness and a broken heart. From beginning to end I was routing for them to make it in a relationship and on the court. Along with lots of steamy lovemaking and family made for a fun read. Nana Malone as always did a great job. Looking forward to the next read. Bring on Dax.
When they say opposites attract they are not wrong! Bryce and Tami come from totally different world's but one thing the both love is tennis.
This was fun, quick and easy to read,with a little family drama thrown in. It was not what I was expecting and it felt good to have a straight love story with out to many hassles.
This was first book from this author but I will be checking more of her books out.
Un connubio tra leggerezza e intensità ha caratterizzato questa piacevole lettura che mi ha trasportata nel mondo del tennis, coinvolgendomi nel tifo più sfrenato per questi due ragazzi così genuini e orgogliosi della loro passione per questo sport tanto liberatorio di energie sia in senso positivo che negativo. Si riesce a comprendere infatti, come il tennis possa essere uno sport nobile nelle sue espressioni fisiche, per il rigore mentale che richiede, per la disciplina che insegna a forgiare il carattere di chi lo pratica.
“Bryce Coulter?” domandò, non accennando a stringergli la mano, ma stringendo la pallina con più forza.
“Già. E tu sei?” la incitò.
“Io? Oh…Ehm…Tami” balbettò lei, rimettendosi finalmente la pallina in tasca per stringergli la mano.
“Tami Ivey”
Tami e Bryce, i due protagonisti, riescono attraverso la loro storia, a regalare al lettore un sogno, infondendo spensieratezza, brio, entusiasmo e passione. I loro sentimenti, le loro paure, tutte le sfumature dei loro caratteri, a tratti anche timidi e confusi, sono stati descritti in una forma talmente realistica e bella da soddisfare tutte le aspettative per chi ama il genere sport romance.
Una storia che ricorda a tratti la favola di Cenerentola al cospetto del suo principe azzurro, ma poi supera i cliché narrativi della fantasia, attraverso la costruzione di una trama realistica e ben delineata in tutti gli aspetti emozionali.
“La voleva rivedere. Diamine, aveva bisogno di rivederla. Quella sera per la prima volta dopo mesi, si era sentito di nuovo vivo”
Tami è una ragazza di umili origini, che ha speso la sua esistenza per la famiglia, affrontando rinunce importanti con enormi sacrifici, non rinunciando mai però alla propria dignità e cercando di preservare sempre la sua passione per uno sport che le regala il senso di pace che manca nella sua quotidianità. Al contrario di Bryce che proviene da una classe sociale privilegiata, ma che affronta con la stessa umile determinazione e la stessa fierezza la sua passione per il tennis. Un ragazzo che negli anni cambia la sua indole spensierata trasformandola, dopo un grave infortunio, in una maturità più misurata che lo inducono a scelte importanti. L’incontro con Tami segnerà un nuovo inizio, una base da cui ripartire nella costruzione di un futuro incerto.
E se, già singolarmente, appaiono due ragazzi speciali, insieme diventano una combinazione unica di forza, coraggio, audacia e tenacia.
“Mi piaci. Non so perché, ma sto bene quando ci sei solo tu. Quando sto con te, una parte di me si sente come se non fossi solo. Vedo il talento che c’è in te. Vedo una persona che ha bisogno di giocare. Vedo una persona che forse mi capisce”
Se Tami proverà a contrastare la forte attrazione verso Bryce, lui non mollerà mai la presa, forte del sentimento che dal primo incontro lo ha travolto riempiendogli il cuore di una delicata speranza per il futuro.
La descrizione preparatoria agonistica trasferita con passione nelle pagine di questa storia, così tenera nella sua struttura ma altrettanto ricca di tutta la forza che l’amore infonde, è stata fondamentale tanto quanto il racconto della nascita di un sentimento profondo tra i due protagonisti. Un esempio di come la passione per uno sport, se coltivata con sane motivazioni, può regalare stimoli crescenti, creare progetti di vita e forgiare il carattere educandolo alla complicità di coppia.
Nana Malone ci ha regalato un racconto entusiasmante che racconta il mondo del tennis con due protagonisti eclettici e originali anche nei loro dialoghi brillanti e intensi, che lasciano una sensazione di rassicurante dolcezza, attraverso dubbi, incertezze, entusiasmi giovanili, senza mai sfiorare la banalità e catturando l’attenzione fino all’ultima pagina. La sua forma narrativa è precisa, scorrevole e appassionata sia dal punto di vista maschile che da quello femminile. Le emozioni arrivano dritte al cuore. continua su https://www.vanitiromancebook.com/boo...
Finalmente debutta in Italia, grazie alla Hope Edizioni, Nana Malone con la serie di contemporary sport romance The Player. I libri sono dedicati alla numerosa e facoltosa famiglia Coulter, i quali hanno tutti lo sport nel DNA. Il primo libro è dedicato a Bryce, brillante tennista che ha subito una battuta d'arresto a causa di un brutto infortunio. Per Bryce ricominciare è davvero difficile. La sua gamba è messa male e non sa fino a che punto la sua carriera è compromessa. Inoltre la pressione della sua famiglia contribuisce ad esacerbare una situazione già complicata e il suo umore ne risente parecchio. L'incontro con una ragazza, mentre è alla ricerca di un campo dove allenarsi, lontano da occhi indiscreti, è destinato a cambiare la sua vita. Tami Ivey è lontana anni luce dal mondo patinato di Bryce, eppure quella estrema bravura con la racchetta non può essere casuale. Sebbene le capacità della ragazza siano grezze sotto alcuni punti di vista, Bryce non può non rimanere affascinato dalla grazia e dalla potenza dei suoi movimenti. Avvicinare Tami, però, risulterà un'impresa non facile. La diffidenza è la caratteristica principale che descrive Tami e per lei stare lontana dai tipi come Bryce è un imperativo categorico. Forse perchè Tami ci è già passata, ha creduto in un sogno, per poi rimanere con un pugno di mosche in mano e un cuore spezzato. Ma Bryce non è il tipo che si arrende e se ha visto in Tami qualcosa non si fermerà finchè non sarà sua. Quello di Bryce è il capriccio del solito ragazzo ricco e viziato che non può avere il giocattolo su cui ha posato gli occhi, oppure è veramente interessato a Tami? Una corte serrata che porterà i due ragazzi prima sul campo da tennis e forse su un campo più intimo. Bryce è uno sport romance che rispetta tutti i canoni del genere. La parte riguardante lo sport non è messa da parte, come spesso accade, ed è perfettamente in equilibrio con la parte romance. I riferimenti al mondo del tennis ed alcuni tecnicismi sono calzanti, anche se io ho avuto bisogno di ricercare qualche termine non essendo ferrata in questo argomento. Mi è piaciuto lo stile di Nana Malone. Avevo visto in giro i suoi libri in lingua e devo dire che ero curiosa di leggerla, e non ne sono rimasta affatto delusa. Bryce e Tami sono ben caratterizzati e la loro storia si evolve lentamente, in perfetta coerenza con le rispettive esperienze personali. Saranno l'uno la spalla dell'altra in un percorso di rinascita. Tami è una ragazza forte e determinata, dura e spigolosa in molti aspetti del suo carattere. Purtroppo non è nuova alle delusioni e per lei lasciarsi andare è un'impresa titanica. Dopo essere rimasta sola non ha più intenzione di farsi incantare da un ragazzo pieno di soldi e il divario sociale ed economico tra lei e Bryce è uno dei problemi più grossi. La sua è una lotta per guadagnare da sola tutto ciò che merita, senza il bisogno di nessun principe che arrivi a salvarla. Bryce è ricco e famoso e la sua famiglia è un pesante ingombro, sempre presente nella sua vita, a costo di interferire con le sue decisioni. Bryce dovrà imparare a gestire la sua famiglia, difendendo la propria indipendenza decisionale, proteggendo il nascente sentimento che lo lega a Tami. Solo in questo modo potrà guadagnarsi la fiducia di quel tornado che gli ha stravolto la vita, testarda come un mulo e piena di potenzialità inespresse che premono per venir fuori. In questo libro conosciamo le dinamiche della famiglia Coulter e incontriamo gli altri fratelli in una coralità che stuzzica nel lettore la voglia di conoscere le storie degli altri sportivi della famiglia. Se vi piacciono le principesse che si salvano da sole, gli uomini che per conquistare una donna farebbero follie, le seconde possibilità e credete nei sogni che si avverano, Bryce di Nana Malone potrebbe piacervi.
recensione "a cura del blog Sognare in punta di penna" by Meg
Nel panorama degli sport-romance le storie convergono quasi sempre sulla carriera sportiva del protagonista maschile. Ma questa è una storia su entrambi e su come, provenendo da mondi opposti, riescano a innamorarsi attraverso l’agonismo sportivo. Bryce Coulter viene da una famiglia che ha fatto del successo, nei vari sport, il suo credo di vita, è sempre stato spinto al massimo; anche con il suo grave infortunio, la famiglia, e in particolare nonni e genitori anch’essi sportivi di successo, lo considera solo per riprender le competizioni. L’incontro del tutto casuale con Tami, prima lo rende consapevole di se stesso come uomo e poi come sportivo.
«”Lei gioca” obiettò Bryce. “Conosce il gioco, conosce me, e non mi spiege oltre i miei limiti, né mi assilla per fare qualcosa. Tra lei, la fisioterapia e i miei allenatori, ho tutto sotto controllo. Stare con lei mi fa sentire di nuovo me stesso, e non un altro modello uscito fuori produzione dalla fabbrica dei Coulter che ha bisogno di essere riparato.”»
Vede se stesso in lei, che con il suo dolore convive, e che, come lui, lotta con la sua voglia di tornare a gareggiare. Sono due personaggi complementari nel corso del libro: Tami torna a competere grazie a Bryce, che lentamente la riavvicina alle gare anche con il suo amore. E’ una giovane donna molto sola, molto autosufficiente; nel corso della storia il suo orgoglio è eccessivo, lo usa per proteggersi da tutti, ma non riesce a starci antipatica, perché capiamo che ha sempre vissuto l’amore come una catastrofe e non come felicità. Quando finalmente, accetta l’amore di Bryce, i loro scambi verbali diventano anche divertenti, per cui la lettura scorre via molto leggera. E’ una bella storia questa, anche perchè siamo nel mondo del tennis, che ho trovato rarissimamente negli sport romance, e in particolare del doppio misto. Nana Malone è un’autrice al suo debutto in Italia con la Hope Edizioni, lo stile è scorrevole, le scene “hot” inserite nell’evoluzione dei sentimenti dei due protagonisti, il POV alternato all’interno dello stesso capitolo. Non ci resta che attendere degli fratelli e come “ridimensionino” il nonno insopportabilmente prepotente. Quattro stelle e mezzo per una storia parallela di rinascita sportiva e personale.
I loved the hero and the heroine. Bryce was such a great character. He has been wrapped up in himself for so long that he did not understand why Tami was so weary of him. It did not take him long to understand that some people has it worst off then him. I loved the fact that he was so genuine about his feelings when it came to Tami.
Tami really thought that Bryce was just using her. It took her a long time to finally get that Bryce really like her. That is something that got under my skin. She has a man that would do anything for her but she kept grouping him in the 'worthless, excuse for a man' category, which I did not think Bryce deserved.
I loved the fact that she ended up not trusting Bryce but she also ended up trusting in her abilities and her feelings.
The first book in The Players Series. Another winner for Nana Malone. This book reminds me of why she became one of my favorite writers. The first book of hers that I ever read was "Game, Set, Match", another book about tennis. After reading that, I was hooked.
In this book, you get the sports, romance, and sexiness. You also get the love and commitment Bryce and Tami have for each other and their sport.
I look forward to the next book in this series. I would definitely recommend this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy.
Tami is such a reverse snob that I can't take her. Poor Bryce has been so nice and patient with her and her biggest problem with him is that he’s rich!! She misinterprets every little thing he does because of some guy that deceived her in the past. I understand being careful but she doesn't see him for who he is and it's very tiresome.
Oh and the female narrator - Traci Odom - sounds too old to portray a new adult heroine. Amazingly, Sebastian York actually manages to sound young - even with that gravely voice of his - but Ms. Odom sounds like a principal.
3.5 stars I haven’t read many tennis romance books so I enjoyed that part. I didn’t connect with the characters so I would have given it 3 stars if not for the narrator (Sebastian York).
Opposites attract. Tami is surviving, she's loves tennis but missed her opportunity to be able play professionally years ago. Bryce is building his tennis career when he gets hurt playing the game he loves, now he doesn't know if he will play again. He doesn't have to play because he is rich, his whole snobbish family is rich. Bryce is drawn to the strength & determination he sees in Tami and this game....of love he won't be giving up on. These two complement one another, Tami is wary, of rich guys, very independent and a tad stubborn but they are well matched. A little rivalry, a few secrets and some good ole payback all thrown in to make this a very entertaining sports romance which I very much enjoyed reading.
It's only been what... Oh, 8 months since I listened to this audiobook! High time I actually get to a review on this! A little different than most of my reviews, I'll talk about the series on all of these then drop a small bit about what stood out from each one in each book's review section.
THE SERIES The Player Series The series itself is a sports romance series and follows a wealthy family full of athletes in different sports. Each of the kids (5 boys and a girl) finds love in the 6-book series by Nana Malone. This reminded me a lot of Jaci Burton's Play-By-Play series, but with the generational athlete and wealth of its prominent family added. Entertaining series that I binged on in audiobook form.
Audiobook experience This was my second foray into audiobooks, specifically in romance audiobooks (check out my first one in this podcast episode). Sebastian York and Traci Odom are dual narrating these as this series has dual H/h POVs. As a fan of Christian Fox's, I didn't think I would like Sebastian York, but that low gravelly voice of his is made for steamy and erotic romance! Traci was good. However, when she did voice a few male dialogue parts, she sounded comical. Some said she sounded too old for the female MCs. I think they both sound too old. But they were good voicing the story. It didn't take away from the plot at all. Plus who cares? Of course, these are steamy/erotic romances, so NSFW listening (or in the carpool or kid drop-off lane).
THE BOOK Bryce Speaking of age, Bryce is the oldest of the siblings. This is probably why I liked this book more than some of the others in the series. As someone who's old enough to be a few of these kids' mother, the younger the MCs, the less I identify with them or what they're going through. And each one of these books has these characters going through something.
Bryce is suffering from a potential career-ending injury. Tami is dealing with a dream of a tennis career put aside to deal with her mother's illness. These two go through some struggles to make it to or back to success and to be together.
While I may not be scrambling to listen to these again, they are entertaining, sexy and they have full plots. However, listening to these would be my preferred method of consuming them ;)
It's an opposite attracts with a hint of learning to trust and love again journey. Bryce is or was your typical rich bad boy who's family name alone guaranteed him an endless supply of bed mates add in his amazing drive as the up and coming tennis sensation and you have the making of hot smoking man crush.
Bryce was an up and coming hot tennis sensation until one misstep and his hard work coming crashing down and leaving him drowning in thoughts of is this really it, or having to rethink his future by joining the family business.
Tami has learned how to pick up and move forward with her life after so many heart breaking twist and turns in her life. Losing her family her dreams. But she made it her business to at least crave a new path a new dream.
One night one out of the way tennis court brought two lost dreamers into each others orbits giving them a possibility of a new hope of more. Giving them a chance to discover that maybe their prior dreams just needed a splash of something else the something being each other.
I enjoyed seeing Bryce grow and realize that there is more to the family name and that Tami was exactly what he needed. Can't wait to see Dax and his adventures in finding the one who meets his own path and completes his dreams and wants.
This is a fun quick read, the chemistry between the characters was good (awesome steamy scenes). The story had a nice flow to it and nothing seemed to be rushed. However, through most of the book, I found Tami to be really annoying. I did like that Tami wanted to do it on her own, but her pride got to be a little too much most of the time. Bryce was a pleasant surprise because even though the summary didn't specify him as a bad boy type, I couldn't help but expect that type of character based on fame and money. He was the exact opposite, he was very down to earth, realistic about where his tennis career would be heading, doesn't complain about his recovery, and everything he did for Tami was for the right reasons even though he would reap some from benefit for her. I've already added the second book to my TBR, but the author needs to update the summary of the book on goodreads because the wrong character name is listed for Bryce. The biggest problem I had with the book was a disconnect between what Bryce saw from his family about his recovery and the message his family seemed to convey about his recovery. There are little things that don't add up based on family actions and Bryce's thoughts about his family, maybe its a message from the author about how much pressure we put on ourselves and project that as coming from our loved ones (maybe I'm reading too much into it).
This is a story about a bad boy Bryce who lives a life of privilege and a woman who has had to fight for everything she wants/needs/gets Tami. Tami has lived through heartache and lose and is constantly striving to carve a new path for her life. Bryce comes form a family of overachievers who always expect the something more. When the two meet on an out of the way tennis court their love for the game draws them together but their feelings for each other keep them coming back. This story is a sports novel but it also has elements of a great story - family, their past, love, pride and the suspense of whether they can both learn to trust and love. Look forward to the next book in the series. I was given this book and am voluntarily writing a review.
Nana Malone always brings a fun, sizzling romance to me! This is the first of the player series, but can be read as a stand alone(I have not listened to them in order). Blake, the oldest of the Colby kids is a professional tennis player who is recovering from an injury when he spots "novice" Tami Ivey on the court. Instant heat, this couple is destined to be together. Or are they? There are so many differences...the is competitive, she is not, he is from a wealthy family, she is not, he is a professional athlete..she is not. There explosive chemistry is off the charts and when they finally do decide to make a go of it, the great Colby family comes into play. I love this family...they love fiercely, both their significant others, as well as their siblings.There is a little twist with Tami's past and the conflict with the older generation is old fashioned, but getting to know them is all part of the plan with the build up to the next book. Meeting the others, especially Echo makes you want to continue with the series and find out what is next for this family.
Traci Odom and Sebastian York are the team dually narrating this book. Both are wonderful and will draw you into the family drama and make it so you want to continue to get to know this family.