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The Players #2
The Proposition
Professional hockey player Ben Williamson doesn't quite know how he got himself into this situation; hiring someone to be his date to his brother's wedding is way out of character for him. But with family pressuring him to settle down, going stag just isn't an option. It would just be one more thing his polite, cultured family uses as ammo against him.
Ryan Cruz is having a bad day. Wait, make that a bad year. Broke, technically homeless, and living on a friend's couch, she's now also unemployed after her sharp tongue gets her fired from her job. So when a handsome stranger approaches her out of the blue with a proposition--he’ll pay her to be his date to his brother’s wedding for the weekend--accepting his offer is a no brainer. She needs the cash and figures it wouldn't be in the best interest of a professional athlete to murder her.
What starts as a simple business arrangement soon becomes more as these opposites attract and get caught up in the wedding magic. Will Ben and Ryan be able to turn their relationship into something more? Or is love based on a proposition too much of an obstacle to overcome?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2017
9 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Hayley
36 books1,535 followersElizabeth Hayley is actually “Elizabeth” and “Hayley,” two friends who love reading romance novels to obsessive levels. This mutual love prompted them to put their English degrees to good use by penning their own. They learned a ton about each other through the process, like how they clearly share a brain and have a persistent need to text each other constantly. They live with their husbands and kids in a Philadelphia suburb. Thankfully, their children are still too young to read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 31, 2017
3.5 stars
I enjoyed The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley until nearly the end of the book. Ms. Hayley is a new-to-me author, and The Proposition is the second book in a series, but she did an excellent job of working in characters from the first book without leaving the reader lost and confused. I always appreciate when series books are able to be read as standalones. The basic premise of Ben needing to hire an escort to act as his girlfriend while accompanying him to his estranged brother’s wedding, and the manner in which he and his friends go about finding an escort was a little unrealistic, however, I liked all these characters so much I was willing to go along with it. The Proposition is filled with misunderstandings, some with good reason, others not so much. Ben is a professional hockey player from a family of academics, who feels his family neither understands nor accepts his choices, and is disappointed in him. I guess there are people who would be unhappy if their son was a NHL star. I don’t know any of those people, but I’m willing to believe they’re out there. Ben makes his family out to be jerks, so I was surprised to find they really weren’t. I was confused about his belief of how they thought of him, it didn’t make a lot of sense to me. In his relationships with his friends and Ryan, he’s pretty straightforward. It was one of the traits I liked most about him, in fact. For that reason, the entire reason for thinking he needed an escort didn’t ring true. The animosity between Ben and his brother rang true, however. There is an incident near the end, a very important plot point, that seemed to come out of nowhere and felt very contrived to me. In fact, it completely changed how I felt about this book. I guess I didn’t understand the unresolved issues between Ben and his brother, and the inconsistency didn’t work for me. I did, however, love Ben and Ryan together. She was a very strong, independent, feisty heroine, and Ben was fun, generous, and very sweet with her, although a bit clueless. His friends, Jase and Gabe added the voice of reason, and a sense of playfulness, respectively. My biggest issue with this book was in the main conflict in Ben and Ryan’s relationship. I felt it came out of nowhere. I was shocked and appalled by his behavior. I knew what would happen, but I didn’t see it unfolding in the way it did. I’m not often surprised, but this one took me by surprise for sure. Honestly, it would have been a deal breaker for me. Other readers may not agree, however, and for that reason, I am still recommending this book.
May 22, 2023
THE PROPOSITION was another enjoyable Elizabeth Hayley book with fun characters, silly situations, and a pretty good romance. I really wanted more tension between the characters. The reason I love the fake relationship trope is the tension between being a loving couple in public and resisting each other in private. Ben and Ryan sleep together so early in the book that the relationship based tension is gone. They're pretty much a real couple the whole book.
Ben was a great hero who was genuine, sweet, and respectful to Ryan. I loved his awkwardness when he was hiring Ryan and his attempts to act the way he thought he should around an escort. I also enjoyed his quieter, more humble nature. The family dynamics between Ben and his brother were written really well. Ben might have needed a buffer between him and his family but I liked that they weren't all portrayed as bad people; Ben’s mother was particularly sweet. I'm also happy that Ben was able to clear some of his festering feelings about his brother, even if it did hurt Ryan in the process. The man clearly needed to get some things off his chest.
Ryan’s determination and will to survive was certainly admirable. I don't know that I could pretend to be an escort in order to make money but I respect the hard decisions she’s had to make in order to get by in a life that has continually kicked her down. However, I felt it was painfully obvious that Ryan wasn't an escort. She was really bad at pretending and she even tells Ben that she can't act, which I think is the first requirement for an escort. She’s endearing but not the best at pretending. The scene where Ryan goes off on Ben about his living habits just really didn't work for me. Some of the things she pointed out contradicted the down to earth, sweet personality that Ben had and it just made Ryan seem slightly crazy. The bickering was supposed to act as tension that propels them into bed, but it just didn't come across that way to me.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Ben was a great hero who was genuine, sweet, and respectful to Ryan. I loved his awkwardness when he was hiring Ryan and his attempts to act the way he thought he should around an escort. I also enjoyed his quieter, more humble nature. The family dynamics between Ben and his brother were written really well. Ben might have needed a buffer between him and his family but I liked that they weren't all portrayed as bad people; Ben’s mother was particularly sweet. I'm also happy that Ben was able to clear some of his festering feelings about his brother, even if it did hurt Ryan in the process. The man clearly needed to get some things off his chest.
Ryan’s determination and will to survive was certainly admirable. I don't know that I could pretend to be an escort in order to make money but I respect the hard decisions she’s had to make in order to get by in a life that has continually kicked her down. However, I felt it was painfully obvious that Ryan wasn't an escort. She was really bad at pretending and she even tells Ben that she can't act, which I think is the first requirement for an escort. She’s endearing but not the best at pretending. The scene where Ryan goes off on Ben about his living habits just really didn't work for me. Some of the things she pointed out contradicted the down to earth, sweet personality that Ben had and it just made Ryan seem slightly crazy. The bickering was supposed to act as tension that propels them into bed, but it just didn't come across that way to me.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
October 6, 2017
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Proposition is a New Adult romance. It is the second book of the Players series by Elizabeth Hayley. I’ve read the first book in this series thanks to NetGalley and was happy to jump back in.
The book is about Ben and Ryan. Ben is in a bind. He has to go to his estranged brother’s wedding in a month or so and still doesn’t have a date. And as we know, professional hockey players have trouble finding dates, so his good friend Gabe suggests that he hires an escort.
Ryan is in serious need of money. So, when, right after quitting her job as a waitress in a sleathy stripclub, she stubbles into a hockey player mistaking her for an escort, she just cannot afford to say no…
This was a fast, enjoyable read and exactly what I was in the mood for/needed. It made me feel the exact right amount of things and the characters were flawed and interesting. I liked them all a lot. I saw a lot of me in Ben, especially in his flaws but I still really liked him. I liked the dynamics between all the characters and the whole thing around the wedding was fun. I really had a good time.
All in all, a cute but still forgettable romance.
The Proposition is a New Adult romance. It is the second book of the Players series by Elizabeth Hayley. I’ve read the first book in this series thanks to NetGalley and was happy to jump back in.
The book is about Ben and Ryan. Ben is in a bind. He has to go to his estranged brother’s wedding in a month or so and still doesn’t have a date. And as we know, professional hockey players have trouble finding dates, so his good friend Gabe suggests that he hires an escort.
Ryan is in serious need of money. So, when, right after quitting her job as a waitress in a sleathy stripclub, she stubbles into a hockey player mistaking her for an escort, she just cannot afford to say no…
This was a fast, enjoyable read and exactly what I was in the mood for/needed. It made me feel the exact right amount of things and the characters were flawed and interesting. I liked them all a lot. I saw a lot of me in Ben, especially in his flaws but I still really liked him. I liked the dynamics between all the characters and the whole thing around the wedding was fun. I really had a good time.
All in all, a cute but still forgettable romance.
October 13, 2017
Received an ARC for my fair review for netgalley. This is the second book in the series. This was Ben's book, he needs a date for his brothers wedding, whom he does not get along with, and you read the story you find out why they are the way they are. Gabe has this brilliant idea of Ben hiring an escort to the wedding. I love Gabe he is crazy. It was also good to read about Jace and Ally's relationship still going strong, they are from first book, the Bet, and I think you really should read it to give you more insight, plus I liked it better. Ben hires Ryan, who really is not an escort, but a waitress down on her luck. I wasn;t crazy about Ryan, and I am sorry, but I could not accept that Ben would have her move in with him so soon, and thinking she was an escort. Anyway, with all that I still will read next story.
November 4, 2017
I am a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Hayley’s writing and The Proposition is yet another great reason why I love their books!!!!
I loved how Ben and Ryan began their “relationship”, the premise of it was perfectly done. My heart shattered for Ryan when secrets were revealed.
This is the second book in the series but I believe can be read as a stand-alone.
I loved how Ben and Ryan began their “relationship”, the premise of it was perfectly done. My heart shattered for Ryan when secrets were revealed.
This is the second book in the series but I believe can be read as a stand-alone.
November 4, 2017
I am a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Hayley’s writing and The Proposition is yet another great reason why I love their books!!!!
I loved how Ben and Ryan began their “relationship”, the premise of it was perfectly done. My heart shattered for Ryan when secrets were revealed.
This is the second book in the series but I believe can be read as a stand-alone.
Reviewed by: Dana D.
I loved how Ben and Ryan began their “relationship”, the premise of it was perfectly done. My heart shattered for Ryan when secrets were revealed.
This is the second book in the series but I believe can be read as a stand-alone.
Reviewed by: Dana D.
January 3, 2018
Plot: 3/5
Characterisation: 3.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Rating are rough estimation. Read this in December 2017 but didn't remember much.
Characterisation: 3.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Rating are rough estimation. Read this in December 2017 but didn't remember much.
October 3, 2017
Another book I have read lately that I skimmed most of it. I had a few issues with this one. I won't go into it in much detail. But this book has been done some many times now, that without anything super crazy happening, it is over done.
November 1, 2017
This is a series about three bet friends: Jace; Gabe and Ben. Each star athletes in their own fields, they have also been best friends since college. In the first book they are invited to join an exclusive sportsmens club - think more teen boy heaven than anything sinister - which serves as their go-to place to discuss man stuff and play pool/ darts without being bothered by fans and groupies.
This book centres on Ben Williamson, one of the few black men in hockey and certainly the most successful, yet to the rest of his family he is somewhat of a disappointment because they wanted him to be a lawyer or a doctor. His mother has just guilted him into being best man at his elder brother David's wedding, to Ben's childhood sweetheart - yep, his brother and his girlfriend cheated behind his back and now (admittedly six years later) they want him to be the best man? His friend Gabe, who admitted appears to be playing with only half a deck of cards sometimes, suggests Ben hires an escort to go to the wedding with him - that way he doesn't look like he is still pining over Natasha AND he avoids his mother setting him up with some worthy but unattractive daughter of a friend.
Showing a surprising lack of common sense they guys go to Daisy's, a fairly low rent strip club, looking for a high end escort and are naturally disappointed, but when Ben steps outside he literally bumps into a woman who might very well fit the bill. Ryan Cruz is a woman barely scraping by, alone since she was 16 years old she has held a series of low-paid jobs, the latest one as a waitress at Daisy's ends when she smacks a customer for getting handsy and the manager refuses to take her side. As she is leaving the building the door slams back into her face and she sees the most attractive guy she has ever seen, when he thinks she is an escort she sees a way to make some much needed cash, after all she is sleeping on a friend's couch, and agrees to accompany Ben to his brother's wedding.
Things really spiral from there, Ben soon realises the enormity of pretending to be a couple in front of his friends and family, who will all want to interrogate Ryan about everything so he suggests a series of intense 'getting to know you' sessions over several days, then he suggests she moves in with him temporarily. And mostly it's because they need to know more about each other for the wedding, mostly. But of course the real fun begins at the wedding!
This kind of reminds me of the film Pretty Woman, especially the shopping scene. But Ben is nothing like Richard Gere's character, in fact he is the kindest, sweetest guy ever.
My only criticism would be that Ben's family was portrayed one way at the start of the book and another way at the end of the book, maybe the first impression was coloured by Ben's feelings rather than reality and the the later impression was more reflective of the way things really were. Also, I got really irritated that all of Ben's family thought HE ought to apologise to his older brother/ make the peace when his brother had NEVER once apologised for stealing his girlfriend and yet still seemed to get himself cast as the victim.
Nevertheless, I stayed up until 3am to finish this book so a great sports romance with a sexy, caring hero and a sassy, funny heroine. I can't wait to read Gabe's story - I bet it's a doozy.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This book centres on Ben Williamson, one of the few black men in hockey and certainly the most successful, yet to the rest of his family he is somewhat of a disappointment because they wanted him to be a lawyer or a doctor. His mother has just guilted him into being best man at his elder brother David's wedding, to Ben's childhood sweetheart - yep, his brother and his girlfriend cheated behind his back and now (admittedly six years later) they want him to be the best man? His friend Gabe, who admitted appears to be playing with only half a deck of cards sometimes, suggests Ben hires an escort to go to the wedding with him - that way he doesn't look like he is still pining over Natasha AND he avoids his mother setting him up with some worthy but unattractive daughter of a friend.
Showing a surprising lack of common sense they guys go to Daisy's, a fairly low rent strip club, looking for a high end escort and are naturally disappointed, but when Ben steps outside he literally bumps into a woman who might very well fit the bill. Ryan Cruz is a woman barely scraping by, alone since she was 16 years old she has held a series of low-paid jobs, the latest one as a waitress at Daisy's ends when she smacks a customer for getting handsy and the manager refuses to take her side. As she is leaving the building the door slams back into her face and she sees the most attractive guy she has ever seen, when he thinks she is an escort she sees a way to make some much needed cash, after all she is sleeping on a friend's couch, and agrees to accompany Ben to his brother's wedding.
Things really spiral from there, Ben soon realises the enormity of pretending to be a couple in front of his friends and family, who will all want to interrogate Ryan about everything so he suggests a series of intense 'getting to know you' sessions over several days, then he suggests she moves in with him temporarily. And mostly it's because they need to know more about each other for the wedding, mostly. But of course the real fun begins at the wedding!
This kind of reminds me of the film Pretty Woman, especially the shopping scene. But Ben is nothing like Richard Gere's character, in fact he is the kindest, sweetest guy ever.
My only criticism would be that Ben's family was portrayed one way at the start of the book and another way at the end of the book, maybe the first impression was coloured by Ben's feelings rather than reality and the the later impression was more reflective of the way things really were. Also, I got really irritated that all of Ben's family thought HE ought to apologise to his older brother/ make the peace when his brother had NEVER once apologised for stealing his girlfriend and yet still seemed to get himself cast as the victim.
Nevertheless, I stayed up until 3am to finish this book so a great sports romance with a sexy, caring hero and a sassy, funny heroine. I can't wait to read Gabe's story - I bet it's a doozy.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
November 20, 2017
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I really enjoyed this book. Its not your typical man needs a date to a family wedding so he hires an escort to play the part. Its a story about struggle: the struggle to be more than what people expect you to be, the struggle to find good in bad situations, the struggle to overcome the demons of the past.
Ryan has seen more than her fair share of struggles, however she has never faltered in her belief in herself, of being more than her drug addicted mother, of living a life she would be proud of. Her struggle has led to be a waitress in a strip club, it's decent money and is helping her pay her part of the bills as she couch surfs at a friends.
Ben is a professional hockey player, who on the surface seems to have it all. Beneath the facade, Ben is still struggling from his brother's betrayal. Ten years ago, Ben's girlfriend decided that his brother David, was the better man. Ben has carried the sting of that hurt with him ever since, and has distanced himself from his entire family so that he didn't have to witness their relationship first hand. During the times the family was together, it was tense and often led to disagreements which led to Ben staying away longer and longer.
With David's wedding fast approaching, Ben knows that he doesn't want to go alone and face the demons of his past. He also doesn't want his mother playing matchmaker. Gabe comes up a brilliant idea to hire an escort to play the part of his girlfriend. He's hesitant at first, then he meets Ryan and suddenly it doesn't seem like such a bad idea.
The relationship between Ryan and Ben starts off a little shaky but they quickly form a bond, sharing secrets and dreams. As the wedding gets closer, so do they. The question they both ask themselves: what happens to them after the vows are said?
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
I really enjoyed this book. Its not your typical man needs a date to a family wedding so he hires an escort to play the part. Its a story about struggle: the struggle to be more than what people expect you to be, the struggle to find good in bad situations, the struggle to overcome the demons of the past.
Ryan has seen more than her fair share of struggles, however she has never faltered in her belief in herself, of being more than her drug addicted mother, of living a life she would be proud of. Her struggle has led to be a waitress in a strip club, it's decent money and is helping her pay her part of the bills as she couch surfs at a friends.
Ben is a professional hockey player, who on the surface seems to have it all. Beneath the facade, Ben is still struggling from his brother's betrayal. Ten years ago, Ben's girlfriend decided that his brother David, was the better man. Ben has carried the sting of that hurt with him ever since, and has distanced himself from his entire family so that he didn't have to witness their relationship first hand. During the times the family was together, it was tense and often led to disagreements which led to Ben staying away longer and longer.
With David's wedding fast approaching, Ben knows that he doesn't want to go alone and face the demons of his past. He also doesn't want his mother playing matchmaker. Gabe comes up a brilliant idea to hire an escort to play the part of his girlfriend. He's hesitant at first, then he meets Ryan and suddenly it doesn't seem like such a bad idea.
The relationship between Ryan and Ben starts off a little shaky but they quickly form a bond, sharing secrets and dreams. As the wedding gets closer, so do they. The question they both ask themselves: what happens to them after the vows are said?
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
November 1, 2017
The Proposition, Elizabeth Hayley
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: romance
A fun read, but a one off for me.
I loved Ben, couldn't understand why he wanted to go to these lengths though just to fool his family. It seemed a bit nut and sledgehammer, and I couldn't see why he just didn't say No to them.
When more about his past came out it was a bit easier but it still sat a bit weird with me. He's a nice guy though, very honest and straightforward - apart from the whole lying to his family thing ;-)
Ryan, I really thought I'd like her - I didn't dislike her, but there were times when I wanted to give her a shake....I understand independence, and she had a horrible background, but she a long time past that now.
" What does your mother do?" "Let's just say she works in pharmaceuticals"
Reminded me of when I was working, we had to get the staff to fill in a police check as they were working with kids. One guy said he had a traffic offence - yep, traffic(ing) heroin.....Words are easy to mislead.
The chemistry between them was great, but for someone so allegedly famous, who's career was at risk if this all came out I was surprised he never got Papped when out with a lady, never got followed by those who wanted a story. That usually follows fame, but he seemed to live a pretty sheltered, private life.
You know at some point the secret will come out but I didn't expect it to get done that way, caught me by surprise and I love it when that happens. I like to be kept on my toes when reading, for the unpredictable to happen.
I loved the other guys (and girls) too, made for a good cast of characters. I did find the ending and the family issues a little quick to get resolved, they felt a bit rushed and too much too soon but....
Stars: three and a half, a fun read, but not a re-reader for me.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
@SMPRomance
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: romance
A fun read, but a one off for me.
I loved Ben, couldn't understand why he wanted to go to these lengths though just to fool his family. It seemed a bit nut and sledgehammer, and I couldn't see why he just didn't say No to them.
When more about his past came out it was a bit easier but it still sat a bit weird with me. He's a nice guy though, very honest and straightforward - apart from the whole lying to his family thing ;-)
Ryan, I really thought I'd like her - I didn't dislike her, but there were times when I wanted to give her a shake....I understand independence, and she had a horrible background, but she a long time past that now.
" What does your mother do?" "Let's just say she works in pharmaceuticals"
Reminded me of when I was working, we had to get the staff to fill in a police check as they were working with kids. One guy said he had a traffic offence - yep, traffic(ing) heroin.....Words are easy to mislead.
The chemistry between them was great, but for someone so allegedly famous, who's career was at risk if this all came out I was surprised he never got Papped when out with a lady, never got followed by those who wanted a story. That usually follows fame, but he seemed to live a pretty sheltered, private life.
You know at some point the secret will come out but I didn't expect it to get done that way, caught me by surprise and I love it when that happens. I like to be kept on my toes when reading, for the unpredictable to happen.
I loved the other guys (and girls) too, made for a good cast of characters. I did find the ending and the family issues a little quick to get resolved, they felt a bit rushed and too much too soon but....
Stars: three and a half, a fun read, but not a re-reader for me.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
@SMPRomance
November 19, 2017
This is an enjoyable read with an original plotline that had me intrigued to the very end. Though I’ve read the first in the series I still appreciated that this one can be read as a stand-alone with no confusion while still giving us glimpses of the characters from the previous book!
Ben is a professional hockey player who has been on the outs with his brother for years. His brother is getting married and Ben doesn’t want to face the wedding alone, especially since his brother is marrying Ben’s ex-girlfriend… One of Ben’s bestfriends, Gabe, recommends that he hire an escort and then suggests doing so at a strip-club, where Ben comes face to face with the beautiful Ryan. Ryan is running low on funds and life keeps kicking her while she’s down, she’s resorted to working as a waitress at a strip-club but loses that job when someone makes advances that she quickly shuts down. When she bumps into the handsome Ben outside the club and is mistaken for an escort Ryan can’t bring herself to turn down the money that Ben is offering. In order to get to know one another well enough to pull off fooling Ben’s family Ben insists Ryan move in with him until then and the two really hit it off.
I love how fast paced this book is, I couldn’t put it down. My favorite character in the book was definitely Gabe, he’s absolutely hilarious and I’m already highly anticipating him getting his own book! I also really enjoyed that this book has it all, romance, intrigue and angst – Ben and his family drama is so relatable and it had me in tears when he and his brother are talking at the end. This is great read and I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Ben is a professional hockey player who has been on the outs with his brother for years. His brother is getting married and Ben doesn’t want to face the wedding alone, especially since his brother is marrying Ben’s ex-girlfriend… One of Ben’s bestfriends, Gabe, recommends that he hire an escort and then suggests doing so at a strip-club, where Ben comes face to face with the beautiful Ryan. Ryan is running low on funds and life keeps kicking her while she’s down, she’s resorted to working as a waitress at a strip-club but loses that job when someone makes advances that she quickly shuts down. When she bumps into the handsome Ben outside the club and is mistaken for an escort Ryan can’t bring herself to turn down the money that Ben is offering. In order to get to know one another well enough to pull off fooling Ben’s family Ben insists Ryan move in with him until then and the two really hit it off.
I love how fast paced this book is, I couldn’t put it down. My favorite character in the book was definitely Gabe, he’s absolutely hilarious and I’m already highly anticipating him getting his own book! I also really enjoyed that this book has it all, romance, intrigue and angst – Ben and his family drama is so relatable and it had me in tears when he and his brother are talking at the end. This is great read and I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
November 15, 2017
The Proposition (The Players #2) by Elizabeth Hayley
4 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Cheating
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This was an interesting story. On the one hand, you have Ben who seems pretty put together. However, when you get deeper in to his character, you find that he's struggling just like everyone else around him. He feels an inadequacy that stems from his family home life and he can't quite shake it.
For Ryan, she is just trying to figure out where she's going to get her next pay check. She has survived a lot and won't let anything get her down. She has a strong moral code and despite sometimes having to do things she doesn't like, she holds tight to her morals.
Ben and Ryan's meeting was kind of hilarious. However, they recovered and began their journey of hiding who they really are. This story was full of family dysfunction, love that developed organically and of learning each other in a way that was forced, but in the end, exactly what was necessary.
Ben really was kind of an immature jerk a lot of the time. I wondered if he would ever grow up. His brother was equally a jerk and I never really liked him. Ben's family - parents mainly were also so clueless throughout the story that I ended up feeling bad for Ben. Ryan had her own struggles but since she was used to hardship, I liked her a lot more. She persevered and overcame a lot.
Ben and Ryan's chemistry was hot and they had some great scenes. I felt that despite the quick "get to know you" part of the story, their relationship worked well.
4 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Cheating
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This was an interesting story. On the one hand, you have Ben who seems pretty put together. However, when you get deeper in to his character, you find that he's struggling just like everyone else around him. He feels an inadequacy that stems from his family home life and he can't quite shake it.
For Ryan, she is just trying to figure out where she's going to get her next pay check. She has survived a lot and won't let anything get her down. She has a strong moral code and despite sometimes having to do things she doesn't like, she holds tight to her morals.
Ben and Ryan's meeting was kind of hilarious. However, they recovered and began their journey of hiding who they really are. This story was full of family dysfunction, love that developed organically and of learning each other in a way that was forced, but in the end, exactly what was necessary.
Ben really was kind of an immature jerk a lot of the time. I wondered if he would ever grow up. His brother was equally a jerk and I never really liked him. Ben's family - parents mainly were also so clueless throughout the story that I ended up feeling bad for Ben. Ryan had her own struggles but since she was used to hardship, I liked her a lot more. She persevered and overcame a lot.
Ben and Ryan's chemistry was hot and they had some great scenes. I felt that despite the quick "get to know you" part of the story, their relationship worked well.
November 17, 2017
4.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is a sweet, fun and easy read. The premise is a little bit Pretty Woman. The idea of a professional athlete hiring an escort for a wedding may not very plausible but it does make for a good story.
Ben and Ryan are a great combination. Ryan’s background has made her a survivor and she’s been caring for herself from a very young age. Ben comes from privilege and his biggest worry is his family’s disapproval of his hockey career. These two connect immediately on a physical an emotional level but they really don’t understand each other’s worlds. Ryan’s reactions to Ben’s casual entitlement are brilliant.
The angst in this book feels contrived at times. There are several secrets in this story and some of them feel unnecessary - they’re only introduced to create or draw out conflict between Ryan and Ben. I really enjoyed Ben’s family and I loved Ryan’s friend, Camille.
As in the first book, the friendship between Ben, Gabe and Jace is really special. As their lives diverge, these three spend less time together. I found Ben’s sadness at the loss of some of the closeness really moving.
I love that the story and the characters are completely different from those in the first book. On the surface, a cocktail waitress and a doctor might have very little in common but Ryan and Ally are both wonderfully strong women and they are both women worth getting to know.
This is a sweet, fun and easy read. The premise is a little bit Pretty Woman. The idea of a professional athlete hiring an escort for a wedding may not very plausible but it does make for a good story.
Ben and Ryan are a great combination. Ryan’s background has made her a survivor and she’s been caring for herself from a very young age. Ben comes from privilege and his biggest worry is his family’s disapproval of his hockey career. These two connect immediately on a physical an emotional level but they really don’t understand each other’s worlds. Ryan’s reactions to Ben’s casual entitlement are brilliant.
The angst in this book feels contrived at times. There are several secrets in this story and some of them feel unnecessary - they’re only introduced to create or draw out conflict between Ryan and Ben. I really enjoyed Ben’s family and I loved Ryan’s friend, Camille.
As in the first book, the friendship between Ben, Gabe and Jace is really special. As their lives diverge, these three spend less time together. I found Ben’s sadness at the loss of some of the closeness really moving.
I love that the story and the characters are completely different from those in the first book. On the surface, a cocktail waitress and a doctor might have very little in common but Ryan and Ally are both wonderfully strong women and they are both women worth getting to know.
October 31, 2017
Ben is such a flirt, “I’ve learned that you look really good in my shirts.” He let his finger toy with the hem of his flannel she had on." Ben likes to make sure him and his girl are comfrontable, “time to move to a bed. This couch isn’t big enough for both of us.” I liked this book, I fell in love with Ben.
October 31, 2017
Elizabeth Hayley continues to be a writing duo that I can always count on to create a phenomenal story that will make me laugh, that will deliver me with dynamic characters to love, and that will give me a fantastic reading experience. Their Players Series has delivered all of that and more, and I was beyond excited to get back with Gabe, Jace, and Ben as it was Ben’s turn to find the one woman who would change everything. With everything I love about a sports romance perfectly woven together with an enrapturing romance, The Proposition was the exact book I needed to read right now.
It was a book that felt good to read through every page, it was a book that had me loving what I was getting with these characters, and it was a book that delivered an extremely enjoyable story with so much fire, connection, and vibrancy through every word.
Elizabeth Hayley once again delivered a book that made me laugh, that made me smile something fierce, that gave me real characters that equally made me swoon while being completely believable, all while crafting a story that was enjoyable through every turn of the page. What I love about this series is how it perfectly couples so much together. It gives you a sports romance and what it means to be with a professional athlete, it gives you an authentic love story between two seemingly opposite characters, and it gives you a story that manages to be light and so very engaging and so easy to connect to.
The Proposition was another fantastic and fun addition to this series, and it has me all kinds of excited to get more time with all of these characters and to see where the next book will take them all.
Ben was a character that completely melted me from the start. What I loved about his character was that he was this tough hockey player with a heart of gold. He was strong, yet sensitive. He was real, yet had this allure that made me want him and love him even more. He was sweet and genuine and kind, and he thought of others, which practically made me molten lava in his hands. He was also so easy to root for through this story because I felt so much for what I got with him and his story. The way that Elizabeth Hayley makes him a man that will simultaneously turn you on, while also stealing your heart made him the best in my eyes. He also made me swoon something fierce, and even though he isn’t perfect, he was pretty much golden in this book with what I got with him.
Ryan had some serious fire and gumption to her. She was a girl who wasn’t afraid to take a chance, to put it all in, and to just go with it. I loved that about her, and I loved how she was a character who wasn’t afraid to risk it all. I really respected that about her, and I especially respected that after learning her backstory and all that that girl had gone through in her life. Elizabeth Hayley does the most fantastic job of letting you know how she became the woman she is in the present of this book, how she found herself the escort to a professional hockey player, and how she ended up feeling what she did. Ryan was real, vibrant, and just so easy to connect to, and that is just part of what made her such an outstanding female character to love and root for.
The overall premise of this story follows Ben and Ryan, two opposites, who find themselves in the middle of a proposition to help each other out. He needs a date to his brother’s wedding, and she needs a job stat in order to stay above water. What ensues between them over the course of this story is more than either of them bargained for. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts, what they start to feel for one another soon becomes more real than either of them were prepared for, and the more this story progresses, the more they both start to question what this proposition of theirs got them into. I loved the story itself, and I found it to be so enjoyable, consuming in a very real way, and something that just gave me so much to love.
One of my favorite parts of this series is getting to be back with the fantastic and funny as all get out characters that make up this world. The banter and friendship between Gabe, Ben and Jace is the absolute best. Those three crack me up so much, and I loved getting every single moment with them was I read this book. The three of them made me cry I was laughing so hard, and through it all I so completely felt how they were all there for each other, and how they would do whatever it took to be there for one another. I loved how Elizabeth Hayley perfectly balanced giving me that as I read this book. Not to be outdone, Camille’s character was a gem too. That girl had me dying laughing just as much as I was with the guys, and the way her humor and one liners added to what I got in this book was fantastic. The supporting characters of this series just made reading this book even more fun and enjoyable, and it added to everything I got with these characters in this story.
Elizabeth Hayley perfectly balanced giving me so many moments that had me laughing in the most memorable way, while also creating the fieriest heat between Ben and Ryan. The way their writing brought it all to life, the way they perfectly balanced making me blush, making me laugh, and making me feel every breath of connection and fire these characters shared for one another is just one more thing that had me loving every word of what I was reading. Elizabeth Hayley found a way to deliver it all in this book to create such an outstanding read. The way they so seamlessly weave all of that together had me in every word of what I was reading, had me living every fantastic word, and had me just eating up every moment I could get with these characters.
The Proposition was another phenomenal addition to this series. It was a book about what happens when you meet that one person you never expected in the craziest of situations. It is a story of two people who would never have met normally, but can’t seem to fight the intense connection they share, no matter how many boundaries they try to put in place. What you get with Ben and Ryan in this story will give you the two of them, will give you their proposition and all its consequences, and in the end, will give you one helluva love story.
This book gave me it all. It had the humor, the heat that made me blush and melt, and it had the vibrant characters that made this a memorable and overall enjoyable story that I loved. I have loved getting more of this series, and this book has me even more eager for Gabe’s book to see what this series will bring all of these characters next.
If you are looking for a phenomenally written book, with dynamic and memorable characters, then do yourself a favor and run yourself to this book this very second!
It was a book that felt good to read through every page, it was a book that had me loving what I was getting with these characters, and it was a book that delivered an extremely enjoyable story with so much fire, connection, and vibrancy through every word.
Elizabeth Hayley once again delivered a book that made me laugh, that made me smile something fierce, that gave me real characters that equally made me swoon while being completely believable, all while crafting a story that was enjoyable through every turn of the page. What I love about this series is how it perfectly couples so much together. It gives you a sports romance and what it means to be with a professional athlete, it gives you an authentic love story between two seemingly opposite characters, and it gives you a story that manages to be light and so very engaging and so easy to connect to.
The Proposition was another fantastic and fun addition to this series, and it has me all kinds of excited to get more time with all of these characters and to see where the next book will take them all.
Ben was a character that completely melted me from the start. What I loved about his character was that he was this tough hockey player with a heart of gold. He was strong, yet sensitive. He was real, yet had this allure that made me want him and love him even more. He was sweet and genuine and kind, and he thought of others, which practically made me molten lava in his hands. He was also so easy to root for through this story because I felt so much for what I got with him and his story. The way that Elizabeth Hayley makes him a man that will simultaneously turn you on, while also stealing your heart made him the best in my eyes. He also made me swoon something fierce, and even though he isn’t perfect, he was pretty much golden in this book with what I got with him.
Ryan had some serious fire and gumption to her. She was a girl who wasn’t afraid to take a chance, to put it all in, and to just go with it. I loved that about her, and I loved how she was a character who wasn’t afraid to risk it all. I really respected that about her, and I especially respected that after learning her backstory and all that that girl had gone through in her life. Elizabeth Hayley does the most fantastic job of letting you know how she became the woman she is in the present of this book, how she found herself the escort to a professional hockey player, and how she ended up feeling what she did. Ryan was real, vibrant, and just so easy to connect to, and that is just part of what made her such an outstanding female character to love and root for.
The overall premise of this story follows Ben and Ryan, two opposites, who find themselves in the middle of a proposition to help each other out. He needs a date to his brother’s wedding, and she needs a job stat in order to stay above water. What ensues between them over the course of this story is more than either of them bargained for. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts, what they start to feel for one another soon becomes more real than either of them were prepared for, and the more this story progresses, the more they both start to question what this proposition of theirs got them into. I loved the story itself, and I found it to be so enjoyable, consuming in a very real way, and something that just gave me so much to love.
One of my favorite parts of this series is getting to be back with the fantastic and funny as all get out characters that make up this world. The banter and friendship between Gabe, Ben and Jace is the absolute best. Those three crack me up so much, and I loved getting every single moment with them was I read this book. The three of them made me cry I was laughing so hard, and through it all I so completely felt how they were all there for each other, and how they would do whatever it took to be there for one another. I loved how Elizabeth Hayley perfectly balanced giving me that as I read this book. Not to be outdone, Camille’s character was a gem too. That girl had me dying laughing just as much as I was with the guys, and the way her humor and one liners added to what I got in this book was fantastic. The supporting characters of this series just made reading this book even more fun and enjoyable, and it added to everything I got with these characters in this story.
Elizabeth Hayley perfectly balanced giving me so many moments that had me laughing in the most memorable way, while also creating the fieriest heat between Ben and Ryan. The way their writing brought it all to life, the way they perfectly balanced making me blush, making me laugh, and making me feel every breath of connection and fire these characters shared for one another is just one more thing that had me loving every word of what I was reading. Elizabeth Hayley found a way to deliver it all in this book to create such an outstanding read. The way they so seamlessly weave all of that together had me in every word of what I was reading, had me living every fantastic word, and had me just eating up every moment I could get with these characters.
The Proposition was another phenomenal addition to this series. It was a book about what happens when you meet that one person you never expected in the craziest of situations. It is a story of two people who would never have met normally, but can’t seem to fight the intense connection they share, no matter how many boundaries they try to put in place. What you get with Ben and Ryan in this story will give you the two of them, will give you their proposition and all its consequences, and in the end, will give you one helluva love story.
This book gave me it all. It had the humor, the heat that made me blush and melt, and it had the vibrant characters that made this a memorable and overall enjoyable story that I loved. I have loved getting more of this series, and this book has me even more eager for Gabe’s book to see what this series will bring all of these characters next.
If you are looking for a phenomenally written book, with dynamic and memorable characters, then do yourself a favor and run yourself to this book this very second!
November 1, 2017
3.5 hot hockey stars
Light emotional romantic family drama following professional hockey player Ben Williamson who finds himself needing an escort to his brother's wedding. Ben and his two best friends find themselves at a seedy strip club, where according to his friends, escorts are available for hire. Ryan Cruz, down on her luck and having recently lost her job as a waitress is in the right place at the right time, and when Ben propositions her to go to the wedding with her, she has nothing to lose by going along with his ruse. Except possibly her heart, but for some reason that never enters her head, not even when their business agreement becomes way more than it should. Lovely writing, easygoing characters, although for some reason I can't quite put my finger on, Ryan annoyed me at times, maybe it was her unwillingness to let go, I don't know. She was strong and a fighter, there is no doubt about that. Ben on the other hand was hot, sexy and I loved his flaws. I can't complain about their sexual chemistry, that was hot hot hot. Overall, a light easy enjoyable read. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Light emotional romantic family drama following professional hockey player Ben Williamson who finds himself needing an escort to his brother's wedding. Ben and his two best friends find themselves at a seedy strip club, where according to his friends, escorts are available for hire. Ryan Cruz, down on her luck and having recently lost her job as a waitress is in the right place at the right time, and when Ben propositions her to go to the wedding with her, she has nothing to lose by going along with his ruse. Except possibly her heart, but for some reason that never enters her head, not even when their business agreement becomes way more than it should. Lovely writing, easygoing characters, although for some reason I can't quite put my finger on, Ryan annoyed me at times, maybe it was her unwillingness to let go, I don't know. She was strong and a fighter, there is no doubt about that. Ben on the other hand was hot, sexy and I loved his flaws. I can't complain about their sexual chemistry, that was hot hot hot. Overall, a light easy enjoyable read. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2017
For me, this book can practically be divided into two separate parts. The first 30% I had some issues with so began questioning if I was a good fit for this author’s writing style. Despite, for the most part, I did enjoy book 1, The Bet. However, when Ben and Ryan, the main couple, actually started interacting as a real couple, it was like a switch was flipped, and I was now all in to see them get their HEA.
You see, at 15%, the writing felt somewhat stilted, and I wasn’t feeling a connection between the characters. But my main issue was the set-up scenario regarding Ryan. To have her let Ben, the rich/hockey player hero, think she was something she was not cheapened her character and credibility in my eyes. It didn’t match the just established moments ago portrayal of a sassy/feisty leading lady who valued her self-dignity and pride over money enough she would quit a job when customers got handsy, even though it could mean homelessness for her. I expected better of her. Like an “Excuse me? Are you talking to me? You think I’m a what! Oh, no, you did not just say that!” Then go from there. I had to forced myself to shrug it off and just let it go, folks.
At almost 30%, I was growing to detest Ben’s family, even though we were only given a brief glimpse of his brother David’s jealous, snarky streak and his mom’s nagging nature, to the point I wanted Ben not to go to the wedding altogether, let alone be the best man. In fact, I wanted him to tell them to kiss his big fat hockey stick and walk out the tux store door. No, this good guy hero, despite his bad judgment of falling for the fake girlfriend idea his friends cooked up, doesn’t stand up to his family. He’d rather lie to them and risk his career by getting caught up in a scandal.
Fortunately, there was more to each of their untold past history and things were not as they seemed. When the real reasons behind Ben’s dysfunctional family came to light, they all actually seemed more real and genuine, especially towards the end. Ben truly was a good guy and seemed to always try to be the better man. I even ended up viewing David and their mom in a different, more favorable light, as well.
Ryan ultimately did come across as a strong person considering the hardships and lack of love/family she has endured. She did zone in and quickly picked up on Ben’s inner conflict and soon came to care about him and his predicament.
As a lover of relationship angst, I certainly enjoyed the ending when a certain someone had to make amends and grovel, begging for a second chance.
Book 3 will feature good natured Gabe and a past lady love that will likely at first seem like she is using him. Here’s to hoping there will be much more to that sport journalist heroine’s story than it first appears. Knowing how this author usually turns the tables, I’m betting we can pretty much count on it.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: The Proposition, Series: The Players (Book 2), Author: Elizabeth Hayley, Pages: 252, stand-alone but part of a series, good guy hero, sad past/strong/enduring heroine, some very graphic smexy scenes, soon fall for each other. Rating: 3.5 stars
Book 1 - The Bet (Jace & Aly), 6/27/17, Pages: 272
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 2 - The Proposition (Ben & Ryan), 10/31/17, Pages: 252
Book 3 - The One Night Stand (Gabe & Rachel), 12/17/17, Pages: 272
(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer, nor is there any relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
You see, at 15%, the writing felt somewhat stilted, and I wasn’t feeling a connection between the characters. But my main issue was the set-up scenario regarding Ryan. To have her let Ben, the rich/hockey player hero, think she was something she was not cheapened her character and credibility in my eyes. It didn’t match the just established moments ago portrayal of a sassy/feisty leading lady who valued her self-dignity and pride over money enough she would quit a job when customers got handsy, even though it could mean homelessness for her. I expected better of her. Like an “Excuse me? Are you talking to me? You think I’m a what! Oh, no, you did not just say that!” Then go from there. I had to forced myself to shrug it off and just let it go, folks.
At almost 30%, I was growing to detest Ben’s family, even though we were only given a brief glimpse of his brother David’s jealous, snarky streak and his mom’s nagging nature, to the point I wanted Ben not to go to the wedding altogether, let alone be the best man. In fact, I wanted him to tell them to kiss his big fat hockey stick and walk out the tux store door. No, this good guy hero, despite his bad judgment of falling for the fake girlfriend idea his friends cooked up, doesn’t stand up to his family. He’d rather lie to them and risk his career by getting caught up in a scandal.
Fortunately, there was more to each of their untold past history and things were not as they seemed. When the real reasons behind Ben’s dysfunctional family came to light, they all actually seemed more real and genuine, especially towards the end. Ben truly was a good guy and seemed to always try to be the better man. I even ended up viewing David and their mom in a different, more favorable light, as well.
Ryan ultimately did come across as a strong person considering the hardships and lack of love/family she has endured. She did zone in and quickly picked up on Ben’s inner conflict and soon came to care about him and his predicament.
As a lover of relationship angst, I certainly enjoyed the ending when a certain someone had to make amends and grovel, begging for a second chance.
Book 3 will feature good natured Gabe and a past lady love that will likely at first seem like she is using him. Here’s to hoping there will be much more to that sport journalist heroine’s story than it first appears. Knowing how this author usually turns the tables, I’m betting we can pretty much count on it.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: The Proposition, Series: The Players (Book 2), Author: Elizabeth Hayley, Pages: 252, stand-alone but part of a series, good guy hero, sad past/strong/enduring heroine, some very graphic smexy scenes, soon fall for each other. Rating: 3.5 stars
Book 1 - The Bet (Jace & Aly), 6/27/17, Pages: 272
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 2 - The Proposition (Ben & Ryan), 10/31/17, Pages: 252
Book 3 - The One Night Stand (Gabe & Rachel), 12/17/17, Pages: 272
(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer, nor is there any relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
November 4, 2017
Ben Williamson is dreading going home for his brother's wedding, and the only way he can see things going well for him is to take a date. However, he never imagined he'd hire an escort, especially since if anyone found out, it could be used as ammo to disparage his good name. Still, hiring Ryan Cruz is the best decision he's ever made. However, what starts off as a simple proposition turns into a complicated mess he never saw coming. Will Ben be able to make things right with his family, so he and Ryan can have a chance at happy ever after; or will Ben ruin the only thing that's ever felt completely right in his life -- his relationship with Ryan?
This second story of Ms. Hayley's Players series was a fantastic addition for this series, because of the friendship Ben shares with his two friends -- Jace and Gabe; the growing relationship between the hero and heroine that had me reading quickly, wanting to know whether Ben will ever be able to make things right with his family; and the riveting dialogue that just keeps digging the heroine deeper when it comes to her lies. Will Ryan be able to keep up with the lies, so no one knows what she's hiding? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met that had me feeling sorry for the heroine, as accidents do happen.
As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero, as there is tension between him and his family due to the betrayal of his brother. Will Ben finally be able to forgive his brother, so he can finally move on with his life? However, the dialogue wasn't all intense. Indeed, there were some nice light-hearted moments between the hero and heroine and I loved every moment they conversed, as they get to know each other and do their best to fool everyone that their relationship is the real deal. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I could understand why she was willing to lie to help Ben, because without the money he was willing to pay who knows where she would be in her life. Then again, after all that she's been through, she needs all the luck she can get. I also liked how the heroine wasn't afraid to say what was on her mind, even if she did manage to offend the hero or make Ben realize that she does like him more than the business transaction he starts out as.
While the hero, I felt sorry for him when it came to his family. Why couldn't his parents be proud of everything he's accomplished instead of criticizing him? However, in saying that, he has great friends that are supportive and I liked how the heroine helped him to combat everything he was feeling when it came to facing his family. I also liked how confident he was in propositioning Ryan with being his date for his brother's wedding, even though hiring an escort wasn't something he was looking to do until he actually did it.
Overall, Ms. Hayley has delivered another wonderful read for this series where the chemistry between this couple kept getting stronger with every interaction between them; the romance was hot; and the ending had me feeling sorry for the main characters. How could things go so awry? However, in saying that, I liked how things worked out for Ben and Ryan in the end, as nothing is more important to Ben than winning Ryan back. I loved Ben's words for the heroine in proving how much he loves her and that he listened to the advice given to him by his family and friends. Yet, what I liked most of all about the ending was what is going on with Ben's friend, Gabe. What will his future hold? I would recommend The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley, if you enjoy the mistaken identity trope, the opposites attract trope, the fake relationship trope, or books by authors Kelly Jamieson, Julie Brannagh, Jami Davenport and Lia Riley.
November 3, 2017
Reviewed @ Thoughts By Tash
Review copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for a honest review
I must admit knowing that Elizabeth Hayley was a duo and they had been recommended by someone I trust. I was curious to read to a read one of their books. So when an opportunity presented itself to read The Proposition. I jumped at the chance to do so .
I was definitely intrigued by the story. Think Pretty Woman but with a cliché twist. Ben is a pro hockey player who is happy living life to fullest as a playboy. Until recently when his brother announced he was getting married and he has come to home for the wedding . Ben isn’t a bad guy. He is instantly likeable but his family is another story. There is a whole lot of history there and Ben isn’t totally keen on the whole reunion. Especially with his brother and he wants to solve one of the problems he has a grasp on her
So he needs a girlfriend fast. You can see where this story is going fast and there could be many ways he could of gone and found a girl .There are countless possilbities but being professional sport players. His best friends Gabe and Jace happen to think they have the perfect solution.
An escort
Talk about a cliché and half . As this had drama written all over it and we all know how Pretty Woman turned out….
The guys might be players but they aren’t bad sort either. They want to help knowing the background story of Ben. You have to admire him as a someone who went against his family wishes and made something out of himself. He broke the mould in his family and he one of a few POC in the league it seems.
However this story is off the field in the off season . He is hanging with his friends and plotting his saving grace. They have a flawed plan, what can go wrong?
Well it seems it about got all right as whilst the guys may have no clue what they are doing. It allows Ben to met Ryan. Ryan who has no clue what she about get herself into literally. They might have a memorable meeting that you won’t forget. However it’s her story and the determination she has that keeps you love with Ryan and makes her endearing with Ben
She doesn’t have a pretty story to tell and you wonder what lead her to situation she in . She obviously doesn’t have much choice with Ben’s offer. Even so The Proposition is only the beginning of this story. There so much more to come and where obviously you know what is going to help next.
However it isn’t without the highs and lows like any good romance story. This book had me laughing and swooning . The duo do know how to write a good book and I enjoyed this tale. Whilst this was the second book and the previous book was about his buddy Jace. I didn’t feel like I missed anything as the story was standalone. Whilst the events was mentioned in passing, there wasn’t too much detail given so it left me curious about Aly and Jace. As Jace and Gabe were the perfect wingman and I know Ben would do the same for them. I enjoy the guys and Ryan was the perfect addition to the gang. She has the gift of ‘ word vomit’ which I can totally relate to and she was a fierce woman. She wasn’t proud of what she had to do and Ben really truly made her feel like some one special. I think they saw the best in each with out reaching and that why their story was special.
Another thing was the diverse elements in this story. Despite seeing the cover before, I didn’t pay attention too much until I realised the hero was African American and I loved that the heroine was a POC as well. There isn’t much of market out there in romance and I loved that it obviously changing with books like this.
For more of my reviews, visit Thoughts by Tash.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
Review copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for a honest review
I must admit knowing that Elizabeth Hayley was a duo and they had been recommended by someone I trust. I was curious to read to a read one of their books. So when an opportunity presented itself to read The Proposition. I jumped at the chance to do so .
I was definitely intrigued by the story. Think Pretty Woman but with a cliché twist. Ben is a pro hockey player who is happy living life to fullest as a playboy. Until recently when his brother announced he was getting married and he has come to home for the wedding . Ben isn’t a bad guy. He is instantly likeable but his family is another story. There is a whole lot of history there and Ben isn’t totally keen on the whole reunion. Especially with his brother and he wants to solve one of the problems he has a grasp on her
So he needs a girlfriend fast. You can see where this story is going fast and there could be many ways he could of gone and found a girl .There are countless possilbities but being professional sport players. His best friends Gabe and Jace happen to think they have the perfect solution.
An escort
Talk about a cliché and half . As this had drama written all over it and we all know how Pretty Woman turned out….
The guys might be players but they aren’t bad sort either. They want to help knowing the background story of Ben. You have to admire him as a someone who went against his family wishes and made something out of himself. He broke the mould in his family and he one of a few POC in the league it seems.
However this story is off the field in the off season . He is hanging with his friends and plotting his saving grace. They have a flawed plan, what can go wrong?
Well it seems it about got all right as whilst the guys may have no clue what they are doing. It allows Ben to met Ryan. Ryan who has no clue what she about get herself into literally. They might have a memorable meeting that you won’t forget. However it’s her story and the determination she has that keeps you love with Ryan and makes her endearing with Ben
She doesn’t have a pretty story to tell and you wonder what lead her to situation she in . She obviously doesn’t have much choice with Ben’s offer. Even so The Proposition is only the beginning of this story. There so much more to come and where obviously you know what is going to help next.
However it isn’t without the highs and lows like any good romance story. This book had me laughing and swooning . The duo do know how to write a good book and I enjoyed this tale. Whilst this was the second book and the previous book was about his buddy Jace. I didn’t feel like I missed anything as the story was standalone. Whilst the events was mentioned in passing, there wasn’t too much detail given so it left me curious about Aly and Jace. As Jace and Gabe were the perfect wingman and I know Ben would do the same for them. I enjoy the guys and Ryan was the perfect addition to the gang. She has the gift of ‘ word vomit’ which I can totally relate to and she was a fierce woman. She wasn’t proud of what she had to do and Ben really truly made her feel like some one special. I think they saw the best in each with out reaching and that why their story was special.
Another thing was the diverse elements in this story. Despite seeing the cover before, I didn’t pay attention too much until I realised the hero was African American and I loved that the heroine was a POC as well. There isn’t much of market out there in romance and I loved that it obviously changing with books like this.
For more of my reviews, visit Thoughts by Tash.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
October 18, 2017
With his brother's wedding approaching Ben Williamson is dreading the trip home for the festivities, because he knows with his brother settling down, the question on everyone's minds will be when is it your turn? And Ben has no intentions of walking down the aisle anytime soon, he has a lot of living to do first, and a lot more hockey to play without worrying about finding his forever. So, to keep his family off his back he takes his friends advice and decides to hire a escort to play his girlfriend for the week... and winds up finding something really unexpected, and when the weekend is over he isn't so sure he is ready to let it go!
After one of her customers gets a little handsy Ryan Cruz decides to take matters into her own hands, and let him have it, and her boss isn't too happy about it, he thinks she should just play along and keep the customers happy. But Ryan isn't in the market to be groped, or play along, so she gives her boss her notice and walks out the door, only to realize she may have just made the worst mistake of her life. She is currently homeless, momentarily camping out on her friends couch, and now jobless... what is she going to do? Then fates steps in and decides to help her out and sends Ben Williamson crashing into her life, literally, and from there things in her life start to look up... in more ways then one!
The Proposition is a witty, sexy, and pleasurable read that is sure to have you smiling throughout! Life has thrown these two wonderfully crafted characters together, and given them some rough consequences to muddle their way through, but they make the best of it, and take readers on a enjoyable literary journey. This was my first time reading something from this author and I have to admit I liked what she had to offer, the story line was unique and captivating, the characters were well drawn and easy to attach to, and their little journey to finding forever gave me a serious case of the feels. This one was a fun and memorable literary adventure, I have a feeling that I will be back for more in the very near future to meet more of her wonderful Players! Highly recommend this one, it's sure to make your heart happy!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
After one of her customers gets a little handsy Ryan Cruz decides to take matters into her own hands, and let him have it, and her boss isn't too happy about it, he thinks she should just play along and keep the customers happy. But Ryan isn't in the market to be groped, or play along, so she gives her boss her notice and walks out the door, only to realize she may have just made the worst mistake of her life. She is currently homeless, momentarily camping out on her friends couch, and now jobless... what is she going to do? Then fates steps in and decides to help her out and sends Ben Williamson crashing into her life, literally, and from there things in her life start to look up... in more ways then one!
The Proposition is a witty, sexy, and pleasurable read that is sure to have you smiling throughout! Life has thrown these two wonderfully crafted characters together, and given them some rough consequences to muddle their way through, but they make the best of it, and take readers on a enjoyable literary journey. This was my first time reading something from this author and I have to admit I liked what she had to offer, the story line was unique and captivating, the characters were well drawn and easy to attach to, and their little journey to finding forever gave me a serious case of the feels. This one was a fun and memorable literary adventure, I have a feeling that I will be back for more in the very near future to meet more of her wonderful Players! Highly recommend this one, it's sure to make your heart happy!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
October 31, 2017
4.5 Stars!
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to read some well-written "relationship of convenience" romances, and The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley is a really good one. The characters are well-developed and easy to get to know. The plot moves along at a steady pace and there was never a moment that I wanted to put the book down. This book is a modern day fairy-tale, and I couldn't help myself from thinking about the film "Pretty Woman" during a few of the situations.
Ryan Cruz is a beautiful and savvy young woman, in spite of being basically homeless, penniless, and on her own for quite some time. After being fired from her waitressing job in a strip club, she runs smack into Ben Williamson, a professional hockey player. Ben is good-looking and successful, and he needs a date for his older brother's wedding in a few weeks. In fact, Ben was looking to hire an escort for the family event from hell, and after a quick conversation, offers Ryan the position. Ryan does not share with Ben that she is not an escort, because she desperately needs the money he is offering, and sex is not a condition of their arrangement. As they get to know each other, they fall in love. However, Ben's inability to filter the words that come out of his mouth almost destroys what they have, in addition to the already precarious relationship he has with his family.
I truly enjoyed this slightly emotional and entertaining book. To begin with, Ms. Hayley opens the story with a very exciting chapter, which sets the tone to this mostly upbeat read. Secondly, family and good friends are very important, and I liked how effortlessly Ryan and Ben dealt with each scenario that they were faced with. Their sexy times are hot, both in and out of the bedroom. Ben's reasoning for avoiding his family, especially his brother, was well-founded, and their lack of empathy was difficult to understand. This is the second book from Ms. Hayley's The Players series and it can read as a standalone.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to read some well-written "relationship of convenience" romances, and The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley is a really good one. The characters are well-developed and easy to get to know. The plot moves along at a steady pace and there was never a moment that I wanted to put the book down. This book is a modern day fairy-tale, and I couldn't help myself from thinking about the film "Pretty Woman" during a few of the situations.
Ryan Cruz is a beautiful and savvy young woman, in spite of being basically homeless, penniless, and on her own for quite some time. After being fired from her waitressing job in a strip club, she runs smack into Ben Williamson, a professional hockey player. Ben is good-looking and successful, and he needs a date for his older brother's wedding in a few weeks. In fact, Ben was looking to hire an escort for the family event from hell, and after a quick conversation, offers Ryan the position. Ryan does not share with Ben that she is not an escort, because she desperately needs the money he is offering, and sex is not a condition of their arrangement. As they get to know each other, they fall in love. However, Ben's inability to filter the words that come out of his mouth almost destroys what they have, in addition to the already precarious relationship he has with his family.
I truly enjoyed this slightly emotional and entertaining book. To begin with, Ms. Hayley opens the story with a very exciting chapter, which sets the tone to this mostly upbeat read. Secondly, family and good friends are very important, and I liked how effortlessly Ryan and Ben dealt with each scenario that they were faced with. Their sexy times are hot, both in and out of the bedroom. Ben's reasoning for avoiding his family, especially his brother, was well-founded, and their lack of empathy was difficult to understand. This is the second book from Ms. Hayley's The Players series and it can read as a standalone.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
November 4, 2017
When I read the synopsis of The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley, I knew I had to read it. I had absolutely no idea it would be full of such surprises! Ben is a successful professional hockey player. He has money, fame, and a tight-knit group of friends. But, he doesn’t have a girlfriend, and right now, he needs one desperately for his brother’s upcoming wedding. His family keeps pressuring him to find a nice girl to settle down with. Tensions have been high in his family for a while now, and he doesn’t want to add to it showing up without a date. He and his friends come up with a perfect plan…hire someone! Sounds like a great idea, right?
Ryan has had a bad string of luck lately. She has no family and no money. Now, she has no job because of her smart mouth, and she’s staying with her friend. Desperate situations call for desperate measures. Otherwise, she would have never agreed to the proposition Ben, a complete stranger, gave her…be his date to his brother’s wedding. However, neither of them realized how very much their lives would change!
I adore books about fate changing the course of people’s lives. Ben and Ryan would probably never mingle in the same groups, much less date each other. Fate is funny that way. It doesn’t care about your situation or who you are. If you are meant to be together, you are meant to be together. As they spend more time together, their business agreement blurs into a more personal relationship. Ben is just what Ryan needs, and Ryan is just Ben needs. Ben has never really had the support of his family, but with Ryan, she sees who he is deep in his soul. Ben has the potential to heal Ryan’s broken heart. As secrets come to the surface and tensions among Ben’s family, get ready for some MAJOR fireworks.
Romance is one of my favorite genres, and I always love a subplot and great secondary characters, and this one had both! If you like book with romance, emotion, second chances, and redemption, this one is DEFINTELY FOR YOU!!!
Ryan has had a bad string of luck lately. She has no family and no money. Now, she has no job because of her smart mouth, and she’s staying with her friend. Desperate situations call for desperate measures. Otherwise, she would have never agreed to the proposition Ben, a complete stranger, gave her…be his date to his brother’s wedding. However, neither of them realized how very much their lives would change!
I adore books about fate changing the course of people’s lives. Ben and Ryan would probably never mingle in the same groups, much less date each other. Fate is funny that way. It doesn’t care about your situation or who you are. If you are meant to be together, you are meant to be together. As they spend more time together, their business agreement blurs into a more personal relationship. Ben is just what Ryan needs, and Ryan is just Ben needs. Ben has never really had the support of his family, but with Ryan, she sees who he is deep in his soul. Ben has the potential to heal Ryan’s broken heart. As secrets come to the surface and tensions among Ben’s family, get ready for some MAJOR fireworks.
Romance is one of my favorite genres, and I always love a subplot and great secondary characters, and this one had both! If you like book with romance, emotion, second chances, and redemption, this one is DEFINTELY FOR YOU!!!
November 1, 2017
4 stars!!
This is such a sweet and funny read! Ryan and Ben were adorable together and totally balanced each other out perfectly!
Ryan is a waitress who is down on her luck. After literally bumping into Ben, a famous hockey player, her life makes a drastic change.
Ben is looking for someone to take with him to his brothers wedding. Not wanting to show up alone, but also not lead on any women, Ben decides to hire an escort. With Ryan being in the wrong place at the right time, the two strike up a deal for her to be his date.
This plot is one that we've seen many times, but Elizabeth Hayley totally pulled it off! The characters were incredibly funny and full of one liners that I totally enjoyed! Ryan is so snarky and independent. I loved her attitude and how self reliant she was!
Ben is a super hot hockey player who can seriously be so dense sometimes that it was pretty funny! For the first part of the book I was very confused as to why Ben was so desperate to get a date, but once it's explained later on in the book the premise makes much more sense.
While this book is considered a hockey romance, I wouldn't really say that it's too heavy on the hockey. The book is set during the off season so there was not much hockey really brought up in the book.
Overall, this is a super cute light read! Totally fun and enjoyable!
4 stars!
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
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This is such a sweet and funny read! Ryan and Ben were adorable together and totally balanced each other out perfectly!
This kiss was a promise-a promise that there cold be more. That their story didn't have to be about a hockey player and an escort.
Ryan is a waitress who is down on her luck. After literally bumping into Ben, a famous hockey player, her life makes a drastic change.
Ben is looking for someone to take with him to his brothers wedding. Not wanting to show up alone, but also not lead on any women, Ben decides to hire an escort. With Ryan being in the wrong place at the right time, the two strike up a deal for her to be his date.
This plot is one that we've seen many times, but Elizabeth Hayley totally pulled it off! The characters were incredibly funny and full of one liners that I totally enjoyed! Ryan is so snarky and independent. I loved her attitude and how self reliant she was!
Ben is a super hot hockey player who can seriously be so dense sometimes that it was pretty funny! For the first part of the book I was very confused as to why Ben was so desperate to get a date, but once it's explained later on in the book the premise makes much more sense.
While this book is considered a hockey romance, I wouldn't really say that it's too heavy on the hockey. The book is set during the off season so there was not much hockey really brought up in the book.
Overall, this is a super cute light read! Totally fun and enjoyable!
4 stars!
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
For more of my reviews:
* Main Blog: Fern's Book Blog
October 31, 2017
5 Stars at this laugh out loud story!
Even though Ben plays hockey in the NHL he is a disappointment to his family ... they think he should quite playing games and get a real job. To top it off, 10 years ago his brother stole is girlfriend from him and now they are getting married. He is NOT going to this wedding alone, so he decides to hire an escort to accompany him for the weekend so he can show his family that he's over Natalie and David's betrayal. Ryan is a waitress at a strip club ... or should I say was ... she just quit because she was tired of the customers trying to sample her goods. So now does she not only sleep on a friend's couch, she doesn't have a job. But when Ben opens the back door to the strip club to get some fresh air, he hits Ryan with the door. Ben believes that Ryan is an escort and hires her to be his "date" for the wedding and because Ryan needs the money, she lets him think she's an escort and takes the job. For the next couple of weeks they try to get to know each other so their relationship will seen real to Ben's family. And the antics that follow ... well you'll just have to read them to believe them.
I laughed so hard at times, there were tears in my eyes and I had to put the book down. And then there were times that my tears were for other reasons. The banter between Ryan and Ben is hilarious and even though their lives are completely opposite, they fit together just right. I highly recommend you take their journey ... you won't regret it!
I received an ARC copy courtesy of St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
Even though Ben plays hockey in the NHL he is a disappointment to his family ... they think he should quite playing games and get a real job. To top it off, 10 years ago his brother stole is girlfriend from him and now they are getting married. He is NOT going to this wedding alone, so he decides to hire an escort to accompany him for the weekend so he can show his family that he's over Natalie and David's betrayal. Ryan is a waitress at a strip club ... or should I say was ... she just quit because she was tired of the customers trying to sample her goods. So now does she not only sleep on a friend's couch, she doesn't have a job. But when Ben opens the back door to the strip club to get some fresh air, he hits Ryan with the door. Ben believes that Ryan is an escort and hires her to be his "date" for the wedding and because Ryan needs the money, she lets him think she's an escort and takes the job. For the next couple of weeks they try to get to know each other so their relationship will seen real to Ben's family. And the antics that follow ... well you'll just have to read them to believe them.
I laughed so hard at times, there were tears in my eyes and I had to put the book down. And then there were times that my tears were for other reasons. The banter between Ryan and Ben is hilarious and even though their lives are completely opposite, they fit together just right. I highly recommend you take their journey ... you won't regret it!
I received an ARC copy courtesy of St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
October 31, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
This Players novel features Ben, the hockey player. It is a stand alone novel and you don't have to read the first one to read this particular book. In the beginning Ben allows his crazy best friend, Gage, to talk him into hiring an escort to his brother's wedding. He can't go stag - as his mother will have set him up with another one of her friends daughters. That's not happening. Plus there's no way he can attend the wedding without a date for other reasons.
Ryan is a waitress at a strip joint. She really would like something to go her way for a change. When she meets Ben and he offers her a proposition she can't refuse she surprises herself at what her life has become. She's living with a friend and now has a job she'd never thought she'd see herself doing.
As their time together progresses Ben and Ryan develop feelings for one another. It's during this getting to know you stage that I found the book to lag. I had a hard time staying focused on the story and just wanted to skim through. I didn't however! I did read the whole book. I liked the outcome of the story. It just seemed to drag on a bit.
These two only had one really bad patch. The drama leading up to it would drive just about anyone to foam at the mouth and say things they didn't mean to say to anyone - much less a whole room of people.
When you pick up The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley I encourage you to read it to the end. I think you'll enjoy the book overall.
This Players novel features Ben, the hockey player. It is a stand alone novel and you don't have to read the first one to read this particular book. In the beginning Ben allows his crazy best friend, Gage, to talk him into hiring an escort to his brother's wedding. He can't go stag - as his mother will have set him up with another one of her friends daughters. That's not happening. Plus there's no way he can attend the wedding without a date for other reasons.
Ryan is a waitress at a strip joint. She really would like something to go her way for a change. When she meets Ben and he offers her a proposition she can't refuse she surprises herself at what her life has become. She's living with a friend and now has a job she'd never thought she'd see herself doing.
As their time together progresses Ben and Ryan develop feelings for one another. It's during this getting to know you stage that I found the book to lag. I had a hard time staying focused on the story and just wanted to skim through. I didn't however! I did read the whole book. I liked the outcome of the story. It just seemed to drag on a bit.
These two only had one really bad patch. The drama leading up to it would drive just about anyone to foam at the mouth and say things they didn't mean to say to anyone - much less a whole room of people.
When you pick up The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley I encourage you to read it to the end. I think you'll enjoy the book overall.
December 12, 2017
The Proposition is a mostly sweet, sometimes sexy, romance.
Ben is a professional hockey player who needs to bring someone with him to his brother's wedding to be a buffer between him and his family. When his friends (also professional athletes) suggest hiring an escort, and take him to a strip bar where escorts supposedly work, Ben meets Ryan, whom he assumes is an escort, and he hires her to go with him to his brother's wedding.
I liked the way Ben and Ryan got to know each other in a natural, easy kind of way and how sweet they were with each other. They have good chemistry and their getting together was very believable. Of course, something dramatic has to happen to break them apart, and when it happened, I really felt for Ryan. It seemed so out of character for Ben to do what he did, because up to that point, he had been so sweet and even-keeled, but at least they resolved it with a minimum of angst. I still don't quite see what Ben had thought was so bad about his family, though, aside from what his brother originally did to him to cause their rift. But, that aside, Ben and Ryan's story is sweet and sexy and enjoyable. There's a great secondary cast, too, in the form of Ben's friends, Gabe and Jace, and Ryan's friend, Camilla. The hockey references are pretty sparse, though, so if you like your sports romances heavy on the sports, you might want to skip this one. But, if you just want a sweet, sexy romance with some light sports references, put The Proposition on your TBR list.
I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
Ben is a professional hockey player who needs to bring someone with him to his brother's wedding to be a buffer between him and his family. When his friends (also professional athletes) suggest hiring an escort, and take him to a strip bar where escorts supposedly work, Ben meets Ryan, whom he assumes is an escort, and he hires her to go with him to his brother's wedding.
I liked the way Ben and Ryan got to know each other in a natural, easy kind of way and how sweet they were with each other. They have good chemistry and their getting together was very believable. Of course, something dramatic has to happen to break them apart, and when it happened, I really felt for Ryan. It seemed so out of character for Ben to do what he did, because up to that point, he had been so sweet and even-keeled, but at least they resolved it with a minimum of angst. I still don't quite see what Ben had thought was so bad about his family, though, aside from what his brother originally did to him to cause their rift. But, that aside, Ben and Ryan's story is sweet and sexy and enjoyable. There's a great secondary cast, too, in the form of Ben's friends, Gabe and Jace, and Ryan's friend, Camilla. The hockey references are pretty sparse, though, so if you like your sports romances heavy on the sports, you might want to skip this one. But, if you just want a sweet, sexy romance with some light sports references, put The Proposition on your TBR list.
I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
October 31, 2017
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read. The characters are well rounded and the story is sweet, cute and emotional. Ben and Ryan are together for all the wrong reasons and you want them to stay together for all the right reasons.
Ben Williamson is a famous hockey player looking to hire an escort to bring to his brother’s wedding, Ryan Cruz is a down-on-her-luck waitress. Each character has a problem requiring a quick fix, Ben needs a date to withstand a few days with his nosy, pretentious family and Ryan needs money. Ben trusts Ryan to keep their arrangement quiet, although he has a lot more to lose than her.
I loved watching these two characters fall for each other. Although they try to cover what happens between them as an arrangement, they can’t deny the attraction they are feeling. Ben isn’t comfortable in his own skin and he has a long standing feud with his brother. He is impulsive and tends to do things without thinking about the consequences. It took Ryan’s free spirit, selflessness and affection to break through his walls and show him that he deserves love and needs to free himself from the past.
This book is the second standalone in The Players series, it is well written and the development of the characters is interesting. Although the plot was predictable, the ending was satisfying. I’ll definitely be reading more books from these authors in the future.
An advanced copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.
I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read. The characters are well rounded and the story is sweet, cute and emotional. Ben and Ryan are together for all the wrong reasons and you want them to stay together for all the right reasons.
Ben Williamson is a famous hockey player looking to hire an escort to bring to his brother’s wedding, Ryan Cruz is a down-on-her-luck waitress. Each character has a problem requiring a quick fix, Ben needs a date to withstand a few days with his nosy, pretentious family and Ryan needs money. Ben trusts Ryan to keep their arrangement quiet, although he has a lot more to lose than her.
I loved watching these two characters fall for each other. Although they try to cover what happens between them as an arrangement, they can’t deny the attraction they are feeling. Ben isn’t comfortable in his own skin and he has a long standing feud with his brother. He is impulsive and tends to do things without thinking about the consequences. It took Ryan’s free spirit, selflessness and affection to break through his walls and show him that he deserves love and needs to free himself from the past.
This book is the second standalone in The Players series, it is well written and the development of the characters is interesting. Although the plot was predictable, the ending was satisfying. I’ll definitely be reading more books from these authors in the future.
An advanced copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.
October 31, 2017
Professional hockey player Ben is running out of options. His brother’s wedding is approaching at breakaway speed and he needs a date or every relative he has is going to try to set up with “nice” girls at the wedding. Don’t they realize that he needs to focus on his career and that doesn’t include being distracted by a woman?
Ryan is a waitress at a strip club and her temper has just gotten the better of her when one of customers wanted more than drinks from her. After a confrontation she ends up with no job, living with a friend and no light at the end of the tunnel until she meets Ben.
Ben decides he needs a date and his best option is to hire one. When he approaches Ryan he believes she is an escort and offers an arrangement and Ryan sees this as her opportunity to get out of the mess that her life has become. Their journey definitely had its ups and down as trying to get to know someone with their family watching every move is not the easiest situation to maneuver, especially with the dynamics of this family.
The story has a little drama, a few chuckles and some self discovery as well. This is my first book by this author but I would definitely read her future books. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Ryan is a waitress at a strip club and her temper has just gotten the better of her when one of customers wanted more than drinks from her. After a confrontation she ends up with no job, living with a friend and no light at the end of the tunnel until she meets Ben.
Ben decides he needs a date and his best option is to hire one. When he approaches Ryan he believes she is an escort and offers an arrangement and Ryan sees this as her opportunity to get out of the mess that her life has become. Their journey definitely had its ups and down as trying to get to know someone with their family watching every move is not the easiest situation to maneuver, especially with the dynamics of this family.
The story has a little drama, a few chuckles and some self discovery as well. This is my first book by this author but I would definitely read her future books. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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