Παιχνίδια του Έρωτα

by Amanda Browning

Ο Τζόελ Κέντρικ ήταν ο πιο συναρπαστικός άντρας που είχε γνωρίσει στη ζωή της η Κάθριν -αλλά, όπως την είχαν προειδοποιήσει, δεν είχε το παραμικρό ενδιαφέρον για μια μόνιμη σοβαρή σχέση.
Η Κάθριν ωστόσο δεν μπορούσε να πει ποτέ όχι σε μια πρόκληση. Κι έτσι, όταν άρχισε να τη φλερτάρει του ανταπέδωσε το φλέρτ χωρίς δισταγμό.

Το επιπόλαιο ερωτικό παιχνίδι τους, όμως, δεν άργησε να πάρει μια απροσδόκητη τροπή. Για τον Τζόελ έγινε ανεξέλεγκτο πάθος, ενώ για την Κάθριν αληθινή αγάπη. Τώρα εκείνος την ήθελε πάση θυσία στο κρεβάτι του. Κι εκείνη ήθελε οπωσδήποτε μια θέση στην καρδιά του ...

Genres: Harlequin, Harlequin Presents

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Amanda Browning (born in Essex, England) is an English writer of over 25 romance novels since 1987.

Browning is a twin, who grew up in a big family in the borders of Essex.

She worked for years in libraries, and when she left her job, she decided began to write. Although her first two manuscripts could not be used, the third was accepted and published in 1987.

She is single and continues living in the old family home on the borders of Essex. She is great-aunt to eighteen nieces and nephews.

Reviews

[Asra Ghouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the record, I have a strong intolerance towards romantic stories. In spite of that I like The Playboy's Proposal. Not because it's different. It's not. It's just the same as other Mills & Boon. It is the female lead that makes this book worth reading for me.

The story is just as any other Mills & Boon story would be. Girl meets guy. Guy is very sexy. Guy does not believe in love. Girl falls in love with guy, but does not tell him thinking he doesn't love her (as he doesn't believe in it). However, the guy does love the girl but is too hesitant/weak to express it. Circumstances happen and the guy and girl confess their love to each other. Happy ending.

Kathryn, the female lead, in The Playboy's Proposal is an iconic female. I love her character. She depicts a modern woman who in spite of falling in love, does not lose her head, maintains calm and proceeds with her life. She doesn't cry, which in my honest opinion is her best attribute.

A fun read it is. Purely for pleasure.

[Saly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book, a lot of verbal foreplay & flirting between them at the start. The heroine falls for him really fast & knows that he doesn't do forever so is willing to take whatever he is willing give without telling him how she feels, when he finds out he suggests they get married, he cares for her, realizes he loves her & HEA.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s amazing how much attitudes have changed in twenty odd years. The hero’s behaviour in this book at the beginning would be deemed as sexual harassment today. It was only when I looked up when it was published (2001) that I realised why the author had written Joel in the way she had. However, I put that to one side as much as I could and tried not to be annoyed at his pushy sexual moves.

This was well written and very enjoyable. Kathryn and Joel were great characters and their relationship felt authentic. I liked her honesty with herself and her determination to show Joel how much she cared. We knew he was falling in love, even if he didn’t!

I found the cousin/brothers/father’s behaviour utterly repulsive and really annoying. How dared they try to interfere? Again, it illustrated an attitude that is very unacceptable today. Kathryn was an adult woman not a child to be controlled and managed. Her sex life was none of their business. They might care about her but that didn’t give them the right to try and control her.


Leaving aside the anachronisms, I did enjoy this story. I must look out for more books by this author.

[More Books Than Time · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some Amanda Browning HPs are good, decent characters, plot, grownup writing. This however is simplistic with writing that lacks any complexity or interest. Result is boring, no emotional connection.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars! ~ Kathryn Templeton is a bit of a computer wiz and comes to the rescue when her cousin Drew asks her to help his boss. Joel Kendrick’s bitter breakup resulted with his ex-girlfriend whipping critical files from his computer. From the moment Kathryn and Joel meet they are both taken aback with the power of their attraction. Yet they can’t help flirting with the danger of it. Joel’s reputation as the Big Bad Wolf doesn’t scare Kathryn until she starts to see that there is much more to him than cynical playboy he wants her to see. Joel makes it clear that he doesn’t believe in love and that any relationship with him will always come to an end; he doesn’t do long term. Even knowing that she will eventually be hurt badly, Kathryn moves on with the affair with open eyes, and of course, falls deeply in love. When Joel over hears her confess to her father that she loves him, he does the unexpected he proposes! But can Kathryn accept a marriage knowing that her love is not returned? It’s what destroyed her grandmother, and forced her to flea from a loveless marriage.

My gosh! The level of sexual tension in the book is off the top. From the first pages we are pulled into the merry mating dance between Joel and Kathryn. They love to flirt and both have a high time sparking off one another. This makes for some very delightful reading and some definite fanning! Though Joel is domineering he’s not ruthless, and I liked that very much. We don’t see his point of view other than the clever way Ms. Browning sets the dialogue and describes the laughter in him. This book reads more like a former Harlequin Temptation, in that the tone is much lighter and easy going than the intensity of most Presents. Both Joel and Kathryn are well developed and it’s great fun watching them fight their way to a HEA. This is a fun read that will curl your toes.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una historia media. Los protas no llegan a ser carismáticos, pero son convincentes y sus duelos verbales a veces son divertidos.

[RomLibrary]

Joel Kendrick is the sexiest man Kathryn has ever met—even though she knows he isn't interested in a permanent relationship. But never one to refuse a challenge, when Joel flirts with her she flirts back!

Only, flirting turns into a genuine desire on Joel's part—and true love on Kathryn's. Embarking on a passionate affair, Kathryn conceals her feelings, knowing Joel doesn't believe in love. Then suddenly, to her amazement, her bachelor playboy proposes....

[PAINTED BOX]

Joel Kendrick is the sexiest man Kathryn has ever met—even though she knows he isn't interested in a permanent relationship. But never one to refuse a challenge, when Joel flirts with her she flirts back!

Only, flirting turns into a genuine desire on Joel's part—and true love on Kathryn's. Embarking on a passionate affair, Kathryn conceals her feelings, knowing Joel doesn't believe in love. Then suddenly, to her amazement, her bachelor playboy proposes....

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the by play was cocky and hilarious. I adored all the verbal flirting and I'm glad in the end everything worked out. Overall there wasn't really any serious drama or another woman, it was a very sweet story. The saying, "You are your own worst enemy." comes to mind while reading this book, simply because the two main characters were in that predicament.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick fun read.

[Calysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Low-level, but delicious, angst. Likable characters who were believably into each other, even if I think the woman was a bit jumping the gun on being in love within 24 hours. heh Good resolution.