Playing Dirty

Sydney Smoke Rugby #6

by Amy Andrews

Sydney Smoke star recruit Kyle Leighton can’t believe the best sex of his life was just a one-night stand. He didn’t even know her name… Until she shows up at the locker room two weeks later and he connects the dots.

Val King. Oh shit.

Coach has one hard and fast Never, ever date (much less f*ck ten ways to Sunday) his daughter. And not only did Kyle break that rule, but he wants to break it over and over again. In the shower. Against a wall. On every flat surface in his home.

But the coach and his daughter share more than just DNA. Their issues run deep and fooling around with her could widen the family chasm.

And get Kyle benched for life.

So why can’t he stop thinking about her? Flirting with her? Suggesting they date for real and damn the consequences?

Each book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series is
* Playing By Her Rules
* Playing It Cool
* Playing the Player
* Playing With Forever
* Playing House
* Playing Dirty

Genres: Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Erotica

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2018

About the author

Amy is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written eighty-five contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets.

Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.

She loves good books and great booze although she'll take mediocre booze if there's nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered nurse which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them!

She recently took a sea change and lives by the ocean with her husband of 33 years.

Sign up for Amy's newsletter here - http://www.amyandrews.com.au/newslett...

Follow Amy -

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyAndrewsAu...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyandrewsb...

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amy-a...

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - "Let me be your dirty little secret..." Stars!

Book six in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series, finally gives us Coach’s Daughter; Valerie King’s story, and who else would the author pair her up with but the cocky new-boy; Kyle Leighton, someone who has no clue who she is or that the woman he meets in a bar and has a ONS with is so off limits, that he is potentially risking his whole career being with her.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted a woman so instantly…

This book has been a long time coming for me. Having read all of the previous books in the series, the whole dysfunctional dynamic between Val and her father has been playing out as a small secondary side story while the main characters work towards their own HEA’s.

"Tell me to stop…"

"…Not in a million years."

Everything is laid out in the open between them in Playing Dirty and while for the bulk of the book the action is mainly focused on the deliciously dirty illicit goings on between the H/h, the last 30% of the story is where everything also comes to a head with her father as well, and it put me as well as them through a bit of an emotional wringer. I literally went from laughing my ass off to sniffling into a tissue in the space of what felt like a paragraph, but seeing a strong alpha guy on his knees in an emotional sense always does that to me.

"I don’t know how to stop wanting you…"

Amy dialed up the dirty in this one too, this is a couple not afraid to let go and experiment and I enjoyed the whole story from start to finish immensely, and the epilogue was one of the best I have read for a while too. You can absolutely read this as a standalone, and for me Playing Dirty just tips Ryder’s book; Playing with Forever as my favorite.

"You give good horn…"

With Donovan and Griff still to come, all bets are off as to whether it will stay in that position by the end of the series.

Who knew going mad would be this fucking awesome..?

ARC generously provided via Netgalley in exchange for the above honest review.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Andrews hasn’t dropped the ball yet with her Sydney Smoke Rugby series and this sixth visit keeps up the trend, bringing us the team coach’s daughter and baker, Val King and newest signing, Kyle Leighton.



Val and Kyle waste no time in becoming acquainted with one another with him being initially clueless that he’s rocking the world of his boss’ daughter after meeting her in a bar. And whilst definitely one of the more heated offerings of the series, alongside their scorching shenanigans runs a romance with lovely light sweeter moments and humour but also those which tug on the heartstrings as Kyle and Val navigate their way through forbidden territory thanks to Griff‘s making his stance on a player dating his daughter very clear.

You know that thing I said about family being complicated?”

This couple have quickly become one of my favourite of the series and with us finally discovering the reason why Val’s relationship with her dad is so strained, we’re also given some answers as to why Griff’s not easiest man to get along with leaving me wanting to get my hands on him is even more. There aren’t many series’ out there that I would happily read every book again, but this is one of them and whether you’ve read the previous books or not, Playing Dirty is one you don’t want to miss out on.

I don’t know how to stop wanting you.”

Copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion. Stock image

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this book made me cry! We've seen throughout this series that Val and Griff (father and daughter) had a strained relationship. When I read what happened...Wow! Just tragic and very sad for all parties involved. Don't get me wrong, I loved Kyle and Val's story. I enjoyed watching them try and work their relationship around the taboo of a player with the coach's daughter. But let's just say that it was icing on the cake to finally see Val and Griff patch their relationship as well. Overall, this series of standalone's is a very fun read and I've enjoyed getting to know each and every one of these players. Keep em coming Amy Andrews! ARC provided by NetGalley.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Loved Playing Dirty by Amy Andrews.

I've enjoyed all the books in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series, and Playing Dirty is now my fav.
The storyline was entertaining from start to end, the characters made me laugh, they made me swoon and I loved watching them fall in love.
All the feels for Playing Dirty!!



Playing Dirty is an excellent addition to the Sydney Smoke Rugby series and I highly recommend them all!

*Available now*
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Amazon AU - https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/...
iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/book/playing...
B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/play...
Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/play...

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin

The first rule any player for the Sydney Smoke learns is this: Stay away from the coach’s daughter. That’s all well and good for newly-traded hotshot Kyle Leighton. He’s come to be coached by Griffin King and no woman would ever take precedence over rugby. Only when Kyle goes to a bar and has a blazing hot one-night stand with the mysterious Val, he has no idea that she’s the one woman in all of Sydney he’s supposed to stay away from. One mistake like that could jeopardize his career – not to mention Val’s already strained relationship with her father. It’s clear to both Val and Kyle that they should stay away from one another. Except some passions burn too hot to ignore…

Playing Dirty is smoking hot and a whole lot of fun. Where can I put an order in for one of Amy Andrews’s Sydney Smoke players? Ms. Andrews has a gift for penning insanely hot athletes who are seriously sexy, incredibly talented on the pitch and in the bedroom, and yet they’re never full of themselves. In other words, the whole team is made up of perfect book boyfriend material and Kyle Leighton is no exception. Kyle is talented, fun, and has a big heart. He isn’t flawless and it drove me nuts when he made decisions in Val’s interest without talking to her, but when he makes mistakes they’re made with good intentions and a kind heart. Val is a blast to read about and I’ve been looking forward to her story from the very first book in the series. Like Kyle, she’s a funny and kind protagonist and it’s easy to adore her. She and Kyle have a red hot romance that made the pages of Playing Dirty fly by and I was rooting for them every step of the way.

Kyle and Val’s romance shines, but there’s an equally important secondary plot in Playing Dirty that will just tug on your heartstrings. Val carries a lot of hurt buried not-so-deep beneath the surface and it’s due to her relationship with her father. She desperately wants her father’s love, but there’s so much grief and guilt in their past that Griff can’t see past to give it to her. Kyle, the outsider in this situation, gets involved because he can’t bear to see Val hurting. The result is a messy, emotional journey that’s intertwined with the romance and I loved it.

Playing Dirty is the sixth book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series but it can easily be read as a standalone. Every book in this series is a great mix of humor, heat, and heart and Kyle and Val’s story is no exception. I adored Playing Dirty and by the time I finished it I was grinning like a loon (it doesn’t hurt that Ms. Andrews’s heroes excel at incredibly fun, over-the-top displays of affection). I can’t wait to see what Ms. Andrews has in store for readers in the next Sydney Smoke book!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just putting it out there I knew NOTHING about rugby when I started reading Amy Andrews’ Sydney Smoke series a few years back and while I still don’t know a ton, I have to say I have enjoyed this series quite a bit, but her latest book in the series, Playing Dirty is my favorite. Maybe it was because the relationship was a bit taboo, maybe it was because the main characters had very different upbringings, maybe it was the empathy they both had for each other’s situations, or maybe it was the red hot lust that turned to so much more in a short amount of time. All I do know is that Playing Dirty had amazing character development, an intriguing and entertaining plot, a whole lot of emotion, and some spectacular sexy scenes, making it my favorite kind of romance.

On the night of her 24th birthday all Valerie King wanted to do was have a few drinks and numb the hurt she feels from the loss of her twin and the growing ache of her father’s distance that never seems to get better. The last thing she expected was to meet a man that set her body aflame and one she by all counts should stay far, far away from, but decides for one night she just wants to forget and maybe throw a big screw you at her dad.

Kyle Leighton can’t believe the red headed “ranga” beauty he stumbles upon on a night he is trying to put the past two weeks behind him adjusting to his new team and the coach who hasn’t made it secret he doesn’t want Kyle on his team. He is attracted to her looks, but soon becomes trapped by her smart mouth, her wit, her knowledge of rugby, and the fact that she wants to share way more than a drink with him.

From the moment these two meet I felt the attraction and connection between them and it was more than sexual. I loved their easy banter and the way they were so at ease with one another which only made their passion burn brighter. That’s not to say they didn’t have some outside forces trying their best to keep them apart, but I think it was very telling that despite what Kyle could lose and what Valerie wanted most of all they simply could not stay away from one another.

I loved the complexity of this story and not all of it having to do with their relationship. I admired Kyle for being there for his family and understanding the importance of it even when they sometimes let him down. His empathy towards Valerie and even her father proved that he was a stand up guy and a good soul. Valerie was so closed off and at times prickly, but she blossomed when Kyle was around and even around his very loud and boisterous family who showed her what family should be like.

From the moment they meet, to the intensity of their relationship, until the last heart-warming scene, Playing Dirty was a delight to read and by far my favorite in this series.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie King is having a pity party for one on her twenty fourth birthday, drinking alone at a bar when Kyle Leighton, the newest signing for the Sydney Smoke, approaches her. Val knows exactly who Kyle is, as the daughter of the Smoke's coach Griffin she knows all about the team, but Kyle clearly has no idea who she is. Val knows it's a monumentally bad idea but doesn't care, he's funny and gorgeous and just what she needs to distract herself.

The next time Kyle sees the gorgeous one-night stand she's at Henley Stadium wearing a Sydney Smoke cap, but nothing can disguise that beautiful titian hair. He's so excited to see her he rushes up to kiss her, but is rudely awakened when his new, very grumpy, coach orders him to let go of his daughter. Griff gives Kyle a choice, keep away from my daughter or you won't play rugby for the Smoke.

Kyle knows he needs to stay away from Val, and he will once he has a chance to talk to her about that night. But when he finds out that she owns his favourite bakery and she offers him a lifetime supply of free pastries his choice doesn't seem quite so obvious any more.

I loved everything about this book. I loved Kyle, the golden son in a large family, many of whom have only a glancing acquaintance with the right side of the law, his dedication to rugby and his feelings for Val. I loved Val, struggling with daddy issues, running her own business and yet so kind to everyone, fitting in with Kyle's raucous family and the Smoke's WAGs with equal ease.

As befits an Entangled Brazen imprint the sex is hot and steamy but it fits right in with the plot, from the raunchy one-night stand to the hot, hot, hot encounter in the bakery everything is just right.

Another fantastic romance from Amy Andrews and the glorious Sydney Smokes.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release.

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. This is the sixth book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series and but each book I’ve read does work as a standalone. Val King, the Smoke’s coach’s daughter, is drowning her sorrows at a local bar while celebrating her twenty fourth birthday, when she meets the newest addition to the team, Kyle Leighton. Kyle has no idea who she is, but as a newbie to the team, he only knows one thing - do not touch the coach’s daughter. Oops. One thing leads to another and well, y’all know the drill - a one night stand, followed by romance, happens.

This is a light read, focused more on the sexual chemistry between Val and Kyle, and there’s plenty of that. The forbidden edge to their interactions, the sneaking around and hooking up while trying to hide it from the team and her father is fun and smutty.

There’s also a more serious edge because of Val’s history with her father and a tragedy in their past. Val and her father have the most emotional scenes in the story, which makes sense and Kyle’s personal arc takes a backseat to that. None of it is delved into too deeply though, and overall, I think it’s in keeping with the theme of the series. There aren’t any real scenes with other characters that developed relationships outside of this trio of characters and in general, I would have loved to see at least one friendship for Val and Kyle so you could appreciate them outside this romance.

Having said that, when real life gets crazy, I tend to gravitate to these lighter types of reads, so this suited my mood just fine. If that’s what you’re in the mood for, you may enjoy this.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**


For more reviews, visit

[Ayekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One rule, just one. You don't mess with the coaches daughter. Not ever. Kyle is new to the team and when he meets Val in a bar and the two strike up a brief conversation then leave together it's the start of something that puts Kyle in a rough place not only with her father but his teammates as well. When Kyle tries to find Val he's cut off at every pass. His teammates shun him, and no one is helpful to him. Except one person who knows all too well the struggle between father and daughter.
Val is the invisible daughter to her father. The night she and Kyle met was her birthday, a day she tries to forget every year being the surviving twin. Her sister died when she was two. Val owns a bakery in town and is well known for all her delicious treats. Kyle went there every morning not knowing it was her bakery. The backstory is heart wrenching but it's so well threaded through the story as to why Griff King is such as jerk, treats his daughter as persona non grata except to make the hands off rule and when her relationship with Kyle continues we see this story unfold in the steamiest and best of ways. I absolutely loved Kyle. Loved how he stood up for Val and made Val feel like she wasn't the least common denominator. I read this book in one sitting and couldn't put it down. I loved the story, the characters have depth and real and the steam was outrageous. Amy is right at the top of the list for steamy, hot, delicious romance and this book was no exception.
It's an absolute must read. More than a 5 star read.

**advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own**

[MarytheBookLover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will review! Enjoyed this sexy tale!

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing story starts out with Val celebrating her birthday alone drinking, when she meets rugby star Kyle Leighton. They spend an amazing night together, but by morning, she's gone, and he has no idea who she is. Unfortunately for him, it's a couple weeks later when he sees her again, and a bomb is dropped on him, she's the coaches daughter. The coach already has it in for him, but it's worse now because it's forbidden for any of the team to date his daughter. They do their best to stay away from each other, but their chemistry is so HOT, that it becomes impossible, so they decide to be together on the down low. But nothing stays secret for long, so you can imagine what happens, but let's just say it was a great twist to get the f-bombs dropping like mad. Plus all the family drama/angst had my emotions all kinds of involved, because while Coach was determined to keep the rugby team away from her, well let's just say, he wasn't a warm & fuzzy person. And the rugby lads & WAGS made for fantastic secondaries, as they added a nice humor factor to the emotional story. I LOVE Amy Andrews Sydney Smoke Rugby series, as her talent is so addictive that I'll NEVER get enough! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Ofelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing read by Amy Andrews. I really enjoyed reading about Val and Kyle. Val might have hooked up with Kyle in the beginning because she was depressed and also to give her dad a big f*ck you for forgetting her birthday. But what started as a one night stand soon became a lot more especially when Kyle and Val are in the same room and sparks starts flying and the sexual tension becomes too much. Playing Dirty was a fun read and I can’t wait to read more of Amy Andrews’ work.


***Received this ARC by NetGalley as an exchange for an honest review.

[Heather 123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story! Not only do you have a HOT rugby player, amazing SEX scenes but you also have a great story to go with it!

I loved that the author didn't just focus on the obvious main drama in this story: the fact that he slept with his coach's daughter in an incredible one night stand. I appreciated that the author also focused on the fall out of the relationship between Val and her father and his guilt surrounding the reason for the fall out. I loved the way the team adopted Val and cared for her despite their coach ignoring her very existence.

[poppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the series and I enjoyed it just as much as the previous books if not more. This is a quick sexy read and I just loved the heat between Kyle and Val you could almost feel it. I don't think Val could have done any better than Kyle he was so right for her but they have their struggles mostly her dad if you get a chance give this ago this was a super read and I really enjoyed it

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, flirty, and quite the sexy read! I actually loved Val and Kyle’s inta relationship! Things started out quick and dirty, but their undeniable chemistry went to steamy and serious in no time. It was also nice to finally get a strong resolution on Val’s and her Dad, Griff, relationship.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the sixth book in the series - and somehow I have missed the previous books, something I will be remedying soon. I could imagine who got their HEA in previous stories, but I loved it without knowing all their details.

Kyle is new to the team, and unbeknown to him he breaks the coach's cardinal rule. This leads to him having to make a very difficult decision - head or heart. Any book which pitches those two against each other, and makes a man have to choose will lead to some heart-ache, whether his or hers ... in this case probably both.

I loved the rugby elements; the issues of being a new player; the family that is the team; the problems of being in love with the coach's daughter and the impact on the team as a whole. It is important as a background, but is also sets up some pretty dramatic moments.

The bakery is a far more sweet and sexy element in the story, and also very heated moments in Val and Kyle's relationships. I love the hygiene authorities comments! It is also the venue for Kyle's big gesture, and in this media crazy world, it was easy to imagine the scene perfectly.

If you fancy a fun, sexy and sport-based read, then this will surely entertain you.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 7/15/18.

This one seriously had me tearing up...more than once, and for very different reasons! This story is so, so good...and boasts one of the best grovels I've ever seen. Seriously--future romantic leads should take notes. It's THAT good.

Oh, and don't read this one while hungry, especially if you have a sweet tooth. You have been warned.

Playing Dirty is hands down my favorite of the series so far...though I'm assuming Griff and Eve are a future couple (PLEASE tell me they're going to be a future couple) so that might be subject to change. Val and Kyle are going to be a pretty darn tough act to follow, though!

If this is your first read from this series, no worries--it works just fine as a standalone. Helpful hint for non-Aussies/readers who don't know rugby from footy: there's a glossary of sorts at the end; finding it and bookmarking it might be helpful. Inexplicably, it does not explain what a Chelsea bun is (they're integral to the plot, believe it or not) so if you're as clueless as I was, check here.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Michele McMullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love sweaty hot Rugby players and sassy smart women than this is the book for you!
Valerie King has finally gotten her book. Val has lived in the shadows of her coach father and family tragedy for years. She lost her twin sister at the age of two to an accident and her father has never forgiven himself. She feels as though she is a constant reminder of the loss. Each year her birthday is never a happy time ...it is a time of reflection and loss. She finds herself in a bar on her 24th birthday and numbing the pain of the past. Kyle is the new guy on the block he is a lone wolf on the rugby field and has not had the pleasure of knowing the background on the coach or his family. Their meeting is instant attraction and full of such sexual energy . Val knows that he has no idea who she is and she will use this to her advantage ..he can get her through this night make her forget and she can move on before he is non the wiser . Yes that is going to backfire. They are too good together and once the truth comes out it is a full out mess for them personally and professionally ! I loved them together Kyle is a big burly man with such a soft heart
~~Michele McMullen ~~

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing Dirty by Amy Andrews
Sydney Smoke Rugby Series # 6

Valerie and Kyle meet and hookup on her birthday. She knew who he was and even knowing her father’s rule for his team she went home with Kyle anyway. The chemistry between them was hot and constant and even when trying to put it on the back burner for the good of the team…the embers could not be doused.

Valerie and her father have a difficult relationship that has been ongoing for over two decades. The fact she would like more from her father does play a part in this story and how that is resolved is almost as important as the romance between her and Kyle.

Kyle is talented but does have a few things to learn as a rugby team player. He is thrilled to work with the coach – Val’s father. He has a strong love of family. And, he falls for Val rather quickly.

Val is a baker that loves her work and has a love of rugby and also loves her father. She has suffered loss but seems to be a woman that is pretty much on her own without much more than her business and rugby in her life.

This is an easy to read romance without a great deal of drama between Valerie and Kyle but there is a big blow-up at one point and some time before a resolution is found that allows them their HEA.

Did I like this book? Definitely!
Will I read more by this author? Without a doubt!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle is just so sweet, “I was hot for you the moment I saw you sitting on that barstool all alone, murdering olives with a toothpick.” I mean the man is like a caveman, “my shirt. My icing. My come. Is it wrong to admit how hot it is knowing I’m the one who wrecked you?” Sometimes for his well-being Kyle has to placate his woman, "Kyle nodded. It seemed like the right thing to do, given the situation and her temporary possession by the devil, ... “I know, I’m sorry.” I liked this book, I loved Kyle.

[Paige Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The characters were all a little broken but the author made it work. Kyle and Val were not with each other. Despite being warned he couldn't keep away from her. The subject matter between Val and her father was a bit heavy but. the author handled their story with compassion and understanding.

[Cc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest here, I stink at reviews. I'm not too bad at saying why I disliked a book, lol, but why I liked one? Well, that's hard. It's so personal and weird to put yourself out there so much (for me anyway). But I love AAs writing, so I'm gonna try. I loved this book. Ok, how did I do?

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com

All Valerie ‘Val’ King has ever wanted was her father’s love, except he cares more about football than his own daughter. With him being the coach of the Sydney Smoke Rugby team, she knows she’s not supposed to get involved with any of the players. However, when she meets Kyle Leighton — the team’s newest player – there’s no way she can stay away from him; not when he makes her feel things she’s never felt before. Will Val and Kyle give a relationship between them a shot or will they go their separate ways when what they’ve worked so hard for is threatened? Read More

[Marija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Enjoyed reading this hot sport romance.
More on my blog https://heyjustreadit.wordpress.com/2...

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear lord, where there's smoke there's fire.
This author does a novella so well. She manages to squeeze in character development, relationship development and a plot, and does it well.

[JenReadsRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Amy Andrews, and her books just work for me. This is the 5th (6th?) book in the Sydney Smoke series, which I really loved.

Val King is the daughter of the Smoke's coach, and she has what she thinks will be a one night stand with one of the players. She knows who he is--but he doesn't know that it's his new coach's daughter, a woman that is definitely off-limits. The sex is super hot (duh, of course it is, Amy Andrews!) but they develop a real romance. I think the only thing that was a drawback for me was that Val's daddy issues felt like a lot, and I'm not sure I entirely believed the resolution. BUT, I did really love Val as a character and her determination to be her own woman and not let the men in her life decide for her. Kyle is a likable character and a total ball-hog as a rugby player, and part of his arc is learning to let go of that. Again, maybe that happened a little too easily, but the arc and development of his character was clear.

A strong read. I love this series so much.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This book is sexy and fun and dirty in the best possible way. A one night stand between the Smoke’s newest star player and the coach’s daughter causes all sorts of problems when the coach finds out.

Val is the fiesty estranged daughter of the Smoke’s head coach. She also owns her own bakery and makes exquisite Chelsea buns. I loved her as a leading lady. She is funny, self-deprecating and more than a little bit gobby.

Kyle is a pretty boy rugby star who needs to be taught to play well with others. The banter between Kyle and Val is brilliant and his clashes with her father are epic. This is a deliciously explicit and very sexy read. The chemistry between Kyle and Val is fabulous and their connection is playful and imaginative.

The storyline isn’t a new one in sports romance and the author does rely on some tired tropes but I loved the rugby and the Australian details are thoroughly entertaining. This is a fun and steamy summer holiday read.

[Sania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone
Ages of H and h: Val and Kyle are 24
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages: No
Was There Descriptive Sex: Yes
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: No
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup: N/A
Contains Cheating: No
Amount of Sex In The Book: A decent amount.
HEA/HFN/etc Ending: HEA
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval: Yes
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: Death of child. Val's twin was run over by their father by accident when they were 2. Val's father by choice distanced himself
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes

My Thoughts
Loved this couple! Really like the story line.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

His coach had only one rule. Stay away from his daughter. Easier said then done right? Especially after he realizes he unintentionally broke it already. This mistake definitely did not sit well with the coach or the other players on his team. Kyle honestly never felt this way about anyone before and he feels absolutely helpless every time she is near. Great story! Loved the chemistry between the characters.

[Lauren loves llamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: death of a child (in the past)

I’ve been following Ms. Andrews’ Sydney Smoke series since the second book, and I’ve been waiting for the resolution of the troubled relationship between Griff, the rugby team’s gruff and unemotional coach, and his daughter, Val. So, yes, while this is also the story of Val’s HEA with new-to-the-team Kyle, a pretty large part of the story is about Val and Griff repairing their relationship.

“The sudden thought that her father would not be impressed by this fraternization with one of his players made it feel even better.
Defiant. Illicit.”

Val is drinking away her 24th birthday when rugby player Kyle slides up next to her at the bar. While Val knows who he is – she’s made a habit of inserting herself into the rugby team’s life in order to find a way into her father’s heart – Kyle has no idea who she is, other than a beautiful (and very knowledgeable about rugby) woman. Things proceed much as you would expect, with Val disappearing the next morning, never intending to let her father know what happened since it would affect Kyle’s career. Kyle can’t get the mystery woman out of his head, so when he sees her outside the Smoke locker room after a game, he immediately grabs and kisses her – in front of her dad and the whole team. Already on Griff’s bad side, violating the Smoke’s number one rule – the coach’s daughter is off-limits – leads to a ultimatum: never see Val again or get kicked off the team and blacklisted from rugby forever. But Kyle can’t get her out of his thoughts, and Val can’t forget him, either. Can their love survive the weight of Val and Griff’s strained relationship?

“What if I told you I could handle my career and your father just fine without dancing around and pretending I’m not totally hot for his daughter?”

I’ve liked Val since we first met her in the series, and I’m just going to reiterate that it was so nice to see her finally get her HEA. Most of her life has been shaped by the horrific tragedy that happened when she was 2 (and which we finally find out the details of in this book), and then by trying to earn her father’s love after he emotionally distanced himself after the accident. She’s tried to be good and undemanding, even going so far as to insert herself into the running of the rugby tam and the WAGs just so she can be close to him, because if she can’t win his love, she can at least be involved in the one thing he does love. Even though she knows Kyle is off-limits – and she certainly doesn’t want to tank his career – the chemistry between them is undeniable.

“The Smoke is great because they work together as one. Not because one guy decides he can do it all himself. There are seven other guys out there on the field at any given time, and you’re going to need your team behind you when you’re shit out of luck, Leighton, and you will be. It happens to everyone at some point.”

Kyle, on the other hand, comes from a big self-described bogan (the Aussie version of redneck family) family, and while they love him, he’s resigned to the fact that he’s the person in his family who gets things done. He’s admired and looked up to Griff for pretty much his entire life, and getting to finally play on the Smoke should be a dream come true. Problem is, he’s highly self-sufficient, something that carries over in to his rugby game and is certainly not endearing him to the team or Griff, even before his one night stand with Val is revealed.

“What do you want from Griff? If you could have anything? A relationship? An explanation? An apology?”
The question shredded Val’s usual bravado where her father was concerned.
Nobody had ever asked her that.”

Beyond that, though, this is a ridiculously steamy book, with some of the hottest sex scenes yet. But when they’re not scorching up the sheets (or her bakery’s prep area), Kyle listens to Val, and offers a new perspective that just might succeed at shaking up 22 years of resentment. A good portion of the end of the book is spent on Val and Griff’s relationship, but it didn’t lessen the impact of her romantic relationship with Kyle – rather, it was her relationship with him that allowed her to finally start the work of repairing her relationship with her father.

Overall, I loved this addition to the series, and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next one. I’m not sure who’s next, but now that Val has her HEA, my eye’s on Griff and Eve! I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys hilarious and sexy romances!

And just for giggles, my new favorite romance quote:

“Even in the dark, his cock stood out like a freaking beacon, thick and heavy, springing proud and free from a thatch of black hair. So goddamn…ready.
If she’d been an artist, she would have sketched it. If she’d been a sculptor, she’d have cast it in bronze. If she’d been a poet, she would have written a bloody sonnet about it.
But all she was right now was a woman, and all she really wanted was to fuck it.”

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.