Dirty Plays

by Emma Salah

He’s playing a dangerous game. And winner takes all.

Aidan Thomas is staying at his brother’s apartment while his own home is being remodeled, but the apartment isn’t as vacant as he was led to believe. Pushed out of her own place by a rent increase, Letty Garcia, his sister’s gorgeous best friend, is staying there too. The involuntary cohabitation is a temporary solution, one they can both endure unscathed.

Maybe.

But the intense attraction that’s long lingered between them sure is making things hard.

Cards. Truth or Sexy Truth. For these red-hot roomies, no game is off the table. But all bets are off when heartbreak-veteran Letty wants to keep things light and fun—and Aidan starts playing for keeps. With both of their hearts on the line, the stakes have never been higher.

Game on.

Becoming a Thomas

Book 1: Dirty Tactics
Book 2: Dirty Plays

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2021

About the author

Emma Salah spent her childhood climbing mountains, killing (or petting) dragons, and sneaking romance novels into her bedroom as a teenager. She received degrees in literature and creative writing and went on to backpack through Southeast Asia and teach for over a year in Japan. As a young black woman, she is interested in telling stories that don't always get heard. She currently resides in London.

Reviews

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Plays took me by surprise, I was expecting a steamy Romance but I found a love story based on trust, friendship and of course steamy situations
.
All Latina women can feel honored and in love with Letty Garcia, she is such a real and palpable character in any Latino family. Living micro-aggressions in a toxic work environment where the misogynistic opinion always wins. Letty finds in her new roommate someone she can trust and lean on, overcoming the ideas she had from her best friend's brother
.
Aidan is another incredible character, a faithful guardian of his close affections, interested in helping and always taking care of others with a deeply interest in helping more children of his community to get closer to hockey and find a place in a world that closes the door in their faces because of their skin color or for not having enough resources
.
I was surprised by the dynamics of the story as Emma Salah gives place and forms to these characters, taking them to a good place without interludes or plow twists that generate angst
.
I really enjoyed this story a lot, thanks to Harlequin - Carina Press , for giving me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest opinion, surely I will look for more books by Emma Salah
.

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Plays the second in the Becoming a Thomas series was an enjoyable slow build romance between Letty and hockey player Aidan. And it was an engaging read with two main characters who had a lot more going on under the surface and I really liked that and how they each challenged their preconceptions of the other as the story developed; and it was sweet, fun, and surprisingly easy to read. Even though there is some angst and work and family drama. As well as some nods to racism and misogyny in the workplace.

Furthermore, it was well-written and all the characters added to the story and I'm looking forward to reading more from the rest of the Thomas siblings in the future.

Would recommend.

**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Teneisha (Teesbookjourney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed Reagan and Zac's friends to lover story and had high hopes for Letty'story because she seemed so spunky and outspoken. Ideally, Aidan seemed quiet and broody.

Both characters were not as surface as they came off in the prior book. they were deeper individuals with family drama, insecurities and work issues.

I loved the story I just wished there was more sex. I wish they got together sooner and we could have experienced more of that

The work issues that Letty was having were very similar to what Reagan experienced and I wish that was a different storyline.


All in all, I loved it

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my read by Emma Salah and I will be reading more of her books. I am big fan of friends to lovers with benefits romance and this is a great book.

Aiden and Letty meet up with a little misunderstanding. They know each because Letty is Aiden’s sister best friend. Letty needs a place to stay because of a recent rent increase. Aiden is having his place remodeling and when he arrives at his brother’s place he finds Letty. The two forge a friends with benefits relationship but Aiden wants more and Letty because of previous relationships she wants to keep things the way they are.

This was an enjoyable read and this is one of my favorite reading tropes. Pick up your copy to read about Letty and Aiden will they keep their relationship friends with benefits or will Aiden get what he wants?

I received an ARC via Netgalley and I’m voluntarily leaving my review.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's very different from book 1, with much more time between the main characters getting to know each other and messing with each other. The banter and relationship they built was just lovely and steamy after they really built up their intimacy. Letty is a super relatable character to me, and I loved her sassiness and quirky interests. Aiden also reminds me so much of a million guys I know. Just oblivious to something seems obvious to others. Highly recommend this for those that love a slow burn and to see an honest relationship build. Loved it.

[Rafael Sifuentes · Rating 2 out of 5]

bro i didn't know what to expect from this book but this wasn't it chief

it's an enemies-to-lovers trope with a mix of 50 shades of grey at times, which was a weird combo

i mean it was an easy and chill read but it wasn't my cup of tea

if there is a third book i would read it just to know what became of letty and her relationship with her family

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! A slow burn and really emotional but Letty is a great character. What book is next? Callum?

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed book one in this series, Dirty Tactics, and was excited to read the sequel. Sadly, it was a bit of a letdown compared to the first.

I liked getting to know more about Letty, Reagan's BFF who was introduced in book 1, but I also hated it? Without giving too many spoilers, I will just say that her family sucks. As does her job. And as much as she puts on a front of being tough and independent, she's kind of a doormat. I found it disappointing.

Aidan. really fell flat for me. It seemed like his main conflict had more to do with his friend Zac's struggles than his own. I really didn't take away much from him as a character.

For me, the real problem was the pacing. I usually love forced proximity tropes, but this one seemed to move so slow, and by the time anything happened between the MCs it was like "boom, now it's the end". I needed more of the two of them together! I will still read the next book in the series, but I hope it has a better flow, like book 1 did.

[Tajma Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but I wanted more. There was a lot of character development individually, however we didn't get enough of the main characters as a couple. I wish there was more to the relationship throughout the meaty parts of the story. I didn't know about the first book, so I'm definitely going to go back to read it.

*I received an ARC of this title from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review*

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 3 out of 5]

He does not like living in hotels , she had to live her apartment because of money increase and they became roommates with benefits . What happens when one of them wants casual and the other serious ?
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tiffany Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

One thing I really liked about this book is that there was significant character progressions about real life situations that were relatable, but no real progression together as a couple. The majority of the book was them dancing around their feelings, and not very well. I love a good amount of angst, but it was too much for me. Them getting together at the end seemed rushed to me, and the given the title, I expected more romantic action.

[Kate (kate_reads_)]

DNF at 25%. I really enjoyed the first book in the series but this one isn’t working for me. It feels too slow and I find myself getting so frustrated with Letty. This may be a case of wrong time to pick it up but I’m going to stop for now. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free review copy.

[Sandy N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read but at time the story and the pace felt very flat. Their coming together comes late into the story and I like my books with a lot of spice.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. The opinion is all mine.

[Amy Vida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of Dirty Plays in exchange for an honest review. This was a quick and easy read, and had a unique spin on the plot. Was hoping for less characters and more one on between Aiden and Letty, but overall it was a good read.

[Dessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Plays was slow burn, roommates to lovers romance and I was 100% here for it. Letty was a great character and I loved watching Aidan fall for her.

Can't wait to read book three and especially Dean's story. That is going to be so much fun.

[Chareese H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the love story of Aiden & Letty though it was a long time before things started to actually move forward, I am glad it finally did. The audiobook was a good listen. Narrators were good. Will definitely recommend. Thank you Emma Salah for your gift.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Contemporary Romance, Multicultural, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Romantic Comedy, African American & Black Romance
Miniseries
Becoming a Thomas (Book #2)

[Indy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! The chemistry between Aidan and Letty was electric. I was an idiot though and now I have to go backwards and read the first book lmfao.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, that slow burn... it took a while to get going but when it did, it was lovely. I'm super excited for Callum's book though, which I'm guessing is next- when is that coming out?

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet! What story is next? I'm curious about Callum and what is going on with him.

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to know Aiden, Letty, and Regan but there wasn’t enough sex/ almost sex and they didn’t even make out. The slow burn was way too slow. A cute story though.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Plays is a steamy best friend's older brother accidental roommates romance with a side of hockey. Salah does a good job keeping the romance front and center, but she also gives the two main characters their own arcs--challenges they help each other through. I skipped the first in the series as the male protagonist in that is dealing with trauma from an abusive childhood, but this stands alone well. I do want to mention though that Aidan's sister is one of the MCs in the first book. Aidan and Zac were childhood best friends and now hockey teammates. Aidan has quite a bit of guilt for not realizing what was going on with his best friend and helping. Processing that is part of his overall story arc. 


Letty is being treated horribly at work, but she drops everything when her family calls. They treat her terribly, demanding money she doesn't have, wrecking her car, you name it. This is her father's "new" family, though, and she's always felt like the unwanted child and like she needs to prove her worth to them. Her arc is satisfying, even though it's hard to watch her get there.

The romance itself is great and I'll definitely read more from Emma Salah.


***

Content Warnings:  mentions of past child abuse of secondary character, mentions of racism in hockey, workplace microaggressions (racism and misogyny), toxic family (Letty's)

I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher for review.