What do you think?
Rate this book
Sydney Smoke Rugby #7
Playing It Safe
Donovan Bane loves playing rugby for the Sydney Smoke. And if that means he has to keep his sexuality a secret, that’s a sacrifice he’s prepared to make. At least until after he retires, anyway. He doesn’t want to be the first pro rugby player in Australia to officially come out while still playing. The team doesn’t need the media shit storm and he’d rather be known for his footy skills. Which means no dating, no relationships, no sex. Nothing but playing ball.
Until one man suddenly changes everything…
Beckett Stanton is out and proud—and not looking for a guy who isn’t. Been there, done that, complete disaster. Unfortunately, on the first day of his new job working for the Sydney Smoke, he locks eyes with Donovan Bane and he’s a goner. Big, gruff, and athletic isn’t usually Beck’s type, but for some reason this man is ticking all his boxes. And it’s clear the feeling is mutual. It’s also clear that Donovan is not out, and doesn’t plan to be anytime soon. Still, Beck can’t resist being the man to show Donovan everything he’s been missing.
For the first time, Donovan doesn’t play it safe and allows himself to indulge in things with Beck he knows he can’t have. But when their relationship gets serious, he knows he has to choose between the career he loves and the man he loves, because how can he possibly have both?
Until one man suddenly changes everything…
Beckett Stanton is out and proud—and not looking for a guy who isn’t. Been there, done that, complete disaster. Unfortunately, on the first day of his new job working for the Sydney Smoke, he locks eyes with Donovan Bane and he’s a goner. Big, gruff, and athletic isn’t usually Beck’s type, but for some reason this man is ticking all his boxes. And it’s clear the feeling is mutual. It’s also clear that Donovan is not out, and doesn’t plan to be anytime soon. Still, Beck can’t resist being the man to show Donovan everything he’s been missing.
For the first time, Donovan doesn’t play it safe and allows himself to indulge in things with Beck he knows he can’t have. But when their relationship gets serious, he knows he has to choose between the career he loves and the man he loves, because how can he possibly have both?
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2021
51 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Amy Andrews
430 books1,434 followersAmy 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...
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...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1626057011i%2F10717098._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 23, 2021
Playing it Safe is book seven in the Sydney Smoke Rugy series by Amy Andrews. This book can be read as a complete stand alone and is my very first book by this author. I have had a couple of her books on my to read list but never have gotten to them. I think it’s because fate was saving me for this book. It’s Amy’s very first M/M romance and she blew me away. I…am…in…Love with these two characters and I can’t wait to tell you a little bit about them.
Donovan Bane is thirty two years old and plays for the Sydney Smoke rugby union team. He has a fourteen year old daughter that lives with her mother. Donovan is a huge man who is ruthless on the field. But off he is a sweet, caring, private man who struggles with who he is, a gay man. Because gay men don’t play rugby.
Beckett (Beck) Stanton is thirty one years old and has just taken a job in the finance department for the Smoke team. It’s purely by chance on that particular day when he was at the same café as Donovan was, when their eyes met and held, when the air left his lungs and the world just stopped existing around them. He knew Donovan felt it too. But as soon as Donovan looked away he also knew, he wasn’t out. Beck has been hurt before and learned his lesson the hard way, do not get involved with closeted men.
First of all, these two had me when their eyes met! I LOVE when that happens, that instant connection when nothing else matters but the person you are looking at. These two had buckets full of chemistry and Amy Andrews did a fantastic job of putting that chemistry into words. My kindle has melty marks on it! I loved them both but I think it’s Donovan that really stole my heart. He was so unsure of himself. He had so much weight on his shoulders, so many people that counted on him. He had put his own needs, his own true self, completely on hold for over a decade. He never imagined he would feel for someone as he did for Beckett. I loved watching his confidence grow. Watching him finally accept what he deserved, to live his true life.
“This was what he’d been waiting for. This moment. Nothing had ever felt this right. This natural. This innate. Nothing. Not even rugby.”
This book checked off every one of my boxes and I couldn’t put it down. These two were so sexy and swoony. I love it when the characters are tough but also soft and they both were. I loved everything about this book and am so glad I decided to jump in. I hope with all my heart that Amy chooses to write more M/M romance. I’ll be first in line if she does.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Donovan Bane is thirty two years old and plays for the Sydney Smoke rugby union team. He has a fourteen year old daughter that lives with her mother. Donovan is a huge man who is ruthless on the field. But off he is a sweet, caring, private man who struggles with who he is, a gay man. Because gay men don’t play rugby.
Beckett (Beck) Stanton is thirty one years old and has just taken a job in the finance department for the Smoke team. It’s purely by chance on that particular day when he was at the same café as Donovan was, when their eyes met and held, when the air left his lungs and the world just stopped existing around them. He knew Donovan felt it too. But as soon as Donovan looked away he also knew, he wasn’t out. Beck has been hurt before and learned his lesson the hard way, do not get involved with closeted men.
First of all, these two had me when their eyes met! I LOVE when that happens, that instant connection when nothing else matters but the person you are looking at. These two had buckets full of chemistry and Amy Andrews did a fantastic job of putting that chemistry into words. My kindle has melty marks on it! I loved them both but I think it’s Donovan that really stole my heart. He was so unsure of himself. He had so much weight on his shoulders, so many people that counted on him. He had put his own needs, his own true self, completely on hold for over a decade. He never imagined he would feel for someone as he did for Beckett. I loved watching his confidence grow. Watching him finally accept what he deserved, to live his true life.
“This was what he’d been waiting for. This moment. Nothing had ever felt this right. This natural. This innate. Nothing. Not even rugby.”
This book checked off every one of my boxes and I couldn’t put it down. These two were so sexy and swoony. I love it when the characters are tough but also soft and they both were. I loved everything about this book and am so glad I decided to jump in. I hope with all my heart that Amy chooses to write more M/M romance. I’ll be first in line if she does.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
August 18, 2021
I’m a huge fan of the Sydney Smoke series. Big strapping rugby players falling hard and showing their softer sides? What’s not to love.
Once upon a time, rugby was all he needed.”
Amy Andrews got everything right in her first jaunt into M/M territory and it’s evident how much thought and consideration went into both the storyline and Donovan and Beckett’s characters. The incredible chemistry, the slower burn oh-so-sexy build up, the mutual respect, consent, discoveries, hopes and fears along with a hefty dose of feeling all played their part in making Donovan and Beck my new favourite Smoke couple.
Apparently I’m now into big, buff rugby dudes who crack their knuckles and have never been kissed.”
Yes, it’s a steamy M/M romance between two Herculean men picking up the gauntlet in an established M/F series by an author who up to now has written M/F romance, but it paid off giving not only Beck and Donovan the chance to shine but the series and the characters we’ve already fallen for and I abso-bloody-lutely loved it. Whether you’re already a fan or are picking this up having not read the previous books, Playing it Safe is one I recommend.
Copy provided courtesy of Entangled Publishing via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Once upon a time, rugby was all he needed.”
Amy Andrews got everything right in her first jaunt into M/M territory and it’s evident how much thought and consideration went into both the storyline and Donovan and Beckett’s characters. The incredible chemistry, the slower burn oh-so-sexy build up, the mutual respect, consent, discoveries, hopes and fears along with a hefty dose of feeling all played their part in making Donovan and Beck my new favourite Smoke couple.
Apparently I’m now into big, buff rugby dudes who crack their knuckles and have never been kissed.”
Yes, it’s a steamy M/M romance between two Herculean men picking up the gauntlet in an established M/F series by an author who up to now has written M/F romance, but it paid off giving not only Beck and Donovan the chance to shine but the series and the characters we’ve already fallen for and I abso-bloody-lutely loved it. Whether you’re already a fan or are picking this up having not read the previous books, Playing it Safe is one I recommend.
Copy provided courtesy of Entangled Publishing via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
maybe
August 14, 2021Sounds interesting, and now available for ARC request on NetGalley:
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
September 23, 2021
*2.5 stars*
Playing It Safe is another one of those books that started off very strong but then petered out and became hard for me to finish.
From what I've gathered, Playing It Safe is Amy Andrews's first M/M romance book, even though it's the 7th in the series. It can be read as a stand-alone with no issues, though I'll admit I had no idea what Australian rugby was the entire time I was reading. I still don't quite get it...
I think the author tried to create tension artificially. These two like each other, but have this sort of semi-platonic hang out thing going, even though they aren't really friends. Lots of page time is spend with them internally pondering and waiting out the inevitable hook-up, which doesn't have enough UST to be that enticing. I think the author didn't develop their connection all the way. We hear all of the ways that they have chemistry, but I struggled to feel it.
The second half of the book was also a bit slow. It felt like much longer than 200 pages. There were moments that were enjoyable, but I wasn't sad to finish the story.
Maybe rounding up to 3-stars is a bit generous, but I'm in a generous mood.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|tiktok
Playing It Safe is another one of those books that started off very strong but then petered out and became hard for me to finish.
From what I've gathered, Playing It Safe is Amy Andrews's first M/M romance book, even though it's the 7th in the series. It can be read as a stand-alone with no issues, though I'll admit I had no idea what Australian rugby was the entire time I was reading. I still don't quite get it...
I think the author tried to create tension artificially. These two like each other, but have this sort of semi-platonic hang out thing going, even though they aren't really friends. Lots of page time is spend with them internally pondering and waiting out the inevitable hook-up, which doesn't have enough UST to be that enticing. I think the author didn't develop their connection all the way. We hear all of the ways that they have chemistry, but I struggled to feel it.
The second half of the book was also a bit slow. It felt like much longer than 200 pages. There were moments that were enjoyable, but I wasn't sad to finish the story.
Maybe rounding up to 3-stars is a bit generous, but I'm in a generous mood.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|tiktok
Read
September 12, 2021I gave up at 27%. I’m apparently in a DNF mood this week. Blame my mood if you must. But I’m having a hard time connecting with the characters. It was lightning style insta-lust and I just don’t get it.
Donovan has never even kissed a guy, he is a closeted gay professional rugby player and the father of a teenaged girl. He doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his career and just doesn’t date or hookup. Ever. But one look at Becket, and he can’t function anymore? Obsessing over the guy and playing like shit? For days and days?
And Becket is an out and proud gay man who has promised himself he’d never date a closeted man again. But he can’t stop himself from pursuing Donovan?
Can someone make it make sense? 🤷♀️
Donovan has never even kissed a guy, he is a closeted gay professional rugby player and the father of a teenaged girl. He doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his career and just doesn’t date or hookup. Ever. But one look at Becket, and he can’t function anymore? Obsessing over the guy and playing like shit? For days and days?
And Becket is an out and proud gay man who has promised himself he’d never date a closeted man again. But he can’t stop himself from pursuing Donovan?
Can someone make it make sense? 🤷♀️
Read
January 21, 2025“it was the fucking rolls royce of cock” is the best line my two eyeballs have read all year no i will not elaborate
October 13, 2021
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars
I haven’t read anything by Amy Andrews before, but the blurb for Playing it Safe - her first m/m romance and the seventh book in her Sydney Smoke series set in the world of Australian Rugby Union – caught my eye. It’s an enjoyable, well-written and steamy read, and although it’s nothing I haven’t read before, the author’s lively style and ability to create strong and engaging characters is a decent compensation for the unoriginality of the storyline.
Donovan Bane has known he was gay since he was about fifteen, but with his sights set on a career in professional rugby, he ignored the part of him that was attracted to guys – because gay men don’t play rugby. After a youthful fumble with his best friend Annie resulted in pregnancy, Donovan and Annie married, but divorced a few years later, and she and his now fourteen-year-old daughter Miri live in New Zealand. The divorce was an amicable break-up, and Annie is, to this day, the only person who knows the truth about Donovan’s sexuality - and he wants to keep it that way, intending to remain firmly in the closet until he retires in about five years’ time. He’s lived a very solitary life for years, and even though the loneliness is beginning to really get to him, he just isn’t prepared to subject himself, his loved ones and his team to the intrusive media scrutiny, the internet trolls and the hateful slurs that would inevitably result if he were to come out; and nor does he want to be some kind of trailblazer or poster boy for gay athletes. He’s living his dream - playing professional rugby at the highest level - he can wait a bit longer to have an actual life.
But when he meets Beckett Stanton – a new hire in the finance department at the Smoke – the prospect of waiting another five years before Donovan can have the sort of relationship he’s long denied himself suddenly becomes even more unattractive than before.
Beck is out and proud, he knows who he is and what he wants, he’s fun and flirty and comfortable in his own skin in a way that Donovan can only envy. When Beck first meets Donovan, he senses the other man’s interest, but also senses that any acknowledgement of that interest in public is a big no-no. He’s pretty sure that Donovan is queer but not out, and after a bad experience with a closeted guy in the past, has vowed never again to become involved with someone who isn’t prepared to fully own himself and his truth. Yet there’s something about Donovan that tempts Beck to break his own rules. He’s not up for investing in a relationship with someone who isn’t interested in honesty, but maybe if Donovan is open to something sexual only? That could definitely work.
If you’ve ever read more than a couple of m/m sports romances, then you’ll have read the storyline in this one several times over. But all romances are based on tropes, and Amy Andrews makes excellent use of this one, creating some seriously sizzling chemistry between her two leads and taking the time to develop a genuine emotional connection between them while at the same time ramping up the sexual tension, which is pretty much set to self-combust by the time these two actually get as far as the bedroom! (or the sofa…)
The characterisation is excellent, too, and is another of the reasons the story works as well as it does. Donovan is an imposing guy – a six-four wall of muscle with tribal tattoos (he’s part Maori), he’s driven and ruthless on the pitch, but behind the brawn is a gentle, sensitive soul, a quiet, sweet man with vulnerabilities he doesn’t show anyone and who longs for connection and someone he can make a life with.
Beckett is perhaps not quite as well drawn as Donovan, but he’s likeable nonetheless, and is exactly what Donovan needs. He’s wonderfully supportive and understanding of Donovan’s situation and does whatever he can to help him to feel comfortable, especially with the new experiences he’s introducing him to (*wink*). Ultimately, the author made me care about them and root for Donovan to get what he wanted; he’s such a lovely guy and really deserved to have someone in his life to love and care for who would love and care for him right back.
I believe that one of the things Amy Andrews is known for is writing steamy romances, and she certainly does that here. The terrific chemistry between Donovan and Beck leads to some seriously sexy love scenes, and the author does a great job of showing the development of their emotional bond through the development of their physical one in the first half of the book, although I have to admit that the second half got a bit sex-heavy, and I sometimes found myself skimming the sex scenes to get to the next bit of plot.
The massive doses of insta-lust at the beginning did make me wonder about reading on, but fortunately, the author very quickly turns that into an actual attraction between two people who are genuinely interested in each other as people. Also, there are a few turns of phrase I wasn’t wild about, some that made me cringe, some that made me laugh out loud (that I’m sure weren’t intended to do that) and some that made me do both, like this one:
Um. Yeah – No.
And finally, something that is probably ‘just me’. Donovan is a knuckle-cracker. In the early stages of the story, he’s described as doing it a lot, and for me, that’s worse than nails scraping down a blackboard. Whenever I read it, I could actually hear it – and I had to stop and look away.
But despite those reservations, Playing it Safe is a well-executed riff on a familiar trope, with three-dimensional characters you come to care about, plenty of steam, and genuine warmth and humour. It earns a low-level recommendation.
I haven’t read anything by Amy Andrews before, but the blurb for Playing it Safe - her first m/m romance and the seventh book in her Sydney Smoke series set in the world of Australian Rugby Union – caught my eye. It’s an enjoyable, well-written and steamy read, and although it’s nothing I haven’t read before, the author’s lively style and ability to create strong and engaging characters is a decent compensation for the unoriginality of the storyline.
Donovan Bane has known he was gay since he was about fifteen, but with his sights set on a career in professional rugby, he ignored the part of him that was attracted to guys – because gay men don’t play rugby. After a youthful fumble with his best friend Annie resulted in pregnancy, Donovan and Annie married, but divorced a few years later, and she and his now fourteen-year-old daughter Miri live in New Zealand. The divorce was an amicable break-up, and Annie is, to this day, the only person who knows the truth about Donovan’s sexuality - and he wants to keep it that way, intending to remain firmly in the closet until he retires in about five years’ time. He’s lived a very solitary life for years, and even though the loneliness is beginning to really get to him, he just isn’t prepared to subject himself, his loved ones and his team to the intrusive media scrutiny, the internet trolls and the hateful slurs that would inevitably result if he were to come out; and nor does he want to be some kind of trailblazer or poster boy for gay athletes. He’s living his dream - playing professional rugby at the highest level - he can wait a bit longer to have an actual life.
But when he meets Beckett Stanton – a new hire in the finance department at the Smoke – the prospect of waiting another five years before Donovan can have the sort of relationship he’s long denied himself suddenly becomes even more unattractive than before.
Why hasn’t there been some kind of sign from the universe that today would be the day he’d see a man that made the whole world tilt on its axis?
Beck is out and proud, he knows who he is and what he wants, he’s fun and flirty and comfortable in his own skin in a way that Donovan can only envy. When Beck first meets Donovan, he senses the other man’s interest, but also senses that any acknowledgement of that interest in public is a big no-no. He’s pretty sure that Donovan is queer but not out, and after a bad experience with a closeted guy in the past, has vowed never again to become involved with someone who isn’t prepared to fully own himself and his truth. Yet there’s something about Donovan that tempts Beck to break his own rules. He’s not up for investing in a relationship with someone who isn’t interested in honesty, but maybe if Donovan is open to something sexual only? That could definitely work.
If you’ve ever read more than a couple of m/m sports romances, then you’ll have read the storyline in this one several times over. But all romances are based on tropes, and Amy Andrews makes excellent use of this one, creating some seriously sizzling chemistry between her two leads and taking the time to develop a genuine emotional connection between them while at the same time ramping up the sexual tension, which is pretty much set to self-combust by the time these two actually get as far as the bedroom! (or the sofa…)
The characterisation is excellent, too, and is another of the reasons the story works as well as it does. Donovan is an imposing guy – a six-four wall of muscle with tribal tattoos (he’s part Maori), he’s driven and ruthless on the pitch, but behind the brawn is a gentle, sensitive soul, a quiet, sweet man with vulnerabilities he doesn’t show anyone and who longs for connection and someone he can make a life with.
Beckett is perhaps not quite as well drawn as Donovan, but he’s likeable nonetheless, and is exactly what Donovan needs. He’s wonderfully supportive and understanding of Donovan’s situation and does whatever he can to help him to feel comfortable, especially with the new experiences he’s introducing him to (*wink*). Ultimately, the author made me care about them and root for Donovan to get what he wanted; he’s such a lovely guy and really deserved to have someone in his life to love and care for who would love and care for him right back.
I believe that one of the things Amy Andrews is known for is writing steamy romances, and she certainly does that here. The terrific chemistry between Donovan and Beck leads to some seriously sexy love scenes, and the author does a great job of showing the development of their emotional bond through the development of their physical one in the first half of the book, although I have to admit that the second half got a bit sex-heavy, and I sometimes found myself skimming the sex scenes to get to the next bit of plot.
The massive doses of insta-lust at the beginning did make me wonder about reading on, but fortunately, the author very quickly turns that into an actual attraction between two people who are genuinely interested in each other as people. Also, there are a few turns of phrase I wasn’t wild about, some that made me cringe, some that made me laugh out loud (that I’m sure weren’t intended to do that) and some that made me do both, like this one:
“It was a magnificent specimen of manhood. It was the fucking Rolls Royce of cock”
Um. Yeah – No.
And finally, something that is probably ‘just me’. Donovan is a knuckle-cracker. In the early stages of the story, he’s described as doing it a lot, and for me, that’s worse than nails scraping down a blackboard. Whenever I read it, I could actually hear it – and I had to stop and look away.
But despite those reservations, Playing it Safe is a well-executed riff on a familiar trope, with three-dimensional characters you come to care about, plenty of steam, and genuine warmth and humour. It earns a low-level recommendation.
August 20, 2021
4 "what's his last name?" stars
NO, BECKETT DIDN'T DIE OF CONSUMPTION !
Playing It Safe was my first Amy Andrew book and her first M/M, if I'm not wrong. I liked the story. It was well thought and nicely executed. I love sport romance with coming out stories and this one had an extra layer to it a.k.a Miri, Donovan's daughter.
Even if their first meeting was breathtaking - there was electricity in the air, I swear! - I had trouble connecting with Beckett and Donovan until later in the book. They had an amazing chemistry, but with Donovan overthinking all the time, it kind of killed the mood for me. I know there were a lot of things at stake (Dono's career, mediatic pressure on the team, impact on Miri), but between knowing and having it written multiple times, there's a difference.
Since the middle of the book, the atmosphere shifted as they were getting to know each other better and being more comfortable with one another. I'm a banter girl, so I loved the teasing! At this point, they were also exploring more concretely their feelings, which made it all better. It was sweet, but also heartbreaking, to see Beckett plan a future very early, even when he knew their arrangement was short-termed because he didn't want to be involved with a closeted man. But it's hard to stop falling in love, especially when it's reciprocated.
I was sent a free book through NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
NO, BECKETT DIDN'T DIE OF CONSUMPTION !
Playing It Safe was my first Amy Andrew book and her first M/M, if I'm not wrong. I liked the story. It was well thought and nicely executed. I love sport romance with coming out stories and this one had an extra layer to it a.k.a Miri, Donovan's daughter.
Even if their first meeting was breathtaking - there was electricity in the air, I swear! - I had trouble connecting with Beckett and Donovan until later in the book. They had an amazing chemistry, but with Donovan overthinking all the time, it kind of killed the mood for me. I know there were a lot of things at stake (Dono's career, mediatic pressure on the team, impact on Miri), but between knowing and having it written multiple times, there's a difference.
Since the middle of the book, the atmosphere shifted as they were getting to know each other better and being more comfortable with one another. I'm a banter girl, so I loved the teasing! At this point, they were also exploring more concretely their feelings, which made it all better. It was sweet, but also heartbreaking, to see Beckett plan a future very early, even when he knew their arrangement was short-termed because he didn't want to be involved with a closeted man. But it's hard to stop falling in love, especially when it's reciprocated.
I was sent a free book through NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
September 8, 2021
Amy Andrews writes fabulous stories, she has a way with words that bring out the best in the characters and make them very easy for the reader to make friends with and this time in this awesome series we get to really know Donovan Bane and the turmoil that has been with him for many years and his plan for the future that will be turned upside down when Beckett walks into his life.
Donovan has a daughter that he loves but rugby is his life, for now he has kept his sexuality secret and plans to keep it that way till his career is over that is until he meets Beckett and his heart is pounding and his blood is running hot, never has he felt this way before and it appears the feeling is returned.
Beckett Stanton is proud to be gay and has never hidden the fact he is single at the moment and just started a new job at The Sydney Smoke and at a café at lunch time he meets Donovan and he is instantly attracted to this gorgeous man, Beck wants nothing more than to get him into his bed but he feels that something is holding Donovan back.
It was way too hard for either of these men to ignore the chemistry between them and Donovan is so determined to stay in the closet and he is so innocent in the ways of gay men and Beck wants nothing more than to help this awesome guy so friendship is what they start with and it is to be PG all the way, until it got too much and their emotions were flying and they came together.
This story is smoking hot, it sizzles but is so wonderfully written with such emotion and feeling as Amy Andrews does, I loved both Donovan and Beckett these guys are such loving caring guys and the love for each other brings so much joy, this is a story that I would highly recommend, I loved it.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Donovan has a daughter that he loves but rugby is his life, for now he has kept his sexuality secret and plans to keep it that way till his career is over that is until he meets Beckett and his heart is pounding and his blood is running hot, never has he felt this way before and it appears the feeling is returned.
Beckett Stanton is proud to be gay and has never hidden the fact he is single at the moment and just started a new job at The Sydney Smoke and at a café at lunch time he meets Donovan and he is instantly attracted to this gorgeous man, Beck wants nothing more than to get him into his bed but he feels that something is holding Donovan back.
It was way too hard for either of these men to ignore the chemistry between them and Donovan is so determined to stay in the closet and he is so innocent in the ways of gay men and Beck wants nothing more than to help this awesome guy so friendship is what they start with and it is to be PG all the way, until it got too much and their emotions were flying and they came together.
This story is smoking hot, it sizzles but is so wonderfully written with such emotion and feeling as Amy Andrews does, I loved both Donovan and Beckett these guys are such loving caring guys and the love for each other brings so much joy, this is a story that I would highly recommend, I loved it.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
September 13, 2021
This is my first book with Amy Andrews and with the Sydney Smoke Rugby series as well. Which, was a bit dicey as a reader, because, Hello... this is the 7th book. But I saw that this was an M/M sports romance, with rugby (MEOW...) plus the previously strictly M/F series plus the author's first foray into writing M/M, and I'm just a huge sucker for a big gay virgin coming into their own sexuality... I couldn't help myself. Plus, I am just here for any and all queer inclusion into all the things.
Donovan Bane's whole life, besides his daughter, is rugby. He grew up knowing two things: 1) he loved rugby with his whole being, and 2) he was gay. And being that professional, elite-level rugby and gay do not mix, he had to make a choice. He put his sexuality on the back burner until he retired so he could play the sport he loved. Until he met Beckett.
Beckett Stanton recently hired on with the Sydney Smoke team in the finance office and lucked into a chance meeting with Donovan. As an out and proud man, he knows sexual interest but he also knows what someone still hiding in the closet looks like. Even though Donovan and Beckett have an instant spark, he subconsciously knows to keep their interaction casual. Beckett typically avoids any romantic entanglements with those in the closet as much as possible, but there is something about Donovan that he just can't help be ensnared by.
First off, a round of applause to Amy Andrews for penning her first M/M romance! I am super happy to see more inclusiveness in romancelandia as well as her aforementioned previously all M/F romance series.
As I said before, I am a huge sucker for a big gay virgin story.
The feels, the deep-seated emotions, the firsts! Gah! Love. It. I FELT for Donovan. He was so structured, so controlled... you just can't help yourself waiting and hoping for the right person to come along and unwind all the tightly-wound control. Yes, I'm a thirsty girl. And while we didn't go down that whole D/s side (missed opportunity?) it was just as lovely to see the sweeter side enrapture the big mountain of a man. I know it's very cliche but with the half Maori and longer hair with the white scar bisecting the eyebrow, I just couldn't help but picture Jason Mamoa. 'Cuz, I mean, come on... it's Jason Mamoa.
What was I saying?
Oh, yeah, right. I loved how the relationship betweenJason Donovan and Beckett progressed. They acknowledged the big gay elephant and their mutual attraction but still resolved to letting Donovan just exist as a gay man in an actual real-life situations outside of smexy times. And while it was a great effort on both their parts, well we all know they set themselves up to fail. And I'm not mad at any bit of it.
I know what most of my M/M romance lovers are thinking, but how was the sex? Amy did a pretty good job of getting all the... details right. When it came to the time of actual penetrative action, it didn't follow the fairly standard 1,2,3 prep, but far be it from me to say anything in the bedroom is wrong or right. Every person has a preference. So, I'm sticking with 'she did a pretty good job with the details'.
Playing it Safe is the 7th book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series. I did realize that other characters from previous books were interacting and felt I wasn't getting the full backstory significance, but I didn't feel that I was out in the cold or really missing anything specific per se. I feel that you could absolutely pick this up and read it as a stand-alone if you so desired. That being said, I do want to go and read the series in order now. lol.
I definitely recommend this book for those that love a good, steamy, sports romance. There's just something about rugby players. I think it's the thighs.
Yeah, I know these guys are from NZ, not Australia and not all rugby players do a haka on field... but, damn...
*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Donovan Bane's whole life, besides his daughter, is rugby. He grew up knowing two things: 1) he loved rugby with his whole being, and 2) he was gay. And being that professional, elite-level rugby and gay do not mix, he had to make a choice. He put his sexuality on the back burner until he retired so he could play the sport he loved. Until he met Beckett.
Beckett Stanton recently hired on with the Sydney Smoke team in the finance office and lucked into a chance meeting with Donovan. As an out and proud man, he knows sexual interest but he also knows what someone still hiding in the closet looks like. Even though Donovan and Beckett have an instant spark, he subconsciously knows to keep their interaction casual. Beckett typically avoids any romantic entanglements with those in the closet as much as possible, but there is something about Donovan that he just can't help be ensnared by.
First off, a round of applause to Amy Andrews for penning her first M/M romance! I am super happy to see more inclusiveness in romancelandia as well as her aforementioned previously all M/F romance series.
As I said before, I am a huge sucker for a big gay virgin story.
The feels, the deep-seated emotions, the firsts! Gah! Love. It. I FELT for Donovan. He was so structured, so controlled... you just can't help yourself waiting and hoping for the right person to come along and unwind all the tightly-wound control. Yes, I'm a thirsty girl. And while we didn't go down that whole D/s side (missed opportunity?) it was just as lovely to see the sweeter side enrapture the big mountain of a man. I know it's very cliche but with the half Maori and longer hair with the white scar bisecting the eyebrow, I just couldn't help but picture Jason Mamoa. 'Cuz, I mean, come on... it's Jason Mamoa.
What was I saying?
Oh, yeah, right. I loved how the relationship between
I know what most of my M/M romance lovers are thinking, but how was the sex? Amy did a pretty good job of getting all the... details right. When it came to the time of actual penetrative action, it didn't follow the fairly standard 1,2,3 prep, but far be it from me to say anything in the bedroom is wrong or right. Every person has a preference. So, I'm sticking with 'she did a pretty good job with the details'.
Playing it Safe is the 7th book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series. I did realize that other characters from previous books were interacting and felt I wasn't getting the full backstory significance, but I didn't feel that I was out in the cold or really missing anything specific per se. I feel that you could absolutely pick this up and read it as a stand-alone if you so desired. That being said, I do want to go and read the series in order now. lol.
I definitely recommend this book for those that love a good, steamy, sports romance. There's just something about rugby players. I think it's the thighs.
Yeah, I know these guys are from NZ, not Australia and not all rugby players do a haka on field... but, damn...*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
September 5, 2021
I liked it–because I’m a sucker for first times, but throw in some sports and cultural differences and I’m all in–but one particular aspect bothered me. It felt like the author had to check every box in a list of ‘what should be expected in a gay relationship’. It was mostly like that for the sexy times, but since they occupy a good chunk of the story…
Donovan and the discovery of his sexuality were of course at the center of the story. The facts that he had been married, that he was a father, and that he was a big strong guy playing a badass sport, were explored deeply in the book. I felt that Beckett was left bereft in that aspect. His one past story didn’t feel like a big deal–and he described it as such. What we learn about him was mostly through Donovan’s eyes.
I’m used to accepting instant connections in romance novels, so their ‘attraction at first sight’–with the added coincidence of both being gay, even if one was in the closet–didn’t bother me much. At least, there were multiple scenes where they talked and became friends before going further, even though there was always some sexual tension during their encounters.
A lot of potentially interesting things happened behind the scene–like Donovan’s coming out to his family–and I found that frustrating and a bit sad. I mean, I get that Donovan and Beckett are the important characters in the story, but their interactions with other people could have been more developped–we barely see Beckett with anyone but Donovan.
I loved the characters though. They were cute together. The domesticity in some scenes was absolutely adorable. You could feel the comfort and support they found in each other. Beautiful.
All of that made the last scene extremely powerful. A great manifesto for more acceptance.
Quickie
- Series: Sydney Smoke rugby #7 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #sports romance #MM romance #multicultural relationship #coming out #first time #secret relationship
- Triggers: N/A
- Main couple: Donovan Bane & Beckett Stanton
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + the grand gesture was so powerful
- – sometimes, it felt like a checklist: first kiss, first blowjob…
Donovan and the discovery of his sexuality were of course at the center of the story. The facts that he had been married, that he was a father, and that he was a big strong guy playing a badass sport, were explored deeply in the book. I felt that Beckett was left bereft in that aspect. His one past story didn’t feel like a big deal–and he described it as such. What we learn about him was mostly through Donovan’s eyes.
I’m used to accepting instant connections in romance novels, so their ‘attraction at first sight’–with the added coincidence of both being gay, even if one was in the closet–didn’t bother me much. At least, there were multiple scenes where they talked and became friends before going further, even though there was always some sexual tension during their encounters.
A lot of potentially interesting things happened behind the scene–like Donovan’s coming out to his family–and I found that frustrating and a bit sad. I mean, I get that Donovan and Beckett are the important characters in the story, but their interactions with other people could have been more developped–we barely see Beckett with anyone but Donovan.
I loved the characters though. They were cute together. The domesticity in some scenes was absolutely adorable. You could feel the comfort and support they found in each other. Beautiful.
All of that made the last scene extremely powerful. A great manifesto for more acceptance.
Quickie
- Series: Sydney Smoke rugby #7 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #sports romance #MM romance #multicultural relationship #coming out #first time #secret relationship
- Triggers: N/A
- Main couple: Donovan Bane & Beckett Stanton
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + the grand gesture was so powerful
- – sometimes, it felt like a checklist: first kiss, first blowjob…
September 8, 2021
Kitty's Review - 5 stars
I will be totally honest here … I read this book twice. Not because I felt that there was something I missed or didn’t understand but because I absolutely loved this story. Donovan had me from the beginning and Beckett just stole my heart.
I loved how this story was told. Both points of view were so very well written and explained. You understood Donovan’s hesitation and Beckett’s need to be seen and understood. But, even though they were opposite in there views, they were perfect together.
Opposites attracting was definitely the premise of this wonderful story and, boy, what a pair they were. Beckett was understanding … Donovan was both heartbreaking and heart warming. When they were together, the pages burned up. When they were apart, you were sad. You couldn’t help but hope for the best for both of them. And, the beginning of the ending … wow. I cried. The members of the Sydney Smoke not only brought tears to my eyes but made me so very proud. You couldn’t help but cheer then shed a tear. This was such a prominent and poignant point in the story and it couldn’t have been written any better than what it was. I smiled, cried and cheered then went back and read it again because it made my heart soar.
Amy Andrews totally outdid herself with this outstanding story. Two men, two different lifestyles, one love.
Paige's Review - 3 stars
I will be totally honest here … I read this book twice. Not because I felt that there was something I missed or didn’t understand but because I absolutely loved this story. Donovan had me from the beginning and Beckett just stole my heart.
I loved how this story was told. Both points of view were so very well written and explained. You understood Donovan’s hesitation and Beckett’s need to be seen and understood. But, even though they were opposite in there views, they were perfect together.
Opposites attracting was definitely the premise of this wonderful story and, boy, what a pair they were. Beckett was understanding … Donovan was both heartbreaking and heart warming. When they were together, the pages burned up. When they were apart, you were sad. You couldn’t help but hope for the best for both of them. And, the beginning of the ending … wow. I cried. The members of the Sydney Smoke not only brought tears to my eyes but made me so very proud. You couldn’t help but cheer then shed a tear. This was such a prominent and poignant point in the story and it couldn’t have been written any better than what it was. I smiled, cried and cheered then went back and read it again because it made my heart soar.
Amy Andrews totally outdid herself with this outstanding story. Two men, two different lifestyles, one love.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Review copies provided for a voluntary review.
I will be totally honest here … I read this book twice. Not because I felt that there was something I missed or didn’t understand but because I absolutely loved this story. Donovan had me from the beginning and Beckett just stole my heart.
I loved how this story was told. Both points of view were so very well written and explained. You understood Donovan’s hesitation and Beckett’s need to be seen and understood. But, even though they were opposite in there views, they were perfect together.
Opposites attracting was definitely the premise of this wonderful story and, boy, what a pair they were. Beckett was understanding … Donovan was both heartbreaking and heart warming. When they were together, the pages burned up. When they were apart, you were sad. You couldn’t help but hope for the best for both of them. And, the beginning of the ending … wow. I cried. The members of the Sydney Smoke not only brought tears to my eyes but made me so very proud. You couldn’t help but cheer then shed a tear. This was such a prominent and poignant point in the story and it couldn’t have been written any better than what it was. I smiled, cried and cheered then went back and read it again because it made my heart soar.
Amy Andrews totally outdid herself with this outstanding story. Two men, two different lifestyles, one love.
Paige's Review - 3 stars
I will be totally honest here … I read this book twice. Not because I felt that there was something I missed or didn’t understand but because I absolutely loved this story. Donovan had me from the beginning and Beckett just stole my heart.
I loved how this story was told. Both points of view were so very well written and explained. You understood Donovan’s hesitation and Beckett’s need to be seen and understood. But, even though they were opposite in there views, they were perfect together.
Opposites attracting was definitely the premise of this wonderful story and, boy, what a pair they were. Beckett was understanding … Donovan was both heartbreaking and heart warming. When they were together, the pages burned up. When they were apart, you were sad. You couldn’t help but hope for the best for both of them. And, the beginning of the ending … wow. I cried. The members of the Sydney Smoke not only brought tears to my eyes but made me so very proud. You couldn’t help but cheer then shed a tear. This was such a prominent and poignant point in the story and it couldn’t have been written any better than what it was. I smiled, cried and cheered then went back and read it again because it made my heart soar.
Amy Andrews totally outdid herself with this outstanding story. Two men, two different lifestyles, one love.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Review copies provided for a voluntary review.
December 6, 2021
I am such a fan the M/M genre and Playing it Safe certainly hit the spot! Donovan Bane is a rugby player with a secret. He is great at his job but keeps his personal life oh so private. So, when he runs into Beckett the new guy in finance for the team it is about to get sticky!
Beckett he is forward, sexy, sweet and knows what he wants but he will not be someone's secret. I loved watching them grew as men and navigate the couple world!
These men are alpha, funny, sexy, sweet and I loved getting pulled into their world!
~~Michele McMullen~
Beckett he is forward, sexy, sweet and knows what he wants but he will not be someone's secret. I loved watching them grew as men and navigate the couple world!
These men are alpha, funny, sexy, sweet and I loved getting pulled into their world!
~~Michele McMullen~
September 2, 2021
Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Amy Andrews’s sexy Sydney Smoke rugby players are back in Playing it Safe . I’ve been waiting a few years for Donovan Bane to get his own story and he was so worth the wait. Donovan is a loving father (swoon) and a tough-as-nails rugby player. He’s also sweet and vulnerable in ways that caught me off guard and I loved that. Donovan has lived his life in the closet, never risking even a casual relationship with another man for fear of being outed. He doesn’t want his team or his loved ones – especially his daughter – to have to face potential backlash, trolls, slurs, and more. As much as the world has changed, Donovan knows he will still have to face hatred and he doesn’t want to deal with that plus being in the spotlight as the first out actively playing professional rugby player. Donovan figures he can wait to live his life until he retires in a few years. Then he meets the Smoke’s newest finance guy, Beckett Stanton…
The out and proud Beck has been scarred by a past relationship with a closeted man he has no desire to repeat the experience. But meeting Donovan is like being smacked with a two-by-four. The sexual tension between Beck and Donovan is out of control and what’s more, the two simply like being together. A short fling between new friends never hurt anyone, right? Except it’s clear to them both that what they have is so much more than that. Beck and Donovan have some hard choices to make to decide what is the right path for each of them and whether or not that means they can be together.
Donovan and Beck are both fun, likeable guys with good hearts. They have red-hot chemistry that is clear from the instant they meet. Donovan’s only relationship has been with his ex-wife and combined with his lack of experience he asks Beck to be his tutor. The other man is more than willing to do so and I loved the openness and lack of judgment from both of them. Their physical and emotional honesty gave Playing it Safe heart to match the extreme heat these two gave off.
Playing it Safe is the seventh book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series but it can easily be read as a standalone. Whether you’re a fan of the series or are jumping in for the first time, Donovan’s relationship with his teammates is delightful. I adore the team Andrews has built – any time spent with them is a rucking good time.
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.
Amy Andrews’s sexy Sydney Smoke rugby players are back in Playing it Safe . I’ve been waiting a few years for Donovan Bane to get his own story and he was so worth the wait. Donovan is a loving father (swoon) and a tough-as-nails rugby player. He’s also sweet and vulnerable in ways that caught me off guard and I loved that. Donovan has lived his life in the closet, never risking even a casual relationship with another man for fear of being outed. He doesn’t want his team or his loved ones – especially his daughter – to have to face potential backlash, trolls, slurs, and more. As much as the world has changed, Donovan knows he will still have to face hatred and he doesn’t want to deal with that plus being in the spotlight as the first out actively playing professional rugby player. Donovan figures he can wait to live his life until he retires in a few years. Then he meets the Smoke’s newest finance guy, Beckett Stanton…
The out and proud Beck has been scarred by a past relationship with a closeted man he has no desire to repeat the experience. But meeting Donovan is like being smacked with a two-by-four. The sexual tension between Beck and Donovan is out of control and what’s more, the two simply like being together. A short fling between new friends never hurt anyone, right? Except it’s clear to them both that what they have is so much more than that. Beck and Donovan have some hard choices to make to decide what is the right path for each of them and whether or not that means they can be together.
Donovan and Beck are both fun, likeable guys with good hearts. They have red-hot chemistry that is clear from the instant they meet. Donovan’s only relationship has been with his ex-wife and combined with his lack of experience he asks Beck to be his tutor. The other man is more than willing to do so and I loved the openness and lack of judgment from both of them. Their physical and emotional honesty gave Playing it Safe heart to match the extreme heat these two gave off.
Playing it Safe is the seventh book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series but it can easily be read as a standalone. Whether you’re a fan of the series or are jumping in for the first time, Donovan’s relationship with his teammates is delightful. I adore the team Andrews has built – any time spent with them is a rucking good time.
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.
August 19, 2021
I received this ARC from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was into the summary from the get go, but once I was approved for the ARC and was reading the other titles created by this author, I realized that this is a (seemingly) straight author who has written 80+ M/F books, writing a primarily smut MLM story. This first chapter had me increasingly worried about this book just being an excuse for straight women to fetishize gay men. As the story progressed, it became clear that this was not the author's intention. Amy Andrews addresses this in her author's note. She admits that she is nervous to publish this because it is her first MLM novel. I really think she wrote this coming out story in a respectful way.
This book is filled with an overarching theme of consent being the most important part of any interaction. From Donovan's history, Donovan and Beckett's relationship, and the way coming out is approached, consent is highlighted. I love it. Donovan has made his only identity as a great rugby player. There is no room for him to be gay. He worries about other people first: how his coming out would impact his teammates and his fourteen-year-old daughter. His ex-wife has even asked him to hold off on coming out until his daughter graduates high school (I wish there had been a conversation on how homophobic this request is). Beckett is incredibly understanding of this, but also has his own boundaries, and refuses to be someone's secret boyfriend.
Overall, this is a steamy but incredibly sweet story. This book has a well-paced plot.
I was into the summary from the get go, but once I was approved for the ARC and was reading the other titles created by this author, I realized that this is a (seemingly) straight author who has written 80+ M/F books, writing a primarily smut MLM story. This first chapter had me increasingly worried about this book just being an excuse for straight women to fetishize gay men. As the story progressed, it became clear that this was not the author's intention. Amy Andrews addresses this in her author's note. She admits that she is nervous to publish this because it is her first MLM novel. I really think she wrote this coming out story in a respectful way.
This book is filled with an overarching theme of consent being the most important part of any interaction. From Donovan's history, Donovan and Beckett's relationship, and the way coming out is approached, consent is highlighted. I love it. Donovan has made his only identity as a great rugby player. There is no room for him to be gay. He worries about other people first: how his coming out would impact his teammates and his fourteen-year-old daughter. His ex-wife has even asked him to hold off on coming out until his daughter graduates high school (I wish there had been a conversation on how homophobic this request is). Beckett is incredibly understanding of this, but also has his own boundaries, and refuses to be someone's secret boyfriend.
Overall, this is a steamy but incredibly sweet story. This book has a well-paced plot.
August 26, 2021
❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Lovely and sweet first time romance, M/M,
Full of very well written sexually tense moments between the two men.
I enjoyed it on the most part, but in others found it slow and unnecessarily difficult to keep my interest in.
There were some great moments but they just seemed to peta off and more could have been made from them.
I get that the main character didn’t want to be outed as gay but it became frustrating to find it repeatedly mentioned.
On the whole it was a great story, but I struggled keeping my attention on it, maybe if I’d know more of the series, this was my first of the series, I’d have enjoyed it more.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋💋
Lovely and sweet first time romance, M/M,
Full of very well written sexually tense moments between the two men.
I enjoyed it on the most part, but in others found it slow and unnecessarily difficult to keep my interest in.
There were some great moments but they just seemed to peta off and more could have been made from them.
I get that the main character didn’t want to be outed as gay but it became frustrating to find it repeatedly mentioned.
On the whole it was a great story, but I struggled keeping my attention on it, maybe if I’d know more of the series, this was my first of the series, I’d have enjoyed it more.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
September 18, 2022
Great job by Amy to sneak in an m/m romance in her Sydney Smoke series! I enjoyed seeing the team again and getting to know Donovan and the new guy on the block, Beckett. She tackles the difficulty Donovan faces with coming out of the closet as a gay rugby player well, and gives a great happy ending for the couple (perhaps a touch too easy at the end, but sometimes that's just fine). Makes me want to reread the whole series!
September 14, 2021
4.5-5 - but only because of the quick wrap-up at the end. This one was a pleasant surprise from a new to me author.
Playing it Safe proved to be a book of firsts. It was the first book that I’d read by Amy Andrews, so obviously, it was the first book that I picked up in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series (even though it was book 7 in said series. *sigh*) But it wasn’t just a first for me, from what I’ve read from other readers, it was not only the first M/M book in this series, it was also the author’s first book in this genre. That might or might not be a selling point for Playing it Safe for some readers. To be honest, I didn’t know any of this (except that I was picking up a book late in a series) before I made my request to read it.
If this isn’t the first review by me that you’ve read, you already know that I’m no stranger to the M/M genre. I’m also may have read books out of series order from time to time. *cough, cough* That doesn’t necessarily make me an expert by any stretch of the imagination. It does however give me enough experience to let readers who may be on the fence about Playing it Safe know that I know where some of your trepidation is coming from.
First, even though Sydney Smoke Rugby is an established series, I didn’t feel like I had walked into the middle of a group of people I knew nothing about and needed to catch up. That may or may not be because Beck was new to the series as well. It also may be because Playing it Safe centered solely on this couple. Donovan had a great support system with his team mates and their spouses, who he considered family. He was still a bit of an outsider though, mainly because there was a huge part of himself that he kept hidden from everyone. He had his reasons for staying in the closet and even Beck understood how important those reasons were.
Second, although this may have been Amy Andrews’ first M/M book, if I hadn’t read it in a review before I started Playing it Safe, it wouldn’t have been glaringly obvious. It also didn’t feel like a book that was written to add a gay character into the mix. Beck and Donovan’s relationship was totally believable and Donovan had worked so hard to keep that part of himself hidden, the whole story concept just felt right.
Basically, I adored Beck and Donovan. They both risked a lot in giving into their feelings and I loved the way their story played out. Honestly, the only reason that I didn’t give Playing it Safe a full 5 stars was because of how quickly everything was wrapped up in the end. It didn’t feel rushed though, I think it may have been a case of me just wanting more time with the characters after everything was settled.
I’m not sure whether or not I’ll go back and read the rest of the series, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be keeping an eye on anything else Amy Andrews may be offering readers in the future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Playing it Safe. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Playing it Safe proved to be a book of firsts. It was the first book that I’d read by Amy Andrews, so obviously, it was the first book that I picked up in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series (even though it was book 7 in said series. *sigh*) But it wasn’t just a first for me, from what I’ve read from other readers, it was not only the first M/M book in this series, it was also the author’s first book in this genre. That might or might not be a selling point for Playing it Safe for some readers. To be honest, I didn’t know any of this (except that I was picking up a book late in a series) before I made my request to read it.
If this isn’t the first review by me that you’ve read, you already know that I’m no stranger to the M/M genre. I’m also may have read books out of series order from time to time. *cough, cough* That doesn’t necessarily make me an expert by any stretch of the imagination. It does however give me enough experience to let readers who may be on the fence about Playing it Safe know that I know where some of your trepidation is coming from.
First, even though Sydney Smoke Rugby is an established series, I didn’t feel like I had walked into the middle of a group of people I knew nothing about and needed to catch up. That may or may not be because Beck was new to the series as well. It also may be because Playing it Safe centered solely on this couple. Donovan had a great support system with his team mates and their spouses, who he considered family. He was still a bit of an outsider though, mainly because there was a huge part of himself that he kept hidden from everyone. He had his reasons for staying in the closet and even Beck understood how important those reasons were.
Second, although this may have been Amy Andrews’ first M/M book, if I hadn’t read it in a review before I started Playing it Safe, it wouldn’t have been glaringly obvious. It also didn’t feel like a book that was written to add a gay character into the mix. Beck and Donovan’s relationship was totally believable and Donovan had worked so hard to keep that part of himself hidden, the whole story concept just felt right.
Basically, I adored Beck and Donovan. They both risked a lot in giving into their feelings and I loved the way their story played out. Honestly, the only reason that I didn’t give Playing it Safe a full 5 stars was because of how quickly everything was wrapped up in the end. It didn’t feel rushed though, I think it may have been a case of me just wanting more time with the characters after everything was settled.
I’m not sure whether or not I’ll go back and read the rest of the series, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be keeping an eye on anything else Amy Andrews may be offering readers in the future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Playing it Safe. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 6, 2021
Sweet with Heat
I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to place this. I usually save five stars if I cry or find it extra extra. On the other hand I think this is probably my favourite story out of the series.
We have met Donovan Bane in previous books and we know he's all about the game and he's in the inner circle of friends that include all the guys who've had their HEA so far. We know he's been married and his daughter lives back in New Zealand. He's a big guy with tattoos and Maori heritage. Think All Blacks and you've seen the type.
Donovan has a plan about his sexuality. He knows who he is but doesn't consider it wise or practical to "come out" while still playing professionally and while his daughter Miri is still at school. This means no involvement with anyone. So it's been a while for Donovan.
Then he meets Beckett Stanton and all his plans go up in Smoke. (see what I did there?). Beckett is openly gay and an accountant. Seriously not the right person for Donovan to even think about getting close to even if there's a real spark buzzing between them.
Beckett is new to the Sydney Smoke admin team and the WAGs are all keen to get him hooked up. It's a pity that the only guy he is interested in is Donovan. He's got no intention of getting involved with a closeted guy. Been there, done that, got the emotional scars to prove it. So really, nothing is going to happen between them. Nothing at all. Zilch. Nothing. Not. a. thing.
Amy Andrews is known for writing hot hot hot romances and Playing it safe is no different. What did surprise me was how sweet the romance was between Donovan and Beckett. Beckett was a thoroughly nice guy and he understood Donovan's point of view. Donovan was a big cinnamon roll. An absolutely sweety who adores his daughter and still considers his ex a close friend.
I really enjoyed seeing these two get to where they needed to go so they could be together. Both had baggage but they were both grown up about things. The story was hot and sweet and the ending was satisfying.
I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to place this. I usually save five stars if I cry or find it extra extra. On the other hand I think this is probably my favourite story out of the series.
We have met Donovan Bane in previous books and we know he's all about the game and he's in the inner circle of friends that include all the guys who've had their HEA so far. We know he's been married and his daughter lives back in New Zealand. He's a big guy with tattoos and Maori heritage. Think All Blacks and you've seen the type.
Donovan has a plan about his sexuality. He knows who he is but doesn't consider it wise or practical to "come out" while still playing professionally and while his daughter Miri is still at school. This means no involvement with anyone. So it's been a while for Donovan.
Then he meets Beckett Stanton and all his plans go up in Smoke. (see what I did there?). Beckett is openly gay and an accountant. Seriously not the right person for Donovan to even think about getting close to even if there's a real spark buzzing between them.
Beckett is new to the Sydney Smoke admin team and the WAGs are all keen to get him hooked up. It's a pity that the only guy he is interested in is Donovan. He's got no intention of getting involved with a closeted guy. Been there, done that, got the emotional scars to prove it. So really, nothing is going to happen between them. Nothing at all. Zilch. Nothing. Not. a. thing.
Amy Andrews is known for writing hot hot hot romances and Playing it safe is no different. What did surprise me was how sweet the romance was between Donovan and Beckett. Beckett was a thoroughly nice guy and he understood Donovan's point of view. Donovan was a big cinnamon roll. An absolutely sweety who adores his daughter and still considers his ex a close friend.
I really enjoyed seeing these two get to where they needed to go so they could be together. Both had baggage but they were both grown up about things. The story was hot and sweet and the ending was satisfying.
August 31, 2021
Let’s talk about how good this book was.
I thought that Beck and Donovan were both swoon-worthy. Donovan was such a gentleman and so kind and loving to his family. Beck was understanding and patient, yet still confident in himself and what he wanted.
The build up for the steamy moments was worth it, and something I really appreciated was that they BOTH cared about the other being comfortable when anything progressed sexually. They respected each other’s boundaries before pushing forward.
I don’t usually like the “forced to come out” trope that lots of M/M books have, but Andrews did great with Donovan’s character growth-so it didn’t feel forced at all.
The side characters had a great dynamic, which makes me want to delve into their stories as well. I’m definitely checking out more of Amy Andrews books. Especially this series.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced arc for an honest review.
I thought that Beck and Donovan were both swoon-worthy. Donovan was such a gentleman and so kind and loving to his family. Beck was understanding and patient, yet still confident in himself and what he wanted.
The build up for the steamy moments was worth it, and something I really appreciated was that they BOTH cared about the other being comfortable when anything progressed sexually. They respected each other’s boundaries before pushing forward.
I don’t usually like the “forced to come out” trope that lots of M/M books have, but Andrews did great with Donovan’s character growth-so it didn’t feel forced at all.
The side characters had a great dynamic, which makes me want to delve into their stories as well. I’m definitely checking out more of Amy Andrews books. Especially this series.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced arc for an honest review.
December 31, 2022
2.5 stars rounded up.
For the longest time I couldn't stand this book, which let's be honest shouldn't be surprised since it's about my least favorite trope of all. Closeted athletes. And it's also my second least favorite thing. An MM book in an MF series.
Honestly this book had everything against it. When you think about it that way, this was a win. Anyway, it took me a long, long time to warm up to Donovan as a character and I spent a long time not sympathizing with him at all. He won me over though and the end had me feeling things I never thought I would with Donovan being involved.
For the longest time I couldn't stand this book, which let's be honest shouldn't be surprised since it's about my least favorite trope of all. Closeted athletes. And it's also my second least favorite thing. An MM book in an MF series.
Honestly this book had everything against it. When you think about it that way, this was a win. Anyway, it took me a long, long time to warm up to Donovan as a character and I spent a long time not sympathizing with him at all. He won me over though and the end had me feeling things I never thought I would with Donovan being involved.
August 19, 2021
This series has been fantastic all the way through, and this one is no exception. I was just going to read one chapter and get a feel for the book, and an hour of reading later I realized that I just had to get some sleep. I was right back to it as soon as I could the next day. The chemistry starts on page one, and it doesn't let up for a second. Donovan and Beck are such a natural fit, and they have actual adult conversations. I was completely swept up in them. And I totally cried at the end because it was so perfect. The whole book was just unforgettable.
December 6, 2022
Epic, passionately explosive and soulfully seductive. Be forewarned once you start, you won’t want to stop reading. Donovan and Beck’s story will have you spellbound from the beginning to the end. This is Amy Andrew’s first M/M contemporary romance and although I would normally not read this genre. Since I am a big fan of Any Andrew’s I had to read this. I absolutely loved this story. It was perfect, so tastefully done so full of heat, heart, humor, and emotions. Every single page was filled with perfection. Oh my! So good! I swooned hard for these characters!
Donovan Bane is at the height of his rugby career. But he has been hiding his sexuality his whole life. He had resigned himself to being alone until after his career was over. But when he sees Beckett Stanton for the first time, it made him want things. Things that he couldn’t have, not yet. No other professional rugby player in Australia had ever come out as gay and he certainly didn’t want to be the first. He had his daughter, his career and his team to think about.
Beckett “Beck” Stanton had just started his first day in the finance department working for the Sydney Smoke. He was taken by the large rugby player Donovan Bane, but he also knew that he was hiding his sexuality and he didn’t want to go through that again since he was still getting over his last relationship. But one night when he is walking home in the rain since his bike has a flat tire, Donovan stops to give him a lift home. The desire in Donovan’s eyes was plain for Beck to see, but so was the hesitancy. Anxiety and even fear of the unknown. Of what he wanted or of how much he wanted. But he definitely was interested.
“He couldn’t deny, the idea of him being Donovan’s first was fast becoming an obsession. Sure, closeted guys were off Beck’s relationship radar, but potentially introducing this guy to the delights of another man’s body was firmly on his sexy-times radar.”
Amy Andrew’s does an excellent job of taking an often misunderstood lifestyle and presenting it in a romantic and exciting manner. Her descriptions were so vivid and tastefully done. Hot and sexy, her words steam off the the pages. Causing those little zips of excitement, with heart racing, fist pumping, as well as a wide grin on your face great read. She outdid herself again.
Voluntarily requested an early copy through the publisher and wrote a honest review.
Donovan Bane is at the height of his rugby career. But he has been hiding his sexuality his whole life. He had resigned himself to being alone until after his career was over. But when he sees Beckett Stanton for the first time, it made him want things. Things that he couldn’t have, not yet. No other professional rugby player in Australia had ever come out as gay and he certainly didn’t want to be the first. He had his daughter, his career and his team to think about.
Beckett “Beck” Stanton had just started his first day in the finance department working for the Sydney Smoke. He was taken by the large rugby player Donovan Bane, but he also knew that he was hiding his sexuality and he didn’t want to go through that again since he was still getting over his last relationship. But one night when he is walking home in the rain since his bike has a flat tire, Donovan stops to give him a lift home. The desire in Donovan’s eyes was plain for Beck to see, but so was the hesitancy. Anxiety and even fear of the unknown. Of what he wanted or of how much he wanted. But he definitely was interested.
“He couldn’t deny, the idea of him being Donovan’s first was fast becoming an obsession. Sure, closeted guys were off Beck’s relationship radar, but potentially introducing this guy to the delights of another man’s body was firmly on his sexy-times radar.”
Amy Andrew’s does an excellent job of taking an often misunderstood lifestyle and presenting it in a romantic and exciting manner. Her descriptions were so vivid and tastefully done. Hot and sexy, her words steam off the the pages. Causing those little zips of excitement, with heart racing, fist pumping, as well as a wide grin on your face great read. She outdid herself again.
Voluntarily requested an early copy through the publisher and wrote a honest review.
September 10, 2021
***5 Stars***
This book was exactly what I needed and didn’t even know it (So, yay me for clicking that little button, but then again, it is a series about rugby so it wasn’t all that difficult to do).
It had me grinning, swooning and drooling, like a fool the entire time and even when the growlies happened, I was still all in and in total adoration of Donovan and Beckett.
So, yeah, I adored Donovan and Beckett. Donovan is dedicated, laid back and an over thinker (something I totally understood) and at a crossroads in his life. But what I really liked was how honest he was with himself at every step. Beckett was a lot of fun because he totally owned who he was. He had this light and ease about him that drew me in and had me wishing we could be friends in real life.
Their journey to their HEA was a lot of fun to experience. Yes, Donovan had a lot to work through on his end, but they had a connection, a chemistry that had me rooting for them from the moment they met and I really liked how everything played out and worked out for them in the end.
I have to admit that I haven’t kept up with the series, but though I have missed a couple of the books, I wasn’t lost and thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with the team and their families. The angst is low in this one and very character driven, which I really liked because both had enough to deal with on their own without outside crazy going on. Also, I’ve become a huge rugby fan in the last few years (thanks in part to the USMLR and there being a team based in my city who I fully support as well as being an AB’s fan for the last decade or so) so I was totally connecting with Beckett when he watched the Smoke play, because it is definitely something to experience whether its live or on TV.
So, if you’re looking for a fun and quick MM sports romance, then this is a definite must click for you!
~ Copy provided by the publisher & voluntarily reviewed ~
This book was exactly what I needed and didn’t even know it (So, yay me for clicking that little button, but then again, it is a series about rugby so it wasn’t all that difficult to do).
It had me grinning, swooning and drooling, like a fool the entire time and even when the growlies happened, I was still all in and in total adoration of Donovan and Beckett.
So, yeah, I adored Donovan and Beckett. Donovan is dedicated, laid back and an over thinker (something I totally understood) and at a crossroads in his life. But what I really liked was how honest he was with himself at every step. Beckett was a lot of fun because he totally owned who he was. He had this light and ease about him that drew me in and had me wishing we could be friends in real life.
Their journey to their HEA was a lot of fun to experience. Yes, Donovan had a lot to work through on his end, but they had a connection, a chemistry that had me rooting for them from the moment they met and I really liked how everything played out and worked out for them in the end.
I have to admit that I haven’t kept up with the series, but though I have missed a couple of the books, I wasn’t lost and thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with the team and their families. The angst is low in this one and very character driven, which I really liked because both had enough to deal with on their own without outside crazy going on. Also, I’ve become a huge rugby fan in the last few years (thanks in part to the USMLR and there being a team based in my city who I fully support as well as being an AB’s fan for the last decade or so) so I was totally connecting with Beckett when he watched the Smoke play, because it is definitely something to experience whether its live or on TV.
So, if you’re looking for a fun and quick MM sports romance, then this is a definite must click for you!
~ Copy provided by the publisher & voluntarily reviewed ~
October 14, 2021
This was actually the first book in the series and it was great that you didn't feel like you were missing any pieces of past books but it did make me want to go back and read the others! Donavan is a great Father as well as an incredible rugby player but his love life is non existent as no body but a few know that he is actually gay and your heart goes out to him as he has chosen his career over finding love. His resolve to stay hidden is tested when he meets Beck, he doesn't want to like him but there is a connection and as much as Beck doesn't want to be with another guy who won't embrace who he is they both are drawn to each other. This shines a light on how male sports has a hold over it's people when it shouldn't and you get to not only see two people who deserve love fall for each other as well as the internally struggles they go through while navigating a new world for Donavan and the frustrations you feel along with them both. I just loved the characters as well as the highs and lows, laughs and sadness they go through and how you can find love and support when you least expect it and where you should expect it.
September 15, 2021
I love is good gay sports romance book. This is one of the better ones that I have ever read. I have never read a sports romance with rugby so this was new to new, but I loved it. The characters were well developed and the plot was not just about the romance so that was very nice. This is the first book by Amy Andrew I have read but I will be reading more.
September 19, 2021
WOW! I don't normally read MM romances, however, I LOVE Amy's writing and I have read all the other Sydney Smoke Rugby books so far. This was one steamy book! As all of Amy's writing, the book was well written with details and characters that seem real.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read.
September 5, 2021
Playing it Safe by Amy Andrews
Sydney Smoke #7
Loved Donovan and Beckett and rooted for them from beginning to end. It can’t be easy living up to the expectations some hold for athletes whether they are those of one’s own making or created by society and Donovan has a lot on his plate being “in the closet”, playing rugby, and then meeting the man that could be his soul mate.
What I liked:
* Donovan: father, divorced, gay, rugby player, in the closet, has his future planned, meets Beckett, his life is changed.
* Beckett: financial guy, gay, confident, charming, open, charismatic, unwilling to be with a man in the closet, meets Donovan and his life is changed.
* That the two men “knew” there was chemistry from their first meeting
* The way they went slow at first while exploring the possibilities
* Thinking about the impact society has on youth and how that can last a LONG time
* The way Donovan came into his own and grew through the story
* The relationship Donovan had with his family and friends
* Beckett’s ability to communicate
* Miri: Donovan’s daughter
* Griff: coach but definitely helpful when needed
* Donovan’s team and the relationship they seem to have
* The fairytale feel to the story that came with a happy ending
What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that the conflict Donovan faced is still being experienced today by many…wish being open and accepted no matter one’s orientation was possible.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing-Brazen for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Sydney Smoke #7
Loved Donovan and Beckett and rooted for them from beginning to end. It can’t be easy living up to the expectations some hold for athletes whether they are those of one’s own making or created by society and Donovan has a lot on his plate being “in the closet”, playing rugby, and then meeting the man that could be his soul mate.
What I liked:
* Donovan: father, divorced, gay, rugby player, in the closet, has his future planned, meets Beckett, his life is changed.
* Beckett: financial guy, gay, confident, charming, open, charismatic, unwilling to be with a man in the closet, meets Donovan and his life is changed.
* That the two men “knew” there was chemistry from their first meeting
* The way they went slow at first while exploring the possibilities
* Thinking about the impact society has on youth and how that can last a LONG time
* The way Donovan came into his own and grew through the story
* The relationship Donovan had with his family and friends
* Beckett’s ability to communicate
* Miri: Donovan’s daughter
* Griff: coach but definitely helpful when needed
* Donovan’s team and the relationship they seem to have
* The fairytale feel to the story that came with a happy ending
What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that the conflict Donovan faced is still being experienced today by many…wish being open and accepted no matter one’s orientation was possible.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing-Brazen for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
August 29, 2021
Playing it Safe by Amy Andrews is a story that pulls on the heartstrings. Donovan has always been the quiet character in the series and it’s great to see his character hold the spotlight for a change. His romantic pairing with Beckett provides much scope for emotions, complications and twists. The heartfelt emotions were a complete drawcard, and the solidarity and friendship depicted did not disappoint. In this seventh instalment in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series. Author Amy Andrews produces another solid read.
Review copy received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley
Review copy received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley
September 8, 2021
This book had the foundation to be an amazing read for me. I love sports romances, specifically queer ones. The synopsis sounded exactly the kind that I would end up loving. And that seemed to be true at first. I loved the first meeting scene, where both of the main characters felt instant attraction towards one another.
However, after that scene everything kind of fell flat for me. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters beyond the first scene and ultimately I didn’t see what made them fall in love. There seemed to be a compatibility issue, where they had nothing in common. The book is short, falling just at 200 pages, so it could be that we didn’t have enough time for the relationship to build, but I just wanted much more.
I also very much disliked the end conflict. I knew it was coming, that was obvious for anyone familiar with queer sports romances, but I just felt that there were zero stakes. Slight spoiler here, but once the two main characters “broke up”, there was no examination or discussion of feelings and that continued until after they got back together.
Ultimately, this book lacked chemistry and I couldn’t get behind the relationship as neither of the main characters were memorable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an arc.
However, after that scene everything kind of fell flat for me. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters beyond the first scene and ultimately I didn’t see what made them fall in love. There seemed to be a compatibility issue, where they had nothing in common. The book is short, falling just at 200 pages, so it could be that we didn’t have enough time for the relationship to build, but I just wanted much more.
I also very much disliked the end conflict. I knew it was coming, that was obvious for anyone familiar with queer sports romances, but I just felt that there were zero stakes. Slight spoiler here, but once the two main characters “broke up”, there was no examination or discussion of feelings and that continued until after they got back together.
Ultimately, this book lacked chemistry and I couldn’t get behind the relationship as neither of the main characters were memorable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an arc.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews