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Professional Players #2
Love & Other Games: Who is playing who?
Successful beauty business queen, Emma Harvey is not quite as astute when it comes to relationships. Ghosted, following an epic one night stand with a notorious Irish rugby Hooker, she vows no more players, concentrating instead on securing the perfect beachfront property for her new luxury spa.
Irish rugby Hooker, Eddie Harrington is the team joker. Except the tragic events of the past year weren't funny at all. Determined to set things right, Eddie scours Dublin for the perfect beach front property to ease his brothers discomfort upon his difficult return from the States.
Crossed wires at a mutual friends Croatian wedding result in Emma and Eddie reluctantly agreeing to share the honeymoon suite for a week. Their exotic reunion results in a seductive game, highlighting what they almost had, and could potentially have again... Unless the two happen to want the same beach front property more than they want each other....
Will Emma stick to her game plan and put business before pleasure?
Or will Eddies practiced tactics win out?
Irish rugby Hooker, Eddie Harrington is the team joker. Except the tragic events of the past year weren't funny at all. Determined to set things right, Eddie scours Dublin for the perfect beach front property to ease his brothers discomfort upon his difficult return from the States.
Crossed wires at a mutual friends Croatian wedding result in Emma and Eddie reluctantly agreeing to share the honeymoon suite for a week. Their exotic reunion results in a seductive game, highlighting what they almost had, and could potentially have again... Unless the two happen to want the same beach front property more than they want each other....
Will Emma stick to her game plan and put business before pleasure?
Or will Eddies practiced tactics win out?
- GenresSports Romance
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2021
32 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 8, 2022
Eddie & Emma are a complicated, emotional & a vulnerable couple.
The story has secrets, regret, emotional skeletons that cause hurting people you love.
It's also about redemption, sacrifice, forgiveness & starting over.
Eddie Harrington 🏉Rugby Hooker on the Irish National hottest Rugby team.
Over a year ago, his life changed in two different incidents.
1st he met the woman of his dreams Emma. Where they had a night of passionate sex. They both believed they had chestrity & that they could continue their relationship once they left their time together.
Unfortunately Eddie made the biggest tragic incident of his life. This life changing event forced him to walk away from a potentially happiness with a beautiful woman.
Eddie was driving the car that changed his brother Matthew's life forever. because of a tragic accident that changed his life forever. Because of that incident it caused Eddie to believe he was not worthy of true happiness.
Unfortunately, because of this emotional pain, he choice to hurt the women he could have had a real relationship with & their friends engagement party. Emma never has one night stands, but their was something about Eddie that she believed that they would connect afterwards. Instead he ghosted her without an explanation. Which not only broke her Emma's heart, but her confidence & trust in men. It also caused he to believe that every relationship she started would be with the ONE!
Now it's a year later, &literally Emma got dumped right before her boyfriend was to join her at the wedding of Abby & Cullen in Croatia.
A year later Eddie is now the best man at his fellow teammate, friend Cullen wedding. While the bride to be Abby is Emma's best friend. She knew Eddie Harrington was going to be at the wedding. He is the best man. But she didn't expect that he would be on the same flight or land in the same room together. Well Emma could avoid the jerk? Emma was trying to be nice by switching seats to a family & emds up sitting... You guessed it... The Hunky Rugby player himself. The man that broke her heart.
His current girlfriend is a tennis star, so Emma will be alone while she gets to watch the drama queen Maria & Eddie have a marvelous week together. What Emma doesn't know is that Maria broke up publicly with Eddie just last weekend. She will not his plus one at their friends wedding.
When Eddie sees Emma again, he knows she is the one that got away. He also knows that he hurt her. Can he tell her his truths. Can she tell him his.
When they are stuck together in one of the honeymoon suits she reserved to convince her EX to propose. Now she has put the breaks on the Jerk who hurt her. But a truth & dare kiss pushed by their friends. have them both realize they have chemistry together.
Eddie was always a playboy but he believed when he met Emma a year ago. That he would build a future with this woman. Until his demons took the better of him & he believed he didn't deserve true happiness.
He was determined to purchase a house in Dublin for his brother. After driving the car that caused his brother Matthew to become Paralyzed. Because of this tragic event it made Eddie his own emotional Paralyzation. He didn't believe he deserve happiness. What Eddie doesn't know about the house he is trying to purchase a few houses away from his own. Is Emma is bidding for that same beach property for her new venture in her beauty business.
Instead Eddie makes one Bad decisions after another for the following year. 1st mistake hooking up with fame seeker, drama queen, Maria famous tennis player who also happens to create her own Public scandals On a daily basis both on & off the court. Drugs alcohol & public displays have affection with men other than her so called boyfriend. The Latest publicity breaking up with Eddie Harrington.
The story has secrets, regret, emotional skeletons that cause hurting people you love.
It's also about redemption, sacrifice, forgiveness & starting over.
Eddie Harrington 🏉Rugby Hooker on the Irish National hottest Rugby team.
Over a year ago, his life changed in two different incidents.
1st he met the woman of his dreams Emma. Where they had a night of passionate sex. They both believed they had chestrity & that they could continue their relationship once they left their time together.
Unfortunately Eddie made the biggest tragic incident of his life. This life changing event forced him to walk away from a potentially happiness with a beautiful woman.
Eddie was driving the car that changed his brother Matthew's life forever. because of a tragic accident that changed his life forever. Because of that incident it caused Eddie to believe he was not worthy of true happiness.
Unfortunately, because of this emotional pain, he choice to hurt the women he could have had a real relationship with & their friends engagement party. Emma never has one night stands, but their was something about Eddie that she believed that they would connect afterwards. Instead he ghosted her without an explanation. Which not only broke her Emma's heart, but her confidence & trust in men. It also caused he to believe that every relationship she started would be with the ONE!
Now it's a year later, &literally Emma got dumped right before her boyfriend was to join her at the wedding of Abby & Cullen in Croatia.
A year later Eddie is now the best man at his fellow teammate, friend Cullen wedding. While the bride to be Abby is Emma's best friend. She knew Eddie Harrington was going to be at the wedding. He is the best man. But she didn't expect that he would be on the same flight or land in the same room together. Well Emma could avoid the jerk? Emma was trying to be nice by switching seats to a family & emds up sitting... You guessed it... The Hunky Rugby player himself. The man that broke her heart.
His current girlfriend is a tennis star, so Emma will be alone while she gets to watch the drama queen Maria & Eddie have a marvelous week together. What Emma doesn't know is that Maria broke up publicly with Eddie just last weekend. She will not his plus one at their friends wedding.
When Eddie sees Emma again, he knows she is the one that got away. He also knows that he hurt her. Can he tell her his truths. Can she tell him his.
When they are stuck together in one of the honeymoon suits she reserved to convince her EX to propose. Now she has put the breaks on the Jerk who hurt her. But a truth & dare kiss pushed by their friends. have them both realize they have chemistry together.
Eddie was always a playboy but he believed when he met Emma a year ago. That he would build a future with this woman. Until his demons took the better of him & he believed he didn't deserve true happiness.
He was determined to purchase a house in Dublin for his brother. After driving the car that caused his brother Matthew to become Paralyzed. Because of this tragic event it made Eddie his own emotional Paralyzation. He didn't believe he deserve happiness. What Eddie doesn't know about the house he is trying to purchase a few houses away from his own. Is Emma is bidding for that same beach property for her new venture in her beauty business.
Instead Eddie makes one Bad decisions after another for the following year. 1st mistake hooking up with fame seeker, drama queen, Maria famous tennis player who also happens to create her own Public scandals On a daily basis both on & off the court. Drugs alcohol & public displays have affection with men other than her so called boyfriend. The Latest publicity breaking up with Eddie Harrington.
July 14, 2025
Emma is a serial dater who just wants to be married. Eddie has just broken up with a tennis player
Emma and Eddie hooked up a year ago and he promised her everything but then ghosted her. I just read a book with the story and it was awful so I wasn’t expecting much but it was slightly better
They are at Callum and Abby’s (first book) wedding. There is a mix up and they end up sharing a room. He is not in the right space to be in a relationship but he goes from nothing can happen to I want a second chance in one chapter.
They are both bidding on a building. She wants it for her new spa and he wants it for his disabled brother and his family. Its clear early on they are bidding on the same place.
She is adamant that nothing is going to happen but one kiss and she is all his. But he doesn’t think he deserves her and that she will leave after she finds out.
What he did isn’t even bad, I get why he is beating himself up but if even your brothers tells you to get over it then do it!
So they hang out for a few days and decide to give been together a real chance but they both kind of realise about the house at the same time and he wins so they fight.
He figures out a way to get her to forgive him which honestly I thought was dumb. You cant tell me there wasn’t another place available somewhere on Dublin.
Just as she decides to give him another chance his ex shows up and tells him she is pregs and he leaves with her. Leaving Emma heartbroken again.
He gets in to an accident with his ex and finds out at the hospital she is not pregs so he leaves.
Emma wont speak to him so he goes on a talk show and tells everyone what happened with his brother and his ex and how much he loves Emma. Seemed a bit unnecessary but whatever.
She forgives him too easy and then its done. More HFN than HEA
This was just ok. They were both kinda dramatic
Emma and Eddie hooked up a year ago and he promised her everything but then ghosted her. I just read a book with the story and it was awful so I wasn’t expecting much but it was slightly better
They are at Callum and Abby’s (first book) wedding. There is a mix up and they end up sharing a room. He is not in the right space to be in a relationship but he goes from nothing can happen to I want a second chance in one chapter.
They are both bidding on a building. She wants it for her new spa and he wants it for his disabled brother and his family. Its clear early on they are bidding on the same place.
She is adamant that nothing is going to happen but one kiss and she is all his. But he doesn’t think he deserves her and that she will leave after she finds out.
What he did isn’t even bad, I get why he is beating himself up but if even your brothers tells you to get over it then do it!
So they hang out for a few days and decide to give been together a real chance but they both kind of realise about the house at the same time and he wins so they fight.
He figures out a way to get her to forgive him which honestly I thought was dumb. You cant tell me there wasn’t another place available somewhere on Dublin.
Just as she decides to give him another chance his ex shows up and tells him she is pregs and he leaves with her. Leaving Emma heartbroken again.
He gets in to an accident with his ex and finds out at the hospital she is not pregs so he leaves.
Emma wont speak to him so he goes on a talk show and tells everyone what happened with his brother and his ex and how much he loves Emma. Seemed a bit unnecessary but whatever.
She forgives him too easy and then its done. More HFN than HEA
This was just ok. They were both kinda dramatic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2021
Heading into book 2 of the romcom series written by this lovely Irish author and I had high hopes for this one to meet the same love that the first book did (𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 & 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟). This book has all of the above and was the perfect book cleanser for my summer reading.
Callum is a famous rugby player who is known quite literally as a player from the outside and yet is just a family guy with a lot of self pain that he’s hiding inside. On the other hand you have successful, strong business woman Emma who had one unforgettable night with Callum a year before but never heard from him after. She refuses to open her heart to that fire he ignited in her until they’re brought together for a friend’s wedding in Croatia.
𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘓𝘺𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘺! 𝘔𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴.
I think I have another couple I love to love. Callum & Emma.
“𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮l”.
𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘯-𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘥
Comes out on July 30. If you’re looking for a summer beach read, this one is it. That said, don’t forget about the first in the series… this is a stand-alone but the characters from the previous book are also in this one. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥.
October 16, 2021
If you’re after a fantastic contemporary romance novel then you must read this one. It’s set in the world of the Irish national rugby team and in Croatia, where the team are assembled for a wedding. Emma is reeling after being dumped by her boyfriend, and steeling herself for an encounter with ‘the one that got away’. She had a life-changing night of passion with rugby legend Eddie a year ago, but then he ghosted her. In the idyllic setting of Croatia, he wants to try again, and when they end up having to share the honeymoon suite, he hopes he’s in with a chance to make amends.
I loved this book for so many reasons. It’s brilliantly written, fantastically plotted, and is full of emotion. I particularly resonated with Emma’s struggle to find acceptance from her mother, and her journey to realising her beauty did not depend on her make-up was perfectly handled.
Love & Other Games is a wonderful read for every occasion. Whether you’re on a Croatian beach, or tucked up in bed, it’s a book which ticks every box. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I loved this book for so many reasons. It’s brilliantly written, fantastically plotted, and is full of emotion. I particularly resonated with Emma’s struggle to find acceptance from her mother, and her journey to realising her beauty did not depend on her make-up was perfectly handled.
Love & Other Games is a wonderful read for every occasion. Whether you’re on a Croatian beach, or tucked up in bed, it’s a book which ticks every box. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
August 17, 2025
Emma & Eddie ❤️
✈️Emma’s on her way to her best friend’s wedding in Croatia when her boyfriend tells her he can’t join her and thinks they should break up. When she’s seated next to Irish rugby player Eddie on the plane, she can only think about their one night stand a year ago and how he ghosted her afterwards.
✈️Eddie’s recently broken up with his French tennis player girlfriend, but his thoughts are centred on his recently disabled brother. And now on the beautiful brunette that he wished he hadn’t messed things up with.
✏️I read the first story in this series years ago, and just got around to continuing with this second instalment now. I can confirm they read fine as standalones. There is a lot going on in both Emma and Eddie’s lives, and while they met a year ago, there’s a lot of instalove going on here. Also a lot of judgement, directed both at themselves and at each other.
Read on Kindle
My rating 3.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫
Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021
✈️Emma’s on her way to her best friend’s wedding in Croatia when her boyfriend tells her he can’t join her and thinks they should break up. When she’s seated next to Irish rugby player Eddie on the plane, she can only think about their one night stand a year ago and how he ghosted her afterwards.
✈️Eddie’s recently broken up with his French tennis player girlfriend, but his thoughts are centred on his recently disabled brother. And now on the beautiful brunette that he wished he hadn’t messed things up with.
✏️I read the first story in this series years ago, and just got around to continuing with this second instalment now. I can confirm they read fine as standalones. There is a lot going on in both Emma and Eddie’s lives, and while they met a year ago, there’s a lot of instalove going on here. Also a lot of judgement, directed both at themselves and at each other.
Read on Kindle
My rating 3.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫
Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021
August 11, 2022
Emma Harvey and Eddie Harrington hooked up a year ago, and now they meet again, at their friends' wedding. Lots of things have happened since, but their chemistry is as strong as it was then.
Emma is a succesful woman, with several beauty shops, but is full of insecurities.
Eddie is a rugby player, really easygoing until last year, when an accident happened and it became one of his Big secrets and regrets.
Of course something had to happen so they can not avoid each other and are forced to be together, and I like how it happened.
And with all that time together, they let that chemistry play, although there are a few problems in their path and they have to learn to deal with their own demons in order to survive as a couple.
The big romantic gesture is one that I've read a few times already, but even so, I liked it, It lead to a well deserved HEA.
Emma is a succesful woman, with several beauty shops, but is full of insecurities.
Eddie is a rugby player, really easygoing until last year, when an accident happened and it became one of his Big secrets and regrets.
Of course something had to happen so they can not avoid each other and are forced to be together, and I like how it happened.
And with all that time together, they let that chemistry play, although there are a few problems in their path and they have to learn to deal with their own demons in order to survive as a couple.
The big romantic gesture is one that I've read a few times already, but even so, I liked it, It lead to a well deserved HEA.
August 7, 2021
Lyndsey has come up with yet another wonderful romance between two fascinating characters.
I was sucked straight in from the introduction and was cheering for them in the hope that their budding relationship worked out.
I loved the psychology behind the characters. On the surface, Emma appears super confident but deep down she craves reassurance. Eddie hides his inner angst by using humour, but is secretly rather hard on himself. With a picturesque setting and a satisfying outcome, this is a summer read you wont want to put down!
I was sucked straight in from the introduction and was cheering for them in the hope that their budding relationship worked out.
I loved the psychology behind the characters. On the surface, Emma appears super confident but deep down she craves reassurance. Eddie hides his inner angst by using humour, but is secretly rather hard on himself. With a picturesque setting and a satisfying outcome, this is a summer read you wont want to put down!
February 14, 2022
I am loving The Professional Players Series and this book does not disappoint. Emma and Eddie met at a friends engagement party and spent an amazing night together. Then he ghosted her. A year later, gathered at the same friends wedding week, they come face to face and their chemistry is undeniable. Is a second chance even possible? Set in a gorgeous Croatian resort, Gallagher does another superb job of writing a wonderful romance with plenty of passion, fun, a few twists and turns, and truly endearing characters. A perfect weekend read! I highly recommend!
January 6, 2026
Another Good Read
Loving this series of books, next one already downloaded.
Eddie sounds like an emotional man, hiding behind his funny character.
Emma sounds gorgeous, hiding under her make up.
What a beautiful, powerful couple they are. And their story is just lovely.
Third time lucky for the one that got away. 😜😘
Loving this series of books, next one already downloaded.
Eddie sounds like an emotional man, hiding behind his funny character.
Emma sounds gorgeous, hiding under her make up.
What a beautiful, powerful couple they are. And their story is just lovely.
Third time lucky for the one that got away. 😜😘
August 1, 2021
Book 2 of this series by Lyndsey and it didn't disappoint! I love a book where I am sucked into the story that I feel like I am sat there in the corner watching the story around me. These characters are so relatable....book 3 pre-ordered....CAN'T WAIT.
June 6, 2023
Forgiveness
I highly recommend this book! It has a great cast of friends and a loving, supportive family that is inspiring. This book has a little bit of comedy and drama wrapped up in a beautiful romance.
I highly recommend this book! It has a great cast of friends and a loving, supportive family that is inspiring. This book has a little bit of comedy and drama wrapped up in a beautiful romance.
May 15, 2022
An absolute page turner. I read this book in less than a day, i couldn't put it down. I loved the chracters, the story and scenery. I absolutely loved it. Can't wait to read book 3.
June 27, 2023
Another lovely read. Great depth of characters.
February 10, 2024
A Sweet Second chance Must read!
Emma and Eddie- a match made in heaven- love how strong Emma is and how vulnerable Eddie becomes. Lyndsey delivers!
Emma and Eddie- a match made in heaven- love how strong Emma is and how vulnerable Eddie becomes. Lyndsey delivers!
April 17, 2024
Quick easy read.. couldn’t put it down.
February 13, 2022
Emma and Eddie! I couldn’t get enough of you! Another really exciting read that I devoured in 24 hours. I loved it so much. Thanks!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews