What do you think?
Rate this book
Press Play
I am the grand master.
I set the rules, and I call the plays.
You’re now my new puppet until I say The End.
What I want is simple, one word: revenge.
Don't think of me as your enemy, but don't mistake me for a friend.
You are looking for answers, and I like to play games.
Two steps forward and three steps back, be careful because I like to make little girls cry.
If you are ready, then you know what to do.
Press Play and pray to God you don't lose.
I set the rules, and I call the plays.
You’re now my new puppet until I say The End.
What I want is simple, one word: revenge.
Don't think of me as your enemy, but don't mistake me for a friend.
You are looking for answers, and I like to play games.
Two steps forward and three steps back, be careful because I like to make little girls cry.
If you are ready, then you know what to do.
Press Play and pray to God you don't lose.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2022
72 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
C. Lymari
37 books1,102 followersClaudia lives in the Chicagoland suburbs, and when she's not busy chasing after her adorable little spawn, she's fighting with the characters in her head. After not being able to keep up with them, she decided enough was enough and wrote her first novel.
Claudia writes both sweet and dark romances that will give you all the feels. Her other talents include binge watching shows on Netflix and eating all kinds of chips.
Sign up for my newsletter
https://bit.ly/clymarinl
Follow me on IG
https://www.instagram.com/c.lymari
Follow me on FB
https://www.facebook.com/clymari
Join my Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/c.lym...
Claudia writes both sweet and dark romances that will give you all the feels. Her other talents include binge watching shows on Netflix and eating all kinds of chips.
Sign up for my newsletter
https://bit.ly/clymarinl
Follow me on IG
https://www.instagram.com/c.lymari
Follow me on FB
https://www.facebook.com/clymari
Join my Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/c.lym...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 1, 2022
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
'🅿🆁🅴🆂🆂 🅿🅻🅰🆈' Is a suspenseful thrilling full length stand-alone romance book by author C. Lymari. Spoken in 'Multiple POV's.
Like the movie 'SAW' Press Play and watch a video orchestrated by an unknown opponent as they race against a ticking clock will determine weither they survive the game. Like players on a chess board a game of cat and mouse ensues as they try to outwit the gamer.
The game had nothing whatsoever to do with Valeria she found a black disk by accident, upon watching what unfolded on her laptop made her come under the perpetrators radar. But what she watched will forever leave a mark. Now she's thrust into a game where her life depends on it.
'𝕸𝖞 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖉 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖉𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖘 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕴 𝖉𝖎𝖉𝖓'𝖙 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜 𝖜𝖍𝖎𝖈𝖍 𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖘 𝖙𝖔 𝖙𝖗𝖚𝖘𝖙 𝖆𝖓𝖞𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖊.'
Cairo Stone used to be Valeria Franco's brother's best friend and her first crush but after becoming a scapegoat over a night which changed their lives forever he turned his back on them. Now he's brought back into the fold when Valeria seeks his help.
Their chemistry was off the charts hot, they were perfect for each other and I loved these two together.
This was so easy to get into, hard to put down, twists and turns which left me hoping for more, I didn't want it to end, I wanted, needed, craved more.
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
Read
May 21, 2022𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑺 𝑷𝑳𝑨𝒀, an all new dark romance standalone is releasing June 10th!
What to expect:
🤍Enemies-to-Lovers
🤍Heroine in Danger
🤍Angsty
🤍Best Friends Sibling
🤍Anti-Hero
🤍Latinx, Virgin Heroine
🤍Revenge
🤍Multicultural
🤍Escaping a Killer
𝐓𝐁𝐑: https://bit.ly/pressplaytbr
𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐔𝐏: https://greyspromo.com/clymari/
What to expect:
🤍Enemies-to-Lovers
🤍Heroine in Danger
🤍Angsty
🤍Best Friends Sibling
🤍Anti-Hero
🤍Latinx, Virgin Heroine
🤍Revenge
🤍Multicultural
🤍Escaping a Killer
𝐓𝐁𝐑: https://bit.ly/pressplaytbr
𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐔𝐏: https://greyspromo.com/clymari/
June 15, 2022
A childhood crush turns into the love of your life
Valeria, the sheltered daughter and youngest child on an influential Latina family, has always carried a flame for Cairo, her brother’s best friend. But as a girl, Valeria didn’t have the autonomy her brother did even as a well-known social influencer; not to mention, after she shows him her true feelings, Cairo also rejects her. Cairo is from a privileged family, until he is outcast. Years later, the two meet as Valeria seeks answers having “pressed play” and unleashed an enemy puppeteering precarious events that link Cairo, Valeria, and other prominent families of their circle. This story is largely a romantic thriller with a bad boy and classy, almost prissy heroine, in a gentle nod to JigSaw with a hint of the Ring. A film noir of romantic interludes as mysterious events peel away until the big truth is revealed.
Cairo is the sexy, arrogant jerk – but not really – that you’ve always wanted, and Valeria, despite her innocence, is no pushover. She is confident, knows what she wants, and what she will tolerate. They are an excellent match as they unravel the ills of this mystery. Their attraction was push and pull, ever burning, and always consensual. Though not the spiciest story (3/5), there was some welcome steam especially when Cairo demonstrated his jealousy and claimed Valeria. (Such a hot scene!)
I really loved the diversity: a caramel-toned, charming heroine, a prosperous Latina family set in an elite playing field. I would also like to read more about the side characters (Rafe, for instance) who were integral to the story development. A progressive pace and told in first person, I really enjoyed this story.
Valeria, the sheltered daughter and youngest child on an influential Latina family, has always carried a flame for Cairo, her brother’s best friend. But as a girl, Valeria didn’t have the autonomy her brother did even as a well-known social influencer; not to mention, after she shows him her true feelings, Cairo also rejects her. Cairo is from a privileged family, until he is outcast. Years later, the two meet as Valeria seeks answers having “pressed play” and unleashed an enemy puppeteering precarious events that link Cairo, Valeria, and other prominent families of their circle. This story is largely a romantic thriller with a bad boy and classy, almost prissy heroine, in a gentle nod to JigSaw with a hint of the Ring. A film noir of romantic interludes as mysterious events peel away until the big truth is revealed.
Cairo is the sexy, arrogant jerk – but not really – that you’ve always wanted, and Valeria, despite her innocence, is no pushover. She is confident, knows what she wants, and what she will tolerate. They are an excellent match as they unravel the ills of this mystery. Their attraction was push and pull, ever burning, and always consensual. Though not the spiciest story (3/5), there was some welcome steam especially when Cairo demonstrated his jealousy and claimed Valeria. (Such a hot scene!)
I really loved the diversity: a caramel-toned, charming heroine, a prosperous Latina family set in an elite playing field. I would also like to read more about the side characters (Rafe, for instance) who were integral to the story development. A progressive pace and told in first person, I really enjoyed this story.
June 9, 2022
At 23, Valeria Franco, a sheltered social media influencer, has tragically lost her brother, Eloy Franco.
When she visits his apartment to feel closer to him, she unwittingly opens Pandora’s Box of secrets, placing herself in the middle of a psychotic game where the stakes are life or death.
With the clock ticking against a faceless opponent, Valeria seeks help from Eloy’s former best friend, Cairo Stone. Press Play follows Valeria and Cairo as they attempt to unearth all the clues before the alarm sounds.
This suspenseful story has all my favorite elements: forbidden love, a mystery I couldn’t unravel, heaps of sėxüaI tension, and a delicious alphahole.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶🌶
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: HEA
POV: Multiple
🗂 Genre: Dark Romance
✨ Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Angsty, Forbidden, Revenge, POC, Virgin H/h
⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care. It’s definitely NSFW or with a kiddo by your side. In fact, I would highly recommend you read this one after dark to avoid side eye or awkward conversations.
⚠️ Safety Squad: If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Press Play is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
When she visits his apartment to feel closer to him, she unwittingly opens Pandora’s Box of secrets, placing herself in the middle of a psychotic game where the stakes are life or death.
With the clock ticking against a faceless opponent, Valeria seeks help from Eloy’s former best friend, Cairo Stone. Press Play follows Valeria and Cairo as they attempt to unearth all the clues before the alarm sounds.
This suspenseful story has all my favorite elements: forbidden love, a mystery I couldn’t unravel, heaps of sėxüaI tension, and a delicious alphahole.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶🌶
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: HEA
POV: Multiple
🗂 Genre: Dark Romance
✨ Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Angsty, Forbidden, Revenge, POC, Virgin H/h
⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care. It’s definitely NSFW or with a kiddo by your side. In fact, I would highly recommend you read this one after dark to avoid side eye or awkward conversations.
⚠️ Safety Squad: If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Press Play is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
April 25, 2023
Press Play was everything I hoped it would be: suspenseful, dark, romantic, and hot!
Valeria felt like a REAL person to me, and her struggles and wishes were relatable. Her chemistry with Cairo was palpable, and their scenes were just hot!!! (Especially all the scratching and biting 😏)
Cairo: man...this guy...He was W H I P P E D!
Although he says he doesn't do relationships, it was pretty clear early on that he considered Valeria HIS!
He was the definition of the "Touch her, and you die"-Trope (He actually said that line once!)
I love how possessive he was, but also admired that Valeria stood up for herself when he was in the wrong! And there's GROVELING (one of my favorite tropes!)😫
The GRAND MASTER was horrifying, creepy, and so mysterious! I always tried to guess who it could be.
And oh boy...the twists and turns in this book have kept me interested and made me binge it in one sitting!
The only thing I did not like was the short flashbacks of things that happened only a little while ago. But it was not a big deal, and I did enjoy the longer ones looking back at young Valeria and her crush on Cairo!
The Falcon's Prey references were one of my favorite things! I love it when authors add little easter eggs of their other books for people who have already read these stories.
Overall, another book by C. Lymari that I really enjoyed and can only recommend!
🗂Genre: Dark Romance
📕Type: Standalone
🏷Tropes:
- "Touch her, and you die"
- possessive Hero
- strong Latina heroine
- hurt/comfort
- suspense & mind games
- dead Brother's ex-best friend
- groveling!!!
- spice (with biting and scratching 😏)
⚠️Safety: https://www.clymaribooks.com/triggerw...
📖Format: 1st person, dual POV
🎧Theme song: Mind Games - Sickick, losing game - Cjbeards,
🎨Fanart I've created: GRAND MASTER
Valeria felt like a REAL person to me, and her struggles and wishes were relatable. Her chemistry with Cairo was palpable, and their scenes were just hot!!! (Especially all the scratching and biting 😏)
Cairo: man...this guy...He was W H I P P E D!
Although he says he doesn't do relationships, it was pretty clear early on that he considered Valeria HIS!
"I wasn't the kind of man to make promises I couldn't keep. Hell, I never made them anymore, but I felt the need to make a vow to her. What was proving loyalty without a little bloodshed?"
....WHIPPED!!!
He was the definition of the "Touch her, and you die"-Trope (He actually said that line once!)
I love how possessive he was, but also admired that Valeria stood up for herself when he was in the wrong! And there's GROVELING (one of my favorite tropes!)😫
"That's also when I noticed one of my security guards rubbing soothing circles on Valeria's arms - probably trying to comfort her. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to me without thinking. I didn't pay my men to flirt."
The GRAND MASTER was horrifying, creepy, and so mysterious! I always tried to guess who it could be.
And oh boy...the twists and turns in this book have kept me interested and made me binge it in one sitting!
The only thing I did not like was the short flashbacks of things that happened only a little while ago. But it was not a big deal, and I did enjoy the longer ones looking back at young Valeria and her crush on Cairo!
The Falcon's Prey references were one of my favorite things! I love it when authors add little easter eggs of their other books for people who have already read these stories.
"Falcon, we need a favor", Rafe asked, "No shit, I didn't get up at three in the fucking morning to come to paint your fucking nails."
Overall, another book by C. Lymari that I really enjoyed and can only recommend!
🗂Genre: Dark Romance
📕Type: Standalone
🏷Tropes:
- "Touch her, and you die"
- possessive Hero
- strong Latina heroine
- hurt/comfort
- suspense & mind games
- dead Brother's ex-best friend
- groveling!!!
- spice (with biting and scratching 😏)
⚠️Safety: https://www.clymaribooks.com/triggerw...
📖Format: 1st person, dual POV
🎧Theme song: Mind Games - Sickick, losing game - Cjbeards,
🎨Fanart I've created: GRAND MASTER
June 10, 2022
NOW LIVE!
wow wow wow..i mean is it even a surprise i rated this 5 stars? no
tropesss👇
-possessive hero
-grovelling
-romantic suspense
-brothers (ex) best friend
-v!rgin Latina heroine
you guys i literally cannot tell you how excited i was for this book!!!! spicy romantic suspense = my thing.
okay okay let’s get into it. this follows Cairo and Valeria who get tangled into the web of a killer plotting revenge. they always had a thing for each other cause Cairo is Valerias (dead) brothers (ex) best friend, so of course them having to be together for this ride is like tension central!!
as always, no spoilers so we are ending it off there, BUT i say how much i literally love these two characters. Valeria is a social media love guru and knows her fcking worth. like are you kidding me it was so good to see. she also did it in a way without being cringy, so i loved that.
her and Cairo together were just super hot, like chemistry all over. they don’t love each other at first, so the tension is like omg😩 also the little flashes we saw of Ren and Ehmber!!!! stoppppp!
Cairo stretched his hand, and they did a man shake. Ren started to walk away and examine the car when I blurted the words, “Your girlfriend is beautiful.”
He smirked at me and then said, “I know.”
aghhhh! if you don’t know, that’s from C Lymari’s other book, Falcons Prey.
GO READ IT NOW!!
so yeah, enjoyed this so much. the romance was 5/5, i won’t be forgetting these two for a while, but i was expecting a bit more from the suspense plot. it definitely confused me at the end so i thought i knew who it was then it wasn’t! i was expecting just a little more but still solid, totally enjoyed, and fully recommend!!
4.5/5⭐️
3.5/5🔥
wow wow wow..i mean is it even a surprise i rated this 5 stars? no
tropesss👇
-possessive hero
-grovelling
-romantic suspense
-brothers (ex) best friend
-v!rgin Latina heroine
you guys i literally cannot tell you how excited i was for this book!!!! spicy romantic suspense = my thing.
okay okay let’s get into it. this follows Cairo and Valeria who get tangled into the web of a killer plotting revenge. they always had a thing for each other cause Cairo is Valerias (dead) brothers (ex) best friend, so of course them having to be together for this ride is like tension central!!
as always, no spoilers so we are ending it off there, BUT i say how much i literally love these two characters. Valeria is a social media love guru and knows her fcking worth. like are you kidding me it was so good to see. she also did it in a way without being cringy, so i loved that.
her and Cairo together were just super hot, like chemistry all over. they don’t love each other at first, so the tension is like omg😩 also the little flashes we saw of Ren and Ehmber!!!! stoppppp!
Cairo stretched his hand, and they did a man shake. Ren started to walk away and examine the car when I blurted the words, “Your girlfriend is beautiful.”
He smirked at me and then said, “I know.”
aghhhh! if you don’t know, that’s from C Lymari’s other book, Falcons Prey.
GO READ IT NOW!!
so yeah, enjoyed this so much. the romance was 5/5, i won’t be forgetting these two for a while, but i was expecting a bit more from the suspense plot. it definitely confused me at the end so i thought i knew who it was then it wasn’t! i was expecting just a little more but still solid, totally enjoyed, and fully recommend!!
4.5/5⭐️
3.5/5🔥
May 19, 2023
I didn't really like either of the main characters. And the book felt like it dragged and was too rushed at the same time. I was honestly just confused too.
And the main guy called her kitten 🤮 I hate that pet name so I was cringing half the book.
And the main guy called her kitten 🤮 I hate that pet name so I was cringing half the book.
June 19, 2022
***4,5 "Game over!!!" stars***
Welcome to the game...
Wow!!! What a crazy, intense and suspensful ride was that!!! I freakin' loved it!!!
Claudia's writing is always easygoing and the turns are always unexpected!!!
I love how her mind is working... dark and twisted...
The world that she has created in here was full of greedy monsters and our heroes' pull toward each other was electrifying...
Add to that "The Grand Master" and his sick plays and you had the perfect mix for a crazy ride that will give you such an adrenalide rush!!!
"I am the grand master.
I set the rules, and I call the plays.
You’re now my new puppet until I say The End.
What I want is simple, one word: revenge.
Don't think of me as your enemy, but don't mistake me for a friend.
You are looking for answers, and I like to play games.
Two steps forward and three steps back, be careful because I like to make little girls cry.
If you are ready, then you know what to do.
Press Play and pray to God you don't lose.
There is someone out there that is liking to play twisted games and to torture his victims in a sick way of a twisted revenge...
Valeria doesn't fit into his plans until she is finding a black disk and she is deciding to see what's in there!!!
What she's finding is something that she wasn't expecting and it is shattering her reality...
and even though she wasn't on the Grand Master's radar, she is coming into the spotlight and he wants to make her his heroine of his game...
Valeria needs help and she is seeking it to Cairo Stone, her brother's ex best friend and her ex-crush!!! But Cairo is not who he used to be!!! Will he help her after all and with what cost???
"Cairo Stone was my first fantasy and my last nightmare."
From this moment, Valeria and Cairo are entering a sick game and the ultimate prize is to stay alive!!!
Someone is playing with them and they need to find a way to fight back....
Of course, in this crazy situation lust and love don't have a place, but the pull between our heroes is too big to be ignored and all consuming....
Time is running out and they need to play the game cleverly in order to survive!!!
Will they have a chance to win this sick game or the Grand Master will make them pay???
"My world was filled with demons and I didn't know which ones to trust anymore."
Valeria was not your usually heroine. She was too proper even though she was an influencer with huge numbers of followers...
She was very strict in her beliefs and love was like an illussion for her...
Cairo's reappearance in her life made her tarnish every single advice that she was giving to her followers... But I was feeling sorryfor her cause her reality was much different than the image that she was projecting into her social media... plus everything she used to know weren't what she ethought they were and she was starting to feel kind of lost!!!
I liked the way she was losing control while she was with Cairo!!!
"It was like I was living in a glasshouse. I let everyone see how perfect my life was, even if it were a lie. The thing about glasshouses was that it only took one crack for them to shatter apart."
What can I say about Cairo??? I loved this guy so much...
He used to be someone important until they used him and he lost everything...
He took the blame and he vowed to prove them wrong someday...
And that day has finally come, even though it is laced with tragedies...
Valeria was the bonus that he never expected to ever taste and now, that he wasn't owing nothing to anyone, he was about to take what he was always craving...
Plus, he was determined to play the game properly and to save the princess no matter what....
"If anyone was fucking with Valeria's life, it would be me. The sins of her brother must be atoned for."
I loved this story very much...
It gave me such a rush...
It was dark, gritty, raw, intriguing and very sexy....
Yep, the romance was intense and amazing.... but the whole atmosphere of this book was getting under your skin and you couldn't put the book down until the very last page...
I adore Claudia Lymari's writing and I can not wait for more stories of hers!!!
"You and me, kitten, we are going to get through this."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
Welcome to the game...
Wow!!! What a crazy, intense and suspensful ride was that!!! I freakin' loved it!!!
Claudia's writing is always easygoing and the turns are always unexpected!!!
I love how her mind is working... dark and twisted...
The world that she has created in here was full of greedy monsters and our heroes' pull toward each other was electrifying...
Add to that "The Grand Master" and his sick plays and you had the perfect mix for a crazy ride that will give you such an adrenalide rush!!!
"I am the grand master.
I set the rules, and I call the plays.
You’re now my new puppet until I say The End.
What I want is simple, one word: revenge.
Don't think of me as your enemy, but don't mistake me for a friend.
You are looking for answers, and I like to play games.
Two steps forward and three steps back, be careful because I like to make little girls cry.
If you are ready, then you know what to do.
Press Play and pray to God you don't lose.
There is someone out there that is liking to play twisted games and to torture his victims in a sick way of a twisted revenge...
Valeria doesn't fit into his plans until she is finding a black disk and she is deciding to see what's in there!!!
What she's finding is something that she wasn't expecting and it is shattering her reality...
and even though she wasn't on the Grand Master's radar, she is coming into the spotlight and he wants to make her his heroine of his game...
Valeria needs help and she is seeking it to Cairo Stone, her brother's ex best friend and her ex-crush!!! But Cairo is not who he used to be!!! Will he help her after all and with what cost???
"Cairo Stone was my first fantasy and my last nightmare."
From this moment, Valeria and Cairo are entering a sick game and the ultimate prize is to stay alive!!!
Someone is playing with them and they need to find a way to fight back....
Of course, in this crazy situation lust and love don't have a place, but the pull between our heroes is too big to be ignored and all consuming....
Time is running out and they need to play the game cleverly in order to survive!!!
Will they have a chance to win this sick game or the Grand Master will make them pay???
"My world was filled with demons and I didn't know which ones to trust anymore."
Valeria was not your usually heroine. She was too proper even though she was an influencer with huge numbers of followers...
She was very strict in her beliefs and love was like an illussion for her...
Cairo's reappearance in her life made her tarnish every single advice that she was giving to her followers... But I was feeling sorryfor her cause her reality was much different than the image that she was projecting into her social media... plus everything she used to know weren't what she ethought they were and she was starting to feel kind of lost!!!
I liked the way she was losing control while she was with Cairo!!!
"It was like I was living in a glasshouse. I let everyone see how perfect my life was, even if it were a lie. The thing about glasshouses was that it only took one crack for them to shatter apart."
What can I say about Cairo??? I loved this guy so much...
He used to be someone important until they used him and he lost everything...
He took the blame and he vowed to prove them wrong someday...
And that day has finally come, even though it is laced with tragedies...
Valeria was the bonus that he never expected to ever taste and now, that he wasn't owing nothing to anyone, he was about to take what he was always craving...
Plus, he was determined to play the game properly and to save the princess no matter what....
"If anyone was fucking with Valeria's life, it would be me. The sins of her brother must be atoned for."
I loved this story very much...
It gave me such a rush...
It was dark, gritty, raw, intriguing and very sexy....
Yep, the romance was intense and amazing.... but the whole atmosphere of this book was getting under your skin and you couldn't put the book down until the very last page...
I adore Claudia Lymari's writing and I can not wait for more stories of hers!!!
"You and me, kitten, we are going to get through this."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
October 28, 2022
this man is a walking red flag and not the sexy kind…
July 1, 2022
This was good. Solid writing with a strong nod to Saw and the Ring.
June 9, 2022
If Saw, Jigsaw and The Ring had a baby, then Press Play would be it but in a book form.
Taking the best of many worlds, Claudia put her own spin with a twist in this creation. Ultimately presenting us with a psychological thriller that is action packed, with deep mysteries waiting to be uncovered. All whilst unknowingly being puppets on a string trying to cut free from the Grand Master who is ultimately controlling the game.
The narrative of Press Play will consume you wholly, keeping you on the edge of your seat whilst biting your nails in anticipation and suspense trying to navigate yourself in the intricate labyrinth that was the story of Cairo Stone and Valeria ‘Vale’ Franco.
Claudia honestly did a phenomenal job in writing such a twisted psychological thriller that you will devour each and every page. Ultimately completing the book in one sitting, yet still yearn for more despite it being over!
Filled with many twists, turns and loops, you will lose yourself in trying to piece together the puzzle pieces to the mysteries that make up the narrative, in which many secrets allude to throughout.
Simultaneously riding the thrilling rollercoaster when it came to the drama and suspenseful action that led to emotional turbulence and turmoil, caused by some seriously unexpected situations and events that ended with some shocking and surprising twists.
The relationship between Cairo and Valeria wasn't easy, causing moments of head butting, pushing and pulling with their back and forth. yet it wasn’t surprising given they no longer shared the relation they had back when they were both younger and were complete opposites too.
With Cairo he was a strong, sexy, arrogant asshole, yet he had his moments where he switched it off. As for Valeria despite her innocence, she was no weakling, the confidence she had allowed her to hold her own and reach for what she wanted.
Cairo and Valeria’s relationship was definitely full of so much tension and not just from the angsty-ness. The build up led to heatwaves being emitted from the two. You could feel the sexual tension grow with every interaction between the two, it was definitely powerful getting stronger with each moment spent together.
Eventually leading to a heaping of Tantalizing, Red-Hot, Fiery steam that is Sexy, Sensual and Spicy at the same time.
The aspect of culture that was brought forth when it came to Valeria was refreshing. Considering Valeria came from a Latina family, Claudia made sure to go into detail including all the details that were necessary to the narrative, seeing as it played an aspect in not only the overall storyline. But it helped with gaining a deeper knowledge into Valeria’s character development, given her culture and heritage played a part of how she grew up and why she was the way she was. Whilst also giving insight into her family, who not only played a key part of her being the way she was too. Simultaneously playing an important part in the main storyline too given their connections that were also apart of pieces of the puzzle.
Hats off to Claudia Lymari! She did it yet again!
Cairo and Valeria’s story was unexpected, intriguing and unique IMO, making it a great enjoyable read overall. Which is why Press Play is officially a TOP FAV 2022 READ of mine!
And so if there was ever a book to read especially if you love psychological horror films like Jigsaw and Saw, then look no further because Press Play is it!
After that can't wait to read Rafe's book next to see how his story plays out.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2022
This book was SO freaking good. Maaan. I haven't found a psychological thriller mixed with romance where one doesn't out weigh the other and flows the way it should, until now. I loved everything about this book from the suspense, twists and turns, the secrets, the crazy hot romance-- it was all just excellent!!
The entire time I was reading, I couldn't help but compare this to the saw franchise, but you know, with a developed plot line and characters you want to root for. I had Tobin Bells voice in my head "do you want to play a game" on repeat, and honestly it did it for me. Don't judge.🤣🤣
I just loved this book so much. The romance and the smut was perfect, along with the heart stopping moments. There's grovel too, and the fact that our characters are POC, and our heroine being an immigrant in a high society world is an important factor.
I'm purposely being as vague as I can, but if you're looking for something different, this is definitely up your alley! Trust me, you don't want to sleep on this book!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions**
The entire time I was reading, I couldn't help but compare this to the saw franchise, but you know, with a developed plot line and characters you want to root for. I had Tobin Bells voice in my head "do you want to play a game" on repeat, and honestly it did it for me. Don't judge.🤣🤣
I just loved this book so much. The romance and the smut was perfect, along with the heart stopping moments. There's grovel too, and the fact that our characters are POC, and our heroine being an immigrant in a high society world is an important factor.
I'm purposely being as vague as I can, but if you're looking for something different, this is definitely up your alley! Trust me, you don't want to sleep on this book!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions**
June 11, 2022
PRESS PLAY AND PRAY TO GOD YOU DON’T LOSE
C.Lymari brings an epic game of cat and mouse with Press Play. This book was dark and thrilling. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time because I literally had no idea how this story was going to unfold. The story of Valeria and and Cairo was addictive. They have a past, Cairo is her brother’s best friend but when her brother ends up dead they are entered into a thrilling game against the clock to try and figure out what happened.
C.Lymari’s mind both equally thrills me and scares me! You never know what you are going to get next and that is what makes her books incredible!
C.Lymari brings an epic game of cat and mouse with Press Play. This book was dark and thrilling. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time because I literally had no idea how this story was going to unfold. The story of Valeria and and Cairo was addictive. They have a past, Cairo is her brother’s best friend but when her brother ends up dead they are entered into a thrilling game against the clock to try and figure out what happened.
C.Lymari’s mind both equally thrills me and scares me! You never know what you are going to get next and that is what makes her books incredible!
June 12, 2022
This book blew my mind! This story right here is why I love this authors writing I don’t want to give too much away I’m afraid of really saying anything so I don’t spoil it but I’m just going to say this was a captivating dark and twisted read it’s sexy and exciting the chemistry between Valeria and Cario is intense and sizzling hot this book was just so freaking good I couldn’t put it down I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out just what in the hell was going on this was such a crazy ride so buckle up and hang on because you’re in for one wild ride ! This book was a masterpiece and definitely gets my five star approval!
June 12, 2022
I have not read a book by C. Lymari that I haven't loved. Cairo and Valeria's story is dark and intense and full of all the drama and I was living for every page of it. Valeria gets into a situation and the one person who could help her out is the one person she shouldn't ask, Cairo her brothers former best friend. These two loved a good game of cat and mouse and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen. These two kept me in suspense. I loved seeing Cairo's possessive side, can we say HOTT!
May 31, 2022
From contemporary romance to dark romance to slightly taboo romance, C. Lymari excels with everything she tries her hand at. Now she written a romance with a thriller twist and I have to say, I like this side of her!
Valeria, NOT Valerie, gets swept up in a game that was never intended for her.
Once the game is in motion, she learns things that turn her world upside down.
She seeks help from her brother's ex best friend and her childhood crush, Cairo.
The chemistry between Valeria and Cairo is h-o-t! The third character is creepy AF! Between the romance and the suspense, I didn't want to put it down!
Valeria, NOT Valerie, gets swept up in a game that was never intended for her.
Once the game is in motion, she learns things that turn her world upside down.
She seeks help from her brother's ex best friend and her childhood crush, Cairo.
The chemistry between Valeria and Cairo is h-o-t! The third character is creepy AF! Between the romance and the suspense, I didn't want to put it down!
June 5, 2022
3.5 stars
Press Play by C. Lymari is a dark enemies to lovers romantic suspense with hard twists and turns. Cairo and Valeria have been pushed into playing a dangerous game where the win is matter of life and death. Conspiracies. Mind games. The world of power, money and politics.
Senator Franco's daughter Valeria is grieving her brother's death. And she feels his onco upon a time best friend Cairo Stone has the answers and she is ready to make a deal with the devil but soon they both are dragged into a game by a mastermind. A crime of past is being uncovered and no one will be spared.
I know that synopsis is very vague because there are a lot of things happening and you need to read it yourself to know about it all. And that was my main issue with the book. So many things were happening here that I found it difficult to concentrate in and attach to the story. Valeria had a crush on Cairo that was crushed by him brutally years ago but they have a flame that just do not go out. Cairo has his own agenda and he has made his own life after his so called friends and families shunned him. He has gathered power and riches but even he has limits when an unknown power is playing puppeteer. Cairo is an antihero with a jealous possessive alpha side. He can be dangerous too. Valeria is a complex character. She has been through a lot and she is at a breaking point. She is fierce and sweet and the drama was really getting to her. I feel we were spending all the time untangling the web of mystery and their chemistry did not get time to get developed as much as I wanted it to be. It was spicy for sure but I was missing emotional connection with them.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Press Play by C. Lymari is a dark enemies to lovers romantic suspense with hard twists and turns. Cairo and Valeria have been pushed into playing a dangerous game where the win is matter of life and death. Conspiracies. Mind games. The world of power, money and politics.
Senator Franco's daughter Valeria is grieving her brother's death. And she feels his onco upon a time best friend Cairo Stone has the answers and she is ready to make a deal with the devil but soon they both are dragged into a game by a mastermind. A crime of past is being uncovered and no one will be spared.
I know that synopsis is very vague because there are a lot of things happening and you need to read it yourself to know about it all. And that was my main issue with the book. So many things were happening here that I found it difficult to concentrate in and attach to the story. Valeria had a crush on Cairo that was crushed by him brutally years ago but they have a flame that just do not go out. Cairo has his own agenda and he has made his own life after his so called friends and families shunned him. He has gathered power and riches but even he has limits when an unknown power is playing puppeteer. Cairo is an antihero with a jealous possessive alpha side. He can be dangerous too. Valeria is a complex character. She has been through a lot and she is at a breaking point. She is fierce and sweet and the drama was really getting to her. I feel we were spending all the time untangling the web of mystery and their chemistry did not get time to get developed as much as I wanted it to be. It was spicy for sure but I was missing emotional connection with them.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
June 10, 2022
I'm fully aware of how talented C. Lymari is since her books sing to my dark & twisty soul, but seriously, she outdid herself with Press Play. See, not only am I dark & twisty, but I'm also bloodthirsy as well many of my movies are slasher, horror, and psychological thrillers, so I have to say Press Play totally reminded me of the Saw movies, and now I really need it to become a movie LOL! It's so intense with twists upon twists that I'm not coming off any detail because HOLY HELL! I certainly don't want to ruin it for anyone to be blown away like I was. I never stopped guessing while on the edge of my seat with heart racing & f-bombs dropping, and I'm telling you, I will be rereading it again asap since I was turning the pages so quickly LOL! I'm still dropping those f-bombs while writing this review because I can't get past all this thrilling goodness still swirling about in my head. Now I'm going to keep this review short & sweet since everyone should just be experiencing it for themselves so buckle up buttercup & enjoy the ride! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
June 7, 2022
OMG! C. Lymari had me wrapped so far around this story I didn’t know where it ended and I began! I was obsessed from the start! The Game Master was not who I expected it to be! Valeria and Cairo were magnificent characters and players in this game! I loved them! This book was unputdownable and I devoured it like a complete addict! C. Lymari really took us on a thriller ride! The secrets, the twists, the unexpected, the race against time. You will not go wrong here! All her books are fantastic! I can’t wait for more amazing reads from here!
March 6, 2023
Plot 4.5/5⭐
Personajes 4.5/5⭐
Brothers Best Friend trope 4/5⭐
Dark Romance 4/5⭐
Spicy 4/5🌶️
“If you touch her again, I swear to God I'll break your hands”
Hace mucho tiempo que no leía un dark romance tan bueno y que me diera tantas vibes de Haunting Adeline (una bilogía que es 10/10 ❤️🔥). El plot es buenísmo con todas esas vibes de un thriller y los recurrentes plot-twist que te cambian las teorías todo el tiempo. El multiple pov es LO MEJOR, sobre todo con el plot que involucra un stalker en busca de venganza de un crimen que fue tapado por gente de situación mas privilegiada (es un rich childs crime en toda regla).
“I was never going to beg someone to love me like I knew I deserve to be loved”
Lo mejor del libro son los personajes, tanto sus desarrollos como identidades son muy buenos. Cada personaje es tan importante y único a su manera que llegué a conectar con muchos. El personaje de Valeria es sin duda el mejor, me identifiqué en muchos sentidos con ella, Valeria es soñadora y romantica en cuanto a lo que quiere con su vida y las personas que la rodean sin dejar de ser realista y conformarse con menos de lo que merece.
“I'm not looking to be someone's good time. I want to be someone's forever, the girl of their dreams. And if it's not you, that´s fine, but don´t waste my time”
(alucino con esta frase a pesar de que me rompe el corazón lol)
Por eso sus interacciones con Cairo son tan 🛐❤️🔥, ambos son muy diferentes en cuanto a lo que quieren pero al final lo que necesitan es lo mismo, solo que se resisten por el miedo a sufrir. Su relación es un tipo de enemies to lovers y forbidden lovers que te tiene enganchado todo el libro con la fuerte tensión entre ellos.
“"He´s not goint to fuck you."
"You´re right. He´s not going to fuck me. He´s going to make love to me. And when I do, then I
guess I can thank you for teaching me how to fuck."”
Personajes 4.5/5⭐
Brothers Best Friend trope 4/5⭐
Dark Romance 4/5⭐
Spicy 4/5🌶️
“If you touch her again, I swear to God I'll break your hands”
Hace mucho tiempo que no leía un dark romance tan bueno y que me diera tantas vibes de Haunting Adeline (una bilogía que es 10/10 ❤️🔥). El plot es buenísmo con todas esas vibes de un thriller y los recurrentes plot-twist que te cambian las teorías todo el tiempo. El multiple pov es LO MEJOR, sobre todo con el plot que involucra un stalker en busca de venganza de un crimen que fue tapado por gente de situación mas privilegiada (es un rich childs crime en toda regla).
“I was never going to beg someone to love me like I knew I deserve to be loved”
Lo mejor del libro son los personajes, tanto sus desarrollos como identidades son muy buenos. Cada personaje es tan importante y único a su manera que llegué a conectar con muchos. El personaje de Valeria es sin duda el mejor, me identifiqué en muchos sentidos con ella, Valeria es soñadora y romantica en cuanto a lo que quiere con su vida y las personas que la rodean sin dejar de ser realista y conformarse con menos de lo que merece.
“I'm not looking to be someone's good time. I want to be someone's forever, the girl of their dreams. And if it's not you, that´s fine, but don´t waste my time”
(alucino con esta frase a pesar de que me rompe el corazón lol)
Por eso sus interacciones con Cairo son tan 🛐❤️🔥, ambos son muy diferentes en cuanto a lo que quieren pero al final lo que necesitan es lo mismo, solo que se resisten por el miedo a sufrir. Su relación es un tipo de enemies to lovers y forbidden lovers que te tiene enganchado todo el libro con la fuerte tensión entre ellos.
“"He´s not goint to fuck you."
"You´re right. He´s not going to fuck me. He´s going to make love to me. And when I do, then I
guess I can thank you for teaching me how to fuck."”
July 5, 2022
This book had me hooked from the start. It’s a dual POV , standalone with flashbacks to help tell the story. Someone is play a game with Valeria’s life and it’s a mystery to who it could be. As the answers come to light it turns her life upside down. The only person to help is her Brother’s Ex best friend, Cairo. The chemistry between the two is off the charts, even if they can’t admit it at first. There’s a HEA ending but I enjoyed it so much I would love more from all the characters.
June 5, 2022
If you are looking for a dark psychological thriller with some extremely hot moments mixed in then...GET THIS BOOK NOW! IT'S A MUST READ!!!
This book was so addictive because it starts out very unpredictable and keeps that pace as the story unfolds. The author did a phenomenal job weaving together a movie like experience with the the Press Play Game.
I absolutely love Valeria in this book. Her background of being from immigrants of Mexico play a huge part in her storyline. It's completely authentic of what a Latina girl/woman experiences in the Uber rich cutthroat society in America. She struggles with obeying her parents strict rules and wanting to be like her peers at the same time. She decides she wants more than what she lives with day to day with her parents. She learns she wants to be an equal to her spouse and finds herself at twenty-three a vlogger giving girls and women dating advice to not settle while accommodating her parents strict rules for females. Yes she is a virgin because she chooses to be one, because she wants the man to be someone she won't regret afterwards. This ends up playing a huge role in the storyline also. After the lose of her brother, she finds herself pulled into a diabolical game of life and death with a boy/man now from her past. He will either be her damnation or her savior when all is said and done.
Cairo is no longer the old best friend of Valeria's brother Eloy. He's the shunned disgraced son of the senator now. He's a man who now deals with the darker side of the world. He's watching as all his old so-called friends he took the fall for years ago have either died or gone missing under mysterious circumstances. When the one girl from his past comes back with a deal he finds himself waring with but ultimately taking because of his hatred for her family, will bring unexpected emotions as they fight their way through a new deadly version of the game.
Yes this book has suspense galore and melt your kindle up moments between Cairo and Valeria, but the mystery revolving around his past and her stalker is one that will have you unable to put this book down. It's a phenomenal dark suspense romance and the author did an amazing job weaving the Mexican background into her female lead. It shows the struggle of being true to your roots and trying to fit into a new world that is anything but authentic.
All I can say is this book was one that I found myself trying to figure out who this villain the Grand Master was and once it was revealed it was a game changer. The ending is absolutely perfect and makes this a definite MUST READ!
I had the pleasure of reading this book early and voluntarily giving a review with nothing to gain. This was one of my favorite books by this author and will be another re-read because it was a gripping dark tale that consumed me till the very end.
This book was so addictive because it starts out very unpredictable and keeps that pace as the story unfolds. The author did a phenomenal job weaving together a movie like experience with the the Press Play Game.
I absolutely love Valeria in this book. Her background of being from immigrants of Mexico play a huge part in her storyline. It's completely authentic of what a Latina girl/woman experiences in the Uber rich cutthroat society in America. She struggles with obeying her parents strict rules and wanting to be like her peers at the same time. She decides she wants more than what she lives with day to day with her parents. She learns she wants to be an equal to her spouse and finds herself at twenty-three a vlogger giving girls and women dating advice to not settle while accommodating her parents strict rules for females. Yes she is a virgin because she chooses to be one, because she wants the man to be someone she won't regret afterwards. This ends up playing a huge role in the storyline also. After the lose of her brother, she finds herself pulled into a diabolical game of life and death with a boy/man now from her past. He will either be her damnation or her savior when all is said and done.
Cairo is no longer the old best friend of Valeria's brother Eloy. He's the shunned disgraced son of the senator now. He's a man who now deals with the darker side of the world. He's watching as all his old so-called friends he took the fall for years ago have either died or gone missing under mysterious circumstances. When the one girl from his past comes back with a deal he finds himself waring with but ultimately taking because of his hatred for her family, will bring unexpected emotions as they fight their way through a new deadly version of the game.
Yes this book has suspense galore and melt your kindle up moments between Cairo and Valeria, but the mystery revolving around his past and her stalker is one that will have you unable to put this book down. It's a phenomenal dark suspense romance and the author did an amazing job weaving the Mexican background into her female lead. It shows the struggle of being true to your roots and trying to fit into a new world that is anything but authentic.
All I can say is this book was one that I found myself trying to figure out who this villain the Grand Master was and once it was revealed it was a game changer. The ending is absolutely perfect and makes this a definite MUST READ!
I had the pleasure of reading this book early and voluntarily giving a review with nothing to gain. This was one of my favorite books by this author and will be another re-read because it was a gripping dark tale that consumed me till the very end.
December 28, 2022
This story was an amazing journey of who's behind the curtain and a push and pull of enemies to lovers romance. And yes, you get a HEA! Whew!
𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚝, 𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚎.
Valeria is picture perfect on social media, but she's hiding who she truly is. Born in a traditional Mexican family, she isn't allowed privileges her brother gets to enjoy. Stuck at home like a proper young lady, she crushes on her older brother's best friend. Even with the weight of the expectations placed on her, she's strong and knows what she wants. When her black and white life turns gray, she too adjusts, but not so much so that she loses sight of who she is and what she ultimately desires- true balanced love. Not the relationship she has seen in her own household.
Cairo is her older brother's best friend, turned enemy. He has fallen from elite grace, but lands on his feet in the mid-world. Somewhere between elite and mafia is where he resides. He's cold and calculating, never wanting to be used for another's gain again.
The saying boys will be boys is an understatement for the crime that was covered up and placed solely on the shoulder's of Cairo. But when someone finally wants revenge, people start dying and soon Valeria finds herself an innocent target. A "𝘚𝘢𝘸-like" game begins and Cairo is the only one who can keep Valeria safe. Gah!
Slowly his feelings begin to show as more danger comes Valeria's way. @c.lymari does a wonderful job of balancing his jealousy, protectiveness and a-hole behavior. As soon as you wanted to hate him for being an a-hole, he would do something so sweet and open up. And as clues continue to fall, the reader is privy to why Cairo protects himself the way he does. Scared to let anyone in.
I devoured this book in a day and a half. It would have been ONE if I didn't have family obligations I had to pay attention to.
𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚝, 𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚎.
Valeria is picture perfect on social media, but she's hiding who she truly is. Born in a traditional Mexican family, she isn't allowed privileges her brother gets to enjoy. Stuck at home like a proper young lady, she crushes on her older brother's best friend. Even with the weight of the expectations placed on her, she's strong and knows what she wants. When her black and white life turns gray, she too adjusts, but not so much so that she loses sight of who she is and what she ultimately desires- true balanced love. Not the relationship she has seen in her own household.
Cairo is her older brother's best friend, turned enemy. He has fallen from elite grace, but lands on his feet in the mid-world. Somewhere between elite and mafia is where he resides. He's cold and calculating, never wanting to be used for another's gain again.
The saying boys will be boys is an understatement for the crime that was covered up and placed solely on the shoulder's of Cairo. But when someone finally wants revenge, people start dying and soon Valeria finds herself an innocent target. A "𝘚𝘢𝘸-like" game begins and Cairo is the only one who can keep Valeria safe. Gah!
Slowly his feelings begin to show as more danger comes Valeria's way. @c.lymari does a wonderful job of balancing his jealousy, protectiveness and a-hole behavior. As soon as you wanted to hate him for being an a-hole, he would do something so sweet and open up. And as clues continue to fall, the reader is privy to why Cairo protects himself the way he does. Scared to let anyone in.
I devoured this book in a day and a half. It would have been ONE if I didn't have family obligations I had to pay attention to.
June 6, 2022
While I did like this book, I would honestly read a guide to how to work an oven if it was written by C. Lymari, I did get a little confused about it all.
This story sucked me in the second our main character [played a tape and she entered, basically, a game world. I'm not going to lie, it made me scared to open my computer and watch anything thinking this weird little voice was going to come get me and make me play a game.
The story starts with a funeral, we don't know who the person is (we have a name), but we don't know how they died or why no one is at the funeral. My mind went to "wow they must hate him," when really OKAY YEAH KIND OF but there was so much more.
Valeria is our main girl character, I was THERE FOR HER with her style, the fact that she loved her culture, and basically her. Her brother is the one that died, and her brother is keeping a very horrible secret (literally made me have goosebumps).
Ciaro is our male character, aka her brothers' ex best friend, I loved him. He is also hiding something and was blamed for something that he did not do, but let the blame fall on him.
Where this books gets wild is the flashbacks, TRIGGER WARNING there is an event in this book, it's in a flashback, that is not for the faint of heart, it is a rape trigger and it will make you uncomfy while reading it.
I don't want to spoil anything, but just know that this book is not what you think it is, it's not some wholesome "Aw" romance, there are parts that you think you understand and then you're going to be confused, and there are some hot scenes that you're going to blush at.
I do hope this ends up being a series of some sort, the ending did give me the vibe and I would be there for it.
I received an ARC copy for an honest review.
This story sucked me in the second our main character [played a tape and she entered, basically, a game world. I'm not going to lie, it made me scared to open my computer and watch anything thinking this weird little voice was going to come get me and make me play a game.
The story starts with a funeral, we don't know who the person is (we have a name), but we don't know how they died or why no one is at the funeral. My mind went to "wow they must hate him," when really OKAY YEAH KIND OF but there was so much more.
Valeria is our main girl character, I was THERE FOR HER with her style, the fact that she loved her culture, and basically her. Her brother is the one that died, and her brother is keeping a very horrible secret (literally made me have goosebumps).
Ciaro is our male character, aka her brothers' ex best friend, I loved him. He is also hiding something and was blamed for something that he did not do, but let the blame fall on him.
Where this books gets wild is the flashbacks, TRIGGER WARNING there is an event in this book, it's in a flashback, that is not for the faint of heart, it is a rape trigger and it will make you uncomfy while reading it.
I don't want to spoil anything, but just know that this book is not what you think it is, it's not some wholesome "Aw" romance, there are parts that you think you understand and then you're going to be confused, and there are some hot scenes that you're going to blush at.
I do hope this ends up being a series of some sort, the ending did give me the vibe and I would be there for it.
I received an ARC copy for an honest review.
June 10, 2022
My head is still spinning. 🤍🤍 LOVED
Press Play by C. Lymari is a full length standalone novel.
Tropes:
✔️ Dark Thriller Romance
✔️ Brothers Best Friend
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Revenge
✔️ On Kindle Unlimited
Love love love🤍🤍… dear g*d this book had me on the edge of my seat gripping MY pearls! You think you know what’s going on… but then you don’t. Cairo is the ultimate “love doesn’t exist” advocate and why wouldn’t he be with his childhood. No one ever looked out for him so he only looked out for himself… until Valeria 😍.
And well Valeria’s mantra is “if he wants to he will” and she is not willing to accept anything less. The constant push, pull, dominance, and submission is captivating and I loved reading it.
The spice is great… that pearl scene… dear god!! 🥵🥵
If you have read any of C. Lymari’s other books you will see some familiar names… one of my personal favs Ren Flacon from Falcon!! Love him.
💯 recommend!!
POV: Multiple 👾👩🧑
Rating: 9/10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
🌶 starts at about 45%
✨Being in his arms was my safe haven, his lips my salvation.✨
I Am The Grand Master I set the rules, and I call the plays. You’re now my new puppet until I say The End. What I want is simple, one word: revenge. Don't think of me as your enemy, but don't mistake me for a friend. You are looking for answers, and I like to play games. Two steps forward and three steps back, be careful because I like to make little girls cry. If you are ready, then you know what to do. Press Play and pray to God you don't lose.
Check Triggers: Physical Abuse, SA, Violence, Death
Press Play by C. Lymari is a full length standalone novel.
Tropes:
✔️ Dark Thriller Romance
✔️ Brothers Best Friend
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Revenge
✔️ On Kindle Unlimited
Love love love🤍🤍… dear g*d this book had me on the edge of my seat gripping MY pearls! You think you know what’s going on… but then you don’t. Cairo is the ultimate “love doesn’t exist” advocate and why wouldn’t he be with his childhood. No one ever looked out for him so he only looked out for himself… until Valeria 😍.
And well Valeria’s mantra is “if he wants to he will” and she is not willing to accept anything less. The constant push, pull, dominance, and submission is captivating and I loved reading it.
The spice is great… that pearl scene… dear god!! 🥵🥵
If you have read any of C. Lymari’s other books you will see some familiar names… one of my personal favs Ren Flacon from Falcon!! Love him.
💯 recommend!!
POV: Multiple 👾👩🧑
Rating: 9/10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
🌶 starts at about 45%
✨Being in his arms was my safe haven, his lips my salvation.✨
I Am The Grand Master I set the rules, and I call the plays. You’re now my new puppet until I say The End. What I want is simple, one word: revenge. Don't think of me as your enemy, but don't mistake me for a friend. You are looking for answers, and I like to play games. Two steps forward and three steps back, be careful because I like to make little girls cry. If you are ready, then you know what to do. Press Play and pray to God you don't lose.
Check Triggers: Physical Abuse, SA, Violence, Death
June 10, 2022
★4.70 kitten stars★
A story to read in one breath, it kept me guessing till the very end, Ms Lymari delivers an edge of your seat action packed tale. An angsty enemies to lovers adventure, with a craftily built plot, the words flew over the pages demanding I avidly read one chapter after the other.
Valeria Franco’s life is perfect, at least this is what the outside world thinks, she’s happy with them believing that lie, so much so she has started to believe it herself. Until one day things change, she’s thrown into a game she never wanted to play, now the cards are on the table she needs to make her move, she must be careful to press the right button, time is running out, she’d better play her hand carefully.
Cairo Stone had everything until he didn’t, he went from king of the world to reject, however he didn’t dwell in self pity, they thought they made an example out of him, little did they know he would be back and wreck havoc on those who turned their backs on him in time of need. Tick tock time is of utmost importance in this game he chose to play.
Tragedy brings Cairo and Valeria together, if they want to survive they both need to play fairly, lust and wants have no place in this crazy game, yet they aren’t able to fight their pull towards each other. The time will come, when all it’s said and done, to face the truth and brave the reality in front of them.
A story to read in one breath, it kept me guessing till the very end, Ms Lymari delivers an edge of your seat action packed tale. An angsty enemies to lovers adventure, with a craftily built plot, the words flew over the pages demanding I avidly read one chapter after the other.
Valeria Franco’s life is perfect, at least this is what the outside world thinks, she’s happy with them believing that lie, so much so she has started to believe it herself. Until one day things change, she’s thrown into a game she never wanted to play, now the cards are on the table she needs to make her move, she must be careful to press the right button, time is running out, she’d better play her hand carefully.
Cairo Stone had everything until he didn’t, he went from king of the world to reject, however he didn’t dwell in self pity, they thought they made an example out of him, little did they know he would be back and wreck havoc on those who turned their backs on him in time of need. Tick tock time is of utmost importance in this game he chose to play.
Tragedy brings Cairo and Valeria together, if they want to survive they both need to play fairly, lust and wants have no place in this crazy game, yet they aren’t able to fight their pull towards each other. The time will come, when all it’s said and done, to face the truth and brave the reality in front of them.
June 10, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
I am the grand master. I set the rules, and I call the plays You're now my new puppet until I saw The End. What I want is simple, one word: revenge. Don't think of me as your enemy, but don't mistake me for a friend. You are looking for answers, and I like to play games. Tow steps forward and three steps back, be careful because I like to make little girls cry. If you are ready, then you know what to do. Press Play and pray to God you don't lose.
Valeria Franco is a twenty three year old sheltered social media influencer. She has tragically lost her brother Eloy Franco. When she is in his apartment she feels closer to him but she unwittingly opens Pandora's Box of secrets and places herself in the middle of very psychotic game where the stakes are life and death. Needing help because the clock is ticking and with no idea who the opponent is, she seeks out her brothers best friend Cario Stone. Now these two will have to find all the clues before the alarm sounds and they lose their lives. I don't really want to talk about the story as I basically went in to it blind and I full believe that is the way to go. This book was so good that I couldn't put it down and I loved every single twisted forbidden second of it.
I am the grand master. I set the rules, and I call the plays You're now my new puppet until I saw The End. What I want is simple, one word: revenge. Don't think of me as your enemy, but don't mistake me for a friend. You are looking for answers, and I like to play games. Tow steps forward and three steps back, be careful because I like to make little girls cry. If you are ready, then you know what to do. Press Play and pray to God you don't lose.
Valeria Franco is a twenty three year old sheltered social media influencer. She has tragically lost her brother Eloy Franco. When she is in his apartment she feels closer to him but she unwittingly opens Pandora's Box of secrets and places herself in the middle of very psychotic game where the stakes are life and death. Needing help because the clock is ticking and with no idea who the opponent is, she seeks out her brothers best friend Cario Stone. Now these two will have to find all the clues before the alarm sounds and they lose their lives. I don't really want to talk about the story as I basically went in to it blind and I full believe that is the way to go. This book was so good that I couldn't put it down and I loved every single twisted forbidden second of it.
June 19, 2022
What a mind-blowing , suspenseful and wild ride this amazing book was. Once I stated reading I couldn't put it down!!!
Claudia Lymari is one of my favorite authors ever because she simply writes the best stories ever and Press Play was a rollercoaster ride that has a fantastic plot mix with extraordinary characters.
This story has a ticking time clock to solve a mystery where Valeria and Cairo find themselves in a game created by the Grand Master where the main players are turning up dead, one of them being Valeria's older brother who was Cairo ex-best friend.
While working together Cairo and Valeria's old feeling for each others resurface. Their attraction is unavoidable and the closer they get the dangerous the situation gets.
But time is running out and nothing is as it seems in this race to uncover who the Grand Master is.
I love how some characters from previous books of Claudia do a little cross over and the story was full of twist and turns with a slow burn but spicy romance where Valeria makes Cairo work really hard to be the man she deserves. So for this I totally recommend this book.
June 2, 2022
“Have you ever woken up and decided that your whole life is a lie? One day you saw the world in black and white and the next, you saw just how much gray was in it.”
Press Play was a suspenseful rollercoaster ride of a dark romance that keeps the reader on their edge of their seat. Valeria has always crushed on her brother Eloy’s best friend, Cairo, but he rejected her when she made her feelings known. Then Cairo and Eloy had a falling out and stopped being friends. After Eloy suddenly dies, Valeria discovers that there may be more to the dissolution of their friendship when she’s swept into a dark game of revenge and Cairo is the only one she can turn to for answers.
The push and pull relationship between Valeria and Cairo was fiery. You could feel the chemistry beneath their hateful words and their relationship was explosive. When they are both targeted by the “Grand Master”, they have to learn to work together to solve the game they have been dragged into without even knowing the rules and the consequence could be their lives.
Full of exhilarating twists and turns, secrets, betrayal, intense heat and chemistry and emotion, Press Play will draw you into this dark world and keep you turning the pages to uncover the truth.
Press Play was a suspenseful rollercoaster ride of a dark romance that keeps the reader on their edge of their seat. Valeria has always crushed on her brother Eloy’s best friend, Cairo, but he rejected her when she made her feelings known. Then Cairo and Eloy had a falling out and stopped being friends. After Eloy suddenly dies, Valeria discovers that there may be more to the dissolution of their friendship when she’s swept into a dark game of revenge and Cairo is the only one she can turn to for answers.
The push and pull relationship between Valeria and Cairo was fiery. You could feel the chemistry beneath their hateful words and their relationship was explosive. When they are both targeted by the “Grand Master”, they have to learn to work together to solve the game they have been dragged into without even knowing the rules and the consequence could be their lives.
Full of exhilarating twists and turns, secrets, betrayal, intense heat and chemistry and emotion, Press Play will draw you into this dark world and keep you turning the pages to uncover the truth.
June 18, 2022
Okay… Stop everything you’re doing, download this book and PRESS PLAY. Figuratively, at least. This stand-alone novel was dark, intriguing, suspenseful with the perfect mix of spice. I didn’t want it to end!
Valeria, innocent, beautiful and sheltered by her parents is in for an awakening when she finds out the details surrounding her brother’s death. Accidentally stumbling across information she shouldn’t have puts her in the sights of both her brother’s ex-best friend and a killer out for revenge….
Cairo, jaded by his past and shunned by his family has a chip on his shoulder. When Valeria waltzes into his club looking for information, old feelings come to the surface. Neither of them expected to get tangled in in the revenge-seeking killer’s web…
The chemistry between these two was off the charts. Our FMC knows her worth and will not accept anything less, but seeing Cairo elicits those old feelings - now that they’re older…. everything is so much more intense. The mix of plot and spice couldn’t have been better - I loved all the twists and secrets embedded in this tale, and I never would have guessed the ending.
Very well done! Highly recommend this for all you spicy, dark romance lovers looking for a novel who’s twisty secrets will leave you shocked!
Valeria, innocent, beautiful and sheltered by her parents is in for an awakening when she finds out the details surrounding her brother’s death. Accidentally stumbling across information she shouldn’t have puts her in the sights of both her brother’s ex-best friend and a killer out for revenge….
Cairo, jaded by his past and shunned by his family has a chip on his shoulder. When Valeria waltzes into his club looking for information, old feelings come to the surface. Neither of them expected to get tangled in in the revenge-seeking killer’s web…
The chemistry between these two was off the charts. Our FMC knows her worth and will not accept anything less, but seeing Cairo elicits those old feelings - now that they’re older…. everything is so much more intense. The mix of plot and spice couldn’t have been better - I loved all the twists and secrets embedded in this tale, and I never would have guessed the ending.
Very well done! Highly recommend this for all you spicy, dark romance lovers looking for a novel who’s twisty secrets will leave you shocked!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews