Not Playing Fair

by A.J. Renee, Angie Wade (Editor)

Cabin pressure may affect arousal.


Magdalena "Maggie" Perez Rivera

I don't chase men… not even sexy papi chulos who pop into my life with their charming smiles. I should certainly avoid older ones who turn out to be my best friend's beloved Uncle Connor. The last thing I need is another protective man in my life, even if I'm craving him.


Connor Hughes

My trip to Orlando is for an interview and to enjoy a short visit with my niece. That's it. The tempting Latina is the furthest thing I need in my happily single life. To my surprise, the vixen slips under my skin and becomes a permanent fixture in my daily thoughts.


Deciding whether to test our undeniable chemistry may be the least of our worries, because life doesn't always play a fair hand.

Paperback

Published January 21, 2022

About the author

AJ Renee loves to write steamy romance with a happily ever after. When she isn't writing or interacting with her readers, you can find her spending time with her family or reading.

She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Masters of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/ajrenee
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/BBajr
Facebook: https://bit.ly/faceajr
Instagram: https://bit.ly/instaajr
Twitter: https://bit.ly/twajr

Reviews

[LLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story! Maggie and Connor meet on a flight to Orlando and both are attracted to the other. Neither realized that a common denominator might keep them apart. Connor's niece is Maggie's best friend and roommate. Not a lot of drama, just a good love story! I loved reading about their journey to happiness!

Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done

[Tashia Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Connor and Maggie's story. It's a fun read about unexpected love. The bantar in the story between each person makes it a awesome read. I love all of Aj's stories if you're looking for a fun great read I highly recommend this one!!!!

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Playing Fair by AJ Renee

5 Stars

I enjoyed this story so much! It was a bit predictable but awesome reading how everything played out. Conner and Maggie were an awesome couple. I could feel the connection forming between them and although quick it felt real.

Ellie is an awesome best friend and when I finished the book I was hoping for news at the end that Ellie was going to get her own book. I didn't see that but I do hope it’s a possibility.

I love this author, I read her St. Fleur series and I love her writing and the way it flows and how it all comes together. She has a way of making the character’s dialogue filled with quick wit, and strong meaning. I just love it!

I can not wait for more from this author!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Playing Fair is Maggie and Connor's journey of love and I loved the way the author brought them together. From the well written story to the crazy fun banter this is a great read. I absolutely loved Maggie and Connor for each other from the way they met to their instant attraction to each other. If you want to know if they get their happily ever after then you have to get the book and believe me, you won't regret it. The writing is well done the characters are believable and the storyline captured my heart. I definitely recommend this book and this author to everyone looking for great books to read. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌶️ Spice Level: The cabin pressure isn't the only thing rising...

Okay, imagine this: you're a fierce Latina flight attendant with a take-no-prisoners attitude, you bust a few moves to “Despacito” in the airport, and then BAM—you lock eyes with a tall, green-eyed snack of a man who stops you mid-sway. You think, “Cool, I’ll probably never see him again.” But plot twist! Not only is he on your flight, he’s also your best friend’s uncle. Cue the air turbulence because this ride’s about to get bumpy.

Maggie and Connor's chemistry is so hot it could’ve grounded the plane. Maggie, our sassy, rule-abiding, no-nonsense flight attendant, has sworn off workplace romance—and certainly never saw herself falling for someone like her best friend’s beloved Uncle Connor. But fate (and maybe the TSA) had other plans. Their meet-cute? 10/10. The airport moment alone had me ready to join the frequent flyers club.

Connor, on the other hand, shows up to Orlando expecting some family bonding time and maybe a job opportunity—not to have his world rocked by the vivacious, sharp-tongued woman he accidentally elbowed on his flight. But once Maggie's in his orbit, the man is hooked. It’s protective uncle meets magnetic papi chulo energy, and trust me, it works.

What I loved about this story (besides the sexy tension so thick you could spread it on toast) was the mix of humor, culture, and that “should-we-or-shouldn’t-we” dance that plays out deliciously over dinners, movie nights, and heated hallway encounters. The dialogue is quick-witted, Maggie’s Puerto Rican roots bring in vibrant flair and familial drama, and Connor? Let’s just say if you weren’t crushing on him at chapter one, you’ll be swooning hard by chapter ten.

The stakes are high—friendship, family expectations, and the very real risk of falling too hard—but AJ Renee balances it all with charm and an effortlessly addictive writing style.

So, is this story playing fair? Nope. It’s cheating its way into your heart with every spicy, sweet, and laugh-out-loud moment. And I, for one, wasn’t mad about it.

A hilarious, heartfelt, and very caliente romantic comedy with enough chemistry to fuel a jet. Maggie and Connor had me flipping pages like my Kindle owed me money.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75 out of 5)

My Rating System:
1⭐️: The book didn’t hold my interest and/or had significant issues that overshadowed any redeeming qualities for me, but generally not my cup of tea. Most likely did not finish the book.
2⭐️: The book didn’t quite resonate with me, and while my experience wasn’t remarkable, I did finish it. It had some redeeming qualities and potential but fell short in execution. Recommendable, though with some reservations.
3⭐️: Good read, but didn’t quite stand out. Still worth recommending to others.
4⭐️: Really enjoyed it and stayed engaged throughout. Would read book again. Definitely recommendable.
5⭐️: Incredible writing that made me deeply connect with the characters. I was completely absorbed in the world and didn’t want it to end. This book stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading it. I'd gladly reread it and highly recommend it to everyone!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the chemistry is so intense between people, things are bound to explode! This is a funny story full of passion, love, and of course some conflict. When these two meet, neither are ready for what’s next. The banter between them is hilarious and they certainly didn’t expect to see each other again, let alone expected that Connor was Maggie’s best friend’s uncle. OOPS!!! It is hot and steamy at times but there is a lot of the bumbling around acting like idiots’ moments too. There were a lot of times that I laughed out loud because I could see myself and/or my fiancé being in the same situation but then you have a lot of the awwww moments that capture your heart. This is a fun, lighthearted read that will keep you completely engrossed from start to finish. When things feel too good to make an exit strategy, decisions have to be made to walk away or jump in with both feet. This is an absolute must read!

[Jill Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely charming an full of laughs with some angst. Meet Maggie a 25 something Latino flight attendant who loves music and life. Meet Connor a 35ish Irish master chef. The story was hard to put down wanting to see who embarrassed whom, who protected whom. Can Connor survive the very protective Latino family? Then there is Maggie's job and what she must over come. Find out what happens after that first plane ride..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with a cast of strong characters centering on Maggie and Connor. The author brings an entertaining age gap romance, adds in some drama, anxiety and a ton of sexual tension. She brings a sizzling hot passion and some sexy scenes and moves the story fluidly with her descriptive writing and delivers an enjoyable story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Playing Fair by AJ Renee is a good, and enjoyable steamy age gap romance read. The story has a great story line, and the story is a well written read. The characters are good, great banter, and they have good chemistry. This is Maggie and Connor's story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Happyscribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot damn - does this start at full speed and just keep going! As far as steaminess goes - it was hot but just as hot was the banter between Maggie and Connor. I mean, who doesn't love a hot argument or sexy, witty conversations?
As far as couples go - these two are my new #couplegoals.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story, sweet and spicy.
Not too much drama, just nice relationship developing over time. We have family and friends involved but not interfering.
Very well written romance with dose of humour.
Enjoy reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Genoveva · Rating 4 out of 5]

To read a book where the MMC is in awe of the FMC is such a joy. And to have one that made it a point to learn Spanish because is appreciated the culture and women 😊. Like how we get to see what makes Maggie, Maggie was fun to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karie Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this couple!! Maggie never could’ve dreamed the guy she saw on the plane would eventually become her everything. Connor knew the moment he laid eyes on Maggie she was different. This couple gives off all the feel good happy vibes. I love their relationship. I can’t wait to read more from this amazing author.

[Brittney Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 for Maggie and Connor

CW: verbal and sexual assault

Not Playing Fair was an entertaining read. It gets going right away and is not a slow burn but there is great sexual tension between our two main characters Maggie and Connor. This is an easy read with low drama. The dialogue and banter is great. I enjoyed the small touches, kisses, and intimacy between Maggie and Connor. The main characters and supporting cast behave like adults with no unnecessary childish behavior (except for Miguel and we never get a reason for his behavior), and the main conflict in the story is resolved quickly. It’s basically a story about Maggie and Connor navigating their relationship and their friends and family through the different stages of their relationship. Some parts read like a textbook or justification for dating someone or being of Latin descent, and I found that a little annoying and repetitive at times. It took me out of the story a little bit. I will read more of AJ Renee’s stories in the future.