All bets are off.
After a long history with crappy guys, high school teacher Em Newman is going man-vegan. Four months of revirginization has opened her eyes to her doormat imitation but, baby’s got spine now, and some smooth-talking—even if he is sinfully hot—rugby player, won’t be adding her as a notch anytime soon.
Lincoln Quinn loves rugby, women, and poker. And he likes to win at all three. When his team mates bet him he can’t break through Em’s resolve, he’s more than up for the challenge. But this lady has a shoebox of stipulations before she’ll even go on a date with him, much less use that mouth for kissing instead of giving orders.
Something’s gotta give but this time Em’s not settling. And Linc’s questioning everything he ever knew about matters of the heart.
Each book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series is STANDALONE:
* Playing By Her Rules
* Playing It Cool
* Playing the Player
* Playing With Forever
* Playing House
* Playing Dirty
“Amy Andrews is a brilliant author who deserves five star reviews for her emotionally epic book. This is a MUST read if you're a hopeless romantic like me...I mean it... read this... you won't regret it...Throw in some seriously hot sex scenes that trump Fifty Shades of Grey ANYDAY and you have yourself this little nugget of golden goodness.” - Amanda Barrow, Amanda’s Book Reviews
“Wowza, think I need to cool down after some of the scorching scenes in this book!... Playing the Player is a fun and sexy romance between two people emotionally hurt by love in their pasts.” - Lucia, Lucia’s Book Reviews
4 Stars: “Playing the Player is fun and sexy but still packs enough of an emotional punch to make it a very satisfying romance.” - Janet Reads Books,
““Any chance we get to love someone, even if it’s only for a little while, isn’t wasted time.” I love that line. That line made the whole book—and the element that wasn't quite sitting right—work for me. Because love isn't wasted. At least, not for Linc and Em. But I can explain that the above quote—along with all those things I am grateful for—made Playing the Player a very fun and funny, very fresh and very fast read. It also made me anticipate more from these Rugby boys, and Ms. Andrews, in the future.” - Beth Cranford, Panda and Boodle
“I really loved the development of Linc and Em's relationship. It was fun, and sexy, and believable. These 2 people really fit each other, more than they could have known at the start, and it was lovely to watch it unfold.” - Megan Burton, Goodreads
“This was a sweet, steamy, fast read even though I don't understand the first thing about rugby...This was my first Sydney Smoke book but it definitely won't be my last.” - Leslie Cooper, Goodreads
“What started out as fun and flirty ended up to be full of love. Playing the Player was a good addition to this series. The rugby boys are sweet and full of surprises.” - Paige Turner, Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
“I completely adore the Sidney Smoke Rugby series by Amy Andrews and Playing the Player is the third of the series...I really enjoyed this book because it was funny, hot, and captivating. I both adored Em and Linc, but especially loved them together. I can easily give this novel 5 stars and I really hope there will be more from this series!” - Angela Kinney, Goodreads
“As an Aussie reading an Aussie author's work that's set in Australia, it's a bit of a game of hit and miss. There’s a fine line between OTT…true blue, she’ll be right mate and how we really are. Amy Andrews nails it. It’s real, and still manages to be extremely humorous.” - Stacey Bain, Stacey is Sassy
“"Playing the Player" is a great, quick read. If I had to sum it up in one word I'd call it "Authentic". The characters and setting are believably metropolitan Australian...This was the first Amy Andrews story I've read - but it won't be the last!” - Sarah B, Sarah Reads
“Amy Andrews has taken two characters and given them the right story; sizzling, sexy and low-drama, which isn't entirely unpredictable, but completely enjoyable...my favourite in the Sydney Smoke series to date.” - Nicola Armstrong, Goodreads
“...PLAYING THE PLAYER was an extremely fun read. Between the sexy banter, the insane amount of chemistry between Em and Linc, and the trouble that Linc went through to guess Em's given name (it's worse than you can possibly imagine), I zipped through this one in one sitting.” - Sassafrass Smith, Sassafrass Book Likes
“Loved this!! Linc was one of those characters in the prior books that I didn't really care for but I must say Amy Andrews wrote a story that changed my mind about him...I definitely enjoyed this one and would recommend to everyone.” - Bette Hansen, Goodreads
Too easy is no fun…make them work for it.
As an Aussie reading an Aussie author's work that's set in Australia, it's a bit of a game of hit and miss. There’s a fine line between OTT…true blue, she’ll be right mate and how we really are. Amy Andrews nails it. It’s real and still, manages to be extr... ...more
4.5 - "You have a lot of balls" Stars!
Amy Andrews, returns to the Sydney Smoke Rugby series with book three, and the affable Lincoln Quinn’s story.
If you have read the previous two books, you will know that Linc is known as being somewhat the ladies’ man, a label he wears with quite a bit of prid... ...more
4.5 stars.
Considering this book contains a trope (loosely) that I'm that not fond of--a bet--Playing the Player played out exceptionally well and has become my favourite in the Sydney Smoke series to date.
I have to admit the opening chapter of this book does neither the story or the characters... ...more
4 stars
Playing the Player was a fun, sweet and steamy read, I really enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the storyline, I enjoyed the characters, both Linc and Em were entertaining, funny, smart and passionate people who together made a great couple.
I loved watching their relationship develop, what started as a... ...more
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
I loved the first two books of the Sydney Smoke Rugby Series and so I couldn’t wait for Lincoln Quinn’s book. The title Playing the Player alone will give readers a backdrop as to who Linc is. Yes, Linc is the bad boy manwhore but in this... ...more
Playing the Player is the third installment of the Sydney Smoke Rugby series.
In this book, you will meet Linc and and Em. Linc is one of those guys who honestly doesn't believe in marriage or love. Obviously, this book will, and Em, will prove him wrong. Linc is also probably the biggest player o... ...more
I’d enjoyed other stories in this series but was wary of this one as the main male character is Lincoln Quinn (aka Linc), a self confessed manwhore and betting man. When the first chapter has him agreeing to something which made him seem a self-opinionated, disrespectful jerk, well, it seemed my... ...more
Amy Andrews does it again! Spectacular book, spectacular series! I was highly amused thru the entire thing. What could possibly go wrong when you go after a girl based on a bet ?!?! Let the games begin ....
I loved this story for its characterization. These are young people. They think they know... ...more
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2017/01...
A rugby star who plays hard on and off the field meets his match in a teacher who has no problem making him work for it in Playing the Player . Amy Andrews has a gift for penning romances that are funny and sexy, an... ...more
I have had this one waiting for me since release day and I have been really looking forward to it seeing as how much I loved the first two in the series and boy did I love it MS Andrews has such a way with words she brings out the best on the pages and this one is a hot sexy awesome story one tha... ...more
Title: Playing the Player
Author: Amy Andrews
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports - Rugby
Series or Standalone: Standalone Series (Sydney Smoke Rugby #3)
Rating: ★★★★1/2 Stars (Rounded to 5* for Goodreads and Amazon)
Review
I am in love with this rugby team.
I’m the first to admit that I don’t understa... ...more
I’ve become pretty partial to rugby romances lately, and Amy Andrews is high on my list of go-to authors when it comes to mixing sports and steam in fun and exciting romances. I really enjoyed the first two stories in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series, in which secondary character Lincoln Quinn is cl... ...more
Three stars? Three and a half stars? can't decide.
Harper's best friend Em is a teacher. After a spate of bad news boyfriends where she was picking out wedding china while they were legging it out the door she has sworn off men. Four months of abstinence have helped her get a perspective although... ...more
I completely adore the Sidney Smoke Rugby series by Amy Andrews and Playing the Player is the third of the series. While you don’t have to read the first two to understand this novel because they are all standalone, it would be worth reading them. Em is a high school teacher who is sick of fallin... ...more
Loved this!! Linc was one of those characters in the prior books that I didn't really care for but I must say Amy Andrews wrote a story that changed my mind about him. Linc is an unrepentant man-whore and has no plans of changing. He's young, not bad looking, and his profession has women lining u... ...more
A very sexy read with some fun moments. A bit rushed at the end and I wish a few scenes had been shown rather than jumping ahead to move the book along, but overall a good read and one I will rec. I'll be back to try more from Andrews and especially this series.
Full review will go up on the blog... ...more
I think the only thing I don’t like about this series is that the books are always so damn short. Playing the Player is no exception from the rest of the series—it’s hot, funny, intriguing, and heartwarmingly beautiful. Linc and Em couldn’t be any more different, but it’s what ultimately brings t... ...more
I don't think that Amy could write anything that I didn't LOVE!!
This group of men that have created a family of their own are so strong, alpha, funny and yummy!! This series strike me as different from so many others because it truly revolves around the men and their friendships and dynamic with... ...more
So I was not really a fan of Lincoln in the first 2 books. He was kind of a major jerk and player, but when he finally met his match he showed what a gentleman and all around good guy he could be. She makes him work for a date with her and you can see past his playboy exterior to the man he reall... ...more
I never knew I liked rugby until I read this book!! Cute teacher and hot rugby star!! Awesome mix to make a great story! Loved it! ...more
4 out of 5 stars
Competition is what drives Lincoln Quinn. The sexy, rugby star doesn’t shy away from a bet. So when his teammates make wages as to how long it will take him to sleep with Em Newman, he is all in; even if she seems to hate him.
Em Newman is definitely attracted to Lincoln but she is... ...more
Lincoln Quinn is a well known rugby player for the Sydney Smoke. He loves the game as well as hanging out with his teammates. He doesn't plan to tie himself down. No wife and family for him. He plans to play the field. He's attracted to Em, but she constantly rebuffs him. She doesn't want a fling... ...more
“Any chance we get to love someone, even if it’s only for a little while, isn’t wasted time.”
I love that line. That line made the whole book—and the element that wasn't quite sitting right—work for me. Because love isn't wasted. At least, not for Linc and Em.
This is now the second book I've rea... ...more
Review of Playing the Player (Sydney Smoke Rugby #3) by Amy Andrews
Review done for Hooked on Books & CherryOBlossoms Promotions
4 out of 5 stars
Competition is what drives Lincoln Quinn. The sexy, rugby star doesn’t shy away from a bet. So when his teammates make wages as to how long it will ta... ...more
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review**
Linc & Em, lol. This was a short book but kept you wanting to turn the page to see what happened next.
Linc was a popular rugby player that didn't believe in love or marriage. Em wanted the total opposite. Em best friend was married to one of L... ...more