The Playboy Bachelor is the second book in the Bachelors of Arizona series and its main lead happens to be one of the twin brothers from the first book. This is a friends to enemies to lovers storyline with both the leads knowing each other as teenagers and kind of losing their friendship after a tragic accident. Now because of their interfering grandparents they are forced to spend time together despite not being in touch for over ten years. This time around they can't deny the attraction that seems to have survived the years.

Although this book can be read as a standalone, I think the main lead Bentley would be better appreciated if readers will have a better appreciation of his past. This was tackled well in the first book, The Bachelor Auction. Otherwise the motivation for his behavior appears kind of all over the place. Otherwise this was a fun, sexy often times witty romance that take the theme of Beauty and the Beast into a different direction.

4 Stars!
“He might be a runner. But she was a hider.”
This is the second book in the series and it features Bentley’s story. I’ve been curious about his story since the Bachelor Auction so I’m so glad he’s getting his own story!
The first book really had a fairy tale spin to it; it had a Cinderella theme. I was expecting another fairy tale theme, but I honestly couldn’t see one. Nonetheless, it was a sweet read.
So the premise of the story is Bentley and Margo used to best friends until an accident. Margo lost everything in that accident: her parents, her leg, and her best friend. Since then she’s turned into a recluse, shunning herself from the world. She harbors hate and hurt for years because she never knows why Bentley abandoned her in her time of need. Years later, Bentley is bought by her grandma at an auction with the hope of reuniting them. Can Margo forgive him? Why did he leave her all those years ago?
There are a lot of good things about this story. First, I love the reminiscing of their young friendship and blooming love. It’s one of my favorite things to read and I enjoyed getting peeks of how Margo and Bentley as kids. I actually wish there was a little more. I also really like Margo. She is definitely a flawed character, but in a realistic way. Losing her leg destroys her self-esteem and I find her feelings relatable. Her character shows complexity in how her mind works.
Bentley is also a good character. He is frustrating and complex in his own way…I suppose the guy kind of way. While I understand his reasoning for abandoning Margo, I was frustrated at times because it also doesn’t really make sense. His lack of action and his man-whoring ways are just stupid, but at the same time I can understand his insecurities and the turmoil he has within. I suppose he demonstrates human nature and our confusing actions. I will admit that as frustrating as he is, I also find myself enamored by him. Inside he really does have a very good heart with the best intentions. When he wants to be charming, he can melt your panties!
There was definitely push and pull from both sides prolonging their ultimate get together, but the process of them falling in love again was still quite beautiful.
If you’re looking for a cute and easy read, then this is your book. Happy reading!

**Thank you to the publisher for providing me with this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

*Video Review - https://youtu.be/5X8KRKMZ_8s *

Margot is a recluse who has hid from the world ever since her accident 10 years ago. Bentley has drowned out the world with women and alcohol ever since his demons came to life 10 years ago. In this book we have two characters that had their life changed in so many ways after Margot got into an accident that took the life of her parents and her leg.

I loved that we had some representation for a disability in this book. It can't be easy to have a limb amputated and Margot goes though some very serious issues because of her embarrassment, insecurities and shame over her missing leg. She has turned into a shut in who wants nothing to do with anybody. She went through a big loss and she blames herself for the death of her parents. She also deals with depression and pulls herself away from a life she doesn't think she deserves.

Bentley deals with anxiety, almost losing Margot 10 years earlier was traumatic for him and he dealt with the fear by distracting himself with different women and getting drunk.

These two people fell out of touch after the accident and neither knows what the other has been through over the past 10 years. They are now thrust back into each others life by outside forces. They are forced to spend time together and Bentley is tasked with the job of getting Margot out and into the world to start living the life that she still has.

I really loved these characters so much and they both had such a solid foundation. Both of them had their issues which I really appreciated. They weren't perfect and they are both incredibly stubborn, which is always entertaining.
I really felt like Margot was portrayed in such an amazing way. She has dealt with so much over the years from loosing her parents to having to learn how to live with one less leg. She does hide away from society because of everything that happened and it was done in a very believable way. Margot seems very lost and she has no one in her life that she will let help her which I can see happening after someone losing so much.
Bentley is different, he doesn't hide away from the world but he does put on this mask that he is okay when he clearly is not. He has a lot of internal struggles and guilt over things that have happened in the past. His character is one that you don't really find out exactly what happened to him in response to Margots accident until a little later in the book. I did enjoy finding out more and more about him as the book progressed and seeing him struggle with being around Margot again and the resistance to falling for her he dealt with.
I just loved watching these two people who were such a big part of each others past comes together, forgive each other and help to move on from the past and help each other heal.

I can't wait to read the other books in this series!

Bentley and Margot's story was great!They have sexy and fun moments and the drama was in the perfect ammount to make the story even better!

I'm such a big fan of Rachel's and love her writing, I really enjoyed this and couldn't put it down.

I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked in book one and love to get more of the brothers stories. Book 2 didn't disappoint. Cant wait till the next one!

***4 ‘Hello Whiplash’ Stars***

I’ve been wanting to dive into this one for awhile, but the schedule ~ both the TBR & Life ~ wouldn’t allow it until now and holy hell can we say batsh&tcrazy emotional rollercoaster ride goodness?!? I swear Bentley and Margot gave me whiplash, they did, but I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I had to see how these two found their way back to each other while overcoming their own demons and I wasn’t disappointed. It was definitely a crazy emotional ride, but one that was worthwhile.

I know that this has happened before, but I spent an equal amount of time wanting to hug Bentley and Margot while wanting to smack them upside the head. In fact there were many times I wanted to do both at the same time because I could empathize with them but wanted to yell at them to grow a pair. They both have a slew of demons riding them hard, aren’t willing to face them head on and instead have put themselves into their own prisons and thrown away the key, but they have huge hearts that just need that chance to shine.

What I found interesting was that while their story was a take on the Beauty and the Beast tale, my fave fairytale of all time, there was no clear delineation of who was Beauty and who was Beast, they actually flip flopped the roles between them constantly. It sounds strange, but that’s how I saw them. They both were Beauty and Beast and needed the other to push them into becoming who they were always meant to be. The journey was a rocky one and oh so frustrating, I swear there were times when I thought they were still teenagers, but it was also extremely satisfying to see them both become stronger. The connection between them, on all levels, was undeniable and I was very happy when they both finally pulled their heads out of their a$$es and got their sh&t together.

This one left me emotionally exhausted, but it was totally worth it. I was hooked from the start, actually I was hooked when their story was introduced towards the end of The Bachelor Auction, and enjoyed how everything played out. I love and adore Charles, Nadine and Prudence ~ how can you not love how sneaky, ruthless and well meaning they all are (and I’m still chuckling over the whole "Are you drunk?" "I had the whiskeys, yes." and will definitely be finding ways to use it) and while I’m looking forward to Brant’s book I know it’s going to be even more of a roller coaster ride than this one was, so I will need to mentally prepare for it.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breathe away” – author unknown

The Playboy Bachelor took my breath away! I “officially” took the plunge into my first Rachel Van Dyken book and it was breathtaking.
Margot, a redhead book worm is a renowned best seller romance novelist, lives a reclusive shut-in life since her accident as a teenager. Bentley Wellington is a single and wealthy playboy living the high life and always the top post in the gossip mags. Bentley in her past was her best friend whom she had a secret crush as a teenager.

The Playboy Bachelor Book Review | The Kink Report
Years later their grandparents are playing matchmaker in the most unusual way. Margot’s grandmother, Nadine Titus, purchase Bentley in a charity bachelor auction for $10,000 to spend time with her lonely and reclusive granddaughter Margot. Bentley’s grandfather blackmails him with the VP of Marketing job to spend 30 days with Margot. A weekend turns into a 30-day internship. He must complete 5 tasks and the job is his. Poor Bent. It was not as easy as he thought.
• Do not kiss, seduce to make advances on Margot
• Do not tell Margot about the list
• Don’t force a friendship
• Make her laugh
• Give her something priceless with meaning.

As stolen moments turned into days, he wants his best friend back, e.g. best friend with benefits. Spending time with Margot is a peek behind the curtain how life would have been if Bentley had made different choices as a younger man. Bentley is broken, irresistible and charming. Don’t be surprise if you find yourself on Team Bent’s side. I was glad to spend a few hours with him and championing his cause to win the heart of THE ONE that got away.
It’s a delicious tale about the power of friendship and second chances. A perfect blend of hilarious and hottness! The emotions you will feel when reading The Playboy Bachelor are real, beautiful and memorable. It’s why I stayed up late past my bedtime reading. Spend a few hours with them, it will leave you feeling good.

Reader Tip: This is a stand alone contemporary romance. It can be fully enjoyed without reading Book #1, The Bachelor Auction . I will continue to read this swoon-worthy series.

Loved it! This is one of the examples of why romance is so addicting. Smart dialogue, chemistry that bubbles off the page, and a plot and dialogue that makes the reader really work for their HEA. I loved the characters, loved it when they were together.

I would definitely recommend and so far this month, the best book I've read.

3.75 stars--THE PLAYBOY BACHELOR is the second installment in Rachel Van Dyken’s contemporary, adult THE BACHELORS OF ARIZONA romance series focusing on the Wellington brothers-Brock, Bentley and Brant. This is romance author Margot McCleery, and Bentley Wellington’s story line- a second chance/friends to lovers romance that saw two people destroyed by fear and fate.

Told from several third person perspectives including Bentley and Margot THE PLAYBOY BACHELOR is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast but the Beast is our heroine- a woman who has secluded herself since the accident that claimed the lives of her parents, and sent our heroine into a world governed by the romance novels she writes. When Margot’s grandmother wins the services of Bentley Wellington at the recent bachelor auction for charity, Margot’s well-ordered and secluded life begins to spiral out of control when the man that she has loved for most of her life, but hasn’t seen in close to ten years, is forced to spend thirty days in the same house with the woman he pushed out of his life. What ensues is the rekindling friendship, relationship and romance between two people broken by mistaken beliefs, and a ten years of heartbreak and pain.

The relationship between Bentley and Margot is one of second chances. Margot’s life changed the day her parent’s died; not only did Margot blame herself for the accident but when her best friend disappeared from her life, Margot found herself alone, wallowing in depression, trying to recover from the loss. But Bentley Wellington had a difficult time with the accident that almost killed the young woman that he loved, and in the ensuing weeks found himself struggling to comprehend where everything went wrong. For ten years Bentley buried himself in alcohol and women finding neither solace nor comfort for the pain of losing the only woman he would ever love. Margot and Bentley never again made contact, and in the ensuing time, anger and heartbreak festered into self-loathing, and darkened dreams. The $ex scenes are mostly implied or fade to black.

There is plenty of back and forth banter (both negative and positive) that ricochets between the leading characters adding some humorous moments between hostile aggression and heartbreak.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Bentley’s struggling twin Brant Wellington, and their elder brother Brock whom we met in book one-The Bachelor Auction. Bentley’s grandfather returns, alone with Margot’s grandmother as the two continue to play matchmakers for their heartbroken grandchildren. Brant’s story is next in the Bachelor Contract.

THE PLAYBOY BACHELOR is a story of second chances; of miscommunication, mistaken beliefs, and broken promises; of consuming loss, and impulsive decisions. The premise is passionate; the romance is challenging; the characters are broken and struggling.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Oh my lordy i never expected this book to hit me with all the feels. I know Rachel Van Dyken can write romance that gets your pulse pounding , but this book not only does that it deals with some very complex issues for the characters. Not just the female but also the male, or should i say males as we learn some interesting things about one of Bentley's brothers. Margot is complex, she has been hurt physically and emotionally and it is fully understandable to be how she is but Bentley he is a complex man. A man with an image that keeps people away from seeing the true him and his own problems. I loved this book so much, i can feel how much work Rachel put into learning about he characters situations and he complexities of them and how to tackle them. But the romance factor it sizzles along and them becomes an inferno that kept me reading well into the small hours of the morning. I cannot wait for more from this series

Review on goodreads under the profile name Kimothy

This book started out great but then it didn't hold my attention. Good characters but slight storyline.

After I read the first book in the Bachelors of Arizona series I was so excited to get my hands on the next book in the series .When I got the time to read The Playboy Bachelor I was so excited and I dived into this book as soon as a possible and i loved it.

In this book we follow Margot and Bentley and omg did I love these two together. These two have a past and you know how I love a couple that have a past together . Some time before this story Margot had feelings for Bentley but at the time they were just friends and after a horrible accident. Margot lived her life in isolation becoming a successful author . However when at Bachelor Auction Margot Grandmother buys Bentley and Bentley Grandfather and Margot Grandmother essential come up with a plan that leads Bentley to her door and this is where there story picks up. I love the relationship between Margot and Bentley at first its very rocky but as they get closer to each other things change and you see how they bring out the best sides in each other. There love story was sexy , swoon worthy and fun and I love that but at the same time it was emotional and heartwarming , Rachel Van Dyken writes excellent romance.

The Playboy Bachelor was sexy ,addicting contemporary romance and I love how Rachel put her own twist on the Sleepy Beauty Fairy tale in this book . I cannot wait to see what she has in store for the next book in this series. I know its going to fantastic .If you love all these things in your story you should definitely pick up copy of this book as soon as you can .

3.5 STARS.

The premise for this series is adorable, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than a good hate to love story. Bentley is cocky and somewhat arrogant, but I knew there had to more underneath his playboy exterior. Margot is adorable, and I was immediately drawn to her character. Their banter and supposed dislike for each other had me constantly smiling. The flashbacks and reflections into their pasts are well balanced and never overshadow current events.

RVD can pull off emotional reads beautifully, and she should do it more often in this book and series. There are serious issues that seemed to be glossed over, especially those involving Bentley. Despite that, it was an entertaining read. I also loved catching up with Grandma Nadine from The Bet Series and never tire of her crazy antics.

This is not my favorite series from RVD, but I certainly wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it.

3 stars for Brantley and Margot's story.

I wanted to love this book because I adore Rachel Van Dyken. And at it's heart, this is a sweet story about two former best friends who have a chance to learn from their pasts and ignite those crushes they've always had on each other.

Brantley's lady loving ways are over the top as is much of the humor in this book. As much as I adore this author, this seems to be a trend in her newer novels. Humor that feels forced and not natural and just a lack of feeling for the characters. So at the end of the day, when I finished this book I felt torn. I enjoyed parts of it and others I couldn't wait to be over. I just never felt enough towards the story or the characters.

Too many excuses, too much back and forth just felt... blah. I hope that I can continue this authors books in the future but the jury is out. 2.5 stars

**Due to the rating, this review will not be posted publicly.

I hate when I read a book that everyone else seems to love and I just scratch my head and try to figure out why? I'm sitting all by myself in the shame corner.
Bentley gets 'bought' by a grandmother at a bachelor charity auction. Then he finds out that Grandma bought him for her granddaughter. Who happened to be his best friend (both secretly had crushes on each other) that he no longer has any contact with. Why? Because she was in a horrible accident that killed both her parents and left her pretty wrecked. *major props to the author for how she handled this*
Bentley shows up at her (Margot) house for the weekend. Then he finds out that it's not for the weekend thanks to their sneaky grandparents..it's for thirty days. He even has a list that has to be accomplished.
Margot just wants him gone..
He left her at the most horrible time in her life and hasn't contacted her since. He is a total sucky best friend. Not that she has been the bestest either.

They both have trust issues..big time.
They both also came across as whiny as heck. I KNOW life had beat them down so don't go trolling me. I can't help I didn't much care for either of them. (Plus Bentley's man whoring at the beginning was WAY over the top.)

I think reading this one wrong is probably all on me. I tend to stay away from the angsty, mushy romancy pornos.

I'm more of a raunchy, make them laugh and just bang all the time kinda girl. Sorry not sorry.

I absolutely love everything Rachel Van Dyken writes and this story was no different. I fell in love with this story and with the characters. I thought the chemistry was there, the heart was there and the humor was there. It was a great romantic read, not to mention the emotions that were definitely evoked reading this book. Another amazing book from Rachel!

This was an incredibly fun read. It's usually an enemies-friends-lovers story, but this book turns that sequence on its head a bit. My only criticism is that the flashbacks to their lives before and their friendship were actually very interesting, but sometime in the middle of the book they just stop completely.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I thought it was funny and charming. So naturally I was excited to read the next book featuring one of Brock's younger brothers, Bentley. Unfortunately, I was not as charmed with this book.

*******************************SPOILERS*******************************

There was so much angst in this story. Bentley and Margot are both hurting and self-destructing and when they are pushed together, their self-hatred is inflicted on each other. It really hurt my heart to read all the venom they spewed at each other. Granted, they are both in a bad place and are lashing out, but I felt the constant fighting and cutting barbs were too much to take.

I did finish the book though but it was a hard long road and at the end, I wasn't all warm and fuzzy inside. I was agitated and raw. I didn't like the book, at all. Other readers may enjoy the book, but it just wasn't for me.

***I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own***