4.5 Much More Than You Think Stars
* * * * 1/2
Amy Andrews... I bow to you. You have written a very insightful and fun tale with this fourth entry of the Sydney Smoke Rugby series. If you have read the other parts, you may have noticed the progression of crafting and heart Andrews has brought to it.

In this we have everything you could love... Ryder Davis, a man from the Country is living the dream... a Rugby Star, bikini babes, no financial worries, a place with a view to die for and anything he could want...at his fingertips. Ryder is doing alright...

Enter the game changer...

Legs for days..
Soulful eyes...
Huge personality...
And a beating heart you cannot say no to....

A force to be reckoned with...
It's Tiny...The Great Dane!

Ryder gets saddled with this monster of a Great Dane because the Team's Coach's daughter promised to dog sit. Only her roommate laid the hammer down and said no. Ryder now cannot say no to the daughter so he is stuck with Tiny.

Tiny does not like being kept out of Ryder's bed...so he makes sure Ryder knows it when his bedroom door to the living room is opened in the morning. Let's just say Tiny has gifted Ryder with his affection in many ways...torn throw pillows, chewed furniture and other delights.

This leads Ryder to the animal shelter down the road... for assistance... It is there he sees Juliet Morgan for the first time and is kinda gobsmacked.

There is this woman talking to a pooch she is bathing...water drenching her shirt in just the right way for viewing by Ryder...As Juliet towels off and asks Ryder what the issue is with Tiny, Ryder works hard not to be another dog checking her out...Because she is amazing...

Ryder explains he has the Dog from Hell possessed in every way...and Juliet bends down and Tiny goes in for the "Cute Kill" by nuzzling her chest...Ryder is having a Hard Time not pushing Tiny away and taking his place....

Of course, Tiny acts perfectly with Juliet causing a frustrated Ryder to say how Tiny is playing her...he really is the demon from hell. Juliet laughs and tells Ryder to come to the training class she does late in the afternoons. One is starting tomorrow. They end the conversation with Ryder saying he will be there.

Juliet watches the cute odd couple leave and she knows she will never see Ryder again... after all, why would she. All of her experience with men has been a disappointment. She gave up too much from the last relationship and from what she learned from it, men very rarely do what they promise.
She knew how important promises were and her mother never let her down. The roles were reversed when Juliet's mother became ill. She put every dream aside to take care of her.

Now she has made plans to finally go where she always wanted and where her mother wished for her, Italy. She has booked her trip and in two months she is gone from Australia. Juliet hasn't been dating or hooking up...but she does make a little bet with herself. If that hot guy shows to the dog training... then if she read the vibes right...she will indulge in the mental fantasies she had while talking with him...

But the chance of that happening is when pigs fly...

Juliet is setting up all of the owners with their pups when she senses Ryder before she sees him. Shocked beyond belief but happy as a clam to see him, Juliet greets Tiny with a huge hug and big grin for Ryder.

Ryder couldn't take his eyes off Juliet. What caught Ryder off guard and made him incredibly taken with Juliet from the start was that she had NO IDEA who he was. She talked to him like he was like any other guy... not a meal ticket or sports star...and it was refreshing to have a woman look at him that way... Ryder liked it and wanted more of it.

Tiny lunged for Juliet and started flirting with her again... and Juliet let him. But Ryder's and Juliet's eyes were locked on each other while it was going on. After the class, Ryder asked Juliet if she would do private training for Tiny. This idea allowed the both of them to have a way to indulge in more intimate time together....Ryder asks her back to his place for a beer/drink...She says yes but lets him know nothing is happening except maybe some kissing....and makes sure her roommate knows where she is going to be.

Ryder's high rise home was in an Art Deco building. The beauty was dear to Juliet's heart. Architecture was an interest of hers and having Ryder give her a tour was a natural way for the both of them to "get to know each other".

Side Note
It is here where I want to share how incredibly sexy Amy Andrews does this scene. She takes "Just Kissing and Action Above The Waist" to a level which could have been responsible for a level 8 earthquake on the Richter scale. The earth didn't just move... it shook, rattled and rolled...And it was only the beginning of this couple's chemistry. Be Still My Heart.

Thes two realize there is something cookin' between them but Juliet doesn't want to get into anything but fun and games... she only has two months to play with Ryder. Ryder hears what she is saying and they reach an agreement...Fun and Games and then she is gone to Italy.

But Fun and Games becomes more...It becomes friendship, caring and Ryder starts to think about Juliet as someone he doesn't want to lose...

This story was so good with the chemistry, the sneaky development of friendship/relationship and a realization there could be more.

Amy Andrews takes you on a ride that is more than Rugby and fun. It is sensual, smart and heartfelt.

Playing by Her Rules (Sydney Smoke Rugby, #1) by Amy Andrews Playing by Her Rules (Sydney Smoke Rugby, #1)
Playing It Cool (Sydney Smoke Rugby, #2) by Amy Andrews Playing It Cool (Sydney Smoke Rugby, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Playing the Player (Sydney Smoke Rugby, #3) by Amy Andrews Playing the Player (Sydney Smoke Rugby #3)

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, but it was kind of mixed bag for me.  It felt like the first half of the book was all sex and very little story.  I've literally read erotica books with less sex than was in this novel.  After the halfway point, the book developed a bit more substance with it's plot. 

I've loved every prior book in this series and normally love the author's work, but for me, I'd give this one 3.5 stars (thus rounding up to 4).  Having said that, fans of the author and this series will want to read this novel.  The author is on my must read authors' list.

This was published by The Book Queen on 9/15: http://www.tbqsbookpalace.com/2017/09/jens-review-playing-with-forever.html

	Playing with Forever is the fourth book in the Sydney Smoke series by Amy Andrews. All of the books feature strong likable heroines, hot professional athletes, and lots of sex-positive messaging. I’m a fan of this series, and it’s entirely possible to start with this book and work your way backwards if you think this book is for you.

	The hero of Playing With Forever is rugby player Ryder Davis. Yes, he’s a handsome and rich professional athlete; but more importantly, he’s a genuinely likable good guy. His friend Valerie appears at the beginning of the book, begging for help with caring for a huge Great Dane named Tiny. Ryder is country boy who grew up on a farm, so, idk, I guess having a dog is not big deal. Turns out Tiny is poorly behaved and Ryder decides to try some obedience lessons. Sparks fly when he meets the trainer, Juliet Morgan. The wrench in the works is that  Juliet is moving to Italy in 8 weeks. She was dumped by her boyfriend of four years, and that guy kept her from this lifelong goal of living in Italy. She is determined not to let a man get in the way of her dream again.

There’s so much I liked about this book. It’s funny and there’s great rapport between Juliet and Ryder, between the teammates on the rugby team, and between Tiny and just about everyone. Any romance that makes me laugh out loud several times is a winner in my book. Juliet and Ryder are both strong characters, and the chemistry if off the charts. Juliet is determined not to fall in love and insists their relationship should only be physical. Ryder’s never had a long term relationship, so he doesn’t think it will be a problem to keep their relationship light.
 
My favorite thing about this book was that it was absolutely sex-positive. Here’s a key exchange from early in their affair. Juliet confides in Ryder about her bad breakup. She tells him afterwards she “slept with a lot of guys in some kind of sick form of revenge. It didn’t really make his betrayal better, but it did expand my sexual experience exponentially.” First of all, I was thrilled that she has such a matter of fact attitude about her past. She’s not overwhelmed with guilt or shame: she knows what she was trying to do, understands it didn’t quite work, but has figured out the bright side. If she was a real person instead of a fictional character, I would have given her a fist bump and a shot of tequila. But I was expecting Ryder to be disapproving or disappointed--it’s pretty common in romance for men to get a pass for their sexual exploits, but for women to be shamed for them. Instead, “Ryder couldn’t help but wonder how magnificent she must have been back then, angry fucking every guy who crossed her path.” All he cares about is making sure she’s moved on, because he can already tell he wants to be more than another notch in her bedpost. There was not a single moment where either one judges the other for their sexual needs, whether they be past or present. Ryder and Juliet have tons of sex in this book, even sometimes when they are angry at each other. But all of it is just part of the evolution of their intimate relationship. 

As great as that all was, if I had one wish for this book, it would be more scenes of them hanging out and getting to know each other. They really only go out on one “date” in the book, and they have a huge fight. In order to really believe two characters are in love, I usually need a little more about what they have in common. Yes, their chemistry is off the charts, and I’m all for sex positive characters, but intimacy is built in lots of ways other than sex and I wanted to see more of that. Either way, it’s obvious how much they respect each other. Juliet worries her plans to move to Italy will hurt Ryder; Ryder wants her to have her dream, but also to choose him. This is a satisfying romance with a believable conflict about two people who each want to fulfill their dreams and find a way to be together.

You don't have to know a thing about rugby (I don't) to love smoking hot country boy turned rugby star Ryder Davis. This is my third Sydney Smoke book and Amy Andrews is turning me into quite the rugby fan. 

Like the other Sydney Smoke installments, Playing With Forever is sexy fun. As sexually charged as Ryder and Juliet are for each other, I loved the first few scenes where their sexy times were thwarted by a dog, her friends, and his rugby time. And when it was finally on, Ryder and Juliet were a combustible combination. 

On the flip side, there could have been more exploration of their emotions before things were cranked up to the ILYs. As much as I adored Ryder, Juliet was a much harder sell. She is so determined to only use Ryder as a sex buddy that she loses her mind each time she thinks he's hinting for more. I was ready to write her off when she reacted so shrewishly to his offer of a spare toothbrush. So while I could see how Ryder could so sweetly fall for Juliet, I didn't feel the same of Juliet. 

So great to see the other Sydney Smoke guys and gals; looking forward to more.

This is the fourth book I have read in Amy Andrews's Sydney Smoke series and I loved the first two novels, I liked the third one, and I think I also just liked this fourth installment. I loved Ryder. I thought he was hot, sweet, sexy, funny, kind, the whole package! First impressions of Juliet, I loved her too! I thought she was a really engaging character in the beginning of the novel, but by the middle and towards the end, she kept pushing Ryder away and being really annoying about it, for lack  of a better word. It just turned me off to her character for the time being. So that's why I am giving this book 3.75 stars.

When I’ve thought about what I would say in this review, the first thing that has come to my mind each time is: murgh. Actually it’s more: murrrrrrrrgh, which I think is a result of dying brain cells.

Playing with Forever seemed like it would be right up my alley: hunky country boy turned superstar athlete who acquires a huge dog he can’t handle and must turn to the “dog whisperer” to make the world right.

Yeah, right.

That’s pretty much the story in a nutshell. Except, the dog whisperer doesn’t know anything about crates or dog dominance or probably even dogs. The superstar athlete can’t seem to see beyond her t&a. Favorite colors come up so I guess that’s something.

This, my friends, is pure lust-mance. Pages and pages of lust-mance in the guise of a novel. It’s well written lust-mance, mind you. If you want to read about two characters who do it everywhere like dumb bunnies, here you go.

This is definitely a “your-mileage-may-vary” since most rating on Goodreads are 4+. But, if you follow my reviews and tend to like the books I do, please consider the precious hours of your life you’ll never get back.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 “I have always been a sucker for a gentleman.” Stars

If you're looking for a light-hearted entertaining romance with a hefty dose of sexy, you'll not go far wrong with the fourth offering in Amy Andrews' Sydney Smoke Rugby series. 

“This can only be sex. Just seven weeks of utterly debauched, completely strings-free sex.”

When it comes to mixing men and animals, Amy hits the spot every time and when Ryder Davis is lumped dog-sitting Tiny, a Great Dane with behavioural issues, he rapidly realises he needs help which comes in the form of Juliet Morgan. And it's not just the dog panting when around her. 

"The man ticked all of her boxes. Compassionate, kind, thoughtful. But he was alpha as fuck on a rugby field. And in the bedroom. Or on a balcony. Or in front of a mirror. Or up against a wall." 

Okay so it was a tad on the predictable side, but Ryder and Juliet were fantastic together with a chemistry that burns the pages from the moment they meet. I loved how Juliet owned her sexuality and was confident and honest in what she wants from Ryder, and I love a man who falls hard and, bless him, he fell from a spectacular height. 

“I’m not going to fall in love with you. And you’re not going to fall in love with me.” 

It's not quite my favourite of the books so far—Linc was always going to be a hard act to follow for me—however Amy is absolutely nailing this series and so begins the wait for the next instalment.

Though this is book 4, you do not have to read the previous books in the series.  Being American, I didn't understand some of the words used, but the author did provide a glossary at the end to help us.   The hero is a rugby star (though there isn't much actual sports in the book) with a misbehaving giant Great Dane named Tiny.  The parts about Tiny were very funny and the best part of the story.  The heroine is leaving, so the relationship starts with a deadline  - leading to lots of hot sex.   Overall, I very much enjoyed the book and would read another one by Amy Andrews.

Ryder Davis is stuck with a dog through a friend and is having trouble managing it and goes to a animal shelter looking for help. At the shelter he meets Juliet, a dog whisperer:). They are both attracted to each other and soon embark on a casual fling. Juliet has plans to go to Italy after 2 months and not interested in anything more. 
I had so much fun reading playing with forever. The first half of the book had me smiling constantly, especially with the dog Tiny's antics. The chemistry between Ryder and Juliet was super hot. I have read all the books in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series and look forward to reading more.

There is a lot of cursing and a lot of sex in this book. If those things are going to cause you to leave a bad review, this is not the book for you. 

The first part of this story is chock full of humor. I found myself laughing and highlighting so many things as I was reading that I can't even explain it (I would have happily read a book just about Ryder and Tiny oh my gosh), but I was disappointed that the humor seemed to fall off after Ryder and Juliet started to hook up regularly. There was lots of sex, but that underlying humor wasn't there. But the story was interesting enough that the missing humor didn't hurt this book at all and it was still a five star read. 

Juliet's forced casualness and her need for utter control was a little frustrating, but I actually really liked her and I kept hoping that she would figure out that Ryder wasn't just a casual fling, that she was special to him. Ryder was...I was honestly really surprised by how much I liked Ryder, how different he was than what I expect him to be. Instead of being a pompous man-ho, he was sweet and kind and absolutely adorable when it came to his affection for Tiny. I was absolutely smitten with him.

If you enjoy a story about two people who foolishly think they're going to have a casual fling but who were stupidly perfect for each other from the very start whether they know it or not, you will enjoy this book. If you enjoy a story that features a sexy, swoon-worthy male character and lots of hot sex, you will enjoy this book.

I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to write this review, I did so because I enjoyed the book.

Sometimes Ryder is just dumbfounded, “eff. Me.” His breath tumbled out on a ragged whisper. “My hat and that jersey look far better on you than they ever have on me.” Ryder does have a jealous side, “schoolboys are filthy little ******ds. He wasn’t trying to flirt with my woman, was he?” Another growl, another bite..." I enjoyed the heck out of this book, Ryder and Juliet were entertaining, and then add in Tiny and it was a party.

I was given a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was disappointed with the story line.  The synopsis sounded great but the actual book didn't do anything for me.  I felt the heroine, Juliet, hopped into bed way too fast and the hero, Ryder, a bit immature.  I loved the dog, Tiny, who is a huge Great Dane and instigates the relationship between the h/h.  He had a great personality.  I also did not care for the ending...(spoiler alert!)...a top notch sports man would not give up his established career with a long term team to go outside the country for a year...not happening.

Story of Ryder and Juliet based in Sydney, Australia. I no nothing about Rugby yet truly enjoyed reading about Ryder's life and his dedication to the sport. I now little about pets yet could appreciate Juliet's love for animals. Interspersed within all this is the magical connection they have for each other as soon as they lay eyes on each other. The author plays a switch up with Juliet being the one to try to keep the relationship casual... easy, peasy fuck buddies. Life doesn't work like that for these two who discover what their true priorities in life are.

I did not get a chance to finish this novel. Based on the description, I was very intrigued and upon reading the story my expectations kind of fell flat. I know for some this might be the kind of romance book theyre looking for but I was expecting something a little different. This novel is in 3rd person POV which I also felt was a problem because I didn't exactly connect with the characters like I wanted too.

I LOVED rugby star Ryder Davis !! First off..I know NOTHING about rugby. Not a thing. But it is popular in other parts of the world and it looks crazy to play. So. knowing it is a bunch of huge and smoking men who play it has me hooked. And Ryder Davis made me fall in love with him.

He meets Dog whisperer, Juliet Morgan when he is puppy sitting for a friend of a friend. When he meets Julie... it is something special at first site. She is cautious keeping him a arm's length because she is moving to Italy in a few weeks. 

I loved Julie and Ryder's chemistry. I loved this book!

5 - "I'm not going to fall in love with you... And you're not going to fall in love with me." Stars!

Amy Andrews returns to the Sydney Smoke Rugby series, with the fourth book; Playing with Forever, giving us Ryder Davis’ story.

IMAGE.

I think as a reader you know you are onto a winner when you are crying with laughter after the first couple of pages, and Amy delivered up the perfect balance of humour between Ryder and the Great Dane puppy; Tiny, that he is dog-sitting versus the heat, chemistry and sexy-times with him and Juliette.

"You rugby guys look like you were born to fuck…"

No Messing with this one, Ryder and Juliette hit the ground running when it comes to getting down and dirty, Juliette is leaving town for Italy in two months so is very much in the ‘here & now’ when it comes to what her and Ryder are doing with each other, and although he is on the same page as her at the beginning, his feelings start to change with the more time they spend together.

It killed him that she was so set on moving forward she was holding herself back from him…

Although pretty predictable in relation to the story arc, I absolutely loved this book, I will even go as far as to say that it’s the best book of the series (so far). Ryder was adorably dirty, Juliette confidently sexy, and the additions from the rest of the Smoke family just made this story completely un-put-downable, in fact if it hadn’t been for work commitments I am pretty sure I’d have read it in one sitting.

She could have her man and her dream.

I think this series is one of the best that the Brazen imprint has released in recent years, and I hope to see more books from it very soon.

"You’re so easy."

Playing With Forever is about a Rugby player, an adorable dog, and a woman that captures their hearts. Seriously, what's not to love?

I loved how the author described everything. It wasn't overly done but made the story come to life. I could really picture the dogs faces. 

Of course, I thought the dog was the best part. A man with a dog just melts your heart. The way Ryder talked to Tiny was incredibly funny.  I have never smiled so much while reading before. 

I appreciated that the usual gender roles weren't used. There was no almost virginal woman who meets a man that has had more than his fair share of women. They were on pretty equal footing. She was the one who demanded it be all about sex while he was wanting more. 

Even though I am from the United States and it is based in Australia, it wasn't hard for me to follow along. Some words were different but it isn't hard to figure out what it means.  

There also was the perfect amount of sport talk. It wasn't overwhelming at all. 

Why did Juliet never wear a bra? In her description it didn't seem like she had tiny breasts. That just seemed very odd to me. 

I believe this can be read easily without reading the others in the series. 

There were a couple things at the end I would have liked to see happen but I hope we see them resolved in a cameo later in the series. 
Overall, I really enjoyed it. It is a good one if you need a pick-me-up. You definitely feel relaxed and happy after.

3.5

Cute romantic comedy.

This review us based on the ARC received from the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.