Risky Play is the perfect way to start a new series! This book has all the feels. Mack is the perfect heroine to deal with a broken Slade. She’s a little flawed and a lot strong. Once she decides what she wants there’s no stopping her. Ultimately her strength brings her her HEA.

How do you write a review for a book that consumes you from the beginning all the way to the end? When the words and the characters flow so well together? It's simple really...Mackenzie and Slade are the complete oppsite of each other but yet the same. They draw out the best and worst combinations of each other, that it works. Their pull to each other is undeniable. Without a doubt Rachel bought her A game when writting Risky Play. A page turner, emotional rollercoaster with a hint of sarcasm, laughter and of course love.

I read an advanced copy for an honest review.
Mackenzie and Slade meet while trying to escape embarrassing situations; Mackenzie is stood up at the altar and Slade was dumped by his fiancee. They are both high profile people, who just want to relax and be anonymous for a while.

Since neither has any idea who the other is, them embark on fun an passion, until tragedy strikes Slade's family and he abandons Mackenzie, blaming her for his distraction.

Flash forward a bit and Mackenzie still dwells on her romance with her secret guy until she starts working for him, as his P.A. Slade acts like a total jerk and Mackenzie feelings are crushed.

This is a story about enemies to lovers and the path they need to take to get there. Both characters have trust issues and walls and insecurities. It's a wonderful story about feeling better about the person you are, as well as letting someone close enough to see and love the real you.

There was tenderness, in this story, as well as some humor and a great HEA.

I enjoyed my first Rachel Van Dyken book, Risky Play. The "meet cute" is unique. Having a wild, quick hook up with the man she shared a terrifying moment on the airplane only to wake up alone the next day. Poor Mack. Mackenzie is so not the spoiled princess she could be. She's genuinely sweet and likable. Slade is so hot but in a dark place following the death of his father. Though a bit implausible, Mack ends up as Slade's personal assistant. He's nasty to her from day one because he is desperate to blame someone for not returning his dad's last phone calls. She's hurt but determined to be there for him. She too well understands how hard it is when your money and fame make you question everyone around you's intentions.

Mack's too irresistible and she's soon breaking down Slade's walls.

Watching these two find their way to each other was fun, with moments of joy and sorrow and a lot of hard work to get to the happily ever after.

A big thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel for my advanced copy for which I leave my honest review!

Risky play is the first book in a new series by Rachel and it is everything I expect when I read a Van Dyken book! It has chemistry, a wonderful storyline, great well developed characters and moments that make you want to cry as well as laugh😍

Mackenzie decides six months after being jilted at the altar that she is going to take the honeymoon vacation she purchased for herself and her supposed to be husband. When the plane unexpectedly has a motor failure, she turns panicked to the man next to her. Having no idea that he’s a famous soccer player, they kiss to distract themselves from what’s happening around them. Suffice to say they survive and are attached to each other by the hips as they realise that they are both staying at the same hotel, right next door to each other. This leads to MORE......

However, Slade receives a call with regards to a family tragedy and hightails out of the hotel to the U.S, which finds Mack waking up alone😢 Needless to say, they find their way back to each other by way of Mack working for Matt, Slade’s manager as an assistant to Slade. But their path to be together is fraught with interference by others and the media. Will they manage to trust the other to overcome all obstacles?

Definitely a must have story and I’d recommend as a book to anyone who loves second chances❣️

Oh my, this book! It had me from the very beginning, with its emotionally charged, heartbreaking introduction of Mackenzie in the prologue that had me immediately wanting a happily ever after for her, and wanting to see this road of self discovery for her. Followed immediately by a dramatic, action filled first chapter that sets the introduction of Mackenzie and Slade and the beginning of their connection. Then you’ll spend the next half of the book wanting to throw the book at Slade for his 180 behavior change because like Mackenzie, he’s got his own emotional baggage to wade through so they can fight for each other. The comedic gold between Slade and Matt as well as between Slade and Jagger makes up for it. Some of my favorite scene were courtesy of a cute pup named Alfie, that had me laughing till tears leaked out. That’s Ms. Van Dyken’s writing for you. It’s an emotional roller coaster that will have you wanting to throw the book down and wanting to walk away it’s so charged, but you can’t walk away for long because you NEED to know what’s going to happen.

There are so many different relationship dynamics in this book that are interconnected, that weave one amazing story, and it leaves you wanting more and eager to see what happens with the rest of the characters that we’ve been introduced to.

I didn't love this book, and I didn't hate this book. I did enjoy this book however. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments, a lot of witty banter between characters, and a definite attraction between more than one of the leads. It was also one of those quick reads that is perfect for a rainy (or in my case snowy) day.

I'm a little confused about how two people who are supposedly so "well known" that they are featured on the cover of magazines were unable to recognize each other. I guess its more understandable that Slade didn't recognize Mackenzie as she seems to be more or less a "local socialite celebrity", but if he was truly the best in the world, his coming to the states would have been a huge deal, and I find it next to impossible (considering he was going to living/playing in the same area as she lived) that she had no idea who he was. There certainly would have been news coverage. But anyway. Maybe she didn't recognize him. For the sake of the story we will go with that.

I can even understand why he took off immediately after learning the news of his loss. And support to an extent why he blamed her. Grief is a heck of a thing.

What I cannot support is the way he spoke to her and treated her when they were reunited. Some of the things that he said were downright crude and uncalled for. In fact, had I been in her shoes instead of trying to help him, I would have slapped him soundly across the face from the first minute, then told the hiring company I would not work for someone who spoke to me in such a degrading manner. But... she's got some feelings still for the jerk, so she stays. Although, it could be that she's just used to jerks as her ex-fiance speaks to her in much the same way. Honestly, he did her a huge favor when he left her at the altar. Also its worth pointing out that her own father is more prone to taking "the exes sides" over his own daughter.

Then again Mackenzie freaks out a little too hard when the guy whose house she is at calls the guy texting her a "cockblocker". Maybe I'm just jaded myself, but if a guy is offering friendship, but wants you to come to his house at night? Its not exactly friendship he has on his mind.

I feel like there is a bit too much of the "alpha male gone wrong" with this story, at least where Mackenzie is involved. She deserved better. She had the potential after Mexico to be this new version of herself, but I feel like she was so used to taking the crap, that she kept right on taking it.

When it's just the Slade and Jagger or Slade and Matt or even the three of them? The conversations are literally laugh-out-loud. Even Mackenzie manages to earn a few laughs when she's with them. The easy banter between the characters is what makes this book. Now, I understand the point the author was trying to make when it comes to grief (and even lust and jealousy) making people act irrationally, but it felt like sometimes this was taken too far. Kudos to the boys for finally standing up for the girl though.

As is typical with the first book in a new series by this author, while I didn't enjoy this one as much as I thought I would, I have a feeling the next will be better. There will be more focus on the next pairing and not so much of this back and forth third wheel kind of stuff.

Overall, this story I think may still appeal to those who enjoy contemporary romances. What stood out to me may in fact be a product of the way my own cynical mind works. I already know this author will do well no matter what they write - it is a talent of theirs. I would read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Rachel Van Dyken is back with a brand new series. Risky Play is the first book in the Red Card series. The book starts off with a jolting prologue, with Mackenzie getting left at the altar. She goes to Mexico for a vacation where she meets our hero, Slade, on the plane there. They have an electric first meeting on the plane, and give each other fake names. They have a one night stand and he leaves for personal reasons the next morning. The first 20% of the book was packed with so much going on. The book started out light and fun but got emotional throughout the rest.

They meet again with her becoming his new assistant. It kind of flipped tropes at this point, and became more enemies to lovers. Slade ran hot and cold; it was understandable considering what had happened, but still a bit exhausting. On the other hand, Mackenzie was hard to read in the beginning but then you get to know her, and she is a strong, smart, sweet, caring character. We get some great supporting characters, who I’m sure will get their own books.

I thought this was a great start to a new series, and I anxiously wait for the next book in the series.

* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I received this ebook from Skyscape and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Another great book by Rachel! Her stories and couples are always adorable and quirky. Mac and Slade were both running from their lives and ran right into each other. Slade was almost too big of a jerk to be redeemable at one point, but she did a great job of doing it. It wasn’t easy, but nothing worth it ever is. My only complaint is that it felt like maybe some pages were missing because some of the pages stopped mid sentence or word and the next page was something different.

I loved this book. It's a good old fashioned romance. The culprit of any issues is the heart in this warm, wonderful tale. The characters are smouldering, smart alek, tough when need be, stubborn, and loving. I really hope that there is more novels for some secondary characters making this a great series.
The pace was perfection, there was never a dull moment. There was conflict, there was humor, there was sexy times, and there was love. I could not put this book down, I was drawn to the characters from the get go and thoroughly enjoyed their story. This story is told in dual pov.

This was a sweet romance story. I did enjoy the story.

I love watching MacKenzie grow in this book. To going from being left at the alter and everyone in the country knowing about it, to moving on and living in the moment, to showing Slade he wasn’t going to break her. She was an amazing character.

Slade is a hot, cocky soccer player. But he’s also a great person once you get to know him on a personal level and not what he shows the public. I really enjoyed watching him fall this book!

This is a great start to a new series by RVD! Love her books!

This book was just what I needed. I picked it up and didn’t put it down until I was done. With just the right amount of angst I loved this story.

Mack and Slade have a bit of a love hate relationship when they reconnect without warning. Slade definitely has some issues and rather then dealing with them he seems to take them all out on poor Mack.

I wasn’t sure whether she wanted to kill him or kiss him and at times I kind of wanted a little bit of both. It was one of those stories where I you want the hero to get his head out of his ass and get the girl all ready cause she’s exactly what he needs.

I loved how this story plays out and I was so invested in the two that there were moments I could feel the hurt that these two go through. There’s just enough comic relief that also makes this an adorable read. It’s the perfect amount of cute and emotion that I look for in a feel good romance.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this series and will be reading it without hesitation.

Well, this was enjoyable. And sexy. I definitely like the seriousness mixed in with a little humor. One second I’m getting all sad and the next I’m smiling over the antics of these guys.

It’s nice to read about guys who don’t always get along but are adult enough to eventually grow up and move on. The characters were fun and I look forward to the future books.

Mackenzie experiences every bride’s worst nightmare, she is left at the alter by her fiancé. The unfortunate thing is they still have to work together at her family’s wine company. Before she heads back to her normal life she decides to go on her honeymoon, alone, in Mexico.
Enter Slade, he is on the plane to Mexico and sitting right next to Mack. They strike up a conversation, under fake names naturally because both are very much in the public eye, Mack is a socialite and Slade and professional soccer star.
What do you do in Mexico with a stranger that you will never see again? You let go of your inhabitations, you take risks and you enjoy life. Slade and Mack did that to the fullest, which led to hot hotel moments in Mexico.
What happens when you end up running to that stranger again?
This book had me laughing, it had me frustrated and it broke my heart a little but I loved every single moment of it. The banter between Slade and Mack was great, their chemistry was undeniable and Slade’s alpha male ways had me swooning. Their friends, Jagger and Matt, were great additions to the story and I look forward to getting more of their stories in the future (hopefully).
A must read book of 2019 for me!

This book was really difficult for me to get into. It read a LOT like new adult to me, which really isn't my jam. I felt like the story was a lot more about outside forces than it was about the romance itself, and that left me wanting a lot more! I didn't seem to be able to relate to the characters at all. However, I will say that I do enjoy RVD's dialogue! She has some great scenes.

Really good! I loved the characters and the story, and I was rooting for them the whole time, which for me is the mark of a good romance novel. I've read (and for the most part enjoyed) a lot of this author's work, but this book stands out for me as being more mature and having some real depth in the feelings and characters. My only quibble is the roadblock /resolution at the end. It was over the top and somewhat silly in comparison to the rest of the book. However that did not deter me from gobbling this book up in one sitting, and hoping for more!

I truly loved these characters. Slade and Mack were everything. Mack is your self confident women who owns her true self and Slade is the sexy soccer star who has it all but missing that one thing. Together these two find it and make for an awesome couple.

This beauty is releasing on March 19th❗️
Any Rachel Van Dyken fans out there 😉❓

✨Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange of an honest review
🔷
This was my first book by and what a pleasant surprise❗️
It had the right ingredients to suck me in ...
⚽️ Sports romance (soccer)
⚽️ Second chance love
⚽️ Sassy virgin heroine
⚽️ Soccer player with a broken heart
⚽️ Witty banter
⚽️ Learning to trust again
⚽️ great plot line
🔹
I got hooked from the first few pages: the beginning was just awesome (how the characters meet) and the WRITING was so addictive, and I found myself smiling at times, then nervous and worried, then laughing out loud or gasping and closing my eyes ... yeah I was all the way in with Slade and Mackenzie until they finally got together (I love happy endings😉)
🔷
📖 A sneak peek 📖:
SLADE is a famous soccer player who was betrayed by love and doesn’t want it anymore
MACKENZIE is the daughter of a very wealthy business man; living in the shadows of her fiancé since they were very young, she was left by him at the altar
⚠️SHE wanted ADVENTURE -> she goes on her honeymoon, alone, and wants to have fun
⚠️HE wanted ESCAPE -> he puts a hoodie on as a disguise and decides to get away
✈️FATE puts them together on the same plane to Mexico... they decide to have fun for a few days before going back to face reality
🖇Until things get complicated ... and FATE interferes again, along with other circumstances
👉🏻 I don’t want to reveal more, just READ IT😉
✅Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Love the author and have read a few books but this one was by far the best of the bunch. Such a great story and superb characters. Would definitely recommend this book.

Risky Play is the first installment of the Red Card series by Rachel Van Dyken.

Nothing could be possibly worse than being left at an altar, but here Mack is, on the way to her honeymoon…alone. Though only a few moments into her flight, she’s easily captured in the eyes of a stranger. Once back on land, these two give each other fake names as they enjoy a mysterious romance fling. They thought they’d never see each other again, but fate is about to give them a dose of reality, for when they meet once again, the truth is revealed.

I’ve loved a huge amount of Rachel Van Dyken, and I enjoyed Risky Play, however, the genre for this particular book wasn’t as enticing for me personally. However, the writing, characters, and plot were wonderfully done. I love how Rachel Van Dyken always keeps true to her writing. Even though this wasn’t my type of story, I would certainly recommend to others to read!