I mostly enjoyed this book. It was really sexy, and had some great characters. I thought Reagan was awesome. I love that she hates flowers and plays video games, and is also a confident sports agent. She is really close to her family, and her BFF Letty cracked me up. Zac....should definitely have gone to therapy much earlier in his life. Also, most everything to do with his dad pissed me off.

There were great parts to this book. The fake dating scenes were funny. When Reagan is a total boss at work, that was awesome. But, I really hate the trope of "I can't date my best friend's sister". .It's misogynistic and dumb. So I would really give this book 3.5 stars but rounded up because the sex scenes were hot.

I liked the characters enough that I plan to read the next in the series. It will be interesting to see how big of a part Zac/ Reagan play in the next book. At least I know the trope will be different!

3.5 stars — This book was up and down for me. There were elements that worked very very well, and there were elements that just didn’t for me. Basically, it was the ultimate mixed bag.

The prologue sucked me in immediately and I felt a lot for both Reagan and Zac. The problem is that when we got to chapter 1, I felt like I had missed a whole bunch in between and we were thrust almost immediately into a steamy scene. I hadn’t had a chance to get to know either of our characters that well, and I definitely hadn’t had a chance to see their dynamic at play. It felt more erotica than romance. I enjoy hella steamy scenes, don’t get me wrong, but I need to have emotional and character investment as well. This problem plagued a lot of the rest of the book — balancing between an actual romance with erotica. I needed a bit more connection outside the physical, especially earlier on. I suppose if this wasn’t a brother’s best friend kinda dealio, it might have been different…you know, a one night stand becomes more trope fits with lust/sex first, feelings later. But that just isn’t what I want from this trope.

So yeah, the steamy scenes were definitely solid. If that’s mostly what you’re in for, I think you’ll enjoy it…there was definitely physical chemistry between Ree and Zac. It was the other chemistry that felt a bit lacking. Every time I thought we would get more heart, we got another steamy scene instead.

That’s not to say I didn’t eventually get more, it just wasn’t enough at that point. And frankly, it was hard to love Zac when he pushed her away constantly, hurting her…his past gave him some leeway, but I don’t know…not that much for me?

I appreciated Reagan’s storyline with her father (though, I wasn’t completely satisfied with that resolution, I needed more), and her struggle at her firm (I LOVED the way that one played out). She had to ride such a balance as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the author really showed how tricky that is for women (much less black women).

On the other hand, I was less impressed with how Zac’s dealings with his past went. I mean, I was hella happy about one aspect (therapy — yay! End the shame stigma!), but the way he felt about his mom, and the way he spoke to her rubbed me the wrong way…something about the way it played out just…I don’t know.

There were also lots of guy-guy moments with Zac’s hockey team and Reagan’s brothers…it felt cliche and shallow at times. I’m just not as down with that anymore.

This ARC wasn’t great editing wise (inconsistencies, timelines, etc), so I sincerely hope it got a good final pass.

Seeing as this was the author’s debut novel, I might consider reading another of hers. Aidan and Letty could definitely be fun, but the one I’m most interested in is definitely Callum.

First book in the series and my first book from this author. This is a friend to lover story. Very well written. The pacing was good. Reagan has been in love with Zac, her brother best friend, since she was 15 years old. Zac comes from a broken family and the Thomas's have all been there for him. A challenge is issued then happened the Hottest two weeks. Very "Caliente". Its not just the sex here, there's an actual story with funny secondary characters and some drama. Good interracial romance.

This was an absolute joy to read!
Reagan and Zac date for two weeks to decide if they are meant for each other. Aidan is Zac's best friend and Reagan's older brother which makes Zac weary because bro code. Now Reagan has to convince him that he's the one for her.
TW: child abuse and spousal abuse. Death from pregnancy.
What I liked
Reagan: she doesn't back down from a challenge and she's kind.
Letty: the best friend one could ask for.
Her brothers and father: fierce and protective of their little sister ( Reagan has them wrapped around her finger)
Zac: Aidans best friend and adopted family member of the Thomases.
Overall the story was warm and fuzzy with a tiny amount of angst and...DUDE YOUR FAMILY MIGHT JUST WALK IN ON YOU.
This is the first in the series and I look forward to the others. Overall I give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 ( I knocked out .5 because I really wanted Zac to left hook his dad
Highly recommended if you want a fast paced- steamy friends -to- lovers story

Dirty Tactics is a great steamy read. Reagan and Zac have amazing chemistry as you learn about them having a passion for each other now as well as since they were teens. Zac doesn't believe that he deserves someone like Reagan and doesn't want to give up his found family to explore what he might be able to have with Reagan.
Overall I thought this was a good friends to lovers romance with very steamy chemistry. I did wish that the epiphany from Zac came a bit sooner than the last 25% of the book, but everything did resolve by the end and Zac and Reagan decided to make things work.
Thank you to Carina Press via NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dirty Tactics, the authors debut which seem to be the beginning of a series. Regan Thomas and Zachariah "Zac Quinn have known each other since his family lived nearby. Zac grew up in an alcoholic and abusive household . Regan brothers father and herself became his second family. Zac and Ree never seen each other as family since they have always been attracted to each but never push the issue until one night at a party they both give in to their inhibitions. This a friends to lovers story and also about a man overcome his past to see he deserves love to . Review on goodreads and eventually amazon.

This was a very nice and hot story. The lead characters had great chemistry and depth. I liked how the way they acted and reacted made sense considering their backstories and traumas, and that they didn't acted out of character and that the drama wasn't for dramas sake. Reagan was fresh and smart and so lovable. Zac was hot and respectful. I felt so much for him and what he went through. In a few short chapters the author managed to give them depth and personality. The secondary characters were ok, if a bit less well sketched, being secondary', my favorite being Dean who was a riot! Am also intrigued by Callum, that I would love to read more about, more than Aidan and Letty, actually.
All in all, a very good book that I highly recommend

Dirty Tactics is a seductive romance between Zac and Reagen, who have been in each other's lives for forever. Zac is her brother's best friend and Reagen has been in love with him since she was fifteen, and when the two least expect it, their chemistry explodes and shows them what being together really feels like. However, Zac has some dark history to work through and holds Ree at an arm's length away, making it harder for her to execute her plan of getting him to fall for her. The two agree on a two week trial period that Reagen wants to take seriously, but when Zac shows his intentions, her gameplay changes too.

Reading this was every bit sexy as it was frustrating. The two are made for the other but spend legitimately so much time dancing around what should be that you want to shake them. I feel like Zac's history was glazed over when there should've been more to it. Actually, I feel like the whole book reads this way. I had chapters that were a page or two long. It moved so quickly and deserved so much more time filling in the gaps that were otherwise just skipped over.

Reagen and Zac had the potential to be great but it didn't feel like we were given the opportunity to see them as themselves, as a lot of it was spent playing these games. I would've loved to see more build-up and a little bit more of a trial period... two weeks was just not enough... at all.

Overall, this was enjoyable but had its flaws. I was excited to read it and happy I got the chance to read it, but I just wanted more.

This story was such a fun read, and I enjoyed it so much. I loved the main characters, and the way their relationship evolved from friends to lovers (it was deliciously angsty).
The family relationships and friendships also played a huge role in this story and were so supportive and loving.
There was nothing remarkable about the storyline or the trope it highlighted, but the characters made this story as fun and sexy as it was. And that made the story so engaging and had you rooting for the HEA.
If you are a fan of Talia Hibbert, then this story would definitely be up your alley.

I really, really wanted to like Dirty Tactics, the debut book from Emma Salah, but I found it a struggle to get through.

I'm usually a total sucker for a hockey book, so I was excited to try this one. Plus. the plot seemed really interesting from the summary, so I decided to take a chance on a new author (something I rarely do).

Look, I've read almost 2,000 romance books, so I'm picky and I have my pet peeves. And, to be honest, this book pushed a number of my buttons and not in good ways.

I don't love when books have lots of flashbacks interspersed in the storyline as I find it to be distracting and I don't often find that it adds anything to the story. I didn't like it here, and I found it to be disruptive and oddly inserted in random spots. I also really, really struggled with the constant telling instead of showing that the author did with the characters' emotions. I wasn't able to feel what these characters were feeling because it was just all spelled out for me. Make me feel it instead. There was also lot of characters talking to themselves in their heads, which just is another way to tell instead of show me feelings.

I also struggled with some of the sex scenes. Right out the gate, the male MC spanks her and goes BDSM-y in a closet without any sort of discussion beforehand when they aren't even dating or in a relationship. I'm big into consent and checking in with people, and it just felt really random and almost old-school romance in a bad way. I also didn't like how we were just thrown into these two mid-dynamic, and we didn't get to really discover how these two evolved organically. It felt like the middle of a story.

I know I'm focusing on the negatives, but I think the author did some things right. I liked the female MC's family and the strong bonds with her brothers, and I liked all of the sporty men, but I wished we had more technical sports content so it didn't just feel like a random profession. I love hockey romances for a reason!

Debut books are hard, but I hope this author keeps writing. It wasn't my taste, but I'm sure she'll still find her readership.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Ahhhh I seem to be striking out with these Netgalley books that I have requested, this is the second new author I took a chance on and really wished that I did not. I really never got the best friend of your brothers situation that you can't man up and say hey, I really like your sister or the other way, but I guess this seem to be a problem since almost every author feels that this is the case. Anyway So we have Zac and Reagan who have known each other for years, and Reagan as we kind of knew has a huge crush on since forever. Zac didn't realize it at first no yeah he does so they decide on giving this a chance for two whole weeks since apparently everything can be found out and worked on in yup you guessed it two weeks. It seem like Reagan was really the only one really wanting this as she was the one gave and gave and he took and took. Yes I get he had a not so great home life growing up, but dude lets move on and stop dumping on Reagan, and Reagan lets get a backbone on you..

This was much better than I thought it was going to be> I love the characterization of Reagan (Ree) Thomas and Zachariah (Zac) Quinn. Zact becomes like a brother her family after her Dad, Lincoln saves Zac from a troubled/abusive father and helps him to be a successful hockey player which leads to a professional career. Ree becomes a tenacious junior sports agent with the capability to do so much more but the person who is her senior says he is the better person to be the agent for a major athlete that Ree knows better. So there is that. But the major story is the undeniable attraction between Ree and Zac since they were 15. As an adult, he has an almost player-like reputation for the ladies but has always had a thing for Ree, but feels unworthy and doesn't want to jeopardize his relationship with Ree's family as an almost brother figure. Ree has had a long standing crush on Zac also but doesn't know how he feels. They agree to a two week dating trial. HIs rules the first week and hers the next. What could possibly go wrong? Are they finally honest with each other?

This was a good story but Zac is very wounded character and Ree is a little whiny but ultimately won me over. What gets annoying is some of the over-sexed love scenes and over use of the word fuck. I am no square or prude but given the ages of Ree and Zac (lmid to late 20s) this could have been written more tastefully. The author tries to be a little too 50 shades with her writing style in these scenes That's my only real criticism, A decent erotic rom-com but not my favorite.

I am glad there is a book two and you learn more about one of Regan's brothers and her friend Letty. Should be interesting but hope it doesn't follow the same formula as this one. If you want to know what happens with Zac and Regan you have to read!

Thanks to Netgalley, Emma Salah, and Harlequin Carina Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 7/22/20

Dirty Tactics is the first in a new series featuring a family of sports stars. This first book deals with the only sister in the family, Reagan. Unlike her brothers, she doesn't actually play sport but instead is an agent for sports stars. She's also been in love with one of her brothers' best friends since she was 15.
Zac has huge chemistry with his best friends sister, but she's off-limits. Not only if she the youngest member of the family that he's seen as his own after they took care of him when his own parents were less than ideal. He believes that he can't love, having only his father's abuse and his mother's acceptance of it to base relationships on. If only he could stop the passion that explodes with Reagan, then he'd be fine.
I do enjoy friends to lovers romances and this one certainly falls into that. Although Zac is best friends with Reagan's brother, it's clear that their own relationship is very close before anything romantic happens between them.
There are issues for both Reagan and Zac to deal with and although there isn't some big romantic gesture between them, I still liked the way that this one unfolded and played out. I really enjoyed the book and having met Reagan's brothers, I'm looking forward to reading their stories in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Well, the concept of this story sounded great, but I just could not get into it. I really did want to like it. Even skipping around through the story didn’t capture my attention so I DNF.

4.25⭐
Dirty Tactics is a great debut novel that combines numerous tropes to wonderful effect, as well as being sweet, sexy, fun and a little angsty. And it easily hooked me in and held my interest thanks to a great cast of characters who I definitely want to read more about.

Would recommend.

Reagan is my kind of woman. Caring, compassionate, and feiry streak a mile wide. She's also tenacious and determined, poor Zac will never be able to recover!

Dirty Tactics work. I have zero shame in admitting to committing some of the moves mentioned in the book. (Smirks proudly) I find that a determined woman can be very successful. (Smirked enough that my dimples pop)

No shame in her game, Reagan is going to dish out more than Zac can deflect. Dirty Tactics is heartwarming and full of feels, some painful, some very sexy but it will give you the happily ever after you have been rooting for!

The best friend’s sister trope is always entertaining. There was a lot of steamy moments in this and the sexual chemistry between Reagan and Zach was very clear. The author did touch on it at various points but I wish there had been a little more of why they would be compatible beyond that. I liked Lettie and the family dynamics. Aidan, Dean and Cameron were interesting enough for me to want to read their stories. All in all worth a read.

Someone get me a cold drink! A glass of water STAT! This was gooooood, a perfect beach read! Except there’s a pandemic so I guess perfect kiddie pool in my suburban backyard read? I digress….
There are two things that my romance novels have to have for a good time: 1) solid story AND 2) sizzling heat. Dirty Tactics delivers that and then some. I read this once, and then woke up the next morning and read it again.
I love a good sports romance these days, so I thought I would give it a shot, plus a black woman is our main character, I was in! Not only is Regan smart, funny, and fully fleshed out she was so normal. Give me normal stories of black joy and love all day.
And Zac? Well he was hot as hell. I loved watching a man deal with his feelings! Frank talk of therapy, and handling childhood abuse.
Was there some lag in the middle? Yes. Did I mind? No, not really!
For a debut novel this was a home run. I’d happily read the rest of this series. Ms. Salah is now on my auto buy list.
Typically I am a one and done reader for my romance picks, but this was a keeper y’all! Also whew is it hot! I mean HOT. I may have re-signed up for bumble I was so hot and bothered. TMI? Don’t care. It’s true!

First off I have to say wow to this book if I could give it more stars I would. This book was at times a tear jerker and at times arousing and all through the book it was very hard to put down. The tension between zac and Reagan kept throughout the whole book like a love hate relationship. You could feel all the emotions in this book as if you were there. Can’t wait for the next one.

I enjoyed this book as I always do a good hockey romance, but this focuses more on sex and family as opposed to the hockey. It did work however and I would read the next one. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.