The sweetness and adorable goodness of small town romance. The drama and tension of sports romance. The complicated feels and heartache of single parent romance. And the passion, emotions and swoon of all kinds of romance. Amy Andrews really brings best of all the romance worlds in Playing with Trouble.

Cole Hauser has come to small town of Credence all the way from Australia to escape the bitter truth. The truth is the unfortunate accident has ended his career as top rugby player. And he meets Jane and her four year old son Finn. She is working on the restoration process of Cole's friend's home where he is staying. Both are weary. Both are defensive. But there is a friendship growing slowly and may be something more.


This was a slow burn romance. Like very slow. Each and every progress was described in details so that the readers can relish. It was sweet. It was witty. It was whole lot of heated and sexy. Cole and Jane bod have ugly baggage. Cole was a bit angry and defeated and closed off with his heart and life. Jane was doubtful about letting her guards down around him and she was rightfully worried about Finn who was instantly infatuated with Cole. But above everything they had a deep connection that was built by mutual trust and loneliness. Cole is just amazing. He is so good with Jane and more so, with Finn. He supported her and took care of her all while encouraging her to carry on her work. I love Jane. She is hard working, independent, strong and caring. She has seen a lot of disappointment and in her life. And protecting her son and being respectful to her work are really important to her. She made Cole forget his sadness about his old life and made him see life from a new perspective. They were partners who brought something to the relationship. And the chemistry is really hot! Like pantymelting makes me blush and shiver kind of hot. The physical chemistry only made their love more intense. They had challenges but the ending was worth it.


Playing with Trouble by Amy Andrews was all about feel good, slow burn and heartfelt romance goodness.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Playing With Trouble was cute and fluffy. While there was very little in the way of drama, the emotional arcs for these characters were lovingly explored as they learn to trust and fall in love. Cole and Jane spent real time together, and we could see the process of them putting time and effort into their relationship. Maybe my favorite aspect was that Jane's kid, Finn, was an actual character with a real role and personality. I dislike when kids of romance MCs aren't treated like people/characters, so I was really pleased with Finn's characterization and plot importance.

Unfortunately this wasn’t a winner for me. I did make it through, but I skimmed most of the last two thirds of the book. I did it feel the connection between Cole and Jane, and I didn’t much care for Jane either. Finn, and the interaction between him and Cole, was by far the highlight of the book for me.

I have read and loved another of Amy Andrews' books, The Trouble With Christmas (Book 2 in the Credence, CO series). This book is a crossover, including characters from both the Credence, CO series and Andrews' Sydney Smoky Rugby series. A bonus is that it can easily be read as a standalone!

Jane is completing a restoration in Credence, CO. She has four weeks to complete it and had her time all mapped out ( I don't want to spoil the renovation, so am not giving details; I will say I loved all the details about the actual work!). Then two unexpected things happened; her ex-husband brought her young son back early from vacation (he was supposed to have Finn for a month), and Cole, an Australian rugby player, came to stay in the house where she's completing the restoration (and taking care of Finn). Cole has had a career-ending injury and basically came to the US for some privacy as he figures out what to do next (and perhaps do some wallowing).

It was fun to watch the Cole and Jane circle each other and slowly let down their guards. And Jane's son Finn was a wonderful addition to the story. It was a perfect weekend read with lots of smiles and some emotional angst (in a good way)!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Easily read as a stand alone but is loosely related to books in a series with the setting and some of the characters reappearing. It has a lot of foul language at the beginning and has some quite descriptive steamy scenes,but the story of the single mom with an impressionable four year old is good. The mom is a bit over the top rigid and then takes a sudden turn but she is still a bit difficult to like. The hot rugby player is very likeable despite his potty mouth at the beginning of the book. This is a quick feel good read for a rainy afternoon. I was invited to read this book & was provided an advanced reader copy and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author. publisher,and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. And thanks for the bonus download book at the end!

Playing with Trouble by Amy Andrews is a perfect crossover between her Credence, Colorado Series and her Sydney Smoke Series. At first this book was slow for me and took me some time to get into it. I’m glad Amy developed her characters so well though, because the further I got, the more I appreciated all the banter and build up of each character. Each chapter made me fall more and more in love with both Cole and Jane. Not to mention those steamy love scenes....hot and swoon-worthy! By the end I was rooting for them and felt all the butterflies! I haven’t read any of the Sydney Smoke series yet but you can bet your bottom dollar, I am now!

Single mom meet hot rugby star. They are sharing a house, unknowing to them. For me, the 4 year old , Finn stole this book! He was the best thing!
Jane and Cole had a weird relationship. I didn't really feel any chemistry between them.

5 Star Review Playing With Trouble (Credence, Colorado #3) by Amy Andrews

I fell hard and fast for Cole Hauser and single mum Jane Spencer and her son Finn. The fact the hero is a professional Australian Rugby player just added to my enjoyment as I am Australian.

From start to finish I was fully invested in their story. In fact I loved about Playing With Trouble.
The push and pull of Jane and Cole’s relationship has me wondering will they/won't they on numerous occasion. I loved how Cole and Finn became such good mates, their relationship was heart warming and panty melting.

Not only was this a sweet, romantic story with little angst but there were some comedic moments throughout which has me laughing. Little Finn is adorable and truthfully he almost stole the book out from under Cole and Jane.

The chemistry that sizzles between Jane and Cole was hard to ignore and the secondary characters were engaging and fun. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley

I just love these single parent books! The way the hero, Cole was with 4 year old Finn just stole my heart. Even if Finn wasn't in this book, Cole would have still stole my heart. Jane was very guarded and independent, and the way Cole navigated those obstacles and even loving her quirks is exactly what I like to see in a hero. This also had some yummy side characters. I'm gonna have to look up previous books to see if some of them are from other series. I would also love to see Arlo get a book. That's one of the things I love is when an author can surround a couple with other characters and get me to want more from those smaller roles. This was a very enjoyable read!

This sweet, and cute romance centers around Cole Hauser and Jane Spencer.
Cole is an Australian rugby player whose future is unknown after an injury. When a friend offers him his home in Colorado, Cole sees it as a great opportunity to get away and recover.
Jane is a single mom who just so happens to be rehabilitating the same house.
These two seemed to be at odds from the start but as Finn, Jane’s boy, manages to win Cole’s heart a friendship of sorts develops.
As time goes on and Cole helps with Finn, the attraction intensifies, and while wanting to keep casual since there is an expiration date , the feelings also continue to develop. What will happen in the end? Will they each go their separate ways and only be a memory to think about in the lonely nights, or will they find their HEA?
From the start, the story was engaging, with strong characters, and a delightful boy that will steal your hearts.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This book was both cute and steamy, and features Cole, a former star rugby player in his native Australia who has just suffered a career ending injury, and Jane, a strong, determined 26 YO single mom of Finn, an adorable but extremely high energy 4 YO. An old friend offers Cole his house in the eastern plains of CO to hide out and try to figure out his future. There's just one problem, the house is already occupied by Jane, who has been hired to do a high profile parlor restoration job there, but who's just had her work plans thrown into disarray when her irresponsible ex reneges on their plan to take their son for a 4 wk summer vacation and instead returns him to her. Now she's burning the midnight oil, taking care of her son (and the expensive chameleon her ex bought him as a guilt gift) all day, and doing her restoration work at night.

Jane is at her wit's end when Cole unexpectedly shows up, and they initially agree to keep out of each other's way, but sparks are flying, and Cole is a stand-up kind of guy who was raised by a single mom himself and can see how hard she's working. Pretty soon, he and Finn are bonding, and he's offered to be the live-in babysitter so Jane can get her job done on time and during the daytime. Now he's got another problem. How is he supposed to walk away and return to Australia when Jane and Finn are quickly claiming all of his heart? I loved this. It was a low-conflict romance with lots of heat but also plenty of tenderness as well as a really cute plot moppet and an unusual pet. Although it's book 4 in the series, I haven't read any of the previous books and feel it works well as a standalone.

3.75⭐
Playing with Trouble was a sweet, light and easy-to-read romance between single mum Jane and injured rugby star Cole. Yet, if I'm being honest, I didn't feel there was much of a connection between Jane and Cole, and frankly, I didn't find Jane the most endearing of characters. But I really loved Cole and Finn, Jane's 4-year-old son, was adorable and easily stole almost every scene he was in. And for me, it's those two who made this story worth reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

“Lust doesn’t…wreck you. It’s easy, not hard. Love is hard. Love is a real prick.” He grimaced. “I’m sorry. I hope you didn’t want Shakespeare.”

The above quote captures the charm of Any Andrews’ books pretty nicely. Funny, but also sweet. Romantic. Deeply enjoyable. Enough to make you smile and leave your heart happy. And that’s definitely what Playing with Trouble did.

Look, it might have had a little—okay, a lot—to do with Cole and his absolutely heart-melting relationship with Finn. After all, one look at my previous reviews will tell you I’m a sucker for a big man soft and kind for a little kid. And oh, how adorable these two were together.

That’s not to say the rest of the book wasn’t worthy of praise. Although it took me some time to warm up to Jane, I did eventually, helped along by the fact that she was strong and capable. Plus, her relationship with Cole might’ve had a rocky (but fun) start but there was no missing the heat between them, which made rooting for their HEA all the easier.

One last thing: there’s some crossover here with one of Ms. Andrews’ other series, which I am yet to read, but it definitely piqued my interest. There are some very likable secondary characters here. It also left me hopeful for more Sydney Smoke books—the series that introduced me to her words in the first place. Which means if you’re also yet to read anything of hers, this is absolutely a top choice for where to start.

Especially if you’re a sucker like me.

This book was just what I needed. It had engaging characters, sports references, and a four year old (and his lizard) that I absolutely fell in love with. The dialog and the emotions felt very real. This was a hard book to put down because I couldn't wait to find out what was coming next in this sweet story. This book is a cross ever between two of Amy Andrews' series and I'm planning on reading them both based on my experience with this book.

OMG I couldn't put this book down! Such a good read, and the steam builds from the first pages until it explodes. Loved the Aussie-isms spread throughout, I could hear the accent while I was reading it. Jane is such an independent, strong woman that doesn't want to be coddled by a man - but she still wants to be loved. I was thrilled that she got her HEA! Great read for a cold, rainy day by a fire.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A feel good love story between a hot Aussie rugby player and a single mom and her son. I think the best part about this story is that the connection between the main male character and the son of the main female character came before the the love story developed.

Jane Spencer has been hired by CC and Wade Carter to complete a restoration job in their Credence, Colorado home. Jane has a tight deadline to meet, she did not expect her ex-husband to cut short his visitation with their four year old son, leaving her to split her time between him and the job. Cole Hauser is an Australian rugby player who recently was in a terrible career ending car accident. Cole has taken an offer from his friend Wade to stay in Credence for rest and to mentally come to grips with his future.

Jane does not immediately take to Cole but Jane's son Finn does. Cole offers to watch Finn so Jane can complete the job she was hired to complete. Jane hesitantly takes him up on his offer. Finn's admiration for Cole is heart warming.

I love Amy Andrews and her storytelling. This story did not disappoint. The characters are likable, the situation surrounding the story is realistic, and this book straddles two of Amy's series.

I always enjoy Amy Andrews. She has a way of catching your emotions from the very beginning of her stories & keep it right to the last line. I really enjoyed this story. It was sweet, funny & a little frustrating. I loved the chemistry between Cole & Jane they were sizzling right from the start. Finn the sweet 4 yr old son of Jane was infectious & funny & a live wire. I was a little frustrated by Jane’s ex Tad & his lack of responsibility & lack of thought for Jane & Finn. I laughed out loud during the rugby clinic & the lake picnic when Cole was dealing with the younger kids. The nicknames were hilarious. Definitely recommend. Thank you to Entangled publishing & Net Galley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

I am a sucker for an Amy Andrews book. After reading as much of her back catalogue as I can get my hands on, Ms. Andrews is an author that I just know is going to provide me a happy escape and a satisfying ending. Playing With Trouble is no exception. Additionally, it’s a creative bridge between two of her currently publishing series - Sydney Smoke and Creedence, Colorado.

On the Smoke end of things - which is about professional rugby players in Australia - our hero is Cole Hauser. He’s a powerhouse of a rugby player who recently had a career-ending injury and heads to a buddy’s house in rural Colorado to recover and plan the rest of his life. On the Creedence side of things, our heroine is Jane Spencer who is friends with characters from past books and has been tasked with helping to renovate their house in the town. Through a miscommunication, Cole and Jane both end up living there despite thinking they’d be alone.

Added bonus/complication is that Jane has her son in tow - despite his father’s promises to mind the boy for the time she was in Creedence. One thing leads to another, however, and Cole’s vacation turns into a spell as a childminder. Jane is prickly and paranoid about men around her son - largely because his father is a flake - but eventually lets Cole take her son on walks and plan activities to get out the abundant energy a four-year-old carries.

She simply insists that each night, she and Cole meet to do a performance review of his time as a childminder.

And also perhaps his performance of how he kisses her, since that keeps happening.

I liked this book a lot, but the romance felt a little rushed. The lust didn’t - Ms. Andrews is one of the best in the business at steamy scenes that feel emotionally grounded - but the love/happily ever after? That all felt… eh to me. I like that the book is 150pp because I got through it in one night, but I didn’t like it because giving the relationship more time to breathe would have made this a full try (rugby reference!) to me.

I’ve never met an Amy Andrews book I wouldn’t recommend, and this is no exception.

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Playing With Trouble (ebook) by Amy Andrews

Cole Hauser Australian rugby pro (recouping from a bad care accident that will end his career) and Jane Spencer (Single mom and a rehabber and her son Finn) This is their story or and I can't for Carl. There is angst, misunderstandings, laughter, tears, heartfelt feeling to get in touch with, steamy stuff all to get us to a very HEA. This is my first book by Amy Andrews but it won't be my last.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Steamy Action-packed Wonderful characters Informative Funny Easy-to-read Entertaining Tear-jerker Romantic Happily Ever After Page-turner Great world building

4 Hotness Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
Amy Andrews is a click-click author for me. I always know when I start one of her books, she is going to give me exactly what I am looking for...A guy who is hunky, sexy, and figures out in the end how terrific this woman he is involved with is...

This time it is a single mom, with a really cute kid and a Big Kid Rugby Player all under the same roof. Let the games begin.