I recently had the opportunity to read "The Playboy" by Marni Mann, and the story was nothing short of amazing. The book starts with Macon Spade, a confident and assertive billionaire businessman, and Brooklyn, an independent and hardworking woman striving to navigate life.. Macon's pursuit of Brooklyn, sparked by seeing her dancing in a club he was frequenting, sets the stage for a passionate tale of romance.

Marni Mann takes the classic billionaire romance adds some spice and gives us a tale that balances all that with an interesting plot. The chemistry between Macon and Brooklyn is palpable, The interactions between them are both spicy and enthralling. What sets this romance apart is the mix of steamy encounters and plot with the added elements of character growth, narrative development, and a satisfying conclusion. The audiobook, narrated by Tor Thom and Savannah Peachwood, had great pacing and really brought the characters to life.

Rounded up from 3.5
Macon is a billionaire businessman. The first time he sees Brooklyn dancing on a platform stage, he knows he has to know more about her. But she won't make it easy.
This grumpy sunshine, one night stand, billionaire, super spicy romance is book in the Spade Hotel series. The narrators in the audio book did an amazing job. But this book was not my favorite by this author. Granted, the spice was amazing, but the plot is thin at best. All smut, no plot. Lots of what I call "non-problems", which are plot tools I don't like much, meaning things that are presented as big, unsurmountable problems/secrets, but are really not and could be "solved" with a simple conversations to which the other party would simply reply: "That's it? OK.". I also thought Macon was really cocky at first, and although he does kind of mellow, it wasn't enough for me. I loved Brooklyn's no-nonsense attitude most of the time, but she was very contradictory. I loved the reference to the Dalton Brothers (I adored that series!).
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Macon Spade is a billionaire playboy who is heir to Spade Hotels, one of the most luxurious hotel brands out there. He has never been a relationship guy until he meets a girl in the club that he is immediately drawn to. She will not give him her name and only wants to be in the club to dane. Macon convinces her to spend an hour with him and he can’t get enough. Will he get to spend more time with her?

I loved Macon’s story and the hotel details that happen in the background. This book was super spicy and I loved that he had to chase her down and prove that he wanted her. I did not like that Macon kept his secret after Brooklyn’s came out. I think he should have told her especially after how much her secret upset him. The narrators were great and I can’t wait to read more in the Spade Hotel series.

My Second Marni Mann book!
25% - EXTREAMLY Dirty 😮🥵
80% - NOTHING better happen in the next 15% or I'm gonna be MAD. Everything is perfect. ❤️
98% - Honestly the "secrets" weren't that big of a deal..🤣 Groveling? For WHAT?? Girl, calm down.

Billionaire. Alphahole. Heir to Spade Hotel. The forever bachelor. Until her.
Student. Independent. Housekeeper. Living in a 1 room apartment with her two sisters. - Until him.
Macon and Brooklyn are drawn to each other at first sight, Electric chemistry!
Spice IMMEDIATELY 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. NSFW (AT ALL). Looking forward to more Spades!
I absolutely love Savannah Peachwood, if she's narrating, I'm listening.

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this spicy audio book! (Really SPICY) 🥵

The Playboy
By: Marni Mann
Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood, Tor Thom
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Series: Spade Hotel, Book 1
Release date: 12-28-23

𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀' 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 5 out of 5 sweltering and sweet stars! ✨

First of all, I would like to say, the narrators did an excellent job bringing the characters and the story to life. I loved Tor and Savannah's voices for our characters Macon and Brooklyn. Their voices for our characters just really... clicked for me. Both of them did an amazing job of capturing the sizzling chemistry between Macon and Brooklyn.

The pacing of different moments from the emotional to the spicy ones were brilliant! I was swept into this world with a seamless flow between each chapter and the POVs. I found the emotions behind words and their sounds were also captured perfectly. All in all I loved the heck out of it!

Oh and I just wanted to add.. don't listen to this when you're in public. Just... don't. Trust me. 😉😏

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 - 4 out of 5 candied stars of spice! ✨

Marni took the classical elements of a billionaire romance and spun them into such an electrifying tale of romance, spice, love and more. We had a great blend of both spice and sweetness. Wellll... maybe just a bit more spice but I ain't complaining. 😉 I loved Macon. He had a refreshing and a very candid personality. I fucking loved him. Brooklyn's life had a great impact on her personality and she had an engaging character but a little more closed off. We had a good growth and development in both character and their relationship. The events led up to a nice ending.

Thank you Dreamscape media, Tor and Savannah for an excellent audiobook and for giving me a great first experience! 🩵🩷

Thank you Marni for a sizzling ARC! I can't wait to meet the others in the Spade Hotel series. 🤍🩶

And thank you to @netgalley for bringing this to my attention!

Happy Listening!

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the eARC. Steamy and romantic read. Narrators were brilliant. Chemistry between Macon and Brooklyn is sizzling, but it was predictable and very easy-going read. There was nothing different from other billionaires romance books. I liked it, but didn't get amazed by it. If you are only looking for a steamy and sexy read, go for it.

Let me start by saying that the narrators did a great job with the story. This was a good romance story with good characters, a little drama and a HFN that also felt like a cliffhanger to me. Macon decides to be a playboy after having his heart broken but I didn't necessarily see him as a playboy. Yes, there was mention of all the sex he enjoyed but once he met Brookly, he was all about her. He wanted her, he pursued her, and he didn't stop until he got her but it's not like she fought really hard. Macon and Brooklyn were good main characters, but I have to say that I enjoyed Brooklyn's no-nonsense attitude and their back-and-forth banter when they first met. That was extremely entertaining and made me laugh out loud but there really wasn't much that happened in this story. There were a few moments of light drama that was brushed over pretty quickly. There were a ton of steamy scenes, so this story did not disappoint in that regard. To be honest, this story felt like every other lead male billionaire story with a struggling female character. There was nothing about them that made me truly love them or this story stand out to me. I was expecting more and hoping for something different. With that being said, like I stated before it was a good story but it's also a one-time type of story for me. I love a good playboy, billionaire romance story but at the same time I'm looking for more, something different, something that will make the story stand out from every other billionaire, playboy romance book.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC/ALC for this title.

This could easily be read as a standalone, but references The Dalton Family from the other series. This is set up for a trilogy so far, as at the beginning we know there are three single brothers and the FMC has two sisters. I don't think I missed out on anything by not reading the other books Marnie has written, as i've only read Dalton #4 and #5.

Enjoyed the female narrator. She was a good match for what you expect a young, early 20-something Brooklynn to sound like. I think my issue with the male narrator was his female impersonations.

Didn't really buy anything about the characters "love" for each other. Still not sure why they are "in love" when they know nothing about the other. But then again, not sure if you're picking this up to read for plot.

If you like spice and are a fan of Marni Mann's and the author's style of writing, then you'll probably enjoy this book.

Absolutely loved this book!! It’s right up there with Jo and Jenner’s book as my favorite Marni Mann book.

Macon and Brooklyn couldn’t be more opposite on the outside, but I think that’s why they fit so well together.

The way Macon went from a playboy to in love so quickly truly showed how much he cared and felt for Brooklyn. I also loved how much he let her be herself through and through.

As always, the spice was spicing with this Marni Mann book and I loved that!

This book should come with a spice disclaimer because it is HOT

The Playboy is one of the best, steamiest, satisfying romance books I’ve read this far.

We meet Brooklyn and Macon in this dual POV romance. Brooklyn is a college student living with her two sister in Hawaii. She’s almost done with school and works as a hotel maid. Macon is on the executive board of the mega-popular Spade Hotels. He is a Spade himself. The two meet in a club when Brooklyn is blowing off steam and Macon is clubbing with a bachelor party. Macon is used to women throwing themselves at him. But Brooklyn has him beating down doors to see her. She won’t even share her name and he’s completely smitten with her.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of The Playboy

Brooklyn is perfect for Macon. She’s a little sappy when it comes to him because he breaks through all her walls. He also gives her the best orgasms she’s ever had in her LIFE. The dynamic between the two of them is so steamy and so sweet.

Macon is……HOT. His demeanor, actions, and way he treats the people he cares about is so incredibly attractive. He has no idea how to act with Brooklyn because he hasn’t liked a girl since high school. But he doesn’t hesitate to tell her how he feels when she’s near.

I enjoyed every piece of this book. It had me squealing like a pig during some scenes. I couldn’t put this book down. I even listened to it at work and definitely neglected my work duties for the day.

The best part of this…. No third act break up.

HALLELUJAH

I’m happy to have had this introduction to Marni Mann and I’m very excited to read her other books.

10 out of 5 Stars

Quick Summary: An intense listening experience and then some

My Review: The Playboy by Marni Mann is the first installment in the Spade Hotel series.

About the Book: When a billionaire businessman spots a raven-haired beauty dancing on a platform stage, he does everything he can to get to know her. He initiates a hard core press to learn what he can about her. As he seduces her with his charm and makes her scream his name, she does the same to him. When work gets in the way, the two run the risk of losing what they have just found together.

Question to Consider: Is the playboy now ready to turn in his player's card for a forever love?

About the Characters: Macon was a total alpha male. He was confident and assertive. He knew what he wanted and he had no problem communicating it. Brooklyn was strong and independent. She was driven and worked hard to realize her goals. The supports were mentioned just enough to keep things interesting but not enough to clutter the main story.

My Final Say: Macon and Brooklyn had some serious chemistry. Their story was extremely captivating. This one gets a hot and spicy red light.

Other: Readers who are looking for sexy times will find it in this romance tenfold.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Yes
Series: Yes
Status: M
Level: 🌶🌶🌶💣💥🚨

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. It was a pleasure to read this novel. I look forward to reading more books in this exciting series.

Marni Mann always sucks me right in to her worlds, and this was no exception! Macon and Brooklyn had such great chemistry and the spice was everything that I needed! I loved that there wasn’t a huge blow up at the end like so many authors seem so fond to do! I LOVED all of the appearances of the Daltons! I can’t wait for more in the Spade Hotel series!

The hottest man obsessed I’ve ever read. This book threw my predictions out the window, I should read the book synopsis beforehand. Because of the prologue I thought I was going to read a second chance romance, NOPE. It’s a one night stand, but he keeps coming back for more even thought he proclaimed himself a playboy years ago. Don’t try to figure out Macron and Brooklyn, just enjoy the ride.
The narrators were great, the male voice was a great match to Macron’s.

I listened to the audiobook of this title. First let me start the audio , which was great. Both voices were clear and read beautifully. The book itself was okay. It was an easy read. A cute romance and a cast of characters worth reading more about. That being said there were not surprises or real drama. I wish there was more meat to this book. Something to make it stay out in a sea of romance novels.

The sex was good. For my first Marni Mann book it was a good introduction to the writing style of the author.

As I suspected, The Playboy exceeds my expectations. Macon and Brooklyn are perfect, so steamy! Marni knows how to write spice and never disappoints in that area! This is the first book in the Spade Hotel series, but all of her books are interconnected and you get some familiar characters in this story! It's always great to see the characters you loved from previous books.

Thank you so much for the advanced listener copy. These narrators do a spectacular job bringing these characters and their story to life. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!