I really enjoyed this book! It is the second book to this series. I loved being able to see Harper and Dex´s story. I thought this was a really down to earth story. I know so many bigger women who have problems with believing someone else can see them as beautiful. I loved how the author delved into those issues. This book was hot!!! Exactly what I want in a romance novel. The author really has a way of telling a story. This cover is super hot too. It really drew me in and I was even more happy after finishing this book! I can´t wait to read the rest in this series!

A fun sports romance with lots of laugh out loud moments, great storyline and likeable characters
I received a copy from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

A well written sports romance, Playing It Cool stands out among its competitions with its characters and their chemistry. The plot itself isn’t nothing new, nor is it anything spectacular. But with a strong female lead like Harper and lovable hero like Dex, it was hard not enjoy their romantic journey. Most notable is their chemistry and interaction. The author certainly knows how to create tension as well as write interesting dialogue.

Overall, Playing It Cool may not be a new refreshing story in the sports romance genre, but it’s characters bring the story to life and keep the reader engaged.

Dex and Harper....Where to start.
I loved both of these characters - they were super easy to like and Harper showcased insecurities that most women would understand. The book itself was enjoyable and easy to read....however, it could have been more in depth and meaty. The book was full of sex which i enjoyed...but once again ....it could have been slightly more than what was being put forward.
All in all, an enjoyable read - but what for me was a 3 star book could have been a 5 star book with a few tweaks !

Playing it Cool was a funny romance that had characters I loved to pieces and characters I wanted to toss in a bonfire. Harper is to a badass. She is strong and confident... most of the time. Dexter is career oriented or at least until he sees a booty that makes him lose his mind. I loved it.

Get ready for some great laughs and some hot romance because DANG! These two know how to heat up the sheets. And it wouldn't be a good romance without a villain. I loved the comedy, the struggles, and the romance. I highly recommend this book!

This book has both cursing and a lot (like, A LOT) of explicit sex. If either of those things will cause you to leave a bad review, this is definitely not the book for you. Although this story is part of the larger Sidney Smoke series, it stands alone and you do not have to have read the other books to follow along with this one. I have read this series totally out of order and it is structured so that doing that isn't a problem.

I have to confess that this book suffered because of the order that I read the series in. The first two that I read (Playing With Forever and Playing House) were actually really great books and had solid character development and a nice story, but in this book there is just so much sex and not enough relationship before the “I love yous” for my liking. The blurb for this one says it is a fake relationship book, it really, really isn't. It is more of a book where casual sex morphs to angry denials of love and then actual declarations of love. There's no relationship. While these two do share a scene with pillow talk that could have been the start of a really great relationship, the rest of the book is really just scene after scene of sex with some humor, angst, and rugby thrown in.

***MAJOR SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT***
Please remember that I have really enjoyed a number of Ms. Andrews' books previous to this one. This review is book-specific and not how I feel about most of her books or even this series.

Dex and Harper were interesting characters to me. I wanted so badly to like them both because curvy women DO NOT get enough love in romance novels and Dex's adoration of her body was charming at first, but when all he did was drool over her body and all she did was get naked for him, I found myself wanting more from them.

The worst part for me was that Dex said hurtful, nasty things to Harper when he was angry at himself and lashing out. Now, that could have been a growing point for both of them, but it didn't spur Harper into being strong and demanding more from a partner nor did it make Dex find a sweet way to grovel and make up to her for his tantrum at all. Instead, Doormat Harper just let Dex back into her house so that they could have hate sex once, and then sleep together repeatedly without talking until he treated her like dirt AGAIN when she dared want to be seen with him outside of the bedroom. And that's where they both totally lost me. Of course, instead of requiring him to actually show that he was sorry for being a total jerk, Harper fell for his caveman-feelings-driven “big gesture” when other men actually showed interest in her, and all was instantly forgiven. Maybe if there had actually been a relationship beforehand, this would have been fine, but they spent almost every scene in bed, so there was no foundation. (And despite my literally pleading with my Kindle to keep them from having sexual contact at a children's hospital while he was there on a charity visit, they did. For me, that wasn't sexy, that was just tacky and gross.)

The other thing that bothered me was that this “fake relationship” was started to stick it to Harper's family, but they faded to the background without having to eat crow or even apologize to Harper. That thread was just left frustratingly flapping in the wind without any resolution. At the very least I wanted to see Chuck have to eat his words.

While I appreciate the chance to read this story, and again there were some funny parts, this book just wasn't for me. That will not keep me from seeking out more Amy Andrews books in the future, this particular book was just a miss for me.

Stunningly funny. I love a good Aussie romance because there is nothing like there humor and word choice for everything. Body image is such a huge topic and I am happy that the author made it so upbeat. BTW loved the little glossary in the back. I am now officially a rugby “expert” - not. The description of the artwork was really beautiful. A very good story!

A hot and steamy love affair betwwen a jock fetermined to keep his personal and professional lives in different timeframes and the curvy artist he asked out after hearing her stepbrother comment on her weight in a derogatory manner.
Dex lives and breathes rugby. It is hos game, it is his job, and it is his life for the remainder of time he can play the sport professionally. He doesnt have time for a relationship for a few more years, and he cant afford to get distracted by one. His soot on the Sydney Smokes was hard-won and he's determined that he never wants to go back to where he came from. But he cant stand by and let the jerky sportscaster mock the hot girl he’s been eyeing while waiting for hos post-game interview, either. So he steps in, and they go out.
It was only meant to be one date, but then he sees a text come through that completely guts his gorgeous date. One that blatently displays the kind of vitriol her stepbrother the sportscaster and his mother heap upon Harper regularly. So he proposes that they date, solely as a way to thumb their noses at Chuck, who neither of them can stand. Only, the next time they see each other, they can't keep their hands off of each other, and their chemistry is more explosive than either could’ve expected, completely shredding their platonic agreement.
But they continue to date casually and hook-up booty-call style, each coming to the realization that the other is the perfect partner for them, but not willing to make the relationship legit. And when Dex slips up and what he has with Harper jepordizes his position on the team, he ends it. Only, his focus doesn't come back. His game is worse than ever. And when he comes back to Harper, they end up in bed again. And again. And again, until Harper suggests that they segue to a real date.
When Dex refuses, Harper breaks up with him. Because she’s decided she’s all in on a relationship that wasn’t real to start with, and which Dex has never and seems unwilling to commit to.
Will Dex come to his senses and fight for the girl that wormed her way into his life while he was focused on his game, or will he screw up the one thing he just might care about more than rugby once and for all?
Find out in Playing it Cool, the second stand-alone novel in the Sydney Smoke series. A stand-alone, told in dual POV, this fake relationship turned real romance will appeal to readers of sports romances, lovers of the fake dating trope, and especially those of us curvy girls who like to see an empowered heroine with curves get her HEA with a guy worthy enough to see how awesome she is. Harper and Dex’s story will hook you from the first chapter and reel in your feels, until you’re rooting for them like crazy. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Wait a sec Davo while I grab my Akuba and we can get around to watch footie. Oh Amy has me crazy with this series. And THIS one... I came close to almost throwing my kindle a couple times aiming right for Dex's head. But let's move on.
Dex spots the lovely and curvy Harper at the end of a game. Her step brother is a skeevy reporter that no one likes and he publicly embarrasses Harper because of her curvy backside. He embarrasses her period. He's cruel and nasty and the guys on the team don't like him. Dex is immediately drawn to Harper and her lovely backside and tries to ask her out, she blows him off thinking that he's just another guy who's made a bet to date the "fat" girl. Harper is beautiful, bright, funny and all the things Dex has ever wanted all wrapped up in a package he can't resist. Harper is an artist, her latest task is painting murals of the walls of the childrens ward at the local hospital and she teaches art to kids as well. Dex stayed away from relationships because his one and only focus is on football. His career comes first. He's come from the worst part of town and never wants to go back. So Harper takes his dare, and they go out together. Start spending more time together, always at her place; they share common interests and really and truly enjoy each other and holy hotness do they burn up the sheets.
Miss Amy writes can write some incendiary stories and this is right on the burner. They sail along happily, hit a couple little bumps now and then. I have to tell you I didn't like her friend Em and it would serve her right if she gets stuck in a book with Linc. Just sayin'.... When they hit a big bump and Harper is blindsided by Dex running off at the mouth (kindle thrower), he leaves and stews in his own mess. He deserved it. Of course he can't play ball worth a hoot and his life stinks and refuses to admit to himself that he misses Harper and he goes to apologize, another flame throwing scene and when Harper suggests they attend a function they will both be going to that is about her-not him. He fusses about and then says no. Kindle throw number two. Only affirming to Harper that she's not worth being scene in public with. Pfft... Dex is an idiot. Harper attends and so does Dex and every man within a 10 mile radius is aware of Harpers presence. She's gorgeous and this gala is for the hospital and introduces her murals and the stories behind them. She's a class act and I loved her.
Dex needed a kick from Tanner when the ugly jealousy demons reared their little heads, and it takes Dex a guided chat with Tanner to finally get it through his thick skull what his problem is. So can he make Harper see how he really feels or is it too late? Great story and great characters in Dex and Harper.
This is another must read in the series and I promise you'll love it. Even when you want to play footie with Dex's head!

advanced reader copy from Net Galley and Entangled for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Amy Andrews’ light romantic interlude with Playing it Cool, curvy artist Harper meets professional rugby-focused Dex and stars explode. While this quick read lacked emotional and (some) character development, the dialogue was entertaining and witty. This story tackles self-image struggles, as well as getting through emotional baggage from years of inner turmoil.

Even though this is the second book in Andrews’ Sydney Smoke Rugby series, as a reader I never felt out-of-sorts just tuning into it; it does read well as a stand-alone.


I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of the sweetest books I’ve read in a long time. Started this in the morning and had it finished by dinner time thats how much i loved it. I was not expecting Dex to be the way he was and it was refreshing. I loved that he was knight in shining armour without even noticing he was doing it. I thought here we go another huge ego. He shocked me. I loved Harper. I loved that underneath all her bluster and fake strength she was really a little girl so unsure of herself and where she fit.
The way that these two grew into each other was great. It wasnt forced. It felt real. There was one part in the book were I wanted to bawl my eyes out with the raw emotion. I couldnt stop laughing at the scene in the hospital. I’m not ashamed to admit I read that scene a couple of times. It was both hot and a huge laugh out loud moment.
Absolutely could not fault this book and can’t wait to read Em’s book. I have a feeling hers is going to push the limits of some cockie guy ;)

I think I laughed way too much throughout this book. The antics of and just sass of Harper I absolutely loved and of course you have hot and rugged rugby player Dexter to show her what he really feels about all of her curves.

Enjoyable read!

Wanting to get back at her stepbrother and stepmother for their nasty comments, Em dates Dex, the sexy rugby player. Thinking she's not thin or pretty enough for Dex, she knows he's just helping her out. Dex loves Em's curves and body and wants to really date her but is taking it slow so he doesn't scare off Em. When Dex starts working his way into Em's world, Em find herself falling for him. Till something happens and Em kicks Dex out of her life...now Dex has to work his way back into her life which won't be easy. A great addition to the Brazen books!