The Playboy

The Playboy by Madeline Ash I loved this story! I couldn't put it down. Alexia Burton is an actress that lacks the experience to portray a character she plans to play, who is sexually confident. Alexia plans to change all that by having a spur-of-the-moment, hot, sexy and wild fling with no commitments. With the help of her best friend Dee and enjoying being back home in Byron, Australia with the sun, turquoise water and soft white sand they plan Alexia's sexual escapades. ahh... Beautiful and detailed settings make me actually feel like I was there and wish I were as right now we have snow! Parker Hargreaves was a rich playboy that though he was God's gift to women back when Alexia first knew him and had treated Alexia badly for it. He's still rich, but has changed and feels he owes Alexia for his bad treatment. He wants to make things right and prove himself to her. Oh he can teacher her confidence, dominance, abandon, but now he wants to really matter to her too.
This was so cute and steamy, I loved it! Lovable, sensitive characters and beautiful settings.

3.5 Stars!

The combination of the sunny Australian coastline, along with falling madly in love, creates The Playboy by Madeline Ash. An embarrassing and heartbreaking prologue draws the reader immediately into this entertaining romance, with characters that are likeable, fun and distinctive. Unfortunately, I found the pace to be a little slow and the plot a bit repetitive, especially during the first half of the book.

Alexia Burton grew up in Byron Bay Australia, where she dreamed about becoming an actress and moving to Hollywood. Along the way, she went to school and worked with Parker Hargreaves, the richest boy in town, who also happened to be the best looking and most obnoxious. One of their handful of encounters proved to be a major humiliation, which both of them have filed away but have never forgotten. Now it is five years later, and Alexia is a successful TV actress in America. Parker is a successful businessman, running his father's company, as well as his own trendy bar and grill. Alexia is on the cusp of breaking into the film industry, but to obtain the role of her dreams, she needs to first experience lust, desire and sex, so she can incorporate it into her character. Once they sort out their past, which includes a lot of honest communication, Parker is able to help Alexia achieve her goals.

Ms. Ash does a wonderful job of describing the setting, to the point where I felt like I was on the beach with both Alexia and Parker, soaking in the sun. The book cover perfectly depicts the setting. The two secondary characters, Dee and Josh, add some additional interest to the storyline, and Dee especially provides some laugh out loud moments. Overall a solid read.

Madeline Ash does a wonderful job of describing the setting, to the point where I felt like I was on the beach with both Alexia and Parker, soaking in the sun. The two secondary characters, Dee and Josh, add some additional interest to the storyline, and Dee especially provides some laugh out loud moments. Overall a solid read.

F_50x66 Kristine Ruiz's review Jan 11, 15 · edit 5 of 5 stars Read in January, 2015

Alexa and Parker have know eachother for ever. They went to school together and worked together when they were younger, but Alexa knows packers ways so when he ask her out she refuses. He doesn't take it so well, so he humiliates her and they don't speak to each other again.

She moves away to the states to be an actress and is rising quick but the one role she wants requires lust and sex appeal which she lacks. So taking her fiend home with her for a Bree week vacation, before her audition she couldn't never expect more then a coup,e one night stands to help her in her role. Sees Parker again, having feels for him were never in her cards especially knowing she's leaving in three weeks.

Parker was a player when he was younger but the loss of his mother changed him. He's worked hard to change his way and give back to others, so when ella comes back to town he wants to make things right for all those years ago, falling in love was not in his plains.

Will he help her get the experience she needs, will she forgive him, can they learn to live and see what's really ment for them?

The Playboy by Madeline Ash

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alexa and Parker have know eachother for ever. They went to school together and worked together when they were younger, but Alexa knows packers ways so when he ask her out she refuses. He doesn't take it so well, so he humiliates her and they don't speak to each other again.

She moves away to the states to be an actress and is rising quick but the one role she wants requires lust and sex appeal which she lacks. So taking her fiend home with her for a Bree week vacation, before her audition she couldn't never expect more then a coup,e one night stands to help her in her role. Sees Parker again, having feels for him were never in her cards especially knowing she's leaving in three weeks.

Parker was a player when he was younger but the loss of his mother changed him. He's worked hard to change his way and give back to others, so when ella comes back to town he wants to make things right for all those years ago, falling in love was not in his plains.

Will he help her get the experience she needs, will she forgive him, can they learn to live and see what's really ment for them?

View all my reviews

What if the boy you wanted in high school grew up to be the man that you want to spend your life with? There are two problems though: (1) he was a jerk in high school and (2) as grown-ups, you are the one sabotaging what may have been.

This is the situation where almost-famous actress Alexia Burton found herself in relation to surfer-sexy rich boy-turned businessman Parker Hargreaves. Now living in Los Angeles, Alexia went home to Australia for a holiday where she found that Parker, the boy who almost broke her heart in high school had grown up to be a very generous man.

Add the fact that he can still make her heart pitter patter; it would have been a perfect holiday romance, right? Wrong! Because this time, it’s Alexia who is pulling all the stops. And even if they can get over their trust issues, there are still their careers to consider, plus the Pacific Ocean between them.

Can they pass these hurdles to get to their happily ever after or is tinsel town going to win this one?

The Playboy is Rated M for Mature due to some sexual content.

Very enjoyable read. This is an interesting story of an actress who needs a little experience in the sex department so she returns home to Australia to find someone to help her with her education. When she runs into someone from her past who had a reputation of a playboy he seems like the perfect candidate. The storyline was very unique and I really liked the characters. I recommend this one.

Surfers have a romantic way about them, how they connect emotionally with nature is beautiful. The descriptions of the surf, sand and salty surroundings is beautiful. Parker is the playboy surfer born with a silver spoon. He eventually grew up to develop humility and compassion but it was a hard road. Alexia is becoming an A list actress in Hollywood but she needs to land an important role. Not having the sexual experience necessary she heads back home to Australia to find a quickie connection. What she finds is a whole lot better. The friendship and trust that develops between them is charged yet sweet and innocent. As book 3 in this Aussie Heroes series it stands alone. My copy was given through Netgalley for an honest review.

I found the story to be entertaining. Well-developed dialogue and characters. It kept me reading .Ms. Ash has done a great job!

4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this tale of sun, surf, sex and second chances. More than anything it made me long for the beach and warmer weather.

Parker was an absolute jerk as a teenager, especially when it came to his sense of entitlement over women and he definitely didn’t treat Alexia well at that particular point. However, I do think Alexia might have overreacted just a little, especially since she’s had six years of hindsight. No, he wasn’t a nice guy at seventeen, but I think that can be applied to a lot of people. Her absolute refusal to believe he might have both grown up and changed showed a real lack of maturity on her part – and was possibly the only bit of this book I didn’t like.

Because adult Parker is an absolute sweetheart. He might own businesses and raise loads of money for charity, but he does it in bare feet and spends every early morning out in the surf. And this time he wants to matter to Alexia. He listens to her, understands her problem and does everything he can to help her out – sure it’s not entirely selfless, since he wants her every bit as much as she wants him, but he makes it special, because he wants to prove that she matters to him this time. Aww.

I loved how he handled the attraction between them, drawing it out, encouraging Alexia to find him, to take control, to develop her confidence. Not only was that useful for the role she was preparing for, but it was also sweet and sexy. I loved the slow build up, which considering this is only a novella was handled really well. And I especially loved how there wasn’t a quick fix to all their problems, no easy sacrifice without any regret. It made the ending all the sweeter for me.

Short, sexy and sweet, I really enjoyed this book. A perfect slice of summer Aussie sunshine on a cold northern winter night.

When Alexia is on a mission for an upcoming film the first place she thinks is to go back home to Australia in hope to find a quick fling and be back on the next plane home, with her best friend in toe off they go. Only when they get there Alexia has a run in with her arch enemy from high school and is ready to go toe to toe with him. Parker on the other hand wants nothing more than to apologize to Alexia for his bad behaver in high school. I have to say that out of 3 of the four books I have read from the Hot Aussie Heroes series this one would have to be my favorite. The story is well written the emotion is so strong and the characters truly feel like friends. The author did an amazing job with this story. I love however in all three books the biggest thing that is playing is the need to help others and the selfless acts that is shown and given. I really think you will not be disappointed with this book. I can also say that you will want to read the books in order:
Book 1: The Cowboy by Margareta Osborn Book 2: The Hero by Amy Andrews Book 3: The Playboy by Madeline Ash Book 4: The Millionaire by Victoria Purman Don’t let the names of the books fool you they are not self-absorbed characters that you will end up fed up with or annoyed by this book and the others are totally worth the read.

Warning, strong language in all the books, may not be suitable for younger readers.

3.5 Once an experience happens when we are younger... how hard can it be to rise above it later in life... This is a sweet, sexy tale of a gal who has made her way as an actress and needs to be able to spread her acting chops in a sexy role...only problem is she just doesn't have the real life experience to draw from...She goes back to her home and figures a one nighter would work... but life steps in and the one who gave her those insecurity scars is there waiting to assist... no longer the cad and playboy... he is a better man and willing to take on the challenge... This plays out and grown up men can redeem themselves.

Innocent Alexia Burton needs to become sexually confident for an upcoming acting role, and that means taking a lover. Someone she’s attracted to. Someone who’ll teach her what she needs to know, but not ask for more than she's prepared to give. She needs to learn the intensity of true desire and then have him walk away.

Parker Hargreaves is determined to make amends for treating Alexia badly all those years ago. He's changed and wants her to think better of him. If that means letting her sharpen her sexual moves on him so be it. He’ll do it. His playboy reputation certainly won’t suffer. He didn't think walking away would be so hard.

The Playboy is one of Holiday Books' Hot Aussie Heroes series and it doesn't disappoint. Parker is wealthy, successful and smokin' hot. And boy did he know it as a teenager! Spoiled and accustomed to getting anything he wants, any girl he wants any time he wants them, he just expects that when he snaps his fingers at Alexia she'll fall into line and jump into his bed. Alexia certainly finds Parker attractive so when he asks her to his house to "show her something" she goes. When she finds out his plans involve messing up the sheets together however, she refuses, leading to a major dummy spit from Parker. Roll on six years. Alexia is now living and working in Los Angeles as an actress but needs to do a sex scene, something she is struggling with because she's the "never been kissed" girl. To get the part she needs experience and to get experience she decides to head back to her home town. Once there it is a short step to Parker becoming the chosen one.
Madeline Ash has captured the essence of sun, surf and sand and that casual beach holiday lifestyle that is quintessential Byron Bay. Her characters are believable, the plot has a lovely balance between the young Parker and the adult Alexia. The story completes itself well and I'm happy to recommend it for anybody looking for an uncomplicated and fun read.

Alexia Burton grew up in Byron Bay before leaving to pursue a successful acting career in LA. Now she needs to be able to act out love scenes but she’s still a virgin and hasn’t met anyone who has attracted her in any sexual way since leaving home. So, with the aim to get experienced so she act out the part in the new production, she returns to her original home town.

Six years ago Parker Hargreaves worked at the same cafe as Alexia but he was a rich kid, totally sure of himself as God’s gift to women and he is now ashamed of how he tried to have sex with Alexia.

Six years have passed. They have both changed in many ways but the chemistry was always there between them, even when Parker was being a jerk! Will he be her ideal research material to help her rehearse for her new role or will the past get in their way? Will she find anyone else to help her?

I really enjoyed how the author showed the attitudes of the characters and how these have changed through the years. Their motivations and the impact of events on their lives made them seem well rounded characters. This is a romance involving all the s categories - sex, superb sunny, setting, sacrifices and second chances. It is an enjoyable story which shows that sometimes things aren’t straightforward but things can be fixed if everyone works together to the same goal.

This is the third book in this series but they are all written by different authors and you don’t need to read them in any particular order, they all work as standalone stories and have all been great reads!

Sun, Surfing, and Sexual Tension By JAScribbles - January 25, 2015 What a fun, quick read. Madeline Ash has the knack of writing very likable characters - even the side characters. All fun and sweet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this title.

This short book is a perfect choice for a vacation. Sexy, but not overdone at all. If you love tension and flirting, this is the story for you.

Ah, if this story doesn't want me to leave this winter, cold and snow behind, and embrace the sun, the surf, the sand... Preferably in Australia!
I love stories that are based in Australia, the nuances of the culture, language with unique sayings is just fascinating.
The story is easy to relate to, I mean, who doesn't have that one person in our teen years, that we made a mistake with, with words or actions, and we wish we could just take it all back. So much so, that the event might have changed us as a person. And what will happen when/if you meet that person again, talk about awkward...
So after many complications, and despite the past history, Parker and Alexia not only become friends, but start a holiday fling. But emotions go deeper, falling in love doesn't ask for permission. There's sweet, tender yet passionate relationship, some past and present pain to overcome, compromises to be made, meeting halfway to be accepted.
It was delightful, and partly amusing, to see Parker and Alexia work the past, and start to build the relationship. I liked that they both realized they were indeed privileged in their positions in life. The stubborn streak, career oriented attitude, and broken heart, teach both of them lessons in life. It was a quick read, with sunny skies, and lovely beach town atmosphere, but it also had an interesting life lesson, and the ending was just so perfect...
~ Three spoons with a teaspoon on the side

Young love. Touching relatable characters.

I have enjoyed reading every book with the Hot Aussie Heroes series. Each book is entertaining and sexy. However, for me, The Playboy by Madeline Ash is the book I enjoyed the most. Alexia asks Parker to help her prepare for a sexy new role. Parker agrees to help her and ends up falling for her. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this story.

While out surfing one morning she runs into her old classmate Parker Hargraves. She remembers him as the cocky boy who tried to get her in bed when she was a teenager. She set him straight. She was not that kind of girl. All grown up, Parker has really changed, both physically and professionally. Alexia has decided he will be the one she gets her experience from. What happens when they both start developing deeper feelings for each other? Will Alexia be able to move back to Los Angeles where her career is.
loved how he handled the attraction between them, drawing it out, encouraging Alexia to find him, to take control, to develop her confidence. Not only was that useful for the role she was preparing for, but it was also sweet and sexy. I loved the slow build up, which considering this is only a novella was handled really well. And I especially loved how there wasn’t a quick fix to all their problems, no easy sacrifice without any regret. It made the ending all the sweeter for me.

**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**
Alexia Burton, at 17, knew she wanted to act for a living. She's now 23 and is appearing on a series. Parker Hargraves' dad owns a world-renowned surf brand. When they were teenagers in high school, Parker thought Alexia flirted with him and liked him, but Alexia was just being friendly. Alexia now lives in LA and hasn't been back to Australia in 6 years. She loved to surf and went to Byron to surf. Parker approached her and then realized who she was. Parker now ran his father's business and ran a hotel. Dee is Alexia's best friend and they are staying at Parker's hotel. Alexia was up for a big role in a movie, but she had no sexual experience and needed some sexual sureness for the role.

Parker has changed a lot since Alexia knew him. He was now a decent guy. He is caring, thoughtful and worries more about his choices now. Alexia is shy and withdrawn. She attracts men but none that are interesting enough to tempt her until the now-matured Parker. I found this was good book, well written. the twists and turns were enjoyable. I recommend it.

I wasn't sure about this in the beginning thinking, eh the main guy is a jerk...but that was a prologue...six years later and many changes later Parker is a different man (as opposed to a teenage jerk) and Alexia is still the same but older, wiser and now ready. This was engaging and a real page turner for me. Sweet, angsty (but in a good way) and definitely steamy. A one-sitting read that I will definitely recommend. Hoping Dee and Josh make a come-back in their own book.

If only we could go back and fix our teenage selves – most of us have made some pretty nasty impressions and mistakes in our teens. Parker was no exception. His wealth, his good looks, his worship me just because attitude, his arrogance all played a part into the teenager he was. The boy who, with a few brief words could shatter another teenager’s confidence..

Alexia had moved on from those teenage memories. She had left home to head to the bright lights of Los Angeles and a career that put her in front of the cameras. After a long ongoing television series filmed its last season, Alekia started taking auditions for her next role. A movie role that she was told was written for her – but not the passionless woman she was right now. This role called for a sensuous, sexy, secure in her own attractiveness woman – one who knew her way around a bedroom and a bed… and that wasn’t Alexia.

Time and life experiences change all people eventually. Parker certainly had grown up and looked back on his teenage self with many regrets mostly about Alexia. Now she was back home – for research for a role. Maybe there are second chances or at least the possibility to make amends.

I enjoyed The Playboy – more than I expected to at first. This was a charming story of two people who had a point in their past that had to be dealt with and gotten past before anything, even friendship, could begin. I liked that Alexia gave Parker a hard time at first, maybe even drew it out a bit too long. He had been a colossal jerk. But wasn’t she doing the exact same thing years later – in the name of research?

Their love story, their mutual seduction takes up the novel and it was certainly a slow burn. I would gladly recommend The Playboy to anyone who wants a love story that redeems the past and makes it even better. This one got a 4 outta 5 rating from me.

*I received an e-ARC of The Playboy from the publisher,Tule Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

This was a lovely book, heartbreakingly sweet. The Playboy as a title might seem misleading but it truly is about a playboy who has reformed. Life changing events in Parker's life force him to re-evaluate the direction his life is going in. Alexia was a mistake he made in the past and one he never thought he would be able to redeem himself of. But there she is a ghost from his past and he can give her exactly what she needs.

Alexis was attracted to Parker way back when and she realizes she's still not over him. She needs to gain the confidence essential for bagging a role that she really wants and Parker is the ideal candidate to teach her what she needs to know. But she doesn't trust him. How can he convince her that he's the one who can give her what she needs when she still believes he is the same thoughtless and selfish boy from her teenage years.

Though this is Book 3 in the Hot Aussie Heroes series, I started with this one and it can definitely stand alone.
Alexia Burton has become a successful actress, but to take her career to the next level she needs sexual confidence that she doesn't have. She has spent all her time concentrating on her career and is still a virgin with no experience with men, and it showed in her audition for the roll that was written for her. To gain the experience she needs, she heads home to Australia, as far from Hollywood as she can get.
Unfortunately, the first handsome man she meets is the one she turned down in high school. In High School, Parker Hargrove thought only of his next conquest, believing no girl would turn him down. Alexia was the first, and he reacted badly and the way he treated her was a big regret for him. When he runs into Alexia he hopes he can make it up to her, and when he finds out why she came home, he throws himself into helping her. As they get closer, Alexia's time runs short. Both of them have lives that are important to them, but half a world apart. Can they make it work, or will it be the quick fling Alexia planned all along?
A cute story, I really enjoyed the characters. They worked well together, and you could see the growth in both. They were realistic in their actions and behaviors, and I think the author developed them well. A fun, quick read with a great setting.

Parker Hargraves was once an ultra-mega, grade-A jerk to Alexia Burton when they were teenagers. Years later Parker has grown and matured, and by a chance encounter he runs into Alexia who is vacationing in her native Australia.

Alexia is in a bit of bind and when Parker finds out he decides to help her out. While Parker is helping Alexia and organizing a fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctors, he is also falling for her. Alexia doesn't want to fall for Parker, not when she saw what love did to her mother and how it cost her, her dream.

Eventually, these two are able to find themselves back to each other and Alexia learns that with a loving and supporting partner, no one has to make any sacrifices.

The story was sweet and entertaining, at times Alexia is a bit annoying in how she won't give Parker a real chance because of her fears. Parker was so great, he was a jerk in high school, but after a family tragedy and an eye-opening message by his parents. Overall, the story was great and very enjoyable. Although, it's the third book in the "Hot Aussie Heroes" series, like the last two, it is a stand alone novel.

Rating 4 out of 5 Read@Book

All Hot Aussie Heroes Books are exciting and romantic and this one was no exception.
A must read!

Read in January, 2015

The Playboy by Madeline Ash is Book 3 in the Hot Aussie Heroes series. It's a really quick read. It was a fun and sweet romance set in Australia.
So the story goes like this (with no details lol): Alexia is an actress and lands a role that she HAS to do some research for. I say HAS because she has to be intimate in the role and she's a virgin with very little experience on what to do with men! Cue, Parker. Parker is an old friend from school. When she goes home to find herself a man to get experience with, she runs into him. And, she decides that HE's the one that's going to give her the experience she needs!
That's the backdrop for you. Now you see why I say FUN! I really LOVED Parker. And his character was very well defined. I didn't really see him as 'The Playboy' that the title sorta makes you believe. Yes, as a teenager, he was a cocky, self absorbed boy. But what teenage boy isn't? Right?!?! His role in this book was perfect. He was all grown up and a really good man now. He understood Alexia and knew exactly how to draw her out of her shell. It was a really GREAT read!

ARC provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

Alexia has returned home to Australia for a two week vacation, with one thing on her mind, to have a sexual experience. She needs this to improve her acting career. The first guy she runs into is Parker, who she knew in high school and did not leave her with good memories. Parker is now willing to help her, just for two weeks, but will more feeling develop between the two.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, a fun fast beach read. Love the descriptions of the Australia coast line. I so want to visit. This is the third book in the Hot Aussies Heroes.

A quick summer read.

I totally loved The Playboy. It starts off with a heartbreaking teenage moment between Alexia and Parker. Ash completely captures that feeling of being young (and stupid) and how devastating things can be. Then we flash forward about a half dozen years and the two meet again. Parker handles it like a champ and I totally fell in love with him right there in the middle of Chapter 1 :)

Parker has done a lot of growing up since Alexia new him in school, but she’s not convinced right away. Luckily he’s got the patience of a saint, and the understanding of what a jerk he was before, so he’s willing to prove himself. Of course, he’s still a guy and makes a couple of missteps along the way, but you know that the two are working their way to a HEA.

I totally understand Alexia’s reservations – both with Parker and with her “assignment”. She’s a serious girl and falling into bed with a stranger definitely isn’t in her comfort zone. She’s also one who was once burned and twice shy so she’s not going to easily forgive and forget. Her attraction to Parker might help with part of her problems but they definitely come with a whole basket of others.

The way that Parker and Alexia work through their issues (and their attraction) is adorable and I found myself glued to the pages. They have great banter and Parker is a very inventive man as he not only earns a second chance with Alexia but takes on the task of helping her gain confidence. Ash manages to so completely convince readers of how perfect they are together that I took it personally when things went wrong … which just made it all the sweeter when I got to that last page. You know that they are going to figure things out but that doesn’t make that speed bump at the end any easier to take :)

Sweet romance and a quick read!

Another fantastic series! I enjoyed reading this series! (Sorry I am behind in updating Net Galley)