The Play by Elle Kennedy Also in this series: The Chase, The Risk, The Dare
Series: Briar U #3
Published by Independently Published by Author on October 7, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Pages: 422
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
A brand-new standalone novel in the New York Times bestselling Briar U series!
What I learned after last year’s distractions cost my hockey team our entire season? No more screwing up. No more screwing, period. As the new team captain, I need a new philosophy: hockey and school now, women later. Which means that I, Hunter Davenport, am officially going celibate…no matter how hard that makes things.
But there’s nothing in the rulebook that says I can’t be friends with a woman. And I won’t lie—my new classmate Demi Davis is one cool chick. Her smart mouth is hot as hell, and so is the rest of her, but the fact that she’s got a boyfriend eliminates the temptation to touch her.
Except three months into our friendship, Demi is single and looking for a rebound.
And she’s making a play for me.
Avoiding her is impossible. We’re paired up on a yearlong school project, but I’m confident I can resist her. We’d never work, anyway. Our backgrounds are too different, our goals aren’t aligned, and her parents hate my guts.
Hooking up is a very bad idea. Now I just have to convince my body—and my heart.
The Play is a new adult romance that is part of the Briar U world and I love that this author is writing these books, from the first book of the other connecting series, I have been in love with these hockey boys and the women who love them. But I will be honest I have had this book on my kindle for months and there have been so many mixed reviews on this book that I had been really reluctant to grab it up and I am not sure why. Maybe because of the actions of the heroine that some readers were uncomfortable with and despite understanding that side of the equation I had a BLAST with this book. There was so much humor in this book I was bursting out laughing multiple of times, I just couldn’t get enough. I had forgotten how humorous this author’s writing can be.
The Play is a story of a friendship that builds into something deeper between two college students at Briar University. Hunter Davenport, is the team captain for the hockey team, and after a huge loss the previous year, Hunter is determined to stay focused this year, so he is making a commitment to be celibate for the school year. Focus on his studies and his playing. Demi Davis, is going into medical studies and through a turn of events she meets with Hunter and they become class partners and through that they are able to develop a friendship. But partway through the school year, Demi breaks up with her long time boyfriend and is determined to have a rebound but her “rebound” idea doesn’t go as smooth as she planned and her sights go to the one man who has had her back since she met him….Hunter. But there is one problem, he is determined to stay celibate and Demi is determined to have him because he is the one man that she could see herself going further than just one night with, she just has to convince him she is worth it…
The Play is a story I wasn’t really expecting from this author, and I was very curious how this author would play out this story and I will be honest…I was SUPER nervous to pick this one up here. I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this scenario. The hero being celibate, the heroine with another man for part of the book and then the heroine try to break the hero into having sex with her. This is not exactly my favorite set up for a romance, but you know Elle Kennedy makes it work in the best possible way it can be done and I had such an entertaining time. My chest was hurting due to the fact that I was laughing so hard throughout this book. I had a jolly good time and loved getting back to the Briar world. And we get to see all of our old favorites which was a hit for me.
The background of the characters that we see build within the story was well worth the read. There is a growth that both Hunter and Demi do need to go on before they can find their HEA with each other. Hunter is trying to fulfill his role as team captain to the best of his ability. Demi’s journey is slightly different. She is deciding on changing careers. Her father really wants a certain path for her but she doesn’t feel that its the right way for her to go. I really enjoyed Demi especially deciding for herself where she wanted to go in her life and was willing to face her family with it all.
The romance that builds between Demi and Hunter was actually really sweet in many ways. They get along so well together and I loved their budding friendship through the first half of the story. It actually is that friendship that builds a solid foundation for their relationship. I love how they understand each other so well and enjoyed seeing their connection grow with each chapter.
Overall I found The Play to be a entertaining, witty romance that will lift your soul to utter delights…..it has a charm that will curl your toes and have you laughing from beginning to end.
About Elle Kennedy
A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.
Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
0 Comments