Title: Playing the Game
Series: A Beautiful Game #1
Author: Karen Frances
Genre: Romance
Release Date: January 16, 2017
International football star Fletcher Adams always has an eye on the ladies and, more often than not, one on each arm. The sexy football pin-up knows he needs to make changes in his life, but changes don’t come easily. It’s time to head home to Scotland, away from everything that distracts him, and concentrate on Playing the Game.
Jessica Taylor, a young ambitious business woman, has her whole life mapped out. With her own home, a boyfriend, and a baby on the way, her life is moving along according to plan. When the unimaginable happens, her world crashes down and the happy life she had is plunged into darkness.
A meeting of chance brings together two very different people from different worlds. Both are trying to move forward from pasts that haunt them. While Jessica is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life, Fletcher is trying to prove he’s calmed his wild ways and is ready to be the man to help piece her heart back together. Will Fletcher Adams be the right man to save her, or will she be the one to save him?
Jessica Taylor, a young ambitious business woman, has her whole life mapped out. With her own home, a boyfriend, and a baby on the way, her life is moving along according to plan. When the unimaginable happens, her world crashes down and the happy life she had is plunged into darkness.
A meeting of chance brings together two very different people from different worlds. Both are trying to move forward from pasts that haunt them. While Jessica is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life, Fletcher is trying to prove he’s calmed his wild ways and is ready to be the man to help piece her heart back together. Will Fletcher Adams be the right man to save her, or will she be the one to save him?
4.5 Stars
Playing the Game is the first title in the Beautiful Game series. This title is Jessica and Fletcher's story and it's not your typical sports romance. This story is incredibly intense and emotional. Although this story starts off slowly it builds in pace the further into the story you reach.
Fletcher is a star soccer player and has a reputation as a player on and off the field. His reputation off the field has been anything but positive in the past and he is determined to turn over a new leaf with his new club.
Jessica's story is heartbreaking. She has everything, until her world falls apart in a storm of violence and loss. She is a very strong character, and I completely empathized with her character. The subject matter relating to Jess is not easy to read at times and could be a trigger for some readers.
This pair of characters are both endearing and complex. Their story completely captivated me from the start, and I didn't want to put it down. Although this story is heartbreaking, I loved watching their relationship build and develop over the course of the book. The love an connection that Jess and Fletch share is both beautiful and heartwarming.
Karen Frances, has done a wonderful job, writing a beautiful heartfelt story about a very difficult subject matter. The cliffhanger ending left me frustrated and I eagerly anticipate the next installment of this story and can't wait to read the conclusion of Fletch and Jess' story.
Fletcher
“You’re Fletcher, aren’t you?” a tall blonde with legs that go on for miles asks, resting her hand on my shoulder. Logan smiles with a look that says you’ve pulled tonight. She is pretty tidy looking, but has overdone it in the make-up department. I rake my eyes in appreciation over her body. Curves in all the right places, and those tits, bloody hell…I could have a lot
of fun with those as I slide between them, but of course, they’re probably fake.
“Yeah,” I say, even though I shouldn’t, but I’m sure the rest of the guys are loving the female attention they’re getting. “Drinks all around,” I call out.
The bartender smiles as he looks at our company. Even he has an idea of how tonight will end.
“You’re Fletcher, aren’t you?” a tall blonde with legs that go on for miles asks, resting her hand on my shoulder. Logan smiles with a look that says you’ve pulled tonight. She is pretty tidy looking, but has overdone it in the make-up department. I rake my eyes in appreciation over her body. Curves in all the right places, and those tits, bloody hell…I could have a lot
of fun with those as I slide between them, but of course, they’re probably fake.
“Yeah,” I say, even though I shouldn’t, but I’m sure the rest of the guys are loving the female attention they’re getting. “Drinks all around,” I call out.
The bartender smiles as he looks at our company. Even he has an idea of how tonight will end.
The blonde tells me her name, but I don’t take any notice. I don’t want to remember her name in the morning, or whenever I creep out of her bed. Makes it easier that way. As the alcohol flows freely, the blonde keeps trying to persuade me to get on the dance floor with her. She seems the type that wouldn’t mind putting on one hell of a floor show. I might be on the drunk side now, but I’m still cautious. I’ve definitely learned my lesson over the years; you just never know who is lurking around, ready to get pictures. She can do what she wants for me in private later on, though.
Karen Frances currently lives just outside Glasgow, Scotland, with her husband, five children and two dogs, although she does dream of living somewhere warm and sunny. Her days are spent helping her husband run their busy family business. She spends some of her free time trying to keep fit and prepare healthy meals for her family, when their busy schedules allow them to sit down at meal times together. The rest of her free time she uses to plot and write and occasionally read.
