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The Player's Club #3
The Player's Club: Finn
The Pledge: Diana Song, steely legal counsel and all-around fixer for Macalister Enterprises.
The Goal: Same as always: do her job.
The Conditions: Complete the Player's Club initiation challenges…then shut it down.
The Complication: Finn Macalister, the boss's son, sexy daredevil and club stalwart.
Finn has always loved living on the edge…and what's more exciting than seducing the famously frosty (yet incredibly hot) family lawyer? He knows Diana's been tasked with getting him to quit the Player's Club: that makes her the enemy. And you know the old saying: keep your friends close, your enemies closer!
Diana thinks she's got this assignment in the bag, but she's unprepared for Finn—he's charming, smart and frankly…hot! Still, she won't be tempted—her job, her reputation are on the line. That is, until Finn makes her the one offer she can't refuse….
The Goal: Same as always: do her job.
The Conditions: Complete the Player's Club initiation challenges…then shut it down.
The Complication: Finn Macalister, the boss's son, sexy daredevil and club stalwart.
Finn has always loved living on the edge…and what's more exciting than seducing the famously frosty (yet incredibly hot) family lawyer? He knows Diana's been tasked with getting him to quit the Player's Club: that makes her the enemy. And you know the old saying: keep your friends close, your enemies closer!
Diana thinks she's got this assignment in the bag, but she's unprepared for Finn—he's charming, smart and frankly…hot! Still, she won't be tempted—her job, her reputation are on the line. That is, until Finn makes her the one offer she can't refuse….
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Yardley
78 books1,412 followersCathy Yardley is an award-winning author of romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy, who has sold over 1.2 million copies of books for publishers like St. Martin's, Avon, and Harlequin. She writes fun, geeky, and diverse characters who believe that underdogs can make good and that sometimes being a little wrong is just right.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 27, 2015
Finn chuckled. He knew that despite Diana's recent escapade, she'd still want privacy if he miraculously managed to convince her to sleep with him. He'd therefore prepared for this contingency. He nipped at her neck as he brought her to the tent.
He'd gotten an inflatable mattress, king-size and fairly bouncy. All right, it was extravagant for a camping trip, but so were the Egyptian cotton sheets and thick pillows. And his tent had a moon roof, and was even now open to the stars.
Diana Song is a fearsome lawyer who works for adrenaline-junkie Finn's father. She's been assigned to get Finn to quite the Player's Club and come work in the boardroom with his father. Finn's always been attracted to Diana, but she sees him as a rich playboy and doesn't take him seriously.
...
This book was just not doing anything for me. Neither the plot nor the sex was making my heart race. But on the other hand, there was nothing offensive or "bad" in here.
Oh, wait. Yes there was.
...deliciously creamy almond shade of skin...
26 pages later:
...tears streaming down that toasted almond skin of hers.
Can we STOP the whole "skin color is food" thing? I hate it. HATE IT. However, I realize that this is a personal pet peeve. However, I think this is more universal:
...her exotic face.
I am just really sick of this. This "non-white = exotic" formula. Um, just no. It's icky and just makes me feel like the hero is like "Oooh, this woman is an exotic catch" not, you know, a HUMAN BEING. And I don't know where YOU live, but in the USA I feel like you see non-white people enough for it to stop being "exotic" when you spot a person with some Chinese ancestry. Unless you are in farm country, or something, this really doesn't ring true. Especially since this is San Francisco. Not exactly the North Woods of Wisconsin, or something.
Ack, I know Yardley didn't mean to be offensive with any of this. I'm not attacking her at all. I'm just expressing my feelings on the subject. Things like that jump out at me and take me out of the story.
How's the sex, Carmen?
Meh. I wasn't getting excited by this. It wasn't bad, though. Acceptable. The MC uses condoms (saints be praised!) and that's extra points. But I can say nothing either good or bad about the sex. Meh.
...
Tl;dr - Meh. This trilogy was weird. The first book was the best book, I hated the second book, and now the third is just existing. I was hoping that after the dismal second book, the third would end the trilogy on a high note, but nope.
TWO REAL STARS, TWO ROMANCE STARS
Not available in Spanish.
He'd gotten an inflatable mattress, king-size and fairly bouncy. All right, it was extravagant for a camping trip, but so were the Egyptian cotton sheets and thick pillows. And his tent had a moon roof, and was even now open to the stars.
Diana Song is a fearsome lawyer who works for adrenaline-junkie Finn's father. She's been assigned to get Finn to quite the Player's Club and come work in the boardroom with his father. Finn's always been attracted to Diana, but she sees him as a rich playboy and doesn't take him seriously.
...
This book was just not doing anything for me. Neither the plot nor the sex was making my heart race. But on the other hand, there was nothing offensive or "bad" in here.
Oh, wait. Yes there was.
...deliciously creamy almond shade of skin...
26 pages later:
...tears streaming down that toasted almond skin of hers.
Can we STOP the whole "skin color is food" thing? I hate it. HATE IT. However, I realize that this is a personal pet peeve. However, I think this is more universal:
...her exotic face.
I am just really sick of this. This "non-white = exotic" formula. Um, just no. It's icky and just makes me feel like the hero is like "Oooh, this woman is an exotic catch" not, you know, a HUMAN BEING. And I don't know where YOU live, but in the USA I feel like you see non-white people enough for it to stop being "exotic" when you spot a person with some Chinese ancestry. Unless you are in farm country, or something, this really doesn't ring true. Especially since this is San Francisco. Not exactly the North Woods of Wisconsin, or something.
Ack, I know Yardley didn't mean to be offensive with any of this. I'm not attacking her at all. I'm just expressing my feelings on the subject. Things like that jump out at me and take me out of the story.
How's the sex, Carmen?
Meh. I wasn't getting excited by this. It wasn't bad, though. Acceptable. The MC uses condoms (saints be praised!) and that's extra points. But I can say nothing either good or bad about the sex. Meh.
...
Tl;dr - Meh. This trilogy was weird. The first book was the best book, I hated the second book, and now the third is just existing. I was hoping that after the dismal second book, the third would end the trilogy on a high note, but nope.
TWO REAL STARS, TWO ROMANCE STARS
Not available in Spanish.
March 23, 2012
Well I went in not expecting to like this book but I did. Finn is one of the founders of the Players Club and takes a lot of chances after a childhood spent in hospitals for his cancer. His parents are worried about him and want him safe, so his father sends the family lawyer Diana after him.
I actually liked Finn after I understood his motivations and by the end of the book he did realize he could be less reckless and allay his parent's fears. Diana lives for the job and obeys her boss because he gave her a chance to get out of the vicinity of her criminal family but we see a workaholic Diana become a much happier person with Finn.
Both of them are poles apart, she's even 5 years older than him yet they fall in love and I really enjoyed the romance.
I actually liked Finn after I understood his motivations and by the end of the book he did realize he could be less reckless and allay his parent's fears. Diana lives for the job and obeys her boss because he gave her a chance to get out of the vicinity of her criminal family but we see a workaholic Diana become a much happier person with Finn.
Both of them are poles apart, she's even 5 years older than him yet they fall in love and I really enjoyed the romance.
February 24, 2012
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Finn was a fabulous wrap-up to Cathy Yardley's new Player's Club trilogy. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I have to say once again that I'm astounded by how much I've enjoyed this series. I love the club's philosophy of living life to the fullest with no regrets, but it's not about thrill-seeking so much as facing your fears to grow into a more confident person. Throughout reading this series, I've often thought it would be great to have my own Player's Club to support me through those bumps in the road when I'm not feeling very self-assured. Not only is their philosophy great, but they're so close, that they've essentially become each other's family when some of their own families have either completely failed them or simply didn't understand them.
Throughout the first two books of the series, Finn did not stand out to me for some reason. Maybe it was just that out of all the Players he was the most like a true adrenaline junkie, but in this book he really came into his own and came alive to me as a character. The nature of his need for adrenaline rushes became much more clear and understandable as well, which made him more relatable to me. Still, at the beginning of the story, he is kind of pushing the boundaries of sanity with his stunts becoming more and more dangerous until even his best friend, Lincoln is having a hard time supporting him anymore. In spite of his somewhat excessive “need for speed,” Finn's energy and zest for life is rather infectious. I love how Finn saw Diana as a challenge and how the thought of seducing the “ice queen” was pushing all the same buttons for him that those adrenaline-inducing thrills did. I think the thing I liked most about Finn though is his intuitive nature. He always seems to just know when something is wrong with Diana. He is eager to help make things better for her, and gently prods her to open up to him. Finn just really had a way with melting Diana's frozen heart. He's also a very forgiving person when he finds out the real reason Diana went along with his bet with his father. He just can't seem to help pouring all his positive energy into loving her.
Diana is a rare Asian heroine. She is a no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners attorney who is the head legal counsel at Macalister Enterprises, the company owned by Finn's father. After growing up poor with a junkie mother, Diana pulled herself up by her bootstraps to become a top-notch lawyer and feels she owes Finn's father almost everything for where she is today. In the beginning, she was ready to do anything she had to to get Finn to comply with his father's wishes. She didn't earn the nickname “The Hammer” for nothing, but even during those early moments in the story, I could sense her need to let loose bubbling beneath the surface. Diana is definitely the most buttoned-up of the three heroines in this series, but when Finn began drawing her out, I really liked her. She's become my favorite heroine of the three, probably because she needed the Player's Club the most. Her challenges were kind of funny, but the type of things I probably would have chosen myself except for writing the job operations manual. Of course, that would be a total snooze. Yet, that's also what made it so funny, because it's so uniquely Diana. I could really relate to her fears, although sometimes she's a little more stoic than I probably could be. Underneath that hard facade though is a hurting little girl who needs to heal, so it was a joy to see her loosening up and experiencing kid-like enthusiasm.
Together Finn and Diana were absolutely amazing. Right from the start, they share sizzling chemistry. The sexual tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife, and it was only made more delicious by their rapier-sharp bantering. It was definitely a case of opposites attract, but in a good way, rather than the "I can't believe these two are getting together because they drive each other insane" way which I often have a hard time buying into. With Finn and Diana, I always saw exactly why they were so into each other, even if they couldn't have seemed more different. Their first love scene is completely explosive, and every one after that was equally wonderful. There was lots of variety, but each scene perfectly conveyed their intense passion, tender emotions and burgeoning feelings for one another.
Most of the key Player's from the first two books returned in supporting roles. Scott and Amanda (Scott) were more in the background this time, but computer hacker, Tucker had an important job to do. As Finn's best friend and fellow leader of the Player's Club, Lincoln was a little more front and center and Juliana had a couple of scenes too. Finn's evil cousin and ex-Player, George teamed up with two sidekicks, one of whom was quite dastardly. George has been increasingly becoming more sinister as the series has progressed. He finally got what was coming to him, but not before a few tense moments unfolded.
Overall, Finn was a great wrap-up to the Player's Club trilogy. I highly recommend this book and the series in general to anyone looking for a Blaze story with a little fuller character development that isn't often found in this shorter format. It definitely left me feeling quite satisfied. This book earned a spot on my keeper shelf and Cathy Yardley a spot on my favorite authors list. I'm now very eager to check out her backlist titles.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Finn was a fabulous wrap-up to Cathy Yardley's new Player's Club trilogy. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I have to say once again that I'm astounded by how much I've enjoyed this series. I love the club's philosophy of living life to the fullest with no regrets, but it's not about thrill-seeking so much as facing your fears to grow into a more confident person. Throughout reading this series, I've often thought it would be great to have my own Player's Club to support me through those bumps in the road when I'm not feeling very self-assured. Not only is their philosophy great, but they're so close, that they've essentially become each other's family when some of their own families have either completely failed them or simply didn't understand them.
Throughout the first two books of the series, Finn did not stand out to me for some reason. Maybe it was just that out of all the Players he was the most like a true adrenaline junkie, but in this book he really came into his own and came alive to me as a character. The nature of his need for adrenaline rushes became much more clear and understandable as well, which made him more relatable to me. Still, at the beginning of the story, he is kind of pushing the boundaries of sanity with his stunts becoming more and more dangerous until even his best friend, Lincoln is having a hard time supporting him anymore. In spite of his somewhat excessive “need for speed,” Finn's energy and zest for life is rather infectious. I love how Finn saw Diana as a challenge and how the thought of seducing the “ice queen” was pushing all the same buttons for him that those adrenaline-inducing thrills did. I think the thing I liked most about Finn though is his intuitive nature. He always seems to just know when something is wrong with Diana. He is eager to help make things better for her, and gently prods her to open up to him. Finn just really had a way with melting Diana's frozen heart. He's also a very forgiving person when he finds out the real reason Diana went along with his bet with his father. He just can't seem to help pouring all his positive energy into loving her.
Diana is a rare Asian heroine. She is a no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners attorney who is the head legal counsel at Macalister Enterprises, the company owned by Finn's father. After growing up poor with a junkie mother, Diana pulled herself up by her bootstraps to become a top-notch lawyer and feels she owes Finn's father almost everything for where she is today. In the beginning, she was ready to do anything she had to to get Finn to comply with his father's wishes. She didn't earn the nickname “The Hammer” for nothing, but even during those early moments in the story, I could sense her need to let loose bubbling beneath the surface. Diana is definitely the most buttoned-up of the three heroines in this series, but when Finn began drawing her out, I really liked her. She's become my favorite heroine of the three, probably because she needed the Player's Club the most. Her challenges were kind of funny, but the type of things I probably would have chosen myself except for writing the job operations manual. Of course, that would be a total snooze. Yet, that's also what made it so funny, because it's so uniquely Diana. I could really relate to her fears, although sometimes she's a little more stoic than I probably could be. Underneath that hard facade though is a hurting little girl who needs to heal, so it was a joy to see her loosening up and experiencing kid-like enthusiasm.
Together Finn and Diana were absolutely amazing. Right from the start, they share sizzling chemistry. The sexual tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife, and it was only made more delicious by their rapier-sharp bantering. It was definitely a case of opposites attract, but in a good way, rather than the "I can't believe these two are getting together because they drive each other insane" way which I often have a hard time buying into. With Finn and Diana, I always saw exactly why they were so into each other, even if they couldn't have seemed more different. Their first love scene is completely explosive, and every one after that was equally wonderful. There was lots of variety, but each scene perfectly conveyed their intense passion, tender emotions and burgeoning feelings for one another.
Most of the key Player's from the first two books returned in supporting roles. Scott and Amanda (Scott) were more in the background this time, but computer hacker, Tucker had an important job to do. As Finn's best friend and fellow leader of the Player's Club, Lincoln was a little more front and center and Juliana had a couple of scenes too. Finn's evil cousin and ex-Player, George teamed up with two sidekicks, one of whom was quite dastardly. George has been increasingly becoming more sinister as the series has progressed. He finally got what was coming to him, but not before a few tense moments unfolded.
Overall, Finn was a great wrap-up to the Player's Club trilogy. I highly recommend this book and the series in general to anyone looking for a Blaze story with a little fuller character development that isn't often found in this shorter format. It definitely left me feeling quite satisfied. This book earned a spot on my keeper shelf and Cathy Yardley a spot on my favorite authors list. I'm now very eager to check out her backlist titles.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2012
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin Blaze
Author’s Website: cathyyardley.com
My Source for This Book: Gift from the author
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, Player’s Club
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Hot
I had the pleasure of reading this entire series in one sitting, and have been blown away by the fun and steam throughout the story. I wasn’t quite sure that Diana would be the ideal partner for Finn, as they’re initially complete opposites, but as she becomes involved in the Player’s Club, and as she gets to know Finn a little better, it became clear that they were truly made for each other.
With plenty of steam and a heavy dash of adventure, this book was a wonderful ending to what has quickly become a favorite trilogy of mine, and I greatly look forward to reading more books by Ms. Yardley.
A solid (and sexy) 4/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin Blaze
Author’s Website: cathyyardley.com
My Source for This Book: Gift from the author
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, Player’s Club
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Hot
I had the pleasure of reading this entire series in one sitting, and have been blown away by the fun and steam throughout the story. I wasn’t quite sure that Diana would be the ideal partner for Finn, as they’re initially complete opposites, but as she becomes involved in the Player’s Club, and as she gets to know Finn a little better, it became clear that they were truly made for each other.
With plenty of steam and a heavy dash of adventure, this book was a wonderful ending to what has quickly become a favorite trilogy of mine, and I greatly look forward to reading more books by Ms. Yardley.
A solid (and sexy) 4/5 Stars
September 14, 2012
Diana Song is the hardest-working lawyer anyone has ever seen, nicknamed The Hammer. But her next case is the toughest yet. Her client's son, Finn, is an irresponsible twenty-something who is part of the Player's Club. The Player's Club is comprised of thrill-seeking men who live life to the fullest.
Diana's job is to get Finn to quit the club. He breaks bones left and right when he goes on one of the Player Club's adventures, and his father is getting tired of it. So he hires Diana to put an end to the possibly fatal stunts.
Diana is on the case, like always. But what she doesn't expect is falling deeply in love with Finn.
I absolutely loved this book! I haven't read the past two books in this trilogy, but this one is so good that I'm going to definitely get the others. Diana is a strong, determined heroine who doesn't take crap from anyone, and yet she succumbs to love--two qualities that are always appreciated by romance readers like me. Finn is reckless, irresponsible, and yet adorable in his attempts to seduce Diana and keep her happy.
The romance plays out well here--it gets steamy towards the beginning, which is just lust, but I like to see the love developing along with the more sensual scenes. Also, I like the twist the author gave at the end--there's a very good reason why Finn joined the Player's Club.
There were plenty of subplots in this one that kept me happy and yet didn't distract from the romance. Diana, being the lawyer she is, was poking around in the finances of the cocreator of the Player's Club, and she discovers a lot. Also, the way Finn stood up to his father was perfect. He set his boundaries respectfully and let his dad know that he was in love.
What a fantastic romance! I will definitely be reading the rest of this trilogy.
Diana's job is to get Finn to quit the club. He breaks bones left and right when he goes on one of the Player Club's adventures, and his father is getting tired of it. So he hires Diana to put an end to the possibly fatal stunts.
Diana is on the case, like always. But what she doesn't expect is falling deeply in love with Finn.
I absolutely loved this book! I haven't read the past two books in this trilogy, but this one is so good that I'm going to definitely get the others. Diana is a strong, determined heroine who doesn't take crap from anyone, and yet she succumbs to love--two qualities that are always appreciated by romance readers like me. Finn is reckless, irresponsible, and yet adorable in his attempts to seduce Diana and keep her happy.
The romance plays out well here--it gets steamy towards the beginning, which is just lust, but I like to see the love developing along with the more sensual scenes. Also, I like the twist the author gave at the end--there's a very good reason why Finn joined the Player's Club.
There were plenty of subplots in this one that kept me happy and yet didn't distract from the romance. Diana, being the lawyer she is, was poking around in the finances of the cocreator of the Player's Club, and she discovers a lot. Also, the way Finn stood up to his father was perfect. He set his boundaries respectfully and let his dad know that he was in love.
What a fantastic romance! I will definitely be reading the rest of this trilogy.
November 3, 2016
I believe this is the first time I've read anything by this author. Finn Macalister is the founder of the player's club and Diana Song is the legal counselor for his father's business, Macalister Enterprises. His father, Thorn, wants Finn out of the club. He makes a deal with Finn and has told Diana to become a member of the club to give him feedback on exactly what goes on and if she thinks it's worthwhile. If it's not, then Finn will quit the club and join the business. Actually, since Diana works for Thorn, she is to report only that it is negative in order to get Finn into the family business. Finn wants to show the "hammer", as she is called by others, that the club offers a family of people who feel doing things you always wanted to do is important and give you a reason to live. Along this journey, Diana discovers Finn's real reasons for starting this club and the reasons he started it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2012
So they decided to make a book about adventure seekers. And it turned out well. One word: awesome! After reading this I had the vague feeling that it could have been somewhat better but I can't put my finger exactly on what should have been different. Nonetheless, this is a good book. A nice, short, fun read.
I haven't read the other installments in the series and even though this was wonderful, I'm not sure I will but don't let that play down the importance of this little cute book. It would be a silly thing to do.
I haven't read the other installments in the series and even though this was wonderful, I'm not sure I will but don't let that play down the importance of this little cute book. It would be a silly thing to do.
February 26, 2019
Final book of The Players Club trilogy. In which various questions are answered - Finn's big secret and why he set up the club mainly, will George get his comeuppance. The female mc here is a workaholic lawyer from impoverished beginnings out to prove she can cut it. Finn carrys on in his devil may care style, under extreme pressure from his family to stop. As ever, it all works out. An enjoyable read, I got these characters a bit more than the previous book.
June 1, 2012
Good story. I liked Diana a lot. She has to be my favourite Blaze heroine this year by far. I doubt I'll forget her anytime soon. Finn was cool, too, but like Diana, I'm wasn't sure I could put up with his thrill-seeking lifestyle.
Too bad CY had Jonesy dealt with summarily because otherwise we could have had a bit of intrigue to kick off subsequent Player's Club titles.
Too bad CY had Jonesy dealt with summarily because otherwise we could have had a bit of intrigue to kick off subsequent Player's Club titles.
June 4, 2012
I read this book in 4 hours. I thought it was cute on some level. Aside from the whole doing dangerous things all the time, Finn sounds exactly like the kind of man I would definitely want!
Best line in the book: "In fact, I'm going to call you Honeybuns. I think you should call me Schmoopy-pants."
LMAO! I love a man who knows how to be a clown. :)
OH! & his dad is a complete a$$hole!
Best line in the book: "In fact, I'm going to call you Honeybuns. I think you should call me Schmoopy-pants."
LMAO! I love a man who knows how to be a clown. :)
OH! & his dad is a complete a$$hole!
November 25, 2013
Player's Club #3 Player's Club #3 Finn has issues with his father's interference in his life. Diane is his father's business lawyer. She is charged with getting Finn to work in the family business and give up the player's club and with it all the chances he has taken with his life on the line.
September 8, 2012
What an awesome book. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. It all flows so well. I gave Cathy Yardley a 5 star.
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August 14, 2017Miniseries: The Player's Club
Category: Passion
Category: Passion
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January 21, 2018Because this: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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