Sometimes you have to do things differently in order to be happy.
Hannah Bishop's boyfriend is cheating on her. When Caleb Matthews's the city's most eligible bachelor and a regular at the cafe where Hannah works, steps up to help her, she uncovers secrets about the man she's running from and the man who has become her hero. Combining love and action, Playing House explores the secrets people keep and the personal choices everyone must make to achieve happiness.
**Note: This story contains strong character appropriate language, violence and sexual situations.**
My journey began living in a basement apartment with no TV and no internet. After talking with my friend and fellow indie author, Bree Lynne Potter, I started a story to keep myself from boredom. Shortly after I started, my characters came to life and I became hungry to know what happens to them. I fell in love with my characters and they soon became a part of me.
Mira Day is a Contemporary Romance/Fiction writer, born in the Carolinas with a passion for food. She loves the outdoors, NFL football and exclamation points! You'll usually find her working, writing or catching up with Friends on Netflix. Her debut novel, Playing House, published in Sept. 2015.
She is currently working on a suspense novel due out mid-2017.
Stay tuned for a follow-up to Playing House coming this September!
3 sweetest dreams stars. Hannah and Caleb come from completely different worlds yet collide in the most delicious of ways. When Hannah is in need of saving, Caleb is her knight in shining armor. She stays with him and the more she learns about Caleb, the more she likes him. The issue is, what Caleb is hiding could tear them apart.
The story wasn't a hard read but it wasn't anything special. I didn't get so lost in the read that I forgot what day it was, I had no issue putting it down to make dinner. There were moments where I found myself a bit bored with the story. Overall, it was entertaining which is why it got three stars.
Caleb is a sweet, intelligent, and caring man. He's from wealth which leads to his situation which he hides from Hannah. The secret almost rips him and Hannah apart. His wealth also leads Hannah to work in his parent's home under an incredible chef for training. In short, Caleb is pretty interesting and definitely kept me reading the story. I just felt the story was missing something. I wanted more from it and felt empty when it ended. I wasn't emotionally invested in the story and I suppose that is one of the major issues.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley from Inkwell International for an honest review. I'm conflicted as I liked several things, but I feel really dissatisfied. I liked the chemistry between Hannah and Caleb. I LOVED the supporting characters - Mason, Lizzie and especially Lucas. Although the book is probably more a young/new adult genre, I felt like Hannah was a little up/down for me for maturity. Flat out, I'm not sure I could keep going with Caleb until he dealt with his... business.
DON'T READ THIS IF YOU DON"T WANT TO KNOW
The story with Hannah and her ex was interesting and I was engrossed, but that took a backseat towards the end to the Caleb mysterious issue. I struggled with it personally, but I was still engaged. Then the ending came... I had to go back 25% to make sure I didn't miss the part where everything worked out on Caleb's end of things . The book just ended. It was happy for the couple, but wrapping up the biggest part of the storyline was not solidly and definitely or even slightly or even a tiny hint resolved. I saw a few other readers mention the abrupt ending and wondering if there was another book. Ok! But I've looked around and skimmed the author's blog and it looks like she's working on another story. I'm so confused and unfortunately this loose end has left me feeling dissatisfied. I hope that a novella or some sort of extra epilogue will be written to give closure. For now and the way the story is left, my rating is "the book was ok" based on Goodreads's rating of a 2 (and I really hate that).
“‘The whisk is for the first dinner you made for me. It showed me your passion. And the bike was the best thing I could find to represent the American Pickers marathon we watched the first night I kissed you. Your love for history showed me your intelligence. I want you to always remember how strong, passionate, and smart you are. My opinion doesn’t really matter, but I want you to know this is how people see you.’”
4 stars. This book was a fun read, it was emotional at times as well. I liked the characters and the storyline as well!
Hannah Bishop thinks her life is going along as planned….until she discovers that her boyfriend, Connor, is cheating on her.
She has no idea that breaking up with him will lead her to the happiness she deserves—even when Caleb Matthews, the city’s most eligible bachelor and a regular at the café where Hannah works, steps up to help her.
Hannah uncovers secrets about the man she’s running from and the man who has become her hero, realizing that not everything in life is black and white.
Combining love and action, Playing House explores the secrets people keep and the personal choices everyone must make to achieve happiness.
**Note: This story contains strong character appropriate language, violence and sexual situations.**
Hannah is barely making ends meet working at a cafe during the day and bartending at night. She has a boyfriend that she thinks is the one, but that all changes one drunken night when she calls him and finds out he’s cheating on her. Caleb is the city’s most eligible bachelor and he’s a regular at the cafe where Hannah works. He’s instantly smitten with her and he’s there to pick her up when her relationship takes a dramatic turn. But is Caleb who is says he is?? What happens when her ex shows back up in her life?? This book was so good and I really liked it!!
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**
I really enjoyed this book, but I was hoping to read a bit more with how Caleb handles the secrets that are revealed. Don't get me wrong it was a good book and I enjoyed the characters and how they handled all the things that are thrown at them. This book was written good and it had a nice flow. I flew through it because I had to know how it all ends. I will definitely be reading more from Mira Day.
Hannah has been fending for herself since she was 16 and works multiple jobs to support herself. She dreams of going to culinary school and is having trouble finding a school that will help her with a scholarship. She pretty much works all the time and has not much of a life. She has had a boyfriend for 2 years but after hearing him cheat on her she breaks up with him. She hangs out with Caleb and ends up depending on her for a place to stay. While living in the same place they get to know each other and end up getting into a relationship. Caleb is such a great guy and is very protective of her which she needs because life is about to get very complicated for her, but is he as great as she thinks he is. She ends up questioning if she is really a great judge of character and when secrets about Caleb are revealed it makes her question it even more. What secrets could Caleb be keeping? What complications arise from Hannah's break up? Will she ever make her dream of culinary school a reality? Will she be able to overlook Caleb's secrets and find happiness with him?
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Playing House is Mira Day's debut novel. She definitely is not playing at writing. This book grabbed me from the very beginning. The characters reached out from the pages and grabbed my attention...especially Hannah.
Hannah is an everyday woman. She is trying to work through life....so she can live life. A life she wants to live as a chef. It seems easy right? Hannah does not have it easy. She has always had to work hard for everything. Her best friends Lizzy and Mason are the only people she has to rely on. Then she meets Caleb. Woman meets man.....romance.....the end?...not for Hannah. After meeting Caleb, her life actually starts to take a winding unexpected journey.
Caleb is a wealthy lawyer. Handsome and charming as he pushes his way into Hannah's life. He wants her...can he have her? Will their current lives allow room for each other? Will they play house or live life together? You have to read to find out.
Thank you, Mira Day. This is an awesome read. I loved this story. I also love the cover. I can't wait for more from Mira.
An amazing tale full of twists and turns, romance and suspense.
Hannah Bishop‘s life changes when she meets lawyer Caleb Matthews at the diner she works at. He is everything any woman would want, but Hannah already has a boyfriend and they live together. So Hannah settles for being friends with Caleb.
When Hannah‘s boyfriend Conner becomes jealous, Hannah finds out what he is really like and she is scared. Caleb is there to pick up the pieces and lets Hannah stay with him which leads to them falling in love together very quickly. But this is just the beginning of the story. Caleb is keeping something from Hannah and she finds out when she starts working as an assistant for his parent’s chef. Will this secret be the end of Hannah and Caleb or can they work through it?
As I read this book, I didn’t know what to think about Hannah and her choice in men. It seemed she kept going down the wrong road and I wasn’t sure what to think of Caleb and his secret. I was very impressed with the way the author told the story and kept me guessing what would happen next.
Never heard or read this author before. But i love it when that happens and the book just grabs a hold of you, as this book certainly did for me. I loved the premise that someone with a well planned out life hits a major bump in the road and we get to see how they deal with it. I love reading about how people deal with these sorts of situations, and in the case of this story it was very intriguing and certainly kept me hooked to the very last page. I will not give away too much about what happens but there are plenty of surprise revelations and i love the simmering romance as it builds between Hannah and Caleb and the two opposite worlds they inhabit at times then the cafe where they connect together. Very enjoyable book
This was such a cute story! There were sweet moments that made you just want to go "aww!". And then there were moments where you will say " I did not see that coming!" I really hope there is a sequel to this book! I would add more but I don't want to give away the story. Read it. You'll love it!
self note: hero married to other woman.( even though this marriage is an open one and they are like brother and sister. then why sleep togther yuck !) wife is pregnant and it could be heros. no thank you.
ARC received via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
*4.5 Stars*
I'm not really sure where to start with this one. I will say I was pretty much instantly hooked on the storyline and engaging with the characters.
The Connor part of the storyline was really good and was something extra to focus on instead of the lovey dovey stuff and the situations playing out from that, and gave the reader something real to focus on - that kind of thing does happen in real life and is a serious issue, and I always like it when authors manage to involve serious life issues in their stories. It makes them more real.
When the secrets started popping out though with Caleb, I just could't fathom how Hannah could even contemplate staying with him. Yeah the circumstances were a bit different and it wasn't a traditional situation, but still, I think it was a little unbelievable.
And all of this after only a week or two? A bit too much insta-love in this one for me. Normally I don't mind that kind of thing, but in this book I think it was a bit too much too soon.
That said though, I couldn't stop myself from being addicted to this book and wanting to know what would happen. The secondary characters really helped build character in the story, especially Lizzy and Lucas.
I also loved how Hannah had a passion and she was able to still work on her dream with said passion, with all that was going on. And how she was portrayed as enjoying it so much yet being uniquely good at it.
I do feel like the ending was left a bit open though, and we weren't given answers about certain situations. Not sure if this is going to be a stand-alone or if maybe we'll get some more books, but I don't think we will because of how the ending read. Unless its from another characters POV, maybe Lucas, which would actually be a really entertaining book to read.
A bit all over the place with my thoughts on this one I know, but I did thoroughly enjoy after all I've said, and I would still recommend it to other people to read. It was a quick and easy read and a good book to immerse yourself into.
Ok how to start my review. I'm actually struggling because I loved it almost as much as it frustrated me. Initially I loved both leading characters. Hannah was real and strong, an average everyday kinda girl. She had a passion for cooking and was loyal to her friends, and loved deeply. I admired her courage too. Caleb was again realistic and strong. A wealthy man from a very wealthy family and what every book boyfriend should be, good looks, passionate, caring, and would do anything for Hannah. I loved how both of their worlds collide in the most simplest of places, a local cafe where Hannah works and the contrast of their upbringing and worlds in general. I enjoyed how their relationship blossomed steadily at first, but then BOTH characters did the most craziest things and made decisions that had me shaking my kindle and asking 'wtf are you both playing at?' This review is going to be vague as I don't want to give anything away of the book, but damn, it frustrated me. When both Hannah and Caleb are together, the electricity flies, but I personally would have maybe walked from the situation. I wouldn't have been as strong as Hannah was. She has to deal with some crazy stuff in this book. There are some heavy twists and turns that almost gave me whiplash! And the ending!! Is there another book to follow?? God I hope so as I feel there are ends that need tying up!! See, frustrating!! Anyway, this book had me laughing, sighing, blushing, angry, and pulling my freaking hair out because arrrgh!!! That ending. There has to be more. I need a little closure for sure. So as far as debuts go, this was a good book and had me having intense feels, and not just the mushy kind. A decent 4 stars from me. Please tell me there's going to be more......
I received an ARC in return for my honest review. Hayley @ReadLoveRepeat
Playing House by Mira Day was an awesome read! The characters were very easy to relate to and well developed. Mira gives you just enough information without overloading on details to focus on the story at hand. The interaction between characters was very well written.
Hannah is a strong yet vulnerable leading lady. She pulls you in with her struggle to be independent and take care of herself, but finds herself in a situation that pushes her towards leaning on friends for help. A struggle we can all relate to.
Well done! I look forward to reading more from Mira Day soon!
Where Hannah and her friends are concerned there's no such thing as overhearing, "Lizzy grabs my arm, tugging on me like an impatient kid. Mason coughs, and we giggle as he retreats to the balcony. “He. Is. Amazing. Oh my God, Lizzy— best sex I’ve ever had, hands down.” Caleb is a particular man with some things, "he picks me up and sets me on the countertop, mumbling “I want dessert in here.” He steps between my legs." I liked this book.
This was a quick & easy read for me. Although I didn't connect with the main characters as much as I need to, I still liked it enough to want to keep reading and find out how things end. The supporting characters kept it interesting. I do feel that a few things were left unanswered and I had some questions once I finished the book.
The plot had potential and I guess I was just expecting more development. The pacing was off sometimes rushing through key growth or support opportunities. I could not connect to the characters enough to truly be engaged.
Mira Day has written great Debut Novel. I Loved reading it. Caleb and Hannah were amazing. I Would definitely recommend everybody to read this awesome book. Caleb will Steal will your Heart <3
Hannah is a waitress/bartender working two jobs to support herself, hoping to get into culinary school. Each day she serves professional people in the cafe, including Caleb. One day flirting starts, and it just so happens that is the day she also finds her boyfriend cheating. Somehow from that Caleb and Hannah begin a relationship that is just a whirlwind. We have a lot of the usual tropes here of very rich and successful man, poor but hardworking girl in need of saving financially and physically (abusive ex), hint of suspense/danger, etc.
This one really does have quite a taboo secret Caleb is holding though and it will be a big no-no for some readers. I'll tag it for those worried. The author handles this creatively, but I'm going to admit I couldn't get on board with it and still see Caleb as a strong character. That hurt his image in my mind a lot.
The storyline flowed well overall despite the situation above, but the ending was just too abrupt. It's like the author decided the book was long enough and just decided to wrap it up by tying everything up neatly without explanation. All done. So, my final rating is 3 stars, enjoyable, little bit agast at the secret and dissatisfied some with the resolution. In my literature studies of long ago, this would be termed missing a decent denouement. It came off too quick and too bland. Would I read more by this author? Probably. The rest of the book was decent, and at least she had the guts to throw something that might be controversial in there. I like that in an author.
My thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book to read and give an honest review.
I love, love, love Hannah! She is such an incredibly strong female character who takes more hits in such a short period of time than most people have to handle in a year. She not only takes those hits, but she also takes them gracefully and keeps pushing forward and trying to look at things from the most objective perspective possible. I was so happy that she followed her own heart and dreams in the end regardless of all the other craziness surrounding her. I enjoyed the surprises and twists that popped up throughout the story, but I was so unhappy that so much was left up in the air at the end of the book. I was left needing more, not just a glimpse!
This book was a great read! It was full of sex, intrigue, and was a quick book to finish since I couldn't put it down. The relationship between Hannah and Caleb was amazing and full of so much love. The addition of Stacey into the mix added even more of a twist to their relationship. The friendships offered by Mason, Lizzy, and Lucas made me wish that I had friends like that in my own life. Danger seemed to lurk at every turn and the book left me wanting more since there was a massive loose end that wasn't taken care of. Can't wait for the next one!
I may be old fashioned, but even with an arranged marriage you should always clean up your past before you try and start a future with somebody new.
The characters were amazing. I thought the book went a little fast and I wish it were longer and a little more drawn out. Characters with a back story.
The plot was great and the characters mixed well I hope she writes another book to tell us what happened with Stacey and who's baby it was. Lucas really needs his own book I love his sarcasticness I need more from him.
I read this book in about 4 hours. It is a very easy read. It is a bit predictable and fast paced, but entertaining.
I enjoyed the characters and the story line. Some of my favorite characters were the secondary or minor characters. I would love to see the series continue with some of their stories.
I really loved this book. It was a fast read that kept me wanting more. I was sad when I turned the last page and can't wait to see where Mira takes her characters next. There are some minor characters that I am excited to see make a more major appearance and learn more about them. Thanks Mira for sucking me in!
I received a review copy from the publisher via Net galley for a honest review.
Didn't finish book. I really enjoyed the story at first. But then they got together to quickly. Caleb became a turn off due to his comments about how boring he was. Her new employment????? The help??? Didn't care for a that. Nor did I like the Mrs. and her quickly adapting.
I love this story! So much excitement, humor, suspense, and fun all wrapped up in one. I can't wait to read more about Caleb and Hannah!!! Connor= douchebag.. Stacey= I'm not sure yet...spoiled bitch?? Can't wait for more!!!!
This story had all the twists and turns that leave you wanting to know more about what's going on. You won't be disappointed when you turn the pages and find yourself believing in love once more.