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The Escort Collection #3
Escorting the Player
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
Win or Lose...
Winning is important but this is championship quarterback Chase Layne's last chance for glory. All he wants for his final season is to win the Superbowl. But dreams of ending his career on a high will be sacked if his soon to be ex-wife has her way. She and her new boyfriend have plans to ruin Chase in a media smear, stealing everything he's worked to achieve. He just has to show the press he's still in control and on top of his game, in business and his private life.
It's How You Play the Game...
Avery Banks knows all about being played. Life has done that to her for years now and she's tired of being the loser. All she needs is a big score...a job paying enough money to allow her stop turning tricks for good and to get her sister into rehab. Then it happens! She gets the dream job pretending to be a star football player's girlfriend. All she has to do is make him look good, help him keep up his All American Boy image for the next few weeks. Easy, right? Except her sister sees an even bigger payoff: Blackmailing Chase.
As Chase and Avery play offense to everyone trying to bring them down, Avery must also face the hard truth: she's made the ultimate rookie mistake...falling in love with a client.
Standalone sports romance with an HEA. You don't have to read the other books in The Escort Collection, but you totally should!
Win or Lose...
Winning is important but this is championship quarterback Chase Layne's last chance for glory. All he wants for his final season is to win the Superbowl. But dreams of ending his career on a high will be sacked if his soon to be ex-wife has her way. She and her new boyfriend have plans to ruin Chase in a media smear, stealing everything he's worked to achieve. He just has to show the press he's still in control and on top of his game, in business and his private life.
It's How You Play the Game...
Avery Banks knows all about being played. Life has done that to her for years now and she's tired of being the loser. All she needs is a big score...a job paying enough money to allow her stop turning tricks for good and to get her sister into rehab. Then it happens! She gets the dream job pretending to be a star football player's girlfriend. All she has to do is make him look good, help him keep up his All American Boy image for the next few weeks. Easy, right? Except her sister sees an even bigger payoff: Blackmailing Chase.
As Chase and Avery play offense to everyone trying to bring them down, Avery must also face the hard truth: she's made the ultimate rookie mistake...falling in love with a client.
Standalone sports romance with an HEA. You don't have to read the other books in The Escort Collection, but you totally should!
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2016
830 people are currently reading
1271 people want to read
About the author
Leigh James
90 books506 followersUSA Today and Amazon Top-10 Bestselling Author Leigh James is currently sitting on a white-sand beach, watching the sunset, dreaming up her next billionaire. Get ready, he's going to be a HOT one!
Just kidding! Leigh is actually freezing her butt off in Maine, USA, where she lives with her awesome husband, their great kids, and her BFF Choco the chocolate lab. But she promises that billionaire is REALLY going to be something!
Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Leigh also writes Young Adult Paranormal Romance as Leigh Walker. Her smash-hit series Vampire Royals was previously optioned by Netflix.
Sign up to get new release notifications at: http://www.leighjamesauthor.com/subsc...!
Just kidding! Leigh is actually freezing her butt off in Maine, USA, where she lives with her awesome husband, their great kids, and her BFF Choco the chocolate lab. But she promises that billionaire is REALLY going to be something!
Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Leigh also writes Young Adult Paranormal Romance as Leigh Walker. Her smash-hit series Vampire Royals was previously optioned by Netflix.
Sign up to get new release notifications at: http://www.leighjamesauthor.com/subsc...!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
May 10, 2016
Escorting the Player is about a professional star quarterback who's in his last season in football before retiring. His wife, who is quite the piece of work, has decided to leave him for one of his teammates. To distract from the bad publicity of the nasty divorce, Chase's agent and best friend, hires an escort for Chase to pretend to be his new, drama free girlfriend so he can show that he is adjusting well. Problem is, Avery isn't so drama free. Avery is the younger more responsible sibling who is just trying to make ends meet despite her sisters constant sabotage. She is new to the escort business and only takes jobs when she is forced to. She is a good person with a greedy older sister that constantly sponges off of Avery.
As you can guess, Chase and Avery start falling for each other but both of them have a greedy person in their lives that want more money and to see them both miserable. Chase will have to make the decision if Avery is worth the scandal she will bring if her profession goes public.
Despite the drama in this book, I actually considered this a light fun read. It's a short story and I really enjoyed Chase and Avery's characters. Leigh James is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can trust that whatever she publishes will be a fun read for me. I highly recommend her stories!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
As you can guess, Chase and Avery start falling for each other but both of them have a greedy person in their lives that want more money and to see them both miserable. Chase will have to make the decision if Avery is worth the scandal she will bring if her profession goes public.
Despite the drama in this book, I actually considered this a light fun read. It's a short story and I really enjoyed Chase and Avery's characters. Leigh James is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can trust that whatever she publishes will be a fun read for me. I highly recommend her stories!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2020
⭐️ ⭐️ Pretty woman mixed a little Cinderella
Why would the evil sister and ex got their happy ending ?
Why would the H talked as 3rd person ?
I know it could goes into 3 stars but those 2 reasons really cutting it out for me 🙏🏻✌🏼
Why would the evil sister and ex got their happy ending ?
Why would the H talked as 3rd person ?
I know it could goes into 3 stars but those 2 reasons really cutting it out for me 🙏🏻✌🏼
April 23, 2022
Escorting the Player is a light, sweet read despite the fact that the main character is a reluctant escort with family issues. The characters of Avery and Chase are both good people with good intentions. They make it easy to root for them from the very beginning. The author's writing made the story easy to read in one sitting. The next time I want a light, fluffy romance I will give another book by this author a try.
October 1, 2016
I wasn't expecting a lot when I decided to read this since it was a Kindle freebie. Yet, I was quite surprised by this one. It was a solid read and I enjoyed the story. It was a little predictable and I never felt like I really connected with the heroine but it was a quick and easy read. This is a perfect light read - a little fluffy yet quite good. The writing was solid and the story was put together well.
September 25, 2021
2.5 stars
Definitely in “this was a book” territory. Not much explicitly bad with it, but also not much I connected to or cared about
I don’t love evil, blackmailing, scheming exes and siblings. Which this book had in abundance
Neither MC had that much of a personality. They were just reacting to the events around them, and didn’t seem to have any emotional connection to each other
It all just wrapped up in a neat bow at the end. For a book where all the conflict is about the media blowup and backlash after this news comes out, we need to see literally any of that. At least one little moment of it. Not just “and then after the revelationary press conference we fucked like bunnies and no one asked us any questions ever again, happily ever after.”
Speaking of neat little bows, I don’t quite understand why the villains — the ex and the sister — got happy endings and zero comeuppance
Steam: 3.5/5
Definitely in “this was a book” territory. Not much explicitly bad with it, but also not much I connected to or cared about
I don’t love evil, blackmailing, scheming exes and siblings. Which this book had in abundance
Neither MC had that much of a personality. They were just reacting to the events around them, and didn’t seem to have any emotional connection to each other
It all just wrapped up in a neat bow at the end. For a book where all the conflict is about the media blowup and backlash after this news comes out, we need to see literally any of that. At least one little moment of it. Not just “and then after the revelationary press conference we fucked like bunnies and no one asked us any questions ever again, happily ever after.”
Speaking of neat little bows, I don’t quite understand why the villains — the ex and the sister — got happy endings and zero comeuppance
Steam: 3.5/5
April 2, 2021
So
I’m definitely going through a ... middle age crisis?! but I needed this erotica books in my life now. Saying that.... I rolled my eyes at “babe” and “slit” so often ... you get the gist ;)
I’m definitely going through a ... middle age crisis?! but I needed this erotica books in my life now. Saying that.... I rolled my eyes at “babe” and “slit” so often ... you get the gist ;)
November 11, 2024
Este libro podría haber sido muy bueno en muchos sentidos, pero falló en esencia.
May 10, 2016
Escorting the Player is all about Avery Banks and Chase Layne's love story . And what can I say about this amazing story without giving too much away and spoiling this read? You just go and read the blurb first ...that's already telling a lot .
I really loved this book and hated it to end because the chemistry between Avery and Chase was boiling hot from the beginning and the story they've got together was a real page turner and offered such a satisfying ending . For me it was beyond captivating , intense , touching and very emotional .
Can 't wait to read ASAP her other 2 books in these series "Escorting the Billionaire" and "Escorting the Actress" .
Thank you so much Leigh James for this beautiful gift . You did a great job !!
**This book was graciously provided as an ARC for an honest review **
I really loved this book and hated it to end because the chemistry between Avery and Chase was boiling hot from the beginning and the story they've got together was a real page turner and offered such a satisfying ending . For me it was beyond captivating , intense , touching and very emotional .
Can 't wait to read ASAP her other 2 books in these series "Escorting the Billionaire" and "Escorting the Actress" .
Thank you so much Leigh James for this beautiful gift . You did a great job !!
**This book was graciously provided as an ARC for an honest review **
October 31, 2016
4.5
Such an adorable story. Another great book from this series that will keep you reading on.
Such an adorable story. Another great book from this series that will keep you reading on.
November 9, 2020
Decent book but it felt rushed - wham, bam, thank you, ma'am. Good if you need or want a quick read or a quick sweet fix.
April 2, 2021
This was a pretty quick story. They went from meeting to falling in love in a pretty short amount of time. But I could kind of appreciate that. After already reading the first book in this series, the storylines are similar. The Hero hires an escort. They catch feelings for each other but they don’t want the world to know how their relationship started... but there are people fighting against them that want to reveal all.
There’s only so many different ways you can write that story. And yes this story felt a little rushed. I’m also glad it didn’t get dragged out with a bunch of blackmail attempts and back and forth “I like him but does he like me” questions and I not dialogue. I liked that it was sort of straight to the point.
Chase is a well loved quarterback and his wife just left him for a teammate. His agent decided to get ahead of the rumors and get Chase a girlfriend. That girlfriend is paid escort Avery. Avery is exactly opposite of his soon to be ex wife. Avery is kind and sweet and real. She doesn’t want fame, she’s just trying to make ends meet.
When they meet they are almost immediately attracted to each other and once they let go there’s no going back. They can’t keep their hands off each other.
One thing that could have been annoying but was really funny, was Chase talking about himself in the third person. He didn’t do it constantly, but he had good comedic timing with it and it made me laugh.
There’s only so many different ways you can write that story. And yes this story felt a little rushed. I’m also glad it didn’t get dragged out with a bunch of blackmail attempts and back and forth “I like him but does he like me” questions and I not dialogue. I liked that it was sort of straight to the point.
Chase is a well loved quarterback and his wife just left him for a teammate. His agent decided to get ahead of the rumors and get Chase a girlfriend. That girlfriend is paid escort Avery. Avery is exactly opposite of his soon to be ex wife. Avery is kind and sweet and real. She doesn’t want fame, she’s just trying to make ends meet.
When they meet they are almost immediately attracted to each other and once they let go there’s no going back. They can’t keep their hands off each other.
One thing that could have been annoying but was really funny, was Chase talking about himself in the third person. He didn’t do it constantly, but he had good comedic timing with it and it made me laugh.
December 19, 2024
⭐️3🌶️1💧0
The relationship between the FMC and her sister was INFURIATING.
It was a quick easy read but This one kinda fell short for me. Took me ages to decide how I feel about it. It was just meh. It wasn’t a bad book, had its good moments but just not for me.
#leighjames #escortingtheplayer #darkromance #steamybooks #bookrecs #steamyreads #audiobook #bookaholic #readingtime #bookshelf #instabooks #bookblogger #bookreview #booktok #reading #booklover #bookworm #booknerd #goodreads #aussiebookstagrammers #aussies #australianreaders #darkromance #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #instabook #booksofinstagram #booksarelife #spicybooklover
The relationship between the FMC and her sister was INFURIATING.
It was a quick easy read but This one kinda fell short for me. Took me ages to decide how I feel about it. It was just meh. It wasn’t a bad book, had its good moments but just not for me.
#leighjames #escortingtheplayer #darkromance #steamybooks #bookrecs #steamyreads #audiobook #bookaholic #readingtime #bookshelf #instabooks #bookblogger #bookreview #booktok #reading #booklover #bookworm #booknerd #goodreads #aussiebookstagrammers #aussies #australianreaders #darkromance #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #instabook #booksofinstagram #booksarelife #spicybooklover
February 2, 2021
I preferred this one to Escorting the Billionaire perhaps because it's shorter, so the toxic family member(s) have less time to poison the well.
Once again we have an escort with a heart of gold who's ashamed of what they have had to do to get by, and a hero who only wanted a public facade, who can't help falling while in the midst of a toxic familial relationships (in this case a sister and the ex-wife).
Once again we have an escort with a heart of gold who's ashamed of what they have had to do to get by, and a hero who only wanted a public facade, who can't help falling while in the midst of a toxic familial relationships (in this case a sister and the ex-wife).
April 10, 2021
This was one of the worst romantic/erotic novels I read, and I read a good deal in my teens. The plot was 100% predictable even before I started, the characters were shallow. I basically finished just to see if it really was that bad. Note to self: if it's free on Amazon, it's probably not worth reading. I'm even embarrassed to have this in my challange.
August 29, 2021
I found this one slightly better than the previous one. Still a telenovela, just less drama. 😅
October 18, 2022
2.5 star listen. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a good job. It was a quick low angst story but I just did not connect with the story.
July 11, 2023
Chase and Avery were so much fun! These two were perfect for one another! So glad that Chase never gave up on her! The ending was so sweet! 🥰💙
March 15, 2023
3-4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ganz leichte Lektüre für Zwischendurch
Ganz leichte Lektüre für Zwischendurch
Want to read
July 22, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (7/22/2020)! 🎁 .
May 11, 2016
Escorting the Player
Chase is the star Quarterback of the NFL. Nothing is more important to him then football. It's his last year playing professionally, and he's determined to lead his team to the Super Bowl. His gold digger of a wife files for divorce and moves in with his new team mate. To protect his team and his image, Chase's manager does damage control by hiring an escort. The plan was to hire a beautiful woman to act as a new girlfriend for the appearance that he's moving on. He wants no part of it, that is until he meets Avery.
Avery has taken care of her older sister, Lila, since high school when their single mother overdosed on drugs. Lila is following in their mother's footsteps. She can't keep a job, spends what little money they have on drugs. Facing eviction and starvation, Avery becomes an Escort. She's given a special assignment, act like the girlfriend of a star NFL player. If she completes this assignment, she'll never have to be an escort again.
I was given this story as an ARC for an honest review. I thought the story was well written and I recommend reading it. I'm looking forward to reading "Escorting the Actress" and "Escorting the Billionaire."
Chase is the star Quarterback of the NFL. Nothing is more important to him then football. It's his last year playing professionally, and he's determined to lead his team to the Super Bowl. His gold digger of a wife files for divorce and moves in with his new team mate. To protect his team and his image, Chase's manager does damage control by hiring an escort. The plan was to hire a beautiful woman to act as a new girlfriend for the appearance that he's moving on. He wants no part of it, that is until he meets Avery.
Avery has taken care of her older sister, Lila, since high school when their single mother overdosed on drugs. Lila is following in their mother's footsteps. She can't keep a job, spends what little money they have on drugs. Facing eviction and starvation, Avery becomes an Escort. She's given a special assignment, act like the girlfriend of a star NFL player. If she completes this assignment, she'll never have to be an escort again.
I was given this story as an ARC for an honest review. I thought the story was well written and I recommend reading it. I'm looking forward to reading "Escorting the Actress" and "Escorting the Billionaire."
November 11, 2021
I thought it was unrealistic and synonymous with a fairy tale, too "Pretty Woman"ish. Chase is a famous quarterback whose wife cheats on him with his teammate. Chase's agent decides to run interference and set him up with an escort to show that Chase isn't devastated and has moved on. Avery who is push over and living life to please her older sister who is draining her emotionally and financially. Avery decides to be an escort and is assigned to Chase. She wasn't just an escort for parties, Avery calls herself a hooker and when we hear her thoughts she even says she has turned tricks. These two are now in insta love and trying to down play her hooker status. Turns out another ball player married his wife as she was his escort. Just conveying the wrong message that you can be an escort/hooker/prostitute per se and meet an handsome, famous millionaire/billionaire who will wife you up. What drove me crazy was Chase talking about himself in the 3rd person. It was cute, when he was messing with his agent, but it got old quick. Not interested in reading the rest of the other books in this series.
November 2, 2022
Hated both characters.
He's so stupid!!! And a doormat and she's a doormat!!
Not looking for genius characters, but these two are so daft, they deserve the doormat label
How could he not have a prenup!! Everyone said not to marry her and he still went through without a prenup. You don't have to be rich to have a prenup, it's just smart.
And she was a complete enabler. Enabler is tough to use to describe her because she was more doormat than enabler. I absolutely hated how she let Lila walk all over her. Feeding her shopping habits and letting her extort her
I'm lowering this from 2 star to 1 because I can't stop thinking about how terrible the MCs were!
He's so stupid!!! And a doormat and she's a doormat!!
Not looking for genius characters, but these two are so daft, they deserve the doormat label
How could he not have a prenup!! Everyone said not to marry her and he still went through without a prenup. You don't have to be rich to have a prenup, it's just smart.
And she was a complete enabler. Enabler is tough to use to describe her because she was more doormat than enabler. I absolutely hated how she let Lila walk all over her. Feeding her shopping habits and letting her extort her
I'm lowering this from 2 star to 1 because I can't stop thinking about how terrible the MCs were!
October 14, 2016
Hero(s) rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 3 stars
Sexual tension rating: 3 stars
Sex scenes rating: 3 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 3.5 stars
Plot rating: 3.5 stars
Dialogue rating: 3.5 stars
Storytelling rating: 3 stars
Story ending rating: 3 stars
Other woman/men drama:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
**********************************************
Overall rating: 3 stars
Heroine rating: 3 stars
Sexual tension rating: 3 stars
Sex scenes rating: 3 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 3.5 stars
Plot rating: 3.5 stars
Dialogue rating: 3.5 stars
Storytelling rating: 3 stars
Story ending rating: 3 stars
Other woman/men drama:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
**********************************************
Overall rating: 3 stars
September 4, 2025
I enjoyed the fluffy read overall, but it was REALLY fast-paced and I caught more than five different typos throughout the book, which detracted from the enjoyableness of the story. One of the spicier scenes was written in such a staccato manner that I was taken aback and ripped out of the story. Did the author actually enjoy writing this, or was it just a chore and another book to add to her "done" list? Because that's honestly the vibe that the writing was giving in places.
I'm disappointed because I remember loving the characters and the plot in the first book in this series, but this was not like that. I felt that these characters were fairly two-dimensional (how did a football player get interested in architecture? Where is his dad? Does Avery have any interests of her own at all outside of taking care of her sister? Does she even do her own nails? There was repeated commentary on how beautiful her hair is, but how when she's scraping by and who knows how long it's been since she's even had a haircut, much less a hair treatment? The reader does not know) and that was...unfortunate, to be generous. They were dolls having their strings pulled, and it just wasn't at all what I had expected or hoped for.
(I'm also going to mention that the author literally stuck the FMC in either the kitchen or the bedroom for more than half the novel, and I cringed every time she made him food or said that she was attracted to sleeping with him because of his large genitalia. There's more to chemistry than having a big "Johnson"--and I promise you, I am quoting the MMC there. And where was the rest of his groveling? What did he have planned? No one will ever know. The fact that he was groveling at all was weird because their third act breakup wasn't due to a fault of either of theirs, so why was he doing it in the first place? It just didn't make sense. The FMC also didn't seem to have ANY friends or anyone who cared about her at all other than perhaps her "madam," and that could have been touched on a bit more, too. Why didn't she? It all just fell flat by the end.)
I was genuinely looking forward to reading this sequel, but after this, I can't see myself going out of my way to read another Leigh James book. I value quality over quantity, and I don't think Ms. James and I are on the same page in that respect. I'll say this again because it bears repeating: I am disappointed in this book.
I'm disappointed because I remember loving the characters and the plot in the first book in this series, but this was not like that. I felt that these characters were fairly two-dimensional (how did a football player get interested in architecture? Where is his dad? Does Avery have any interests of her own at all outside of taking care of her sister? Does she even do her own nails? There was repeated commentary on how beautiful her hair is, but how when she's scraping by and who knows how long it's been since she's even had a haircut, much less a hair treatment? The reader does not know) and that was...unfortunate, to be generous. They were dolls having their strings pulled, and it just wasn't at all what I had expected or hoped for.
(I'm also going to mention that the author literally stuck the FMC in either the kitchen or the bedroom for more than half the novel, and I cringed every time she made him food or said that she was attracted to sleeping with him because of his large genitalia. There's more to chemistry than having a big "Johnson"--and I promise you, I am quoting the MMC there. And where was the rest of his groveling? What did he have planned? No one will ever know. The fact that he was groveling at all was weird because their third act breakup wasn't due to a fault of either of theirs, so why was he doing it in the first place? It just didn't make sense. The FMC also didn't seem to have ANY friends or anyone who cared about her at all other than perhaps her "madam," and that could have been touched on a bit more, too. Why didn't she? It all just fell flat by the end.)
I was genuinely looking forward to reading this sequel, but after this, I can't see myself going out of my way to read another Leigh James book. I value quality over quantity, and I don't think Ms. James and I are on the same page in that respect. I'll say this again because it bears repeating: I am disappointed in this book.
November 30, 2016
Can you tell I'm working my way through some of my backlogged kindle freebies? Well I am!
I did not expect much from ESCORTING THE PLAYER. Pretty sure I one-clicked this because the title amused me. So imagine my surprise when this started off really strong and fun. James' writing was solid, we seemed to have really well developed characters, and the couple's first sexual interaction was a flashback scene from doing too many shots to break the ice after first meeting (she's a down on her luck escort, he's a NFL'er trying to redeem his public image after his wife cheats on him with another player, and his manager is the one doing the damage control and hiring the fake girlfriend). It was sweet, fun, and with pretty strategic cookie-cutter villains on both sides (for her AND him) for the reader to hate.
And if that's all you're looking for, you'll love this.
I did, however, find the middle bits a little.. rough. The writing, or maybe characters, or both, felt less solid and everything was a little rushed -- though this reads like a short story or novella, so maybe that's part of the problem -- but it ended in a perfectly adorable way.
While I don't plan to rush out and read the others, mostly because we briefly meet couple number one and that girl seems like a totally irritating ditz, but also because this formula seems like it'll be pretty recycled with all this famous sports dudes/billionaires/sexy robots/whatever marrying up escorts, I may check in with the series every now and then.. when I have nothing else to read (lolz) or want something quick but sweet and spicy.
I did not expect much from ESCORTING THE PLAYER. Pretty sure I one-clicked this because the title amused me. So imagine my surprise when this started off really strong and fun. James' writing was solid, we seemed to have really well developed characters, and the couple's first sexual interaction was a flashback scene from doing too many shots to break the ice after first meeting (she's a down on her luck escort, he's a NFL'er trying to redeem his public image after his wife cheats on him with another player, and his manager is the one doing the damage control and hiring the fake girlfriend). It was sweet, fun, and with pretty strategic cookie-cutter villains on both sides (for her AND him) for the reader to hate.
And if that's all you're looking for, you'll love this.
I did, however, find the middle bits a little.. rough. The writing, or maybe characters, or both, felt less solid and everything was a little rushed -- though this reads like a short story or novella, so maybe that's part of the problem -- but it ended in a perfectly adorable way.
While I don't plan to rush out and read the others, mostly because we briefly meet couple number one and that girl seems like a totally irritating ditz, but also because this formula seems like it'll be pretty recycled with all this famous sports dudes/billionaires/sexy robots/whatever marrying up escorts, I may check in with the series every now and then.. when I have nothing else to read (lolz) or want something quick but sweet and spicy.
August 21, 2025
This is the story of Chase and Avery. Chase is a quarterback in the NFL and Avery is an escort with AccommoDating Escort Service. When Chases wife has an affair with a player on his team and asks for a divorce, he’s not really upset at all since she was a conniving money grabber and that’s all she cared about. It’s the reason she married him. In order to control the narrative and get out in front of the breakup, it was decided he should hire a fake girlfriend, and Avery was selected.
Avery has her own issues. Even though she is an escort, it’s not truly who she is. She’s desperate for money, food and housing so takes the escort jobs but despises it. Her older sister is a conniving beotch that only cares about what she can get from Avery and spends money like it’s water from a faucet. Avery made a promise to her dying mother that she would take care of her sister, so she does.
Of course after a period of time, both Avery and Chase start enjoying each others company. Avery is everything his first wife isn’t… she’s kinds, considerate, compassionate and the opposite of self-involved. Chase recognizes right away that her circumstances do not dictate the kind of person she is and he falls in love with her.
I really enjoyed this book. It was short. I’m not a fan really of books under 300 pages. That’s just my preference because I always feel like the storyline is rushed, and this story was just a bit. Still a really good book.
Overall enjoyment: 4/5⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice level: 2.5/5 🌶️ 🌶️
Darkness: ❤️
Angst level: 3.5/5 ❤️🩹
Plot: 4/5 🗺️
Writing: 5/5 🖊️
Ending: HEA
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
Avery has her own issues. Even though she is an escort, it’s not truly who she is. She’s desperate for money, food and housing so takes the escort jobs but despises it. Her older sister is a conniving beotch that only cares about what she can get from Avery and spends money like it’s water from a faucet. Avery made a promise to her dying mother that she would take care of her sister, so she does.
Of course after a period of time, both Avery and Chase start enjoying each others company. Avery is everything his first wife isn’t… she’s kinds, considerate, compassionate and the opposite of self-involved. Chase recognizes right away that her circumstances do not dictate the kind of person she is and he falls in love with her.
I really enjoyed this book. It was short. I’m not a fan really of books under 300 pages. That’s just my preference because I always feel like the storyline is rushed, and this story was just a bit. Still a really good book.
Overall enjoyment: 4/5⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice level: 2.5/5 🌶️ 🌶️
Darkness: ❤️
Angst level: 3.5/5 ❤️🩹
Plot: 4/5 🗺️
Writing: 5/5 🖊️
Ending: HEA
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
September 15, 2020
I enjoyed this fake relationship/escort/sports romance. It is written in first person from dual POV.
Chase is at the zenith of his career when his wife leaves him. Though their marriage has been over for a while, Chase wants to focus on his career and his soon to be ex is nothing but a distraction. She is a very unlikable character and I did not feel like she received karmic justice by the end of the book. That said, Chase is likable and has a good heart. He does have a weird habit of referring to himself in the third person, but it seems mostly a joke. I like how fast he falls for Avery. I loved when he resorted his priorities and went after the girl.
Avery is at rock bottom. Her sister is a leech and Avery was MUCH nicer to her than I would have been in that situation, only family or not. I felt like her sister never got the payback for all of the trouble she causes and that was frustrating. Avery is a sweet soul, and is a person who is mostly just too darn nice. She falls hard and fast for this hunk of a football player, knowing that real feelings are a complication she doesn't need. I love how sweet Chase is with her and how she takes care of him through the story. They have good chemistry and connect as friends as well. I loved their sweet HEA and look forward to reading more books by this author.
Chase is at the zenith of his career when his wife leaves him. Though their marriage has been over for a while, Chase wants to focus on his career and his soon to be ex is nothing but a distraction. She is a very unlikable character and I did not feel like she received karmic justice by the end of the book. That said, Chase is likable and has a good heart. He does have a weird habit of referring to himself in the third person, but it seems mostly a joke. I like how fast he falls for Avery. I loved when he resorted his priorities and went after the girl.
Avery is at rock bottom. Her sister is a leech and Avery was MUCH nicer to her than I would have been in that situation, only family or not. I felt like her sister never got the payback for all of the trouble she causes and that was frustrating. Avery is a sweet soul, and is a person who is mostly just too darn nice. She falls hard and fast for this hunk of a football player, knowing that real feelings are a complication she doesn't need. I love how sweet Chase is with her and how she takes care of him through the story. They have good chemistry and connect as friends as well. I loved their sweet HEA and look forward to reading more books by this author.
October 19, 2021
To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book, but decided to rate it with three stars, because I generally like it and it's the first book I've read by this author.
The part I'm a little iffy about is Avery and her "profession". Granted, I didn't read anything about the book before I started reading it and therefore went in blind. Even though it's not a trope I particularly like, and try my best to stay away from, I do think it's an important representation in books, because it's real life for many women around the world - women who never have their happy ending and never find their prince charming AKA Chase
I think that it just rubs me the wrong way, because of Avery's sister's attitude. Honestly I hated her so much and just wanted to cut that chick loose. I had hoped she would have gotten a punishment for her behavior, but no. Unfortunately.
I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I liked this book enough that I'm certain that I will get to the others at some point.
The part I'm a little iffy about is Avery and her "profession". Granted, I didn't read anything about the book before I started reading it and therefore went in blind. Even though it's not a trope I particularly like, and try my best to stay away from, I do think it's an important representation in books, because it's real life for many women around the world - women who never have their happy ending and never find their prince charming AKA Chase
I think that it just rubs me the wrong way, because of Avery's sister's attitude. Honestly I hated her so much and just wanted to cut that chick loose. I had hoped she would have gotten a punishment for her behavior, but no. Unfortunately.
I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I liked this book enough that I'm certain that I will get to the others at some point.
July 25, 2025
What happens when a grumpy, brooding football star gets paired with a beautiful, guarded escort… all for PR? You get fireworks, emotional chaos, and a whole lot of tension.
Told in dual POV (Chase & Avary), this story gives you all the feels:
Chase is reeling from betrayal, his wife cheated with his teammate, and now his manager thinks a fake romance with an escort will save his image.
He’s not thrilled. He doesn’t pay for women, let alone let them move into his house. But Ava? She’s not what he expected. She’s fierce, complicated, and carrying demons of her own, including a selfish sister who adds even more drama.
Forced proximity, sizzling tension, and emotional walls start to crumble after one drunken night... and suddenly, trust doesn’t seem so impossible.
But can two broken people really heal each other?
💔 Grumpy x guarded
🔥 Forced proximity
🥺 Emotional and layered
📚 A story that proves love can be messy… and worth every risk.
Told in dual POV (Chase & Avary), this story gives you all the feels:
Chase is reeling from betrayal, his wife cheated with his teammate, and now his manager thinks a fake romance with an escort will save his image.
He’s not thrilled. He doesn’t pay for women, let alone let them move into his house. But Ava? She’s not what he expected. She’s fierce, complicated, and carrying demons of her own, including a selfish sister who adds even more drama.
Forced proximity, sizzling tension, and emotional walls start to crumble after one drunken night... and suddenly, trust doesn’t seem so impossible.
But can two broken people really heal each other?
💔 Grumpy x guarded
🔥 Forced proximity
🥺 Emotional and layered
📚 A story that proves love can be messy… and worth every risk.
January 8, 2022
2.5 stars
I liked this one more than the others. But it still had the dumb idea that no one will know one chracter is an escort and that character has a bitchy someone who wants to blackmail them, and in the end they tell the truth and get married anyway.
I liked Avery and Chase for the most part. It's still dumb when Avery caves to her sister's threats and give her money. Instead of lying and saying she met Chase naturally or something. But I guess this author really likes to make it so the escort finds love and acceptance. And likes to write in horrid female chracters, usually the moms, in this one, Avery's one is dead but from an OD and didnt seem like a great mom. So now the author wrote in an awful older sister to be the horrid, selfish bitch.
At least Chase's mom was normal.
Not the best, but not as bad as the earlier ones, I guess.
I liked this one more than the others. But it still had the dumb idea that no one will know one chracter is an escort and that character has a bitchy someone who wants to blackmail them, and in the end they tell the truth and get married anyway.
I liked Avery and Chase for the most part. It's still dumb when Avery caves to her sister's threats and give her money. Instead of lying and saying she met Chase naturally or something. But I guess this author really likes to make it so the escort finds love and acceptance. And likes to write in horrid female chracters, usually the moms, in this one, Avery's one is dead but from an OD and didnt seem like a great mom. So now the author wrote in an awful older sister to be the horrid, selfish bitch.
At least Chase's mom was normal.
Not the best, but not as bad as the earlier ones, I guess.
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