The Proposition (Players, #2) by Elizabeth Hayley

Oct 31, 2017 Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews rated it liked it

Shelves: guiltypleasures-javagirl

3.5 stars
I enjoyed The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley until nearly the end of the book. Ms. Hayley is a new-to-me author, and The Proposition is the second book in a series, but she did an excellent job of working in characters from the first book without leaving the reader lost and confused. I always appreciate when series books are able to be read as standalones. The basic premise of Ben needing to hire an escort to act as his girlfriend while accompanying him to his estranged brother’s

3.5 stars
I enjoyed The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley until nearly the end of the book. Ms. Hayley is a new-to-me author, and The Proposition is the second book in a series, but she did an excellent job of working in characters from the first book without leaving the reader lost and confused. I always appreciate when series books are able to be read as standalones. The basic premise of Ben needing to hire an escort to act as his girlfriend while accompanying him to his estranged brother’s wedding, and the manner in which he and his friends go about finding an escort was a little unrealistic, however, I liked all these characters so much I was willing to go along with it. The Proposition is filled with misunderstandings, some with good reason, others not so much. Ben is a professional hockey player from a family of academics, who feels his family neither understands nor accepts his choices, and is disappointed in him. I guess there are people who would be unhappy if their son was a NHL star. I don’t know any of those people, but I’m willing to believe they’re out there. Ben makes his family out to be jerks, so I was surprised to find they really weren’t. I was confused about his belief of how they thought of him, it didn’t make a lot of sense to me. In his relationships with his friends and Ryan, he’s pretty straightforward. It was one of the traits I liked most about him, in fact. For that reason, the entire reason for thinking he needed an escort didn’t ring true. The animosity between Ben and his brother rang true, however. There is an incident near the end, a very important plot point, that seemed to come out of nowhere and felt very contrived to me. In fact, it completely changed how I felt about this book. I guess I didn’t understand the unresolved issues between Ben and his brother, and the inconsistency didn’t work for me. I did, however, love Ben and Ryan together. She was a very strong, independent, feisty heroine, and Ben was fun, generous, and very sweet with her, although a bit clueless. His friends, Jase and Gabe added the voice of reason, and a sense of playfulness, respectively. My biggest issue with this book was in the main conflict in Ben and Ryan’s relationship. I felt it came out of nowhere. I was shocked and appalled by his behavior. I knew what would happen, but I didn’t see it unfolding in the way it did. I’m not often surprised, but this one took me by surprise for sure. Honestly, it would have been a deal breaker for me. Other readers may not agree, however, and for that reason, I am still recommending this book.

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Oct 29, 2017 Alex (HEABookNerd) rated it really liked it

Shelves: fake-relationship, genre-romance, couple-mf, arc-netgalley, genre-romance-contemporary, athlete-trainer, 2017, famous, hidden-mistaken-identity, hired-date

Series: The Players #2
Rating: 4 stars - it was enjoyable

But the idea of there being more to life, things they owed it to themselves to experience, that was what made Ben's mind work overtime. Because even though he loved hockey, he also wanted something that could love him back.

Another enjoyable Elizabeth Hayley book with fun characters, silly situations, and a pretty good romance. I really wanted more tension between the characters. The reason I love the fake relationship trope is the tension Series: The Players #2
Rating: 4 stars - it was enjoyable

But the idea of there being more to life, things they owed it to themselves to experience, that was what made Ben's mind work overtime. Because even though he loved hockey, he also wanted something that could love him back.

Another enjoyable Elizabeth Hayley book with fun characters, silly situations, and a pretty good romance. I really wanted more tension between the characters. The reason I love the fake relationship trope is the tension between being a loving couple in public and resisting each other in private. Ben and Ryan sleep together so early in the book that the relationship based tension is gone. They’re pretty much a real couple the whole book.

Ben was a great hero whose genuine, sweet, and respectful to Ryan. I loved his awkwardness when he was hiring Ryan and his attempts to act the way he thought he should around an escort. I also enjoyed his quieter, more humble nature. The family dynamics between Ben and his brother were written really well. Ben might have needed a buffer between him and his family but I liked that they weren’t all portrayed as bad people; Ben’s mother was particularly sweet. I’m also happy that Ben was able to clear some of his festering feelings about his brother, even if it did hurt Ryan in the process. The man clearly needed to get some things off his chest.

Ryan’s determination and will to survive was certainly admirable. I don’t know that I could pretend to be an escort in order to make money but I respect the hard decisions she’s had to make in order to get by in a life that has continually kicked her down. However, I felt it was painfully obvious that Ryan wasn’t an escort. She was really bad at pretending and she even tells Ben that she can’t act, which I think is the first requirement for an escort. She’s endearing but not the best at pretending. The scene where Ryan goes off on Ben about his living habits just really didn’t work for me. Some of the things she pointed out contradicted the down to earth, sweet personality that Ben had and it just made Ryan seem slightly crazy. The bickering was supposed to act as tension that propels them into bed, but it just didn’t come across that way to me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my honest opinion. ...more

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Oct 06, 2017 Manon the Malicious rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, netgalley

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Proposition is a New Adult romance. It is the second book of the Players series by Elizabeth Hayley. I’ve read the first book in this series thanks to NetGalley and was happy to jump back in.

The book is about Ben and Ryan. Ben is in a bind. He has to go to his estranged brother’s wedding in a month or so and still doesn’t have a date. And as we know, professional hockey players have trouble finding dates, so his good friend ...more

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Sep 28, 2017 Pelusa Rivera rated it liked it

Received an ARC for my fair review for netgalley. This is the second book in the series. This was Ben's book, he needs a date for his brothers wedding, whom he does not get along with, and you read the story you find out why they are the way they are. Gabe has this brilliant idea of Ben hiring an escort to the wedding. I love Gabe he is crazy. It was also good to read about Jace and Ally's relationship still going strong, they are from first book, the Bet, and I think you really should read it ...more

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Nov 04, 2017 A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog rated it really liked it

I am a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Hayley’s writing and The Proposition is yet another great reason why I love their books!!!!

I loved how Ben and Ryan began their “relationship”, the premise of it was perfectly done. My heart shattered for Ryan when secrets were revealed.

This is the second book in the series but I believe can be read as a stand-alone.

Reviewed by: Dana D.

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Nov 04, 2017 Dana rated it really liked it

I am a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Hayley’s writing and The Proposition is yet another great reason why I love their books!!!!

I loved how Ben and Ryan began their “relationship”, the premise of it was perfectly done. My heart shattered for Ryan when secrets were revealed.

This is the second book in the series but I believe can be read as a stand-alone.

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Jan 03, 2018 Coral rated it really liked it

Plot: 3/5
Characterisation: 3.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Rating are rough estimation. Read this in December 2017 but didn't remember much.

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Oct 03, 2017 Danielle from Short and Sassy rated it it was ok

Another book I have read lately that I skimmed most of it. I had a few issues with this one. I won't go into it in much detail. But this book has been done some many times now, that without anything super crazy happening, it is over done.

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Oct 31, 2017 Alison rated it really liked it

Shelves: cheaters, read-anything-by-this-author, 2017-read, sports-romance, annoying-siblings, wedding-centred, fake-relationship, hockey, contemporary, interfering-friends

This is a series about three bet friends: Jace; Gabe and Ben. Each star athletes in their own fields, they have also been best friends since college. In the first book they are invited to join an exclusive sportsmens club - think more teen boy heaven than anything sinister - which serves as their go-to place to discuss man stuff and play pool/ darts without being bothered by fans and groupies.

This book centres on Ben Williamson, one of the few black men in hockey and certainly the most This is a series about three bet friends: Jace; Gabe and Ben. Each star athletes in their own fields, they have also been best friends since college. In the first book they are invited to join an exclusive sportsmens club - think more teen boy heaven than anything sinister - which serves as their go-to place to discuss man stuff and play pool/ darts without being bothered by fans and groupies.

This book centres on Ben Williamson, one of the few black men in hockey and certainly the most successful, yet to the rest of his family he is somewhat of a disappointment because they wanted him to be a lawyer or a doctor. His mother has just guilted him into being best man at his elder brother David's wedding, to Ben's childhood sweetheart - yep, his brother and his girlfriend cheated behind his back and now (admittedly six years later) they want him to be the best man? His friend Gabe, who admitted appears to be playing with only half a deck of cards sometimes, suggests Ben hires an escort to go to the wedding with him - that way he doesn't look like he is still pining over Natasha AND he avoids his mother setting him up with some worthy but unattractive daughter of a friend.

Showing a surprising lack of common sense they guys go to Daisy's, a fairly low rent strip club, looking for a high end escort and are naturally disappointed, but when Ben steps outside he literally bumps into a woman who might very well fit the bill. Ryan Cruz is a woman barely scraping by, alone since she was 16 years old she has held a series of low-paid jobs, the latest one as a waitress at Daisy's ends when she smacks a customer for getting handsy and the manager refuses to take her side. As she is leaving the building the door slams back into her face and she sees the most attractive guy she has ever seen, when he thinks she is an escort she sees a way to make some much needed cash, after all she is sleeping on a friend's couch, and agrees to accompany Ben to his brother's wedding.

Things really spiral from there, Ben soon realises the enormity of pretending to be a couple in front of his friends and family, who will all want to interrogate Ryan about everything so he suggests a series of intense 'getting to know you' sessions over several days, then he suggests she moves in with him temporarily. And mostly it's because they need to know more about each other for the wedding, mostly. But of course the real fun begins at the wedding!

This kind of reminds me of the film Pretty Woman, especially the shopping scene. But Ben is nothing like Richard Gere's character, in fact he is the kindest, sweetest guy ever.

My only criticism would be that Ben's family was portrayed one way at the start of the book and another way at the end of the book, maybe the first impression was coloured by Ben's feelings rather than reality and the the later impression was more reflective of the way things really were. Also, I got really irritated that all of Ben's family thought HE ought to apologise to his older brother/ make the peace when his brother had NEVER once apologised for stealing his girlfriend and yet still seemed to get himself cast as the victim.

Nevertheless, I stayed up until 3am to finish this book so a great sports romance with a sexy, caring hero and a sassy, funny heroine. I can't wait to read Gabe's story - I bet it's a doozy.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. ...more

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Nov 19, 2017 Mary rated it really liked it

Shelves: wicked

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

I really enjoyed this book. Its not your typical man needs a date to a family wedding so he hires an escort to play the part. Its a story about struggle: the struggle to be more than what people expect you to be, the struggle to find good in bad situations, the struggle to overcome the demons of the past.

Ryan has seen more than her fair share of struggles, however she has never faltered in her belief in herself, of being ...more

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Nov 01, 2017 Jeannie Zelos rated it really liked it

The Proposition, Elizabeth Hayley

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: romance

A fun read, but a one off for me.

I loved Ben, couldn't understand why he wanted to go to these lengths though just to fool his family. It seemed a bit nut and sledgehammer, and I couldn't see why he just didn't say No to them.
When more about his past came out it was a bit easier but it still sat a bit weird with me. He's a nice guy though, very honest and straightforward - apart from the whole lying to his ...more

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Nov 19, 2017 LeeAnne rated it really liked it

This is an enjoyable read with an original plotline that had me intrigued to the very end. Though I’ve read the first in the series I still appreciated that this one can be read as a stand-alone with no confusion while still giving us glimpses of the characters from the previous book!

Ben is a professional hockey player who has been on the outs with his brother for years. His brother is getting married and Ben doesn’t want to face the wedding alone, especially since his brother is marrying Ben’s ...more

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Nov 17, 2017 Sarah rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is a sweet, fun and easy read. The premise is a little bit Pretty Woman. The idea of a professional athlete hiring an escort for a wedding may not very plausible but it does make for a good story.

Ben and Ryan are a great combination. Ryan’s background has made her a survivor and she’s been caring for herself from a very young age. Ben comes from privilege and his biggest worry is his family’s disapproval of ...more

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Nov 15, 2017 Avid Reader rated it really liked it

The Proposition (The Players #2) by Elizabeth Hayley
4 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Cheating
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

This was an interesting story. On the one hand, you have Ben who seems pretty put together. However, when you get deeper in to his character, you find that he's struggling just like everyone else around him. He feels an inadequacy that stems from his family home life and he can't quite shake it.

For Ryan, she is just trying to figure out where she's ...more

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Oct 05, 2017 Heather andrews rated it it was amazing

Ben is such a flirt, “I’ve learned that you look really good in my shirts.” He let his finger toy with the hem of his flannel she had on." Ben likes to make sure him and his girl are comfrontable, “time to move to a bed. This couch isn’t big enough for both of us.” I liked this book, I fell in love with Ben.

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Oct 30, 2017 Megan ~The Never Ending Book Basket rated it it was amazing

Elizabeth Hayley continues to be a writing duo that I can always count on to create a phenomenal story that will make me laugh, that will deliver me with dynamic characters to love, and that will give me a fantastic reading experience. Their Players Series has delivered all of that and more, and I was beyond excited to get back with Gabe, Jace, and Ben as it was Ben’s turn to find the one woman who would change everything. With everything I love about a sports romance perfectly woven together Elizabeth Hayley continues to be a writing duo that I can always count on to create a phenomenal story that will make me laugh, that will deliver me with dynamic characters to love, and that will give me a fantastic reading experience. Their Players Series has delivered all of that and more, and I was beyond excited to get back with Gabe, Jace, and Ben as it was Ben’s turn to find the one woman who would change everything. With everything I love about a sports romance perfectly woven together with an enrapturing romance, The Proposition was the exact book I needed to read right now.

It was a book that felt good to read through every page, it was a book that had me loving what I was getting with these characters, and it was a book that delivered an extremely enjoyable story with so much fire, connection, and vibrancy through every word.

Elizabeth Hayley once again delivered a book that made me laugh, that made me smile something fierce, that gave me real characters that equally made me swoon while being completely believable, all while crafting a story that was enjoyable through every turn of the page. What I love about this series is how it perfectly couples so much together. It gives you a sports romance and what it means to be with a professional athlete, it gives you an authentic love story between two seemingly opposite characters, and it gives you a story that manages to be light and so very engaging and so easy to connect to.

The Proposition was another fantastic and fun addition to this series, and it has me all kinds of excited to get more time with all of these characters and to see where the next book will take them all.

Ben was a character that completely melted me from the start. What I loved about his character was that he was this tough hockey player with a heart of gold. He was strong, yet sensitive. He was real, yet had this allure that made me want him and love him even more. He was sweet and genuine and kind, and he thought of others, which practically made me molten lava in his hands. He was also so easy to root for through this story because I felt so much for what I got with him and his story. The way that Elizabeth Hayley makes him a man that will simultaneously turn you on, while also stealing your heart made him the best in my eyes. He also made me swoon something fierce, and even though he isn’t perfect, he was pretty much golden in this book with what I got with him.

Ryan had some serious fire and gumption to her. She was a girl who wasn’t afraid to take a chance, to put it all in, and to just go with it. I loved that about her, and I loved how she was a character who wasn’t afraid to risk it all. I really respected that about her, and I especially respected that after learning her backstory and all that that girl had gone through in her life. Elizabeth Hayley does the most fantastic job of letting you know how she became the woman she is in the present of this book, how she found herself the escort to a professional hockey player, and how she ended up feeling what she did. Ryan was real, vibrant, and just so easy to connect to, and that is just part of what made her such an outstanding female character to love and root for.

The overall premise of this story follows Ben and Ryan, two opposites, who find themselves in the middle of a proposition to help each other out. He needs a date to his brother’s wedding, and she needs a job stat in order to stay above water. What ensues between them over the course of this story is more than either of them bargained for. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts, what they start to feel for one another soon becomes more real than either of them were prepared for, and the more this story progresses, the more they both start to question what this proposition of theirs got them into. I loved the story itself, and I found it to be so enjoyable, consuming in a very real way, and something that just gave me so much to love.

One of my favorite parts of this series is getting to be back with the fantastic and funny as all get out characters that make up this world. The banter and friendship between Gabe, Ben and Jace is the absolute best. Those three crack me up so much, and I loved getting every single moment with them was I read this book. The three of them made me cry I was laughing so hard, and through it all I so completely felt how they were all there for each other, and how they would do whatever it took to be there for one another. I loved how Elizabeth Hayley perfectly balanced giving me that as I read this book. Not to be outdone, Camille’s character was a gem too. That girl had me dying laughing just as much as I was with the guys, and the way her humor and one liners added to what I got in this book was fantastic. The supporting characters of this series just made reading this book even more fun and enjoyable, and it added to everything I got with these characters in this story.

Elizabeth Hayley perfectly balanced giving me so many moments that had me laughing in the most memorable way, while also creating the fieriest heat between Ben and Ryan. The way their writing brought it all to life, the way they perfectly balanced making me blush, making me laugh, and making me feel every breath of connection and fire these characters shared for one another is just one more thing that had me loving every word of what I was reading. Elizabeth Hayley found a way to deliver it all in this book to create such an outstanding read. The way they so seamlessly weave all of that together had me in every word of what I was reading, had me living every fantastic word, and had me just eating up every moment I could get with these characters.

The Proposition was another phenomenal addition to this series. It was a book about what happens when you meet that one person you never expected in the craziest of situations. It is a story of two people who would never have met normally, but can’t seem to fight the intense connection they share, no matter how many boundaries they try to put in place. What you get with Ben and Ryan in this story will give you the two of them, will give you their proposition and all its consequences, and in the end, will give you one helluva love story.

This book gave me it all. It had the humor, the heat that made me blush and melt, and it had the vibrant characters that made this a memorable and overall enjoyable story that I loved. I have loved getting more of this series, and this book has me even more eager for Gabe’s book to see what this series will bring all of these characters next.

If you are looking for a phenomenally written book, with dynamic and memorable characters, then do yourself a favor and run yourself to this book this very second! ...more

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Oct 28, 2017 A Klue rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance-safe, arc-ebook-review, sassy-heroine, standalone-but-part-of-series, steamy-scenes, good-guy-hero, hockey-player-hero, rich-hero, has-no-money-heroine, fake-girlfriend

For me, this book can practically be divided into two separate parts. The first 30% I had some issues with so began questioning if I was a good fit for this author’s writing style. Despite, for the most part, I did enjoy book 1, The Bet. However, when Ben and Ryan, the main couple, actually started interacting as a real couple, it was like a switch was flipped, and I was now all in to see them get their HEA.

You see, at 15%, the writing felt somewhat stilted, and I wasn’t feeling a connection ...more

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Nov 03, 2017 Bec rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, book-magic-reviews

Ben Williamson is dreading going home for his brother's wedding, and the only way he can see things going well for him is to take a date. However, he never imagined he'd hire an escort, especially since if anyone found out, it could be used as ammo to disparage his good name. Still, hiring Ryan Cruz is the best decision he's ever made. However, what starts off as a simple proposition turns into a complicated mess he never saw coming. Will Ben be able to make things right with his family, so he
Ben Williamson is dreading going home for his brother's wedding, and the only way he can see things going well for him is to take a date. However, he never imagined he'd hire an escort, especially since if anyone found out, it could be used as ammo to disparage his good name. Still, hiring Ryan Cruz is the best decision he's ever made. However, what starts off as a simple proposition turns into a complicated mess he never saw coming. Will Ben be able to make things right with his family, so he and Ryan can have a chance at happy ever after; or will Ben ruin the only thing that's ever felt completely right in his life -- his relationship with Ryan?

This second story of Ms. Hayley's Players series was a fantastic addition for this series, because of the friendship Ben shares with his two friends -- Jace and Gabe; the growing relationship between the hero and heroine that had me reading quickly, wanting to know whether Ben will ever be able to make things right with his family; and the riveting dialogue that just keeps digging the heroine deeper when it comes to her lies. Will Ryan be able to keep up with the lies, so no one knows what she's hiding? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met that had me feeling sorry for the heroine, as accidents do happen.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero, as there is tension between him and his family due to the betrayal of his brother. Will Ben finally be able to forgive his brother, so he can finally move on with his life? However, the dialogue wasn't all intense. Indeed, there were some nice light-hearted moments between the hero and heroine and I loved every moment they conversed, as they get to know each other and do their best to fool everyone that their relationship is the real deal. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I could understand why she was willing to lie to help Ben, because without the money he was willing to pay who knows where she would be in her life. Then again, after all that she's been through, she needs all the luck she can get. I also liked how the heroine wasn't afraid to say what was on her mind, even if she did manage to offend the hero or make Ben realize that she does like him more than the business transaction he starts out as.

While the hero, I felt sorry for him when it came to his family. Why couldn't his parents be proud of everything he's accomplished instead of criticizing him? However, in saying that, he has great friends that are supportive and I liked how the heroine helped him to combat everything he was feeling when it came to facing his family. I also liked how confident he was in propositioning Ryan with being his date for his brother's wedding, even though hiring an escort wasn't something he was looking to do until he actually did it.

Overall, Ms. Hayley has delivered another wonderful read for this series where the chemistry between this couple kept getting stronger with every interaction between them; the romance was hot; and the ending had me feeling sorry for the main characters. How could things go so awry? However, in saying that, I liked how things worked out for Ben and Ryan in the end, as nothing is more important to Ben than winning Ryan back. I loved Ben's words for the heroine in proving how much he loves her and that he listened to the advice given to him by his family and friends. Yet, what I liked most of all about the ending was what is going on with Ben's friend, Gabe. What will his future hold? I would recommend The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley, if you enjoy the mistaken identity trope, the opposites attract trope, the fake relationship trope, or books by authors Kelly Jamieson, Julie Brannagh, Jami Davenport and Lia Riley.
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Oct 31, 2017 Tash rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-arc, favourites

Reviewed @ Thoughts By Tash
Review copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for a honest review

I must admit knowing that Elizabeth Hayley was a duo and they had been recommended by someone I trust. I was curious to read to a read one of their books. So when an opportunity presented itself to read The Proposition. I jumped at the chance to do so .

I was definitely intrigued by the story. Think Pretty Woman but with a cliché twist. Ben is a pro hockey player who is happy living life to ...more

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Nov 02, 2017 Em__Jay rated it liked it · review of another edition

First up, let me point out that while Ben is a professional hockey player, this book does not revolve around his professional life. In fact, we don’t even meet any of his fellow teammates and nor do we see Ben on the ice in a professional capacity. This is not a romance set in the world of hockey.

So onto what is in the book. The Proposition is Book 2 of 3 in The Players series. The books are interconnected but having read only this book, I assume they are all stand alones.
Ben Williamson, our First up, let me point out that while Ben is a professional hockey player, this book does not revolve around his professional life. In fact, we don’t even meet any of his fellow teammates and nor do we see Ben on the ice in a professional capacity. This is not a romance set in the world of hockey.

So onto what is in the book. The Proposition is Book 2 of 3 in The Players series. The books are interconnected but having read only this book, I assume they are all stand alones.
Ben Williamson, our hero, is a professional athlete. He avoids the limelight and has a great friendship with fellow professional athletes Jace (The Players Book 1) abd Gabe (The Players Book 3).

What Ben does not have is an understanding family. Academically successful, they do not understand Ben’s career choices and he struggles to maintain a link with them. Added to this is a decade old rivalry/hatred of his older brother, David. Davis is getting married and Ben has been coerced into being the Best Man. Ben decides hiring an escort is the answer to his mother’s attempts at matchmaking and sticking out like the proverbial fifth wheel at the event.

Ryan Cruz’s life is spiralling downwards. She may be gutsy and spirited but she’s also broke, sleeping on her friend’s couch and has just walked out of her waitressing job at a strip club. When Ben mistakes Ryan for an escort she jumps at the chance to play his girlfriend to earn some much-needed money.

I felt the book began with a wobble. I do not believe that a publicly recognisable, professional athlete would think it’s a good idea to go to a strip club to find an escort to be his date at his brother’s wedding. In this day and age of social media scrutiny, as well as the abundance of discreet escort services, this decision is dubious.

What follows, however, is quite a good romance novel. Ben and Ryan may come from diverse backgrounds but they suit each other. Even in the early stages of their relationship, they are relatively relaxed with one other. They talk to each other, like spending time together, drive each other crazy with their respective annoying habits, yet they find them endearing just the same. They are hot between the sheets and I found the sex scenes are well written.

Before we get our HEA, there is the requisite falling out, which I won’t go into detail about to avoid spoilers. It’s handled well and I felt it was a truer reflection of the characters than their beginning.

This was my first Elizabeth Hayley novel and I liked it enough to want to read the other books in this series.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Oct 18, 2017 Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) rated it really liked it

With his brother's wedding approaching Ben Williamson is dreading the trip home for the festivities, because he knows with his brother settling down, the question on everyone's minds will be when is it your turn? And Ben has no intentions of walking down the aisle anytime soon, he has a lot of living to do first, and a lot more hockey to play without worrying about finding his forever. So, to keep his family off his back he takes his friends advice and decides to hire a escort to play his With his brother's wedding approaching Ben Williamson is dreading the trip home for the festivities, because he knows with his brother settling down, the question on everyone's minds will be when is it your turn? And Ben has no intentions of walking down the aisle anytime soon, he has a lot of living to do first, and a lot more hockey to play without worrying about finding his forever. So, to keep his family off his back he takes his friends advice and decides to hire a escort to play his girlfriend for the week... and winds up finding something really unexpected, and when the weekend is over he isn't so sure he is ready to let it go!

After one of her customers gets a little handsy Ryan Cruz decides to take matters into her own hands, and let him have it, and her boss isn't too happy about it, he thinks she should just play along and keep the customers happy. But Ryan isn't in the market to be groped, or play along, so she gives her boss her notice and walks out the door, only to realize she may have just made the worst mistake of her life. She is currently homeless, momentarily camping out on her friends couch, and now jobless... what is she going to do? Then fates steps in and decides to help her out and sends Ben Williamson crashing into her life, literally, and from there things in her life start to look up... in more ways then one!

The Proposition is a witty, sexy, and pleasurable read that is sure to have you smiling throughout! Life has thrown these two wonderfully crafted characters together, and given them some rough consequences to muddle their way through, but they make the best of it, and take readers on a enjoyable literary journey. This was my first time reading something from this author and I have to admit I liked what she had to offer, the story line was unique and captivating, the characters were well drawn and easy to attach to, and their little journey to finding forever gave me a serious case of the feels. This one was a fun and memorable literary adventure, I have a feeling that I will be back for more in the very near future to meet more of her wonderful Players! Highly recommend this one, it's sure to make your heart happy!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title. ...more

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Nov 04, 2017 Christie72 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sexy, series, emotional, sweet, favorites, romance, sexy-athletes, friendship, family

When I read the synopsis of The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley, I knew I had to read it. I had absolutely no idea it would be full of such surprises! Ben is a successful professional hockey player. He has money, fame, and a tight-knit group of friends. But, he doesn’t have a girlfriend, and right now, he needs one desperately for his brother’s upcoming wedding. His family keeps pressuring him to find a nice girl to settle down with. Tensions have been high in his family for a while now, and he When I read the synopsis of The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley, I knew I had to read it. I had absolutely no idea it would be full of such surprises! Ben is a successful professional hockey player. He has money, fame, and a tight-knit group of friends. But, he doesn’t have a girlfriend, and right now, he needs one desperately for his brother’s upcoming wedding. His family keeps pressuring him to find a nice girl to settle down with. Tensions have been high in his family for a while now, and he doesn’t want to add to it showing up without a date. He and his friends come up with a perfect plan…hire someone! Sounds like a great idea, right?

Ryan has had a bad string of luck lately. She has no family and no money. Now, she has no job because of her smart mouth, and she’s staying with her friend. Desperate situations call for desperate measures. Otherwise, she would have never agreed to the proposition Ben, a complete stranger, gave her…be his date to his brother’s wedding. However, neither of them realized how very much their lives would change!

I adore books about fate changing the course of people’s lives. Ben and Ryan would probably never mingle in the same groups, much less date each other. Fate is funny that way. It doesn’t care about your situation or who you are. If you are meant to be together, you are meant to be together. As they spend more time together, their business agreement blurs into a more personal relationship. Ben is just what Ryan needs, and Ryan is just Ben needs. Ben has never really had the support of his family, but with Ryan, she sees who he is deep in his soul. Ben has the potential to heal Ryan’s broken heart. As secrets come to the surface and tensions among Ben’s family, get ready for some MAJOR fireworks.

Romance is one of my favorite genres, and I always love a subplot and great secondary characters, and this one had both! If you like book with romance, emotion, second chances, and redemption, this one is DEFINTELY FOR YOU!!!
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Oct 31, 2017 LJT rated it really liked it

4.5 Stars!

Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to read some well-written "relationship of convenience" romances, and The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley is a really good one. The characters are well-developed and easy to get to know. The plot moves along at a steady pace and there was never a moment that I wanted to put the book down. This book is a modern day fairy-tale, and I couldn't help myself from thinking about the film "Pretty Woman" during a few of the situations.

Ryan 4.5 Stars!

Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to read some well-written "relationship of convenience" romances, and The Proposition by Elizabeth Hayley is a really good one. The characters are well-developed and easy to get to know. The plot moves along at a steady pace and there was never a moment that I wanted to put the book down. This book is a modern day fairy-tale, and I couldn't help myself from thinking about the film "Pretty Woman" during a few of the situations.

Ryan Cruz is a beautiful and savvy young woman, in spite of being basically homeless, penniless, and on her own for quite some time. After being fired from her waitressing job in a strip club, she runs smack into Ben Williamson, a professional hockey player. Ben is good-looking and successful, and he needs a date for his older brother's wedding in a few weeks. In fact, Ben was looking to hire an escort for the family event from hell, and after a quick conversation, offers Ryan the position. Ryan does not share with Ben that she is not an escort, because she desperately needs the money he is offering, and sex is not a condition of their arrangement. As they get to know each other, they fall in love. However, Ben's inability to filter the words that come out of his mouth almost destroys what they have, in addition to the already precarious relationship he has with his family.

I truly enjoyed this slightly emotional and entertaining book. To begin with, Ms. Hayley opens the story with a very exciting chapter, which sets the tone to this mostly upbeat read. Secondly, family and good friends are very important, and I liked how effortlessly Ryan and Ben dealt with each scenario that they were faced with. Their sexy times are hot, both in and out of the bedroom. Ben's reasoning for avoiding his family, especially his brother, was well-founded, and their lack of empathy was difficult to understand. This is the second book from Ms. Hayley's The Players series and it can read as a standalone.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. ...more

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Oct 31, 2017 Sami rated it really liked it

4 stars!!

This is such a sweet and funny read! Ryan and Ben were adorable together and totally balanced each other out perfectly!

This kiss was a promise-a promise that there cold be more. That their story didn't have to be about a hockey player and an escort.

Ryan is a waitress who is down on her luck. After literally bumping into Ben, a famous hockey player, her life makes a drastic change.

Ben is looking for someone to take with him to his brothers wedding. Not wanting to show up alone, but ...more

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Oct 31, 2017 Terry rated it it was amazing

5 Stars at this laugh out loud story!

Even though Ben plays hockey in the NHL he is a disappointment to his family ... they think he should quite playing games and get a real job. To top it off, 10 years ago his brother stole is girlfriend from him and now they are getting married. He is NOT going to this wedding alone, so he decides to hire an escort to accompany him for the weekend so he can show his family that he's over Natalie and David's betrayal. Ryan is a waitress at a strip club ... or ...more

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Oct 30, 2017 Stephanie Phillips (Stephanie's Book Reports) rated it liked it

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

This Players novel features Ben, the hockey player. It is a stand alone novel and you don't have to read the first one to read this particular book. In the beginning Ben allows his crazy best friend, Gage, to talk him into hiring an escort to his brother's wedding. He can't go stag - as his mother will have set him up with another one of her friends daughters. That's not happening. Plus there's no way he can attend the ...more

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Dec 10, 2017 Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs, interracial-couples, sports, fake-relationship

The Proposition is a mostly sweet, sometimes sexy, romance.

Ben is a professional hockey player who needs to bring someone with him to his brother's wedding to be a buffer between him and his family. When his friends (also professional athletes) suggest hiring an escort, and take him to a strip bar where escorts supposedly work, Ben meets Ryan, whom he assumes is an escort, and he hires her to go with him to his brother's wedding.

I liked the way Ben and Ryan got to know each other in a natural, ...more

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Oct 29, 2017 Francoise rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-reads, sport, fake-relationship-trope

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read. The characters are well rounded and the story is sweet, cute and emotional. Ben and Ryan are together for all the wrong reasons and you want them to stay together for all the right reasons.

Ben Williamson is a famous hockey player looking to hire an escort to bring to his brother’s wedding, Ryan Cruz is a down-on-her-luck waitress. Each character has a problem requiring a quick fix, Ben needs a date to withstand a few days with his nosy, ...more

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Oct 31, 2017 Kari Hansen rated it really liked it

Professional hockey player Ben is running out of options. His brother’s wedding is approaching at breakaway speed and he needs a date or every relative he has is going to try to set up with “nice” girls at the wedding. Don’t they realize that he needs to focus on his career and that doesn’t include being distracted by a woman?

Ryan is a waitress at a strip club and her temper has just gotten the better of her when one of customers wanted more than drinks from her. After a confrontation she ends ...more

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Nov 01, 2017 Diane Lynch rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, hockey-romance

Hockey star, Ben Williamson, hires Ryan Cruz to attend his brother’s wedding with him. The more the couple gets to know each other the less sure either one is of keeping their relationship strictly professional. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences.

When I stared to read this book, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. I enjoyed the story more and more the further I got into the novel.

I like Ben. He is in an interesting situation with his family. It is ...more

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