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Playing House

(Sydney Smoke Rugby #5)

Amy Andrews (Goodreads Author)

3.86 · Rating details · 387 ratings · 114 reviews

Eleanor is content with her boring life—mostly. She’s even fine being the quirky sister in a bevy of beauties. So imagine her surprise when one of her brother’s Sydney Smoke mates hits on her at an engagement party. Her. The weird sister, who wears vintage dresses and prefers her books to parties.

Bodie is shocked the next morning to find the soft, sexy virgin who seduced ...more

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ebook, 250 pages

Published February 12th 2018 by Entangled: Brazen

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· 387 ratings · 114 reviews

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Feb 11, 2018 Nicola rated it really liked it

3.5 Stars

Amy Andrews has so far hit the spot with this series and although not my favourite, #5 is as hot as a summers day Down Under.

A single, twenty-six-year-old woman still living with her parents on a cattle station in outer woop woop like some Jane Austen heroine.”

Eleanor Davis isn’t your everyday heroine and with a love of the times past, she was seemingly born in the wrong century. And although she’s held onto her virginity waiting for her Mr. Darcy, she’s come to the conclusion that ...more

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Feb 10, 2018 Claire Robinson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: entangled, shit-hot-series

3.5 - "Never underestimate your vagina!" Stars!

Playing House, gives us the fifth book in Amy Andrews enjoyable Sydney Smoke Rugby series. Bodie Webb is next up to get the girl, and I have to say I quite liked the way he went about it!

"There are two things I do really well… One is tackle, the second is giving head. Trust me, you don’t want to be on the receiving end of the first, but you do want to be on the receiving end of the second…"

This was a very quick read, I went in without even reading ...more

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Feb 06, 2018 Dísir rated it it was ok

Shelves: chick-lit, contemporary-romance, smutty, idiotic-lead-character, sports, hair-pulling-frustrating, skimmed-through, category-books, antipodean-authors, annoying-brainless-wimpy-female

‘Playing House’ did kind of fall flat for me with the stereotypes that Amy Andrews played with here—the virgin and the supposed ‘accidental’ manwhore who used to be a committed boyfriend but was cheated on—but I’m writing this review with the understanding that this imprint is more to do with smexy times than anything else. Much of Bodie/Nell’s interactions were unsurprisingly, sex-based, so their time in between the sheets were prioritised over the harder and difficult issues that crop up in ...more

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Feb 09, 2018 Mindy Lou's Book Review rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sports, 2018

Eleanor was born in the wrong century. From the victorian clothes, the literature, the dashing men, to the time when being a virgin was coveted. She comes from a family that are tall, lean and beautiful while she's short, curvaceous and daydreaming about another time in history. The last thing she expected was for Bodie Webb to take notice of her.

Bodie has no idea the woman who caught his notice is none other than his best friend and teammates younger sister Nell. All he sees is a woman who's ...more

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Jan 29, 2018 Alison rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-anything-by-this-author, sports-romance, contemporary, rugby, new-zealand-australia, marriage-of-convenience, v-card, secret-baby, best-friend-s-little-sister, sex-lesson

Loved this!

Eleanor Davis's brother Ryder plays for the Sydney Smoke rugby team, she is hiding behind a plant at his engagement party when one of his super-hot team-mates, Bodie Webb catches her eye and tries to seduce her.

Eleanor (Nell to her family) is a 26 year old virgin, someone who loves Victoriana more than modern day clothes and manners, but she has decided that virginity is a pesky thing and she wants rid - if only she can pluck up the courage. Of course she knows that Brodie would run ...more

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Feb 13, 2018 ♥ WishfulMiss ♥ rated it really liked it

Shelves: innocent-h, books-i-loved-and-need-to-own, safe, tear-jerker, opposites-attract, awesome-hero, siblings-series, sports, awesome-lady-lead, surprise-baby

4.5
This has a ton of steamy off the charts sexy times in it but also a lot of heart.

Eleanor hadn’t planned to lose her virginity at her brother’s engagement party, certainly not to his rugby superstar best friend Bodie and definitely not end up pregnant after the one and only night of debauchery she willing dived into. But she did and it’s happening.

Bodie didnt know Eleanor was Nell, his mates little sister but even after finding out the truth, he still can’t deny he wants Eleanor in his ...more

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Jan 27, 2018 Monique rated it it was amazing

Don’t waste your time reading this, just get this amazing book! Or for a play-by-play, look down below.

I dislike stories about virgins: Eleanor Davis is a virgin. I don’t go looking for “older brother’s little sister” stories either; maybe because I don’t have a brother. When reading the blurb, one gets a good idea of what the “surprise” is, which is not my favourite trope either. Why choose to read PLAYING HOUSE? Because I adore Amy Andrews, the Sidney Smoke Rugby series is brilliant, and I Don’t waste your time reading this, just get this amazing book! Or for a play-by-play, look down below.

I dislike stories about virgins: Eleanor Davis is a virgin. I don’t go looking for “older brother’s little sister” stories either; maybe because I don’t have a brother. When reading the blurb, one gets a good idea of what the “surprise” is, which is not my favourite trope either. Why choose to read PLAYING HOUSE? Because I adore Amy Andrews, the Sidney Smoke Rugby series is brilliant, and I loved Bodie – Spidey – from the previous books. And no, you don’t have to read the four dazzling, wonderful, amazing four other books in this series in order to savour PLAYING HOUSE. Ha! I have mentioned something of the sort before, but it needs reiterating: sometimes I wonder if sex hasn’t been invented so that Amy Andrews can write about it because she does it so incredibly well, that she had this blasé reader enthralled.

Eleanor has chosen to Bodie Webb to be the one to take her virginity; when she spots him, her girly parts scream: “him, him, him”, and Bodie is smitten with her enchanting, pillowy bosom. And this, my friends, is the prelude to the steamiest, sexiest, sweetest, most wonderful sex scenes ever written. And guess what? Sex scenes bore me as a rule, I often skim them, or skip them entirely, and I was mesmerised by those in PLAYING HOUSE. Amy Andrews is a fabulous writer, but she outdid herself big time with PLAYING HOUSE.

PLAYING HOUSE at first seemed to be wall-to-wall sex, and I did not mind one bit, which is an accomplishment in itself, as far as I’m concerned. Bodie and Eleanor are unique characters: Eleanor’s infatuation with the nineteenth century even provides her the means to earn a living; Bodie is far from your typical manwhore, and boy, do these two ever send sparks flying! While reading PLAYING HOUSE, I laughed, I smiled, I nearly swooned, and I cried! Because as you can deduct from the blurb, the sexfest has consequences, and have tissues at the ready, because at around 78%, I was crying so hard, I had tears running down my nose, I couldn’t stop crying, and I couldn’t stop reading; PLAYING HOUSE will not put you to sleep, I can guarantee it.

I don’t know how Amy Andrews can top this superlative book, but I know she will; her talent is boundless, as she demonstrated with PLAYING HOUSE.

I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

I never do this, but this is worth it. I am around 30% and it is wonderful, fabulous, glorious, with the best written sex scenes ever written. If you like this series, if you have read even only one book, get this now. Now, I hope it doesn't lose any star on the way, but it really doesn't look that way.

Fun little book to read before I go to sleep. At 65%, why am I staying awake way, way past my bedtime?

And at 78% I was crying my eyes out, and no way was I going to sleep before I finished PLAYING HOUSE. It is that amazing!

...more

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Feb 12, 2018 Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: guiltypleasures-kittyangel

What a delightful book Playing House was. It was full of surprises and two of the most lovable people that will make you smile throughout the story. Amy Andrews did a beautiful job of bringing two totally different people together showing that opposites do attract.

Eleanor was a delight to read. She was a quirky, 26 year old virgin in a sea of the “beautiful” people. She loved the 19th century and was looking for her own Mr. Darcy to sweep her off of her feet. There is no way any one of the Sydney Smoke would even look twice at her.

Bodie is enthralled with the beautiful woman standing in the corner looking like a wallflower. There was just something about her. She wasn't here looking at his bank balance, wanting to say that she slept with one of the Smoke. He knew there was something different about her and really wanted to get to know her. But, her line about hypnotizing a lion in the 19th century was one of the cutest thing he ever heard. One beautiful night together ends with a note when she tells him who she really is. Bodie knows he broke the Bro Code but, he had no idea. Now, he can't even look his best friend in the face. What's worse is that he can't stop thinking about her or wanting her.

A phone call, a poker night, the truth. Now, Bodie really needs to make some decisions and he hopes that Eleanor goes along with his plan. She may have dropped a bombshell on him but, he couldn't be happier. He now has a reason and a chance to be with the woman he fell in love with. Eleanor needs to decide if she wants to be daring and take a chance on Brodie or run and hide. She has to figure out if he is making these plans out of responsibility or if there is more. She needs to look really close at all the possibilities and problems.

I smiled and I cried throughout this story. There were really sweet moments and then the hard ones. But, through it all, Amy Andrews made this a really enjoyable book. She wrote a beautiful woman in Nell and a man who wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve in Brodie. And, the ending … dear lord, it was so romantic, so endearing … you couldn't help but be amazed and fall head over heels for this couple.

...more

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Sep 07, 2018 Helen rated it it was amazing

I am loving this series, MS Andrews has a way with words that is magical, she knows how to write steamy and fun and moving and fabulous. This is Bodie’s story, tough rugby player and Eleanor (Nell) farm girl and specialist seamstress, two very different people that see each other across a room and bang instant attraction sit back and enjoy this one.

Eleanor is a quiet twenty six year old female living on the farm and dreaming of life in the nineteenth century, she loves Austen and Heyer and I am loving this series, MS Andrews has a way with words that is magical, she knows how to write steamy and fun and moving and fabulous. This is Bodie’s story, tough rugby player and Eleanor (Nell) farm girl and specialist seamstress, two very different people that see each other across a room and bang instant attraction sit back and enjoy this one.

Eleanor is a quiet twenty six year old female living on the farm and dreaming of life in the nineteenth century, she loves Austen and Heyer and sewing fabulous vintage dresses and underwear from that era, she is also the sister of Ryder one of the Sydney Smoke players and a quirky sister, not the beautiful one according to her, but when she is at Ryder’s engagement party she is spotted by the wall just hanging out by Bodie Sydney Some player, and there is a spark, and Eleanor’s life is about to change.

When Bodie notices the beautiful woman dressed in the gorgeous corset trying to hide behind the palm he is attracted to her like he hasn’t been in a long time and cannot resist making himself known to her, and he is most pleased when she agrees to meet him in his room for a night of pleasure, and woohoo what a night it is, but sadly she is gone in the morning and he is none the wiser how to get in contact with her because he wants more of Eleanor, 2 months later she rings him and wants to see him with a surprise and he is rather shocked as to who she is, he has crossed a line here but what can he do he is so drawn to her.

Eleanor and Bodie just melted me in this story, honestly I was laughing out loud as they started their very sensual and steamy journey of getting to know each other I loved the vintage underwear that Bodie loved as well, there of course are always ups and downs in any relationship and there is emotion and tears. I just love Eleanor so much what a girl, and Bodie has a hard time convincing Eleanor that he truly is in love with her and the way he does it OMG is just so good, don’t miss this one, it really is fabulous there was lots of laughter, tears and such joy and bliss, the clothing the references to Austen and Heyer the Victorian era I loved so much, MS Andrews you rocked this one I loved it.
...more

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Apr 03, 2018 Emily rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series, humorous, wallflowers, pregnancy, virgin, athletes-rugby, shy-timid, one-night-stand, classics-retold-pride-prejudice, genre-contemporary

Eleanor is the quirky sister, she prefers to make gowns that would be a match for any Jane Austin character. When she shows up at her brothers engagement party she meets Bodie who she has a one night stand with. He wants more but when he finds out she is his best friend's sister he hesitates. However when she discovers she is pregnant everything changes. Bodie has wanted to be in Eleanor's life since the day he met her but it is an uphill battle trying to prove to Eleanor he is in their ...more

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Feb 14, 2018 Elaine rated it really liked it

Shelves: authors-to-look-out-for, contemporary-romance, contemporary, romance, adult, rugby, netgalley, 2018

This is the fifth story in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series by this talented author. When one of the team players returns home to celebrate his engagement, his younger sister Eleanor is surprised when one of his team mates comes over to talk to her. The attraction is mutual - and highly unusual for the usually staid Eleanor. Eleanor is the quiet one in the family, the one who is enthralled by everything Victorian, from stories to clothing and even etiquette. She's always said she would save her ...more

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Feb 04, 2018 Maria Rose rated it really liked it

Shelves: fully-reviewed-books, 4-star-reads, sexy-as-all-get-out, sports-romance, one-night-stand-becomes-more

Playing House by Amy Andrews is the latest sexy romance in her Sydney Smoke Rugby series. It’s a ‘one night stand becomes more’ trope story, with a Sydney Smoke player and a quirky down home heroine getting a chance to fling caution to the winds, then having to deal with the unexpected consequences.

Eleanor Davis, sister of Sydney Smoke player Ryder, has a growing online business designing and sewing historical fashions. If it makes her a bit of an odd woman out in the Australian Outback, so be Playing House by Amy Andrews is the latest sexy romance in her Sydney Smoke Rugby series. It’s a ‘one night stand becomes more’ trope story, with a Sydney Smoke player and a quirky down home heroine getting a chance to fling caution to the winds, then having to deal with the unexpected consequences.

Eleanor Davis, sister of Sydney Smoke player Ryder, has a growing online business designing and sewing historical fashions. If it makes her a bit of an odd woman out in the Australian Outback, so be it. When Ryder brings his team home to celebrate his engagement, Eleanor hides out on the fringes of the party, like the wallflower she is in real life. She doesn’t expect to catch the eye of Bodie, one of Ryder’s teammates and best friends.

Bodie can see the beautiful woman in the shadows trying to blend in with the potted plants and makes it his mission to draw her out. He succeeds brilliantly, resulting in one of the hottest one night stands he’s ever had. He has to go back to Sydney, but Eleanor is not easy to forget and he finds himself developing an urge to study Victorian lingerie and keep an eye on her website too. When Eleanor comes to him a few months later with bigger problems than how to get more website clicks, Bodie is happy to step up and show Eleanor he’s the real deal. Can he convince her to give a relationship with him a try?

I’ve really enjoyed every story in this series for good reason – they have genuinely likable characters, interesting plots, hot sex, and great scenes on and off the rugby pitch. This one has less rugby and more of the friendship aspect of the teammates. Because Ryder and Bodie are best friends, Bodie is torn upon realizing that the daring damsel he slept with is none other than his mate’s sister. Oops! He doesn’t regret it mind you, he just doesn’t quite know what to do about it – because he’d love to do it again. Things take a different turn when Eleanor comes to town. Suddenly they are faced with life changing decisions, and there are some very emotional scenes later in the story that make this story less lighthearted than some of the previous series ones. It’s hard to keep out spoilers, but suffice it to say that Eleanor and Bodie learn quickly what it takes to make a relationship go the distance.

I loved the uniqueness of Eleanor’s character and how she uses her talents and interests to make a career for herself. That Bodie appreciates all of Eleanor’s many talents comes through quickly. He’s quite taken with her penchant for historical underthings and this leads to some pretty sexy love scenes. Bodie is a real good guy hero – friendly, generous, supportive and willing to admit to his mistakes. The end features a really sweet scene to bring them their happy ending, particularly meaningful after some more poignant moments. Don’t be surprised if you shed a few tears amid the laughs in this one. It’s a great addition to one of my favorite sports series.

This review also appears at Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-pla...

A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. ...more

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Feb 10, 2018 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, erotic, sports-romance, review, romance, read-2018

4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin

A shy, quirky heroine who prefers books to parties. A sexy-as-hell hero with a sweet side. A scorching one night stand that becomes so much more. Put those three ingredients together and you’ve got a recipe for a highly entertaining romance. And when you add in Amy Andrews’s fast-paced style and signature humor then it’s clear to see why I couldn’t resist Playing House .

Eleanor is such a fun heroine. She grew up on a steady diet of Jane Austen and 4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin

A shy, quirky heroine who prefers books to parties. A sexy-as-hell hero with a sweet side. A scorching one night stand that becomes so much more. Put those three ingredients together and you’ve got a recipe for a highly entertaining romance. And when you add in Amy Andrews’s fast-paced style and signature humor then it’s clear to see why I couldn’t resist Playing House .

Eleanor is such a fun heroine. She grew up on a steady diet of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and is in love with the fashion, manners, and romantic ideals of the nineteenth century. She’s also turned her love of Victorian fashion into a profitable business, which I found to be a delight to read about. Eleanor feels like the ugly duckling of her family, but she’s so much more than the kooky wallflower she sees herself as. Bodie is immediately captivated by Eleanor and I loved that he wasn’t just taken with her looks, but showed interest in what she was passionate about. Bodie grew up with a shark of a father and between that and his cheating ex-fiancée, he’s wary of falling for someone who will turn out to simply want him for his trust fund or his status a rugby star. Eleanor is a breath of fresh air to him in many ways and it’s clear from the outset that one night with her will never be enough. I could melt with how sweet Bodie could be. He may have wealth, privilege, and good looks, but he has worked hard to become successful and he’s got a heart of gold. I was rooting for him and Eleanor to become more than simply lovers because they were such likeable characters.

Eleanor and Bodie’s story is filled with erotic moments, and it’d be remiss of me not to at least mention how hot Playing House is. But what stood out to me were the quieter moments and if I had one (minor) niggle it’d be I wish there were more of them. Bodie and Eleanor are very different, but they complement one another perfectly. I liked watching them learn about each other. And when the two of them are handed a major surprise, I really liked that they handled life’s curveball fairly well. Their road to happily ever after isn’t smooth sailing. Insecurities, pain, and heartbreak made the story feel more real and may have even had me sniffling at one point. But I knew Ms. Andrews wouldn’t let readers down and the ending of Playing House left me with a smile on my face.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ...more

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Feb 19, 2018 Elizabeth Neal rated it liked it

Shelves: entangled-arc-review, manwhore, hero-celibate-during-separation, virgin-heroine, heroine-celibate-during-separation, hero-loved-before, best-friend-s-sibling

Bodie, a rugby player, loves his life. His best friend, Ryder, is his teammate, he loves his job, and after a bad breakup the year before is enjoying, maybe a little too much, being single again. When he travels to Ryder's hometown for his engagement party, his eyes land on a woman that immediately intrigues him.

Eleanor (Nell) is used to being different...from her beautiful sisters, from others with more "normal" hobbies and interests, and because she's a virgin at 26. The last she can change ...more

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Feb 22, 2018 NixLapi rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, read-in-2018

I've really enjoyed the Sydney Smoke series and this one is no exception! Amy Andrews does quirky-sexy so well, and her rugby boys, oh my yes! This story also packs some agonizing heart ache (TW if required in spoiler tags below), as Amy also does so well. Beautiful story, looking forward to the next installments in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series!

TW spoiler (this occurs late in the book, and is non-violent): (view spoiler)

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Feb 02, 2018 Tami rated it really liked it

Shelves: andrews-amy, netgalley

Very good sports romance. Best friend's little sister. She's a 26 yr old virgin who wears vintage clothes. He's a hottie who plays rugby.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Jan 27, 2018 Megan rated it really liked it

Best friend's little sister is my very favorite trope, so I was very excited to read this one. I've really enjoyed this whole series so far.

Bodie "Spidey" Webb is a pro rugby player for the Sydney Smoke. He grew up in a very wealthy family, and his dad wants him to enter the family business at some point. Bodie has no plans to ever do that. He loves the game too much, and he loves his team. In fact, his best friend Ryder Davis is one of his teammates, and that's what brings him to the middle of Best friend's little sister is my very favorite trope, so I was very excited to read this one. I've really enjoyed this whole series so far.

Bodie "Spidey" Webb is a pro rugby player for the Sydney Smoke. He grew up in a very wealthy family, and his dad wants him to enter the family business at some point. Bodie has no plans to ever do that. He loves the game too much, and he loves his team. In fact, his best friend Ryder Davis is one of his teammates, and that's what brings him to the middle of nowhere, Australia, where Ryder grew up, for his engagement party. Bodie had a bad breakup about a year ago, and he's been sewing his wild oats ever since. So, he doesn't expect to be laid flat by one look at a wallflower of a woman at Ryder's party. He just knows he has to talk to her.

Eleanor "Nell" Davis is Ryder's youngest sister. Her other sisters are all classic beauties, each already married off. She's always been an odd duck, born in the wrong century. She's obsessed with everything Victorian era: the clothes, the manners, the courting. Everything. It's why she's still a virgin at 26. She's been waiting for THE ONE. But, when she sees Bodie at her brother's party she's drawn to him like she's never been to another man. She decides to shake off her virginity once and for all, which can only happen if she doesn't mention to him the small fact that she's Ryder's sister. Her brother calls her Nell, so when she uses her full name to introduce herself, he's none the wiser, and she's not actually lying. They have an amazing night together, but it has unintended consequences, for both of them.

Bodie and Eleanor have amazing chemistry and I loved watching them interact. He actually showed interest in the things she loved (especially her Victorian undergarments!), and he makes her feel beautiful and wanted for the first time ever. Bodie loves her quirky personality, and her unusual hobbies, and he's endlessly intrigued by her. I really appreciated the way they were together, and even the reveal to her brother didn't go exactly as I expected, which I liked as well. Though they were different, they were entirely compatible, and I loved watching them both realize how perfect they were together.

I always enjoy revisiting all of the other characters from the previous books, as well as the other side characters who've yet to have their own stories. I'm looking forward to Donovan, the single dad's story, as well as the coach's daughter. And Coach Griff too, for that matter! I really hope we get all of their stories before the series comes to a close.

This was a very emotional book in many ways, much more so than the others have been. The main characters deal with some tough issues, and while everyone doesn't always handle things perfectly, they find a way to figure it out. I really loved Eleanor as a heroine. She was so unique and I just really enjoyed her outlook. Bodie was also so much more than I gave him credit for. He really didn't shy away from love, though he'd been burned before. They were truly perfect together.

I definitely recommend this book, and this series. It's so much more than your typical sports romance series, and I love that. The Aussie-isms are hilariously fun, and I truly appreciate the glossary of terms in the back of the book. I look forward to more stories in this awesome world.

ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
description

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Feb 12, 2018 Ivy Deluca rated it really liked it

Shelves: _arc-reads, nerdy-love, virgin-heroine, one-night-stand, rugby-romance, pregnancy-surprise

Eleanor Davis is a twenty six year old virgin. And guess what? She doesn’t want to be. She may love the Victorian era and adores making historically accurate clothing for commission, but she’s tired of waiting for the one. The man who is going to sweep her off her feet in his frock coat and Darcy-isms. The man who does not exist in Bungindally, her small town in the Australian countryside. Then she meets Bodie Webb during her brother’s engagement party, and she decides that he’s the one to help ...more

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Feb 18, 2018 ⚜️Trea rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: challenges-2018, series-challenge-2018, netgalley-arc-reviews-2018

FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!

So far, I've enjoyed most of my forays into this series, and this should have been one that I would enjoy as well, but it actually fell a bit flat for me. Thankfully, it was a shorter read, but I was rather disappointed in it.

I loved how ...more

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Feb 10, 2018 Sofia Lazaridou rated it it was ok

What kind of sister spends only two pages talking to her brother? Eleanor that's who. The story begins at her brother's engagement party and she never goes to talk to him. Later she only talks to him to convince him that been with Bodie is a good idea. They were related just to fit in the "in love with brother's best friend" genre. Bodie spends more time with Ryder than she does and I found that annoying. Eleanor is not even mentioned by name in Ryder's book and now she get's her own? I would ...more

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Feb 11, 2018 Cathy Geha rated it it was amazing

Playing House by Amy Gamet
Sydney Smoke Rugby #5

Amy Gamet is becoming one of my go-to authors. Every book I have read by her has been wonderful making me only want to read more of whatever she decides to write. This book delivered again…in all the ways that I was hoping it would ;)

Quirky, immersed in the 19th century and the odd duck in her family and community Eleanor Davis is ready to leave her virginity behind. When Bodie Webb, rugby player and friend of her brother, introduces himself to her ...more

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Jan 29, 2018 Bookgyrl rated it liked it

With some of my favorite tropes, how could I resist this book? Eleanor loves the 19th century and made her hobby into a small business. She is into Jane Austen (O, Mr Darcy!) and Georgette Heyer and thinks she has been born too late. Even when she loves modern hygiene and the right to vote.

At 26 she is still a virgin and when she attends her brother's engagement party (Ryder from the last book) she is approached by Bodie, her brother's best friend. They have a hot night together after which ...more

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Aug 07, 2019 Sania rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: protective-hero, hero-billionaire-or-millionaire, horrible-family, h-h-adults, pregnant-heroine-in-book, hero-heroine-sportsperson, references-to-ow-om, loss-of-child, ex-partner-or-divorced, read-in-2019

Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone
Ages of H and h: Eleanor is 26 and Bodie is similarly aged
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages: (view spoiler)
Was There Descriptive Sex: (view spoiler)
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: (view spoiler)
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup: (view spoiler)
Contains Cheating: (view spoiler)
Amount of Sex In The Book: (view spoiler) ...more

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Feb 09, 2018 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs, sports-romance

I have enjoyed every book in the Sydney Smoke series but Eleanor and Bodie are by far my favorite!! Each of these books read as standalones but this series gets better with every book.

Eleanor is obsessed with all things Victorian and is more comfortable blending into the background than being the center of attention like her brother, Ryder. Bodie is a trust fund baby and talented rugby player who was burned by his ex-girlfriend. When Bodie sees Eleanor across the room at Ryder's engagement ...more

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Jan 26, 2018 Talking Books rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Be still my thudding heart <3. I adored Eleanor and Bodie’s characters in Ms Andrews latest instalment in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series, Playing House. Lots of heart, emotion and scorching attraction between the characters with a bit of drama thrown in to the story, just to keep the reader breathing that little bit heavier. From the start I was glued to the pages and could not put the book down. My fave read in the series yet and a story I did not want to finish for all the right reasons :D.
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Feb 07, 2018 Christina Montminy rated it really liked it

Shelves: cute-contemporary, sports-romances, series, contemporary, arc-books, sweet-romance, net-galley-book

I enjoy Amy Andrews’ writing, her stories always have a poignant tale to them . Playing House is sweet, sexy, laugh out loud funny & sad. In this story of lust, love & loss we see how a wall flower blossoms with the attention of the sexy jock. We see how life changes even when all precautions are taken & we see how it all changes when having to deal with loss. We see how the love of the one, can bring back to life everything that the loss took away. I truly enjoyed this book & ...more

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Feb 06, 2018 Thuy Taylor rated it really liked it

This was an interesting story. I've always like opposites attract romances. This was charming. I liked it quite a bit.

Bodie and Eleanor were definitely opposites. He was an athlete, a rugby player. Eleanor was a virgin, quiet, shy, quirky, totally into the whole Victorian era type life. Her career is sewing period pieces etc. Bodie and her meet at her brothers engagement party, Bodie doesn't know, who she is, which is his best friends sister. They end up in bed together. Complications arise, but ...more

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Jan 31, 2018 Penny rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

Is there anything sexier than a hot, huge, rugby player being all sweet and cuddly? Well, Playing House will give you the opportunity to see for yourself, and it’s not one you should pass up.

I’ve loved this group of boisterous, rough, sexy beasts of the Sydney Smoke team since the very beginning. Each time one of these guys falls, they do it big and they do it in style: fucking up royally and then having to fight for their girl with all their might.

Eleanor is Ryder’s baby sister (from Playing Is there anything sexier than a hot, huge, rugby player being all sweet and cuddly? Well, Playing House will give you the opportunity to see for yourself, and it’s not one you should pass up.

I’ve loved this group of boisterous, rough, sexy beasts of the Sydney Smoke team since the very beginning. Each time one of these guys falls, they do it big and they do it in style: fucking up royally and then having to fight for their girl with all their might.

Eleanor is Ryder’s baby sister (from Playing With Forever, the previous installment) and she is an eensy bit socially awkward. She’d as soon melt into the potted plant next to her than go mingle at his brother’s engagement party. Everything changes when Bodie aka her big brother’s best friend, unknowingly starts to flirt with her. Their chemistry and attraction are off the charts and things soon get out of control… and they end up sharing the hottest night ever.

Imagine Bodie’s surprise when he wakes up to a note and the realization that not only did he just pop his best friend’s baby sister’s cherry but he had the best time while doing it. Unable to stop thinking about her, but totally forbidden by the bro-code to pursue her, he just goes back home. Incredibly, it wasn’t just the absolute best memories that resulted from their encounter. Two months later they find themselves in a situation neither anticipated.

I totally adored Eleanor, she was definitely quirky and funny in her own way. I loved how creative she could be, how she was passionate about anything to do with the 1800’s as well as being a romantic through and through.

Bodie was the absolute best. He was the sweetest, most tender guy ever. And at the same time, he was a sexy, alpha decisive piece of muscly man hunk. The way he was with Eleanor from the very beginning turned me into a puddle of goo.

I really enjoyed Playing House, though it broke my heart (and while I don’t want to spoil the story this might be a trigger for some so I’m warning about it (view spoiler) but it also had me smiling like a loon. There’s romance, sexy times a-plenty, Pride-and-Prejudice-isms for every Austen fan, and some mild angst. I can’t wait to see who comes next, though I wouldn’t mind an epilogue in the next one… yeah?

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book* ...more

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Feb 12, 2018 Heli - So Many Books - So Little Time rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars. Loved both Eleanor and Bodie and their story.

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Feb 27, 2018 Barrie Mac rated it it was amazing

I LOVED Amy's creation of Eleanor! Eleanor was like no other modern female I've ever read! She was so unique and wonderful! Eleanor's innocence when it came to men was refreshing and fun to read. Never to disappoint, Amy created a strong hero who wanted to do the right thing and found himself falling in love. I'm not usuallay onboard with instant love but Amy created a beautiful story between two people who have two families against them. Bodie is a very handsome rugby player who finds Eleanor ...more

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About Amy Andrews

Amy Andrews

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Amy is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written seventy plus contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets.

Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.

She loves good books and great booze although she'll take mediocre booze if there's nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered ...more