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The Perfect Play (Play by Play, #1)

Jaci Burton

Start date: April 1, 2012

Finish date: May 1, 2012

Discussion: Group Reads

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What Members Thought

May 15, 2010 Auntee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sports-romance, i-ll-buy-for-the-cover-alone, keepers, 2011_reads, erotic-romance, jaci-burton

Just in time for the upcoming Super Bowl is Jaci Burton's smokin' hot new release, The Perfect Play. And what a perfect sports romance it is! Starting with the gorgeous cover...

(C'mon, how can you resist that cover model?)

Things just get better after that. The story has an almost Cinderella-like feel to it. Mick Riley (30) is Mr. Tall (6 1/2 feet), Dark (black hair, blue-eyed) and Sexy (killer physique); a millionaire superstar quarterback for the San Francisco Sabers. Mick's a hard working ...more

112 likes · Like · see review

May 14, 2010 Mahlet rated it really liked it

Shelves: erotic-romance, eagerly-anticipating, series, athletes-sports

ummmmm....that's quite possible one of the BEST COVERS EVER!!! *fans-self*
I love the premise, too. Something to look forward to :D
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actual review:

You can’t deny…this sport-themed contemporary has one of the hottest romance covers. EVER. But I actually enjoyed the story, too, despite occasional irritations with the heroine.

First off, I’m not huge American football fan. I only enjoy high pressured games towards the end of the NFL playoffs, and I occasionall ummmmm....that's quite possible one of the BEST COVERS EVER!!! *fans-self*
I love the premise, too. Something to look forward to :D
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actual review:

You can’t deny…this sport-themed contemporary has one of the hottest romance covers. EVER. But I actually enjoyed the story, too, despite occasional irritations with the heroine.

First off, I’m not huge American football fan. I only enjoy high pressured games towards the end of the NFL playoffs, and I occasionally get excited about the Superbowl matchups. But like author Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Chicago Stars series, The Perfect Play had just a small sprinkle of football scenes & lingo. This book remains focused on the developing romance between San Diego Sabers’ star quarterback Mick Riley and single mom and “event planning” business owner Tara Lincoln.

Mick comes from an Irish family that’s blessed him with an irresistible combination of jet black hair and gorgeous blue eyes. He’s nearly 30 years old, just like Tara, so he’s feeling the pressure of the new young and eager backup recruits just salivating at the opportunity to step in. His aggressive but talented publicist Liz (more on her later), has been throwing models & actresses at him for years. The photo ops get him on magazines and help fill those stadium seats, but Mick’s sick of the meaningless relationships and he’s yearning for something more.

Within the first chapter, this story jumps in with Mick’s seduction, something he’s not accustomed to. He begins flirting heavily with Tara while she’s overseeing the Sabers’ team party. With all the more glamorous beauties in attendance, she can’t quite believe he’s even attracted to her, so it’s a big ego boost any woman would enjoy. Tara does her best to keep it professional that night, but when Mick surprises her by waiting hours for her – until all her job duties are complete and even all the hired staff have gone home- the chemistry and conversation continues upstairs in his suite…Later, Tara pulls a gangster disappearing act in the morning that had me cheering :)

Tara’s had her one fantasy night with a hot NFL star – and even though it was the most incredible night of sex in her life – she wants nothing more from him because she’s afraid Mick will quickly get bored or toss her aside once the regular football season kicks in. But like his athleticism, Mick’s persistence pays off. He begins inserting himself into all aspects of her life, even developing a relationship with her teenage son, Nathan. Tara’s doubt and hesitancy continue to plague the relationship. But you have to cut her some slack as a protective mother coming from rough beginnings. She’s never before introduced a man she’s dating to her son. And the almost hero-worship her son feels towards Mick is enough to make any woman nervous. Breakups are bad enough, but when your son's heart is clearly involved? Even worse.

My annoyance with Tara came from her blaming Mick or her relationship for ridiculous things – like her son getting drunk at a party. Tara’s line of thinking and her often brash reactions irritated me, but Mick’s patience and just general yumminess more than made up for it. He’s not a selfish lover – which is what you’d expect from a star athlete who never has to work for it. I would say the length and style of these love scenes falls somewhere in between romance and erotic romance. Not quite 15 pagers or anything like that, but they do escalate in boldness as the story progresses and the scenes were evenly spread throughout :)

My only complaint with Mick was him making one too many comparisons of Tara and the other women he usually dates. Don’t get me wrong – it’s about how Tara’s different in a good way and all completely complimentary. For Mick, it’s usually shallow women chasing him and relationships just for show and PR (beneficial to both sides he admits). With Tara, she’s a competent, independent business woman who isn’t even interested in a relationship with him. Still, there was just one too many comparisons to past lovers/dates. Women don’t like to hear about how they compare to other women you’ve dated…even if it’s good.

The best part about this story was that Burton convinced me that this hot shot athlete had really fallen in love and wanted to settle down. As a bonus, we get to know the series’ next heroine, Liz, who has a bitchy, cutthroat exterior but some depth lurking underneath. The preview contained in the back of this book was very hot and explicit and one of the biggest TEASE teasers I’ve ever read. I can’t believe she stopped there! I’m definitely continuing this series with Changing the Game. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 06, 2011 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it really liked it

Shelves: athletes-sports, habanero-shelf, contemporary-romance, 1st-in-series, one-night-stand

The first book in Jaci Burton's Play by Play series. Set in the world of sports. A hot and spicy read. It wasn't bad when I could actually tear myself away from the cover long enough to read. Definitely worth reading! ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 15, 2011 Christa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ebooks-all-vendors

I enjoy sports romances, and this was a good one. The main characters, Tara and Mick, were great together. They were both truly nice people, and I liked the relationship that developed between them. The chemistry between them was good too. Tara's son, Nathan, as well as Mick's family, added to the story. I enjoyed the storyline and was kept interested all the way through. I liked the way everything played out in the book, and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next one. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 17, 2012 Netanella rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sports-related, 2015-february-reading-challenge

Yes, I read the book for its cover.

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 13, 2012 Shay rated it really liked it

I am about halfway through reading this right now. I really am enjoyng it. Mick is great the sex scenes are amazingly hot but Tara is so stupid and annoying. (view spoiler) ...more

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Mar 05, 2011 Wendy Keel rated it really liked it

This was a really good book. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, the romance, the plot and the setting. I can't wait to read more in this series. ...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Jen rated it really liked it

Mick and Tara

I ended up really liking this book. Mick and his family were pretty fun and lovable. Tara was a bit annoying with her denial that they were in a relationship. Burton did a good job of making Mick seem real with the story of his alcoholism. It made him seem more life like and not just a larger than life football player.

1 like · Like · see review