Book: False Play by Yinn Quiros
Reviewed by SimplySammie
Rating: 5/5
A bad boy hockey player in need of a PR makeover, a PR professional who works for the team fresh out of a toxic relationship, meddling teammates, and a cat named Captain Sushi. I keep finding books that are just so tailor made for my likes and it's just the best.
This book has so many of my favorite tropes all rolled in to a nice neat little package - bad boy in need of a makeover, fake dating, workplace romance, he falls first, heart of gold, and found family. It's just a buffet of good times.
And the characters are so deliciously written. It would be so easy for them to be just plug and play versions of the pieces we've seen in these stories before but Henry? There is so much more there than just a bad boy hockey player. Every time he opens his mouth and has a real moment with Kennedy? When the REAL Henry slips out? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR.
"I never want to hear you thank me for doing the bare minimum, Kennedy." Excuse me? Sir. SIR, THIS IS A WENDY'S. I cannot with this level of emotional maturity from a man whose primary form of solving conflict has been shown to be with his fists. Get out of here with this. I may pass out from the yummy.
And that is where this story shines. When these characters drop the facade and shine through in their realest forms. When we see Kennedy not pretending to be ok with the crap she puts up from her jerky coworkers because she's a woman in a male dominated field. When we see Henry get move beyond the ghosts of his past and be the best version of himself.
The supporting characters were delightful, and I really can't wait to see where a few of those story lines go. I have theories! I know Yinn Quiros will feed us well.
Be aware of the content related to anger management, anxiety, and domestic violence. While handled well, as a child of DV some of the conversations and scenes hit a little close to home. Readers beware and protect your mental health.