Book: The Playing Game by Ainsley Booth
Reviewed by Booksbystarlightandshadows
Rating: 3/5
Ainsley Booth is a new to me author but I am a sucker for a sports romance . I haven't heard Sparks in a contemporary role for a while and loved the bright narration of Piper. Piper may have some baggage to work through but she was still a bubbly and likeable FMC. Kieran is an absolute sweetheart with Webley really leaning into the earnestness of the character; he has been added to my list of 100% green flag MMCs! I loved how patient Kieran was and how he never tried to manipulate or engineer anything; he knew Piper was endgame and was just waiting for her to catch up.
I liked how hockey was almost a character in the book itself and how knowledgeable Piper was despite having to pretend she wasn't, and how Piper's job was just as important. I needed a little more angst though as although there are some pretty heavy plot threads lined up such as Piper's abandonment issues and telling her mother, Kieran's father not being very supportive and even to a lesser extent Tillman's affair (100% thought it was going to be with Kiley at one point) but everything was resolved pretty quickly with no bumps in the road. I kept waiting for Piper's dad to make an appearance too after such a build up to the point where Piper wasn't even online to avoid people finding out they were related as well as the PR/media team being read in on the situation but it didn't go anywhere. It's still a satisfying listen though and if you want a low drama, spicy romance with a real cinnamon role of an MMC you'll really enjoy it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read.