Playing For Keeps (The Game #2)
By Emma Hart
Source: ARC provided by the
author in exchange for honest review.
Blurb:
From New York Times
and USA Today bestselling author, Emma Hart, comes the second book in
The Game series, and the story everyone wanted after The Love Game…
She's
in love with him.
He's trying not to love her.
One night changes everything.
He's trying not to love her.
One night changes everything.
Aston
Banks never meant to get close to Megan Harper – not even for that one night.
Haunted by a childhood he refuses to face, he knew she could break through
every wall he’d ever built and tear them down without even realising she was
doing it.
Betraying
Braden by starting a relationship with Aston wasn’t on Megan’s to-do list, but
the second she sees a glimpse of someone other than the arrogant ass she’s come
to know, she can’t walk away.
Aston’s
childhood is worse than Megan ever guessed, but as he tries and fails to push
her away, it’s clear her love is stronger than the demons that cling to him
every day. And now, because of it, he finally has to deal with what he’s buried
deep down.
What
he doesn’t want to face. What he’s fought against for so long.
And
they have to do it all without Braden finding out.
Keeping
a relationship secret has never been harder.
**This book can be read
as a standalone novel, but reading The Love Game (The Game, #1) beforehand is
advised.**
Review:
Ok, so I loved Braden and Maddie, but I completely adore Aston and
Megan. Their relationship is just so different from Braden and Maddie’s, and I
loved how even though they were playing a “game” it wasn’t a game between the
two of them. The stakes were much higher for Megan and Aston. In addition to
Braden going “caveman” on Aston for even looking at Megan, Aston has some
pretty big secrets.
I have a giant soft spot of broken and damaged men, poor Aston is
pretty broken behind his tough, have-no-care façade. The way things develop and
the way Aston evolves as a character is captivating and I finished this book
even faster than I finished The Love
Game.
There was more sex involved for this couple, and the sex was very
well written. It is one thing Emma Hart does really well in addition to the
character development. Megan and Aston are very strong characters and I love
their relationship, but I think my favorite relationship is that between Megan
and Braden. We get a much more in depth look at their relationship and just how
protective Braden really is of her.
If you loved The Love Game,
you will be head over heels in love with Playing
for Keeps. If you haven’t read The Love
Game it
isn’t required to understand the events in Playing
for Keeps, but I strongly recommend it!
Want
a little taste of Aston and Megan? Check out this wonderful little glimpse into
Playing for Keeps.
Excerpt:
ASTON:
“You okay?”
I shake my head. “No. Every time. Every fucking time he brings her
up. I thought he wouldn’t in front of you, but he did.”
“He has his own pain,” she says softly. “It doesn’t excuse it, but
he does. He feels guilty for what happened to you – that he couldn’t stop it.”
My mind reels for a second and I look down at her. “He told you
that?”
She nods, letting her hand drop from my back and standing in front
of me. I stop.
“You’ve never let him tell you.” She reaches up and cups my face.
“He hurts, too, Aston. You both hurt. It’s not something that will go away, but
you can’t let it rule your lives. If you let pain rule you you’ll get lost in
it.”
“What if I’m already lost?”
“You’re not lost. You’re hiding, but you’re not lost. I won’t let
you get lost.”
I let my hands come up and rest on her back, pulling her into me.
“What if there’s no map?”
“Then I’ll get lost with you,” she whispers. “I won’t let you let
them win, Aston. I won’t let you get sucked in by those demons. I won’t let
that happen. I care too much.”
And she does. I can hear it in her voice.
She wraps her arms around my neck, and I hold her to me tighter,
our foreheads resting against each other.
“I’ll try, Megs,” I promise. “I can’t say I won’t, but as long as
you’re here, I think I’ll be okay.”
“And you’ll talk to your Gramps? Just once?”
“I’ll think about it. How about we just focus on stopping me from
getting lost for a bit?”
“You just need a place to aim for, that’s all. You need a place to
go to.”
“Go on then.” I smile. “Give me a place.”
“Okay.” She pauses for a second, closing her eyes and chewing her
lip.
“I’m waiting…” I tease her.
Her blue eyes open, shocking me with their vitality. “Aim for the
moon, because even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
“I don’t need to aim for the sky. The only star I’ll ever need is
standing right in front of me.” I brush my lips over hers. “Maybe the place I
need to aim for is nowhere other than where I am right now.”
“Maybe I’d go with you wherever you ended up.”
“Maybe I’d never ask that of you.”
“Maybe you wouldn’t need to ask. Maybe you’ll never need to ask me
for anything, because I’ll always be here.”
BUY PLAYING FOR KEEPS
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PLAYING FOR KEEPS PLAYLIST
Check out The Love Game,
book #1 in THE GAME series. You’ll absolutely love Braden and Maddie! You can
read my review of The Love Game here.
THE LOVE GAME PURCHASE LINKS
By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New
Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible
two year old and growing bump, due September 2013. By night, she drops the
cape, pours a glass of juice and writes books.
Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her
followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret
projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a
sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta
love.
She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but
that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.
Find Emma online at:
Blog: http://www.emmahartbooks.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmmaHartBooks
Twitter: @EmmaHartAuthor
