Customer Reviews

Play with Me (Harlequin Blaze)

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I selected this book, because it had a roleplay theme. The heroine, a commitment phobic pilot, becomes involved in a relationship with the hero. She just wants it to be sex. Like she has a say in that, being the heroine of a Harlequin Blaze. Just like the hero has a wacky great aunt Jean and wonders why she can't be like other old ladies. However, she *is* like other old ladies -- the feisty kind who matchmake in romance novels. Just like the hero is "large." Book category is destiny. I, for one, an grateful. That's why these books work -- you hopefully get to be surprised, but you know you're reading a love story, complete with people overcoming their relationship issues in order to be happy.

Um, I was looking for some humor and heart and I think that was Leslie Kelly's aim, but the book was only somewhat successful for me. The scenarios were fun and I loved how, due to her temporarily cold feet, they only met on holidays -- lesser holidays included -- to have sexy times. There was even a pretty woman homage, and another scene where the couple invoked every double entendre that had ever been in an airline ad. I never really got into the book though, not fully, or felt she was really as spirited as we're told she is at the beginning. Well, she had a tough/funny conversation with a criminal, but other than that...

The hero was a great guy and very patient with the heroine. Maybe I needed a scene of him being more alpha, at least in the role-play, since he spent so much time catering to her and her restrictions. I appreciate his growing love and respect from her, but I think a little more frustration or a little more dominance might have upped the heat. If John Mayer can say he has a Bennetton heart and a less accepting something else, I can cop to my heart wanting lovey-dovey, but wanting other things for genuine heat.

I think that there can be a chemistry between authors and readers, or a lack of chemistry. The latter was the case for me, which is a shame, because true heat leading to romance is one of my favorite things to read when the real world has me exhausted. I do know this author is popular and has a nice fan base from comments I've seen around. I also know I have Slow Hands (Harlequin Blaze) on my Kindle, due to the extreme free-ness of it. So, perhaps in the future I'll be a fan.

Pilot Amanda Bauer isn't into relationships and commitment. Busy businessman Reese Campbell doesn't have time for relationships and commitment. So, how did these two end up on the same airport tarmac on Halloween? The moment they met, on the day Amanda dressed in a sexy airline hostess outfit, and after Reese was reprimanded by his aunt about his needing to go out and have fun, well, let's just say the sparks flew. Both indicate to the other they're only looking for a one night fling, with no plans to further their uh...relationship, so the arrangement is pretty cut and dried. But what if one night isn't enough? Why not celebrate all the upcoming holidays together with some playful fantasies? A little playacting here and there, lots of erotic, fun filled fantasies fulfilled. Amanda and Reese are having a great time together. So why does each time together feel like it's going to be the last time?


In Leslie Kelly's PLAY WITH ME, we meet two characters raised totally different, who as adults, are the opposite of their childhood. Amanda was raised by strict parents and now she relishes her freedom. Reese grew up in a happy home which was torn asunder by the sudden death of Reese's father two years ago. Now Reese has his nose to the grindstone, shutting out any chance for love. Amanda seems like the perfect answer to his aunt's suggestion to have a little fun. Amanda isn't into the "L" word and she makes it clear she also isn't into relationships. Why not have a no strings attached fling? Their sensual rendezvous in various cities across the United States doesn't mean they are an item, but the more they're around each other, the harder it is to stay apart. Definitely feels and acts like the relationship they deny they're after.


The love scenes are smoking hot and Amanda and Reese get into some ticklish situations at various times. Add in that PLAY WITH ME uses the holidays/celebrations from Halloween to Valentine's Day for their trysts, and you get another reason why one can always find time to celebrate love more than just one day a year.


A fun premise becomes a witty, compelling tale as two characters not looking for commitment soon find themselves unable to be without the other in PLAY WITH ME. If you like sexy, hot reads, then put this one at the top of your reading list.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today