Publisher: Entangled
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: NetGalley
After publicly self-destructing over a heartbreak a year ago, bestselling romance writer Piper James is now making nice with her publisher by agreeing to teach Hollywood’s favorite action star how to act like he’s in love. Only playboy Mick Blackwell has no clue what love looks like. When a seductive heat ignites between Piper and Mick, she jumps at the chance for a bit of fun between the sheets, but with two stipulatons: she’s kept out of the public eye and things end when she returns to New York. Only Mick keeps changing the rules on her. Tempted by America’s favorite bad boy, Piper is wondering how far she’s willing to bend…
*Blurb from Goodreads*
I am so glad that I requested this book. I have a soft spot for heroes and heroines who are celebrities of any kind, especially actors and actresses. I adored this book, couldn’t put it down and ended up gobbling it up in one sitting!
Piper is an author whose book is being made for the big screen, and she has been called in to help the star get in touch with his romantic side. This is Piper’s last chance to prove to her publisher that she can maintain her professional demeanor and get the job done. The only problem is that Piper never expected to fall hopelessly in lust with her subject.
Mick has always had every woman fall at his feet, so when Piper doesn’t, he’s determined to get her into his bed. Mick knows little of Piper’s past, so he proposes a little sexual playtime and agrees to Piper’s request that they stay out of the public eye. But as they light up the sheets, both Mick and Piper realize that their connection is more than physical. But when they are thrown into the spotlight, will they be able to survive the fall?
I absolutely adored this book! Mick is so sexy, Piper is a strong heroine, and their sex was smokin’ hot! The romance was so well done, and it was the perfect romance to read on a summer day. I couldn’t put the book down once I started, and was up way later than I should have been. So good. I may have to add Covington to my auto-buy list!
Let’s start with Mick: holy hell he was a sexy playboy who was a little bit of a rake and an absolute sweetheart underneath it all. He was a little lackadaisical about how his career was run, but other than that he was the perfect hero package. Sexy, damn good at his job, sweet, romantic, and a sex god to boot. Although it seemed as if Piper started as a conquest for him, he genuinely cared about her feelings, her needs, her career, and did everything and anything in his power to make sure that he could provide for her in anyway she needed.
Piper was such a strong heroine. I loved that she was portrayed as a little bit crazy, because most women are. 🙂 Poor thing had to deal with a pretty scummy ex-fiance, so her freakout was totally understandable (in my opinion). At the same time, I loved how realistic Covington portrayed her situation. She had to fight to prove that she wasn’t some crazy psycho girl to her friends, her publisher, etc. Yet through it all she kept her composure as best she could, maintained her close friendships and worked her ass off to prove herself in any and every possible way.
I thought their romance was so well done. Yes, a lot of it was spent between the sheets, but I loved how Covington was able to write extremely erotic scenes while maintaining a very romantic feel to it. It was erotic romance in the best possible way, with the perfect blend of smut and sweet. I also liked that Mick was the one who was constantly changing the rules on Piper, constantly asking and wanting more. Although Piper was right there with the growing feelings, it felt like Mick was the one to pursue her, and I love those kinds of books.
I thought the conflict in their relationship was really well done as well. It was easy to see what was coming, and not very mysterious, however I really liked the way it played out. I was glad to see that although Mick didn’t directly do anything to jeopardize their relationship, he was willing to go the extra mile, do the big gesture to win Piper back at any cost. That just made me love him all the more.
All in all I thought this was a wonderful and sexy romance. I will absolutely be looking for more books from Covington in the future, and will be looking at her backlist as well. I loved Mick and Piper as both individuals and as a couple. Their romance was the perfect blend of spicy and sweet and I hope that we can see more of this couple in the future.
I give Playing the Part an A