I do enjoy a 2nd chance romance.
I also enjoy this authors work!

Margot is the recipient of an 'auction date' but the prize turns out to be Bentley....her man-whore ex-best friend. Cue explosions!!!!!

For me (who likes instant gratification!), there was too much back and forwards, push and pull. Made me want to throw my kindle but the writing was amazing.

I have read book 1 and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I love Rachel Van Dyken's books, but The Playboy Bachelor was not one of my favorites of hers. I found it to be a bit lackluster. It had the whole fluffy contemporary romance thing going, but what it really could have used some new adult emotional angst.

Bentley and Margo have been forced to live under the same roof for a weekend thanks to their meddling grandparents. This wouldn't be a problem for the former best friends if Bentley hadn't disappeared from Margo's life when she needed him the most. Margo hates Bentley and his womanizing ways with a passion, and Bentley has no desire to hang out with the woman who hates him. The more time Bentley and Margo spend together, the more they realize their past may not be what it seemed.

I don't want to give too much away about Margo and Bentley's past, but they were best friends until suddenly they weren't. Their underlying attraction was still there after the ten years they spent apart, but there were so many unresolved feelings between them. The situation between them created so many emotional possibilities for the characters and their romance, but were they were barely brushed over. Just reuniting suddenly seemed to fix everything for them.

I needed more self-discovery from the main characters in this book, especially on Bentley's part. Bentley was a weak man who used his mistakes as an excuse. He was unapologetic about his use of women. Bentley wasn't a bad guy, though. He was actually a sweetheart deep down and just needed to get over his past. Margot was a little better. She had a reason to be angry with what life had thrown at her. I liked that she didn't give into Bentley immediately and made him suffer through her anger. My main issue with Margo was how she approached a sexual relationship with Bentley. It felt so uncharacteristic of her.

While The Playboy Bachelor didn't accomplish what I wanted emotionally, it was still an enjoyable read. It had a fun, fluffy contemporary romance thing going on. If you liked the first book in this series, chances are you'll enjoy this one, too.

Sweet, touching and fun from beginning to end. It has all the feels that kept me flipping pages while smiling and swooning.

I just can’t get enough of Rachel Van Dyken and her seemingly unredeemable heroes. The Playboy Bachelor wasn’t the over the top hilarious read I was expecting but rather a sweet, addicting and emotional romance where longing and regret collide.

Historical Romance Writer Margo McCleery wanted nothing more than to continue with her secluded life away from everyone. Tired of seeing her wasting away alone, her goodhearted yet meddling grandmother buys her man. He’s not just any man, he’s hot. He’s rich. He’s a man-whore jackass. He’s Margot’s ex-best friend and high school crush who abandoned her when she needed him the most.

Bentley Wellington wants to be VP of Marketing in his family’s business. But there’s a catch, only his grandfather can give him the job and the conditions to get it may be well beyond his reach. He must coax the one woman who can’t stand to see him into to the land of the living with flowers and compliments, in other words with romance something he know nothing of. As he slowly starts to get his best friend back, he also realizes that “just friends” will never be enough. Can he convince her to trust him again?

I was drawn in right from the start and could feel Margot’s heartache, pain and loss after her accident. I could also sense that there was so much more behind Bentley’s damaging behavior. The trust that once existed now has to be regained. Friendship and love had been felt and it now has to be rebuilt.

Rachel Van Dyken has a wonderful ability to take you on a fun and enjoyable ride in which not only does the hero prove he can be prince charming, but also where the heroine is able to find herself. A ride full of the feels with sweet and honest moments, some deliciously sexy and romantic.

I just loved, LOVED, the meddling grandparents and can’t wait to see what grandpa Wellington has in store for Brant! I have a feeling we’re going to get more of those feels in that one.

The Playboy Bachelor is book #2 in the The Bachelors of Arizona series by author Rachel Van Dyken. This is a standalone full length contemporary romance novel, told from both points of view with a happy ending.

The Playboy Bachelor is a lovely standalone second chance romance and I have to say I really enjoyed it. With touches of Beauty and the Beast it was a real page turner.

This book centres on Bentley and Margot; childhood best friends who through circumstance lose contact with each other. This book was far more emotional than I was expecting (especially after the first book) and I loved that about it. Bentley and Margot both carry some deep routed emotional scars and RVD does a wonderful job of getting across the emotions and I really felt everything with them. I adored Bentley and he's one of these characters that just gets under your skin; the guy simply hiding behind the playboy facade to keep his feelings buried deep. Bentley and Margot had fabulous chemistry and the journey they go through together is lovely.

This was an emotional read but it was laced with great touches of humour throughout that just cuts through the drama and gives you a little light relief.

I really enjoyed this and I can't wait for Brant's book next!

I was provided with a copy of this book from the Publisher; there was no inducement or obligation.

The BFF to more is one of my favorite tropes, same with the hate to love and this is sort of a mash up of the two. I had read the first book in this series and the twins were one of my favorite parts, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on their stories.

I liked Margot and Brantley. They have have quite a history. There's a lot of backstory and a lot of hurt and it was in the background of every scene. I did enjoy the way they pushed each other's buttons, but wished there would have been some sweeter, more genuine moments.

The majority of the story is miscommunication and lies and that took away from my enjoyment. There would be conflict and resolution and just when it seemed things were fixed, there would be another huge fight. However, the last couple of chapters and epilogue were great.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and I'm definitely looking forward to Brant's book.

**Huge thanks to Forever and NetGalley for providing the arc free of charge**

Three cheers for Rachel Van Dyken's The Playboy Bachelor. I loved this surprise release from Rachel and could not put this book down, I seriously devoured it. The Playboy Bachelor is the second instalment in The Bachelors of Arizona series and it's time for Bentley to step up to the plate. If anyone is like me you totally fell in love with Bentley in book one of the series, well let me tell you after reading this book I'm even more head over heels in love with Bentley.
Bentley has been auctioned off to the highest bidder, only problem is the highest bidder happen to be his ex best friends grandmother. Margot and Bentley used to be best friend, until that one night that changed Margot's life forever. Margot had suffered a traumatic experience that had left her broken and a shell of her former self, now being forced to have her former friend stay with her thanks to her grandmother Margot's feelings from the past resurface. Bentley knows he screwed up with Margot, she doesn't trust him and wants nothing to do with him, if only he could tell her why he had to stay out of her life. The Playboy Bachelor has the perfect mix of romance, humour and scorching hot sexiness!! This is a must read for everyone!!

Book given in exchange of an honest review.

I loved the first book in the series and this one was no exception!

Now it's Bentley's turn to face the matchmakers and he is in for a wild and rough ride. The story begins where we left of in the first book, he has been bought and he is spending a weekend with this mysterious woman (for us till now) from his past.

Bentley surprised me, he seemed like such an idiot when we first met him,don't get me wrong he was funny but he treated women like they worthless toys and that didn't sit well with me.

In this book we meet his exception. Margot suffered a great loss and she hasn't been the same since, she has lost touch with the world and with herself, and it's his job to get her back.

The story was fun and I couldn't put the book down! They are perfect together, even when they fight you can see how much they know each other and how deeply they care about one another.

Their attraction hasn't changed even though they haven't been close for years. They fight every step of the way, but realising they are still those two kids who couldn't stay apart is their biggest challenge.

Bentley had far more issues than what he showed us at first, he is so scared of losing that he just took himself out of the game altogether. But if he wants the HEA he needs to fight for it, risking everything, because true love never comes easy, or so they say.

I love the fact that both Bentley and Margot were not perfect. She was flawed on the outside where as he was flawed on the inside. I wasn't sure that Bentley would ever get to the point were he would be able to be forgiven for how he treated Margot. He had a good excuse to begin with but as time went on that excuse didn't fly anymore. I liked the fact that when he finally decided to go for it with Margot he really tried. Margot opened up little by little and realized what she was missing in life. I was happy that she stood up for herself against Bentley. I even understand why she would lash out given her situation.
Rachel did another great job with this book.

This book was a perfect surprise! It was definitely not what I expected, but I love it when an author can surprise her readers! When Bentley Wellington was first introduced in the Bachelor Auction, the first book in the Bachelors of Arizona series, he was the hilarious and nosy brother, the devil-may-care playboy. And, of course, he is all that, but also so much more! And you can’t help but love him!

Bentley Wellington and Margot McCleery are the scions of prominent and wealthy families. They were best friends in high school, until a terrible accident changed everything. Margot lost her parents and was severely injured. And Bentley just walked out of her life, abandoning her when she most needed him. She thought she would never see him again, but that was without counting on the obstinacy of their matchmaking grandparents.

To please his grandfather, Bentley has accepted to allow women to bid on him in a bachelor auction set up to fund cancer research. Margot’s grandmother has won the auction, and her reluctant granddaughter will have the privilege of living with Bentley for a whole month!

Margot is lonely and hides herself from the world, she is a prisoner in her own house. She is a popular romance writer and her fictional characters are her life companions. She is broken by her feelings of guilt, her emotional and physical scars. I really felt for her. Even though Bentley has been coerced into reconnecting with her, he intends to make the best of it. Margot is abrasive, though, constantly challenging him and holding no punches. I enjoyed their interactions, their witty banter, the dynamics between them was so much fun! As it happens, Bentley has a big heart, but he manages to hide it and keeps his emotions at bay. He is totally flawed, obviously, but he cares deeply for Margot. I loved how these characters grew as the story unfolded, they truly are each other’s game changer.

Playboy Bachelor is a story of second chance, of growing beyond your past and allowing yourself to be loved. Bentley and Margot’s story was a little piece of reader’s heaven, heartwarming, uplifting and touching, but it’s no fairy tale. Rachel Van Dyken’s storytelling is brutally honest at times, but always with the right balance between emotions, angst and humor. This book is the second installment in the Bachelors of Arizona series, but both books are complete standalones. The next book will feature Brant, Bentley’s twin brother.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Fantastic book as always great characters and storyline. Loved Margot and how she overcame her fears with help from Bentley but in turn helped him also. The oldies are absolutely always up to something, between grandma nadine and the boys grandfather they bring a bit of humour into the mix and with Margots grandma they where like the 3 musketeers. Can't wait for the next book.

I can say without a doubt this has been my favorite book this month so far. I liked the first book in this series but this book, it captured me and held me by my soul. This is a standalone, but I think to get the full grasp of what is going on with these brothers and their kooky grandfather you should read this series in order.

Bentley is the fun playboy of a brother. He doesn't take life seriously. He just needs hot women and a party. When a reader really gets a look at what is beneath all of this they will not be able to help falling in love with this man. No joke. I can even tell you the moment I fell so hard, it's in my notes. As for Margot tragedy and self recrimination locked her away from the world and life. She refused to actually live. For 10 years she has been alone except for her grandmother. Now imagine being a self exiled recluse being forced to live in a house with your old best friend from way back when whom you used to be in love with. It is a mixture of pain and pleasure!

The emotion this book extracts from the reader only pulls them deeper into the story. It makes us feel the characters and their pain as well as their pleasure. This book in a word was simply Beautiful. It had so much sexual tension it could be cut with a knife. It was passionate. And it was healing. I absolutely LOVED it. I would very highly recommend this book.

I love going into a new novel blind and this surprise early release by Rachel Van Dyken certainly hit the mark in this second standalone book in The Bachelors of Arizona series.

Margot McCleery is furious when her grandmother informs her she's paid ten thousand dollars in an auction for a handsome date for her. The fact the man is millionaire playboy Bentley Wellington is even worse. Her grandmother has high expectations of romance, but Margot can't feel anything but contempt for the former best friend who abandoned her when she needed him the most.

With his arm twisted around his back by his grandfather, Bentley Wellington has little choice but to go along with the plan that has been hatched for him to prove his worth. If he is to take up the vacant VP of marketing position in the family business, he needs to clean up his tarnished 'man whore' reputation, to make the board of directors accept his grandfather's appointment proposal. Only he has to spend the weekend with his former best friend and he's not sure how he feels about that. He lost her and still misses her but can he make her like himself again?

I was instantly drawn into the narrative as we begin with a throwback to how the protagonists were before their mutual worlds fell apart. The writing is mostly light and humorous, yet times when you can't help but feel sorrow and pity Margot and Bentley; both have issues they need to share, but communication, especially among themselves means constant misunderstandings and presumptions. The supporting cast of characters adds hilarious banter as they plot and connive. Especially the elder folk.

4.5 stars because, a bit too much back and forth, going around in circles happened in what otherwise is a highly entertaining second chance romance novel. I wasn't familiar with this series when I began this book, so I'm looking forward to reading Brock's story whilst waiting for Brant's because Nadine Titus is a woman of intrigue I want to know more about her and her matchmaking ways.

Overall, it's my favourite Rachel Van Dyken novel I've read.

***arc generously received courtesy of Forever Publishing via NetGalley***

I love it when there is a lot of humor in a story. Though in this case Bentley uses his humor to deflect. With a playboy bachelor reputation, he plays into the image people have of him. Under the surface there is so much more going on. He’s the one who keeps the family together, craves the respect of his grandfather, and fears losing those who he loves most.

Now forced together with his ex-best friend, it would be so easy to fall back into old patterns. Except Margot sees through his facade. Having to face his issues, and possibly have his heart broken, again, might be more than he can handle. This whole deeper side of Bentley was a pleasant surprise.

Meanwhile Margot has become a recluse over the years. She never fully recovered of losing her parents, and at the same time losing her best friend. Hiding behind her books has suit her just fine so far. Though there is a difference between being alive, and living. Now that Bentley is back in her life, he gives her a taste of what true happiness feels like, all Margot now has to do is dare to jump.

The Playboy Bachelor was a fun, and fast read with enough surprises and twists to keep things interesting. Plenty of humor, and I love Bentley’s tenacity. The witty conversation was a welcome counteract towards the fighting. There were a lot of issues between Margot and Bentley that needed be resolved. Not an easy path to get there, but remember that truth, and love always prevail.

*I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

The Playboy Bachelor (The Bachelors of Arizona #2) by Rachel Van Dyken is a contemporary second chance romance that can be read as a stand alone. This story begins by reflecting back on a moment two best friends share during high school which is followed by a life altering event for them both. Fast forward to present day. Bentley Wellington was auctioned off at a charity event to Nadine Titus, Margo's grandmother, who in turn conspires with Bentley's grandfather to right past wrongs and bring two best friends back together. I felt for these two characters. Anyone dealing with anxiety can appreciate the author's efforts to bring awareness to each of their heartfelt struggles that seemed to incapacitate them at times. The story illustrates the depth of feelings Margo and Brantley have for one another, even with all the past hurt and anger that they have to wade through to become what they need to be for themselves and each other. With all his faults, I found Bentley to be endearing and Margo to be stronger than she gave herself credit for. This is an entertaining yet well thought out story that connects to common social issues.

Different is good. I never want to read the same book, over and over again. This book dealt with serious issues, and handled them in a beautiful way, while also making me laugh. I am enjoying this series, and loving how it ties in with a character from another series, who we all know and love. I loved this couple, and I cannot wait for Brant's book!

it was amazing

As usual Rachel doesn't disappoint in the Bachelor Playboy!
How do you tame a beast, you get him auctioned off. And keep the who won you a secret..Then to add salt to the wound you black mail your Grandson into holding up his end of the bargain. This is series is just amazing

I really enjoyed the latest novel from Rachel Van Dyken! It's got all the angst I look for in a romance as well as a lot of humor and fun all around. One of the main things that attracted me to the story line is how explosive these characters are. And when I say this, I mean it in every way possible. The good. The bad. And the downright ugly! YIKES! I didn't know whether to laugh, cringe, or throw my kindle across the room! LOL. But, it's safe to say that if the author can bring about all of these emotions in me then it's a pretty darn good book.

Overall, fans of the author and those who enjoy second chance romances with a bit of a twist will enjoy this one. I certainly did and would very much recommend it to fellow readers. Also, I am glad this book was a "surprise release" because this surprise really got me hooked AND happy

She's no Sleeping Beauty. And he's definitely no prince . . . Margot McCleery could have lived her whole life without seeing Bentley Wellington again-her ex-best friend and the poster boy for Hot, Rich Man-Whores everywhere. But Margot's whiskey-augmented grandmother "buys" Bentley at a charity bachelor auction, and now suddenly he's at her door. Impossibly charming. Impossibly sexy. And still a complete and utter jackass. Bentley's just been coerced by his grandfather to spend the next thirty days charming and romancing the reclusive red-haired beauty who hates him. The woman he abandoned when she needed him the most. Bentley knows just as much about romance as he knows about love-nothing. But the more time he spends with Margot, the more he realizes that "just friends" will never be enough. Now all he has to do is convince her to trust him with her heart . . .

The Playboy Bachelor by Rachel Van Dyken is book two in her Bachelors of Arizona series. Starring Bentley Wellington, well-known playboy, who has just been auctioned off for ten-thousand dollars for charity to see his ex-best friend, Margot McCleery, whom he abandoned when she needed him most. To make things more interesting, Bentley's grandfather coerces him to to spend thirty days charming and romancing the reclusive-Margot and soon things get interesting, as well as, complicated.

With secrets, unshared feelings, and personal demons still haunting them from their pasts, Bentley and Margot have their work cut out for them before they find their happily ever after. It takes a while for each of them to draw each other out of shells and the walls that they have erected, and while I always think that the guys in these stories need to provide more grovelling than they actually do, I suppose we do have to actually move a story along, and that does help to reveal that Bentley has issues of his own, that may have just been hidden under his playboy, tough guy, facade. Another character that stood out for me is Brant and I can't wait to read his book.

Except for Margot and Bentley's propensity to self-sabotage their budding relationship by not communicating (which was frustrating for me at times while reading), this was a pretty good novel.

Overall, The Playboy Bachelor by Rachel Van Dyken is a second-chance romance where Ms. Van Dyken has a flair for giving us characters who we alternately want to strangle and love, and Margot and Bentley fit that part to a "T". I recommend.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review.)

What’s it About? The Playboy Bachelor is a second chance romance between Bentley Wellington and Margot McCleery. Basically a life altering accident lead the former best friends to become enemies and when the story begins they haven’t seen each other in ten years. Margot’s grandmother wins Bentley in a charity auction and sends him to Margot hoping that the two can patch things up and help each other heal. What ends up happening is Bentley and Margot spend a lot of time fighting and then trying to untangle the web of miscommunications, misunderstandings, and assumptions.




Overall reaction to the story? What I thought was going to be a straight up second chance/enemies to lovers romance was actually a complex story about two very broken people who started off as insecure friends and grew into insecure adults who needed to work out their past. New-to-me author Rachel van Dyken created an emotionally challenging and complex story that held me captive from start to finish. I loved the less-than-perfect characters, and the fact that Margot wasn’t physically flawless. The Playboy Bachelor wasn’t without its lighter moments though; there was plenty of heat and humor between Bentley and Margot that balanced out the heavier issues they had to deal with.


Describe the hero in five words: Stubborn. Anxious. Caring. Angry. Intelligent.

Did you like him? Surprisingly yes.

Why? Bentley wasn’t a bad guy, he was a little immature but what mainly motivated his behavior was severe guilt. A bad guy wouldn’t feel guilty but Bentley was living with loads of it all while trying to keep his family together. He had two sides to him, the fake Bentley and the real Bentley. The real Bentley naturally was going to win me over because he was vulnerable, afraid, and not at all like the cocky jerk the world thought he was. He was funny too. It took awhile for that side to come out but when he was the real deal, he was totally irresistible. Who wants a statue for a hero in a book anyway? I loved the real fear and anxiety he had when it came to Margot. He was just as much a mystery as she was.



Describe the heroine in five words: Stubborn. Afraid. Traumatized. Intelligent. Selfish.

Did you like her? Sometimes.

Why? Margot had zero faith in people after her accident and I could see why. Like Bentley, she was suffering from some severe guilt but unlike Bentley, she didn’t have a support system to lean on (Not that Bentley ever did lean on anyone). I understood Margot on a basic level with how insecure she felt about what had happened to her, and I understood how little she trusted people, especially Bentley. However, there were times she was mean to Bentley just for the sake of being mean. She didn’t exactly think before she spoke and while Bentley would lash out at her too he did try to change whereas Margot stayed stuck in the same place until closer to the end. She was only focused on her pain instead of trying to see how he suffered in the past ten years. Margot stubbornly hung on to her assumptions instead of really trying to find out the truth. Of the two characters, Bentley had the most growth and his turnaround time was much more believable than Margot’s almost abrupt about-face.



Let’s talk about the romance: The heat department is the one place Bentley and Margot didn’t need help in. Their chemistry was always there but they were both afraid to really go for it. As much as these two fought, they also cared deeply for one another and I loved how their relationship wasn’t easy to repair. It had realistic ups and downs that could have broken them completely but it didn’t. To me the romance felt pretty real and took a realistic amount of time to develop from a foundation of a broken friendship. It was all pretty emotional and worth the time.


How about that supporting cast? Bentley and Margot spent most of their time alone which was really for the best since they were forced to deal with the past but Bentley’s equally tortured twin Brant made an appearance. Now I’d love to know what’s going on with him because he’s fast on his way to ruining his life and there were only hints of what may have happened with him.


Click It or Skip It? Click It. The Playboy Bachelor is one heck of an emotional war but it’s also a terribly romantic story about forgiveness and second chances.