If you haven't read the first book in the Desire Bay series, catch up before you read this one. It's not necessary because it can be read standalone but it would be a fun treat going into Playing With Danger. The first book was good but this one was fantastic. Not only did the temperature rise at times and I had to check a few times to see if my Kindle was smoking, it was fun and engaging and I really didn't want to put it down. It had everything that you could've asked for to make everything feel so good reading a contemporary fiction romance. So, let's chat about the book.

Hannah Hastings is a very likable character. To an extent your heart goes about to her when you get to know her and understand why he makes the choices she does. She's sassy, independent and strong but like I mentioned before she's had it tough. A mother who left her and an alcoholic father isn't exactly the picture perfect family but she overcame and that made her a more determined person. Her father was the type of mean drunk who never was the father figure but rather the one who made bad decisions and found himself in situations where the kid should've had to bail him out. Only around when he wanted something, she never had someone in her life give or show her the love and affection that she deserved until she met Grant.

Who's Grant you ask? Well, he can call me anytime! Talk about a crazy decision on a whim. Hannah met him on a cruise. There's something about a cruise that does this sort of now or never, shed your inhibitions because they decided to get married. Yes, married! Didn't have a clue about each other but felt what was right and went for it. I think partly she craved for someone to make her feel loved but for him it was about feeling for the first time someone want him for only him and not anything. Their backstory is told from a dual pov past/present explanation but the point is that after this huge decision, she decided to be a runaway bride. What makes this interesting is that Grant has a secret that he didn't share until later which I believe would've be a game changer but after a couple of weeks, she succumbed to her insecurities to bolt. Two people coming from two different places, she is convinced that it won't work out.

The problem is, Grant saw something in her that was worth fighting for despite even though she had no hope. I think much of this had to due with the crappy lifestyle she had with her father not appreciating her affecting her self worth but Grant doesn't give up that easy. Determined to find her, will he be able to convince her that even though they don't know each other that well, is fate and destiny on their side? Can he convince Hannah to stay married or when she left, that meant they were really over? You'll have to read on to find out!

I'm overly critical about the second book in a series because I want to feel like I want to keep reading. I can't say nothing bad about this book because I thought not only was it great but I thought it was better than the first. It had the right vibe and the length was perfect. The characters were engaging and it just felt right reading. Joya knows how to make you feel good and fall in love with her books. This was the perfect read to get all cozied up with. Without a doubt, add this fun one to your TBR!

I received this book free from Netgalley. I read it in one night as I enjoyed it that much. The only thing that I didn't like (besides my lack of sleep the next day) as well was the husband coming across as so "knowing" about his wife when they had really only known each other for two weeks. Otherwise, it was a fun read. I will definitely check out more by this author. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!

Hannah married Grant after knowing him for only two weeks when she went on a cruise. She ran off right when they docked at the port and now six months later Grant has come to claim his wife. Hannah acts like she doesn't want Grant, but in the end true love prevails.

This was a great read. I loved the connection that Grant and Hannah had, They were intense and full of sexual desire.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this story!!

What happens when you meet someone on a cruise ship and have such an amazing connection with them that you decide on a whim to marry them before you leave the ship? What happens once the ship docks and you realize you live in two different states and have very different lives?

This is exactly what happens to Hannah and Grant. Grant comes looking for Hannah and is desperate to convince her to give what they had a shot in real life. Hannah on the other hand wants nothing to do with her marriage to Grant, convinced that it will never work. Grant's determined though and won't give up.

An amazing, unique story!

a truly good romance. I enjoyed it from start to finish. The romance was good as was the characters.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
Steamy hot romance. Loved it! Pure escapism.

I loved this book! Joya writes a great story, but I think this one tops them all. It's the book that has it all.

What happens when two people from opposite ends of the earth meet, fall in love and take the biggest leap of their lives? Then to have one of them disappear. The book takes us back and forth between the past time they spend together and the present. Grant has found Hannah, who is living in a tiny coastal town in Oregon and serving brews saving her money so she can buy the bar. When she left Grant after the cruise was over and he didn't come look for her, she mentally ticked it off, but her heart didn't. Grant had a reason why he didn't and couldn't look for her right away. Now that he's found her, he has no intention of letting her go.

Hannah grew up in this little town, her Dad is a drunk, the mom left when Hannah was small and this has been her life. Grant's has been very different, sole heir to an billion dollar empire, trying to run his Father's company and still grieving that loss. His father was everything hers isn't. So we walk back through the past with them and the adventures they had on the cruise, how they embraced each other for who they were and nothing more and damn what a great story. I loved how Grant wouldn't give up on Hannah, how he meshed in so well with her friends in their small town and even when he messed up in a royal way, second only to her complete mind meld it just made for a perfect read.

Joya, you done great girl!! This book is fantastic and I loved it!!
5 Flaming stars from me

This is my first novel by this author and I believe it might be my last. I did not get a chance to finish this novel. Based on the description, I was intrigued to say the least. But upon reading the novel (which I never finished) I didn't feel like the characters were mature enough and that the writing style was kind of all over the place and not very organized or well-written. I don't think I will be recommending this novel or author.

It was fun to read Playing with Danger, as the follow-up to Playing with Trouble. Readers are reintroduced to Hannah, who we met briefly in the earlier book. However, this time Hannah and her husband Grant get their own story. Hannah and Grant have a lot of chemistry, but it scares Hannah to death! The story takes us along as Hannah and Grant meet again, six months after their whirlwind romance and wedding at sea. It was a fun ride!

This book has a storyline that is very predictable, which I found disappointing. It is not really my type of book as it has too much sexual content which I felt was unrealistic and not necessary. Grant the man with the businesses and money whom did not want Hannah, the financially poor but feisty young woman, to know his real situation came over as rather inadequate. Sorry but not the book for me.

Hannah and Grant had a whirlwind affair on a two week cruise that led to their spontaneous exchanging or I do's. Problem is Hannah bails once the ship docks and due to a family emergency Grant isn't able to go immediately after her. 6 months later he tracks her down all the way across the country running a bar.

Hannah wants to buy the bar she works at and needs the accomplishment to make up for the crap of her life. When her secret husband shows up Hannah thinks a quick annulment will fix their predicament but soon learns her hubby has come to make her his bride.

Grant was a sweetheart and Hannah was putty in his hands she just wouldn't allow herself close enough to allow his hands on her.....well until she did.

Grant wants Hannah to go back to NY with him and Hannah is adamant her life is tight where she is at.. her hometown. 2 weeks to convince her Grant inserts himself into her community and friends and might just like the place.

Big business but even bigger family troubles have Grant trying to convince Hannah they are meant to be. Dealing with a conniving mother and her threats to his company are distracting from his plan. Hannah has her own issues with family to deal with but even bigger issues with trust. Can she put any faith into Grant's sudden appearance and declaration of love or is he scamming her.

Grant and Hannah had a great story. They were funny, sexy and hilarious.

Loved this book! The characters are adorable and quirky and made me fall in love with them, from the secretive, but oh so sexy Grant, to the sassy Hannah that married him on a whim. All they knew was that they loved each other, but didn't even know basic facts about each other. At the end of their magical cruise and wedding, Hannah escaped back home and Grant returned to the other side of the country where his world disintegrated. It took six months before he could search for her, but once he found her, he was determined to make her give them a chance at a real marriage.

This is a fun romance with a bit of naughtiness that fans of the genre will love. While this is the first book I've read by this author, it won't be the last as I've added her to my must read authors' list.

I loved it. It was a sweet, and I loved Grant. He was so adorable and very alpha.

Small town people are suppose to have each others back. So when Grant starts to befriend several towns people and getting them to side with him on his get Hannah back scheme, it leaves Hannah not knowing what to do. Sure the chemistry is still there, but is it enough to make him stay. Whereas Grant is hoping that their chemistry is enough for Hannah to decide to follow him to New York. Playing with Danger was fun reading, and seeing who wins in the end.