This is the first time I have read a Amy Andrews book. I enjoyed this book.
I liked that Eleanor was obsessed with all thing Victorian and wanted to meet her own Mr. Darcy. Wallflowers like to red about other wallflowers. I could feel her awkwardness and doubt in all situations.
Brodie was a typical guy at the start but his kindness redeemed him I’m my eyes. He fell in love with her before he discovered who she really was. He was willing to take a hit from her brother to be with her.
I enjoyed this story and it made me feel a lot of emotions. I recommend it.

I received an ARC from Netgalley.

Eleanor is ready to finally throw in her V-Card, but having sex with Bodie -- her brother's best friend -- is more than she bargained for, especially when she discovers she's pregnant soon after their one-night together. Bodie is determined to make things work between them by asking her to move in with him. But as they start to get to know each other, will Bodie be able to prove that he wants to make their relationship permanent or will Eleanor walk away to protect herself from getting hurt?

If you've never read any books by Ms. Andrews, I definitely suggest starting with the first book of this series. Really, each book is such a wonderful read and the heroes of the Sydney Smoke Rugby team are endearing and so fantastic that I can't get enough of them. However, with this story containing the brother's best friend trope -- one of the best tropes in my opinion -- I was so looking forward to reading it, and I've got to say that Ms. Andrews does not disappoint.

The way this story started sets the fast-pace of the story and I enjoyed the moment the hero and heroine met for the first time, as the heroine is shy and innocent and meeting Bodie is quite an experience since he's everything she's not in the way he's confident and not afraid to get amongst people and mingle. Furthermore, both the main characters are compelling and I loved the interactions between them, as Eleanor can be herself when she's with Bodie and not feel like her quirkiness is boring to him like it seems to be to others such as her family. I also liked the heroine's resilience in regards to everything she goes through, which isn't easy and brought tears to my eyes in the moment when this couple's relationship goes awry before they find their way back together.

While the hero, he's confident, can be very persuasive when he needs to be, and I liked how determined he was to prove to Eleanor that he can be everything she needs. I also liked how he fought for their relationship when it came to her brother who happens to be his best friend. Things get very tense between them, which is understandable, but I liked that Bodie wasn't about to give up Eleanor because his best friend believes his sister should be off limits to the hero.

Overall, Ms. Andrews has delivered a wonderful read in this book which provided a rollercoaster ride of emotions that I could feel along with the characters; and where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance full of heat and passion; and the ending had me loving what Bodie does to win back the heroine and show her that he understands her almost better than anyone. I would recommend Playing House by Amy Andrews, if you enjoy the brother's best friend trope or books by authors Naima Simone, Jami Davenport, Marquita Valentine and Sarina Bowen.

For me this was the first book by this author, I struggled at some points but overall I really enjoyed this book. I did not read the other books from this series prior to reading this one. I am planning going starting in book 1!
I received a ARC of this book via Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

So far, I've enjoyed most of my forays into this series, and this should have been one that I would enjoy as well, but it actually fell a bit flat for me. Thankfully, it was a shorter read, but I was rather disappointed in it.

I loved how quirky Eleanor was, especially with turning that interest and "quirk" into a profitable business. I thought she was a bit rushed in trying to lose her virginity, but I thought it was plausible. However, I agree with other reviewers that her relationship with Ryder seemed non-existent, and there only to make the book fit into certain tropes.

Bodie was a bit harder for me to connect with, because we're given so very little about him. What we are given doesn't make much sense, because it doesn't go into much detail about the situations. I really felt that the book could be expanded here, to give Bodie more depth. However, I really loved his grand gesture at the end of the book!

Parts of their relationship made no sense to me. It seemed to be based on deception and secrecy, which is not a good foundation for any relationship. It moved too quickly for my tastes, even tiwht the little surprise that they had. Speaking of which, the surprise situation was not well explained at all! There really needed to be a discussion about the how of it between Bodie and Eleanor. The tragedy that befell them as a couple seemed to be rather brushed aside as well, making it less believable to me. It really touched a nerve, seeing as how I have been in a similar situation.

All things considered, while it is a shorter addition to the series, it is a decent enough entry as long as you can overlook certain things with it.

What kind of sister spends only two pages talking to her brother? Eleanor that's who. The story begins at her brother's engagement party and she never goes to talk to him. Later she only talks to him to convince him that been with Bodie is a good idea. They were related just to fit in the "in love with brother's best friend" genre. Bodie spends more time with Ryder than she does and I found that annoying. Eleanor is not even mentioned by name in Ryder's book and now she get's her own? I would have liked it more if she wasn't related to someone we already knew. For me, the author failed to establish a relationship between the two siblings and it was something that bothered me from the very first page of this book.

The second thing that annoyed me was the lack of reaction after the most tragic event in the lives of the main characters. It's barely discussed and I feel like it was only meant to serve as a way to separate the main characters instead of actually meaning something. Don't write something as major as this and then dedicate only one page to the aftermaths. I would have expected something more tragic.

These are the reasons I gave the book 2 stars. My initial rating was 3 stars because of the way the tragic event had almost no effect to the characters (heck, I don't even think Ryder was told about it), but I changed it to 2 because I hadn't realized at the time how much the lack of communication between the siblings had bothered me.

To be fair though, the book had some good parts. Brodie was a good hero and he was kind. I liked Eleanor's Victorian clothing and her occasional way of speaking. I didn't get the impression that the others found her weird, but I was glad to see that Brodie was so into her with when she was wearing Victorian clothing. I liked how they were playing house and their relationship.

Playing House started out strong--I loved when Eleanor's vajayjay started talking to her ("Twenty-six years of silence and it chose tonight to go rogue?"--LOL) and her geeky historical romance-loving heart spoke to me from the first page.

But...

It soon seemed like her newly-awakened body parts were doing more thinking for Eleanor than her actual brain was. She was distracted not once, but twice from telling Brodie some very important news that he really, really needed to know ASAP by that body part's "needs." Brodie would have been totally within his rights to be upset by this, but fortunately for her, he took it in stride. Actually, he took pretty much all of the craziness in this book (far and large said craziness was caused by Eleanor) unbelievably calmly, proving time and time again what a stand up guy he was. Eleanor, by contrast, veered wildly between listening to her newly-vagazzled you-know-what and her Victorian-era "romantic sensibilities" about what her relationship with Brodie should be like instead of, oh, I don't know...talking to him, occasionally?

Though there were bits I liked here--the beginning and end especially had some cute, entertaining moments--in the whole I didn't find this one as strong a read as the first three books in the series. (I somehow missed Eleanor's brother/Brodie's BFF's book, Playing With Forever ). Hopefully this is just a one-off, because I usually really enjoy Ms. Andrews' writing.

Rating: 2 1/2 stars / C

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Amy Andrews is with newest Sydney Smoke story and of you thought these couldn’t get any hotter, them think again. The heat, heart and emotions are all turned up to ten with this book and it’s soo good.

What do you get when you pair a quirky heroine with a burned burned by love hero? Amazing chemistry, more than a few chuckles and maybe a tear or two thrown in for good measure.

I will admit to never expecting to see the side of Bodie that comes out when lighting strikes in the form of his team mates sister Eleanor. But as soon as it does I fell even harder for the big guy.

A lot happens in this book that will have you glued to pages till you finish with a happy sigh.

Thank you Amy Andrews for another bloody ripper of a book.

I love Eleonor story, the wildflower on the wall. The virgin at 27!
I enjoy this book and recommend it.

Sexy Read 3.5*
Eleanor is a 26 year old virgin, who loves Regency novels by Austen and Heyer and is an expert on Victorian clothing. Living on a cattle station she doesn’t exactly get to meet any eligible men, and anyway small talk is not exactly her forte. However, that all changes the night of her brother’s engagement party, when Bodie Webb spots her. Likeable characters, with some humorous lines that had me chuckling. Shame about the amount of bad language which detracted from the story for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

This is the fifth story in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series by this talented author. When one of the team players returns home to celebrate his engagement, his younger sister Eleanor is surprised when one of his team mates comes over to talk to her. The attraction is mutual - and highly unusual for the usually staid Eleanor. Eleanor is the quiet one in the family, the one who is enthralled by everything Victorian, from stories to clothing and even etiquette. She's always said she would save her virginity for the man she'd marry but she can't resist the opportunity to lose it with Bodie - though he doesn't know her brother is his team mate! In fact he would never have broken the bro code if he'd known - or would he?

This is a quick but very hot and steamy read. Forget the locker room, there's enough steam whenever these two get together for other folks to wonder if something is on fire! The two may well be opposites in many ways but the development of their relationship is well portrayed and there are plenty of obstacles in the path of their true love to keep the reader enthralled and turning those pages! With a virtuous wallflower and a rugby playing manwhore, the broken bro code and some unexpected new expectations, this is a lovely addition to this hot series.

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Is there anything sexier than a hot, huge, rugby player being all sweet and cuddly? Well, Playing House will give you the opportunity to see for yourself, and it’s not one you should pass up.

I’ve loved this group of boisterous, rough, sexy beasts of the Sydney Smoke team since the very beginning. Each time one of these guys falls, they do it big and they do it in style: fucking up royally and then having to fight for their girl with all their might.

Eleanor is Ryder’s baby sister (from Playing With Forever, the previous installment) and she is an eensy bit socially awkward. She’d as soon melt into the potted plant next to her than go mingle at his brother’s engagement party. Everything changes when Bodie aka her big brother’s best friend, unknowingly starts to flirt with her. Their chemistry and attraction are off the charts and things soon get out of control… and they end up sharing the hottest night ever.

Imagine Bodie’s surprise when he wakes up to a note and the realization that not only did he just pop his best friend’s baby sister’s cherry but he had the best time while doing it. Unable to stop thinking about her, but totally forbidden by the bro-code to pursue her, he just goes back home. Incredibly, it wasn’t just the absolute best memories that resulted from their encounter. Two months later they find themselves in a situation neither anticipated.

I totally adored Eleanor, she was definitely quirky and funny in her own way. I loved how creative she could be, how she was passionate about anything to do with the 1800’s as well as being a romantic through and through.

Bodie was the absolute best. He was the sweetest, most tender guy ever. And at the same time, he was a sexy, alpha decisive piece of muscly man hunk. The way he was with Eleanor from the very beginning turned me into a puddle of goo.

I really enjoyed Playing House, though it broke my heart (and while I don’t want to spoil the story this might be a trigger for some so I’m warning about it (view spoiler) but it also had me smiling like a loon. There’s romance, sexy times a-plenty, Pride-and-Prejudice-isms for every Austen fan, and some mild angst. I can’t wait to see who comes next, though I wouldn’t mind an epilogue in the next one… yeah?

Eleanor hadn’t planned to lose her virginity at her brother’s engagement party, certainly not to his rugby superstar best friend Bodie and definitely not end up pregnant after the one and only night of debauchery she willing dived into. But she did and it’s happening.

Bodie didnt know Eleanor was Nell, his mates little sister but even after finding out the truth, he still can’t deny he wants Eleanor in his life. The surprise of her pregnancy fills him with purpose and gives him a perfect and legitimate reason to keep Eleanor closer to him than ever.

I loved Eleanor! I loved her eccentric fashion style and her sweet shyness. I loved that she was a true romantic and an old soul at heart. She prefers lace corsets and ruffled pantaloons like most girls prefer Victoria's Secret and high heels. Even being an introvert didnt stop her love of all things Victorian from spilling out into her real life and she never hid that part of her self. She loved it and she let everyone know it.

The fact the Bodie sees all this and falls instantly in love with her made him perfect for her and another amazing book boyfriend for me! Bodie was not your cliched jock. He was so honest and 100% upfront about his intentions and he was amazing with Eleanor right from the get-go that it was a down hill slide into loving his character. I loved how supportive he was and that he could so easily make Eleanor laugh, blush and uninhibited in a matter of seconds.

Would I recommend?
I loved reading Playing House and would definitely recommend. Its not without some drama and some intense emotional upheaval ...(hearts will be pretty bruised at one point) before it delivers a HEA, but it also has humor and tender moments that will have you falling in love with Eleanor and Bodie’s love story.

Memorable Moments:
I loved when Eleanor called out her brother when he objects to her and Bodie being together.

“So if he’s a great bloke, if he’s the best, and he’s good enough to be your best friend, why is it so shocking that I’d like him, that I’d want to be with him?” ~ Eleanor

Bodie’s singular appreciation for pantaloons :)

“Wear those pantaloons.”
Her inner thighs quivered in an entirely different kind of jittery. “I’ll be the girl in the foyer with the pantaloons.
“And I’ll be the guy with the massive erection.”

And last but not least, the whole Vagazzling bit! And yes, I had to google this. It’s crazy!

3.5 - "Never underestimate your vagina!" Stars!

Playing House, gives us the fifth book in Amy Andrews enjoyable Sydney Smoke Rugby series. Bodie Webb is next up to get the girl, and I have to say I quite liked the way he went about it!

"There are two things I do really well… One is tackle, the second is giving head. Trust me, you don’t want to be on the receiving end of the first, but you do want to be on the receiving end of the second…"

This was a very quick read, I went in without even reading the blurb, Amy generally delivers for me, and this series has been particularly successful in that regard. The sexy times are plentiful and pretty much get going from the off, and I liked this couple in a general sense, but what I found a little lacking was the actual connection between them.

She was a nineteenth-century wallflower trapped in the age of Tinder. No wonder she was still a virgin…

The above, pretty much told me everything I needed to know in the way the story as going to progress, and I was almost spot on in its predictability, the only surprise was how the author chose to introduce the conflict between the couple in the latter stages. That certainly pulled a little emotion from everyone concerned, even this heard hearted reader!

"It seems like getting you off with all my clothes on is going to be our thing."

No my favourite of the series, but I still pretty much read it in one sitting, and it was great to see how the rest of the Smoke family are getting on as Bodie and Eleanor’s story played out. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Andrews has in store for whatever player is up next.

"My place is here with you."

Steamy and adorable! When the player isn't so much of a player anymore, watching him find "the one" is super fun to see ... and with his rep, she's not buying it for a minute, and he's going to have to earn each and every thing she gives him! Watching the mighty fall under the spell of a prim and proper bombshell is music to my eyes! They're adorable together, spicy as all get out, and just a joy to watch get their happily ever after!

Wallflower Eleanor decides to take advantage of the fact that she somehow caught sexy Bodie Webb's attention at a party. She's had it with living the life of a spinster, and she's going to live it up for once in her life!

Bodie is under her spell and loves it! But when he realizes he's just slept with his best friends little sister, he knows heads are going to roll. But man ... he really digs her! He's in for the shock of his life a couple of months later ... but he hopes he can convince her how much she's been on his mind while they've been apart ... and how much he wants her and only her!

I have enjoyed every book in the Sydney Smoke series but Eleanor and Bodie are by far my favorite!! Each of these books read as standalones but this series gets better with every book.

Eleanor is obsessed with all things Victorian and is more comfortable blending into the background than being the center of attention like her brother, Ryder. Bodie is a trust fund baby and talented rugby player who was burned by his ex-girlfriend. When Bodie sees Eleanor across the room at Ryder's engagement party, he's captivated immediately. Eleanor throws caution to the wind and decides to take Bodie home but without sharing her virgin status or who she is to Ryder. After their night together leads to a big surprise, they have to navigate family drama and getting to know one another.

I loved Bodie and Eleanor so much!! They brought out the best in each other and when they messed up, they tried to make up for it. I laughed so much and, surprisingly, cried more than once. I wasn't expecting the amount of angst in this book but it made me feel so much more connected to these characters than any of the books before it. I love this series and I can't wait to see what comes next.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

This book is loaded with cursing and sex – if those things will cause you to leave a bad review, this is not the book for you. Although it is part of a larger series, this book totally stands alone, you do not have to read the others to enjoy this one.

Along with being ridiculously steamy and sexy, this story was also surprisingly sweet and incredibly emotional. I don't know why I'm always surprised by how sweet and relatable the Sydney Smoke men are, but Ms. Andrews always seems to make them so swoon-worthy. Brodie's attraction to the unusual Eleanor was so incredibly adorable. I absolutely loved that Bodie embraced her eccentricities and never tried to change her to be “normal”, he adored her for the way that she was from the first moment he saw her. The Twist made me cry like a baby, but I loved how Bodie felt about it and the Grand Gesture was everything I wanted.

I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn't quite fit into the mold of the “perfect girls” that seem to dominate the genre right now, or to anyone who just loves a good – and incredibly sexy – love story.

Eleanor Davis is a twenty six year old virgin. And guess what? She doesn’t want to be. She may love the Victorian era and adores making historically accurate clothing for commission, but she’s tired of waiting for the one. The man who is going to sweep her off her feet in his frock coat and Darcy-isms. The man who does not exist in Bungindally, her small town in the Australian countryside. Then she meets Bodie Webb during her brother’s engagement party, and she decides that he’s the one to help her out. At least with her virginity. And then, a couple of months later, well, if you’ve read any romance novels, you know the complication that comes into play. That one night stand turns into more. And yes, romance happens.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between

The Good.
So, so charming. From the first meet to the final scene, I was charmed by both Eleanor and Bodie. The tone of the story was a lovely blend of Victorian aesthetic with a modern day twist. The sex is great and I think it has alot to do with Eleanor’s choice of lingerie, her prim and proper being turned inside out by Bodie’s dirty talk, but it never loses that sweet undertone that really makes their love scenes pop. Finally, the emotional component is strong. Late in the book there are some truly heartbreaking moments that give that bitter tinge that makes the sweet real and eventually that HEA completely believable.

The Bad(ish).
I wish there had been a little less obfuscation and some outright lying that Eleanor does to make that first encounter happen. If the genders were reversed, it would have been completely unacceptable and Bodie would have been on my shyte list, for sure. The ending was abrupt, even if it is completely in keeping with the rest of the story for this couple. I wanted a wee bit more and it just cuts off.

Everything in Between.
It’s the fifth in the series, but it does work as a standalone. I’d read the second book in the series, but didn’t realize that I’d miss a couple of books already, but Eleanor and Bodie’s love story doesn’t really rely on knowing the other couples. This wasn’t bad or good, but the sports aspect is minimal. It’s part of Bodie’s life, but it does not factor into the story very much.


The Bottom Line 4 stars
I really enjoyed this entry in the Sydney Smoke series. Bodie and Eleanor’s romance just charmed me from the very beginning and I do not hesitate to recommend it.


**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**

4.5 Stars
I'm a big fan of this series and I loved this addition. Bodie and Eleanor were just so endearing and so perfect for one another. What made this book so good for me is the way Bodie accepts Eleanor for who she is. She's a little quirky, but that's why I loved her character so much. You have to look no further for top notch book boyfriend material then Bodie. Through the whole book and especially at the he will have you swooning. There is one part that just broke my heart and had the tears flowing. This book definitely has the fun and light hearted vibe, but there are also the heart clenching moments. Over all a definitely a must read.

Let me just start by saying how much I absolutely adored PLAYING HOUSE. This book pulled me in from the very start and I devoured it in just a few hours. 'Brother's Best Friend' is one of my favorite romance tropes and I feel like it was handled so well. Just the right amount of family drama but not enough to detract from the blossoming relationship between Eleanor and Bodie.

What starts as a passionate one-night stand progresses in a really natural way, despite some unusual circumstances, into more than just lust. I loved how easily Bodie and Eleanor could tease and laugh together both inside and outside of the bedroom. Those gentler, sweeter moments enrich the story just as much as the hot, steamy sex scenes. And trust me, things get pretty scorching when these two get in a room together.

My favorite part of the whole novel was how wonderfully it married together Victorian sensibilities with the struggles of modern dating. Eleanor is an Austen-loving romantic who always held onto the hope that her Mr. Darcy would one day come along. She lives and breathes Victorian fashion, running her own online business and creating replicas of nineteenth century garments. She's an old soul at heart, and has always been made to feel like the socially awkward girl who doesn't quite belong in her time. Being a big fan of historical romances and Austen, I really felt a kinship with Eleanor. It's hard sometimes to reconcile your love of romance and old fashioned courtship with the realities of modern dating. “She was a nineteenth-century wallflower trapped in the age of Tinder”. Boy, do I feel you on that one, Eleanor.

Bodie, despite being a professional rugby player who can get any girl he wants, really embraces those parts of Eleanor's personality, and her curvy body, which have always made her feel out of place. He wants her – no one else. And words can't describe how incredibly adorable and sexy it is that he discovers a proclivity for Victorian ruffled undergarments when most guys would prefer skimpy lace thongs. In a world that's always told Eleanor she's quirky and weird for her old fashioned sensibilities and her romanticism, Bodie appreciates how special those things really are and dives in head first.

I could go on and on about how supportive and sweet Bodie is and how sexy I find his dirty mouth but I'd rather leave that up to you to discover for yourself. Suffice it to say, I really fell for both Eleanor and Bodie and would love to read more in this series!

If you love a shy, curvy, wallflower heroine and a brawny hero who embraces all the quirky, romantic, old-fashioned parts of her, this is one you can't miss! It's the perfect blend of historical and contemporary romance – for the reader who has always felt a bit like they were born in the wrong century. I'm all for finding my Mr. Darcy...but I wouldn't mind at all if he were a bit more like Bodie.

Disclosure: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.

A shy, quirky heroine who prefers books to parties. A sexy-as-hell hero with a sweet side. A scorching one night stand that becomes so much more. Put those three ingredients together and you’ve got a recipe for a highly entertaining romance. And when you add in Amy Andrews’s fast-paced style and signature humor then it’s clear to see why I couldn’t resist Playing House.

Eleanor is such a fun heroine. She grew up on a steady diet of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and is in love with the fashion, manners, and romantic ideals of the nineteenth century. She’s also turned her love of Victorian fashion into a profitable business, which I found to be a delight to read about. Eleanor feels like the ugly duckling of her family, but she’s so much more than the kooky wallflower she sees herself as. Bodie is immediately captivated by Eleanor and I loved that he wasn’t just taken with her looks, but showed interest in what she was passionate about. Bodie grew up with a shark of a father and between that and his cheating ex-fiancée, he’s wary of falling for someone who will turn out to simply want him for his trust fund or his status a rugby star. Eleanor is a breath of fresh air to him in many ways and it’s clear from the outset that one night with her will never be enough. I could melt with how sweet Bodie could be. He may have wealth, privilege, and good looks, but he has worked hard to become successful and he’s got a heart of gold. I was rooting for him and Eleanor to become more than simply lovers because they were such likeable characters.

Eleanor and Bodie’s story is filled with erotic moments, and it’d be remiss of me not to at least mention how hot Playing House is. But what stood out to me were the quieter moments and if I had one (minor) niggle it’d be I wish there were more of them. Bodie and Eleanor are very different, but they complement one another perfectly. I liked watching them learn about each other. And when the two of them are handed a major surprise, I really liked that they handled life’s curveball fairly well. Their road to happily ever after isn’t smooth sailing. Insecurities, pain, and heartbreak made the story feel more real and may have even had me sniffling at one point. But I knew Ms. Andrews wouldn’t let readers down and the ending of Playing House left me with a smile on my face.