I wanted to like this story much more than I did, but I had to make myself continue. Rather than being drawn into the story I was bored. Your basic grass is not greener on the other side story.

DNF

It has been a while since I got this book and unfortunately I don’t really have any interest in reading the book anymore. I am also now a lot more picky with the books I request and choose to read.

Not all women are looking for love but want the occasional companionship of a man. This is Kimera Davis. She takes pleasure in dating married men because it offered what she needed without all the complications. Her live is thrown a curve when the situation she thought she controlled, she finds herself out of control. Oh this book was spicy and dramatic! This was my first read by Briana Cole but it won't be my last.

Cole's highly enjoyable debut is a psychological suspense and domestic thriller centering on polyamorous relationships.

Highly recommended for fans of Naleighna Kai's Open Door Marriage

A woman is seeing a man and wants nothing more than to marry him. When she is asked, she learns she will become wife number 3. Does she accept the offer from his main wife, or does she walk away? She accepts and all I can say is be careful what you wish for. We then follow Kimera, the husband his two wives and their adventures for lack of a better word. Some of the things are a bit hard to believe. This seems to be a first in a series. Will I read pt 2? Yes, I probably will to see if the author can redeem this series. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Although I received the book in this manner, it did not effect my opinion of this book nor my review.

Kimera Davis is dating a married men and she is fine with that, he takes care of her and gives her everything she wants or need. Kimera soon finds out the Grass is not Greener on the other side and finds herself in a toxic situation .

The Wives We Play is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it.. I have not read much about this topic that was addressed in this book and it was different, the characters ticked me off a lot but that is what made the book great. People always think that if they have large sums of money they are going to be alright but they soon find out the grass is not greener.I look forward to reading the second installment.

Kimera is happy to be the side-chick to a very wealthy and already married Leo but then he proposes. Kicker is, Leo has no plans on leaving his wife or should I say Wives.

After having her heart broken by a former lover, Kimera decides to become one of Leo’s wives. What she thought would be a easy financial ride for a year turns into a twisty road of secrets and lies. And a competitive relationship between Kimera and Leo’s first wife Tinia. Kimera also becomes reacquainted with her former lover Jamal, things really become messy.

The draw of the Wives We Play is the messiness of this storyline and its characters but by the end of it, what could have been a drama-filled psychological suspense falls completely flat. Kimera wasn’t a very likable character so it was hard to feel empathy for her as she decided to go into a complicated situation...all because her eyes was on the cash.

Honestly, IMO this story would have been so much deeper if we would have gotten POVs from all three wives. Also, the plot was a bit all over the place and it was hard to get fully invested in these characters and their relationships with the exception of Tinia, the first wife. She was crazy.

As always what may not have my glass of wine may be someone else’s so go into this book if you so choose to with your own frame of thought.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

I'm not surprised that I liked this book. I've never heard of this author, but I think she did a good job with this story. I was shocked at the ending. I wasn't expecting to read what I did. A well written and enjoyable story and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. A story full of surprises and suspense.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington books and Briana Cole for an ARC of this book.

The Wives We Play is the first book I've read from this author and it was an okay read. The characters within this story frustrated me to the very end. Kimmy was doing everything for money and yes, money can make you do stupid things but it does not make you stupid. Her character was stupid for putting up with what she did then going about her day as if nothing happened. No way!!! Lena was forgotten as soon as she was gone and Tina and Dr. Lin got what they deserved. After everything Jahmad did to have Kimmy in his life I knew that when he walked away it would not be the end. With that being said, this book has what I would say a happy for now ending, but there's more to come.

In The Wives We Play, the reader is introduced to Kimera Davis. Kimera is a piece of work. She was raised in a two-parent home, but she has a wild streak to her. She is the daughter of a pastor and seems to like pushing the envelope. Kimera is in a complicated relationship that gets even more complicated when her "boyfriend" asks to make their relationship more permanent. Kimera likes the lifestyle she has become accustomed to, but it all comes with a BIG price. The Wives We Play is a slow read (to me). A number of events and scenarios were unbelievable. Maybe the second book in the series will be better.

The Wives We Play...
This book left me guessing and excited to find out what the conclusion was to bring.
The main character, Kimera Davis, is a young and vibrant young woman. Kimera has a habit of dating married men, mainly for financial gain and lack of emotional involvement. Her current lover proposes a seemingly beneficial situation that turns out to be a nightmare.
Many twist and turns come into this set up that could cost Kamira her respect, one true love, and maybe end her life.
I do recommend this page turner! You will be glad that you gave it a try.

Special thanks to Kensington books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. The opinions presented in this review however are independent.

With respect to the publisher and NetGalley.

It always surprises me what publishers deem worthy. This is absolute garbage and not completely worthy of the one star rating. The first half of the book had promise (if written by a competent author with heavy editing), but the second half went off the rails.

This book was very confusing book. But it was good at the same time. I enjoyed the book immensely. The story was well thought out in the beginning and middle. The ending seemed rushed and just thrown together. It left very little closure for the readers. I think it could have ended better .

After a particularly hard break-up with a long-time family friend, Kimera Davis is only looking for fun, no-strings-attached dating. She's specifically interested in dating older, powerful men that will payroll a luxury lifestyle. Cue Leo Owuso, a wealthy man from the Ivory Coast, who has been showering Kimmy with expensive gifts and VIP treatment. Leo is married and Kimera prefers it that way but when Leo AND his wife propose, things start to get a little tricky.

Kimera is ruled by the promise of wealth and luxury in this story and the hope that one day she will have enough money to open up a make-up business with her best friend Adria. But as her polyamorous "marriage" becomes more dangerous and her ex, Jahmad, comes back to town, Kimera starts to question whether all the money is worth sacrificing love and family.

Predictable outcome aside, readers will enjoy the crazy drama that drives this story and Briana Cole's writing style which makes you feel like Kimera is telling this incredible story to her best friends over brunch and mimosas.

I hate reviews with spoilers so you won't read any here. All you'll get is my humble opinion about the quality of this novel.

The Wives We Play is totally engrossing. Marriage has been turned on it’s head in this novel. The characters are rich, complex and completely believable. Human nature is presented at it’s best and it’s worst. The plot twists are surprising.

The main character, Kimera Davis, is a young woman living a complicated life. Dating married men is how she attempts to avoid relationship complications. As a result, she finds herself faced with situations and choices that would be difficult for anyone, but are especially so for a woman attempting to improve her life and secure a successful future.

Briana Cole has tested the bonds of love and family in this first novel of her Unconditional series. I am compelled to give it 5/5 stars.

My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

The wives we play by author Briana Cole is a book that will have you on an emotional roller coaster of a ride. It’s what people look for in these books. Drama, drama and drama. Great plot and the characters are.. WOW.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of The wives we play in exchange for an honest review.