This book had the foundation to be an amazing read for me. I love sports romances, specifically queer ones. The synopsis sounded exactly the kind that I would end up loving. And that seemed to be true at first. I loved the first meeting scene, where both of the main characters felt instant attraction towards one another.

However, after that scene everything kind of fell flat for me. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters beyond the first scene and ultimately I didn’t see what made them fall in love. There seemed to be a compatibility issue, where they had nothing in common. The book is short, falling just at 200 pages, so it could be that we didn’t have enough time for the relationship to build, but I just wanted much more.

I also very much disliked the end conflict. I knew it was coming, that was obvious for anyone familiar with queer sports romances, but I just felt that there were zero stakes. Slight spoiler here, but once the two main characters “broke up”, there was no examination or discussion of feelings and that continued until after they got back together.

Ultimately, this book lacked chemistry and I couldn’t get behind the relationship as neither of the main characters were memorable

I loved this romance! Donovan was such a sweetheart. And Beckett was perfect for him by being so patient. Together they made one steamy couple. This was another great addition to this series.

I jumped into this book without reading any of her previous books because this one is M/M. I really enjoyed reading this book and for a first time M/M story by this author, I thought it was done fairly well! This is a really cute and smoking hot romance between rugby player Don and Beckett, who works in finance for the team. While Don is in the closet and has a child. Beckett is out and proud.

I really loved the chemistry between Don and Beckett. I thought they really complimented each other and are such a perfect fit to one another.

Thank you Entangled and Netgalley for an ARC of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This story is about accepting and loving yourself for who you are regardless of what others might want for you. Even though both characters knew early in life that they were attracted to men their journeys were very different. I very rarely read stories about same sex relationships but Andrews built so much depth into this book. I could resonate with Donovan and the struggles he endured his whole life while understanding why Beckett refused to be with someone who could not be openly proud about their sexuality. This story allowed me to feel so much empathy for what they both felt and needed. I loved the ending where the team stood with Donovan. These two deserved their happy ending :)

Beck has been living his life as a proud gay man, and starting over at a new job after a break up. He gets invited to lunch by some of the WAGs of the rugby players and who is he to resist. However one look at the rugged man across from him and he knows he is in trouble.

Donovan is a divorced man with a teenage daughter. He has been biding his time for retirement when he can live more authentically, not wanting to be the first out rugby player. One look at Beck and he’s not sure if he can resist.

Surely picking up Beck on the side of the road when his bike tires are flat in the pouring rain won’t turn his whole upside down, right?!

While flirty texts leads to Beck agreeing to date Donovan behind closed doors he’s been burned before. However their date nights where Donovan cooks for him, some steamy showers, and watching Donovan open up makes him believe maybe they can make it work.

I could feel the struggle Donovan was trying to overcome, the fear of possibly losing his job. I loved their flirty banter, Beck’s care of helping Donovan explore his sexuality, and also the pain of deciding if they are worth living in the open.

While technically Donovan isn’t a virgin, he is a virgin to having it with a man so I’m giving a half pass to my virgin aversion. Also I was a little put off by the use of sexy time used repeatedly. Is this an Australian colloquialism? I couldn’t get Borat out of my head every time it was used!

A solid read, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Playing It Safe by Amy Andrews is currently scheduled for release on September 6 2021. Donovan Bane loves playing rugby for the Sydney Smoke. And if that means he has to keep his sexuality a secret, that’s a sacrifice he’s prepared to make. At least until after he retires, anyway. He doesn’t want to be the first pro rugby player in Australia to officially come out while still playing. The team doesn’t need the media shit storm and he’d rather be known for his footy skills. Which means no dating, no relationships, no sex. Nothing but playing ball. Until one man suddenly changes everything. Beckett Stanton is out and proud, and not looking for a guy who isn’t. Been there, done that, complete disaster. Unfortunately, on the first day of his new job working for the Sydney Smoke, he locks eyes with Donovan Bane and he’s a goner. Big, gruff, and athletic isn’t usually Beck’s type, but for some reason this man is ticking all his boxes. And it’s clear the feeling is mutual. It’s also clear that Donovan is not out, and doesn’t plan to be anytime soon. Still, Beck can’t resist being the man to show Donovan everything he’s been missing. For the first time, Donovan doesn’t play it safe and allows himself to indulge in things with Beck he knows he can’t have. But when their relationship gets serious, he knows he has to choose between the career he loves and the man he loves, because how can he possibly have both?

Playing It Safe is a book that had some great moments and some that just did not work for me. I think the set up was great, and the characters were interesting. I have to admit that I almost did not make it past the first page when one of the main characters waxes poetic about how great women are, and that his lack of attraction to us has nothing to do with how absolutely fabulous we all are. For some reason that just hit me wrong, and every now and then through the rest of the book there would be moments of introspection that just seemed too much. There were conversation I wanted to be in the room for, but instead got basic 'this happened'. However, other people really enjoy that in their reading, so this is more a matter of personal preference rather than it being a flaw in the work. I did like the story arch of the romance, and the secondary characters. I enjoyed the team and friend group interactions, and could have stood for more of that, and the actually bonding time between Donovan and Beck. I still enjoyed the read, and think others will enjoy it. I can think of a few fellow readers that will absolutely love it, and whom I will be recommending it to.

Playing It Safe is an engaging read with good characters.

Holy SWOON! My heart!

Why is there nothing that gets to my feels like one main character helping the other navigate a very hard situation with patience and compassion? It just makes me fall in love so hard!

PLAYING IT SAFE is an epically hot and utterly swoony story of Donovan, a sexy AF rugby player, falling in love with another man while staying closeted for the sake of his sports career. Beck is proudly out and has been for years. And reading him help Donovan find his way, embrace his true self, and fall in love with this reluctant man is the love story I needed in my life!

This book absolutely treats the topic of being gay in pro sports, and deciding when to come out, with care and honesty. I absolutely loved the questions that Donovan had about sexuality and how Beck answered them. This not only contributes to their story, but will also answer those questions for readers who might have them as well.

And the final scene of this book will MELT YOUR HEART! Oh, I loved every second of it!

The only reason I gave this 4 stars is because the only conversations we are privy to between the main characters relate directly to being gay. And yes, those convos were so important, but I wish we had more interactions between these two where we got to know them more as a couple ASIDE from their sexuality. If there had been a few conversations of banter between them that revolved around something more mundane then I think the reader could have felt their connection even more.

Even so, I loved Donovan and Beck! PLAYING IT SAFE is a swoony, sweet, and steamy read that I think you will love!

I liked this story. I liked the characters. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing. If I had to read the word 'discombobulated' one more time.. but again, I was satisfied with the pacing, the dialogue, and the way things were wrapped up.

3.5 stars

Donovan Bane is a stud of an elite rugby player, a star on the Sydney Smoke pro team. He's a mountain of a man, half-Maori and bearing the tattoos of his lineage. He's also a closeted gay man, divorced from his best friend, and father of a 14 year old daughter he loves more than life. Afraid that his career would suffer, he married his high school girlfriend, hiding his sexuality in his relationship. He'd pursued his true attraction only once, and it was a disaster. His ex-wife knows his sexuality--now--and she keeps his secret because she's a good woman. But, she'd expressed issues with him coming out while their daughter is young, in case kids at school torment her because of it. And, well, being a high profile player means that there will be blow-back. Anyway, Donovan has never met a man he wants to come out for, anyway, until he meets Beckett.

Beckett Stanton is freshly out of a relationship and has just taken a new position in the finance division for the Smoke. He's on the job a week before he meets Donovan, and boy is he impressed--with his body. And then his play. And, well, his kindness. Donovan, despite the dangerous attraction he feels for Beckett, spends time with the man after helping him with a flat bike tire in a rainstorm. The more time they spend together, the more they want one another, yet, Donovan is reticent to even dip his toe into physical intimacy because he recognizes it's a slippery slope. There has never been an active out rugby player in Australia, and he doesn't want to be the first. The problem is Beckett's out. And, being around Beckett--while amazing and fulfilling--could jeopardize Donovan's carefully curated straight persona. 

This was an interesting book for reasons that didn't necessarily pertain to the romance. First, I love sports romance in general. And, I'm always interested in interracial romances, and other cultures. We got a little peek into his Moari culture, and I loved learning a little more about Australia, through the eyes of both Donovan and Beckett. Their relationship is the focal point of the book, even as Donovan continues to deny himself. Beckett is willing to indulge himself a little, as a gay tutor for Donovan, but they both catch feelings pretty quickly. 

For me, there seemed to be a lot of talk around the potential for Donovan to come out, and how that could never ever happen. It took up a lot of page time, and was the basis of conflict. Despite knowing that Donovan's ex was his best friend we never actually have her on the page counseling him. And Miri, his beloved daughter, is only present in the epilogue on page. Donovan's most fraught moments around coming out were all off page, and that was disappointing. I liked how Becket and Donovan interacted, especially as they connect in friendly ways, but I felt the pacing could have been better. Instead of mooning about, reflecting on every instance of intense arousal there could have been more moments of actual frank discussion abut their developing friendship, and the implications of their growing attraction.

I did enjoy Donovan's sexual awakening, and both Donovan and Beckett seem like good guys. They genuinely seem to care about one another, even in the short time they spend. I wished we had more time seeing them do more than just hang out in their homes. It was also good to see the allies come out in force to stand beside Donovan.

ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from NetGalley and Entangled 4 stars

Playing it Safe is book 7 in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series by Amy Andrews and her first M/M book.

I felt this book was well written showed heart, steam and how to navigate the world when you have hidden your true identity but know that it’s time to reveal all!

A great book about openness, acceptance both of who you are and what others will feel; and all-consuming love.

There were things I enjoyed about this story and things that I thought could have been executed better. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Donovan. I was glad that the author didn't shy away from bringing Donovan's emotions to the page. It allowed me to better understand what he was going through. On the other hand, I would have loved to get more insight into Beckett. I think there was a lot more to him than what made it to the page. I also enjoyed Donovan and Beckett together, especially their initial conversations when they were both hesitant and unsure and actively getting to know each other. I wish I would have gotten more of those moments, but it seemed that sometime after they first came together 😀 the author decided to focus more on their explosive chemistry instead of developing their newly-established connection. And while I don't mind being "shown" those moments, I found the author did a lot more telling and a lot less showing of other important moments in the story (Beckett and Donovan's time spent together, Donovan's conversation with his ex-wife).

Although this is the 7th book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. As I understand it, this is the author's first MM story and as such it was an okay read. I enjoyed the characters, their chemistry and how Donovan's coming out was handled. I also enjoyed the range in emotions when it came to Donovan and his development as the story progressed.

All in all, a fun, steamy read.

Donovan is passionate about playing rugby but to maintain the career he loves, he hides his true self, that he is gay. When he meets Beckett, a new employee in the front office, he has an immediate attraction, something that catches him off guard. Beckett is surprised by his instant attraction to the burly rugby player but realizes that Donovan isn’t open about his orientation. A few chance encounters have these two crossing paths and for the first time, Donovan is openly talking to someone that he desires which gives him a lightness to his life. But is knows that he can’t come out of the closet while he is a star player, he doesn’t want his family or team to go through the backlash. Yet, the more time he spends with Beckett, the happier he is, maybe he does deserve to embrace this which would allow him to have happiness in his personal and professional life. Beckett understands the struggle and is willing to help Donovan explore and learn what a relationship could be with a man. This was a sensuous and thoughtful story that allowed me to experience the ups and downs with Donovan as he worked to fully embrace all the true parts of himself. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Donovan is a man who has been keeping a secret to protect those he cares about. He is a star player for the Sydney Smoke and a great teammate, divorced while still friends with his ex and has a teenage daughter. He believes that if people knew he preferred men over women that it would not only affect the relationship with his team but with his daughter as well, so he has managed to keep this private until Beckett becomes a game changer.

Beckett has recently been hired by the Sydney Smoke in the finance department and is comfortable letting other know that he prefers men. From the moment that he and Donovan meet the sparks fly but when you combine two men who are facing their sexuality in very different ways you know you are in for a bumpy ride.

There is no denying the chemistry between Donovan and Beckett, but it was seeing Beckett embrace the fact that if people really care for you they will accept you for who you are and Beckett is beside him every step of the way.

Playing It Safe is the seventh book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series by Amy Andrews. A heated, sexy romance that pulls you in from the beginning and leaves you wanting more. The undeniable chemistry between the main characters is scorching and makes for some heated romantic exchanges. Playing It Safe is perfect for fans of a slightly angsty romance with a HEA

Epic, passionately explosive and soulfully seductive. Be forewarned once you start, you won’t want to stop reading. Donovan and Beck’s story will have you spellbound from the beginning to the end. This is Amy Andrew’s first M/M contemporary romance and although I would normally not read this genre. Since I am a big fan of Any Andrew’s I had to read this. I absolutely loved this story. It was perfect, so tastefully done so full of heat, heart, humor, and emotions. Every single page was filled with perfection. Oh my! So good! I swooned hard for these characters!

Donovan Bane is at the height of his rugby career. But he has been hiding his sexuality his whole life. He had resigned himself to being alone until after his career was over. But when he sees Beckett Stanton for the first time, it made him want things. Things that he couldn’t have, not yet. No other professional rugby player in Australia had ever come out as gay and he certainly didn’t want to be the first. He had his daughter, his career and his team to think about.

Beckett “Beck” Stanton had just started his first day in the finance department working for the Sydney Smoke. He was taken by the large rugby player Donovan Bane, but he also knew that he was hiding his sexuality and he didn’t want to go through that again since he was still getting over his last relationship. But one night when he is walking home in the rain since his bike has a flat tire, Donovan stops to give him a lift home. The desire in Donovan’s eyes was plain for Beck to see, but so was the hesitancy. Anxiety and even fear of the unknown. Of what he wanted or of how much he wanted. But he definitely was interested.

“He couldn’t deny, the idea of him being Donovan’s first was fast becoming an obsession. Sure, closeted guys were off Beck’s relationship radar, but potentially introducing this guy to the delights of another man’s body was firmly on his sexy-times radar.”

Amy Andrew’s does an excellent job of taking an often misunderstood lifestyle and presenting it in a romantic and exciting manner. Her descriptions were so vivid and tastefully done. Hot and sexy, her words steam off the the pages. Causing those little zips of excitement, with heart racing, fist pumping, as well as a wide grin on your face great read. She outdid herself again.

Voluntarily requested an early copy through the publisher and wrote a honest review.

This is the first book by Amy I have read. I loved this cute M/M romance and the rugby.

We have man #1 Donovan. Loves rugby and loves his daughter. He has not come out to the world as he worries about what it would do to his rugby career. Then we have man #2 Beckett. Beckett works for the finance department of the rugby team and is out and proud. He’s not sure if he wants to stay in the shadows for Donovan like he did with a previous boyfriend. Can they ever get past the physical and move on to something meaningful?

I truly loved these two together and how they complimented each other so well. I loved seeing how the guys took time to talk, have a real conversation and got to know each other besides the physical. Many authors don’t see that as a necessary step in M/M or F/F relationships and I really appreciated that she did. I think that the plot was slow in some areas but overall I enjoyed reading the book. The story was great, even with the instant attraction (kinda a pet peeve of mine haha).

Thank you Netgalley and Entagled Publishing for this arc.

Staci McIntyre

Sweet with Heat

I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to place this. I usually save five stars if I cry or find it extra extra. On the other hand I think this is probably my favourite story out of the series.
We have met Donovan Bane in previous books and we know he's all about the game and he's in the inner circle of friends that include all the guys who've had their HEA so far. We know he's been married and his daughter lives back in New Zealand. He's a big guy with tattoos and Maori heritage. Think All Blacks and you've seen the type.

Donovan has a plan about his sexuality. He knows who he is but doesn't consider it wise or practical to "come out" while still playing professionally and while his daughter Miri is still at school. This means no involvement with anyone. So it's been a while for Donovan.

Then he meets Beckett Stanton and all his plans go up in Smoke. (see what I did there?). Beckett is openly gay and an accountant. Seriously not the right person for Donovan to even think about getting close to even if there's a real spark buzzing between them.

Beckett is new to the Sydney Smoke admin team and the WAGs are all keen to get him hooked up. It's a pity that the only guy he is interested in is Donovan. He's got no intention of getting involved with a closeted guy. Been there, done that, got the emotional scars to prove it. So really, nothing is going to happen between them. Nothing at all. Zilch. Nothing. Not. a. thing.

Amy Andrews is known for writing hot hot hot romances and Playing it safe is no different. What did surprise me was how sweet the romance was between Donovan and Beckett. Beckett was a thoroughly nice guy and he understood Donovan's point of view. Donovan was a big cinnamon roll. An absolutely sweety who adores his daughter and still considers his ex a close friend.

I really enjoyed seeing these two get to where they needed to go so they could be together. Both had baggage but they were both grown up about things. The story was hot and sweet and the ending was satisfying.

LGBTQIA Romance is not the type of genre that I read and I only took it because of Amy Andres and I did not regret it! Such a great story full of a slow burn and amazing chemistry. To see such great characters combined with a great story... What could you want more from a book but enjoy in reading it? Recommended!
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Amy Andrews wow, to say that I just loved these characters is an understatement as the book had me rolling from the start! Okay I know it's wrong but I found Donovan squeezing little Griff hilarious as he spotted Beck, I mean poor baby being in a python grip!
Donovan's brain and tongue clicked off line whenever Beckett was around, the big rugby play was way out of his depth on his secret desires. Donovan was spilling his heart's desire out but following through maybe just to much to face, after all his fear was strangling his vocal cords when he even thought of the displeasure from his fans and team. Beck is lusting over the rugby turned cat rescuer, all while Mrs. Connor is chatting him up. Beck was tempted for sexy time with Donovan, only his words and body language screamed scared rabbit. Is Beckett ready to fall down that hole with the rabbit? Beckett was going to worm his way into Donovan's world but was the limit fear of the unknown hold the man back. With one revelation is Donovan ready to admit this was all more then either was ready for, Beckett didn't think so.