Be prepared that this gorgeously written book might make you cry. It is like an ode to every person who has survived hardship. Orla will forever be one of my favorite characters. With Ronan as her super supportive sidekick it made for most romantic story. Amy Andrews has written a magnificent story that will resonate with everyone who reads it. It is well written with lots of romance and deep conversations.

Playing it Tough is the latest installment in Amy Andrews’ Sydney Smoke rugby series. Andrews excels at creating a steamy stand alone romance that also touches on more serious topics.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cosmetic tattoo artist Orla is finished with being reckless and has even given up sex in the name of making smarter decisions. Ronan is a US rugby player who’s recently joined the Sydney Smoke, and all the extra benefits that go along with it. He knows he needs to refocus on his game, so he makes a bet with his teammates that he’s going to stay celibate. But once he meets sassy Orla, all bets are off.

It’s amusing to read a romance where both main characters are taking a break from sex; like that will go well! But in this case, both Orla and Ronan each have what they think are legitimate reasons. In the meantime, they get to know each other and try to ignore their steamy chemistry. While Ronan initially comes off as a cocky athlete, he’s a sweetheart underneath. And Orla has lots of grief to work through before she can let herself enjoy her life. While I really enjoyed this story, please check the content warnings as there are tougher topics covered, including cancer and grief.

This rugby romance is one of a true series of stand alones, where you can pick up any book and not feel lost, but instead like part of the Sydney Smoke found family. Ronan’s teammates make some hilarious cameos. It’s a treat to see how supportive these guys are even when giving each other a hard time. All these books are in KU right now, so if you haven’t tried them, now is your chance.

Playing It Tough is a quick, steamy sports romance. It’s an emotional book, but without too much conflict or miscommunications. Orla and Ronan are both strong characters who think they know what they want, but learn they are stronger together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Playing it Tough by Amy Andrews

I read the Sydney Smoke series when I was just getting into romance novels. I was so excited to see Playing it Tough in NetGalley.

I loved this complex, emotional, steamy story from Amy Andrews.

Orla is such a fierce, strong, broken, whole character. She is truly amazing. Ronan is the perfect complement for Orla. I adored how Ronan reacted to Orla. Asking what she needed, not if she was ok. Swoon! And the Simon and Garfunkel mentions warmed my heart! I've always loved their music.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a very easy five-star read that tackles so much. This one blew me away, I loved getting to know Orla and Ronan, watching them struggle to come to terms with everything, could have been handled so badly, but the author managed to really pull it all together and really do something strong with it, they make you care about them both so much, and Orla could be seen as so closed off and cold, but then you get to know the real Orla, and you see her passion and it brings her to life before your eyes. This could have been a dark story, as the subject isn’t one that many like to visit, but I loved it, it opens your eyes to surviving and being proactive, taking your life in your own hands. Ronan was a great player and I really enjoyed seeing Rugby getting a light shone on it, as its not a game you see played in books like this often.

Oh man, this one tackled a really tough subject that I tend to avoid. I just need happy in my stories lately. But, I really loved how the author handled it with Ronan, the hero. He was incredibly supportive and really showed what any woman going through what Orla was going through would want to have by their side. Ronan was such a fun loving character and it just made it so much better to see him really come through when a lot of men would have bailed. Orla was just as great as a character. You hope that you can be as strong as her if you were faced with what she has gone through. A great and emotional read.

4.5 stars! This had it all: emotions, tender moments, laughter, a book boyfriend that I'll never forget, forced proximity and plenty of steam!

A steamy yet poignant story about love, self acceptance and living life to the fullest.
I really enjoyed the message the book gave.

I was completely entranced by this book. Orla and Ronan are the kind of couple you can't quit thinking about because the chemistry between them leaps off the page. I needed a fan every time they were together. Also, the banter between the two of them is so dry and hilarious.
I found Orla very relatable. I think that many of us have lived with the knowledge that we have some kind of ticking timebomb in our bodies that could upend our lives without warning. Orla's thoughts and feelings on the subject resonated with me. She is fierce and honest. I know I won't forget her soon.
Ronan comes in at a time when Orla has found stability and blows many of her assumptions out of the water. He is surprisingly grounded considering his reputation. I thought he was the perfect match for Orla, and I loved the way he cared for her. I totally cried through the last few chapters, but the end was very satisfying. Another unforgettable read in this series!

This story was truly amazing. Orla's medical background is something i truly believe so many women in the world can relate too. And, coming from the a med student, i appreciated the fact that it was accurate (for the most of it, only the immediate disponibility seemS really improbable). Her experience with her health problems is so so so important. Going from her first approach of carelessness to extreme obcession, her views on life, the deepth of the trauma, all the hits that her mental health took...

I'm a sucker for sports romance. What more can I say... AH and i also loved reformed players too. So Ronan is right up my alley. He was so gentle and patient and caring and loving ugh!!!!!!!!! Ngl he was seeming a little flat on personality in the beginning but as the book progressed i feel we got of him.

4 stars - I would want to see their story in slow burn!!! I'm not the biggest fan of instalove/lust so that's why it's only 4 stars.
4 spice - well well well celibacy didn't go as plan did it

Playing it Tough by A. Andrews, published by Entangled Publishing LLC, is a sports romance that had me in suspense right from the start.
Ronan and Orla are great together, well desrved for each other, a good story, well written, 4 stars.

I was prepared to hate Ronan, I really despise the man-whores trope, regardless if it is all consensual sex. But I didn't give Amy Andrews enough credit! Ronan might be the most sweetest, genuine, and thoughtful ladies man ever written.

Though his exploits are brought up multiple times, other than having sex on the brain 24/7, Ronan as a character was so much richer than at first glance. He was such a patient and dedicated friend and partner to Orla, even when she probably didn't deserve it, and was ultimately my favorite part of the couple.

Orla was a complicated character. I immediately recognized her inner strength and deep-rooted pain due to her life circumstances. She was very clearly traumatized by her past and scared for her future, but some of her actions slid from being understandably defensive to being cruel.

It was hard to watch her string Ronan along when it was obvious he was catching feelings and she was lying to herself. Her hot and cold personality grated on my nerves. Orla is a character of extremes and that included being extremely unlikable to me.

For two characters with chastity pledges, there was plenty of spice to go around in this one. I loved their banter as they stretched the rules on the definition of sex, and the sexual tensions between them was 🔥 anytime they were together. Seriously, with the amount of eye-fucking they did, I'm surprised they were able to resist as long as they did.

The book was relatively short compared to other sport romance books I've read. I usually like more time on the field or ice, but wasn't too disappointed considering the fast pace. While part of a series, this book could easily be read as a stand-alone.

Playing It Tough is a quick, light, steamy read that will kindle your rugby player fantasies and make you want to read more.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Orla Stewart is a cosmetic tattoo artist who's had to live with the specter of cancer most of her life. All of the females in her family have died of breast cancer through her life, so Orla has gone to drastic measures in order to significantly diminish her chances of dying of the same thing.
American rugby star Ronan Dempsey has to stay at a friend's home while his condo is fixed. When he moves into the pool house he meets the woman house sitting and the immediate heat is fiery! It's quite entertaining to watch these two prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that opposites attract.
This story gives you all the feels, and definitely brings the heat, too!

An engaging love story between two driven, but very different, people. He's a talented American rugby player with an Australian team and she's an artistic tattoo artist, with a tragic personal history. Ronan's compassionate response to Orla's issues was heart-warming. Both characters were fully fleshed-out and the author's handling of Orla's difficult medical issues was beautifully done.

I hadn't read any of the author's other Sydney Smoke books but I'll be looking for them now. This can be read as a stand-alone, however.

Many thanks to NetGalley, and the publisher, Entangled: Brazen, for the opportunity to read & review this book.

This is the 8th book of Sydney Smoke Rugby series, it can be read as stand alone. My first in this series and this book is good. Ronan take celibacy pledge, he need to focus in Rugby. Then he meet Orla, pink hair tattoo artist with no bullshit and straight forward. Ronan fall first, first he think Orla is the test for his celibacy but when he get to know more about her, he adore and awestruck. After cancer hit her, Orla limit herself from party, drinking, procesing food and sex. She try to life healty and doesnt want to risk fall for a man. Ronan different, he accept her and want to be with her no matter how unperfect her body is. For Ronan it is more than lust.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#PlayingItTough #SydneySmokeRugby #AmyAndrews #EntangledPublishing #NetGalley #ARC

A good easy to read story, well written, with wonderful characters and attention to detail. A romances full of unexpected turns and twist or two with a happily ever after.

This book was hard for me to get into. It contains a large amount of sexually explicit content. I have literally read erotica that contained less sex.
However, to me, the crux of the story didn't become apparent until the last third of the book. It's unfortunate, as it was heartfelt, poignant, and real. I would have loved more of that earlier in the novel.
I'm giving this 3.5 stars. I remain a fan of the author and have her on my must read authors' list.

“Playing It Tough” by Amy Andrews
Survive or Live
This is a really good story; although it does have quite a bit more IDA (Intense Displays of Affection) than I care to read. The truly great part of this story is the nearly spontaneous combustion when two people who are intensely focused on their goals cross paths. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I downloaded a copy of this story via NetGalley.

I may know next to nothing about rugby but it has never stopped me from loving this series. While not the book I would read first, this book can easily be read as a standalone. Ronan is an American playing on an Aussie rugby team. He is at the most important time in his career to date so he decides to give up sex in order to give rugby his full focus. What he doesn’t plan for is meeting Orlah, the tempting tattoo artist who is also celibate for her own reasons. The two are instantly attracted to each other. It was a little too insta-lovey for my taste but they need to find each other worth giving up control for. Ronan is a bit one dimensional. It is Orlah who Carrie’s this story with all she has faced in her life and all she struggles to still face. I wish the book had been longer to develop their relationship more. It all happens so quickly. However this is a sports romance with some real depth to it which is why I will always return to this series.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the latest in Amy Andrew's Sydney Smoke series although it is a few steps back from actually involving the Smokes. Ronan is an American who is trying to get on the US Olympic team and Orla a tattoo artist living with serious health issues. Both have decided to be celibate for different reasons. When they meet there is attraction but neither wants to act on it at first. The book is a bit slow in the beginning but does pick up about halfway through. The characters were unique and believable and this is another positive review!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Sydney Smoke series, and this book is no exception. This time there’s less focus on the relationships with the team & their partners, giving us more of a focus on Orla & Ronan. I thought that this was a good move, as Orla’s story is heartbreaking & Ronan and the readers get to see how strong and amazing she is. I loved seeing Ronan make the walls that Orla had put up come tumbling down, and seeing Orla realise this. I thought Ronan was accepting & compassionate, and I loved how he & Orla worked as a couple, even though they both fought this to varying degrees. Orla was such a strong & determined character, and while I loved seeing her articulate what she wanted, I also loved seeing her realise she didn’t have to be alone. From their meet cute to their happy ending, and all the steamy & emotional moments between, this was a delight to read.