I had higher hopes than what I got out of the book. I’ve really enjoyed this author in the past but struggled with this book for some reason. I will still give her another go in the future though. I think it was just a fluke release for me.

Play Dirty is the first book in an new series from author Lora Leigh. I really liked having the history between Poppy and Jack developed up front and not trying to guess what happened between them when they were younger. It was easy to see how the chemistry between them as adults was so much stronger than just a physical connection (although there were some very steamy scenes!). My only real complaint was Poppy's annoying brother who seemed to have a hate on for Jack even as kids.
The twist at the end has really got me wondering where the series is going to go!

I got 20% through the book and had to DNF it. I really tried to continue but I felt as the book was jumping to scene to scene without any background context. Then there randomly there was context about AI. I just didn’t understand

What turns you on ?

Did I make you uncomfortable? I shouldn’t. Sex is FUN! We should all compare notes . If you can teach me a new trick I’m game.

I have a dirty little secret…

Reading these steamy romances really get me going and my husband has been one lucky lad this week.

Poor Craig usually sleeps with one eye open given my love for thrillers but this week he’s bouncing around with a little pep in his step.

Well well well, get ready babe because I just concluded one heck of a banger and there is only ONE thing on my mind…

Play Dirty

Think 50 shades only much much better . This book right here will have you pulling at your bed sheets .

The steam is there, the plot isn’t corny and I’m completely satisfied 😉

Check out this teaser :

She saved his life when they were kids and then he saved hers. When she became a young woman, Poppy knew she would never love anyone the way she loved Jack Lee Bridger.

But after a near tragedy, Jack left home to become a Navy SEAL and Poppy knew there wouldn't be another like him. Not for her.

She remembered the way it felt when he looked at her with those smoldering eyes.

The way he kissed her.

Touched her...

Now it's years later and danger is dogging her footsteps and Jack is back.

And Poppy knows that he will do anything--absolutely anything--to keep her safe. She trusts him to protect her body, but can she trust him with heart?

Play Dirty is the first book in an all-new series from author Lora Leigh. Jack is a broody former Navy Seal who was saved by Poppy when he was younger. And when it comes to Poppy, he can’t help but be possessive and protective of her. Poppy is your typical girl next door and has never forgotten the impact Jack left on her. Despite the pull between them, Jack and Poppy never acted on it. When danger comes knocking on Poppy’s door, she is once again reunited with Jack. Their chemistry is stronger than ever. Can Poppy trust Jack with more than just her protection? There’s only one way to find out…

I thought the plot of this story was interesting and it left me wanting to know more. When it came to Poppy and Jack, the author didn’t hold back, especially with the sexy good times. I thought the story had some interesting twists, however, there were a few parts of the story that felt off to me and didn’t really make sense.

Overall, I kind of had a love/hate relationship with this book. I think this book is going to be a hit for some and a miss for others. For me, it was an okay read. That being said, I do think this series has a lot of potential and I would be interested in seeing where it will go next.

This was an interesting read for me. I enjoyed the relationship between Poppy and Jack, the girl next door, young love trope was spot on. I also liked the obsessive, alpha aspect to Jack, there’s a real “touch her and die” vibe which was fun.
I was less sure about the plot, the sci-fi element seemed out of place and I think I would have preferred it if it was a straight romance. I still enjoyed it though and will check out the authors other books.

Everything that was right in the world for Jack was found in Poppy. He will never be good enough for her, but when a job comes up with his jobs skills as a requirement; he jumps at involving himself in her life again. Poppy has grown up with Jack in her life. When life throws the worst ugliness at her, Jack fills the role of white knight, but he is anything but. Now that he is back in their hometown, is he there to stay and will he save her again?

The strength of this book is in it's plot. Action and life-threatening circumstances abound. Jack is a grey character who changes in small ways due to the love and devotion of Poppy. She on the other hand stays pretty static except for her new sexual experience. The AI involvement that poses the crux of the problem really embraces the worlds expectations as too what AI will come too. Definitely a 3 peppers of explicit spice.

I’m so excited about this book because Lora Leigh never disappoints. Jack and Poppy both had different backgrounds, and loved on different levels. Jack was fierce, strong, cold, passionate, sexy, and possessive, but truly loved poppy from afar until that wasn’t an option any longer. Poppy seemed more compassionate, empathetic, reserved, and truly wore her heart on her sleeve when it came to Jack. With so much betrayal around them and you throw in a sci-fi element plus a who lot of sexy time you definitely have a book worth reading. The epilogue really through me and definitely will be waiting for boom two because wow!

If you like spicy, childhood friends to lovers and a morally grey hero…. This book is for you. 🫶❤️‍🔥

He is a do anything for this girl, kind of man. She is basically his only soft spot and I love how she makes him work for it. Ha!

I struggled a little bit with the time jumps in the beginning and how she established the characters but I felt like I had a better handle on it about 10% of the way in.

There is a fun air of mystery to this book that kept me hooked. Would recommend!

Wishing I could've vibed more with this one! The romance was steamy, and the main characters had crazy chemistry. But TBH, Jack and Poppy's relationship had me scratching my head. Jack rolls back into town, and bam, they're a thing. Poppy spills her trauma story real quick, treating Jack like her hero, and he's all about keeping her safe.

The lovey-dovey stuff kept me hooked, but the other plotlines were a bit out there. Still, they kept me guessing, and the surprise twist at the end totally blindsided me.

I love everything that Lora Leigh writes. I started with the Breed series and fell in love the KGI series. This book was just as good as all her others and it was nice to see Kira & Ian make an appearance.

I was really excited for this book, but it was just a little too chaotic for me. I felt that I needed to get out some paper and take notes for how scattered things were. We were introduced to the characters when they were kids, then again eleven years later, then again eight years later. Whew. All along the way there were tidbits and teasers into the story that was to come. Besides the time jumping, the thing that really got me, and ultimately did me in and caused me to DNF this book was how it randomly jumped narrators. This works just fine on audio when you have a male and female narrator (I’m not sure if that’s how this one was done) but when you are reading a print copy, and there are no indicators who’s talking until you are into a paragraph, it becomes too much. I found myself having to reread paragraphs and pages to try to figure out who was supposedly talking, and honestly, I’m still not sure I ever figured it out. I also found Poppy to be naïve and one dimensional and Jack to just be an over-the-top asshole. They just didn’t work together for me. The set up was good for their characters, but how they grew didn’t work for me.

Ultimately, I did DNF this one at about the 50% mark. I just wasn’t connected to the story and I had no interest in finishing.

I appreciate the publisher for sending me a print copy of this book. I will pass it along in my little free library and hope it finds a home more appreciate of it than mine.

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc.

All opinions are my own. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.

I'm always down for a Lora Leigh novel and she never disappoints! On top of so many things that I love with this book, one of my favorite parts was that it was a second chance romance. Poppy and Jack have known each other since they were kids and they've been in love with each other since then as well, long before they realized it or even really knew what that meant. Jack grew up with a father who abused him and Poppy desperately wanted to do whatever she could to help keep Jack safe but her father wouldn't allow Jack to come live with them. A decision that led to more tragedy.

Jack left to go be a Navy SEAL. Jack's life continued to be surrounded by violence as he experienced one difficult situation after another and eventually ended up in jail. And his chance of release depends on him accepting a job that sends him back home. To Poppy. Because he isn't the only one surrounded by danger. She is in a situation that involves dangerous people and dangerous technology. Technology that will lead to the creation of an AI killer. Jake makes it his mission to keep Poppy safe and to hold onto her and not let her go this time around.

I really enjoyed this book, though there were times with the AI plot that I wasn't absolutely in love with. Overall, it's a great book with a great romance and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The backstories of the characters along with their development throughout the progression of the book was done really well. I am not usually a big fan of timeline jumping, but Lora Leigh did this in such a way that it flowed really nicely and didn't impact my enjoyment of the book at all. I recommend this book and this author. I received a free ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. All words are my own.

Jack is a broody ex-Navy SEAL. Poppy is your typical good girl/girl next door. She protected him when they were younger, so he vows to keep her safe from everyone as they grow up. Jack not a good guy, but will do anything to protect Poppy. Poppy and Jack have been “friends” from afar, but now that she is grown, Jack no longer wants to keep his distance.

I was quite disappointed with Play Dirty. This is the first book in a new series, but I’ve read many a books by Lora Leigh. I did not quite buy the romance/chemistry between Jack and Poppy. It just felt really forced, and Jack came off kind of creepy to me. I also found the AI plot line a little strange especially what was said in the epilogue.

I got an ARC copy of the digital book and the audiobook. I’m not picky about narrators. However, I could have done without her changing her voice for the male characters. Also the “southern” accent was cheesy as hell. 😬🫣

Thank you to Netgalley and Publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have such a soft spot for Lora Leigh novels. This was no exception. I liked the characters, the angst, and the general plot. I do think that it got a bit in the weeds with the AI aspect. I wonder where this series will go. It was a little more futuristic/sci-fi with the AI capabilities than I expected, so I am interested to see how it all progresses.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
This book shows that young love and a forbidden love can blossom into a forever kind of love.
There will be twists and turns, a hunk of a Navy Seal with a questionable past, and a love that has never faded over time. He and his fellow seals will protect Poppy to no end. Great love story and lots of action in more ways than one.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance copy of Play Dirty by Lora Leigh in exchange of an honest review.

"In 'Play Dirty' by Laura Leigh, readers are treated to a heartwarming romance that spans years and showcases the undeniable bond between Poppy and Jack. Their relationship, forged from a young age, is satisfying to witness as it grows and flourishes. While the spice factor may be moderate, their connection is undeniable, and readers will find themselves invested in their journey. However, outside of the romance, the portrayal of the SEAL team and military life feels less authentic, veering into the realm of fantasy. Despite this, the story remains enjoyable, and the voice artist does an excellent job bringing the characters to life. Overall, 'Play Dirty' offers a satisfying romance that, while not without its flaws, is still worth recommending to fans of the genre.

A brand new series of former military bad boys going covert to fight homeland terrorist? * Grabby hands * This is a Ms. Leigh book so I know it is going to be erotic with a bad boy alpha male. She does create some of the most luscious antiheroes. She delivers in this newest series with the naughty boy Jack. This book kicks off with a heartbreaking scene. I am immediately in protective momma mode with young Jack.

Jack grows up with a strict moral code. Based on the abuse heaped upon him and his mother by his deadbeat dad, Jack carries a zero tolerance to any type of domestic or sexual abuse. I love this about him because he does not continue the cycle of abuse his father partook in. This does mean that Jack has issues with authority. Who doesn't? It just means I love him more. I am really hoping this series features each of the former military men on Jack's team because I am very curious about each of them.

Jack returns to his home town where he can watch over Poppy and figure out what the hell is going on. Bad things happen when he returns and Poppy's older brother isn't exactly off base stating that Jack is the cause of it. But it is so much more. Ms. Leigh mixes in the latest threat that is generating fear amongst many - AI. The AI machine in this story is familiar to me in design and concept. I have been reading about these for years. My earliest encounter with these type of AI was in the late 1980s with Anne McCaffrey books. These were all considered fantasy/sci-fi. How the world has changed where these fanciful concepts are now plausibly contemporary fears. I love it. This plot device pulls me even deeper into this story.

Honestly, I am favorably bias towards Ms. Leigh. Any military bad boy character with a rough childhood is going to capture my attention. I'm always going to enjoy it because the formula she uses works well on me. I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to end. I loved the characters. I especially liked how consistent Poppy remains with her faith Jack. Poppy as a little kid is precocious. Poppy as a sexually aware adult with the same kindness and love is lethal. Her family and the little acts of kindness visited upon Jack and his team made me tear up. If only people practiced more random acts of kindness. This sexy erotic romance is recommended to readers who enjoy suspense, a little bit of action, and a whole lot of sexual tension.

Jack is the perfect alphahole! Borderline over the top and nearly borderline grey, this high spice, darker read delighted with every turn of a page.

Jack and Poppy have a very strong connection and background together. We are talking Poppy at the age of 7. While nothing happened at all until her teens between them, they simply gravitated towards each other when Jack came back into play where the story plays out in the present.

I honestly feel like I blinked and I was done with this book. The story simply had me hooked, and the flow was perfect, and given that I didn’t even take a break… I never came to a spot that bored me or seemed out of place.

I do feel like these characters could have been better developed and do seem shallow at the surface and I wish we explored them in a deeper level that allowed us to see their wants and wishes and what they’re striving for. As a result the secondary characters did, in my opinion, suffer.

The constant use of pet names also got to me here. I’ve never had this issue at all, but for whatever reason did take away from the story for me.

Overall, if you want a fast paced, high spice read that absolutely reminds me of 50 Shades, this is it. Regardless of its flaws I really did enjoy this novel and look forward to more from this author.


Huge thank you to Tor, Netgalley and Lora Leigh for the eARC!

Rating: 2/5 Stars
I personally struggled a lot with reading Play Dirty.

This book may not be for me, but I can see others enjoying this book if you're looking for a quick read and like a bit of darker romance.

The main reason I really struggled with Play Dirty is because Jack is way too much of an alpha-hole. I'm typically okay with alpha-holes in books, but Jack comes off really, really controlling, possessive, and condensing when it comes to Poppy.

The steamy scenes felt really awkward, to be honest, and I just felt like there was no chemistry with Jack and Poppy outside and inside the bed.

Jack and Poppy did not seem fleshed out well and was definitely more on the one-dimensional side. The plot did not have much progression, and the big bad felt like it came out of nowhere.

As I said, this was not for me, but that does not mean you will not enjoy it, and I do think a lot of people will end up enjoying Play Dirty.