After a long history with crappy guys, high school teacher Em Newman is going man-vegan. Four months of revirginization has opened her eyes to her doormat imitation but, baby’s got spine now, and some smooth-talking—even if he is sinfully hot—rugby player, won’t be adding her as a notch anytime soon.

Lincoln Quinn loves rugby, women, and poker. And he likes to win at all three. When his team mates bet him he can’t break through Em’s resolve, he’s more than up for the challenge. But this lady has a shoebox of stipulations before she’ll even go on a date with him, much less use that mouth for kissing instead of giving orders.

Something’s gotta give but this time Em’s not settling. And Linc’s questioning everything he ever knew about matters of the heart.

Each book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1 Playing By Her Rules
Book #2 Playing it Cool
Book #3 Playing the Player

Linc rang Em at the same time he had the day before. Every part of him ached from a morning of gruelling training, but in a good way. The kind of way that made him grateful for his fitness, that made him feel alive. And pumped.

Pumped to make this phone call. Pumped to hear Em say yes.

“Hi, Em Newman speaking.”

She had one of those teacher’s voices. Firm but kind, with just enough fuck-with-me-and-I’ll-send-you-to-the-principal edge to keep a guy in line. That kind of voice that had never really worked on him when he’d been in high school, but then he’d never had a teacher as sexy as Em Newman, either.

He might have turned up more often if he had.

“I think I’ve been going about this all the wrong way,” he said, picturing her sitting at her desk, her mouth pressing close to the phone receiver so she wasn’t overheard.

“I’ve been going for traditional names. But it’s not Ermintrude. Or Emma. Or Emily or Emmeline. So I’m thinking now your parents might be hippies, and it’s actually something like Ember. Or Emerald.”

There was a long pause then a deep sigh. “Why do you care?”

“I want to be able to call you by your real name.”

“Well, the kids call me Miss Newman.”

Linc chuckled. “Oh. Don’t tempt me.”

Another heavy sigh. “Are you just going to ring me every lunch hour?”

“Sure. If I have to.”

“Don’t you have…push-ups to do? Or something? Balls to kick. Tries to score?”

He grinned. “Training finishes at twelve, and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m trying to score right now.”

“Linc…” He’d have to have been deaf not to hear the exasperation in her voice. “I have papers to mark.”

“You are hell on a man’s ego, Miss Newman.” He loved the way “Miss” rolled off his tongue, and a dozen dirty thoughts about naughty teachers with crazy curls bending over to help a student with a problem, their shirts gaping to reveal pretty bras flitted through his head with a predictable effect on his dick.

Who knew teachers could be such a fucking turn-on?

Certainly not a guy who’d spent a good portion of his life avoiding them at all costs.

She snorted. “I have a feeling your ego couldn’t be brought down with an elephant gun.”

He laughed, not even bothering to try and dissuade her from the accuracy of her statement. “The Nerd Chicks are in town on Friday night.”

She didn’t say anything for a beat or two. “You know who the Nerd Chicks are?”

“I do now.”

Linc had spent a long time online last night trying to come up with something that’d blow Em’s mind. He’d finally found An Evening with the Nerd Chicks. Apparently they were three women with science backgrounds who ran a popular YouTube channel discussing all things science and had taken their show on the road.

“We should go together.”

There was another pause, but he thought he could hear her breath hitch. “Top marks for trying, Linc. But it’s sold out. It sold out in about half an hour.”

“Lucky for you I have two V.I.P. tickets.”

He definitely heard her breath this time. Hissing slowly out this time in a long exhale. “Thank you but…no.”

“No? Did I mention you get to meet them afterwards?”

A soft noise that sort of sounded like a whimper or maybe even a low growl caressed his eardrum. “I said no.”

But it was the most unconvincing no Linc had ever heard. He could practically feel her conflict. “Come on, Miss Newman,” he pressed. “Why deprive yourself?”

“Because, Linc,” she muttered, her voice terse, “afterwards I’ll probably fuck you in your ridiculously sexy car.”

Linc’s pulse spiked at her direct prediction. Even if she had sounded utterly depressed over it. He laughed. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. What if I promise to not let you fuck me in my car? Or anywhere else?”

It wasn’t going to win him the bet—but he really didn’t give a fuck anymore. Linc just really wanted to take her to the show. Because she obviously wanted to go.

She snorted. “I can be very persuasive.”

If a book is published under the Entangled Brazen banner, I can always be sure that it’s going to be quick, fun, hot read that I can’t put down. And, if it’s by author Amy Andrews, these things are guaranteed in spades.

PLAYING THE PLAYER is the third book in Amy’s Sydney Smoke Rugby series, and is the kind of laugh-out-loud read that I love. Linc Quinn is a stereotypical baller, in love with his game, his friends, and women. Ah, yes, the women…After plenty of disappointment and some self-actualization, Em Newman has sworn off men, but there’s just something about Linc that she can’t say no to. I mean, months of abstinence can make even the strongest woman waver, and Linc, with his wit, his smile, and his downright sexiness, well, what woman wouldn’t find it hard to resist?

A book doesn’t have to have a HEA for me to enjoy it, but sometimes it’s really nice to just settle in with a book that you know is not going to disappoint. Humor, sexiness, and sass are always winners for me, and Amy has done a fabulous job of making sure that this series has all of these things and more. And, heck, it’s sports romance, so what’s not to love?

PLAYING THE PLAYER is an easy 4.5-stars for me, and I happily recommend it as a much-needed addition to combat the winter blahs. Add this book, and the rest of the Sydney Smoke books to your TBR. You’re in for a treat.

***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***

Amy is a multi award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written over sixty contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets. She’s sold over two million books and been translated into thirteen different languages including manga. Her sizzling books feature lots of sex and kissing. She likes to make her readers tingle, laugh and sigh and please don’t mess with the HEA!

At sixteen she met a guy she knew she was going to marry and she did. They’re still living out their HEA and have two new adult children who are spreading their wings and flying the coop. She loves good books, frequent travel and great booze although she’ll take mediocre booze if there’s nothing else.

Amy spent six years on the national executive of Romance Writers of Australia including a two year term as president and after many years of unofficial mentoring of emerging writers, now runs her own manuscript assessment business, Word Witchery, which specialises in romantic fiction. With unique insight into what makes a story that sells, Amy aims to help every manuscript shine.

She lives on acreage on the outskirts of Brisbane with a gorgeous mountain view but secretly wishes it was the hillsides of Tuscany.