Series: Sydney Smoke Rugby, Book 7
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Male/Male Romance
Release Date: September 6, 2021
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
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?
Amy Andrews’s sexy Sydney Smoke rugby players are back in Playing it Safe. I’ve been waiting a few years for Donovan Bane to get his own story and he was so worth the wait. Donovan is a loving father (swoon) and a tough-as-nails rugby player. He’s also sweet and vulnerable in ways that caught me off guard and I loved that. Donovan has lived his life in the closet, never risking even a casual relationship with another man for fear of being outed. He doesn’t want his team or his loved ones – especially his daughter – to have to face potential backlash, trolls, slurs, and more. As much as the world has changed, Donovan knows he will still have to face hatred and he doesn’t want to deal with that plus being in the spotlight as the first out actively playing professional rugby player. Donovan figures he can wait to live his life until he retires in a few years. Then he meets the Smoke’s newest finance guy, Beckett Stanton…
The out and proud Beck has been scarred by a past relationship with a closeted man he has no desire to repeat the experience. But meeting Donovan is like being smacked with a two-by-four. The sexual tension between Beck and Donovan is out of control and what’s more, the two simply like being together. A short fling between new friends never hurt anyone, right? Except it’s clear to them both that what they have is so much more than that. Beck and Donovan have some hard choices to make to decide what is the right path for each of them and whether or not that means they can be together.
Donovan and Beck are both fun, likeable guys with good hearts. They have red-hot chemistry that is clear from the instant they meet. Donovan’s only relationship has been with his ex-wife and combined with his lack of experience he asks Beck to be his tutor. The other man is more than willing to do so and I loved the openness and lack of judgment from both of them. Their physical and emotional honesty gave Playing it Safe heart to match the extreme heat these two gave off.
Playing it Safe is the seventh book in the Sydney Smoke Rugby series but it can easily be read as a standalone. Whether you’re a fan of the series or are jumping in for the first time, Donovan’s relationship with his teammates is delightful. I adore the team Andrews has built – any time spent with them is a rucking good time.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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