The Perfect Play [Paperback]

The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
Contemporary Romance -Feb. 1st, 2011
4  stars

Jaci Burton has done it again. Fans on contemporary romances with heat will love this latest book. It appears to be the 1st in a series about the popular and athletic Riley family. Sexy and real, this is a book that will satisfy the romantic and has smoldering scenes to keep you warm at night!

Mick Riley is the oldest in the Riley family and a famous quarterback to the SF Sabers. Handsome and charming, he is charismatic and a ladies man. But Mick it tired of all the glamour and just wants a break from all the PR. Football is what he wants to focus on, that is until he gives directions to a lovely blonde after his daily workout. Mick can't get her out of his mind. He likes her personality, and she is actually fun to be with, not work. When he spies her at a party, he is determined to introduce himself.

Tara is an event manager, and tonight she is responsible for the SF Sabers bash. She can't believe she asked the star quarterback for directions and ran away. She is even more shocked when he finds her at the event and asks her to dance. Soon they find themselves in the hotel getting hot and heavy. But Tara knows she isn't his type that is until he tracks her down at her job. Can they even have relationship when they are two totally different people?

I liked Mick's single-minded drive to catch Tara. He is a bit underhanded and sneaky when he involves Tara's co-workers to help him woo her. She never stood a chance. I also liked that he soon wants to meet her son and is eager to learn about Tara.

Both of these characters have a real depth that got me involved in their lives. Plus Mick is pure sex on a stick. I am pretty jealous of Tara. I think any woman alive would like to be pursued by Mick! Tara feels like a genuine person struggling to `make it.' She is trying to handle a rebellious teenage son and run a successful business. She doesn't have time for a famous athlete who is probably going to break her heart. She figures it is most probably just a one-night stand to remember. But she underestimates Mick's determination.

The best part of this book is the scorching chemistry between the two main characters from the get go. Even though they got together quick, I really felt their connection. They were two genuine people really liking each other and enjoying each others' company. This book also tackles some serious issues about fame and each character's own personal courage. I also liked that Tara had insecurities and Mick loved her just the way she was (over fashion models and famous celebrities). This book stands out among the slew of steamier books out today because the main characters don't just lust after each other and have a relationship that often seems to masquerade as true feelings. They have genuine affection and respect for each other.

The Perfect Play is the perfect blend of sexy and fun with really down to earth and likeable characters. The smoldering scenes are just icing on the cake!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Tara Lincoln is an event planner and owner of The Right Touch. By chance, she lands the summer party of the NFL team the San Francisco Sabers. The party is a complete success and it is here she meets the Sabers star quarterback, Mick Riley. Mick is usually seen with an actress or model draped across his arm, so Tara is shocked when he takes interest in her. He makes her dance with him, and later invites her up to his hotel room.

Mick is tired of his agent Liz throwing beautiful women his way. He wants someone who is not after his money or fame - and when he sees Tara he instinctively knows she is "normal." She interests him and he really just wants to get to know her. Being extremely physically attracted to her doesn't hurt either.

Although they are perfect in bed together, real life always throws in more complications. Tara is a single mom, raising a teenager. It has always just been Tara and Nathan and she is not used to putting herself or anyone else first. Mick is known everywhere, and that fame is hard to deal with. Convincing Tara this is not a casual fling will be tough for Mick to do.

First let's all just stare at the cover for The Perfect Play. Sexy, yes? Jaci Burton has been hit with the cover of all covers. I honestly don't know if I could pass this book up if I saw it sitting on the shelves. *wipes drool*

I had a tough start with this book. Mick and Tara meet right at the start of the book, and they had never met before. By page ten, Tara states:

"The more time she spent with him, the more she liked him. Dammit. Why couldn't he be an arrogant son of a bitch, full of himself and talking of nothing by his career and his stats? It would be so much easier to walk away from him if he was self-absorbed. But not only was he gorgeous, he was also funny and was interested in her and her career, and she liked spending time with him."

So Tara knows all this about him by page TEN? Someone she meets on page FOUR. I just don't think this is a realistic mind set someone would have after just meeting someone. How does she know all of this already? She wouldn't. And then he takes her up to his hotel room and tells her he is not there to seduce her just to talk and get to know her. Which of course leads to sex. He comes off very pushy to start. Not arrogant as in - hey I'm famous and rich. But arrogant that Tara would naturally choose to be with him. He also assumes from the beginning that Tara is not out for his money or fame. Again, that night that he meets her. Which to me made it less believable.

So yes, I had a really hard time connecting with Mick at the beginning. But as I continued reading, after a few chapters I felt like the characters calmed down and their relationship took a much nicer turn. I enjoyed Tara's conflict within herself. She has lived her life always so worried about her son, that just because she meets Mick and does develop feelings for him that doesn't change who she is. She is still the worried mother. There is one particular scene towards the end where Nathan is used as a ploy, and Tara is hurt by this. And I think this is a great scene because it shows, no matter how much she cares for Mick, Nathan is still the most important thing in her life. She learns to accept other important people, but it really stays true to her character.

I really enjoyed the pages spent with Mick back home in St. Louis with his family. This is where I feel we get to meet the real Mick and where the story definitely picks up. Tara is able to see the other side of Mick, the one not playing football or posing for pictures. His brother Gavin and his agent Liz all have some nice scenes as well.

One thing I find no fault with are the sex scenes. Yes, look at that cover again - Jaci Burton writes very, very hot smex and the scenes are quite plentiful in this book. The smex scenes do that cover quite proud.

I ended up liking this book, it just took me a little while to get there. I believe the next book is about Mick's brother and baseball star Gavin, and I am very much looking forward to his story.

I loved the premise of the book. The male lead, Mick, came across as human and likable...a dream guy. However, the female lead Tara was annoying. She continually jumped to the same conclusions and then had to beg for forgiveness. While at first I felt she had a normal concern for a single mother, it was a never ending loop. Basically, the book could have been a short story if you cut out the repetitive argument. I love the author, and her other books, and wish I could have enjoyed this one more :/

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