International Player

By: Louise Bay

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Shane East

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Available in audio first, an intoxicating new romance by USA Today best-selling author Louise Bay!

Being labelled a player never stopped me from being successful with women. Until I met Truly Harbury. Truly was the first girl who ever turned me down. The first female friend I ever had. And she might just be the first woman with whom I ever fall in love. 

When an emergency means she needs my help running her family’s charity, I’m happy to introduce her to the glitz and glamour of the London business world - taking her to dinners, coaching her through speeches, zipping up the sexy evening gown I helped her pick out. The more time we spend together, the more I want to convince her I’m not a man to avoid, that we’re not as unsuited as she believes.

She sees herself as the book-reading, science-loving introvert while I’m the dangerous, outgoing charmer. She thinks I love parties and people whereas she prefers pajamas and takeout. What she doesn’t realize is that I like everything about her - the way her smile lights up a room, how her curves light up my imagination, and especially the way her lips taste when coated with tequila.

She’s the first woman with whom I ever fell in love. I just need to know if she could ever love me, too.

©2019 Louise Bay (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Slow Start — Excellent Story

Louise Bay has become one of my favorite authors, but at the beginning of this book I was disappointed. The female lead, Truly, seemed whiny and insecure to a fault. Annoying. But I should have had more faith in Louise.
What makes her books so great is her character development. That is what draws me into the story the most, with the well-written and very erotic sexual encounters adding a lot.
Noah, the male lead, is the man of anyone’s dreams, but he has issues too. The story of their working through them to their hea in a usually direct and honest way made this an outstanding read.

EXASPERATING FEMALE LEAD

I will start by saying that Saskia Maarleveld and Shane East narrated beautifully. However, the story was frustrating and the heroine was way beyond exasperating.

I will not leave spoilers, but I will say that the heroine would have been better off if she would have used a "Magic 8 Ball" to decide her life, instead of using her twisted logic to do it. She made decisions based on what other people said she should do, or on what she assumed they would think she should do, instead of talking things out.

Six hours into the book and she finally spills her crazy beans, and she wants the hero to make a snap decision guaranteeing her a lifelong commitment. I just couldn't connect with her, and her illogical drawn-out internal monologues.

I have most of Louise Bay's books (ebooks and audiobooks) and I have loved most of them, but this story was just not for me.

I am in the minority with my less-than-stellar review, so don't pass it up just because the story was not for me.

Interesting

Hmm Truly wasn’t my favorite female character at all, she needed a man to show her, her worth. I just don’t buy that. She and her sister both have their strengths sure but I don’t know I just didn’t get it.
I understand her need to keep what she and Noah have in this box but it was almost too boxy. That probably doesn’t make sense but I don’t know I guess I wanted something more. The chemistry was there but the friendship for me wasn’t and with the way, this book was presented I missed that I guess. I mean he helps her sure but maybe we are missing parts of the story because it felt rushed and not complete.

I enjoyed the narration. It didn’t scream out to me.

A solid story. Great narration.

This is a very Louise Bay story... Well developed characters, emotionally engaging and a solid romance overall. Not too heavy on the drama yet still had enough to keep me pressing play. I one observation about this story would be that I felt the leading female character gave herself too much of a hard time with her self esteem. I found it as a let down how she saw herself not only worthy of Noah's attention, but the many comparisons between her sister and her was a bit of a turn off for me. If felt in a way like a Cinderella story in the fact that she had to grow into her own skin and accept herself during the process, but even by the end the insecurities took too much of her head space. The narration for both characters was excellent!!!

Great performance but story wasn’t for me

I got weary of the heroine complaining about her weaknesses until the end of the book. I started to skip through her parts. The hero was better, although he didn’t seem that into her at first. She relied too much on others for her self worth and was too afraid of change.

Good solid story, fantastic performance

Saskia Maarleveld and Shane East gave an outstanding performance. I really enjoyed their light British accents. Saskia Maarleveld has an incredibly expressive voice. Her tones really share the feelings Truly is struggling with. Shane East, I mean, can have even narrate something badly? And when he goes all sexual... chills and goosebumps! Seriously, he was talking about a first kiss and it was one of those first kisses that I felt!!

The story itself was enjoyable. I really liked Truly. She struggles with so many insecurities. She's a woman that I can relate to. She's strong and capable, yet, she struggles with believing in herself. Noah is a man of strong and ethical character. I fell for him the moment he started showing Truly how wonderful SHE is. She's always comparing herself to others and she doesn't think she measures up. I love watching her find her way... super enjoyable!

5 stars

What did you love best about this story?
This is a beautiful story about two friends that decided to have something more, something casual with no strings attached and failed because what they feel for each other was bigger than what they’ve thought.

What about Shane Easton & Saskia Maarleveld’s performance did you like?
I love the narrations, Shane Easton did an amazing job as Noah, his accent was perfect and it would make you feel goosebumps each time he speaks. And Saskia Maarleveld was amazing as Truly, especially when she narrates Truly’s feelings and insecurities. I love how both narrators make us feel the characters feelings.

Who was your favorite character and why?
Noah is inspiring, he’s a fighter, he overcomes tragedy and now he makes sure to LIVE his life at maximum and he makes Truly to overcome her insecurities too, he makes her be a better version of herself.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely. This is a beautiful story, it showed us how to overcome from a tragedy and insecurities. Two amazing human beings who are better together, very inspiring.

Any additional comments?
I can’t wait to read the ebook version of International Player. It’s coming on April 30th.

Infuriating female lead

The narrators were awesome but the female lead ruined it for me, she constantly needed to be babied and taken care of, i wish she was a more independent woman, she’s supposed to be smart and quirky but instead wonders why she cant wear a jumper to a work presentation ? If you’re a feminist, you wont like this book.

WINNER!!

I live for discovering new authors, so I jumped at the chance to give Louise Bay a try. International Player delivered more than I was expecting. Great characters, sexy accents and a heartwarming romance. Truly and Noah are both running from something. Truly spends her time stuck in the shadows of her more vibrant twin. Noah spends his days trying to escape painful memories of a childhood he'd rather forget. East and Maarleveld guide readers into a world of heartbreaking tragedy, inspiring strength and unforgettable romance. Bay strikes at the heart.. International Player appeals to the emotions and that 's what makes it a winner.

Mite me her best book yet

I have listened to all Louises books and this one is at the top of the list. Great narrators just a awesome book.

light harted and hot

Really enjoyed this book - not too heavy open door romance story that has a few steamy scenes and a good finish

It was fun and good listen!

Simple and very easily guessable HEA, just what I like in easy-going reads like this. No surprises, very relatable characters. Totally recommend it. Ah, Shane East is one of my favourite readers, his voice is simply awesome.

Easy read

Romantic, funny with a serious back story. Sexy scenes, not too heavy. A little mushy, lucky not too much. Enjoyed the narrators, their voices were easy on the ears.

sublime

it's sublime, good story. couldn't stop listening, easy to get lost into. loved the 2 narrators' interpretation

Loved it!

The story is great and interesting and so are the characters. Nice and easy listen. Narration was so good.

Sweet.

Sweet with low drama and some Steamy bits. a very enjoyable HEA. And Really with the magic combo of Saskia and Shane as Narrators it makes it so much better.

Easy

Great book simple story with great twist fun to listen too
Glad i got this book

Great

Loved Nathan and Trulys story such great characters and seeing them blossom into a fabulous couple x

A predictable story

Can't say anything bad, as I listened, enjoyed, and finished this book. Despite the predictable plot, I really enjoyed this book. Easy and pleasant listening.

Was an easy listen

Enjoyable listen. Was a pleasant listen while I was sun bathing. Wasn’t my favourite book from this author but still enjoyed