Playing to Win

By: Jaci Burton

Narrated by: Lucy Malone

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases - on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder. But if he doesn't clean up his act, his career is over - so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He's not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she's not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she's determined to give it her best shot.

When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields.

©2012 Jaci Burton (P)2013 Tantor

It was good but nothing memorable to stand out.

Playing to Win is the fourth book in Jaci Burton’s Play by Play series, Cole Riley hasn’t been able to find his place with a football teams. After being traded to his 3rd NFL Team, Cole needs to clean up his image. In comes Savannah Brooks, a Georgia Peach who’s an expert at making over an image. Cole doesn't think that there’s anything wrong with his image. If his image is tainted, it’s because of the media, not him. Savannah’s job is to convince Cole to learn how to be less self absorbed and become a team player if he wants to have a long career with the Traders. I really like this series. I felt like something was missing for me in this book. I could not connect with their relationship. I liked Cole and Savannah as individuals but wasn't completely sold on the chemistry and the attraction. What I want between the hero and heroines is hot, sizzling chemistry with a little angst thrown in. There was none of that. Cole and Savannah together was very blah. Cole wasn't happy about having Savannah underfoot, making over his image and I expected more conflict. I wanted passionate, heated arguments. There were arguments but they felt flat. Playing to Win was an ok read. Some parts were boring and I felt that we never found out why Cole closed himself off from people. I'm not sure if I want to give up or continue with the series yet.

15 of 17 people found this review helpful

Too much hesitation

Okay, I get the "I can't, but I want to" in the plot, but it went on way too long. And I don't really see anything in the plot to change it. Still really great sex, just not as much as usual.

Not as good as the first 3

This books did not do the rest justice. Very lack luster. I like Burton but this did not cut it.

Loved it!

Loved it! They are cracked but, together not broken. The traditional HEA. The narrator was spot on. And, they complete the story. well worth the credit, can't wait for the next one.

LOVE the Series-but pretty disappointed w/This One

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I absolutely LOVE the series and will continue reading if the series continues. However, this book seemed to take forever to get to any action and then it just seemed to stall.

Time well spent-ehhh. I was so looking forward to this (pre-ordered as soon as available) so my disappointment was amplified-because of my anticipation.

Will I listen again? Probably-but there are many more above it on my second listen list (especially given narrator).but pretty disappointed with this one.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases - on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder. But if he doesn't clean up his act, his career is over - so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He's not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she's not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she's determined to give it her best shot.

When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields.

©2012 Jaci Burton (P)2013 Tantor

The least interesting aspect to the story was Savannah and her constant picking. Cole is supposed to be a bad, rude, troublemaker however there is not one instance of this behavior after meeting Savannah.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

From the beginning I think I was more focused on the yummy stories than the narrator.

However, she just grated on me through the entire book-the further I went the worse it got. I picture her to be a NASALLY, older woman. Most of the men sounded the same as well as the women (with the exception of a few pathetic attempts at a southern accent).

I went back [as the narrator is the same for the entire series] to see if my opinion for this book was too harsh. It isn't, she is consistent.

Do you think Playing to Win needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not necessarily a follow up, but absolutely keep the series going.

However, I'd recommend a new narrator and get to the hot ["trashy" as this is why I love these books] scenes sooner. It was 4 hours - 1/2 through the book - before we are treated to one.

Any additional comments?

While I'm disappointed in this book, I do like the series very much. However, I'm afraid when I listen again I'll be more focused on the narrators performance than the story.

NOTE: Strong language and sexual content

2 of 4 people found this review helpful

Not as Hot as Books 1 and 2

I miss the original Riley boys.. Jenna... not so much... Cole is meant to be the bad boy but he is just .... I don't know lacking something in his story... I think we need to move on from this. I think I am going to skip until we get to the race car driver...

3 of 8 people found this review helpful

Nothing Special

While I truly believe that Jaci Burton is an incredibly talented author, I did not enjoy "Playing to Win". In this forgettable sports jock non-romance, neither NFL player Cole or PR expert Savanna are interesting or engaging.

I really didn't understand why bad-boy Cole had such a chip on his shoulder; he grew up in a loving, middle-class family - no major tragedies or trauma. In spite of being rich and healthy, Cole was self-absorbed and generally obnoxious.

Savannah had some childhood issues, for which she evidently choose not to get therapy. No, Savannah choose to be miserable and lonely, believing that she didn't deserve to be happy. Tragic but really not entertaining.

Cole and Savannah fought for control in both personal and business matters. I thought their sex scenes were creepy, with each trying to dominate the other (of course Cole always won since the author seems to believe women are naturally weak and passive).

Savanah's best friend was sports agent Liz, now married to the abusive Gavin from book 2. It was depressing listening as she received romantic advise from Liz, a woman who allows Gavin to degrade and humiliate her - what a joke!

I hope that one day Ms. Burton will stop writing about immature brats and create novels about fascinating, independent women and the mature men who appreciate them.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

3.5 STARS GOOD YES BUT JUST NOT GREAT

If you've listened to the others in the series then no doubt you'll want to get this, but I didn't think it was as good as the previous 3.

Yes, it's about a hot handsome hunk that fights women off and it was a contemporary easy going entertaining listen with likeable characters but it wasn't really exciting or pulse pounding, the H/H met worked together, became very attracted to each other, resisted the 'urge' for a while then gave in. There's romance and plenty of sex but I'm sorry to say it felt there was just 'something' missing for it to warrant any addition to the star rating.

Worth a credit? Well, it was like vanilla ice cream - quite edible and enjoyable but a bit bland - so I'm afraid it's going to be a 50/50 for me.

1 of 4 people found this review helpful