The Way We Play: or Tempting the Kicker

The Bradford Boys

By: Tia Louise

Narrated by: Marcio Catalano, Kirsten Leigh

He’s a grumpy, retired kicker who says he only breaks things. I’m a thirty-year-old virgin with something he can break (and I don’t mean my heart).

How does one get to be a thirty-year-old virgin?

In my case, start with being risk-averse and cautious, focused on building your career, then inherit your 12-year-old, special-needs brother. Done!

Zane Bradford appeared at the perfect time. He takes my brother to equine therapy, he gives me rides to work, and he rescues me when I collapse in the shower. (Yes, he saw me naked.) He says he only breaks things, but I only see him fixing everything. Heck, his job is as a repair man.

This grumpy, angry god with lean muscles, silky dark hair, and ice blue eyes has taken himself out of the game. But massage therapy is my job, and I’m ready to play.

Rachel Wells is ruining everything. She walks into my workplace and argues with me, talks back, defends herself. She gives me romance books to “improve my mood,” and insists on massage therapy to ease my pain. Chronic pain isn’t my problem—she is, with her bright green eyes and sassy attitude. Then she tells me she’s never been kissed. (What’s wrong with the men in Birmingham?) The more she tempts me, the more I feel my resolve weakening. She wants to play, but I’m not going to break.

(THE WAY WE PLAY is a small-town, grumpy-sunshine, sports romance with close proximity, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and a virgin FMC, and an over-protective alpha hero. No cheating. No cliffhanger. No third-act breakup.)

©2024 TLM Productions LLC (P)2024 TLM Productions LLC

Zane and Rachael

There are so many great parts of this story it is hard to pinpoint my favorites, here are a few highlights I thoroughly enjoyed.

When Rachael comes to be Ms Gina's nurse and gets a new start in her life she has no idea that the broody, handsome man who also helped Ms G would steal her heart. Rachael's life hasn't always been easy as she had to care for her brother Edward most of his life and it hasn't always been easy to do. When she gets notice from her grandmother that Edward is having problems without her, she goes and gets him and tries to figure it all out. What she finds is that her new town is full of loving and caring people who wrap them in love and become her family, and they love and care for Eddie as well.

In the previous book, Zane Bradford, aka football star, has come home after a career-ending injury. He is angry, hurt, and in pain and doesn't want to be around anyone. When his sister with a little help from Ms G finally gets him out of his room he starts to live again. Now we are to the present and Zane works for Ms G along with Rachael and she is a distraction like none he has faced before. He wants to keep her at a distance but the pull between them is something he just can't resist.

I loved how this book shows individuals who struggle but find their way. I loved how Zane has such a caring and soft side beneath his grumpy outer layer. I loved how Rachael finds her happy place and her family of friends who truly love her and Eddie. I mostly love Ms G and how this woman can see with her heart even though she can't with her eyes. She is a matchmaker in disguise and does a great job. This book is packed full of funny, great characters and I just loved it.

Marcio Catalano and Kristen Leigh narrate this book.

Loved it!

I love that Zane & Rachel finally gave in to their feelings for each other. But I absolutely adored Ms Gina & Eddy Nashville!!! I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and the narrators were spot on and did an amazing job bringing these characters to life!

A Lovely Grumpy/Sunshine Romance

I was entertained by this story. I liked the characters and their concern for others. I enjoyed the family interactions and the feeling of family that percolated throughout the story. There were some heavy, steamy scenes described. I thought the dual narrators: Marcio Catalano's and Kirsten Leigh's performances enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given an advanced listeners' copy of the audiobook through Home Cooked Books. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this story.

Great story and narration

From the first chapter to the last I was invested in Zane Bradford and Rachel Wells’ (who is guardian to her twelve year old special needs brother Eddie) story.

From the moment they met the sparks flew and not necessarily in a good way. However as their relationship developed there was more to it than chemistry.

This is a story of romance, family, friendship and taking a leap of faith. Zane is my idea of a book boyfriend. He is protective and caring and I loved how supportive he was of Eddie and how he treated him.

This book ticked all the boxes for me. Once again Tia Louise has delivered an emotional, well written and heartwarming story.

The narration by Marcio Catalano and Kirsten Leigh
 brought the characters to life for me. Their voices were easy to listen too and they brought all the passion, drama, romance and humour to their performances. They most certainly did justice to the wonderful story written by Tia Loui

Fantastic narration

Found family, grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity are some of my favorite tropes. Zane is grumpy and growly but has a good heart. Rachel is a ray of sunshine. They find each other at the right time and help one another through life’s challenges. They have great chemistry, compassion and love for one another. Marcio Catalano and Kristen Leigh delivered a fantastic performance. They took the authors words and gave the characters perfect emotion, voice and personality. A great listen. Thank you Home Cooked Books for the complimentary copy.