When I read the blurb, I couldn't resist what is one of my favorite tropes - friends to lovers. Kiersten has known a lot of tragedy in her life. First, she lost her parents, then her sister and brother-in-law in a car accident, then Pete, her fiancé, cheated on her. As her nephew's legal guardian, she's also a single mom. She doesn't trust men or relationships anymore, mostly to guard her heart, but also because it's best for her nephew, Chris. Garrett has had a crush on Kiersten since high-school. That crush never waned, but since Kiersten's ended engagement, he's been put firmly in the friend's corner. On the one year anniversary of what would have been her wedding day, she has a moment of weakness fueled by anger and resentment towards her ex. She knows Garrett is interested and he's the best candidate to help her scratch her itch. She didn't count on him wanting much more than she was prepared to ever give. He's tenacious and becomes even more determined when she tells him they're about to become parents.

I really wanted to like this story because the plot was good, the obstacles were somewhat believable, but the characters didn't really carry this story very well. I understood the heroine's feelings over the losses she's experienced in her life. When Pete cheated, he not only broke her, but he had also hurt Chris. It was no wonder she preferred to be alone. I just didn't approve of how she went about dealing with it and her treatment of the men in her life. Garrett was sweet and loving, kind of the perfect guy. But I couldn't understand why he was attracted to Kiersten in the first place. She used him and kept pushing him away, even during the pregnancy, and she had no friends (I am not counting the neighbor that popped by once to bring her some food as a friend). Why did he let her jerk him around for so long? I felt like I spent so much time in Kiersten's head that it didn't help me like her despite coming around at the end. I thought her wavering emotions dragged on far too long with her trying to hold to her mantra. And I don't think it was the pregnancy hormones.

Then there was her overly protective brother and Garrett's best friend, Matt. He kept warning Garrett away from acting on his crush, but I would have thought Matt would be happy that a man like Garrett would be there for her. Especially after the Pete fiasco. Having her repeat how all of it was Pete's fault was also a little annoying. I think that was well established in the beginning of the story, and the point didn't need to be driven home throughout the story.

There was also one small inconsistency:

He used to have a crush on her back in high school and probably still wondered what it would be like between them, so less likely to reject her. - (Kiersten is outlining why she's about to make a move on Garrett, Chapter Two)

Then ...

Garrett squinted through his good eye, trying to focus on Mike. "I'm sorry, man, but you know how I've felt about her since high school. This can't be much of a surprise."

"What?" Kiersten looked at Garrett in surprise. "What do you mean?" - (Chapter Six)

Why was she surprised? She knew about the crush in chapter two.

Overall, I felt that the characters were a little bland and immature. I didn't believe the chemistry; I didn't believe the budding relationship. The painful journey of waiting for her character to peak was fraught with one too many "I don't want to" and "I can't". This story wasn't what I expected, but I may try something else by this author at another time.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. ( )

You can find this review at My Favorite Things (heffroberts.com)

So this Take a Chance series has been making it's way through a connection of people. Try Me focused on Jeremy and Erica, Love Me focused on Erica's brother Thomas and Brianna, and now Play Me focuses on Brianna's sister Kiersten and Garrett. I like when stories in a series can link without depending on the other stories. It's like a happy little community of romance.

This story had my emotions in a vice grip almost the entire time. Kiersten REALLY rakes Garrett over the coals. But what a lovely story. I'm not sure if there will be more book released in this series, but I hope so. ( )

Play Me (Take a Chance #3) by Diane Albert’s

I’ve read the first book in this series Try Me and it was quite enjoyable, so of course when I seen the blog tour for Play Me I signed up immediately. Play me is a short, sexy, enjoyable read. The cover is fantastic.

Diane Albert’s writing is great, her words flow well, and the characters are relatable and realistic. It’s a great book when you have an hour or two to lose yourself in a story.

Play Me is a story about two people Garrett and Kiersten who have been friends for years, Garrett actually had a crush on Kiersten all through high school. Garrett’s best friend is Kiersten brother and he sees right through Garrett every time he denies he still has a crush on his sister.

Kiersten loves having Garrett as one of her close friends, but she has been hurt and won’t ever trust a man again. Knowing she has to protect her heart and her son’s this time around she is sure she will never want a relationship with a man any time soon.

On the day she was supposed to getting married Kiersten makes a play on Garrett thinking he doesn’t want a relationship and probably be game for a little fun for one night. Boy was she wrong.

Things from here get bad to worse, and then through in a surprize, will Garrett every be able to see Kiersten as a friend again and will Kiersten realize that she is made a huge mistake? You just have to pick up a copy of Play Me and find out what happens for yourself.

Diane Albert’s has written another fantastic story and I cannot wait to read more from her.

I have rated Play Me a 4 star rating and recommend to everyone and anyone who loves the adult romance genre.
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This was a cute short romance about Kiersten and Garrett. They have known each other for years and Garrett has had a crush on her since high school. Garrett teaches middle school math and coaches the basketball team that her son, Chris was on. Kiersten recently broke up with her cheating fiance’ and she decided to have a night of wild sex with Garrett. He was hoping for more but she didn’t want a relationship.

I liked Kiersten because she showed her independence by raising her nephew as her own son. However, I was also very frustrated with her because she wouldn’t give Garrett a chance. She was afraid to open up her heart because of her ex-boyfriend. Garrett was definitely a catch and he was so patient with her. He told her want he wanted out of the relationship and would give her time but they could not go back to being just friends.

Then they found out she was pregnant and Garrett stepped up to the plate and moved into her house so that they can become a family and raise the baby along with Chris. They think they can keep it platonic and stay in separate rooms but I knew that wasn’t going to last. Even Chris was asking why they couldn’t be a real couple.

Finally Kiersten came to her senses and realized that she loved him but was it too late? Had she pushed him away already?

I enjoyed this romance because the author invested time in us getting to know the characters and their romance. I was rooting for Garrett not to give up and for Kiersten to come to her senses! I have not read this author before and found out that this is part of a series and will go back to read the prior stories.

Rating-4

Heat Rating-Hot

Reviewed by: Donna McClaugherty ( )

Reviewed by Kim
for Read Your Writes Book Reviews

I’ve FINALLY read a book by Diane Alberts!!!!!

Play Me is a sweet and incredibly hot book. It’s short, so you get to the steamy action quickly.

Kiersten has been so messed up from the horrible marriage of her parents, a broken heart and failed engagement due to her cheating ex-fiance that she doesn't trust men or believe in relationships and marriage. She is fine raising her late sister’s son all by herself.

Garrett is a really great guy. He’s had a crush on Kiersten, his best friend’s younger sister, since high school. After spending several weekends hanging out alone together, Kiersten convinces Garrett to sleep with her.

In the beginning, I felt sorry for Kiersten. The way that she treats Garett after she finds out that she's pregnant made me dislike her. Oh, I understand her situation, but still. Kiersten has SERIOUS trust issues. Garrett works overtime to prove to her that he is someone she can trust, depend on, and love. He’s a family guy through and through. What happens in this book will make you go “wow” and leave you smiling.

Source: Publisher ( )