“I loved you then. I love you now. I’ve loved you every day for the past seven years… Every day, every minute, every second.”
SQUEEEEE. SWOON. DREAMY SIGH…. I SERIOUSLY ADORED THIS BOOK!! WOW!
Play It Safe is a must-read for fans of second-chance romance!
This book was a heart breaking, heart warming, heart racing, keep-you-up-all-night, have-you-swooning-squeeing-and-declaring-your-undying-love-for-the-hero kind of story. It made me laugh, squee, cry, grin…. it was everything you could want in a book.
This was my first 6 star (above and beyond) KA read. I was hooked!!! I started it just after midnight and it kept me riveted to it until the sun came up and my iPad died and then after only a few hours of sleep I was wide awake again and finished it. I literally could not tear my eyes away from the story.
I just love a book about a crazy-in-love functional couple where all the drama in the story comes from external sources, not from problems within their relationship and not from any stupidity from the characters.
Basically, Ivey and her older brother Casey came from a really horrible messed up family. When things got really bad and Ivey was attacked, Casey beat up her attacker and they has been on the run every since, going from town to town, hustling people to make ends meet. Its not the life Ivey wanted, but it was the only life she’d known. But she always had to play it safe – never make any connections. But when they paseds through the town of Mustang, Ivey met Grayson Cody – who was a beyond-swoony Alpha cowboy rancher. They both felt this pull towards each other but Ivey was wary of making connections. When she got attacked, and Gray stepped in to save her and took her home to keep her safe, it became harder and harder to ignore the fact they had something really serious to explore between them.
“You still fallin’ in love with me?… ‘Cause you know, baby, I’m already gone for you.”
Their relationship progressed at a beautiful, intense but not rushed pace. But just when things were starting to seem to good to be true, they were betrayed by someone close to them – an old enemy of Gray’s who wouldstop at nothing in order to hurt him…. Separated for many years, their feelings for each other stayed as strong as before. And when Ivey got word that Gray is in trouble, she rushed back to Mustang and as soon as they figured out that they were betrayed, nothing would be able to keep them apart again.
“I loved you then. I love you now. I’ve loved you every day for the past seven years… Every day, every minute, every second.”
Grayson Cody. *swoon-drool-sigh* I LOVE LOVE LOVED him right from the start. It was instant swoony love. He was another of those PERFECT male characters in my eyes – there was nothing about him I would change. He was a seriously macho man cowboy rancher, but also a hot-as-all-hell Alpha who was kind, oh-so-loving, sweet, thoughtful, confident, oozing natural authority, generous, understanding, with serious do-not-fuck-with-me vibes and who was head-over-heals in love with his woman.
Ivey was a delightful heroine. She was never annoying, so insanely loyal to her man, and turned into quite a spitfire by the end of the book.
Ivey and Gray’s connection, even from the start, was SO strong and built itself up so beautifully that it was hard to imagine what could ever possibly tear them apart. They were just perfect for each other. And when the betrayal came, it was just so numbing. Shocking. (Just for your peace of mind, neither of them betrays the other – its again, completely external). The betrayal though was just plain dirty, it ripped my heart out and I just couldn’t stop from turning the pages because I just NEEDED them back together again.
But their reunion!!!!! Wow! That might have been one of the best reunion scenes I’ve ever read. It had me squeeing out loud, fanning myself (I did a lot of that this book) and grinning till my cheeks hurt.
“Never before, never since have I felt for any woman, fuck, anyone the way I felt about you. I want that back. I want my girl back”
Oh and the HEAT in this book!! Some of even just their kisses had me breathless and fanning myself. There was lots of steam in this book – really beautiful, intense, HOT bedroom scenes with really deep emotion in them.
And also, this book has a super sweet HEA and a beautiful epilogue as well 🙂
I can’t say how much I adored this book. This is KA at her best!
I highly recommend it for everyone. It is a stand alone and can be read even if you’ve never read a Kristen Ashley book before.
5++++ STARS!
READING ORDERS FOR ALL KRISTEN ASHLEY SERIES.
Theresa (T. L. Shreffler) says
OMG can I just say that I absolutely LOVE your blog because it’s covered in pictures of HAWT MEN?? WOW! I am addicted to your reviews too lol. But seriously, the sexy swoony guy pics make all the difference. I also like it that you use a 10-star reviewing system.
I was originally drawn to your blog by the pretty header because I liked the font. Then I realized it was the same font I was already using on my website, lol! http://www.runawaypen.com Harrington, right? :p
I’ll be following your blog, missy. Great stuff.
Theresa (T. L. Shreffler) says
Whoops, not my website. I meant I was using it on my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/tlshreffler
I used to have it on my website, too. Now you’re making me want to switch back… hmmm… :p
Aestas says
Hey that IS the same font! Cool!! I totally fell in love with it when I first saw it 🙂
I’m so glad you are loving my blog! I’ll keep the hawt man pics coming 😛
Stacie says
WOW!!! This book was fabulous. I saw it a few months ago on your HEA recommendations and, although you gave it a stellar review, I bypassed it due to my own idiotic reasons. Then the other day I was looking for a new book to read, I decided to give this one a try.
Oh my gosh, I wish I hadn’t passed it up months ago … This is such a wonderful love story with just the right amount of drama, angst, and ‘Oh my goodness’ moments that I just had a hard time putiing it down.
Another ‘perfect’ review and recommendation from you. You’re the only blogsite I consult with for my next read. Thanks!!
angie (from England) says
Oh i so have to buy this book immediately! I have NEVER read a kristen ashley book before! Can anyone explain whats all the mega mania over her books??
Aestas says
Her books are just plain awesome 😀 Hence, the mania lol. You could totally start with this one since it’s a standalone. But if you want to read more of her books, just check out this page here: http://aestasbookblog.com/kristenashleyreadingorder/
Brenda Bauman says
I totally love this review and agree that it is Kristen Ashley at her best. It is one of those books that pulls you right in and I wasn’t able to put it down until I finished it. ( thankfully I started it on the night before my day off from work, so it didn’t matter that I didn’t get much sleep.) Your review was so well written that if I hadn’t already read the book I definitely would have bought it to read. I may actually have to read it again!
Melissa Murray Quintanilla says
Awesome review. This is one of my most favorite of Kristen’s books.
Rita says
Oh I love Kristen Ashley! I may be wrong, but have you not read Fairytale Alive…best book ever!
Stacey Spence says
Loved this book. Thanks for recommending this book.
I think my favorite name for now on is Hoot Booker!
Lisa says
Love second chance romances
Definitely will get this Book ..
Great Review
Leanne Arnold says
I am on my 3rd KA re-read of the year. I’m obsessed. This book is one of my faves!
Leanne Arnold says
I am too big a fan of KA. It’s crazy!
Rebecca Whaley says
I love this book! Kristen Ashley is my favorite author!
Jo Anne Vincenti says
sounds like an awesome story – thanks for sharing