What do you think?
Rate this book
Back to You #2
Dirty Player
This NHL star isn’t afraid to play dirty to get his girl
It started as a joke…
A throw away promise between friends.
A dare for a single kiss at our reunion and nothing more.
But that kiss…
That kiss was no joking matter.
It was hot and wet.
A hands-everywhere, breathless kind of insanity that left us both teetering on the brink.
She’s got rules about dating guys like me…
Rules I respect the hell out of when they apply to any other pro athlete.
But as they apply to me? Well, those rules are about to be broken.
It started as a joke…
A throw away promise between friends.
A dare for a single kiss at our reunion and nothing more.
But that kiss…
That kiss was no joking matter.
It was hot and wet.
A hands-everywhere, breathless kind of insanity that left us both teetering on the brink.
She’s got rules about dating guys like me…
Rules I respect the hell out of when they apply to any other pro athlete.
But as they apply to me? Well, those rules are about to be broken.
197 pages, ebook
First published May 29, 2018
About the author
Mira Lyn Kelly
96 books2,484 followersFor Mira's latest book news, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.miralynkelly.com/newsletter
Hard core romantic, stress baker, and housekeeper non-extraordinaire, Mira Lyn Kelly is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more than a dozen sizzly love stories with over a million readers worldwide. Growing up in the Chicago area, she earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University and met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy… only to discover he’d been living right around the corner from her back home. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, she’s now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota, where their four amazing children and two ridiculous dogs provide an excess of action and entertainment. When she isn’t reading, writing, or running the kids around, she loves watching the Chicago Blackhawks and action/adventure movies, blabbing with the girls, and cooking with her husband and friends.
Hard core romantic, stress baker, and housekeeper non-extraordinaire, Mira Lyn Kelly is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more than a dozen sizzly love stories with over a million readers worldwide. Growing up in the Chicago area, she earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University and met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy… only to discover he’d been living right around the corner from her back home. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, she’s now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota, where their four amazing children and two ridiculous dogs provide an excess of action and entertainment. When she isn’t reading, writing, or running the kids around, she loves watching the Chicago Blackhawks and action/adventure movies, blabbing with the girls, and cooking with her husband and friends.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
May 7, 2023
Lots of sex scenes in this one.
It was actually a pretty dramaless romance. She liked him but had rules about dating athletes. He liked her and had zero commitment issues. They were very close friends in high school and they had both become professionally successful in the sports industry. She is a well-known sports interviewer and he is a professional hockey player. Nobody is a bad boy or an asshole.
The gist is that these two have kept in touch for all these years, and when they meet up at their high school reunion they share a hot kiss. There's a whole story behind the smooch but it's the bland if we're still single at our 10-year reunion, I'll kiss you sort of thing.
Honestly, there just wasn't enough backstory over the course of the book for me to get invested in these two as lifelong friends. Little snippets but not the kind that made it believable.
Anyway, neither can stop thinking about the kiss, and since they live in the same town one thing leads to another and they're a sneaky couple.
Ok. Stop.
I thought it was bananas that they didn't hang out more beforehand. At first, I didn't think anything about it, but then as the story goes on, you find out that they were basically BEST FRIENDS in high school. How are they only texting each other once every few months? First, it was weird that these two high-profile people graduated from the same class in the same high school. But it was even weirder that they were supposedly each other's support systems all through that time, as well. And then to end up in the same town and NOT see each other except a few random times?
I think this book could have benefitted from a few flashbacks to the good old days. I know I would have felt a bit more attached to the idea that these two were friends-to-lovers if I had seen a bit more of the friends end of it.
Anyway. They're both pretty decent folks, even though they each have the prerequisite hangup that causes the big breakup moment. But I thought it was actually pretty nicely handled and I loved that the author didn't drag it out. The road to their HEA was bumpy but not unnecessarily so, in my opinion.
I'm going to be honest, I ended up speeding up the audio on this one to 1.75x because the book was filled to the brim with these guys getting it on every other page.
Now, the sex scenes were well-written, please don't get me wrong!
Thing is, these days I read romances for the banter and meet-cutes. Yes, I'm officially at the point in my life where I watch porn for the story and read Playboy for the articles.
And yes, I know how that makes me sound.
Point is, if you're like me, just know that this one isn't plot-heavy.
Now, if you're like me 20 years ago, you probably won't be fast-forwarding through the naughty bits, so enjoy yourself!
Both narrators did a fantastic job, so if audiobooks are your jam check it out.
It was actually a pretty dramaless romance. She liked him but had rules about dating athletes. He liked her and had zero commitment issues. They were very close friends in high school and they had both become professionally successful in the sports industry. She is a well-known sports interviewer and he is a professional hockey player. Nobody is a bad boy or an asshole.
The gist is that these two have kept in touch for all these years, and when they meet up at their high school reunion they share a hot kiss. There's a whole story behind the smooch but it's the bland if we're still single at our 10-year reunion, I'll kiss you sort of thing.
Honestly, there just wasn't enough backstory over the course of the book for me to get invested in these two as lifelong friends. Little snippets but not the kind that made it believable.
Anyway, neither can stop thinking about the kiss, and since they live in the same town one thing leads to another and they're a sneaky couple.
Ok. Stop.
I thought it was bananas that they didn't hang out more beforehand. At first, I didn't think anything about it, but then as the story goes on, you find out that they were basically BEST FRIENDS in high school. How are they only texting each other once every few months? First, it was weird that these two high-profile people graduated from the same class in the same high school. But it was even weirder that they were supposedly each other's support systems all through that time, as well. And then to end up in the same town and NOT see each other except a few random times?
I think this book could have benefitted from a few flashbacks to the good old days. I know I would have felt a bit more attached to the idea that these two were friends-to-lovers if I had seen a bit more of the friends end of it.
Anyway. They're both pretty decent folks, even though they each have the prerequisite hangup that causes the big breakup moment. But I thought it was actually pretty nicely handled and I loved that the author didn't drag it out. The road to their HEA was bumpy but not unnecessarily so, in my opinion.
I'm going to be honest, I ended up speeding up the audio on this one to 1.75x because the book was filled to the brim with these guys getting it on every other page.
Now, the sex scenes were well-written, please don't get me wrong!
Thing is, these days I read romances for the banter and meet-cutes. Yes, I'm officially at the point in my life where I watch porn for the story and read Playboy for the articles.
And yes, I know how that makes me sound.
Point is, if you're like me, just know that this one isn't plot-heavy.
Now, if you're like me 20 years ago, you probably won't be fast-forwarding through the naughty bits, so enjoy yourself!
Both narrators did a fantastic job, so if audiobooks are your jam check it out.
May 30, 2018
5 - "Everything... together." Stars!
The second book in Mira Lyn Kelly’s Back to You series gives us long-time friends Julia and Greg’s story. Dirty Player was an absolute winner for me.
The rules side-line reporter Julia Wesley works by pretty much mean that any sort of relationship with a sportsman is out of the question, a woman working in the field she does needs to keep her image clean and her relationships out of the public eye.
"Don’t you want to know what it would be like… Just once?"
That’s why the attraction that has simmered between her and Ice Hockey player Greg Baxter has never stepped out of the friend zone, from the time they left school up to their ten year reunion, and a promise made in a year book. One that states that if they are still single at the aforementioned reunion, a kiss will be shared.
We’re friends. For-real friends. And that’s not something I take lightly… But even if I did, I’ve seen too many promising careers derailed by relationships with the wrong men…
Problem being that what started out as a kiss to keep up a bargain struck as kids turns into something so much more when lips lock and the chemistry that both have tried to keep on the down-low flares up.
"Hope you bought your cherry ChapStick…"
What starts out as a one-time deal morphs into a behind closed doors, do-it-on-any-available-surface secret relationship. And while commitment-shy Greg is ready to step firmly into the spotlight with Julia by his side, it takes her a little longer to get up to speed.
I can’t lie to myself anymore. I can’t lie to either of us. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want him…
I started this in bed, thinking I’d get a couple of chapters read before giving it my full attention the following day, and ended up reading to halfway before I realized the time. It’s that type of book, in that you are having so much fun reading it you lose all sense of time, I absolutely adored both characters in that they were both dealing with personal demons, and professional constraints, yet the author managed to keep the drama really low level, and although integral to the story-line it didn’t take away the light, fun and sexy nature of its telling.
The secondary characters offered good filler with banter and I cannot wait for Jack’s book; Hot Friction after the author gave us a little tease as to what it’s going to be about in the epilogue in this one. Dirty Player can absolutely be read as a standalone, so go grab it and give yourself a few hours reading pleasure!
ARC generously provided by the author, in exchange for the above honest review.
The second book in Mira Lyn Kelly’s Back to You series gives us long-time friends Julia and Greg’s story. Dirty Player was an absolute winner for me.
The rules side-line reporter Julia Wesley works by pretty much mean that any sort of relationship with a sportsman is out of the question, a woman working in the field she does needs to keep her image clean and her relationships out of the public eye.
"Don’t you want to know what it would be like… Just once?"
That’s why the attraction that has simmered between her and Ice Hockey player Greg Baxter has never stepped out of the friend zone, from the time they left school up to their ten year reunion, and a promise made in a year book. One that states that if they are still single at the aforementioned reunion, a kiss will be shared.
We’re friends. For-real friends. And that’s not something I take lightly… But even if I did, I’ve seen too many promising careers derailed by relationships with the wrong men…
Problem being that what started out as a kiss to keep up a bargain struck as kids turns into something so much more when lips lock and the chemistry that both have tried to keep on the down-low flares up.
"Hope you bought your cherry ChapStick…"
What starts out as a one-time deal morphs into a behind closed doors, do-it-on-any-available-surface secret relationship. And while commitment-shy Greg is ready to step firmly into the spotlight with Julia by his side, it takes her a little longer to get up to speed.
I can’t lie to myself anymore. I can’t lie to either of us. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want him…
I started this in bed, thinking I’d get a couple of chapters read before giving it my full attention the following day, and ended up reading to halfway before I realized the time. It’s that type of book, in that you are having so much fun reading it you lose all sense of time, I absolutely adored both characters in that they were both dealing with personal demons, and professional constraints, yet the author managed to keep the drama really low level, and although integral to the story-line it didn’t take away the light, fun and sexy nature of its telling.
The secondary characters offered good filler with banter and I cannot wait for Jack’s book; Hot Friction after the author gave us a little tease as to what it’s going to be about in the epilogue in this one. Dirty Player can absolutely be read as a standalone, so go grab it and give yourself a few hours reading pleasure!
ARC generously provided by the author, in exchange for the above honest review.
March 27, 2021
Dirty Player is OK read. Nothing memorable. The story is straight forward. Characters are developed to be more insta lust than real connection.
The twist and the plot is also standard. Miss Kelly makes this book short so the story is not overly chessy.
3 stars
The twist and the plot is also standard. Miss Kelly makes this book short so the story is not overly chessy.
3 stars
![Profile Image for Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] .](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1700331868i/85343546._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
January 24, 2023
RATING: 3 stars to Dirty Player ★ ★ ★
‘He’s barely arrived, and already I feel the crazy pull that has nothing to do with thirteen years of friendship and everything to do with those scant few minutes we threw caution to the wind.’
“Prepare to have your world rocked, to be ruined for all other dudes, or to fake all of the above for the sake of my fragile ego.”
When a collected promise changes everything.
When real risk sits beyond the friend-zone.
A complementary, self-forbidden friends-to-lovers romance.
Greg Baxter is a hockey star to the Chicago Slayers. He’s not alien to the sacrificial edge of making choices. He’s made it his life since he was high-school aged and best friends with Julia Wesley, until their commitments had them making separate lives for themselves.
A solid ten years later, Julia is a reporter for the NFL. She’s got eyes, ears and an intuition for sport, but her personal life has suffered a draught of trust. She may have two feet in the sports world, but she lives her life outside of sport with one foot out and a rule that makes no exceptions for any athlete fraternisation. Her professional credibility demands her public image comes second to nothing. Her love life is the only thing untouched by the public and she’d like to keep it that way.
Still friends that meet a few times in a blue moon, Greg is mischievously keen to collect a written IOU at their ten year reunion, one that gets him his wish to steal something forbidden from the girl he’s always had his naughty, more-than-friendly blues on. The bomb drops when they both laugh off a kiss that has true staying power, but it’s their friendship that closes the space between them…that, and a searing lip lock with the weight to shift the dynamic that has always worked for them.
Mira Lyn Kelly brings us a standalone, second-in-series hockey romance tied into a lighthearted friends-to-lovers dalliance with strong chemistry between gorgeous Greg and beautiful Julia. I loved the romantic chemistry between both protagonists and, with a bit of backstory that layered up the low-level angst in a believable portrayal, made this read stand out. Julia is great. Greg is great. This romance is sweet intimacy and melt-your-heart fun.
Their trust in each other outweighs their hang ups and the testing point of their relationship shows that. The fact that the conflict was dealt with naturally, and without theatrics was something I really liked. Julia has abandonment issues Greg has issues with trust. Her image is a noose around her neck and a test to their relationship. Between the two of them, trust is the easiest thing to break. I’m so glad, however, that they find themselves having more faith, as should be the case with every relationships development.
This romance presents a smooth idea with fantastic protagonists. Realistic tension and drive with slight, suitable dissension. It was light, honey-warm and saucy fun (With a few well-written dirty kisses thrown into the mix).
Content Warning : Swearing and sex scenes with adult content not suitable for young readers.
------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @VicariousHearts
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
------------------------------------------
A few thoughts…
1) I’m not big on epilogues dedicated to a supporting character. I like to see the endgame from the POV of our main couple; where they are and what they’re up to type of thing.
2) It seemed as though the side characters were just there. We didn’t get an awful lot from them. Aside from this, whenever Greg and Julia are in social settings, the writer glosses over any other conversations they might be having with other people except for the ones Julia and Greg might be having with each other. Not a big issue, but I like romance to be a bit more expansive than concentrated only on whats sits between the main couple.
3) You shouldn’t expect actual hockey related content to grace the pages. I realise that not all authors include the sport itself in the romance, but that’s a point (personally) that sells a book for me. I want to see at least some sport being played, not just a protagonist set in a sporty scene with an inner-though focus that supersedes what’s going on physically.
Favourite Quotes...
‘He’s barely arrived, and already I feel the crazy pull that has nothing to do with thirteen years of friendship and everything to do with those scant few minutes we threw caution to the wind.’
“Prepare to have your world rocked, to be ruined for all other dudes, or to fake all of the above for the sake of my fragile ego.”
When a collected promise changes everything.
When real risk sits beyond the friend-zone.
A complementary, self-forbidden friends-to-lovers romance.
Greg Baxter is a hockey star to the Chicago Slayers. He’s not alien to the sacrificial edge of making choices. He’s made it his life since he was high-school aged and best friends with Julia Wesley, until their commitments had them making separate lives for themselves.
A solid ten years later, Julia is a reporter for the NFL. She’s got eyes, ears and an intuition for sport, but her personal life has suffered a draught of trust. She may have two feet in the sports world, but she lives her life outside of sport with one foot out and a rule that makes no exceptions for any athlete fraternisation. Her professional credibility demands her public image comes second to nothing. Her love life is the only thing untouched by the public and she’d like to keep it that way.
Still friends that meet a few times in a blue moon, Greg is mischievously keen to collect a written IOU at their ten year reunion, one that gets him his wish to steal something forbidden from the girl he’s always had his naughty, more-than-friendly blues on. The bomb drops when they both laugh off a kiss that has true staying power, but it’s their friendship that closes the space between them…that, and a searing lip lock with the weight to shift the dynamic that has always worked for them.
Mira Lyn Kelly brings us a standalone, second-in-series hockey romance tied into a lighthearted friends-to-lovers dalliance with strong chemistry between gorgeous Greg and beautiful Julia. I loved the romantic chemistry between both protagonists and, with a bit of backstory that layered up the low-level angst in a believable portrayal, made this read stand out. Julia is great. Greg is great. This romance is sweet intimacy and melt-your-heart fun.
Their trust in each other outweighs their hang ups and the testing point of their relationship shows that. The fact that the conflict was dealt with naturally, and without theatrics was something I really liked. Julia has abandonment issues Greg has issues with trust. Her image is a noose around her neck and a test to their relationship. Between the two of them, trust is the easiest thing to break. I’m so glad, however, that they find themselves having more faith, as should be the case with every relationships development.
This romance presents a smooth idea with fantastic protagonists. Realistic tension and drive with slight, suitable dissension. It was light, honey-warm and saucy fun (With a few well-written dirty kisses thrown into the mix).
Content Warning : Swearing and sex scenes with adult content not suitable for young readers.
------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @VicariousHearts
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
------------------------------------------
A few thoughts…
1) I’m not big on epilogues dedicated to a supporting character. I like to see the endgame from the POV of our main couple; where they are and what they’re up to type of thing.
2) It seemed as though the side characters were just there. We didn’t get an awful lot from them. Aside from this, whenever Greg and Julia are in social settings, the writer glosses over any other conversations they might be having with other people except for the ones Julia and Greg might be having with each other. Not a big issue, but I like romance to be a bit more expansive than concentrated only on whats sits between the main couple.
3) You shouldn’t expect actual hockey related content to grace the pages. I realise that not all authors include the sport itself in the romance, but that’s a point (personally) that sells a book for me. I want to see at least some sport being played, not just a protagonist set in a sporty scene with an inner-though focus that supersedes what’s going on physically.
Favourite Quotes...
December 11, 2023
I dnf’d nine books before I picked this one up and flew through it. Some elements of Greg (H) and Julia’s (h) romance were a little too heavy on the drama for me and mentions of how he was a player off the ice were a little too frequent (though thankfully not on page). But I loved Greg’s charm and his pursuit of Julia. I really liked that Julia knew what she wanted and stuck to her guns, although I did wish she was more flexible to realize she needed to adjust too.
These two met in high school and developed a bantery, fun, and supportive friendship before either hit it big. They were firmly just friends too. Now Greg’s a star hockey player and Julia’s a sports sideline reporter for the NFL mainly. The just friends boundary gets tested thanks to an old IOU saying if they were both single at their high school reunion, they’d kiss. And ohhh this kiss sets fire to the chemistry. Which then leads to denial, giving in, a hidden relationship, major third act drama, and ultimately a HEA.
Written in first person, dual POV (though the last chapter is an epilogue in a side character’s PoV). No real ow drama (but H is photographed and made to look like there’s drama) and same with h but with an om (who H loses his shit over with jealousy). Neither are virgins, though h’s love life was on lockdown due to public perceptions because of her job where H’s was more frequent and casual (though he does think about how it was also exaggerated).
Julia and Greg’s friendship was so solid and clicked. Their romantic relationship flowed well from that, but adding in lots of steam. I did think their connection leaned heavily into the pre-existing friendship but still did include cute moments and bonding in the present. The heaviness of the drama was a major contrast though, first with Greg not wanting to be a secret and then with the conflicts that briefly break them apart. I appreciated the representation of the stress Julia felt over being a female reporter and her relationships and appearance constantly being under scrutiny. I did feel awful for Greg though when he simply wanted them to claim each other. But then they both have past relationship trauma that cause mistakes.
Supporting character-wise Greg’s teammates were sometimes funny and sometimes way too much. Esp how they talked about women. Julia’s sister and nephew were adorable. Greg got some much needed support from friends (though I was confused who they were since I didn’t read the first book where I assumed they were introduced) and from a surprising source, who I really liked.
The reconciliation was so sweet and emotional. The ending is HFN/HEA of them engaged and about to be married, 6 months later. I don’t think some of my friends would enjoy this but I’m so grateful that it kept me engaged so I could break that depressing streak!
These two met in high school and developed a bantery, fun, and supportive friendship before either hit it big. They were firmly just friends too. Now Greg’s a star hockey player and Julia’s a sports sideline reporter for the NFL mainly. The just friends boundary gets tested thanks to an old IOU saying if they were both single at their high school reunion, they’d kiss. And ohhh this kiss sets fire to the chemistry. Which then leads to denial, giving in, a hidden relationship, major third act drama, and ultimately a HEA.
Written in first person, dual POV (though the last chapter is an epilogue in a side character’s PoV). No real ow drama (but H is photographed and made to look like there’s drama) and same with h but with an om (who H loses his shit over with jealousy). Neither are virgins, though h’s love life was on lockdown due to public perceptions because of her job where H’s was more frequent and casual (though he does think about how it was also exaggerated).
Julia and Greg’s friendship was so solid and clicked. Their romantic relationship flowed well from that, but adding in lots of steam. I did think their connection leaned heavily into the pre-existing friendship but still did include cute moments and bonding in the present. The heaviness of the drama was a major contrast though, first with Greg not wanting to be a secret and then with the conflicts that briefly break them apart. I appreciated the representation of the stress Julia felt over being a female reporter and her relationships and appearance constantly being under scrutiny. I did feel awful for Greg though when he simply wanted them to claim each other. But then they both have past relationship trauma that cause mistakes.
Supporting character-wise Greg’s teammates were sometimes funny and sometimes way too much. Esp how they talked about women. Julia’s sister and nephew were adorable. Greg got some much needed support from friends (though I was confused who they were since I didn’t read the first book where I assumed they were introduced) and from a surprising source, who I really liked.
The reconciliation was so sweet and emotional. The ending is HFN/HEA of them engaged and about to be married, 6 months later. I don’t think some of my friends would enjoy this but I’m so grateful that it kept me engaged so I could break that depressing streak!
October 3, 2020
"You played quarterback to get me back?"
"I'd do anything for you. Even play quarterback."
I read this book after reading Dirty Secret - which you should absolutely not miss out on - and surprise, Greg Baxter was not my favorite character.
Man, I was off. Way off.
Greg has an ego the size of a plane. He can be frustrating, but his heart's in the right place.
Julia's been his friend since school and so much could have happened, but didn't. Until one night under the bleachers that turns out to be more than they bargained for, and what they both deserved. So much.
Not sorry to say I smiled and giggled and swooned over some parts of this book. Even less sorry to say the mix-ups and the ending almost made me cry.
Mira Lyn Kelly's writing is so amazing and I am genuinely happy to be able to read her books. For this one, the insights you get into both of their minds are so important - she's helping you be there with the characters, in that moment. And you are, you just can't help it, not that you would want to anyway.
I like Greg now. A lot. For real.
"I'd do anything for you. Even play quarterback."
I read this book after reading Dirty Secret - which you should absolutely not miss out on - and surprise, Greg Baxter was not my favorite character.
Man, I was off. Way off.
Greg has an ego the size of a plane. He can be frustrating, but his heart's in the right place.
Julia's been his friend since school and so much could have happened, but didn't. Until one night under the bleachers that turns out to be more than they bargained for, and what they both deserved. So much.
Not sorry to say I smiled and giggled and swooned over some parts of this book. Even less sorry to say the mix-ups and the ending almost made me cry.
Mira Lyn Kelly's writing is so amazing and I am genuinely happy to be able to read her books. For this one, the insights you get into both of their minds are so important - she's helping you be there with the characters, in that moment. And you are, you just can't help it, not that you would want to anyway.
I like Greg now. A lot. For real.
March 10, 2021
4.5 Stars!!!
This was a really good friends to lovers romance!! I don’t always believe the whole friends for 10 years and then all of the sudden they decide they are super attracted to one another but this storyline definitely worked!! It was extremely plausible the way everything worked out.
Both characters are very likable and once the venture into the lover portion of the relationship it was super HAWT!!!! The scene where he is really jealous of another guy was panty melting!!
I absolutely enjoyed this book!!
This was a really good friends to lovers romance!! I don’t always believe the whole friends for 10 years and then all of the sudden they decide they are super attracted to one another but this storyline definitely worked!! It was extremely plausible the way everything worked out.
Both characters are very likable and once the venture into the lover portion of the relationship it was super HAWT!!!! The scene where he is really jealous of another guy was panty melting!!
I absolutely enjoyed this book!!
August 29, 2021
5 v. dirty stars
You see that melted puddle of flesh and bones on the floor over there?
That's me after finishing this book.
I don't know what rock I've been hiding under. Seriously. I'd had this baby on my kindle for over a year before I stumbled across this book when looking for my next read. And boy-oh-boy, I'm so freaking happy I did.
This story is about two friends. Best friends. Of 13 years. And you can actually see how much they love each other and how supportive they are towards the other. The real friendship is actually here. They talk, they share their passions and interests, they stay in touch and try to be for the other one whenever things get rough. Something that true-blue friends do. So I was sold from the get-go.
Then there's this promise of a kiss. A kiss that our heroine, Juliet aka Joules, made when they graduated from high school. She promised to kiss him on their 10th year school reunion. And despite having no desire to keep her word, Greg, our hero, sure as hell is not gonna give up on that. He's always been a bit fascinated with Joules and teased her mercilessly about them finally getting together. So now is his chance and he chooses to stand his ground. And so that's exactly what happens. In private, under the bleachers. And sweet heaven above, what a kiss that was!!!
This book is relatively short so I don't want to get into details and spoil it to anyone. We have a lot of angst. And I loved that. We have two fantastic characters, both smart, mature, complicated. These two have layers and that's always sth I look for in my fave characters. Their relationship isn't easy at first. And I didn't always agree with the choices Joules made, sure, but I understood them and her way of thinking. And I applauded Greg and Julia till I hit the end and then I grinned like a madwoman and sighed with so much joy in my heart, my hubs probably thought I went completely and beyond help nuts.
It was sooooo freaking cute!!!
But that's why I love Mira Lyn Kelly. You can always count on her to give you characters you'll love. Or a book with an actual plot. Plus, sports romance? I kinda dig that, not gonna lie.
Summing up, I'm definitely up for book 1 and 3 in the series, I dunno why I started with this one but I'm happy I did.
So if you're looking for a book where the hero worships the heroine, with a nicely done friends-to-lovers trope, a lot of angst, swoony characters, look no further.
This book is IT!
You'll love it, hopefully as much as me.
Highly recommend!!!
You see that melted puddle of flesh and bones on the floor over there?
That's me after finishing this book.
I don't know what rock I've been hiding under. Seriously. I'd had this baby on my kindle for over a year before I stumbled across this book when looking for my next read. And boy-oh-boy, I'm so freaking happy I did.
This story is about two friends. Best friends. Of 13 years. And you can actually see how much they love each other and how supportive they are towards the other. The real friendship is actually here. They talk, they share their passions and interests, they stay in touch and try to be for the other one whenever things get rough. Something that true-blue friends do. So I was sold from the get-go.
Then there's this promise of a kiss. A kiss that our heroine, Juliet aka Joules, made when they graduated from high school. She promised to kiss him on their 10th year school reunion. And despite having no desire to keep her word, Greg, our hero, sure as hell is not gonna give up on that. He's always been a bit fascinated with Joules and teased her mercilessly about them finally getting together. So now is his chance and he chooses to stand his ground. And so that's exactly what happens. In private, under the bleachers. And sweet heaven above, what a kiss that was!!!
This book is relatively short so I don't want to get into details and spoil it to anyone. We have a lot of angst. And I loved that. We have two fantastic characters, both smart, mature, complicated. These two have layers and that's always sth I look for in my fave characters. Their relationship isn't easy at first. And I didn't always agree with the choices Joules made, sure, but I understood them and her way of thinking. And I applauded Greg and Julia till I hit the end and then I grinned like a madwoman and sighed with so much joy in my heart, my hubs probably thought I went completely and beyond help nuts.
It was sooooo freaking cute!!!
But that's why I love Mira Lyn Kelly. You can always count on her to give you characters you'll love. Or a book with an actual plot. Plus, sports romance? I kinda dig that, not gonna lie.
Summing up, I'm definitely up for book 1 and 3 in the series, I dunno why I started with this one but I'm happy I did.
So if you're looking for a book where the hero worships the heroine, with a nicely done friends-to-lovers trope, a lot of angst, swoony characters, look no further.
This book is IT!
You'll love it, hopefully as much as me.
Highly recommend!!!
July 16, 2022
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quick read…. But a little bit repetitive.
Quick read…. But a little bit repetitive.
November 7, 2019
A sweet,forbidden story with a pro-athlete and sports reporter? Also add the added bonus of friends to lovers? You are presented with a pretty candy crushing sweet story for the romantic side in you.
There isn't anything ultra good about this that makes me want to rave about it but then again it was not a complete bore either. The story itself was packed with some witty banter which really piqued my interest but it did not carry the same fun banter that Daisy Prescott and Penny Reid carries. Really the two authors have made it very hard for me enjoy other funny stories as much as theirs.
Still if you are looking for a low angst story with a hot side serving, I would highly recommend this one.
There isn't anything ultra good about this that makes me want to rave about it but then again it was not a complete bore either. The story itself was packed with some witty banter which really piqued my interest but it did not carry the same fun banter that Daisy Prescott and Penny Reid carries. Really the two authors have made it very hard for me enjoy other funny stories as much as theirs.
Still if you are looking for a low angst story with a hot side serving, I would highly recommend this one.
Want to read
April 3, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (4/2/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
This NHL star isn’t afraid to play dirty to get his girl
It started as a joke…
A throw away promise between friends.
A dare for a single kiss at our reunion and nothing more.
But that kiss…
That kiss was no joking matter.
It was hot and wet.
A hands-everywhere, breathless kind of insanity that left us both teetering on the brink.
She’s got rules about dating guys like me…
Rules I respect the hell out of when they apply to any other pro athlete.
But as they apply to me? Well, those rules are about to be broken.
Blurb:
This NHL star isn’t afraid to play dirty to get his girl
It started as a joke…
A throw away promise between friends.
A dare for a single kiss at our reunion and nothing more.
But that kiss…
That kiss was no joking matter.
It was hot and wet.
A hands-everywhere, breathless kind of insanity that left us both teetering on the brink.
She’s got rules about dating guys like me…
Rules I respect the hell out of when they apply to any other pro athlete.
But as they apply to me? Well, those rules are about to be broken.
August 13, 2019
4.5⭐ la historia de Julia y Greg ha sido muy intensa y apasionada; por mucho que ambos intenten resistirse (especialmente ella), acaban traspasando la linia que separa amistad de algo más...
Muy recomendable; está gratis en Amazon para Kindle, así que si leéis en inglés, aprovechad
Muy recomendable; está gratis en Amazon para Kindle, así que si leéis en inglés, aprovechad
March 29, 2020
This was a quick and entertaining read. I thought that the writing was very smooth and inviting. The characters are fleshed out pretty well and had some good development but I personally didn't really connect with them much. The side characters fell a little flat but I am intrigued enough that I want to see some of them in other books. The plot wasn't anything spectacular but it flowed nicely and kept my attention. Overall, this was a fun and breezy read but not very memorable. I am still looking forward to more sports romances from this author though. I think that there is a lot of potential.
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
June 17, 2018
4 ❤️🌟s!
Greg’s character was outstanding!!! 💖
Greg’s character was outstanding!!! 💖
November 24, 2019
Debo decir que descargué este libro a mi kindle simplemente porque estaba gratis en Amazon y tenía buen rating aquí. Lo leí esperando encontrarme un romance de oficina, y aunque el romance entre Greg y Julia es bastante cliché desde más de una perspectiva (friends to lovers, jugador de hockey y periodista deportiva), me gustó lo suficiente como para terminarlo sin distraerme con otra cosa (bueno, sí lei Una Obsesión Perversa entre medio, pero no cuenta porque es papel, y esto es kindle). La trama no me sorprendió nada, y la mayoría de las cosas que pasaron se me hicieron predecibles. Y respecto de los personajes, Julia no me cayó demasiado bien (esa mujer está demasiado obsesionada con su carrera), pero adoré a Greg.
May 29, 2018
Greg and Julia made me all kinds of happy.
This book made my heart all kinds of giddy.
Mira Lyn Kelly hits the mark just about every single time and she blew past the mark with Dirty Player.
So let me give you an overview of this little gem. Greg is a very popular NHL player. Julia is a sports reporter with her main focus being the NFL. Julia has a strict no player dating rule. Greg has made it his mission to help Julia break that rule :) They have history. History that Greg is going to do everything in his power to make present and future! Everything about these two was swoon worthy. Their chemistry was not only sexually off the charts but charming and natural on a friend level. They both ticked off every box that is likable about characters. And you won’t be able to not root for them. They’re like a magnet that will pull you into their force-field and have you reading till all hours of the day or night. You just won’t care. Kismet!
You know what else makes this book spectacular? The story. Their journey was just about one of the best reads for me this year thus far. It was hopeful and fun and heartwarming and romantic. It showed growth and friendship and love all bundled up in a truly special package.
There’s not a lot about this book that I can review in detail because everything should really be experienced with a blank slate. Why? It was just fun you guys. Spectacularly fun. And I challenge everyone to pick this little gem up and not just swoon your way thru this story. It’s impossible. #TRUST
Copy provided for blog tour review
This book made my heart all kinds of giddy.
Mira Lyn Kelly hits the mark just about every single time and she blew past the mark with Dirty Player.
So let me give you an overview of this little gem. Greg is a very popular NHL player. Julia is a sports reporter with her main focus being the NFL. Julia has a strict no player dating rule. Greg has made it his mission to help Julia break that rule :) They have history. History that Greg is going to do everything in his power to make present and future! Everything about these two was swoon worthy. Their chemistry was not only sexually off the charts but charming and natural on a friend level. They both ticked off every box that is likable about characters. And you won’t be able to not root for them. They’re like a magnet that will pull you into their force-field and have you reading till all hours of the day or night. You just won’t care. Kismet!
You know what else makes this book spectacular? The story. Their journey was just about one of the best reads for me this year thus far. It was hopeful and fun and heartwarming and romantic. It showed growth and friendship and love all bundled up in a truly special package.
There’s not a lot about this book that I can review in detail because everything should really be experienced with a blank slate. Why? It was just fun you guys. Spectacularly fun. And I challenge everyone to pick this little gem up and not just swoon your way thru this story. It’s impossible. #TRUST
Copy provided for blog tour review
May 25, 2018
This is the first time I've read this author and I absolutely loved this story!
"Come on, Jules. Don't you want to know what it would be like, just once?"
Julia and Greg have been the best of friends since high school. Thirteen years on, Greg is a star NHL player and Julia is an up-and-coming sports reporter. There's always been a frisson between them, plenty of outrageous flirting, as well as a solid friendship. However, when Greg collects on a promise, handwritten by Julia in their yearbook, the lines of friendship blur and, suddenly, all bets are off and Greg is determined to make Julia his.
"I'm seeing potential for something bigger than what we already are to each other. And now that I've seen it, I don't want to pretend I haven't."
Oooooh! These two! I loved them! They were adorable, super sexy, and absolutely made me melt! Greg is a real hunk, a cheeky flirt, a dirty talker, and sooooo ready to put his heart on the line. Julia is more tentative, since she's a beautiful woman trying to build a career in a male-dominated sporting world. However, I loved that she trusted Greg enough to give a real relationship a go. She's definitely got her hang-ups, and Greg was ever patient, but I was rooting for them both all the way.
"I want her in ways I've never wanted other women. I want everything."
They had a ton of chemistry and the intimate scenes between them were HAAAWWWWT!! This novel was really romantic, gave me butterflies, and there was enough angst for me to feel a tingle in the back my eyes! Loved it!
"Come on, Jules. Don't you want to know what it would be like, just once?"
Julia and Greg have been the best of friends since high school. Thirteen years on, Greg is a star NHL player and Julia is an up-and-coming sports reporter. There's always been a frisson between them, plenty of outrageous flirting, as well as a solid friendship. However, when Greg collects on a promise, handwritten by Julia in their yearbook, the lines of friendship blur and, suddenly, all bets are off and Greg is determined to make Julia his.
"I'm seeing potential for something bigger than what we already are to each other. And now that I've seen it, I don't want to pretend I haven't."
Oooooh! These two! I loved them! They were adorable, super sexy, and absolutely made me melt! Greg is a real hunk, a cheeky flirt, a dirty talker, and sooooo ready to put his heart on the line. Julia is more tentative, since she's a beautiful woman trying to build a career in a male-dominated sporting world. However, I loved that she trusted Greg enough to give a real relationship a go. She's definitely got her hang-ups, and Greg was ever patient, but I was rooting for them both all the way.
"I want her in ways I've never wanted other women. I want everything."
They had a ton of chemistry and the intimate scenes between them were HAAAWWWWT!! This novel was really romantic, gave me butterflies, and there was enough angst for me to feel a tingle in the back my eyes! Loved it!
October 4, 2021
I love Mira Lyn Kelly's books, and I can't absolutely tell you why. I don't care about hockey and most of her heroes are hockey players, but man these guys are just so sweet and respectful and chivalrous without infantilizing women. Kelly's women are smart and strong. Mostly Kelly really writes friendship well. Unlike most romance there is always a friendship at the center of Kelly's romances. Here the two lead characters, Julia and Greg, have been friends for more than 10 years and neither wants to risk that. In the follow up to this (which I read before) Julia's younger sister Cammie and Greg's teammate Rux are besties and the guy won't make a move because he values his friendship with Cammie and his relationship with her 6 year old. I like friends to lovers stories and Kelly really rocks that trope. Also also there is hot sex. But seriously, the thing that sets Kelly's books apart is that friendship between the MCs and with others. The women support one another, the men support one another, and men and women are platonic freinds who support one another. It's pretty cool. The writing is not elegant, people respond to events in ways that are not always properly set up. and the plotlines are not complicated, (but I don't look for complicated in my romances.) Still these books are really soul satisfying and a great antidote to stressful days.
May 30, 2018
4.5 Stars
I once declared Mira Lyn Kelly the queen of sexual tension. I’m now going to add goddess of friends to lovers romance to her titles. After all, this isn’t her first rodeo in this trope. Fear not though reader because, even though I can go back and look at a few of her blurbs and see a similar theme (friends for years, then suddenly 8-10 years later, boom...lovers), she finds a way to make each story different from the last.
Most importantly she writes Heroes who, even if they have a player reputation, are deep down just really good guys who go all in when they find their one and only. Greg is a perfect example of this. He’s been pining over Julia since high school. Not in a not living his life kind of way but it’s like his heart has always known they were destined to be more than “just” friends. So when he gets his chance to make it happen at their 10 year HS reunion based on a vow they made in a yearbook post, he goes for it!!
Don’t worry, she writes strong, smart and sexy heroines too! Julia would be hard pressed to deny that she’s attracted to Greg, but she also knows that being a woman in the world of sports means she has to be careful about perception. She has one rule for herself and that is to not date athletes, and while I totally respect that, I also wished she’d let herself give in to that temptation with Greg a little quicker and easier than she did. Especially when a string of situations got out of control and the misunderstandings sent their new relationship into a downward spiral. Granted, the misunderstandings were completely understandable (that makes sense, I swear it!) and realistic, which made the conflict of the story strong without being too much to turn around.
Greg and Julia’s story was just the right amount of sexy and sweet and I would absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys a fun, heartwarming friends to lovers romance.
I once declared Mira Lyn Kelly the queen of sexual tension. I’m now going to add goddess of friends to lovers romance to her titles. After all, this isn’t her first rodeo in this trope. Fear not though reader because, even though I can go back and look at a few of her blurbs and see a similar theme (friends for years, then suddenly 8-10 years later, boom...lovers), she finds a way to make each story different from the last.
Most importantly she writes Heroes who, even if they have a player reputation, are deep down just really good guys who go all in when they find their one and only. Greg is a perfect example of this. He’s been pining over Julia since high school. Not in a not living his life kind of way but it’s like his heart has always known they were destined to be more than “just” friends. So when he gets his chance to make it happen at their 10 year HS reunion based on a vow they made in a yearbook post, he goes for it!!
Don’t worry, she writes strong, smart and sexy heroines too! Julia would be hard pressed to deny that she’s attracted to Greg, but she also knows that being a woman in the world of sports means she has to be careful about perception. She has one rule for herself and that is to not date athletes, and while I totally respect that, I also wished she’d let herself give in to that temptation with Greg a little quicker and easier than she did. Especially when a string of situations got out of control and the misunderstandings sent their new relationship into a downward spiral. Granted, the misunderstandings were completely understandable (that makes sense, I swear it!) and realistic, which made the conflict of the story strong without being too much to turn around.
Greg and Julia’s story was just the right amount of sexy and sweet and I would absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys a fun, heartwarming friends to lovers romance.
June 4, 2018
Swoon.... Loved Greg.
Greg has been waiting for 10 years to collect on the IOU that Julia owes him and it is time for him to collect. It's one kiss, only one kiss, but it's a kiss that neither Greg or Julia will forget anytime soon. Greg only has one issue standing in his way and that is Julia don't date athletes due to her job, so what will happen if they decide on trying out more kisses.
I truly liked Greg and I can understand where Julia was coming from on her no dating athletes, since she works in a mans world. The characters in Dirty Player were great and easy to like and the book was written really well. Definitely a must read.
ARC received from author for an honest review.
Greg has been waiting for 10 years to collect on the IOU that Julia owes him and it is time for him to collect. It's one kiss, only one kiss, but it's a kiss that neither Greg or Julia will forget anytime soon. Greg only has one issue standing in his way and that is Julia don't date athletes due to her job, so what will happen if they decide on trying out more kisses.
I truly liked Greg and I can understand where Julia was coming from on her no dating athletes, since she works in a mans world. The characters in Dirty Player were great and easy to like and the book was written really well. Definitely a must read.
ARC received from author for an honest review.
January 20, 2022
tropes: friends to lovers
is it wrong to say that i prefer to read about this couple throw other characters' eyes? in every book by this author I've read, she mentions this couple, so i thought that when i read their love story i would love it, but i was just bored.
at their 10-year high school reunion they've made a promise that if they weren't in a relationship they would kiss during the reunion, and what sounded like a simple kiss ended up being a life-changing kiss. he's a famous hockey player and she's a sports journalist, she made a promise to never date a player, but how long can she deny the attraction?
is it wrong to say that i prefer to read about this couple throw other characters' eyes? in every book by this author I've read, she mentions this couple, so i thought that when i read their love story i would love it, but i was just bored.
at their 10-year high school reunion they've made a promise that if they weren't in a relationship they would kiss during the reunion, and what sounded like a simple kiss ended up being a life-changing kiss. he's a famous hockey player and she's a sports journalist, she made a promise to never date a player, but how long can she deny the attraction?
August 27, 2020
Greg and Julia are the sweetest and steamiest friends-to-lovers, Julia is a firecracker and Greg is absolutely cinnamon-bun hero material. I also love the tackle of workplace harassment issues in a male-dominated world, how the heroine is judged for skill at the end of the day, and the way Kelly conveys this important message in this book!
July 9, 2021
Wonderful, “friends to lovers,” hockey romance
Julia Wesley and Greg Baxter have been friends for 13 years. She has the distinction of being the only girl he was attracted to in high school who refused to date him. For such a gorgeous female whom endless boys and men have longed to date, she has been amazingly adept all these years at making and maintaining platonic friendships with males, most especially Greg, her most long-term and closest male friend. Currently, they have both been living in Chicago for the past several years. Greg is the hotshot center for the Slayers, Chicago’s newest hockey team, and Julia is a rising star as a sideline sports reporter, focusing on the NFL.
Greg has grown tired of casual dating for some time now, and Julia virtually never dates. She believes she absolutely cannot go out with NFL football players, because that would make it harder for her to retain respect in her sexist, male-dominated profession. And such is her concern about not being taken seriously, that she refuses to date any professional athlete of any kind. Unfortunately, she has very little free time and almost never runs into men except through her job, where they all seem to be either professional athletes or in management for football teams. Which means that her opportunities to meet eligible men who aren’t on her forbidden list have been few and far between. And in the unlikely event she eventually stumbles upon a man she could permit herself to date, she lives with her divorced younger sister and her 4-year-old nephew, which would make it awkward to bring a man home with her.
Then, out of the blue, a week before their ten-year high-school reunion, Julia receives a text from Greg with a photo attached of a “contract” between them from their high school yearbook. It states: “Presuming we are both still single, I, Julia Wesley, agree to let Greg Baxter kiss me at our ten-year reunion.”
The whole thing starts as what Julia takes to be merely one more joke between two friends who have a long history of snarky quips between them. But at the reunion, Greg actually holds Julia to her promise. He gently but relentlessly tows her outside, away from the curious crowds at the reunion with their ubiquitous smartphone video cameras, to a classic high-school, make-out hideaway, underneath the football-field bleachers. Once there, he proceeds to kiss Julia with toe-curling expertise, demonstrating to her dismay that the sexual chemistry between them is off the charts. No other kiss she’s ever had can compare.
However, in spite of how much she’d love to repeat that kiss with Greg—and do a whole lot more—Julia orders herself, for the sake of her career, to cool her jets and forget that dangerous kiss ever happened.
Unlike Julia, Greg’s takeaway from their explosive encounter is the exact opposite of backing away. He is convinced that they could have something irreplaceably special together if Julia would just give romance a chance. She is one of the few people he trusts absolutely, is his closest friend, and he’s positive that sex between them would be mind-blowing. It’s an unbeatable combination, and he is determined to find a way to convince her to break her rule, that he’s out of bounds because he’s a professional athlete.
I have read other contemporary romance novels before with a similar premise of a “forbidden romance” between a female sideline reporter and a professional hockey player, but never in combination with a “friends to lovers” angle. The two together creates an original spin for both of these tried-and-true romance tropes, which otherwise might all too easily come off as boringly clichéd. Instead, this is one of the best “friends to lovers” romances I��ve ever read.
As a long-time and very jaded romance reader, it has gotten to the point that a huge percentage of the time I skim through the sex scenes in the romance novels I read, because far too many authors write these scenes without convincingly demonstrating real passion and emotional connection between the protagonists. That absolutely is not the case in this book. The fact that these two have liked, respected and loved each others as friends, long before any sex becomes involved, added to the fact that these two are very attractive individuals, makes the steps they travel, from the initial kiss, through gradual “make out” scenes, to final consummation, into an intensely passionate and emotionally fulfilling progression for readers to witness.
My only quibble about this book is that it is written in first-person point of view, present tense, which is not my favorite authorial choice. I personally much prefer the standard, long-time, romance convention of close-third POV and past tense. But, fortunately, this book does offer the other main romance convention of dual POV of both protagonists. It would have been a real loss to not be allowed into Greg’s thoughts, because he is a wonderful hero.
I enjoyed this book so much that I am positive I will re-read it many times in the future, making it what romance fans call a “keeper.”
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
Julia Wesley and Greg Baxter have been friends for 13 years. She has the distinction of being the only girl he was attracted to in high school who refused to date him. For such a gorgeous female whom endless boys and men have longed to date, she has been amazingly adept all these years at making and maintaining platonic friendships with males, most especially Greg, her most long-term and closest male friend. Currently, they have both been living in Chicago for the past several years. Greg is the hotshot center for the Slayers, Chicago’s newest hockey team, and Julia is a rising star as a sideline sports reporter, focusing on the NFL.
Greg has grown tired of casual dating for some time now, and Julia virtually never dates. She believes she absolutely cannot go out with NFL football players, because that would make it harder for her to retain respect in her sexist, male-dominated profession. And such is her concern about not being taken seriously, that she refuses to date any professional athlete of any kind. Unfortunately, she has very little free time and almost never runs into men except through her job, where they all seem to be either professional athletes or in management for football teams. Which means that her opportunities to meet eligible men who aren’t on her forbidden list have been few and far between. And in the unlikely event she eventually stumbles upon a man she could permit herself to date, she lives with her divorced younger sister and her 4-year-old nephew, which would make it awkward to bring a man home with her.
Then, out of the blue, a week before their ten-year high-school reunion, Julia receives a text from Greg with a photo attached of a “contract” between them from their high school yearbook. It states: “Presuming we are both still single, I, Julia Wesley, agree to let Greg Baxter kiss me at our ten-year reunion.”
The whole thing starts as what Julia takes to be merely one more joke between two friends who have a long history of snarky quips between them. But at the reunion, Greg actually holds Julia to her promise. He gently but relentlessly tows her outside, away from the curious crowds at the reunion with their ubiquitous smartphone video cameras, to a classic high-school, make-out hideaway, underneath the football-field bleachers. Once there, he proceeds to kiss Julia with toe-curling expertise, demonstrating to her dismay that the sexual chemistry between them is off the charts. No other kiss she’s ever had can compare.
However, in spite of how much she’d love to repeat that kiss with Greg—and do a whole lot more—Julia orders herself, for the sake of her career, to cool her jets and forget that dangerous kiss ever happened.
Unlike Julia, Greg’s takeaway from their explosive encounter is the exact opposite of backing away. He is convinced that they could have something irreplaceably special together if Julia would just give romance a chance. She is one of the few people he trusts absolutely, is his closest friend, and he’s positive that sex between them would be mind-blowing. It’s an unbeatable combination, and he is determined to find a way to convince her to break her rule, that he’s out of bounds because he’s a professional athlete.
I have read other contemporary romance novels before with a similar premise of a “forbidden romance” between a female sideline reporter and a professional hockey player, but never in combination with a “friends to lovers” angle. The two together creates an original spin for both of these tried-and-true romance tropes, which otherwise might all too easily come off as boringly clichéd. Instead, this is one of the best “friends to lovers” romances I��ve ever read.
As a long-time and very jaded romance reader, it has gotten to the point that a huge percentage of the time I skim through the sex scenes in the romance novels I read, because far too many authors write these scenes without convincingly demonstrating real passion and emotional connection between the protagonists. That absolutely is not the case in this book. The fact that these two have liked, respected and loved each others as friends, long before any sex becomes involved, added to the fact that these two are very attractive individuals, makes the steps they travel, from the initial kiss, through gradual “make out” scenes, to final consummation, into an intensely passionate and emotionally fulfilling progression for readers to witness.
My only quibble about this book is that it is written in first-person point of view, present tense, which is not my favorite authorial choice. I personally much prefer the standard, long-time, romance convention of close-third POV and past tense. But, fortunately, this book does offer the other main romance convention of dual POV of both protagonists. It would have been a real loss to not be allowed into Greg’s thoughts, because he is a wonderful hero.
I enjoyed this book so much that I am positive I will re-read it many times in the future, making it what romance fans call a “keeper.”
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
July 7, 2018
This was a very average friends-to-lovers book & I have read better by this author.
February 3, 2023
Great book Reminds me of Elle Kennedy
May 27, 2018
I loved Dirty Player by Mira Lyn Kelly and Greg and Julia's journey! This was a sexy and steamy friends-to-lovers romance!
October 3, 2019
Couldn't get into it. 😭 something just felt off. might try again another time.
January 19, 2022
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone but part of a series
Ages of H and h: late 20s, early 30s
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: Some drama but very minor
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval: Yes
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
>>Detail:
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: Maybe
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
Ages of H and h: late 20s, early 30s
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: Some drama but very minor
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval: Yes
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
>>Detail:
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: Maybe
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
April 28, 2021
2.5 stars
It's rare that I find a book in which I like the hero more than I like the heroine, and this is one of those books. I absolutely loved Greg and felt like Julia did nothing to deserve his love. Her character development was much too slow. She's supposedly successful in her career, enough for people to recognize her on the streets and care about who she's dating, but she's a doormat. She doesn't stand up for herself or defend herself at all, even against lies. If she was actually famous, she would have some standing at her network, and she could fight for better treatment. I haven't felt this pissed off about a character in a book in a long while. I've been annoyed and bored and rolled my eyes at so many characters, but I've never been this pissed off. Greg is way too good for Julia. The beginning of this book was so promising. I was interested and I rooted for the relationship. But things started going downhill when I realized Julia wasn't developing as a character at all.
Is it too much to ask for a low angst, romantic sports romance? Because this book has failed me yet again. I hated the side characters. I don't like how the conflict of the story felt so blown up and dramatic. This book would've been better if there was little to no conflict and shorter.
Julia literally wouldn't have any problems in her life if SHE JUST SAID SOMETHING. But she doesn't say anything EVER. She doesn't say anything to stand up for herself. Or defend herself. She doesn't talk back against anyone, even though they've done her wrong. She doesn't say anything at all. That's literally the definition of a doormat. She needed character development and FAST. I felt like I got to know Greg well because his internal monologues involved a lot of self-reflection. Julia did little to no self-reflection; her perspectives consisted mostly of her talking about what was happening around her at work. She needed to reflect more. The plot moves so slowly because she doesn't want to go public with her relationship with Greg and this slow pace is completely unnecessary. Frankly, it's boring. Her character development was so stagnant and made me despise her.
The conflict involves Julia's public image. Julia is a sports reporter and she has a rule of not dating anyone in the industry because she needs to maintain a respectful image. I think this story blows up this issue; it's not like she's a celebrity, so why does it matter who she dates? Okay so the fact that she has to hire PR for herself suggests that she is someone important in the media's attention. Which then leads me to think: If she was famous, she could set the tone and tell everyone to shut the fuck up by standing up for herself. SO WHY DIDN'T SHE? She could rewrite the rules in the industry or at least try to for herself. But instead, she's a doormat to everyone she encounters. She lets a disgusting colleague sexually harass her at work. (By the way, this plot line was absolutely digusting. She didn't push him away at all and basically let him say and ogle her whenever he wanted to. I get that the author might be trying to show how sexist the sports media industry is, but having a heroine who did nothing about it was so absurd and did nothing to make a statement about women in men dominated fields.) She lets her PR person THAT SHE HIRED to arrange a stunt that makes her life so difficult and miserable. She works so hard to maintain a no-relationship reputation and in one second, this PR lady ruins that image for her. So I say, fuck it and date Greg publically. The worst has already come and it's not even the truth. She would rather be seen in a relationship with a football player rather than Greg? Julia needed to grovel and she failed to do so.
When Julia finally decides she's ready to go public with her relationship with Greg, she just tells her sister, Cammy, and that's it. I would've liked to see her work through her problems in her own mind, not just state them out loud with another person. The shift between one idea to another is difficult to write and incredibly important to create a multi-dimensional story/character, and the author avoided doing so.
I had so much to rant about and I started writing this review only 59% of the way through. So now that I've read past the third act conflict, I'm back. I feel like things would be resolved if they just talked things out because it's all a misunderstanding, but Julia doesn't give Greg the chance to. Which is just stupid. Does she not want things to work out between the two of them? She's in love with him; the least she can do is hear him out. Especially when trust still exists between the two, why can't she give him the chance to explain herself? This is annoying and unnecessary conflict. And even though, I find this bearable, I have to take away from my rating.
Since I've gone on about the things I didn't like about the book, here are some things I did like. The author did a great job at creating tension between Greg and Julia. The author knew when to take time to describe and when to skip past small details. The settings were vivid. I liked the descriptions of body language. The steamy scenes were hot. The pacing in those scenes were well-done; nothing felt rushed and the build up was everything. In other scenes as well, the author really knows how to build anticipation; she does it really well. Consent was explicit.
From the beginning, Greg was so open about his feelings. He was ready to commit and told Julia exactly that. I appreciated that he didn't play games. He was understanding and emphathetic, especially regarding Julia's hesistation about going public with their relationship due to the potential negative effects it may have on her career
I'm conflicted on how to rate this book because on one hand, I couldn't stop reading it. And I really liked the hero. But on the other hand, I couldn't wait for it to be over because I wanted to see things work out for the couple. I didn't feel entertained by the story because it was too angsty for me. If something is highly entertaining but trashy and a fast read, I would be willing to rate it higher than the writing deserves. While this writing was actually pretty good, I didn't like how unhappy the characters were for more of the time, so that wasn't entertaining. I did enjoy the scenes with the couple together because I wish we could've seen more of them hanging out and doing domestic things to build up their relationship, but the author sped through / skipped those moments.
It's rare that I find a book in which I like the hero more than I like the heroine, and this is one of those books. I absolutely loved Greg and felt like Julia did nothing to deserve his love. Her character development was much too slow. She's supposedly successful in her career, enough for people to recognize her on the streets and care about who she's dating, but she's a doormat. She doesn't stand up for herself or defend herself at all, even against lies. If she was actually famous, she would have some standing at her network, and she could fight for better treatment. I haven't felt this pissed off about a character in a book in a long while. I've been annoyed and bored and rolled my eyes at so many characters, but I've never been this pissed off. Greg is way too good for Julia. The beginning of this book was so promising. I was interested and I rooted for the relationship. But things started going downhill when I realized Julia wasn't developing as a character at all.
Is it too much to ask for a low angst, romantic sports romance? Because this book has failed me yet again. I hated the side characters. I don't like how the conflict of the story felt so blown up and dramatic. This book would've been better if there was little to no conflict and shorter.
Julia literally wouldn't have any problems in her life if SHE JUST SAID SOMETHING. But she doesn't say anything EVER. She doesn't say anything to stand up for herself. Or defend herself. She doesn't talk back against anyone, even though they've done her wrong. She doesn't say anything at all. That's literally the definition of a doormat. She needed character development and FAST. I felt like I got to know Greg well because his internal monologues involved a lot of self-reflection. Julia did little to no self-reflection; her perspectives consisted mostly of her talking about what was happening around her at work. She needed to reflect more. The plot moves so slowly because she doesn't want to go public with her relationship with Greg and this slow pace is completely unnecessary. Frankly, it's boring. Her character development was so stagnant and made me despise her.
The conflict involves Julia's public image. Julia is a sports reporter and she has a rule of not dating anyone in the industry because she needs to maintain a respectful image. I think this story blows up this issue; it's not like she's a celebrity, so why does it matter who she dates? Okay so the fact that she has to hire PR for herself suggests that she is someone important in the media's attention. Which then leads me to think: If she was famous, she could set the tone and tell everyone to shut the fuck up by standing up for herself. SO WHY DIDN'T SHE? She could rewrite the rules in the industry or at least try to for herself. But instead, she's a doormat to everyone she encounters. She lets a disgusting colleague sexually harass her at work. (By the way, this plot line was absolutely digusting. She didn't push him away at all and basically let him say and ogle her whenever he wanted to. I get that the author might be trying to show how sexist the sports media industry is, but having a heroine who did nothing about it was so absurd and did nothing to make a statement about women in men dominated fields.) She lets her PR person THAT SHE HIRED to arrange a stunt that makes her life so difficult and miserable. She works so hard to maintain a no-relationship reputation and in one second, this PR lady ruins that image for her. So I say, fuck it and date Greg publically. The worst has already come and it's not even the truth. She would rather be seen in a relationship with a football player rather than Greg? Julia needed to grovel and she failed to do so.
When Julia finally decides she's ready to go public with her relationship with Greg, she just tells her sister, Cammy, and that's it. I would've liked to see her work through her problems in her own mind, not just state them out loud with another person. The shift between one idea to another is difficult to write and incredibly important to create a multi-dimensional story/character, and the author avoided doing so.
I had so much to rant about and I started writing this review only 59% of the way through. So now that I've read past the third act conflict, I'm back. I feel like things would be resolved if they just talked things out because it's all a misunderstanding, but Julia doesn't give Greg the chance to. Which is just stupid. Does she not want things to work out between the two of them? She's in love with him; the least she can do is hear him out. Especially when trust still exists between the two, why can't she give him the chance to explain herself? This is annoying and unnecessary conflict. And even though, I find this bearable, I have to take away from my rating.
Since I've gone on about the things I didn't like about the book, here are some things I did like. The author did a great job at creating tension between Greg and Julia. The author knew when to take time to describe and when to skip past small details. The settings were vivid. I liked the descriptions of body language. The steamy scenes were hot. The pacing in those scenes were well-done; nothing felt rushed and the build up was everything. In other scenes as well, the author really knows how to build anticipation; she does it really well. Consent was explicit.
From the beginning, Greg was so open about his feelings. He was ready to commit and told Julia exactly that. I appreciated that he didn't play games. He was understanding and emphathetic, especially regarding Julia's hesistation about going public with their relationship due to the potential negative effects it may have on her career
All I have to do to stay on top is play better than everyone else. For Julia, it’s not only about the quality of her research, her ability to relay what’s happening on the field, or her unparalleled knowledge of the game. It doesn’t matter if she’s better than everyone else… not if the right people aren’t on her side. There are too many other bullshit factors to count." (178)
“People judge me for how I wear my hair at the games, Greg. They write letters when I look too sexy and they write letters when I ‘try to look like a man.’ The only thing they don’t write letters about is my love life. Because I’ve never had one.” I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like to be judged for something other than my merit. It pisses me off that Julia doesn’t have to imagine, because she knows firsthand. (178-179)
I'm conflicted on how to rate this book because on one hand, I couldn't stop reading it. And I really liked the hero. But on the other hand, I couldn't wait for it to be over because I wanted to see things work out for the couple. I didn't feel entertained by the story because it was too angsty for me. If something is highly entertaining but trashy and a fast read, I would be willing to rate it higher than the writing deserves. While this writing was actually pretty good, I didn't like how unhappy the characters were for more of the time, so that wasn't entertaining. I did enjoy the scenes with the couple together because I wish we could've seen more of them hanging out and doing domestic things to build up their relationship, but the author sped through / skipped those moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2018
4.5 sizzling stars for this 2nd chance romance.
Dirty Player is the second in the ‘Back To You’ series of standalones by Mira Lyn Kelly. We first met Greg in Hard Crush, although we didn’t get to know him that well. But, Dirty Player took care of that.
Yet, again we have a couple who went to high school years together, in fact, it’s the same school as Hank and Abbie attended. Greg was best friends with Hank, Jack and Lawson. Each guy had their own speciality and while Hank’s was technology, Greg’s was hockey. He didn’t have a lot of spare time but what he did he spent with them. Jules was the girl that got away.
But she scribbled a promise in his year book and now, ten years later, it’s time to pay up.
Greg is a star player in the NHL and Julia is a sideline reporter, she doesn’t date athletes, she never has and has no intention of changing that hard and fast rule anytime soon. She and Greg
I loved this book, it was so much fun to read. Greg is a NHL star player and is a super nice guy and very protective of his friend Julia, whom he’s known for over a decade. They met thirteen years ago in high school and have be close ever since. Greg’s always had a thing for Julia but she doesn’t date athletes and he hasn’t always been around for them to have a relationship. But, now he’s back in Chicago and their ten year reunion is coming up. Julia wrote a promise in Greg’s yearbook their senior year and he is ready to call on it. But, before he gets his chance, they are tricked into fulfilling her promise in front of their entire class. Not, how Greg saw it going down.
A kiss isn’t a kiss unless it’s done right and he wants to do it right.
One kiss can’t change the world, or someone’s feeling…
Can it?
This was a super, sexy, romantic and sometimes emotional charged story of second chances at love. The chemistry between Greg and Jules just burned off the pages and I was rooting for them the whole way. Greg was portrayed as a bit of a player in the media, but in reality, he was an all-round good guy. He wanted the best for Jules, and knew that was himself. He just had to prove it.
And prove it he does, with his dirty mouth and kisses and even dirtier actions.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this one one of the best this year. It was HAWT as he!! but the sexual tension was equally balanced by the fun side they shared. I laughed, I cried a little and finally, I was more than happy with the ending. Now we just have to wait for Jack’s book.
Dirty Player is the second in the ‘Back To You’ series of standalones by Mira Lyn Kelly. We first met Greg in Hard Crush, although we didn’t get to know him that well. But, Dirty Player took care of that.
Yet, again we have a couple who went to high school years together, in fact, it’s the same school as Hank and Abbie attended. Greg was best friends with Hank, Jack and Lawson. Each guy had their own speciality and while Hank’s was technology, Greg’s was hockey. He didn’t have a lot of spare time but what he did he spent with them. Jules was the girl that got away.
But she scribbled a promise in his year book and now, ten years later, it’s time to pay up.
Greg is a star player in the NHL and Julia is a sideline reporter, she doesn’t date athletes, she never has and has no intention of changing that hard and fast rule anytime soon. She and Greg
I loved this book, it was so much fun to read. Greg is a NHL star player and is a super nice guy and very protective of his friend Julia, whom he’s known for over a decade. They met thirteen years ago in high school and have be close ever since. Greg’s always had a thing for Julia but she doesn’t date athletes and he hasn’t always been around for them to have a relationship. But, now he’s back in Chicago and their ten year reunion is coming up. Julia wrote a promise in Greg’s yearbook their senior year and he is ready to call on it. But, before he gets his chance, they are tricked into fulfilling her promise in front of their entire class. Not, how Greg saw it going down.
A kiss isn’t a kiss unless it’s done right and he wants to do it right.
One kiss can’t change the world, or someone’s feeling…
Can it?
This was a super, sexy, romantic and sometimes emotional charged story of second chances at love. The chemistry between Greg and Jules just burned off the pages and I was rooting for them the whole way. Greg was portrayed as a bit of a player in the media, but in reality, he was an all-round good guy. He wanted the best for Jules, and knew that was himself. He just had to prove it.
And prove it he does, with his dirty mouth and kisses and even dirtier actions.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this one one of the best this year. It was HAWT as he!! but the sexual tension was equally balanced by the fun side they shared. I laughed, I cried a little and finally, I was more than happy with the ending. Now we just have to wait for Jack’s book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews