The Perfect Play (Play by Play #1) Review

The Perfect Play (Play By Play) by Jaci Burton is O.M.G. Hot....I mean H.O.T. hot!  

Warning.... This book is not for the faint of heart, it contains sexual content not intended for those under the age of 18.

Book description.....

The last thing event planner Tara Lincoln needs is the jet-set lifestyle of a football pro like Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand proved that Mick is an all-star-both on the field and in the bedroom.  Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a certified heartbreaker. But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind to catch this sultry vixen.


First things first I have GOT to comment on that cover.....HOLY SMOKES that cover is freaking HOT!


Tara is an amazing heroine..... I absolutely ♥ her!  She was funny and beautiful but had no clue just how beautiful she was.  What I loved most, was the fact that she was a wonderful Mother .....absolutely amazing.... to Nathan and you'll understand why I give such a big compliment once you hear her story.  Okay so Tara is an event planner and planed an event for the San Francisco Sabers football team where heart throb Mick Riley takes a special notice to her.

Mick......smokin' hot Mick is not at all what he seems.  He may be the countries best NFL quarterback but this man has brains..... which made him that much hotter ;)... Not to mention take a look at the cover model..... and here's another shot of said cover model... umm YUM!....  Mick knows exactly what he wants.... even though getting what he wants doesn't always work out how he plans.... he still knows that having Tara a part of his life is something he wants, and that includes getting to know all about her.

"I didn't bring you here to seduce you Tara, I just wanted to spend more time with you."

After spending the night together Mick wakes up to find Tara gone and is a little shocked to realize he was disappointed that she was gone because he really wanted to get to know her better.... I have to admit, I was a little bummed myself she was gone... I got why she left but still she could have had a few more hours with him.....right?  Maybe not, maybe her leaving is what caused him to go for the chase....  After finding out a little more about her he sets out to see her again but the welcome reception wasn't all that welcoming.  He knew she wanted to see him again but for some reason was holding back.... again I ask WHY?  Good Lord woman....take the opportunity life is throwing at you and have some fun!  So he brings in the big guns......her girls.  Yep that's right, the man knew exactly what he wanted and he knew how to go about getting that..... and that was to get her friends involved.

Tara didn't want things to continue with Mick past their one night together for a few different reasons..... 1. She wasn't from his world and in her eyes that meant he could have any woman he wanted..... model, actress, ect..... so why would he want her? - Blah sister, you grab that bull by the horns and ride that for as long as you can!  2. She has a son, an almost 15 year old son.... who she puts first and has worked hard......and I mean HARD to provide the life she has for him.... this I get.... totally get, so I can't criticize her for it.  And finally 3.  She knew she needed to protect her heart..... she knew immediately she could fall for him - Okay so you know it's going to hurt when or if he ends things..... but the big one here is IF.... take that chance.... you never know what you'll get and presents are always best after you've opened them!

After Mick.... with the help of her friends..... tricked her into a date.  Tara reluctantly agrees to sit down and get to know him a little better.  He's amazed and little turned on by the fact that Tara not only knows her sports but also knows about Football..... and so their relationship begins.  Mick gets to meet Nathan and likes him.... a lot.... and really liked Tara.... like a lot..... so much so that he struggled with these feelings and knew he needed to be careful or his casual relationship could turn.... not casual

He liked her.  Really liked her.  A lot.  What wasn't to like?  She was beautiful, fun, and sexy, and their chemistry together was explosive.  She was sweet and caring, and if he wasn't careful, he could fall madly in love with her.

 I really enjoyed watching Mick and Tara's relationship grow.  He spent time with both Tara and Nathan, he flew them to his hometown to meet his family and took them to one of his brother's games.  He got to know Tara and he not only liked what he saw..... he admired it.  She had a horrible past and over came so many obstacles to get where she was in her career and yet nothing stood in her way to be the mother she was to Nathan.... what's not to admire about that?

Mick did a big thing for Nathan..... when I say he did a big thing.... I mean a huge thing....HUGE!!!  I admired Mick for what he went through, what he over came, and then what he did for Nathan.  Any one who goes to the length Mick went to keep his secret hidden from the media but will trust that secret to a 15 year old in order to prevent that 15 year old from repeating his mistakes has a part of my heart.  I've seen the devastation of what Mick's secret can cause..... hell I watched it from the time I was 5 until I was 28....watched it so closely I learned from it.... it's not as easy as some may think and even though Mick is a fictional character I can't help but feel that compassion towards him for fighting that battle and winning because the person I watched live it lost his life because of it at 38.... (I ♥ you and miss you everyday Jeff).

The relationship between Tara and Mick was growing.... fast and hard.  They both fought to keep their feelings casual... Tara always waiting for the other shoe to drop and for Mick to end things,  and Mick not quite sure what his feelings meant but continuously telling himself he didn't do long-term relationships and with the season getting ready to start he needed his focus elsewhere.  But neither could give up on what they had.

After a charity event planned by the girlfriends and wives of the Sabers team members, Mick's agent, Elizabeth.... who by the way did NOT want Tara in Mick's life, not to mention a complete beotch..... used Nathan as a way to tear them apart.  Tara, obviously, flipped out and until he saw it on the News that night Mick had no idea what was wrong.  The little stunt pulled by Elizabeth forced Mick to finally admit his feelings for Tara and also finally admit his choice of an agent may not be the best

"No, you don't get it.  She's important to me.  what you think - or want - isn't.  I love her.  And if I lose her over this you'll regret it."

There ya go :)  He finally not only admitted his feelings for Tara but took control over his life.  Now I can't help but give this spoiler away because I was DAMN happy that he fired Elizabeth once everything was fixed with Tara.  Not only because of what she pulled but because of her behavior it took Mick a lot....A LOT of coaxing to finally get Tara to listen to him and then it took him sitting back and waiting for her to come to him which he was uncertain of but after sound advice from his Mother knew he had to give her.  He didn't have to wait all that long..... even though it felt like weeks. When she finally came to him he gave her what she wanted..... what she needed to hear because she too was in love but also scared that she waited to long to go to him.  But he didn't hold back and boy was it sweet!

"I've known what I wanted since that night several months ago when I met this beautiful woman in a ballroom.  She was perfect for me."

The Perfect Play (Play By Play) by Jaci Burton was a great read..... it was a fantastic erotic romance.  Jaci is awesome at creating the perfect scenes erotic and otherwise.  It all seems relatively real and comes with heartfelt moments and beautiful exchanges of "I love you's".  I love turning to Jaci Burton books when I need that extra.... something..... in my romance novels.  The Perfect Play will go and stay on my reread list because it gave me all I love in my books..... Sweet romantic story with a sexy as sin bad boy, a strong but loving heroine, and some smokin' hot lovin'!!!

Happy Reading!