Changing the Game by Jaci Burton

If I were to compare The Perfect Play versus Jaci Burton's latest installment, Changing the Game... in my opinion of course, I would say I liked Gavin's story with Liz a lot more than Mick and Tara's. Looking back, I felt as if Mick fell in love with Tara way too fast? So it was kind of unrealistic. While at least Liz and Gavin both went into this "thing" between them knowing that it was just a fling and something fun. Or was it really? I guess I have a thing for unrequited love and Liz's love for Gavin was just so heartbreaking. Gavin himself is pretty dense for not noticing it but it was just so sad to know that Liz didn't want to lose herself to him when she already lost her heart. There was just so much emotion and seriously, the chemistry between these two was off the charts! I was really anticipating as to how their relationship would all work out when the situation seemed hopeless... but thankfully! Everything turned out to be much more than I had hoped for. ;) With all that said, I'm extremely looking forward to Jenna and Ty's book, Taking a Shot. We get a little sneak peek of their chemistry together and heh, it seems like we'll get another gem in store for us next year.

Liz was an interesting character to begin with and I loved seeing the layers of her real personality begin to crumble when she finally enters in a relationship with Gavin. Personally, after what she did to Tara and Nathan in the first book, I thought that I wouldn't come to like her because of her manipulating and cold personality... but of course, that was just a facade. Her childhood was pretty sad to begin with and I can understand why she became the person that she is today. I also came to love how strong and independent she was; it was about time Gavin fell in love with her! I did not have much of an impression of Gavin in the first book because he was often overshadowed by Mick... and it was quite apparent in this book when Mick decided to interfere in Gavin's relationship with Liz. Why are you such an ass, Mick? At least he apologized... but he almost ruined their relationship! Well anyway, Gavin went into this fling with Liz because he thought it was just that. He never intended to fall in love with her, but sometimess, you can't help deny your feelings when it comes suddenly unexpected.

I loved how Liz and Gavin's relationship was just so sweet and cute yet so hot at the same time. They had amazing chemistry together and Gavin can be so tender at times! He often thought about her and kept missing her whenever she had to go away for a business meeting and... *Sigh* That's when you know when you've fallen in love with someone. But sadly, the conflict in this book totally lies on Mick's constant interference and douche baggery personality when he thought he was doing Gavin a favor. I mean really, who asked for your opinion Mick? Did Gavin interfere in your relationship with Tara? I think not! I also didn't like how Gavin handled the part when Liz told him that she loves him. He pretty much questioned her if she said that to all her clients. Gah! Overall, great book and I really had an amazing time reading it! It definitely did not disappoint. 5/5 stars!

Rating: ★★★★★

The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

The cover alone would make any right-minded person pick up this book and read it right away! But even so, Jaci Burton has done it again by providing us a book full of heart, steamy love scenes, a hero to die for, and an intriguing plot. It almost seems like it's too good to be true for single mom, Tara Lincoln when she ends up meeting Mick Riley, a superstar quarterback at an event that she was planning right? Well, they do and things start heating up pretty fast! It almost reminded me of Stroke of Midnight but it's definitely way hotter, better, and the hero is just a sweetheart with such a sad secret. I'm truly looking forward to Changing the Game, where Mick's brother, Gavin and his PR, Elizabeth Darnell get their HEA. We actually get a sneek peak of the book at the end of The Perfect Play, and boy... was it hot! A big five stars for this one!

The Characters:
Tara Lincoln is a single mom who has had some difficult struggles throughout her life while trying to raise her fifteen year old son. She ends up meeting Mick at a party that she planned for and things start out with a bang, literally. At first, things go pretty easy because she knows that there's no way that a superstar like Mick would ever want to hang out with someone like her when he can choose any woman that he wants... but of course, things change. One thing that I don't like about Tara is that even though she is a strong character, she doesn't have much trust for Mick. Even though she loves him, she doesn't want to put her heart at risk and she believes that they come from two completely different worlds―and that ends up hurting Mick towards the end of the book.

Mick Riley may seem like the typical jock or superstar quarterback at first, but underneath layer lies a sweet, sexy person who has had a painful past and secret. He ends being attracted to Tara at first sight because knows that she's different from all the girls that has been thrown at him by his PR, Elizabeth Darnell. I mean he was rich, a gorgeous guy, good with kids, and a pretty good lover to Tara. Who wouldn't want to snatch up this guy right away? I don't think I have any complaints about him because throughout the whole book, he was very loving towards Tara and I hated how she hurt him. In the end, everything worked out fine so that's all that matters!

The Romance:
Ohoho. Now let's talk about the romance department shall we? Let's just say that with a pretty nice looking cover like this one, we know for sure that there will be some steamy, sexy, and smokin' hot love scenes for this book. The chemistry was there and there was actually a love story going on so kudos for that! I have to say that the private island vacation was my favorite part and ahem, you'll know why when you read this. To sum it up, fans of Jaci Burton will definitely enjoy this first book in this series and any erotica romance fan who loves a sweet and caring hero in the daytime but a hot and sexy one at night will like it as well. ;)

Rating: ★★★★★