Sandy S.
3.75 stars--THE VIRGIN REPLAY is the third instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult RULES OF LOVE erotic romanced series-a cross over with the author’s MEN OF SUMMER series. This is closing pitcher Chance Ashford, and twenty-five year old, bar owner Sierra Blackwood’s story line. THE VIRGIN REPLAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Sierra is the sister of Grant Blackwood (Men of Summer). Some of the events of THE VIRGIN REPLAY cross over with some of the events of ALL IN WITH HIM (Men of Summer 3) Told from dual first person perspectives (Chance and Sierra) THE VIRGIN REPLAY follows the building romance and relationship between closing pitcher Chance Ashford, and twenty-five year old, bar owner Sierra Blackwood. For close to a year, Sierra Blackwood and Chance Ashford have been dancing around one another with neither one taking the steps to move forward but a mutual friend’s, destination wedding finds Chance asking Sierra to be his ‘fake’ plus one, a fake relationship that will turn into something more. From a few days in Hawaii, to a couple nights in Vegas, Sierra and Chance moving quickly from fake to real, so real that what happens in Vegas went out for the world to see. What ensues is the fake but building romance and relationship between Chance and Sierra, and the potential fall-out as Chance’s bro-code/teammate code is about to be questioned. Chance Ashford is Sierra’s brother’s teammate and as such, struggles with the unwritten bro-code wherein teammates do not date one another’s exes, sisters, or brothers but Chance’s attraction to Sierra is equally met by Sierra’s attraction to Chance, and their fake weekend quickly turns into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. WE are introduced to Chance’s twin brother TJ, bride and groom Blake and Trish, Chance’s ex Natasha, as well as Sierra’s friend Clementine, and her brother Grant, and his fiancé Gavin. THE VIRGIN REPLAY is a sports romance story of attraction, secrets, lies and love, family and friendships. The fast paced premise is flirty and fun; the romance is seductive and sexy; the characters are energetic and charismatic.
Moni Reads
Here’s the thing, if I’m ever feeling down, and want a novel that’s just going to be up beat and full of positivity, a LB book is just the thing. The Virgin Replay with Sierra and Chance was fun, flirtatious, sexy and endearing. Chance is a pro ball player, the closing pitcher for the San Francisco Cougars, and he is a team mate of Grant from The Men of Summer series. Grant also happens to be Sierra’s brother, so Chance does not want to break any bro codes lusting after his sister. Sierra is the sole owner of a bar, frequented by the players, where she and Chance have been spending time together in the past year since his divorce. Needing a date to his cousin’s wedding, Chance asks Sierra to head to Hawaii with him as his fake date to ward off any uncomfortable questions from family on how’s he’s doing and moving on. Although, the more time they spend together, the more they can’t part. I feel Chance and Sierra will be top of everyone’s LB couples. Both handled the situations with maturity and left off the frivolous drama. They were thinkers, and planners but also let a few things happen organically. There is a twist, a brilliant one, which triggers a do-over - a replay of sorts. I couldn’t have been more happy for them. I also loved hearing from Grant and Declan again, even if it was short - an amazing pair. As per all LB epilogues, it was sweet. The bonus second one, funny. There are a few books lined up in the LB universe, and I can’t wait to read about Clementine and Shane as well as TJ and his movie star hero.
1 person found this review helpful
Erin Lewis
5 Star review The Virgin Replay (Rules of Love #3) by Lauren Blakely The third book in the Rules of Love series and it was just as entertaining and engaging as the other books. This is my favourite book in the series to date. I absolutely adored Chance and Sierra and they are perfect for one another. Chance has had feelings for Sierra for quite some time but it would go against the “bro Code” to date her as she is the sister of his teammate Grant. . There was so much heart in this book along with steam that you cannot help but fall for these characters. There was nothing I did not like about this book. I have anew book boyfriend, I fell hard and fast for Chance, such a swoon worthy man, he ticked all the boxes for me. Both the main characters of Chance and Sierra were likeable, engaging and easy to relate too, add in a cast of secondary characters who were also fun and entertaining and you are in for a wonderful read.
