Gabby Sotelo
4.5 stars!! Lauren Blakely scores another touchdown with Most Valuable Playboy. Charm. Humor. Forbiddance. Male POV. Football. Sexual tension. Cooper Armstrong. Violet Pierson. A bachelor auction… What more could you ask for? This book had it all and I enjoyed every second of it. I'm calling an audible and changing up the order of my favorite Blakey boys because the dreamy and lovable quarterback, Cooper Armstrong, needs to be on that list. When I first learned Lauren Blakely was releasing a full length football romance -we got a glimpse of her sport romance skills with the novella Out of Bounds - I was over the moon excited. Like being drafted by your hometown NFL team excited. Like throwing a 60 yard pass into the end zone to win the game excited. Like winning an MVP award excited. With all this excitement, I am beyond thrilled that Lauren not only met expectations but exceeded them. I mean, of course she did. The women is a pro, an absolute pro, at the friends to lovers/ best friend's sisters/ fake relationship tropes. Each story better than the last. Most Valuable Playboy is equal parts humor, heart, and amazing character chemistry. Cooper and Violet are perfect together. They share a bond that goes much farther than just friendship; even before they enter their faux relationship. The way Violet initially came to Cooper's rescue without being asked because she just knew he needed her proves it. They were so in sync with each other. Their back and forth banter and jokes were easy and fun. I just loved them. The forbidden element gave this story an incredibly sexy and delicious tension. He wanted her. She wanted him. But obligations, hidden feelings and fear stood in their way from going after what they wanted. Goodness! This story is so good. So soooo good. I could not get enough of this book. If you are looking for a book a sweet, charismatic guy to swoon over or a kick-ass, strong and independent female to admire or a fun, captivating story to get lost in, well the queen of the rom-com has just what you need. I simply had the best time reading Most Valuable Playboy. I'm excited to see what more this team has to offer.
10 people found this review helpful
Heather Fueger
*Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review** Another winner from Lauren Blakely! You can never go wrong with a witty, swoony, funny, engaging story! Cooper Armstrong has been in the NFL for a few years playing for the Renegades, but he's been riding the pine. He's finally moved into the coveted starting quarterback position and he's also back again to help with one of his favorite events - the bachelor auction to raise money for the children's hospital. What Cooper isn't expecting is the owner of the team's sister to be putting the full court press on trying to lure him into bed. He needs help and he needs it fast! Enter Violet Pierson, who is not only his friend, but the sister of his best friend. He's known her since he was around 7 and she realizes that he needs help and she makes a bid to win him at the auction so he doesn't have to endure a night with the owner's sister. What starts out as a bid that Cooper will ultimately pay, ends up with him telling the entire crowd that they are a couple. When they are asked to kiss on stage, they do so and the sparks that fly are beyond either of their imaginations. Cooper is torn not only because Vi is his best friend's sister, but also because he's sworn off sex and relationships this season to focus on the game. Will the feelings he develops be the one touchdown he wasn't expecting to score? This was such a fun book and I loved the characters; not only Vi and Cooper, but Cooper's teammates too. I also loved that this was told from Cooper's point of view. It's not often you get a book from the male POV and so it was nice to get in his head to see what he was thinking and where he was at. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to see what Jones book brings for us!!
10 people found this review helpful
Karen Gagnon
I absolutely adored everything about this friends to lovers romance! It is heartwarming, fun & flirty, sweet and very hot & sexy! Cooper and Violet have been close friends since they were kids, always having each others backs. Now as adults, things haven't changed when Violet comes to Coopers rescue during the charity bachelor auction held by Coopers team. She bids an obscene amount to save Cooper from someone Cooper absolutely did not want to be alone with. When put on the spot, Cooper and Violet pretend to be having a relationship. Everyone is so excited for a love story between the sexy new Quarterback and the hometown girl, that they are forced to go along with it. As Cooper and Violet try to come up with answers to questions about their relationship, their answers just may have a shred of truth. Cooper realizes he is so attracted to his sexy friend, and their chemistry is off the charts. But does she feel the same or is she just paying him back for saving her years earlier? They knew so much about each other, and had such history, that they "can't see the forest for the trees". I loved Cooper and Violet, they were so in sync, and perfect for each other. Ms. Blakely expertly weaved a beautiful and intoxicating love story with genuine characters, witty banter and explosive chemistry. It didn't have angst, or a lot of drama, but still had the emotional oomph that I love. This story is the perfect blend of humor, charm, emotion and steam. This book captured my heart and made me feel happy and totally satisfied. This was a great start to this group of friends and I can't wait to read Jones' and Jillians' story in 'Most Likely To Score' next!
9 people found this review helpful