The Perfect Play (A Play-by-Play Novel)

Plot: C
Characters: C
Heat: D

The plot was OK. There was nothing spectacular or new about it. Mostly predicable, though I was surprised at what ended up being the conflict. I thought it would be related to Mick's secret, but it ended up being something different, so that was good at least.

Mick and Tara were boring. Mick was a blah, uninteresting character, and Tara was tiresome with her constant pushing away and jumping to conclusions.

The heat started off good, but there were so many scenes that it overshadowed the story, and I had to skip through them.

Overall, I didn't care for this story the way others did. I thought that it was overrated. I definitely won't be reading the next one, but I may check out the rest of the series to see if they are any better.

Mick Riley is NFL quarterback and one of the country's top athlete's. He has it all, a stellar career, fame, and fortune. When he comes across Tara Lincoln, an event planner who is planning a party for his team he is blown away by how different she is from the woman he usually dates and how she seems to be unaffected by his fame. He wants a relationship with her, but as a single mother of a teenage son, all Tara wants is a one-night stand. However, Mick didn't get to where he is by giving up so he pursues Tara with a single minded intensity and is determined to prove to Tara that he is more than his image and he can be the exactly the type of man she needs in her life.

First off, I must state the obvious. THE PERFECT PLAY has the most awesome cover in the world and I dare any of you to walk past it in a bookstore and not pick it up. If you don't, there really must be something wrong with you. I foresee this cover being a collector's item. I would've been really bummed if I picked up THE PERFECT PLAY and the contents between the pages didn't live up to the awesomeness of cover.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, while I'm not a diehard Jaci Burton fan, I have read a couple of her previous releases and I must say that THE PERFECT PLAY is the best book that I've read by her that she's written. In the past, I've often not been able to buy into the emotional connection between her hero and heroine. That is not the case with THE PERFECT PLAY. THE PERFECT PLAY has a great balance of sexual and emotional chemistry between the Mick and Tara and as a result I was able to completely buy into them as a couple and their happily ever after.

If I had any issues with THE PERFECT PLAY, I had a hard time at first buying into how quickly Mick considered Tara the best thing ever, his relationship with his agent and the PR things he does didn't seem realistic to me for a football player, and buying into Tara's Cinderella act. She got annoying after a while not trusting in Mick when he hadn't done anything to prove that he wasn't a person she could trust.

However, those are minor quibbles. I loved THE PERFECT PLAY and am anticipating the next release in the series although I don't know how Ms. Burton is going to make me love the heroine when she was kind of a jerk inside THE PERFECT PLAY.

Review courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritques

I confess. I totally read this because of the cover (and of course the great reviews I read). Look at that deliciously hot and sexy model on that cover and tell me you don't want a piece of that! I don't read contemporary romance a lot, but it's great once in a while to read romance about people instead of you know, vampires or werewolves. If every contemporary romance had a smoking hot dude like this, I'd read them more often.

This is definitely one of those guilty pleasure reads that I devoured from beginning to end quickly. My first impression when reading this is that it's a high school girl's dreams come true. It's like 18+ version of Cinderella. In fact the heroine even referenced it. Why do I say this? Because the book is basically about sexy and famous athlete that notices a "nobody" woman and takes her on a wild ride into his rich and famous lifestyle, rubbing elbows with movie stars and vacationing on a private island. Tell me that isn't every girl's dream come true!

Anyway, our hero is Mick Riley, one of the best NFL quarterbacks. With that athletic body and his reputation, women flock to him, but Mick finds himself looking for something different. At the beginning, the way he thought about women was a bit callous. He was just a bit too confident and cocky, but with that body, who wouldn't, right? Nonetheless, Mick surprised me because he's actually a really nice and down-to-earth guy who hasn't partied away all his money and let the fame go to his head. Whenever he was with Tara he just seemed like a normal guy, minus the money. The part I liked best is his confusion in not really knowing what to do in dating a woman since he hasn't dated in a while.

As for Tara, at first I really liked her. She's really independent and strong. You have to be to build up a business from scratch like her. However, she's a really pessimistic and negative person. She had been with Mick for a while and had known what kind of person Mick was, but she's so quick to jump to conclusions and wouldn't let Mick explain. I hate misunderstandings in the plot like that because one character was too stupid or too quick to judge. I just felt Tara didn't really deserve Mick's forgiveness for the many times she misjudged him. I also don't like how she used the single mom excuse to push Mick away. While I haven't been a single mom, this always happens in books where there is a single mom. I just wish authors would do something differently.

With all that said, I have to say that their chemistry in bed is great. This book isn't quite erotica, I think, but it's not like regular romances that uses nice phrases and metaphors when it comes to sex. No, the characters are very blunt in what they want from one another and that makes the sex even steamier. There're lots and lots of sex that I was a bit surprised, but in a very good way! Just be prepared for it when you read the book.

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Hot and determined quarterback chases reluctant single mother. This is a love story filled with lots of football references/metaphors and several hot sex scenes.

Opening Sentence: Sweat dripped down Mick Riley's face and arms.

The Review:

The Perfect Play is just your everyday romance story: Boy meets girl. Boy jumps girl's bones. Girl runs from commitment while boy chases. More bone jumping. Girl eventually falls in love with boy. They live happily ever after. Though the story is typical, Jaci Burton masterfully wealds her tale in such a way that even someone that only likes paranormal romance (*cough* me) can enjoy.

This is the story of two unlikely people falling in lust with one another. Mick Riley is living the good life being one of NFL's top quarterbacks. He has money, fame, and lots and lots of women throwing themselves at his feet. During one of the many parties hosted for his team, he spots a beautiful woman unlike any he has known before. He is drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and boy does he want to burn! Tara Lincoln is a single mother and event planner. Her life is too busy for romance, but when Mick Riley, superstar, offers her a night of wild passion, she finds that she can't resist. That doesn't mean that she is willing to have it go any further than a one-night-stand, no matter how much Mick would wish it otherwise.

Mick seems to be a man with two faces; one is the image his PR lady pushes and one that he has around his family. These two different personas are what drive the wedge between him and Tara. Mick's character shows depth and relatability. He is as tenacious on the field as he is off of it. When he decides that he wants Tara, he lets nothing distract him from his goal; making Tara his. Even the sexual scenes reflect the inner resolve on Mick's part. But Mick has secrets. Is he willing to let Tara all the way inside his walls or will his past mistakes cost him the most important game of his life?

Tara is a little whiny. Usually, we see the man playing hard to get in these situations, not the woman. She constantly looks for excuses to dump Mick even as she thoroughly enjoys his body. She hides behind her son and uses him as a shield against intimacy, which she gets called on a few times throughout the book. As much as I hated her excuses, they were all validated by her past experiences and overt assumptions about Mick's character. In every relationship, there is going to come a point where you have to trust your partner and take what they tell you as truth, or the relationship is doomed to end. Throughout the whole book, Tara struggles with trust and commitment while Mick tries everything he can to hold on to what they have together. Can she reconcile what she believes Mick to be with the man she has come to love? Can she put on her big girl pants and take the amazing gift she has been offered?

One of the obstacles the couple faces in this book comes in the form of Mick's PR manager, Elizabeth Darnell. Liz is in charge of maintaining the playboy persona for Mick no matter what. She rallies against their relationship and causes strife between Mick and Tara on several occasions. Mick, for the most part, doesn't see the growing tension between the two women and allows things to get to a breaking point. Mick stands at the crossroads, where he must choose a path between his career and his woman. Will Liz be the catalyst that Tara is looking for to end things with Mick? Will Mick allow Liz to continue running his life for him or will he take hold and run the play himself?

Yes, this book is full of hot and steamy sex scenes. Yes, it is also full of football metaphors. Yet, by combining the two, Ms. Burton creates two wonderful and lovable characters that will make you glad you came along for the ride. The road to love is filled with potholes and this story is no exception. This is the beginning of a wonderful new series that helps reiterate that happily-ever-afters are found in the most unlikely of places, on and off the field.

FTC Advisory: Penguin/Berkley Heat graciously provided me with a copy of The Perfect Play. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payments I receive are hugs and kisses from my little boys.

Tara Lincoln is a sexy single mother. She has worked her butt off the past sixteen years to make a life for herself and her son. She has finally opened her own event planning business. When her company plans an event for San Francisco's NFL team she is shocked that the star quarterback gives her a second glance. Tara considers herself unlucky in love; therefore, entering into a relationship at the pinnacle of her new career is a mistake she is determined not to make even if the man rocks her world.

Mick Riley is the star quarterback of a successful NFL team. He's thirty years old and the glitz and glam that goes along with being a celebrity is getting tiresome. Seeing his name is lights isn't as fulfilling as it used to be. As Mick settles in at another mandatory function, he is surprised by the stunning woman standing outside the party hoopla. She intrigues him and sets him on fire. Tara is unlike anyone he has ever known and one night with this sensational woman will never be enough. Tara repeatedly refuses his attempts to woo her. Mick isn't used to people telling him no--and he's not about to accept it now. Strategy is a part of his game and Mick's about to set up The Perfect Play for Ms. Tara Lincoln.

The Perfect Play is an outstanding start to what is guaranteed to be a phenomenal series from Jaci Burton. The Perfect Play is a beautiful romance that is smooth as silk. This novel is different from anything I have ever read of Ms. Burton's. I am used to her series packing a suspenseful punch but The Perfect Play relies on the simple things that make life important to propel the story. The characters are real and driven by emotion. I loved the emotion in this book; I felt it to my toes. Tara carries the burden of her past with her and the fear of it drives her decisions. Mick is an all American heartthrob, a quarterback who knows how to seduce women. However, he's never tried to keep one before and he finds the task is more difficult than he imagined.

The Perfect Play gives you a peek into the lives of celebrity football players and the people around them. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Burton's take on the sport and the game sequences were well written and easy to imagine. As a football fan, it was exciting to look at the fictional world of an all star quarterback. Mick embodies every woman's fantasy of the perfectly arousing player they can't wait to take home. Mick isn't completely perfect, the man has his flaws but those flaws make the man more compelling. I definitely fell in love with Mick and Tara while reading The Perfect Play! These two share a wonderful story and some definite touchdowns in the bedroom. Mick and Tara share enough sparks between them to light an entire stadium.

This novel may not feature a nail biting finish like some, but The Perfect Play charges the field with its emotional plays slaughtering the opposition; gives us all one hell of a good time, a romance to remember; and leaves us begging for more.

Miranda
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Holy HOT and steamy! The Perfect Play totally lived up to its amazing cover. I have wanted to read this series for a long time but could never remember who the author was when I was actually at the bookstore. I am so glad I happened across it on an end cap because I loved the writing style of Jaci Burton and the characters in this story!

This was your typical contemporary romance taken to a whole new level. Mick Riley is the quarterback for a NFL team and Tara Lincoln is an up and coming event planner who is lucky enough to get the business of planning the party for Mick's team. After a tough workout, Mick finds the lost Tara near the locker room and sends her off in the correct direction, however he just cannot get her out of his mind. Lucky for Mick, he seems her at the party and and tries to sweep her offer her feet, there is just something different about her. After a night of passion, Mick tries to peruse more but Tara keeps putting up roadblocks. In her mind, how can this man who can have anyone he wants be interested in her, not to mention she need to focus on her teenage son and her business. Not to mention Mick is just perfect. Little does Tara know that Mick has a few skeletons in this closest and he has not problem with Tara having a son. It was a fun ride watching them get to know each other and seeing just how their relationship would grow.

The plot line in this book was very strong. I liked that while Mick seemed so perfect there were things that happened along the way that made him a real man and not quite so perfect and it was not just the biggest thing. Tara was a bit whiny but I began to understand her better the further the story developed and she gained some confidence and trust in Mick. I also enjoyed the fact that Tara's son is not just a bump in the story he play a huge part in the story development. Okay, now that I have gotten through all of that the sexual tension and chemistry in this story were outstanding and written very strong. I cannot wait to check out more from Jacki Burton.

Mick Riley and Tara Lincoln couldn't be more different on first glance. He is a famous, rich football star often surrounded by beautiful women love and she is a single mom who has normally no time for men. But as soon as they meet there is something special between them. They spend an amazingly sexy night together but Mick wants more. He is fascinated by Tara and the more time they spent together the more intense their feelings become.
Will they give their relationship a chance or will the differences in their lifes make a future for them impossible?

Like so many other romance readers I have been admiring the amazing cover of "The Perfect Play" for months. I was very excited to read the book and to see if it's as good as the cover promises. And I'm happy to announce that "The Perfect Play" is just as good on the outside as it's on the inside.
Reading about Mick and Tara was a lot of fun. Jaci Burton managed to capture my interest through her engaging writing style and the book was a light-hearted story and easy to read.
Both Mick and Tara were likable characters and I enjoyed reading about their relationship. There were a lot of very hot sex scenes between them. I also liked the scenes when Tara and Mick shared the hard times of their pasts and also the scenes between Mick and Tara's son.
I think "The Perfect Play" was just the right book to start the Play by Play series because it was very entertaining, sexy and made me excited for more.

spoiler about next book in the series
When I think about the next book in the series I'm excited that Elizabeth and Gavin will be the main characters in "Changing the Game". Although Liz did some mean and nasty things in "The Perfect Play" I still liked her and I want to learn more about her.
end of spoiler

cover
Perfection!!!

final appraisal
A very sexy book with great, likable characters that makes me excited for more. "The Perfect Play" contains everything that I love in sports romances and it was so much fun to read.

Play by Play series
1. The Perfect Play
2. Changing the Game
to be continued

Gimme just one moment to drool over this cover before I get to the juicy details. Just one more second...there, okay, I think I can focus. I've had this book in my possession since its release back in February. I've read it approximately 3 times. That doesn't include the amount of times I've skipped through it to read my favorite parts!

Mick Riley is the man in San Francisco. As quarterback of the SF Sabers, Mick's lifestyle is unlike what most of us can imagine. He goes where he wants, does what he wants, and dates the hottest Hollywood starlets. Most of it is staged by Liz, Mick's agent, and he's steadily growing tired of all the publicity. When Mick meets Tara he's instantly intrigued by her. She doesn't fawn all over him like every other woman he knows. She doesn't expect him to swoop in and take care of her. He can't resist the pull of attraction, nor does he try to. I'd say he's smitten, but the big, bad football player would probably take offense. You know how sensitive they are about their tough reputations.

Tara Lincoln is an up-and-coming event planner. As owner of the Right Touch Event Planners, she's worked hard to better her life and her son's. She's as independent as a woman should be; not asking for handouts or expecting anything to come easy. But, Tara's been hurt. First by her son's father when he left her as a teenage mother. Then, by her parents who couldn't accept her for who she was and the son she had. She can't imagine a man like Mick would be interested in her.

Mick's pursuit is hot. Tara's willing to succumb to the passion she feels for Mick, but she protects her heart -- and her son's -- at all costs. Their relationship progresses much like a real relationship would with twists, turns, and conflict (ie. one bee-otch of an agent). Watching as their love grew and layers of their previous lives unfolded kept the book flowing at a nice pace.

To say I loved this book is an understatement. The storyline is great, the sex kindled my Kindle, and all the secondary characters were just as interesting as the main players. Mick's hunky brother, pro-baseball player Gavin, will be the man-candy in the next Play-by-Play novel, CHANGING THE GAME. I'm a little conflicted because Gavin's lady love will be none other than Liz (aka the bee-otch agent). Just incase you missed it, I'm no fan of hers. One must have faith, though, and I'm certain -- considering my love for this book -- that Ms. Burton will pull it off.

* Reviewed @ SPARKS FLY romance reviews *

Sheer determination.

Desperate yearning.

Complete trust.

Unyielding focus.

All four can be found in football.

All four can be found in Jaci Burton's THE PERFECT PLAY, an erotic novel that blends life, football, and romance seamlessly and without shame.

The cover itself is eye-catching, the perfect ploy to grab the attentions of women anywhere, but what's great about this particular novel is that it's not empty inside. Too often, tales of the erotic sort tend to focus only on what happens between the sheets (or on a table or against a couch - most stories don't discriminate) and the plot around those scenes lack the structure and storytelling that is needed in a good book. THE PERFECT PLAY manages to not only give steamy scenes between the two main character, but there is a story line that builds gradually and continues a rise and fall pattern that is a clear-cut version of everyday relationships.

Burton's writing focus was on two characters that are both realistic and loveable - a star quarterback in the form of Mick Riley and 30-year-old Tara Lincoln who has given up much of her life to do what's right for her family but is now heading an up-and-coming business. The two meet at an event Tara has done and the sparks sizzle between them almost immediately, a mixture of attraction and annoyance, which always makes for good reading.

The dichotomy of their relationship throughout the book is interesting. Though the physical attraction is prevalent, the emotions between Mick and Tara are often cut-off or tense, problems caused by the characters themselves as secrets are kept and love is (allegedly) unwanted. While some portions of the novel seem too fast to happen in real time, it worked in the writing, considering no reader should ever read 15 pages that only moves the story ahead by a mere five minutes. The pacing worked for me; there were never moments of boredom or pages skimmed.

With the pasts the two characters carried, the conflicts were set up realistically, and brought in secondary characters who helped flesh out the story though I never felt a connection with any of them, at least not in a way that could be considered important. Both Tara and Mick have had issues in their younger years and are luckily left behind though the old desires and worries pop up every now and again. While some parts (specifically Tara's inability to believe a relationship can be good) are sometimes mentioned one too many times, most were done in a way that it almost seemed like a second thought, something that could be important but was never the main problem.

The erotica is hot and the writing is clean and engaging. This first book I've read from Burton caught my attention enough to make me read more of her work. The blend of sex and, well, actual reality is smooth in the scenes she writes and the characters she creates.

-- originally reviewed for Ordinary People, Extraordinary Works --

When I picked up The Perfect Play I definitely wasn't expecting what I got. I wasn't familiar with Jaci Burton so I assumed the book would be a fluffy contemporary sports romance, something along the lines of Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I certainly wasn't expecting a super hot, steamy romance bordering on erotica. I really enjoyed the book though but I was off balance when I first started reading. It was so different from what I was expecting that I had trouble getting into it at first. My advice is to go into reading this book knowing that there's hot sex in nearly every chapter and Burton shares all the yummy and explicit details.

I started reading this book for it's cover. Ladies, you can't possibly convince me that you don't find the cover beyond swoon worthy. I could stare at it all day. I'm so glad that the romance turned out to be just as great as the cover because I honestly didn't even read the summary when I grabbed this book. Mick and Tara were wonderfully flawed characters to read about. Their issues were what really drew me to them because often times in romances either the hero or the heroine are nearly perfect. My only problem with the book arose from a possibly unintentional flaw Burton gave Tara, which drove me absolutely insane. In the beginning of the book Tara kept saying that she loved talking and that she wasn't with Mick just for sex, yet whenever Mick tried to talk with her, Tara would use sex to shut him up. This made her come off as incredibly skanky which was frustrating for me because I never had that opinion during the rest of the book.

I would definitely recommend this book to any 'hotter than usual' romance lovers. I'm not a sports fan but football was integrated so well into the book that I almost wished that I was a fan. I believe that true fans will especially love this book as I'm sure it's a lot of woman's dreams to end up with an insatiable football player. I'm so excited that Burton is writing a sequel. I'm a little nervous because I loved the upcoming hero, Mick's brother, but absolutely loathed the heroine because she was such a jerk in this book.

So, like most people, the cover caught my eye VERY quickly.. Yummy, no wonder Tara couldn't resist!

Mick Riley is an all-star football player, he's had his fair share of women and he's definitely not shy when he spots the beautiful single mother Tara Lincoln. After plenty of bad experiences with irresponsible men, Tara is NOT looking for a relationship. When Mick makes his move on Tara, she responds... a lot. Except she's hesitant because of his status and the fact that half of America wants to get in his pants (including me.. haha just kidding) yet he chose HER. He chose Tara the event planner with the fourteen-year-old son.
Definitely read this book if you're a huge fan of STEAMY scenes. It's detailed and makes you wonder where the heck your Mick Riley is.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1015879945

Mick is the number one quarterback in the NFL, but he's found lately that his high life and celebrity events aren't to his liking. He meets Tara an event planner for one of his team parties and he is instantly intrigued. Tara isn't like any of the girls Mick has known she doesn't seem to care that he is a celebrity, and for the first time ever Mick is going to have to pursue a woman.

Tara is a single mother of a 15 year old boy Nathan, she made mistakes when she was younger and does everything she can to make sure her child has the perfect life that she never had. Tara is insanely devoted to her son and to her career, she's driven and nothing stands in her way until Mick. Mick won't let Tara push aside their chemistry he demands that she gives them a chance. But when they both start to develop real feelings for each other they don't know what they want. Mick as his career to think about and his agent is constantly telling him that Tara and her son are not good for his image and career. Tara is gun shy with love and she has to think about her son and her career because it won't just be her heart breaking if Mick leaves her.

I really enjoyed this book Mick was a great male lead. He was funny and determined and always honest about his feelings. He was a dream guy, a hot sports star who is down to earth and loves his family. How could Tara not love him? Mick's family was also great side characters his mom was so cute in her determination to have Mick be happy with someone. I'm intrigued to see what will happen between Mick and his sports agent Elizabeth in her book, because she did some reprehensible things to Mick and I wonder if she can ever make that up to him.

When I picked up The Perfect Play I definitely wasn't expecting what I got. I wasn't familiar with Jaci Burton so I assumed the book would be a fluffy contemporary sports romance, something along the lines of Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I certainly wasn't expecting a super hot, steamy romance bordering on erotica. I really enjoyed the book though but I was off balance when I first started reading. It was so different from what I was expecting that I had trouble getting into it at first. My advice is to go into reading this book knowing that there's hot sex in nearly every chapter and Burton shares all the yummy and explicit details.

I started reading this book for it's cover. Ladies, you can't possibly convince me that you don't find the cover beyond swoon worthy. I could stare at it all day. I'm so glad that the romance turned out to be just as great as the cover because I honestly didn't even read the summary when I grabbed this book. Mick and Tara were wonderfully flawed characters to read about. Their issues were what really drew me to them because often times in romances either the hero or the heroine are nearly perfect. My only problem with the book arose from a possibly unintentional flaw Burton gave Tara, which drove me absolutely insane. In the beginning of the book Tara kept saying that she loved talking and that she wasn't with Mick just for sex, yet whenever Mick tried to talk with her, Tara would use sex to shut him up. This made her come off as incredibly skanky which was frustrating for me because I never had that opinion during the rest of the book.

I would definitely recommend this book to any 'hotter than usual' romance lovers. I'm not a sports fan but football was integrated so well into the book that I almost wished that I was a fan. I believe that true fans will especially love this book as I'm sure it's a lot of woman's dreams to end up with an insatiable football player. I'm so excited that Burton is writing a sequel. I'm a little nervous because I loved the upcoming hero, Mick's brother, but absolutely loathed the heroine because she was such a jerk in this book.

So, like most people, the cover caught my eye VERY quickly.. Yummy, no wonder Tara couldn't resist!

Mick Riley is an all-star football player, he's had his fair share of women and he's definitely not shy when he spots the beautiful single mother Tara Lincoln. After plenty of bad experiences with irresponsible men, Tara is NOT looking for a relationship. When Mick makes his move on Tara, she responds... a lot. Except she's hesitant because of his status and the fact that half of America wants to get in his pants (including me.. haha just kidding) yet he chose HER. He chose Tara the event planner with the fourteen-year-old son.
Definitely read this book if you're a huge fan of STEAMY scenes. It's detailed and makes you wonder where the heck your Mick Riley is.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1015879945

Mick is the number one quarterback in the NFL, but he's found lately that his high life and celebrity events aren't to his liking. He meets Tara an event planner for one of his team parties and he is instantly intrigued. Tara isn't like any of the girls Mick has known she doesn't seem to care that he is a celebrity, and for the first time ever Mick is going to have to pursue a woman.

Tara is a single mother of a 15 year old boy Nathan, she made mistakes when she was younger and does everything she can to make sure her child has the perfect life that she never had. Tara is insanely devoted to her son and to her career, she's driven and nothing stands in her way until Mick. Mick won't let Tara push aside their chemistry he demands that she gives them a chance. But when they both start to develop real feelings for each other they don't know what they want. Mick as his career to think about and his agent is constantly telling him that Tara and her son are not good for his image and career. Tara is gun shy with love and she has to think about her son and her career because it won't just be her heart breaking if Mick leaves her.

I really enjoyed this book Mick was a great male lead. He was funny and determined and always honest about his feelings. He was a dream guy, a hot sports star who is down to earth and loves his family. How could Tara not love him? Mick's family was also great side characters his mom was so cute in her determination to have Mick be happy with someone. I'm intrigued to see what will happen between Mick and his sports agent Elizabeth in her book, because she did some reprehensible things to Mick and I wonder if she can ever make that up to him.

Right Touch event planner Tara Lincoln feels fortunate that she got the gig for the NFL San Francisco Sabers summer party. For the past four months Tara killed herself as she know this gala could be a walk-off winning touchdown or a game costing fumble.

The team's star quarterback Mick Riley congratulates her for hosting a fine event. They share a great night together in which she assumes Cinderella goes home to never see Prince Charming ever again. Besides as a single mom she has enough trouble with the male in her life, her troubled teenage son Nathan. However, Mick's trait of never quitting which serves him well in the NFL also has him remain resolute as he wants more than just a one night stand.

This is an enjoyable heated football romance starring a superstar athlete and a single working mom. The story line is faster than Bob Hayes ran for a touchdown in and out of the sack. Ironically the "matchmaker" is also the alibi as Tara hides behind her need to protect her child from the crap she went through at his age. Readers will enjoy this excellent sports romance as the QB seeks the Perfect Play to win the game of love as he already has her heart.

Harriet Klausner

Tara Lincoln is an event planner and owner of The Right Touch. By chance, she lands the summer party of the NFL team the San Francisco Sabers. The party is a complete success and it is here she meets the Sabers star quarterback, Mick Riley. Mick is usually seen with an actress or model draped across his arm, so Tara is shocked when he takes interest in her. He makes her dance with him, and later invites her up to his hotel room.

Mick is tired of his agent Liz throwing beautiful women his way. He wants someone who is not after his money or fame - and when he sees Tara he instinctively knows she is "normal." She interests him and he really just wants to get to know her. Being extremely physically attracted to her doesn't hurt either.

Although they are perfect in bed together, real life always throws in more complications. Tara is a single mom, raising a teenager. It has always just been Tara and Nathan and she is not used to putting herself or anyone else first. Mick is known everywhere, and that fame is hard to deal with. Convincing Tara this is not a casual fling will be tough for Mick to do.

First let's all just stare at the cover for The Perfect Play. Sexy, yes? Jaci Burton has been hit with the cover of all covers. I honestly don't know if I could pass this book up if I saw it sitting on the shelves. *wipes drool*

I had a tough start with this book. Mick and Tara meet right at the start of the book, and they had never met before. By page ten, Tara states:

"The more time she spent with him, the more she liked him. Dammit. Why couldn't he be an arrogant son of a bitch, full of himself and talking of nothing by his career and his stats? It would be so much easier to walk away from him if he was self-absorbed. But not only was he gorgeous, he was also funny and was interested in her and her career, and she liked spending time with him."

So Tara knows all this about him by page TEN? Someone she meets on page FOUR. I just don't think this is a realistic mind set someone would have after just meeting someone. How does she know all of this already? She wouldn't. And then he takes her up to his hotel room and tells her he is not there to seduce her just to talk and get to know her. Which of course leads to sex. He comes off very pushy to start. Not arrogant as in - hey I'm famous and rich. But arrogant that Tara would naturally choose to be with him. He also assumes from the beginning that Tara is not out for his money or fame. Again, that night that he meets her. Which to me made it less believable.

So yes, I had a really hard time connecting with Mick at the beginning. But as I continued reading, after a few chapters I felt like the characters calmed down and their relationship took a much nicer turn. I enjoyed Tara's conflict within herself. She has lived her life always so worried about her son, that just because she meets Mick and does develop feelings for him that doesn't change who she is. She is still the worried mother. There is one particular scene towards the end where Nathan is used as a ploy, and Tara is hurt by this. And I think this is a great scene because it shows, no matter how much she cares for Mick, Nathan is still the most important thing in her life. She learns to accept other important people, but it really stays true to her character.

I really enjoyed the pages spent with Mick back home in St. Louis with his family. This is where I feel we get to meet the real Mick and where the story definitely picks up. Tara is able to see the other side of Mick, the one not playing football or posing for pictures. His brother Gavin and his agent Liz all have some nice scenes as well.

One thing I find no fault with are the sex scenes. Yes, look at that cover again - Jaci Burton writes very, very hot smex and the scenes are quite plentiful in this book. The smex scenes do that cover quite proud.

I ended up liking this book, it just took me a little while to get there. I believe the next book is about Mick's brother and baseball star Gavin, and I am very much looking forward to his story.

Hot, hot, hot! When I first started reading I had to drool over the cover for about twenty minutes before diving head first into a wonderful, sexy, and romantic story. Full of content sighs, laughs and hunky athletes. Romance at its best!

I loved the characters. Tara is such a strong character. Willing to do anything for her son and always puts him before her needs and wants. Mick complements her very well and I enjoyed the delicious tension that Jaci Burton crafts into this story. While Mick is a football player, he is down to earth and real. Not cocky or full of himself and his career. Very lovable and very sexy. I love that Burton didn't make him perfect, but came fully loaded with his own faults and troubles. Highly recommended! Very steamy!

Besides the almost constant extremey graphic sex scenes there wasnt much else going on. The book started to get boring. but i wanted to see how the main characters ended up together otherwise i wouldnt have finished it.

The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
Contemporary Romance -Feb. 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars

Jaci Burton has done it again. Fans on contemporary romances with heat will love this latest book. It appears to be the 1st in a series about the popular and athletic Riley family. Sexy and real, this is a book that will satisfy the romantic and has smoldering scenes to keep you warm at night!

Mick Riley is the oldest in the Riley family and a famous quarterback to the SF Sabers. Handsome and charming, he is charismatic and a ladies man. But Mick it tired of all the glamour and just wants a break from all the PR. Football is what he wants to focus on, that is until he gives directions to a lovely blonde after his daily workout. Mick can't get her out of his mind. He likes her personality, and she is actually fun to be with, not work. When he spies her at a party, he is determined to introduce himself.

Tara is an event manager, and tonight she is responsible for the SF Sabers bash. She can't believe she asked the star quarterback for directions and ran away. She is even more shocked when he finds her at the event and asks her to dance. Soon they find themselves in the hotel getting hot and heavy. But Tara knows she isn't his type that is until he tracks her down at her job. Can they even have relationship when they are two totally different people?

I liked Mick's single-minded drive to catch Tara. He is a bit underhanded and sneaky when he involves Tara's co-workers to help him woo her. She never stood a chance. I also liked that he soon wants to meet her son and is eager to learn about Tara.

Both of these characters have a real depth that got me involved in their lives. Plus Mick is pure sex on a stick. I am pretty jealous of Tara. I think any woman alive would like to be pursued by Mick! Tara feels like a genuine person struggling to `make it.' She is trying to handle a rebellious teenage son and run a successful business. She doesn't have time for a famous athlete who is probably going to break her heart. She figures it is most probably just a one-night stand to remember. But she underestimates Mick's determination.

The best part of this book is the scorching chemistry between the two main characters from the get go. Even though they got together quick, I really felt their connection. They were two genuine people really liking each other and enjoying each others' company. This book also tackles some serious issues about fame and each character's own personal courage. I also liked that Tara had insecurities and Mick loved her just the way she was (over fashion models and famous celebrities). This book stands out among the slew of steamier books out today because the main characters don't just lust after each other and have a relationship that often seems to masquerade as true feelings. They have genuine affection and respect for each other.

The Perfect Play is the perfect blend of sexy and fun with really down to earth and likeable characters. The smoldering scenes are just icing on the cake!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

I really enjoyed reading this story. The fact that she incorporated sports into made it even better. I really enjoyed reading about mick and tara and how they tried to figure out this thing called love. Their chemistry was out of the world . Adding her son Nathan to the book made it better. The way he and mick bonded was beautiful . This is worth the read

Jaci Burton never lets you down with her books. The Perfect Play was wonderful. Mick, Tara and Nathan were complex but very lovable. Something I have noticed is that there is a message...a very relevant message, in most of her books that I have read. I happened to read books #3,7,& 8 first and am now going back and starting with #1. It didn't matter. No matter how you read them they are always a real page turner.

Ah-freaking-dorable. I was swooning left and right because of Mick. Mick and Tara are totally off the charts. Mick's relationship with his family and Tara's was something special. And their love toward each other... Just beautiful. Everything about this book is great and you need to read it.

I almost stopped reading after the first few chapters. The dialog and interactions felt very stilted. The writing smooths out enough that it stops being painful to read (mostly). This ended up being a decent athlete fantasy romance.

Loved this book from start to finish. Mick and Tera are just perfect. Loved how he just didn't give up. Loved how Mick and Tara's son got along too. I know towards the end there was a point where it was all gonna be lost, but Loved how then Tara came to her senses. Dont want to spoil it, so future readers read it and it's so worth it you'll love it. Can't wait to read the next book.

I absolutely loved "The Perfect Play". Mick is a great hero and I wish I could find one like him. I really like how he kept his cool through the ups and downs that Tara had. They are a great couple and Nathan was a cool kid. Cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

If you look books about athletes (hot football quarterbacks) this is your book. It has likeable characters, an engaging storyline and it has scorching hot sex scenes.
I was throughly entertained. Great book