The Play

First off, Thank You for writing such great books. I read all three books about the Macgregors and loved every story. "The Play" had so much feelings in it that I read the book with a box of tissues by my side. The emotions ran from one extreme of love, happiness, sadness to depression, but thankfully love won out. The characters are extremely well developed and their past is so vital to the story. Another thing that helped this book was that donations from this book will go to shelters for dogs, as the owner of 4 shelter dogs, I really appreciated this fact. I have owned pit bulls and they have been very loving family pets until old age took them. I will always be a fan of Karina Halle form now on and will be waiting for her next books.

I never tire of reading Karina Halle's books. And The Play is no exception. Not only does she bring a love story to life, she also writes about a cause near and dear to her heart, the rescue of bully breed dogs. Woven expertly together, you'll fall in love with the characters and their flaws and gain an awareness about bully breed dogs. I just LOVED this story!

Wow!! I absolutely loved this book! Lachlan and Kayla are most definitely my favorite couple of Halle's and that's saying something because I adore all of her character's so so much. This story just blew me away, I was completely enraptured from the Prologue until the Epilogue, and loved every word. I loved that quiet, sexy dirty talking Lachlan. His love of animals, he loves so deeply it is just beautiful. Kayla is gut busting hilarious, she's my kinda girl. I love how she claims she has this teeny black heart, but her love for family, friends and Lachlan says much to the opposite. I'm so happy this book raised so much money to help the animals, Karina you have a beautiful giving heart and deserve all your success!!

Oh these McGregor Men.. Each book just keeps getting better and better... The Play is filled with emotion and lets not forget all the scorching hot love scenes.. *fans self*

Kayla vows to give up men, but it doesn't last long.. Once she meets Lachlan that vow files right out the door. She can see Lachlan has secrets about his past.. Will they be able to overcome them..
Lachlan is a sexy Beast who is rough around the edges but oh so sensitive on the inside.. He has been through hell and back .. He keeps everyone at arms length and when he finally lets someone in will it destroy him or make him stronger..

This is definitely another MUST READ by Karina Halle!

Maybe I should wait for another time to review this when I can string together coherent thoughts, but OH. Fair warning: tissues needed from start to beautiful finish. Lachlan, the beautiful, broken, beast of a man. Kayla, the self proclaimed black-hearted man-eater. An epic story from beginning to end. I felt like I was right there with them, being ripped apart, just as they were. And the steamy bits!! Holy blush! Karina, you've done it again!

Kayla's sworn off everything related to men, but Lachlan is just too much to resist. This rugby playing brute is just visiting from Edinburgh to help his cousin with his charity, and talking isn't his strong suit.
Interviewing Lachlan for a piece about the charity Kayla learns just how talkative he is. Or rather, isn't. It doesn't help that Kayla's just so smitten that she puts her foot in her mouth. Despite all, they're combustible when together, but could there ever be something more, long distance and all?
When life gets in their way, will they make it through?
Contemporary romance, feelings and smutty fluff in a great combo, and a great cause for pit bulls <3

This book... This book was simply amazing. It's firmly on my short list of books to read again and again. Lachlan was tall, muscular, swoony, scrumptious Scottish man meat and I was rooting for him even when his flaws started clawing their way out. The sex was lush and primal and riveting. The book felt like three books in one, with several storylines working their way out as the relationship evolved. I really can't say enough, the writing was spectacular, the emotions were authentic and raw, the pacing was satisfying, and I truly didn't want the story to end. This one is also on the short list of books that made me cry like a baby -- but it was so, so worth it.

Yep this sums up this book, "A troubled Scottish rugby player who doesn't play by the rules. A vivacious man-eater who's given up on love. When it comes to Lachlan and Kayla, opposites don't just attract - they explode. "

Oh but then there is the sexy Scottish accent you hear in your head when you read Lachlan's POV, and the crazy sex scene that are so steamy and sexy you have to put the book down. Then your heart aches along with the characters and their internal struggles to let the other one in below the surface, and the huge blow life throws then that could tear them apart if they don't step up and fight to be together.

I love this series, the writing and characters. You are sucked in to these character's lives and left hungry for more and more! Great read.

Loved every single page, word and saving dogs and cats for that matter. I am a animal lover and have 3 cats which of course one got older and sick and tried to keep her till last minute.

Thank you for a great read all like your other books and the series that I lived. Wish there was a continuation maybe with Brigs story or Stephanie and linden's baby story - I totally loved these series and am asking to please continue writing more about these characters.

Thanks again and I always pre-order any books that comes from you. Do thank you for a good cause and hope to get more new books from you.

Hengy

Wow! This was really a beautiful book! Kayla is one of my favorite heroines - she's straight-forward, confident and tells it like it is. Lachlan is damaged - he's had a hard life and made some mistakes. The two of them together = perfection! I can't even find the words to describe the amount of emotions I felt while reading this book - there's so much depth to these characters and I loved both of them. There was some really hot sexy times too! I really loved this book and look forward to reading more by this author!

The Play
The Play... wow! what to say... First I just love Lachlan! Christmas is coming so I want one as a present!
But let's get to business, I'm going to keep this really short, since all I have to say is I loved the book!
I met the amazing Karina Halle with The Pact and I was hocked with her writing since then, but this book is just amazing, and don't get me started on the amazing campaign she did with the preorders, she donated $1 from every preorder to animal charities, how awesome?
Lachlan and Kayla felt so real, and their story broke my heart, made my cry and sigh a lot! I've said before I'm a sucker for love stories and this book had me hocked since page one.
If you love, romance read it! If you love stories that feel real read it! If you love puppies read it! You know... just Read it!
I highly recommend it! Five starts without doubt!

Another McGregory for the books!! This was probably my favorite book in this series. Lachlan has a dark twisted past that haunts him everyday and then there's Kayla who has but up a wall for all men. She's been there and done that and ready to see what life is like without the men in her life. Then she meets to ever so hunky Lachlan McGregor and her wall starts to crumble. They have their ups and downs and life throws them both some curve balls. You wonder if they will make it through. You will have to read it to see. You will not be disappointed!!! Also, you get to see what is happening with Linden & Stephanie and Bram & Nicola.
Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!!
Happy reading!!!

Awesome. I loved this book and though I stupidly read the winter wishes first I loved being able to go back and discover how their relationship began. Boy was I taken for an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. I loved this book. It's twists and turns and laugh out loud moments. I loved Kayla totally happy and meets Lachlan. Her love for his is amazing and awesome. I loved her mother. I loved her friendship with her friends and I loved the way she stood by Lachlan. I loved their romance their passion. Swoon worthy moments and hunky heroes. This is totally worthy of more than five stars...

This was a lot darker than I anticipated. Our characters deal with issues of abandonment, addiction, and guilt. I shed more than my fair share of tears. Beware, this is a long journey for our MCs. They have a lot of work to do on themselves before they can commit to each other. The McGregor men are as irresistible as ever. Lachlan is a great addition to the Scottish crew. I loved the moments of bromance, and wished there was more of that (maybe we will get more in a book for Brigs?). Halle did a good job of developing these characters, because I was not really a Kayla fan, but I was allowed to spend a lot of time in her head, and really got to know her on a deeper level.

This has been my favorite one out of these books. The two were so alike in key ways, but also different. I loved how they fell together, the scariness, the fear and the love. These are two very flawed individuals. I also especially loved the extra parts with the dogs and the message that came along with it. I loved how the author was trying to put the dogs back together with the same love that she was trying to put the characters back together. Beautifully done.

Loved it! Who new Scottish men were hot? I loved Lachlan in this book. Such a troubled past that has more than made him who he is. But Kayla is the calm in his life. Makes him want to be more. The man already has risen from the ashes on his own but inside he's literally dying I think. Kayla is always the odd man out with her friends. Her two friends are married and moving on in life. She's typically been the love em and leave type. Liked how the scenery changes from San Francisco in first part of book and moves to Scotland for second half. Kind of gave it a change of pace. The writing had a couple grammatical issues but not enough to take away from the story.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Lachlan was a very intense character, sometimes too much. He shows compassion and love one second and the next he's beating someone close to death. I had a hard time connecting with his character because of these violent mood swings, which happened several times through out the book, and how unstable he was. I enjoyed Kayla because she was a very realistic character. She didn't have her 'dream job' and was still looking to find her niche in her life, when all of her friends seemed to have been pairing off and settling down. Overall the book was ok but I think reading it once was enough for me.

I have never written a review before, but this book was so powerful, it made me want to write one! I've been a fan of Halle's since her EIT series (read them if you haven't,) but I have to say, the characters she created in this book are just amazing. The emotion that you feel with their love, their anger, their sadness; it just reaches out from the pages and grabs you. Amazing writing, and such a good story. From the streets of SF to Scotland, it's an epic ride. I finished this book last night and spent most of today rehashing some of the more stand-out scenes in my heard throughout the day. When I'm still thinking about a book hours and hours after I have finished with it,- that's my favorite thing in the world; because the story is still resonating with me.

Would totally do spoilers, but I'm not that kind of person! Just trust me if you like tough, broken, and redeemable rugby players who look like Tom Hardy and have a soft spot for dogs, and dominant in the bedroom, then read this damn book! If you like tiny, feisty, spitfire's of a woman who won't take anyone's s***, then read this damn book!

I loved this story! I devoured it! It was tortured, steamy, sweet, sexy, sad, funny with some angst to top it all off! I fell head over heels for Lachlan (I mean it didn't hurt to picture Tom Hardy while reading this either). The book was on the long side but it was paced really well so it didn't seem that way. I thought the story flowed brilliantly! I loved having all the characters I have already fallen in love with show up in this story. Nicola and Bram Stephanie and Linden. Karina Halle is becoming an immediate one click for me!! Reading Winter Wishes right now because one book was just not enough of Lachlan and Kayla!

Oh my God! This book was AMAZING...Lachlan McGregor is by far my favourite book boyfriend and McGregor! Even with all his demons and darkness, he's so beautiful. Loved the amazing, funny, horny mixed raced beauty that is Kayla...together...they were dynamite. Karina Halle, I can't get enough of your writing. It's funny, it's current, its heart wrenching - I cried! That's hasn't happened in a looooong time from reading a book...the dialogue was witty, the sex scenes were amazing...I love this book....

I am struggling for words to describe The Play. This amazing piece of work is so much more than just a "book". To call it a book feels cheap. The story of Kayla and Lachlan was so obviously pulled right from the deepest part of Halle. From the very beginning it grabs you by the heart and never lets you go. Long after you read the last page, this tale of love and loss and struggle and redemption will consume your thoughts, your heart, your life. Prepare to have your heart shattered and put back together one tiny piece at a time.

Oh Karina! You're simply amazing! I loved this book HARD!! The Play sucked me in on the very first page. I fell in love with Kayla and Lachlan. This book will make you laugh out loud, break and melt your heart by time you finish. Oh and I can't forget....This book is sexy as he!!. Lachlan is most definitely my top bbf!

I think this book is phenomenal ! For me, hands down the best one of the series! I loved it! I love the character of Kayla. She's a bit crass, a whole lot of sassy. I loved Lachlan as well. He's broody & beastly. The chemistry was just amazing & the intimate scenes were scorching. For me, this book had a little bit of everything - angst, lust, love, drama. Just in time to be one of my favorites books of the year!
I would suggest reading the series in order, but it's not necessary.
I highly suggest reading this book. I loved her other books but this book has made me a life long fan of Karina Halle!

Good lord. I almost missed reading this story (started reading 'Winter Wishes' and then realized I missed a book) and I'm so glad I stopped that one to read this one. Be ready with some tissue because this book had me bawling. I mean, this was such a heartfelt, sexy as hell book with ridiculously beautiful people but the writing is beyond exceptional. There is so much emotion that you can't help but put yourself into the story and into the minds of Lachlan and Kayla. Their love is dramatic and amazing and ridiculous, but when people are meant for each other, it all works out in the end. Read this book!

The Scottish trifecta, good choice of words. Well bring the Kleenex because you will need some to start of with. Then comes a slow attraction between Kayla and cousin Lachlan( she finally gets her self a McGregor) and fast hot sex once things get going . There is lots in a short amount of time. The sh*t hits the fan, bad things happen and Kayla has to switch up and make some hard choices. There are very sad times, happy times, funny times...serious times. So hold on and see where the secrets and changes take these two.
I never understood where Kayla got the idea that she had a black heart????

Karina Halle has done it again! This is quite possibly one of her best standalones in her massive repertoire of literature. She perfectly captures the process of falling in love with someone and all the insecurities, hesitancy and caution that comes with it. Each stage of the love process is explored and expressed in a way that the reader feels it along with both Kayla and Lachlan, with their complex and diverse personalities. Then, life pulls them every which way but toward each other, and the harder parts of love are exposed to challenge them. Your heart will break. Your heart will soar. Your heart will beat faster than a hummingbird on speed during some, ahem, passionate scenes. All in all, another grand slam!!

Honestly, Karina Halle first made me love her words with Bram (The Offer). She immediately became a one-click author for me! The Play just goes to prove that I can buy anything of hers and completely love it. Lachlan and Kayla's story is misunderstood, beautiful, quick and long at the same time, and I couldn't help but open my heart to them. Lachlan pushes his way in there and makes sure you'll never forget him!! Now Kayla, I think I want to be her with all her softness with him and her personal Badassness. Everything in The Play from helping strays, to Lachlan's beasty self, and the emotional history, will have you alllll hooked!

What a ride. I loved Lachlan right away. Kayla took me a little longer. At first she is very superficial. She had no depth or compass. Once she connected with Lachlan she blossomed into a very likeable woman. I loved their slow burn love. I was drawn to all the issues presented, like addiction and bulky breed adoption. I found it all compelling and endearing. I liked this book best out of the series so far. Nothing better than a big rugged Scottish rugby player. Yum!

What an amazing story and great cause for preordering this book. Kayla is forever a fifth wheel and doesn't think she will find love. She even vows to become celibate until she meet Lachlan. Their relationship goes through some major obstacles. I think their troubles are very real. These characters seemed real and that's what makes this a great book. They have to overcome so many things. Real life is like that. You love. You grieve. You have to make changes and sacrifices. That's life though. Everyone is looking for love.

Lachlan has demons to fight to feel worthy and loved. He has kept people at a distance because of his past errors. The horrors of his childhood cripple his ability to trust and love completely. Kayla can't find her right path in love or career. Her friends have found theirs and she feels likes she s going through the motions with no purpose. They take a risk on each other but the bumps in the road are difficult to maneuver around.

I really enjoyed this book. Great storyline and realistic characters. It's nice to read a book about characters that have real life flaws. Lachlan's struggle at times was gut wrenching. Also being an animal lover that showed his softer side. I loved that. Kayla struggled coming to terms with her mother's death and wasn't sure what she wanted or where she was going in life. Thank you Karina Halle for once again giving us a book that is worthy.

Their love story is heartbreaking. Lachlan is the type of character that you want to reach in to the book and give a big hug to. Lachlan had many ghost and built up walls. These walls weren't easy to break down. It took a strong woman to help breakdown his past. Even with Kayla's love, at times, it wasn't enough.

I liked reading how these two worked through the good and the bad times. It had sadness and a difficult storyline and subject matter but it didn't leave me sad.

Another great book for this series.

I am convinced Karina is not your average author and I will tell you why. Every singe book she writes I feel as if I am seeing a new side to her and this series is know different. I LOVE Lachlan and Kayla for many many reasons they both bring the emotion in such different ways I am telling you I highlighted this whole damn book. There is so much love, angst, loss, and sadness in this beautifully written book. This story will break your heart and put it back together it's the HOW will it put it back together. This is a must read my favorite in the series. It's now been a few days since I've read The Play and I'm still so overwhelmed by the emotions In This amazing book there are so many thoughts I have but I just think you should read it for yourself. Laugh, cry, and FEEL all the beauty that is The Play.

Quotes of Note:

"'Don't compare yourself to others, only to the person you were yesterday.'"
- Page 46

"Privacy is everyone's given right, and the problem with the world today is the fact that everyone thinks they have a right to it, too."
- Page 60

"'You only get one life. Well, two lives. the second one starts the moment you realize you only have one.'"
- Page 134

"She's a riptide. I'm just a man without oars."
- Page 151

"Everything is always more clear in the dark."
- Page 186

"We could take time and stretch it between our fingers and spend an eternity in each other's arms."
- Page 249

"'You're ruining me to the very ground, can't you see, but there's nothing else I want more than to be at your feet.'"
- Page 470

Opinion:

As always, Karina Halle knows just how to cut you to the core.

I must admit, I had extremely high expectations before reading this book. Knowing Halle had felt such a special connection while writing, I expected excellence. In other words, I expected a leading man that could compete with Mateo, and a story that could hold its own against Love, In English. (For those of you that don't know, Love, In English is another novel by Halle. Mateo is the leading man in it, and he is arguably my favorite book boyfriend of all-time.) And I am so thrilled to say that The Play achieved both of those things; this book is Halle's new masterpiece, and Lachlan McGregor can hold his own against any man - whether fictional or real.

I was most impressed by the poetic wording and the profound one-liners that Halle incorporated throughout the story. I tried to give a little taste in the Quotes of Note section of my review. I believe that in this way, Halle's writing has matured greatly - not that it was immature or unrefined to begin with. Far from it. But I did detect a seriousness and a soulfulness in this novel that I hadn't detected as deeply in any of her others.

One thing that Halle has always been impeccable at is creating complicated and surprising characters. Lachlan and Kayla were no different in this case. Both characters were not only complicated and intriguing, but their faults often came as unexpected twists. As an aspiring writer, I love it when a story or a character surprises me. Perhaps that's why I enjoy reading novels by Karina Halle so much. Apart from their complications and their quirks, Lachlan and Kayla also had such depth. Whenever I review one of Halle's novels, I always comment on how realistic her characterization is. Her characters are so relatable. Whether it's Kayla's fear of love, or Lachlan's fear of abandonment, both characters experience worries and faults that any person can realistically empathize with.

But I think my absolute favorite thing about the characters that Halle creates is how she is able to capture the feeling of being totally lost and at a loss for what to do about it. A lot of times that feeling translates into many different things; Kayla's unhappiness about her career choice, Lachlan's reliving of past nightmares, Kayla's grief, Lachlan's guilt, etc. In most novels within the Romance genre, everything seems to work out. But Halle creates a world that's more realistic. That isn't to say that things never work out. It just means that the characters don't always have everything figured out - even at the end. And above all else, I appreciate that because it's the truth.

This is most definitely one of Halle's longer novels - if not the longest. Because of this, I was initially apprehensive about how the pacing would develop, but as always, Karina Halle rises to the challenge. I felt as if I were propelled through the story naturally. Halle also breaks up a lot of the intense moments with quite a few sexy and steamy ones. Those particular moments were exactly as I just described them - sexy and steamy. But I also think they were all perfectly placed. Another Romance novel trope is an overabundance of sex and a lack of a true storyline. But Karina Halle finds a perfect balance between both and created a story that captivates and a romance that entertains.

It was truly a pleasure reading another beautiful novel by Karina Halle. I enjoyed The Play immensely, and I absolutely cannot wait to read The Lie (which releases in a month). I only wish I had read it sooner. After accepting two jobs within the last three months, I haven't had as much time to dedicate to my reading. But The Play was always at the very top of my TBR List, and I suggest you all put it at the top of yours as well.

Overall, I give this a 4.5/5 star rating, only because I'm comparing it to my favorite book by Halle (Love, In English). Love, In English may be my favorite, but The Play comes in as a close second.

Happy reading.

Lachlan, Lachlan, Lachlan, Lachlan, Lachlan, Lachlan.
This book is about Him and only Him. My god, he's a beautiful broken man, an anti hero, quiet and silent but dangerous and dark, a sex machine, a freaking rugby player and a puppy rescuer!! What more did you need???
This book is hot, with awesome sex scenes but at the same time is full of emotions, raw feelings, dark secrets and really heavy subjects.
I love it!!!!

Lachlan and Kayla's story was filled with even more angst and emotion than Linden and Bram's books. I really adored Lachlan. All his demons and guilt tore at his heart and soul, but Kayla helped him heal. She had her own issues, that Lachlan seemed to be the cure for. They were extremely cute together. So unsure and self conscious about each other and their feelings. There was plenty drama between them as well, so it kept me engaged and invested in the story until the last page. It was a beautiful love story.

I loved both main characters, Kayla and Lachlan, I am truly happy that despite all the obstacles and personal demons they finally found their own HEA, The Play is a unique and touching love story that proves love can heal and conquer it all <3

On a side note, I really can't wait for Brigs' turn, he's very intriguing, I'm looking forward to read his book, hopefully it'll happen soon :)

I adore the McGregor boys and the girls they happen to fall in love with. This story was well worth the wait and to read the journey these two take is perfect. I love Karina's writing the stories she creates are amazing and fresh. And to top it off the donation cause this book gave to and the money raised was awesome. You don't see that every day. Keep it up Karina **wink** I can't wait to get Briggs story!!

Lachlan was not as outgoing as his cousins Linden and Bram, even though Bram was rather mysterious. He was troubled yet kind and amazing so I thought he was the perfect match for the maneater that each Kayla. I really enjoyed the book and this beast of a man. I definitely recommend to read about these MacGregor men!!

My favorite to date. Sexy yet troubled Lachlan has met his match with Kayla Moore. Love the chemistry, but this story is so much more than that. It's about struggling with demons, and sacrifice. Phenomenal writing, Karina Halle sucks you in with the prologue and you won't want to put it down until the very last page. Highly recommend this sexy, and emotional read.

This is an amazing story, the characters, the passion, the dogs, I loved it all!!!! Lachlan is such a troubled soul, but to see the good he's trying to achieve...heartwarming. Kayla was so alone in a world full of people but to see she and Lachlan heal and save each other was perfect.

I really enjoyed Lachlan and Kayla's story. They were funny, and infuriating. But this book really packs and emotional punch. From Lachlan's backstory, his work with the dogs to Kayla's family. It can be an emotional roller coaster at times.

I have loved everything Karina Halle has written. There is a reason she sits at the top of my most read author list. I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4.5 Stars!