Monday, July 22, 2013

Review: Fair Play by Tracy A. Ward

Fair Play
by Tracy A. Ward
Publisher: Entangled
Publication date: June 10, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher in exchange for unbiased review
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon


Writing three plays for a nationally acclaimed theater in Phair, Texas, wasn’t supposed to put my inheritance at risk and force me into constant contact with Noah Blake--the very guy I love to hate. But with one chance to prove to my controlling father that I can succeed as a playwright, I’ve developed a major case of writer’s block. Cue Noah, my older brother’s best friend and the guy I’ve avoided since my crush-gone-bad days. And now my director thinks he’s the key to unleashing my creativity. He thinks Noah is my muse. Discovering the fate of the theater is also in my hands, I have no choice but to collaborate with my worst enemy. But it’s more than just a great scene Noah inspires. Now everything I thought I wanted is put to the test. And the guy I swore I was over still has a hold on my heart. 
Fair Play caught my attention from the cover to the synopsis and I was eager to jump in and read Noah and Ashlyn's story. This was a fun, hot read that I consumed in a single evening. Three word review: sweet, sexy and entertaining.

Ashlyn is a struggling writer who has been hired to write three plays for the nationally acclaimed theater in Phair, Texas. Her first two increased sales but didn’t enthrall the critics. With just a few weeks to go before the playwright festival she hands in a rough draft of her first scene and admits she is suffering from writer’s block.  Her director thinks there is a link between her characters and her relationship with her brother’s best friend Noah Blake. He wants Noah to be her muse and insists they spend time together. Blake runs a successful pub chain across the street from the theater that is about to go international.  She has a love/hate relationship with Noah and the tale that unfolds found me laughing, swooning and completely captivated.

The tale is told from Ashlyn’s POV which in my opinion added to the tale. I found her to be strong, brilliant, witty and carrying around a few issues. It was fun seeing her overcome them and take a chance. Noah just oozes smexy from his handsome good lucks, smirky smile and brilliant career mind. He has known Ashlyn forever but as his best friend’s little sister she is off limits. The banter between them was hilarious with an edge of snark. They both have commitment issues which only added to the tale and had me wanted to bop them over the head. We meet other characters and a sleazy character from their past, all of which had me turning the pages. The town of Phair is one I would like to visit and the townsfolk we met added to the story and made you envious of the people who lived there. I am hoping the author decides to revisit this small town and create new stories there.

I love troupes that force two characters together. Especially when it’s obvious the couple is attracted to one another and are the only ones who can’t see it. Ward added some clever twist including the play Ashlyn was writing which created some delightfully sinful and smoking hot scenes. I laughed and giggled despite the predictability of the tale. The romance and sexual tension built slowly and when it all collided it was oh-la-la! I found the characters to be fleshed-out, genuine and believable. This book offered me a lovely escape as reality simply slipped away. I loved that it made me burst out laughing and had me sighing the next moment. 

Fair Play is the perfect late night or beach read that allows you to slip away from reality for a short time. This is Tracy A. Ward’s first published work and I look forward to seeing what she delivers next.

Three and half cups of coffee out of five
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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34 Comments:

At July 22, 2013 at 2:47 AM , Anonymous Blodeuedd said...

Aww beach read, July has been too cold here for that

 
At July 22, 2013 at 3:30 AM , Anonymous emily said...

oo that sounds right up my street x

 
At July 22, 2013 at 5:19 AM , Anonymous Jennifer Bielman said...

Sounds so cute. I often like books that revolve around theater. Don't know why.

 
At July 22, 2013 at 8:18 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Yes beach read..take a blanket!

 
At July 22, 2013 at 8:19 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I hope you get to try it, it was fun:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 8:20 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I do too, hmm I acted in plays as a teen, I love Phantom of the Opera ..LOL

 
At July 22, 2013 at 8:44 AM , Anonymous Debbie Haupt said...

thanks again for the great review Kim

 
At July 22, 2013 at 9:46 AM , Anonymous Aurian said...

Great review Kim, glad you enjoyed it.

 
At July 22, 2013 at 9:50 AM , Anonymous Jenea Whittington said...

Growing up we always went to the theater and watched the plays and even operas. I think I would like this one. Great review.

 
At July 22, 2013 at 10:41 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

thanks Aurian this was fun:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 10:42 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

This was more than just a romance and I got caught up in so many aspects of it.

 
At July 22, 2013 at 10:42 AM , Anonymous Nick said...

This sounds just too cute! I'll keep it in mind when I'm in the mood for a cute summer read!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!
Lovely review!

 
At July 22, 2013 at 11:19 AM , Anonymous kindlemom1 said...

I love reads like these, I can't help it. They are one of my guilty pleasures. I think I would like this one!

 
At July 22, 2013 at 11:22 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

they make perfect little escapes and agree you would enjoy this:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 11:23 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

thanks Nick this is a great beach read:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 11:30 AM , Anonymous candacerobinson said...

This sounds like a fun read! Not one I would pick up on my own, but you make it sound good enough for me to get a copy!

 
At July 22, 2013 at 11:45 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

thanks Candace it's nice to know I have tempted you:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 12:35 PM , Anonymous Andrea @The Bookish Babe said...

Sweet, sexy, snd entertaining sounds perfect!I love the "forced together" trope, too, & Ashlyn sounds great! Adding to my tbr!

 
At July 22, 2013 at 12:40 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I think you will like this:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 1:35 PM , Anonymous Heidi said...

I need a sweet and sexy book that will make me giggle after all the apocalyptic horror!

 
At July 22, 2013 at 2:07 PM , Anonymous Jenny @ Supernatural Snark said...

SOLD KIMBA! I absolutely adore the best friend's little sister setup, it's one of my absolute favorite types of romance. There's just always so much tension between them because it's usually forbidden upon threat of death from the brother, but that just makes it that much hotter in my opinion. So excited to read this one, thanks for the recommendation!

 
At July 22, 2013 at 3:01 PM , Anonymous Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I swear you are determined to get me more into contemp romance! :) Oh now you have me so curious about this one. I know I'm going to cave and get more of these! *shakes fist* ;)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 3:59 PM , Anonymous Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard said...

Sounds like fun, Kimba! I'm glad you enjoyed it. The best friend's little sister trope is a familiar one, but it can work oh, so well in the right hands. As a (former) theater geek, I find the theatrical setting of this book enticing.

 
At July 22, 2013 at 4:04 PM , Anonymous Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

Ahh, I love that she's his best friend's baby sister. It's a trope that's been used a lot, but I never get tired of it. I think this sounds summer-y and wonderful and I'll definitely be reading it. I'll probably enjoy Ashlyn's voice a lot.

 
At July 22, 2013 at 4:40 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

It does make for delicious fun, and I quite enjoyed myself:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 4:41 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

*nods head*

 
At July 22, 2013 at 4:41 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

hehehe

 
At July 22, 2013 at 4:41 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

this has so many things that appeal, hope you try it:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 4:42 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

would love to hear your thoughts if you read it :)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 10:35 PM , Anonymous Kristin Clifton said...

Awesome review! I'm buying this NOW!!!! I actually agree with everything Maja says :D

 
At July 22, 2013 at 11:28 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

enjoy and I look forward to hearing what you think:)

 
At July 22, 2013 at 11:32 PM , Anonymous Danielle Chapman said...

Totally loving your review! Sounds like a book I should be adding to my TBR list! :)

 
At July 23, 2013 at 3:00 AM , Anonymous Lindy@ A Bookish Escape said...

This story sounds so good! I love the troupe that the author uses as well. If you read this in one evening, it must be really good! I love stories where the brother best friend falls in love with the little sister! Great Review as usual!!!

 
At July 23, 2013 at 9:24 AM , Anonymous Ellen said...

This sounds like another great romance from Entangled :)

 

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