The Player and the Pixie

Rugby #2

by L.H. Cosway, Penny Reid

Now a USA TODAY BESTSELLER

How can someone so smokin’ hot be so bad in bed? I mean, Sean Cassidy is absolute rubbish. RUBBISH. He is the epitome of walking, talking false advertising and I want a refund! Plus he’s an arsehole. So… what is wrong with me that I can’t stop thinking about him?

THE PIXIE
Lucy Fitzpatrick doesn’t like rugby.
As the little sister of Ireland’s most infamous rugby player, Lucy can’t seem to escape the championship-sized shadow cast by her big brother, or her mother’s frequent attempts to micromanage her future. Her rainbow hair is as free-spirited as her quest for inner peace, yet overbearing expectations keep bringing her down. And when she’s down, her compulsive little problem lands her in seriously big trouble.

THE PLAYER
Sean Cassidy is a cold-hearted brute… or so he’s been told. Frequently. By everyone.
His blonde locks, baby blues, and rock hard bod make ladies the world over drool with desire. As the rugby world’s second most infamous player, he should be basking in his success. But Sean has never been content settling for second place, and his frequent confrontations with Lucy’s big brother leave him cold. And when he’s cold, his compulsive little problem lands him in the lap of Lucy Fitzpatrick.

THE PLAN
Sean has a problem only Lucy can solve. Lucy has a problem only Sean can fix. The solution seems obvious: you scratch my back, and I’ll bail you out of jail. But when their business arrangement unexpectedly leaves Sean scorching hot and Lucy on the precipice of inner peace, can they convince the world—and Lucy’s big brother in particular—that this is the real deal?

Either way, both the Player and the Pixie are about to teach each other some pretty monumental lessons about family, life, but most importantly, love.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Sports Romance, Humor, New Adult

326 pages, ebook

First published April 12, 2016

About the author

L.H. Cosway lives in Dublin, Ireland. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LHCosway

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LHCosway

Mailing List: https://lhcoswayauthor.com/newsletter/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lhcosway13/

Website: www.lhcoswayauthor.com

Reviews

[Penny Reid]

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[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-ish Stars

I started this one in spring of 2016...and just now finished it last night.
Don't ask me why it took so long, I have not a clue.

Regardless, I didn't love this nearly as much as I loved Hooker...but, then again, they can't all be top shelf.

Already started Co-ed though (finally!) and liking it well enough so far...

[Samantha Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's official: LH Cosway and Penny Reid are a perfect writing team. Everyone knows I'm a huge fan of both writers' books, but what some might not know is I first discovered them when I picked up "The Hooker and the Hermit". Once I read that, I knew I had to read more from them and I started to devour everything they've written as individual authors. The second book in the Rugby Series "The Player and the Pixie" lives up to its predecessor. It's funny, it's emotional, it's sexy and it has my favourite thing in it—fan-freakin-tastic characterisation. The thing I've come to love about both authors is their skill at character development. For me to fall in love with a romance novel, I need to fall in love with the characters, and for me to fall in love with the characters they need to be truly three-dimensional. It was certainly easy to fall for the characters here. Both Lucy and Sean have layers. They're flawed, they're real, and for that they are both immensely likeable. The biggest win for this book is in fact Sean. To take a character with unlikeable character traits, give history to the traits and thus understanding, and have you fall in love with that character despite his flaws is masterful. I love Sean! I didn't think he could dethrone Ronan... yet somehow he did.

A must, MUST read.

[Dee Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++++ COLORFUL Stars*****

(ARC kindly provided by the lovely Penny Reid)

I couldn't have possibly enjoyed this book more, even if I tried. Reading this story was the equivalent of book heaven for me. It was as good as if I had been on the beaches of Bora-Bora, drinking pink champagne and strawberries, while Brad Pitt (Legends of The Falls, version) was feeding me Nutella, YES! THAT GOOD!!!!



Lucy Fitzpatrick is the sister of Ronan Fitzpatrick, Rugby superstar. She's recently moved to New York to embark on a new career as a celebrity blogger. Lucy has always lived under the scrutiny of her mother, causing her anxiety and forcing her to find unhealthy coping mechanisms. Now that she's far away from her mom, Lucy is looking for a clean slate, a new beginning into a life where she is free to live her life as she pleases.

Sean Cassidy is the black sheep of the Rugby team, he's a very talented player but his over the top negative personality has caused the dislike of all the team members and especially Lucy's brother, Ronan. Sean is gorgeous and he knows it. But his insensitive ways usually push away anybody who tries to get closer. So he lives a very lonely life, and he is okay with that until he meets the girl with the bright smile and rainbow colored hair.




Lucy is feeling very conflicted because her attraction toward her brother's nemesis is very intense. As it turns out the gorgeous and confident mountain of a man that is Sean Cassidy, is totally clueless about how to please a woman in bed.

Lucy can hardly believe that a guy who can kiss so good and passionately could be so bad in bed. Sean always knew he was bad at sex and romance, but the truth is that nobody ever stuck around long enough to give him a chance or a lesson. He is used to people only using him for their own benefit, but now for the first time in his life, he's met a girl who he feels desperate to please.

So, what starts as two sort of friends, and a few erotic lessons, will turn into an addiction of one wanting to desperately give pleasure to the other. This delicious journey will prove to be a safe heaven for both Lucy and Sean, where acceptance, love and a lot of complications will consume their lives.

The beauty of this book centered in how flawed and real both of these characters were. The lesson, no matter who you are or what you look like, we all want love and acceptance. The Player and The Pixie is a story where the talent of each author is showcased and together as a team their writing style is completely unique and wonderful. You can't tell when one's words begin and the other one ends. Together L.H Cosway and Penny Reid are dynamite, and they have set out to set your heart on fire with this highly entertaining story.

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 To Banish the Cold and Follow the Rainbow Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
I am sitting here trying to figure out how to review this delight...Do I go deep and address the humanity of it all and how these two characters had these things to overcome... and by the grace of Lucy's goodness she was able to see clearly the little boy lost in Sean...and with her grace... he was able to see clearly the beauty of her and fight to make her see it herself...

Or do I get all excited about how, Finally Two Genius authors, L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid , do a reverse and have the studly, Rugby, Bubble Butt man be the one who needs to learn how to have sex, be intimate...Not the long time virgin, or the woman who has been told over and over again she is frigid...

Because the Guy Friggin' sucks and knows it...

He knows he sucks...and a person, who is not a paid escort or sex slave or Rugby bunny, sees the need, insecurity, and vulnerability...and takes him by the hand, tongue, c@ck, and mind... tutoring him...

Of course, there is also the age-old issues of family loyalty...because these two are almost as bad a match as Romeo and Juliet...Sean Hates Lucy's brother and The Brother, Ronan Hates Sean.

So how do I attack this review as my heart is full from a read that was so good I sat on my ass for more than 8 hours reading it from cover to cover...

I am just going to say this:

The amount of discovery of what is happening internally with these two people is perfect, Duo POV'S...we are taken on a journey with two characters: Lucy, who is so likable, good, smart, fun, and when push comes to shove....very, very strong. She has developed her own style with rainbow hair and good karma. She struggles with the toxic, passive/aggressive prodding from her mother. It started when she was young and the anxiety has manifested into a shoplifting compulsion. Anytime she now is around her Mam...she finds the need overwhelming and she swipes small items...feels the release and then shame. She will immediately give them to charity or homeless shelters... but the deed was done. She has moved away from Mam... and has been clean from the urges for a while...

Our other character is Sean... the teammate and enemy of Ronan...He made an appearance in the first book of this series and for these authors to redeem him so completely... was shocking... because he was presented as the Arsehole of Arseholes...He was caught with Ronan's woman by Ronan in a compromising position...causing Ronan to explode and be put on suspension from the team. Sean has no friends on the team and only because he is good at what he does, does he have a solid career. He is the first to be arrogant, combative, pompous, and just full of himself. At least that is the front he does...Deep down though, he knows he is a fraud in the many departments and mostly he just feels cold all the time...

These two characters come together... and it is friggin' magic. The story takes you by the hand and gives you everything you could possibly want with this scenario...we are shown the reasons for the walls and anxieties. We are presented with questions about loyalties and when do you act for your own happiness.

And we are given a time when a Skittles Rainbow girl takes a Rugby Stud... and teaches him the ways of a woman...how to woo her, tease her, make her feel beautiful and wanted....and how to just love her.

IT IS ASTOUNDING...IT IS MAGICAL...IT IS A WONDER

This tale had all the secondary characters necessary to give it life...and I see a couple of ways the next installment could go. I just want to make sure there is more...Because Cosway and Reid have figured out how to take the basics and make them sparkle. They give enough for everybody...meaning... do you want light sexy fun... it is there...Do you want to see what lies beneath and get to the core of a being... it is there...And do you want to feel as though you are falling in love and the HEA is around the corner with touches of real-life experiences too... then it is there for the taking.

As is my nature... I may have written more than I planned... or a bit deeper... But the main thing to take away from my review is the joy you will feel after reading it. Life is not perfect; people make mistakes...and then if they are willing...they learn and grow from them.
Just sayin'...
Read the book :D

The Hooker and the Hermit (Rugby, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Player and the Pixie (Rugby, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Cad and the Co-Ed (Rugby, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Varlet and the Voyeur (Rugby #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~~~~
It's 1:45 AM...
My Ass is sore; sitting and reading for about 8 hours will do that... but my Heart is full...so happy review to come :D

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Don't you just love email notifications letting you know your L.H.Cosway / Penny Reid Arc is here! I know I do....so excited :DDD
●●●●● ♡♡♡ ●●●●●
Last time Cosway and Reid got together, it was the Hooker and the Hermit...
Now we have The Player & The Pixie, eh...

Well, Tinkerbell has been with Peter Pan for so long, I can't see her switching to a Rugby Star no matter how hot...

So I guess I will ponder on what these two creative minds have in store for us...

2016 is looking like a treasure trove of wonderful reads to come....

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars!



Once again, Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway co-wrote a book and they KILLED IT! I thought The Hooker and the Hermit was a great book, I really did- but this book? This book was PERFECT for me. When I started it the other night, I had every intention of reading a few chapters then going to bed and finishing it the next night. It was a work night, so I knew I shouldn’t stay up too late. Once I started reading, that flew out the window because I couldn’t put it down! It brings me so much joy reading a book from cover to cover and enjoying every second of it!

Lucy Fitzpatrick is Ronan’s sister. She’s living in NYC and working with Annie on her blog. Lucy is a pretty amazing character, but she has a few issues that stem from the anxiety her mother brings her. She doesn’t cope in the healthiest of ways, but out of her mother's grasp, she seems to do fine. Lucy is a free spirit. She is one of those amazingly positive people that always tries to find the best in people. Then she meets Sean Cassidy. And he makes it hard.



When I first saw that Sean was the hero of this story, I was apprehensive about him. I mean, he was a grade A jerk in the last book. Sean really isn’t a bad guy- he’s just… misunderstood. He doesn’t have a great family life, he speaks his mind sometimes without thinking and he’s a bit thoughtless and inconsiderate at times. BUT even with all that, I loved the guy! Sean is a famous rugby player and nemesis of Ronan. Therefore, someone Lucy should never get involved with. For some reason, Sean is drawn to Lucy and her rainbow hair and positive disposition. He knows she is not a girl he should have any feelings for, but he’s cold, he’s lonely, and she makes him feel better about himself.

I already wanted Lucy. Nothing would be more disastrous than actually liking her too.

Watching these two characters start to fall for one another was a real treat. Both struggled with their feelings. Lucy feels like she is being disloyal to her brother by liking Sean. Sean doesn’t feel he deserves Lucy at all. My favorite thing about this book is watching the growth Sean has. One of the best parts about this story is that Sean is terrible in bed. We read so many books with these rock star men that are amazing in the sack, but that’s not always reality. I loved his willingness to learn and Lucy’s willingness to teach him. I also loved the way he saw her- as the perfect woman she was.

He looked at me like I was the center of something important. Like I was important to him.

The Player and the Pixie is a book that had it all. It was funny, entertaining, emotional, sexy and had an amazingly imperfect (yet perfect for each other) couple. I can’t sing my praises enough for this story. No one is more shocked than me that I loved Sean Cassidy as much as I did, but I DID! I loved him! He and Lucy together made my heart so happy. Reid and Cosway did an amazing job with this book and I will read anything they co-write in the future…. and after reading the sneak peek to the next book in this series? OMG I cannot wait!

If you’re looking for a read with a spunky heroine, a redeemable hero, a book with lots of laughs, steam, and most importantly- heart, this is one I highly recommend! Going on my favorites list as a 5+ star read!

“I don’t want anyone but you.”

[Rachel L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review now posted!

5 Bubs stars!



So, I’ve had a hard time trying to write a review for this book. Not because I didn’t like it, in fact it’s the complete opposite. I am flabbergasted by how much I loved this book. I’m a fan of both authors of this book, and I enjoyed The Hooker and the Hermit, so when I fell in love with this book, it hit me harder than expected.

The Player and the Pixie is the story of Lucy, Ronan’s sister, and Sean the wretched member of Ronan’s rugby team. Lucy is a free spirit, she has rainbow hair and goes on yoga retreats. But her mother has a detrimental effect on Lucy’s mental health and as time goes by it only grows the more time they spend together. Sean is the jerk of the rugby team; he’s abrasive, rude and arrogant. But there’s more to him than meets the eye, and Lucy is the one to see through to his softer parts.

Lucy and Sean have a mutual attraction and find comfort in each other despite their differences. But with the loathsome relationship between Ronan and Sean, there is no hope for a long term relationship or even a public one without a huge fallout. So can Lucy risk her family for Sean? Or can Sean fight for the woman he wants or let her go?



First off, both main characters in this book are flippin fantastic. There was so much self-discovery going on, a lot of internal feelings the reader got to know and it made me love them. Lucy as a heroine was so relatable and cute, and I honestly wanted rainbow hair after reading this (still considering it). But Sean. Oh my god, Sean, Sean, SEAN! I fell in love with a fictional character. I’m not exaggerating! There’s something about a man who is vulnerable but doesn’t want to show it that just gets all the female in me wanting to hold him and make it better.

I loved Sean’s insecurities and lack of confidence. He internalized so much of it to the point where his only defense mechanism was to lash out at other people before they got so close. Lucy saw through this, and for that I wanted to high five her so dang much. The attraction between Lucy and Sean was smokin’ hot, and from the beginning the relationship they embarked on was based on trust and respect for the other. No shaming, only understanding.

I can already say this is one of my top favorite reads of the year, no exaggerating. Sometimes in this genre when you read a book, it feels like authors are writing only to make a buck. This book is the ANTI of that statement, and so full of heart I felt like mine was going to explode. So if you get a chance, read it. You won’t regret it.

ARC kindly provided by Penny Reid in exchange for an honest review

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Player and the Pixie
Series: Rugby #2
Author: L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid
Release date: April 12, 2016
Cliffhanger: No
HEAYes



Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway are the ultimate dream team when it comes to co-writing romance. They showed their excellence in The Hooker and the Hermit, their first collaboration and the first in this Rugby series. With this next installment, they've proven again that their writing compliments each other flawlessly. Both with a quirky flair and attention to unique characterization, they've managed to do the impossible. Take a character who was previously reviled and detested and turned him into someone that we're happy to see end up with our lovable heroine Lucy.

Lucy isn't without her own flaws, yet she's a good person who struggles with an unusual addiction. Kleptomania. Instead of drugs, alcohol, food, or many other variables that people use for coping mechanisms, she has an uncontrollable urge to steal. Deep down, she's ashamed and loathes herself for what she does, but doesn't have the proper help she needs to conquer her problems.

Her mother is at the root of her issues, only causing her stress and frustrations to increase. Compared to her brother, the golden boy of the family, she's always been looked at as a disappointment. So she rebels by dying her hair in a rainbow of shades and refusing to fall in line with what her mother wants her life to be. She's very independent and strong, just as you'd come to expect with these two authors. She's also sweet, and always has a witty comeback to counteract Sean's cutting remarks aimed at keeping people away.

There was something inextricably enticing about the dichotomy of her. For a softly spoken fairy princess with a rainbow mane, she had a remarkably tart mouth.

Sean is on her brother's Rugby team and the most disliked person by everyone she knows. His manwhore reputation, and his history of blatant and outrageous moves to hurt her brother make him someone she has no desire to get to know.



He's untrustworthy and cruel. Filled with jealousy and aggression. But things aren't always exactly what they appear. There are hidden depths that he keeps locked up tight. And a secret about his womanizing ways that no one would ever suspect.

As many women as he's slept with he's like a fumbling teen when it comes to foreplay. Not your typical hero now, is he? Take my word on this though, Lucy is just the woman to teach him how to satisfy. But more importantly, she opens his eyes to the world in a way he never allowed himself to do before with her honesty and free spirit.

"You have this incredible way of showing me new ways to look at things, do you know that, Lucy Fitzpatrick?"

The authors managed to make me empathize with Sean. Not immediately, but in a very naturalistic way. His attitude and personality didn't flip like a light switch, it was a clear evolution through Lucy's caring and affection. This was something that he never felt from anyone in his life except his cousin, and it made him want to be the type of man who would deserve her love.



The underlying message underneath the romance was a strong one. We're all flawed, we're all struggling with issues that have molded us into who we are. But our faults don't define us, if you can find the strength to look within yourself and examine what needs to change. I enjoyed seeing both Lucy and Sean shed their insecurities and their fears and find a most unlikely love. They found a feeling of belonging together, a home. It was heartwarming, funny, and very engrossing from start to finish. And with the wonderfully fleshed out secondary characters, there's plenty of potential for future stories in the series. I'm eagerly awaiting book three, I can't wait to see who's lined up for us to read about next.

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[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Player and the Pixie was utterly and completely swoon worthy. It’s a wonderful blend of sweet, sass and sexiness. Lucy and Sean are perfect together and the story of how the meet, help each other and fall in love is delightful.

“How can someone so smokin’ hot be so bad in bed? I mean, Sean Cassidy is absolute rubbish. RUBBISH. He is the epitome of walking, talking false advertising and I want a refund! Plus he’s an arsehole. So… what is wrong with me that I can’t stop thinking about him?”

Lucy Fitzpatrick likes her life, thank you very much. She doesn’t share the spotlight with her rugby playing brother, she takes pictures of celebrities and blogs about them for a living. She would like for her mother to be happy for her and stop comparing her life with his, but that would be an exercise in futility so she strives for internal calm on another continent. When she’s near her mother though, she seeks therapy of the sticky fingers felonious kind.

“I blamed his body. His body made me want the impossible. It was definitely his body and not the haunting vulnerability of him; his quick, witty rejoinders; or the way he’d discovered my darkest secret and hadn’t responded with judgement, but instead understanding, comradery, and concern.”

Sean Cassidy is insensitive and shallow or at least that’s how he’s been raised to behave by his unfeeling, snobby aunt and uncle which have always left him feeling cold just like every banal and hollow acquaintance he’s ever had. Until he runs in with his nemesis colorful fairy like sister who makes him genuinely laugh. So after he witnesses her little act of rebellion, he compels her into going to dinner with him where they both share about their peculiar habits which leads them to more.

When appreciation, understanding are support are added to their irresistible attraction, can they overcome the huge obstacle that is Sean’s archrival and Lucy’s brother?

“Lucy was unequivocally stunning, warm and engaging. Carefree. Impulsive. Lucy was everything gorgeous and good. She may have looked delicate, but she wasn’t. She was steadfast, and loyal, and resilient.”

There are so many great things about this book and series. I love that it’s a story about family and love that gave me all sorts of warm fuzzies. That these two wonderful authors have seamlessly merged their creativeness and writing skills brilliantly combining humor, sensuality and romance. Their most potent magical element though, is their character development. It’s impossible not to fall for a book in which its characters are well layered, genuinely flawed and completely endearing.

“We all have depth, Sean. It’s is a side effect of being human.”

The psychology behind Lucy’s peculiar habit intrigued me as much as it did Sean. Sean’s cold and detached demeanour was surprisingly humorous with its own backstory. I definitely wanted to see how this seemingly odd couple would fit together especially with the added obstacle of Sean and Ronan’s animosity.

It was sad that Lucy had to bare her mother’s judgement but still manages to be kind and carefree. I loved that she saw beyond Sean’s sexy yet abrasive exterior to his loneliness, vulnerability and goodness. The way she was caring and understanding was lovely.

“Something about this girl, this woman, gave me the distinct impression of being accepted. It was as odd and disorienting as it was invigorating.”

Just like Lucy, I honestly didn’t see how he was redeemable. But like I mentioned before, he’s so well developed it was easy to understand him. Once that happened I felt so much for him having been raised in such a cold, unloving environment. But loved that he didn’t hesitate when he saw a kindred spirit in Lucy, opened up to her and grabbed hold to become a perfectly imperfect hero. I loved how he wanted to go for broke with her, how he wanted to convince Ronan he was worthy of her. He was completely swoon worthy.

“Lucy Fitzpatrick was my drug of choice, and was quickly becoming a necessity. I had no desire to contemplate rehab.”

I haven’t even talked about Sean’s lack of talent in the foreplay department or how delightfully Lucy cures him of this. Their back and forth was achingly sweet and I loved how they derived confidence from each other. Together, Sean and Lucy were a perfect match.

I gently tugged her forward and licked the spot. She shivered again. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
“I’ve wanted to do that for quite some time.”
“What?”
“This freckle. It taunts me.”

There’s also need to mention the awesomely random Twitter intros to each chapter, the witty banter throughout the book, and the great secondary characters which together complete this great read.

The Player and the Pixie is book #2 in the Rugby series by Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway. It’s heartwarming, funny and deliciously sexy. A must read, sweeping contemporary romance. It can be read as a standalone, told from both points of view with a wonderfully happy ending.

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via IndieSage PR. The excerpts are from that copy. *

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[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was quite bored for most of this. Didn't really care for either character. Even the "Irish" theme did nothing for me.


The rugby players were portrayed as millionaires. Don't think Irish rugby is that profitable. I could be wrong.


Pity really, as I enjoyed the first book in the series. Ah, well, our tastes change and evolve over time. I think I need my characters in books to be slightly older.

[Tink Magoo is bad at reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 Stars (Cause I'm a rebel and like to mix my ratings up)

I love assholes. Not actual assholes. Asshole men. But only in books. Asshole men in real life trigger my 'junk punch' reflex. Anyway, fictional male assholes - I love them. And thus, I loved Sean. Even though he was a fumbling, pre-ejaculating, brute.

Books were the big tough hero is surprised that he's fallen for the heroine always get a thumbs up from me. They're so clueless, almost like a lost puppy. I especially love the ones where the men don't run away screaming, then 'accidently' fall on another woman with their love lance. What was I saying, I got sidetracked, oh, yes, I loved this book.

[Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ · Rating 1 out of 5]

"What do you want to do?"
"I'd like to lick your pussy."

O-KAY. Shh. I'm going to close my reader sloooowly and let these two happily wander towards their HEA, okay? I tried and turned off my inner sarcasm but I just. cannot. go. on. Such a great idea gone to waste, unfortunately. Although I didn't like The Hooker and the Hermit (because I'm allergic to "caged-in" types of guys, they make me claustrophobic), The Player and the Pixie appealed to me because... Well, because how many times did you read about a male-lead who sucked at sex?

...

My point exactly. Romance novels are so full of hot tongues, formidable erections and mind-blowing first times that I thought it would be refreshing to read about a hot guy lacking any skills during the intercourse (I always dreamed to write this word. So deliciously cheesy). Anyway. I can't deny that it made for a good laugh (I'm horrible, I know, shh) and it could have grabbed me but it was without counting that,

1) I'm constantly amazed and baffled by these women who manage to answer asshole-ish comments by putting their hand on the guy's shoulder and saying things along the lines as, "aw you poor thing, you're so sad." And they're not even sarcastic!? They actually mean it?! Help me, because I genuinely don't get it? How do you do that? Is there some social skill I'm lacking? (maybe - I'm French, I'm rude by nature am I not?) I'm not saying that the right answer is necessarily "fuck off" (although...), but there must be a right balance to find? It makes it so, so hard for me to connect with this kind of MCs, even if Lucy isn't technically a doormat (yet). I like her enough, but I do not get her.

2) I can like assholes, but only to a certain extent? In order for me to root for a character, especially if romance is involved and if he's not supposed to be a villain, I need him to be... well, decent. He can play around, but only if he doesn't show double standards. He can be smartass and sarcastic, but there are some lines I'm not ready to cross, like, I don't know, racism.

Tell me what the fuck is this.

"So," he broached, "who's the Mocha Frappuccino back inside? Your boyfriend?"
I stopped immediately and turned to face him, my expression devoid of humor. "Could you be any more racist?"
"I'm not being racist. I'm being descriptive. I'll have you know that some of the warmest nights of my life have been spent with women of color. Lovely, lovely colors."

[ensues Lucy's answer about how she doesn't want to hear about his conquests]

SERIOUSLY? I'll have you know that you took the "I'm not racist, I have a friend who's black!" crap to a whole new level, Jerkface. Lucy calls him on it (because she's decent, remember, the "aw you poor thing" shoulder hug) but in the end, it doesn't matter. I cannot care about Sean's HEA when every time he opens his mouth I want to (violently) shut it. He annoys me, and above that, he's one-dimensional and completely uninteresting. How am I supposed to suffer through his POV now tell me? And the guy's actually talking to me, telling the reader to stop clutching their pearls and I'm like - HUH?! What do you mean, Dickhead? It's a sweatshirt. Anyway. Ugh. Do not talk to me.

3) There's no chemistry or any... point... to the story. Honestly, I can see the "twists" coming miles away, given that Mister Prick is Lucy's brother nemesis (oh, the pissing contests! Tell me when to swoon really). While predictability doesn't necessarily bother me in romance novels, I still need some kind of tension to make me interested. Their instalust, insta-I want to help you thingy going on bores me to death and to be honest, I'm not sure I have in me to enjoy these cardboard people falling in loooove.

Such a shame really.

"Nipping lightly at the underside of my jaw, he murmured, "Are you wet?"

Aw. I'll be missing so many of Sean's poetic lines. Boohoo, woe is me. DNF 33%.

PS. What's up with the tweets at the beginning of the chapters? Are they supposed to make the story more original? Because they add nothing, lack any spark and made me roll my eyes. Oops.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - "I think I've missed you all my life." Stars!

Once again L.H Cosway and Penny Reid deliver a book that I, simply just could not put down. The Player and the Pixie is everything that I want my romantic reading to be in that it offered, likeable characters (even the un-likeable ones), a unique story-line, and some really unforgettable moments along the way.



If you read The Hooker and the Hermit then you know exactly who Sean Cassidy and Lucy Fitzpatrick are, and you’ll know exactly why their potentially coming together as a couple is about as bad an idea that you could conceive. Lucy’s brother Ronan, although Sean’s captain on the rugby field, is also his arch enemy off it. Sparks and more of than not fists fly whenever they spend more than a couple of minutes with each other.

Why were the beautiful ones always such pricks…

But a chance encounter, and an unfortunate unintended revelation causes a different set of sparks to fly between Lucy and Sean. And what starts out as a 'tit for tat' kind of deal between them leads to a lot more than either of them initially intended.



The authors have once again managed to put together a couple that at the beginning you would think have absolutely nothing going for them when it comes to the progression of a relationship, Sean is still a bit of a tool for a lot of the book, but with Lucy he seems to find the nice guy within, but you are also given the back-ground and reasoning’s as to why he is the way he is in the development of the story between them.

"You’re far too colorful to ever be the black sheep."

Lucy is a bit of a walking disaster as well in that her familial relationships seem to bring out the worst in her, but something about Sean, gives her the stability and emotional strength to fight those demons, that is until their secret is discovered, and once again all hell breaks loose and at the worst of times.

I read this book in one sitting, I literally couldn’t put it down. The storyline is diverse in that it takes the usual, and gives it a unique twist. I wouldn’t expect anything less from this duo to be honest, and if you are like me you will go through all the emotions with Lucy and Sean as the book progresses, I love nothing more than a man with vulnerabilities, and the authors gave me that in Sean, Lucy was a harder sell on me, but again within the progression of their story as a whole you get to see all the colors of her personality (and her hair) and it leads you to understand and empathize with her, and her struggles, with herself and her family.

The teaser for The Cad and the Co-ed, at the end of this one left me squeezing my Kindle with excitement, Bryan Leech again is another rugby player that doesn’t come across as much of a good guy in this book, so I am interested to see what the authors have in store for him to turn him around, especially as his love interested is going to cause another monumental amount of sparks and probably fists to fly!

ARC generously provided, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.

[Elle ✟ Søren's ♡ (i'm too old for this shite) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* the most mismatched couple STARS!!

Review @ Midnight Romance

Imagined my surprise when this book came out! I never expected to see Ronan's sister, Lucy Fitzpatrick got her own story. Another surprise was Sean Cassidy. Yes, he will be the 'hero' for Lucy. A bit recap from previous book, Ronan's ex-fiancee cheated on Sean and I couldn't see anything to redeem this bastard until this book proved me wrong.



Lucy Fitzpatrick starts her new life in New York to be free from her mother. Lucy believes in yoga and tranquility. She's quite like a hippe herself and I liked her. Lucy is the most cheerful, free-spirited woman along her rainbow hair. As the sister of famous rugby player, she must keep her secret; kleptomania/thieving issues. Her other issue was with her mother who always opposite with her.

No one like Sean Cassidy; include me. He maybe great in rugby, but his real attitude was really annoying. Sean came from strict and cold-hearted rich family. He seems enjoy taunting Ronan Fitzpatrick, Lucy's brother. An unexpected event brought Sean and Lucy together, lead them into something else. Lucy realize that she's attracted to Sean; physically and vice versa.



I enjoyed their hate-love relationship. Sean admitted he was an ass. They agreed it was only for sex but Sean became a disaster. I was shocked with the truth about Sean and didn't expected to be that shitty. Against all odds, Lucy 'offer' her sexual training with Sean. She realize it was a stupid move, but she couldn't deny that she's starting to care about him. Believe it or not, Sean's progress was amazingly fast and it made Lucy happy yet jealous. He became very satisfying in bed ;)

“I love when you look at me like that,”
“Why?” I asked, still all mushy-headed.
“It’s territorial. A look that makes me feel like I’m your man. I like the idea of being yours.”

Then, her guilty conscious for her brother made Lucy distanced herself from Sean. And Sean, of course looks like a lost puppy without Lucy. He always panting around her. From zero to hero. My feeling for Sean has changed with his reformed asshole attitude. His ice exterior melted since Lucy came into his life. Sean become more lively. I liked the new Sean and he's swoon worthy. His determination for Lucy made me enjoyed this so much. However, Lucy didn't like herself. Her happy-go-lucky attitude faded. She buried everything inside herself and it's eating her alive.

The moment you walk into a room you brighten it, Lucy Fitzpatrick, and I for one feel like the luckiest bastard in the world for having known you.

I was glad that they finally work their issues. Lucy and Sean were such a messed. I could feel what Sean has been missing in his life. He has no sibling who could share the intimacy of a family. Insulting Ronan was the 'good' way he gained attention. The Player and the Pixie was really addictive and n-put-down-able. I loved their banter & flirty togetherness without make me green. An entertaining read. Every story from this duo author has a deep meaning. No one is perfect. They have flaws and it felt so real.

Lucy: Random thought. If everyone winked as much in real life as they do on social media and in text messages, the world would be a much creepier place.
Sean: I’d send you a “I’d love to lick your pussy” emoticon, but my iPhone doesn’t have one.
Lucy: Those Apple engineers have seriously been sleeping on the job
Lucy: ;-)
Sean: Ah yes, embrace the creepy winking. ;-)

✦ Please visit @Midnight Romance for more reviews! ✦

[FMABookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

❝ I just like a good underdog story, that's all. Every stray deserves a chance for love.❞

So good! So very good. I love these characters, I love these authors ... I just ... love!!!

Penny Reid and L. H. Cosway have blown me away, again! 'The Player and the Pixie' is the second book in the Rugby series and I never thought I could love the follow-up as much as I loved the first, but much to my surprise, I did.

The concept is completely original. The idea that a man -- who is described as a manwhore, is completely inept in the bedroom, was so exquisitely delicious, I ate it up! Sean Cassidy is an extraordinary character. He saunters through life pushing others away, hiding behind his cocky attitude, snarky comments, and ridiculous sexiness. But he isn't happy. He is cold. So he searches for warmth in nameless women, one night stands that provide temporary distractions. The problem? He has sex like a racehorse. He races to the finish line with blinders on, ignoring everyone around him until he wins his prize. But he did wonder why he was the only one winning?

❝I'm beginning to doubt women are capable of climaxing. The great female-orgasm myth...❞

Lucy is a kick ass heroine! She's full of witty comebacks, smart as a whip and not afraid or embarrassed about her sexuality. Yet, Lucy has lived her life in the shadow of her brother, Ronan. She is under constant scrutiny from her mother ... about her appearance, her weight, her hair, her job, you name it, she does it wrong. The only person she feels is in her corner is the one person she idolizes, her brother. Ronan is her hero. She would never do anything intentionally to hurt him. But when his nemesis is the one guy Lucy can't stop thinking about, she knows she is going to disappoint someone.

❝ How can someone so smokin’ hot be so bad in bed? I mean, Sean Cassidy is absolute rubbish. RUBBISH. He is the epitome of walking, talking false advertising and I want a refund! Plus he’s an arsehole. So… what is wrong with me that I can’t stop thinking about him?❞

Pleasing others never really mattered to Ronan, until Lucy and suddenly he is as wrapped up in her "instructions" as he is in her. But all good lessons come to an end. And when they had reached theirs, Sean knew he had changed. Lucy had changed him, she had begun healing that sad, lonely, dejected boy that resided within his soul. He needed more, he needed Lucy.

The Player and the Pixie was funny, the banter between these two was hilarious. Their escapades between the sheets, hawt! My only criticism was I felt the latter 1/4 of the book lagged. There was so much build up and steam in the first 3/4 it felt like the book took a turn, a shift, and the focus changed. But with the first part easily being a 5+ rating for me, the latter part didn't come close to changing my opinion of the book.


ARC kindly given exchange for honest review

[Sophie "Beware Of The Reader" · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 "playful" stars

Well the authors wrote “Please, write a review! If you liked this book and, more importantly perhaps, if you didn’t like it (…) reviews force us to move towards a true meritocracy.”

Unfortunately (or fortunately) for them I did like it. Very much!

 

I ordered this book because:

I love Penny Reid. She makes me laugh every time;
I loved “Six of Heart” by L.H Cosway and still have to read her other books;
I wanted something to have these Ladies sign as I will meet them at RARE London!
I was in the mood for a sportsromance.

 

All valid reasons right?

 

What I did not expect (or maybe did I secretly hope for) was to have such insufferable snobbish rugby player make me melt like a puddle confronted with his deep insecurities. Someone mean and disdainful should not make for a loveable hero surely…

Lucy told that “you big burly men are all little boys when it comes down to it” and she was right.

Sean’s meanness was a coping mechanism or rather a defense mechanism coming from very long ago when he was a little kid.

Be unkind so people won’t befriend you and you won’t be rejected either.

There’s few things I love more than imperfect or broken heroes. On that I share LH Cosway’s thoughts that “imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.”

 

Honestly how fun would it be if upon his extremely good look Sean Cassidy was charming, the golden boy everyone would love and…it would be meh!

 

Now give me a hot rugby player with perfect globes as butt, golden locks, insufferable to other players and with a slight problem in the sack and I say: “Where do I put my name on?”

 

You see Sean Cassidy has always been somewhat jealous of his team captain Ronan Fitzpatrick. Childish much? Yes but we’ve already established that men are like little boys.

So when he thinks of riling up Ronan going out with his pixie of a sister the idea seems irresistible. Only….Sean has a slight problem for all his reputation of a womanizer: he can’t keep it up. Oh he can lift it up all right but for all his stamina on the field under the sheets it’s rather Speedy Gonzales than wonder lover.

 

Lucy Fitzpatrick with her rainbow hair is stunned by this discovery. As the Lady has a big heart she is ready to teach him some moves. It’s a real sacrifice she’ll do for the greater good of humanity: sleeping with the gorgeous male just to teach him how to last and pleasure his partner. I tell you the Lady is a saint. OK a saint with an unhealthy addiction when things get too strenuous with her mother. One that could put shame on her family. Something that Sean seems to understand.

 

So as the cover say it’s you scratch my back and I’ll help you.

 

Only things are not so easy of course!

-first because there is this rivalry between Sean and Ronan. Think Montaigu and Capulet if you want but if Ronan discovers that his little sister is scratching more than his rival’s back things could get nasty. They are big burly rugby players for God’s sake! They don’t caress they punch!

-second because Sean has really a bad rep. Snobbish, mean, spoiled… the first “blackmailing date” ends with water thrown at Sean. Not very promising and still a long way to go in the hope of making this big oaf more amenable!

-third because insufferable as he is and different as they may be there is this little silly thing called “heart” that seems to have its own voice and determined to make it more than an itch to scratch.

 

This all gave for a very enjoyable read. The one where you don’t have too much angst nor too much sweetness. It was just the right balance between sexy and fun, light and introspective. Predictable as the plot may have been it was very well executed as these authors know their job. They just know all the tricks to deliver a highly entertaining read.

 

Recommend it? Hell yes!

Now I’m going to hunt these authors at RARE and have them sign this wonderful book. And a selfie! I want a selfie. Please, pretty please with a cherry on top 😊

 

Have you read this book? Loved it?

 

Thanks for reading!


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[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Authors}


We’d been in each other’s orbit for a week, so why did it feel like the end of something vital? Why did my bones ache at the thought of not being able to speak with her, touch her, or see her? Why did I become absurdly furious whenever I thought of her with someone else?


I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS STORY!!!






I’ve been having some really good luck lately with the books I’ve read. I can’t even begin to express just how much I loved this one right here!! I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning to finish it. THANK GOD FOR WEEKENDS!! I hope that the writing collaboration between L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid goes on for an eternity. These two are a perfect combination. This series is TOP NOTCH!!



I’m in love with Sean Cassidy!! I was crazy about Ronan Fitzpatrick but sorry to say, Sean has claimed my affections. He was undeservedly given a bad rep in The Hooker and the Hermit. Sean was abandoned by his mother at an early age. His aunt and uncle took him in, and he was often reminded of how he came from bad stock and was only appreciated for his athletic abilities. Sean may play the part of the bad ass player, but inside the man, beats the heart of a very insecure person in desperate need of some love and kindness. Sean also has a problem that will seriously shock you when you find out but it also makes him that more lovable as well. He’s never faced a challenge when it comes to the opposite sex until he crosses paths with the spunky and colorful pixie, Lucy Fitzpatrick. Lucy is Ronan Fitzpatrick’s little sister and Ronan happens to be the arch-nemesis of Sean.




Lucy has been living in New York City and working on the blog that her soon to be sister-in-law created. She’s been thriving in her new life in the big apple. Lucy has a little issue with shoplifting that she only seems to have the compulsion for whenever she interacts with her mother. They have a very toxic relationship. The relationship that a woman has with her mother really has a deep and lasting effect on her. I completely related to Lucy and understood her need to separate herself from that situation. While she is back in Ireland for a family visit, she gets that “need” to steal a little trinket from a drug store. Unfortunately to her utter dismay, she is caught in the act by none other than Sean Cassidy. He’s intrigued by her odd compulsion and blackmails her into going out to dinner with him. And so this is where the white-hot chemistry is sparked. Lucy knows Sean has to be off limits because it would be considered an act of betrayal by her older brother. As they spend time together Lucy will realize she’s got one huge dilemma on her hands.




Somehow, a few weeks later they end up running into each other at a yoga retreat in the mountains. I couldn’t wait for Sean and Lucy to get naked and sweaty!! When it finally happens, get ready for the unexpected!! I will say that it was a shocker but also refreshing. Once things start to really heat up, I couldn’t get enough of the schmexy. My tongue was seriously wagging!! Lucy and Sean both agree to keep things strictly physical, but as they spend more time together in and out of the bedroom, it becomes clear that they might be falling for the person they each are on the inside. They’re also huge dog lovers. That connection seemed to further strengthen the bond between them and proved that there was a tenderness inside of Sean.



I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading this book and felt it was perfect in every way. For those of you who haven’t read this one yet, I highly recommend it. Even though this could be read as a standalone, I think to fully appreciate this story, you need to read book one first.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dynamic duo that is L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid are back at it again with the hilariously-sweet and sexy, The Player and the Pixie.

Sean Cassidy is the cold and uninviting rugby playing team mate to Lucy Fitzpatrick's brother. His brutish reputation precedes him and she is more than happy to avoid him, that is, until their paths cross and she's left confused by how much she is drawn to him.

...right now he was close, close enough for me to realize just how devastatingly and legitimately handsome he was: light blue eyes, a strong jaw, nice lips, attractive nose. Sigh. Why were the beautiful ones always such pricks, huh?

Lucy is charmingly warm character who isn't without her flaws. She finds an acceptance with Sean that she lacks in other areas of her life and and try as she might to keep him at arms length, Sean becomes more cute than brute with every passing interaction. What ensues is a wonderful display of opposites attract and a terrific gem of a read.

I think it's fair to say there aren't many authors that can sell the idea of an insensitive, sports-star book boyfriend whose skills in the sheets are less than trophy worthy. But if it's something these ladies are great at doing, it's getting us to root for the underdog with plenty of laughs along the way.

[L.H. Cosway]

The Player and the Pixie is now LIVE everywhere!!



The Pixie and the Player is a full-length, romantic comedy novel, can be read as a standalone, and is the second book in the Rugby Series.

[Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ]

(Arc offered by author in exchange for an honest review)
More reviews and book talk at :

You can find me here too ☞

[Syndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in between 3 and 4 stars actually. I do love the banter. The push and pull between Sean and Luci is just..... fun, cute and slaying! It sets the tone for their chemistry. However it does not followed up by deeper/vulnerable connection between those two.

The smutty part, I feel it can be execited more better and not just one sided where Sean insisting on making move toward Luci. I want Luci to make more active moves toward Sean too.

The plot and story is good. I overall, enjoy this book very much.

4 stars

[✰♊ Angie ♊✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was delightful !





**** 4 Seductive Lip Bites ****

This was a refreshing read for me. The H in this story, Sean Cassidy, had an unexpected and interesting storyline. Imagine a male lead in a romance story being RUBBISH in the sheets! Whaaaaat?! Maybe a turn off in real life, but on the pages of The Player and the Pixie, I really enjoyed him! He's stuffy and snobby and could use a swift kick in his perfect bubble butt.



Lucy, who we were introduced to in The Hooker and the Hermit as Ronan Fitzpatrick's little sis, is a carefree little pixie who goes on meditation/yoga retreats and has rainbow hair. She is the yin to Sean's yang. And she's determined to help Sean with his... ahem... problem. *wink* They perfectly complete each other.



This book also allowed us to get some continuation of Annie & Ronan's story from the first book in this series. Love me some cross-over storylines!



I'm totally digging this Rugby series by L.H. Cosway! Also... love me some Irish blokes in my fecking books!

[XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright ya'll this was not what I expected (in a good way). After The Hooker and The Hermit I pretty much resigned myself to thinking Sean was an irredeemable jerk. After reading this, some of the things he did made a lot more sense to me. Not to say that it excuses his actions back then, but dude has a lot more going on that meets the eye. As they say, we are a product of a combinations of things that include environment and experiences. Lucy is the sister to Sean's enemy and the cute pixie ends up getting to know Sean in a way no other woman has. The sexy rugby player needs her help and while doing so, she gets him in her bed. Not a bad trade off. Their time in bed and the complexities surrounding that are the main premise of the book along with a serious problem that Lucy is dealing with as a result of her relationship with her mother, or lack thereof. I found the plot to be different from the typical cookie cutter and quite hilarious at times. Their is more depth to the characters that could have been gleaned from book 1, where they were secondary. I was happy to get to know them as individuals and to see them grow as a couple. All in all a really sweet, fun, and funny read that I'm really happy I started regardless of how late I stayed up to finish lol Safety: H starts off with a OW to match his playboy reputation but does not stray once he and Lucy get together. No OM/Sharing. No rape/abuse.

[♥Sharon♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is no secret that I have always enjoyed reading books by Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway either independently or collectively. Penny’s writing gives me a certain sense of comfort along with her trademark wit and creativity and L.H. Cosway's writing gives me a sense of genuineness and warmth. They complement each other in a way that provides for something unique.

I will say though with The Player and the Pixie I wasn’t able to tell which one of them was penning each chapter like I was able to with The Hooker and the Hermit . At least I thought it appeared as if they traded off chapters but what do I know right. Either way this was a great read!

In this installment of the Rugby series we get Lucy Fitzpatrick and Sean Cassidy’s story. These two together were fire and ice. One had warmth and the other coldness. Both were flawed in ways that left them feeling a little inadequate and a little undeserving. Lucy would save the day though.



I loved Lucy. She was free spirited and openhearted. She was not one to conform which was my favorite part of who she was. But Lucy has an addiction that she turns to when she becomes stressed or anxious. This addiction would be what spurs the unlikely relationship with Sean.



Sean was your modern day Rugby player manwhore. Loved him too. He was arrogant and conceited but in an odd way he was very charming. He loved loosely and carelessly until he comes up with this plan that involves Lucy.



My favorite parts of the book were the moments when Sean and Lucy are together. Just themselves, when the outside world wasn’t having an effect on them, when their flaws meant nothing. Lucy’s sweetness and compassion was what Sean needed and Sean’s candidness with the way he lived his life helped Lucy face the condescending treatment from her family.



As Lucy faces her addiction and the faults that continue to hold happiness at an arm’s length, she realizes that Sean has filled that hole in her heart. He has given her much needed calmness.

Sean refused to let go and just be. People served a purpose in his life not a meaning, until Lucy. He wanted, no he needed to be more for her. Together these two ended up being each others balance.



You might wonder why not a 5 star rating with all the love I have for these two authors. I did love the writing. Sean and Lucy were great too. But as things were being wrapped up in the last couple of chapters I found things to be a bit anticlimactic. Maybe that isn’t the right word for it..... I guess I was expecting something a little more exciting.

**ARC so kindly provided and so very appreciated!**

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ★'s

The whole time I was reading this book, one word came to mind... sweet ! Sean and Lucy are just really sweet together, Sean especially with regards to how he went after Lucy!



And I really liked how Lucy "changed" him...not just sexually (OMG those scenes were sooo hilarious) but how she affected him and made him see things a different way. It really helped that she took the time to really get to know him.

I even thought the animosity between Sean and Ronan (the H from the first book, The Hooker and The Hermit and Lucy's brother) was interesting. How they both had tempers and never took the time to really get to know each other and their journey to how they ended up.



And I enjoyed getting more of Ronan and Annie in this story. I loved seeing how Annie was still such a calming influence for Ronan and how lovey-dovey they still were.

I liked how realistic things were with regards to the emotions and struggles forced on them by some family members and how they dealt with the stress of it all. Kudos to Ronan for what he did at the end...they both needed it.

It ends well and I loved the epilogue...it was really sweet ! ;)

Next up is The Cad and The Co-ed and I cannot wait. You have to read the excerpt at the end of the book. It has angst written all over it! Yay!


♦ BR w/Melissa!

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god! Oh MY God! OH MY GOD!
I think I'm still drooling a little!
This book defies all logic and beats all sensible thoughts out of me.
I mean a sexy hunk of a hero with vulnerability of a child? That shouldn't be a turn on? Right? Wrong? It is the sexiest thing when he's vulnerable because he cares and he voices out his vulnerability and asks for help. Asks to be taught! That there, has to be the sexiest thing ever!
Our hero, is a hunk and a jock, and on the surface? He's the shallowest jerk ever possible! But then he meets our little pixie Lucy and oh dear god! He's just a mushy teddy bear!
This isn't war and peace people or other Russian literature! This is contemporary romance! But I was shocked at the intensity of the feelings in this book or at least what I felt! How two people decided not to judge each other and rather accept each other with their flaws and built the story together around it.
I'm really biased on this book so I'm going full on 5 stars!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the audio too.

Another Romance Package download and I'm thinking that maybe this package will be a great opportunity to re-read some of my favourite stories.

The narrators do a fantastic job, but I'll be honest, I think the female narrator was the better of the two. Her voice is very easy to listen to and quite soothing. Her American accent wasn't fantastic (I'll laugh myself silly if I find out she's American) but her Irish accent was beautiful. I could easily listen to her narrations over and over and over again.

What to listen to next...that is the question?

**********
I didn’t like him at first.

I started The Player and the Pixie without reading the blurb. I’m sure…well fairly certain I read the blurb when it originally hit my radar, but time has flown and I forgot, so I went in practically blind. In the first 5% of the book, I’m shaking my head, mumbling, grumbling and feeling a wee bit surprised. There is NO WAY they would have Sean “The Douchewaffle” Cassidy as the hero of the story. I’d met him, didn’t like him and was convinced he belonged in the bowels of hell. Well, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but after reading The Hooker and the Hermit I was convinced Sean was evil and mean. Turns out that Sleazy Sean - The Player, is really just misunderstood. Well, to be honest, he’s still an arse, but now we know why.

In the beginning, we meet Lucy. She’s the sister of the captain of the Irish Rugby team, Ronan Fitzpatrick. Being the sister to a famous rugby player isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Men and women befriend her to get to him. Lucy’s mother loves that her son is a famous rugby player and hates that Lucy is different. Dealing with her mother has left Lucy with self-confidence issues. She’s fairly confident when she’s away from her mother, but as soon as she’s back in her presence she is stressed. Her only way of dealing with the situation is a habit that is very unsavoury and leaves her feeling guilty and embarrassed. I think all mothers have the power to make us feel insignificant, but Lucy’s mother goes out of her way to make her feel bad. Can’t say I was a fan of Jackie Fitzpatrick, her attitude and comments were horrible. Lucy tries her hardest to be as happy and upbeat as possible and stay true to herself.

Sean is a snob. Rugby is his life, his cousin Eilish is his favourite person in the world and driving Ronan Fitzpatrick to commit murder is his mission in life. Sean and Ronan do not see eye to eye at all. Neither of them helps the situation, but Sean committed the cardinal sin, he slept with his teammates girlfriend kinda...maybe not...bad intentions, either way, . Imagine Sean’s surprise when he starts to have feelings for his enemy’s younger sister. At first, he convinces himself he’s pursuing her to piss off Ronan, but soon he realises his feelings are new and something he’s never felt before. Sean has a new mission, to make Lucy his.

The trials and tribulations for Sean and Lucy are vast, but there is such a huge attraction between them that they can’t stay away from each other. Sean convinces Lucy to become his tutor…in the bedroom. Lucy is gobsmacked when the first time they are intimate, she discovers that Sean sucks in the bedroom. I mean the guy has a reputation for being with a lot of women. Funny enough, it’s soon very obvious that ALL the women he has been with previously were wearing rose coloured glasses…or fan goggles. Lucy feels a little sorry for Sean and decides to take on the job.

Bloody pesky emotions, doesn’t take very long for Lucy and Sean to realise that it’s more than a teacher/student relationship. It’s not even a friend’s with benefits situation. There’s feelings involved, they start to like each other and miss each other when they're apart. What will Lucy do when her beloved brother finds out she’s having relations with his archenemy?

I absolutely loved this story. There was a vulnerability in both Lucy and Sean that made me want to hug them. Lucy has her secret coping strategy and Sean pushes people away before he is abandoned or hurt. Both of them has families that drive them crazy and make them feel unloved. When they recognise it in each other, they realise they can help each other get past those insecurities. I loved seeing them both defend each other.

The Player and the Pixie was a very steamy read. There were plenty of intimate scenes and Sean and Lucy’s tutoring sessions were HOT!! It’s not often the woman takes the lead in the bedroom, but in this case, it never felt weird or unusual. It wasn’t all Domme taking a whip and forcing him to perform. Lucy was just teaching him the basics of what women really want.

This is the second book in the series and definitely my favourite of the two. I liked the first one but I loved this one. Sean’s vulnerability made my heart break a little and his feelings for Lucy were never in doubt. Lucy’s devotion to her brother was admirable but I was glad that she finally made a decision to look for her own happiness.

I’m already cranky about the next in the series The Cad and the Co-ed. Bry-Bry certainly has his work cut out for him getting back into my good graces.

I received a complimentary copy of The Player and the Pixie via the author for an honest review.

To pre-order your copy of The Player and the Pixie from Amazon - http://amzn.to/1Yn3sRJ

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS!

This series is a ton of fun! I love the writing duo of L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid. In the last book, The Hooker and The Hermit, I could tell which author wrote what, but here, I was scratching my head...hmmm? That's pretty awesome though, effortlessly combining the talents of both these fantastic writers into something so cohesive it just flows.

This is Lucy's story, Ronan's sister. I loved what little we saw of her in the first book so I knew I'd love her even more here. She was such a great heroine. Full of spunk and humor, she made me laugh and smile so often. The synopsis pretty much says it all, so I won't reiterate it here, but I will say it was very original! Lol. A famous rugby player that's bad in bed?! So funny. It's our wonderful Lucy that comes to Sean Cassidy's rescue and begins some bedroom lessons. But this deal isn't one-sided. Lucy has some issues of her own that Sean seems to always be in the position to help her with.
What begins as an 'I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine...' type set up soon escalates into so much more.

But what future do these two have? Lucy's brother, Ronan, hates his team mate, Sean, and vice-versa. Ronan is Lucy's hero and her big brother that's always been there for her. Can she have feelings for and a potential future with her brothers arch nemesis? Can Sean put aside past grievances and play nice with Ronan for a shot with Lucy?

I think my favourite, favourite thing about this book was watching Sean transform from an asshole intent on being one, to a thoughtful, kind and altruistic man vying for the love of the one girl forbidden to him. He went from goading Ronan to letting him get the best of him. Underneath all that cocky swagger, Sean was a man with a sad past and a heartbreaking legacy. Lucy was his Achilles heal and I loved seeing them grow feelings for each other.

The only not perfect thing was how anticlimactic it felt when things came to a head. I loved how useless drama was diverted but at the same time maybe expected something more juicy. Does that even make sense? Lol. I still have a soft spot for The Hooker and The Hermit, that was gold, but I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for more by this awesome writing duo! I'm hoping even a story for Eilish? Maybe Bryan Leech? That would be awesome!


**Arc generously provided by Penny Reid for review**

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally luvd this book and the series is just great an after the sneak peak at the next book I dyin for it these 2 authors work so good together



Having loads of gorgeous men in this just makes the book even better an Lucy is brilliant as well but Sean had me laughing so much an I was actually a lil shocked as well in part didn't expect that from him but he had Lucy giving him a helpin hand ; ) xxx

[Yodamom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 for romantic rugger fun
I love this series, hot ruggers with issues and big hearts= perfect reading fun for this girl. So there is a girl who has issues with her family, and there is this man who has issues with his family, they meet, the tumble, and rumble in the sheets. Oh yeh wait, it's not hot and sexy first time around, it's high school sex style gone bad. Twist time, our rugger bad in bed, really bad. Right, so let's move on. He needs help and she signs up to give him lessons and..... They both come with lot's of baggage, and families that don't want these two together. So we, have family drama, bruised hearts, rude families, terrible sex, and rugby men. Sounds great right ? Theres more, heartbreaking confessions, honest conversations, and laugh out loud lines. It's fun, sweet and complicated, read it.