Playing to Win by Jaci Burton

Playing to Win by Jaci Burton
   
Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases—on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder, but if he doesn’t clean up his act, his career is over—so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He’s not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she’s not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she’s determined to give it her best shot.

When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields

This book is  HOT ! 

Juls Review

The 4th installment in the play by play series by Jaci Burton did not disappoint! I was already half in love with Cole even before his book and he only got better and better throughout his story. 

Savannah was hired by the Traders to “fix” Cole Riley. He’s the new guy who has been let go and picked up by multiple teams. He’s good but it seems as though no one really wants him. 
Savannah is there to get him into shape, not physically but mentally. He’s got a bad attitude and isn’t shy about what he says or who he says it too and the media LOVES and feeds off that kinda of ruckus. But no more. She’s going to put a stop to it all. 

Cole is the love em and leave em type. He never felt the need to get close to anyone. This has put a damper on his relationship with his team. He doesn’t feel as though he belongs and never made the effort to do so. So with the help of the sexy Savannah he’s spreading his wings. 
He’s really a good guy at heart and it doesn’t take long for him to show his true colors. That bad boy persona was just an act to keep his heart safe. With help from Savannah and a lot of training and hard work on his part they both show everyone who he really is. 

Savannah wants to be professional and do her job but she’s finding it hard to deny her attraction to Cole. Cole and Savannah spend a lot of time together. She may have been hired to change his image but slowly they are falling into a role that neither one of them are prepared for. And as much as she wants to fight it she cant and the lines between professionalism and personal become blurred. 

The one things Savannah’s always needed and wanted was to feel as though she belonged to someone. Her childhood was no picnic and moving from one foster care to another because her mom didn’t want her has left her heart with a gaping void. 
Can Cole heal her hurt or will Savannah be disappointed again?
Can Cole get his act together to save his career?
Will they find love? 

I really enjoyed Cole and Savannah’s story and highly recommend to all romance readers.



Jen's Review 
Great book! I remember Cole from the last book. He seemed like trouble.

But after a little while in this book, he doesn't seem like he's all that "bad boy" ... just a little misjudged.

Savanna is an Image consultant, and Liz hired her just after she signed Cole to the S.L. Trappers.
Cole was out of options, he had been traded a few different times because of his bad boy attitude. He was a good wide receiver, but he didn't get along with others very well.

But Savanna started spending time with him, and the more she got to know him, the more she realized he was a decent guy. Sure he had a bad temper, but he had manners, and he didn't go looking for trouble, Trouble always found him.

Cole is stubborn and strong headed. He knows he's good enough on the field and to him, that's all that matters. Being home in Saint Louis makes him happy, and he wants to stay with this team. but his fears of being traded are still there.

Can Savanna help him to get over his bad boy image? Direct his Anger into positive feedback with the media?
Can Cole open his heart to let one woman in? And can Savanna let go of her past in order to let Cole in to her heart??

Loved it - it was a super fun read. And the starting game. I LOVE reading the play by play in Cole's POV while he's in the game :) Awesome :)

Not sure who the next book will be about. But I'm hoping Alicia might have a chance at a HEV - she seemed like a sweetheart, and got along great with Terra, Janna, Liz and Savanna - just like one of the girls :)

We Shall See :)