Gaming for Trouble (Gaming For It, #2) by Karen Erickson ~ Review

He’ll play dirty to get what he wants… Willow Cavanaugh would be happy if she never saw cocky football star Nick Hamilton again. Sure, their fling was the hottest she’d had, but he’s way too much of a playboy to settle down with one woman. Plus, she’s got her heart set on a piece of real estate for her catering business—and Nick owns that property. Nick may be at the top of his game, but all he wants is a second chance with Willow. When he offers to sell her his commercial space if she agrees to a series of dates with him, their chemistry is so scintillating that jumping back into bed seems like an inevitability. But Willow’s decided all’s fair in sex and blackmail. Little does she know, Nick’s playing to win…and she’s the prize.

 My Thoughts:

 

3 stars - Great sexy read

This is my first Karen Erickson book though I've read most of her Monica Murphy books and I was seriously excited to read this one.  Why?  I love football.  I love football players.  I love sexy hot football players.  Did I mention that I loved Nick?  Yep, I d0.  

Nick is a cutie with his southern accept and his strong desire to get his women back.  His methods were a bit questionable but I found him endearing.  It was fun to watch him banter with Willow trying to get her to see they should still be together.  There is no doubt that these two have some steamy chemistry too.  And lets just say that I will never look at a restaurant roof the same way again.  Very yummy - these two.

I wasn't as big of fan of Willow.  She kinda got on my nerves.  I know she was protecting her heart and she is a feisty little thing - something Nick loves.  But she just came across a bit too witchy for my taste.  She wanted to pull the words back in her mouth a few times and I wanted to help.  It's probably because I had already fallen for Nick but I did have the advantage of being in his head and knowing what the real deal was with him.

Speaking of reading Nick's POV, I love books that trade back and forth between the MCs POVs especially when we get to hear the guy think.  Guys see things so differently and I love to know what's going on in that gray matter.  Karen did a great job with that.

I do have to cringe just a little over the football timing.  I guess not most readers of this type of book would know that the playoffs don't happen until after Christmas but the Hawks were in the playoffs before.  Yeah, it's not a big deal - unless you're a football freak like me.

Putting that aside, this was a great sexy read that I really did enjoy.  I will admit to loving the Monica Murphy books more but this one is still a great pick.  If you love romance and second chances at relationships, then this is the one to pick up.

About the author:

USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson lives in central California with her husband, three kids, one dog and too many cats. Being a romance writer and bringing her characters to life is her greatest dream come true.

She also writes new adult romance as NYT & USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy.