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A review by sashadecoud
Playing the Part by Robin Covington
3.0
My honest rate is 3.5 stars but I just could not bring myself to round up to 4 stars for it. I liked the book but I just could not love it.
Playing the Part follows the romantic journey of a Hollywood star on the rise, Mick, and romance novelist Piper. Piper is commissioned by her publishing company and the director of the film adaptation for one of her novels to help couch the male lead, Mick. Once they meet their instant chemistry makes them want to spend as much time together as possible and they easily fall into a casual relationship, one Piper hopes to keep out of the press. But when that back fires and their passion continues to ignite they are forced to change the rules of their engagement and come to terms with how deep their connection has become.
This book definitely delivers on the steamy sex scenes and was an entertaining read. However, I feel like the character growth experience by both the hero and heroine came across as contrived and cliche rather than authentic.
All lovers of romance novels expect a bit of cliche with each novel we read. Most of us (myself included) are also completely fine with stock characters and typical plot line situations. One of my favorites is the friend turned lover, but I also easily get lost in the "can't have a civil conversation, but can't keep their hands off each other" couple, the accidental pregnancy plots, the fake boyfriend/girlfriend or fiancé, and good girl falling for the bad boy or bad girl falling for the good guy. So when I read the summary for this novel of two people who are forced to work together and nearly instantly the good girl falls for the bad boy I figured I would be in for a perfect cliche, one that I would enjoy reading time and time again.
But even all of the heart felt moments and steamy encounters between Piper and Mick could not persuade me to fully buy into the big turning points for their characters.
Mick I felt was more believable then Piper. He realizes he is in love with her after punching a guy in the face for saying the wrong thing about her. This charismatic charmer allowing himself to be that worked up over a woman after never feeling that strongly for any of his lovers before felt like an authentic "Oh my God I'm in love" moment.
Piper, on the other hand, realizes she is in love with Mick and decides to mentally punch herself for falling for the "wrong guy" yet again. Yes, her reaction is understandable since she is still healing from a very bad brake up with a man who shares many of Mick's character traits. But no her response to being in love again does not feel authentic to me. She is guarded and afraid to love again, terrified of what will happen if she falls for another Hollywood star and things don't end well for them. This kind of bone deep fear just does not add up to a pity party to me. In light of her having a near break down after her last break up I think her reaction does not fit her history.
But besides my moments of contention with the characterization this book was a fun read. I loved that the male lead was bi-racial and that the difficulties he faced as an actor because of his race were not glossed over. A serious round of applause to Ms. Covington for that.
To all my lovers of Brazen books do not pass up a Robin Covington, she does have a way with words.
Playing the Part follows the romantic journey of a Hollywood star on the rise, Mick, and romance novelist Piper. Piper is commissioned by her publishing company and the director of the film adaptation for one of her novels to help couch the male lead, Mick. Once they meet their instant chemistry makes them want to spend as much time together as possible and they easily fall into a casual relationship, one Piper hopes to keep out of the press. But when that back fires and their passion continues to ignite they are forced to change the rules of their engagement and come to terms with how deep their connection has become.
This book definitely delivers on the steamy sex scenes and was an entertaining read. However, I feel like the character growth experience by both the hero and heroine came across as contrived and cliche rather than authentic.
All lovers of romance novels expect a bit of cliche with each novel we read. Most of us (myself included) are also completely fine with stock characters and typical plot line situations. One of my favorites is the friend turned lover, but I also easily get lost in the "can't have a civil conversation, but can't keep their hands off each other" couple, the accidental pregnancy plots, the fake boyfriend/girlfriend or fiancé, and good girl falling for the bad boy or bad girl falling for the good guy. So when I read the summary for this novel of two people who are forced to work together and nearly instantly the good girl falls for the bad boy I figured I would be in for a perfect cliche, one that I would enjoy reading time and time again.
But even all of the heart felt moments and steamy encounters between Piper and Mick could not persuade me to fully buy into the big turning points for their characters.
Mick I felt was more believable then Piper. He realizes he is in love with her after punching a guy in the face for saying the wrong thing about her. This charismatic charmer allowing himself to be that worked up over a woman after never feeling that strongly for any of his lovers before felt like an authentic "Oh my God I'm in love" moment.
Piper, on the other hand, realizes she is in love with Mick and decides to mentally punch herself for falling for the "wrong guy" yet again. Yes, her reaction is understandable since she is still healing from a very bad brake up with a man who shares many of Mick's character traits. But no her response to being in love again does not feel authentic to me. She is guarded and afraid to love again, terrified of what will happen if she falls for another Hollywood star and things don't end well for them. This kind of bone deep fear just does not add up to a pity party to me. In light of her having a near break down after her last break up I think her reaction does not fit her history.
But besides my moments of contention with the characterization this book was a fun read. I loved that the male lead was bi-racial and that the difficulties he faced as an actor because of his race were not glossed over. A serious round of applause to Ms. Covington for that.
To all my lovers of Brazen books do not pass up a Robin Covington, she does have a way with words.