Review: Fair Play by Tracy A. Ward

July 21st, 2013 Kimberly Review 36 Comments

21st Jul
Review: Fair Play by Tracy A. Ward
Fair Play
by Tracy A. Ward
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

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 from reality. I loved that it made me burst out laughing and had me longing 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.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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36 Responses to “Review: Fair Play by Tracy A. Ward”

  1. Lisa

    Love books that are fun and sexy! Totally need to add this one to my beach list!

  3. Lindy

    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!!!

  4. Danielle Chapman

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

  12. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    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.

  13. Lark

    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.

  14. Melissa (Books and Things)

    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* 😉

  15. Jenny

    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!

  16. Heidi

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

  18. Andrea

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

  20. candacerobinson

    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!

  23. kindlemom1

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

  24. Nick

    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!

  28. Jenea Whittington

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