Review: Play Me by Katie McCoy

Recipe For:
A Roll In The Hay Hot Crossed Buns Love

Ingredients:

1 Chef (equal parts sexy and carefree)
1 Pianist (equal parts uptight and endearing)
1/8 inch of drywall between their apartments
2 opinions on everything

Combine all ingredients, mix vigorously, and be prepared for an explosion of heat.

Pianist Ella Thomas is training for the competition of her life. Finally in an apartment of her own, she can practice from dawn till dusk.
But she didn’t bet on the sexy and frustrating neighbor keeping her up all night – even if he does cook like a maestro and kiss like it’s his job.

Jake Matson is living his dream as Head Chef at one of the most popular restaurants in San Francisco. He’s easy going, flirtatious and not looking for love. He didn’t expect to be completely distracted by the girl next door, whose buttoned-up appearance hides the seductive firecracker underneath.

What happens when opposites attract? As their tension fires up, can they create a new kind of music together or will everything boil over?

What a delightfully lovely and distracting read. McCoy’s hero is everything that a hero should be.  Literally. The respect and support he showed the heroine was a surprise and sexy as hell. In a genre over-saturated with controlling alpha males who do whatever they want to the leading lady, Jake was breath of fresh air.

I was floored by how much I genuinely liked this book because it was stress free, a simple story about two people with mutual attraction who realize there may be something more. Seriously, it has been a while since I have read a romance so relaxing. That’s not to say it was boring or lacked action either. Jake and Ella had such chemistry from the beginning that it’s as exciting as it is tense. I loved the character growth, learning about the characters as they learned about themselves.

I wouldn’t change a thing about this novel. It had a steady pace, realistic plot and characters, and was a genuinely enjoyable loving and steamy read. I look forward to reading more from this author.

❧ Arec