The Player

I really hate when a great series comes to a close, but Emery and Rowan’s story was the perfect end to Stefanie London’s Close Quarters. One of the things I really loved was that both characters had interesting professsions. Emery runs a company that designs board games (how cool!) and Rowan manages an art gallery. The two are neighbors and their relationship starts with a whole lot of antagonism and snark. London is wonderful at writing witty dialogue. She’s also great at writing sexy, steamy, emotional stories filled with characters you can’t help but love, and Emery and Rowan are no exception. While it certainly isn’t necessary to read all the books in the Close Quarters series, I highly recommend it. And “The Player” provides a fantastic finale.

Emory, a game designer, is under immense pressure to design a successful game. The first game her team released was highly successful, the follow up release...not so much. When her next door neighbor’s evening “activities” effect her concentration, she decides to confront him.

Rowan is a player with a reputation to uphold. He doesn’t believe in the “white picket fence” or happily ever after. His parents were not great examples! His mom is gone and he doesn’t speak to his father. Rowan’s main focus is ensuring the success of his mom’s art gallery. He and his brother have devoted their life to the gallery, setting aside their own dreams. He’s often seen out on the town with artists to keep interest in the gallery. Hence the playboy persona. But not everything is as it seems...

Rowan and Emery’s story was uniquely AWESOME! I loved the witty banter, the chemistry, but also their ability to trust one another with their dreams. Rowan and his brother’s relationship was endearing. Emery was loud, bossy, driven, but also vulnerable. Rowan was a truly gifted artist, but his guilt and honor had him setting aside his dreams. Emery was able to break down those walls and be the person Rowan didn’t know he needed. The chemistry was off the charts! I was hooked from the opening confrontation! Fun times at the game convention were HOT! Best book in the series! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

This is a quick steamy read. Rowan and Emery are neighbors whose whole interactions are jabs and barbs. After a chance meeting in costumes at a gaming convention, things start to heat up. Loved both Emery and Rowan and enjoyed the development of their relationship. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author and publisher for my honest opinion.