Play Your Heart Out

Play Your Heart Out is the 4th standalone romance in the Sinful Serenade Series.<br><br>After moving to California from New York to move on from a horrible break up and betrayal, <b>Jess James</b> has worked day and night to pay for her student loans and to save up for law school. One night, she was left by her manager to stop a couple from having sex in the bathroom... or rather, ask them to take it somewhere else. When she opened the door, she is faced with none other than <b>Peete Steele</b>, the bassist for the band Sinful Serenade. <br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1466692653ra/19509066.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> <br><br>The girl Pete was intimate with didn't like the interruption, and long story short, Jess ended up with her glasses in half. The two of them meet the day after to replace Jess's glasses. Tom and Willow, Pete's brother and future sister-in-law, were with Pete when he met up with Jess, and the two assumed Jess was Pete's girlfriend. Other people thought so, too. The band's manager has always wanted Pete to have a nice girlfriend to improve his image, so this was perfect. Jess needed money for law school, Pete needed a fake girlfriend, and the both obviously wanted to have sex with each other. And you know what they say about bassists. <br><br><blockquote> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1434495937i/15229948.jpg" width="25" height="25" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy">[Bassists are] great with their hands. But they're not showy about it.</blockquote><br><br><br>Jess came off as a clingy, whiny woman who got mad at Pete when he wasn't 100% in love with her as she was with him. Pete told her from the very start that he wasn't ready to be in a relationship, and Jess told him she understood, but it didn't seem like she truly did. The only thing I liked about her is her preference for Peeta Mellark over Gale Hawthorne in The Hunger Games series.<br><br>It was hard to love the characters' relationship. Their relationship was obviously based on their attraction towards each other. Seriously, most of their conversation involved talking about sex and coming. <br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1466691423ra/19508912.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> <br><br>Some of the writing felt awkward and repetitive. Jess has seen Pete's eyes "fill with vulnerability, then he blinks and it's gone", far too much. And every time she mentions the clenching of her sex, I roll my eyes. She mentioned it <i>twenty-seven times</i>. Yes. I counted. If I took a shot every time she mentioned her Kegel exercise, I'd probably have alcohol poisoning.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1466691423ra/19508913.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>There was a subplot introduced that just disappeared—the issue with Jess's boyfriend, Nathan. His story was introduced,<input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="1cd71b8a-eb15-40df-b169-9df9af8de3fb" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="1cd71b8a-eb15-40df-b169-9df9af8de3fb"> how he was a terrible boyfriend and that he cheated on Jess with Jess's sister, Madison</label>, and there was an issue about leaked photos, but that plot line was never mentioned again soon after. <br><br>I've been incredibly tempted to drop this at about 20% into the book, but somehow I managed to finish it. It wasn't the best fake relationship story out there, but it wasn't the worst. <br><br>Review posted on <br><a href="http://ofpensandpages.blogspot.com/2016/06/review-play-your-heart-out-sinful.html" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1466356054i/19471863._SX540_.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]>

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review!<br /><br />Brooding, sexy bass player Pete Steele doesn't plan on following in his band mate's footsteps, a relationship isn't for him, banging chicks is. Except his manager has their next album hanging over his head and it all hinges on him picking up a girlfriend. Jess James is making it on her own, she may have a pile of debt ahead of her as she takes on Law School, but at least she's not lying for her family anymore or stuck with her controlling ex. When she runs into Pete Steele in a most unexpected place they find they can help each other out with a no-feelings agreement, she'll play his girlfriend and he'll cover school costs. The plan is perfect, except for the lying, and Jess can't lie about her developing feelings, not to herself, and not to Pete.<br /><br /><i>Everyone is happy and honest and real. I'm still a liar.</i><br /><br />I have heard a lot about the men of Sinful Serenade, but hadn't yet read the books yet, so when the opportunity came to read Play Your Heart Out I couldn't pass it up. Let's just say I was definitely not disappointed. I wish I had read the entire series first though, even though they are can technically be read as standalones. Just take my word for it, you'll want to read about all the men of Sinful Serenade. <br /><br />Told from the POV of Jess, Play Your Heart Out follows her making an agreement with Pete Steele that goes against all her rules for herself, but could help her in the long run. With a heavy past behind her, Jess is determined, mature, and very in tune with herself. She's the kind of main character I really enjoy, because inner monologues can make or break a story and hers makes it. She was incredibly insightful, pays attention to the little things, and recognizes faults in herself. Then there's Pete, swoon! He's definitely brooding, definitely hot, and definitely impossible to not develop feelings for. He breaks all your first impressions of him and that kept me all the more interested. As the plot develops and the two spend more time together it is easy to place yourself in Jess' mind and get caught up in all that Pete is. There was also a lot more to the book that just a basic rich guy, poor girl, play my girlfriend story line. The development is executed so well. Crystal Kaswell provides rich detail and extensive history for both characters, as well as for the supporting characters we meet through out the book. While it seems like there is a lot going on, Kaswell successfully combines the various story lines and wraps them up with nothing hanging by the end. <br /><br /><i>But I want him to know me, to know where I hurt. And I want to know him. I want to know every single place he hurts. If he'll ever reveal them to me.</i><br /><br />I definitely wish I had read the previous three books prior to picking up Play Your Heart Out, for me it didn't real like a standalone though it is billed as one. The characters from the previous three books play quite an important role in the book and though Kaswell introduces them like they're fresh new characters it is easy to tell you are missing their histories in the band and a bit like you've spoiled the previous three books for yourself. I love myself a good band series though, so I am going back and starting at book one right now. My heart will probably stay stuck on Pete though, the guy is it for me!<br /><br /><i>His moans blur together. It really is beautiful music. Much better than anything I've heard on the radio.</i><br /><br />Play Your Heart Out was a fantastic play my girlfriend type novel, I love the development from start to finish and how much each character grew. I really felt like this was a well rounded novel that told a perfect, cute, and sexy love story that you won't want to miss.

I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.<br />'Play Your Heart Out' by Crystal Kaswell is book four in the "Sinful Serenade" series. This is the story of Jess James and Pete Steele. <br />Jess is working in a bar to make quick money to help pay for law school. While there one day she meets Pete who she happened to interrupted him when he was having sexwith a groupie. Pete and Jess start a friendship of sorts where he wants her to pretend to be his girlfriend for a while. <br />Jess is attracted to Pete and his offer of being his pretend girlfriend does come with a pay check if she excepts it. Jess has been hurt by a previous boyfriend and her sister. Pete also broke up with his real girlfriend a few months ago. It is interesting to watch their story develop and see where it goes. <br /><br /><br /><br />Please follow more reviews at the below sites:<br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1831318-sissy-s-romance-book-review-for-you">https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/">http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/sally.mae.395454">https://www.facebook.com/sally.mae.39...</a><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://booklikes.com/">http://booklikes.com/</a><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordpress.com/">https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...</a><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1709181636033417/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...</a><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/soapsrus68">https://twitter.com/soapsrus68</a>

Totally worth the wait! Pretty sure I'm more in love with Pete then I was to begin with, and I think Jess rocks. She's one tough cookie! Definite recommendation for this, for the whole series, actually. :D

<b>Sinful Serenade reviews</b><br>Sing Your Heart Out ❤❤❤ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2364632316" rel="nofollow noopener">here</a><br>Strum Your Heart Out ❤❤❤ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2364632377" rel="nofollow noopener">here</a><br>Rock Your Heart Out ❤❤❤❤ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2364632099" rel="nofollow noopener">here</a><br>Play Your Heart Out ❤❤❤❤ See below!<br><br><b>Bonus book:</b><br>Sinful Ever After ❤❤ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2364632558" rel="nofollow noopener">here</a><br><br><i>While each book is a standalone the entire series involve all the members of the Sinful Serenade and thus, you’ll meet most of the characters in each book even as secondary characters. So, while it’s not necessary to read all the books, I’d recommend it to avoid spoilers and in order to connect with them all. </i><br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1525212657ra/25466750.gif" width="400" height="200" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Pete is Sinful Serenade’s bassist and the last single member of the band. Now that everyone around him has found love, he should too. Or so his manager says. Pete isn’t in the love business, not after his heart was broken, so instead he hires Jess to be his public girlfriend. <br><br>Jess is a down to earth normal girl who’s dreaming of becoming a lawyer. She accepts Pete’s proposal, so her law school tuition is paid for. However, this gig turns out to be hard on Jess who doesn’t like to lie and things only gets harder, when she falls for Pete. Jess is very insightful and isn’t too good to point out her own flaws, which is what I loved most about her. <br><br>I really enjoyed this book and I fell in love with both Pete and Jess. As with the previous books, there’s a lot going on underneath their exterior, but what made this a really enjoyable read for me, was their personalities. They’re both wanting to appear strong and while their scorching chemistry isn’t lying, Pete still has a hard time realising what he truly wants.<br><br><b>The plot is very straight forward, and ticks off all the boxes needed for these kinds of books: </b> <br> Boy meets girl<br> instant attraction<br> They get to know each other<br> But oh no, complications arise and misunderstandings/secrets are blown out of proportion<br> Someone is sorry<br> HEA <br><br>So, don’t get your hopes up – this is not a new spin on that. Yet, it’s still an enjoyable read.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1525206919ra/25466305.gif" width="400" height="200" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy">

Pete Steele's ex-girlfriend cheated on him with his best friend and the two of them broke up but his label is threatening to bury the next album if Pete doesn't find someone to act as a steady girlfriend. Enter Jess James who wants to attend law school badly and needs the tuition money. Pete is instantly attracted to Jess and offers to pay her tuition if she acts as his girlfriend in the public eye. <br />I really loved how strong of a character Jess was. She survived her younger sister and ex-boyfriend sleeping together as well as her father's drinking problem. I always loved Pete and the smoldering, sexy bassist's book was a hot fun read, filled with passion and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. <br />

Not sure why this wasn't my favorite because Pete has been this guy from all the series. Lots of phone sex with mysterious girlfriend, his otherwise quiet intense behavior, and sex in public places. I didn't love Jess. I was ambivalent and I think she had so many issues on her shoulders. I think the father issue was used too much all at the end. The sister as well. Maybe if it were just one but the angst of dealing with possibly Pete breaking up with her and her family issues was a lot and not used effectively. Idk.

At time I loved this story and other times, not so much. The sex was really raw and the repetitious use of the "f" word quickly became annoying. Pete has really great reasons not to trust in a real girlfriend/boyfriend relationship because of his childhood. Pete was blackmailed into this situation by his sleazy manager and Jess agreed to the deal. It began to get tedious every time Jess begged Pete to love her. If you have to beg a man to love you its time to move on.

I know I said Tom and Willow were my favourite, but I've officially switched teams - I need Pete in my life. This was my favourite of the 4 books by far and I loved the chemistry between Pete and Jess.<br /><br />Full review to come<br />

Full review later on my blog, Lisa Loves Literature. But, I love this series!!