Chelsea & Jessica Get Brazen! Review & Discussion~ Tempting the Player by J. Lynn

Hi everyone! It's Chelsea from Starbucks & Books Obession and Jessica from Lovin' Los Libros! This week we're getting Brazen with Tempting the Player by Jennifer Armentrout, writing as J. Lynn. This is one of my favorite books of all time and when Jess was looking for another good Brazen to read, I immediately said this one. She loved it as much as I did and a new discussion was born. While she was reading it for the first time, I HAD to do a re-read ;-). Check out our discussion and reviews below and see who we would dream cast as Chad and Bridget.

Chad Gamble, all-star pitcher for the Nationals, is one of the best players on—and off—the field. And right now, the notorious bad boy wants Bridget Rodgers. But with her lush curves and snappy comebacks, the feisty redhead is the kind of woman a man wants to settle down with…and that’s the last thing Chad needs.

When the paparazzi catch them in a compromising position, Chad’s manager issues an ultimatum: clean up his act or kiss his multi-million dollar contract goodbye. To save his career, his meddling publicist says he'll have to convince everyone Bridget isn’t just his flavor of the week, but his girlfriend.

Being blackmailed into a fake relationship with Chad Gamble isn’t easy, especially when the sizzling physical attraction between them is undeniable. With a month to go on their arranged pretense, it's going to take every ounce of willpower they have not to fall into bed together...or in love.

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Chelsea: Chad Gamble is a sexy pro baseball player. If you were to date an athlete, what sport would you want him to play? I have to admit that I really find soccer players sexy. I have an attraction to skinny guys, LOL. What about you?

Jessica: Hmm. I think I would have to say baseball actually. I’ve always been attracted to baseball players!

Chad and Bridget have some pretty sexy scenes and not many take place in the bedroom. Would you rather get dirty in the dressing room or the janitor’s closet?

Chelsea: Oh that’s a tough one. Both places are equally thrilling. I’d have to go with Janitor’s closet because I’m gonna need the extra privacy. What do you think Jess?

Jessica: Haha, dressing room. I don’t think I’d be able to get down and dirty in a janitor’s closet with all those cleaning supplies! LOL.

While the sexy scenes are lots of fun, If you were to pick one non-sexy scene, which would be your favorite?

Chelsea: I have to say that I love scene at the restaurant where Chad and Bridget meet again. I loved how much Chad teased Bridget, knowing that it was making her uncomfortable. Their interactions together really made me laugh. What would you pick?

Jessica: Oh boy. I really love the scene where Chad goes over to spend Christmas with Bridget. It’s beyond sweet and super sexy at the same time!

Chelsea: Yes! Definitely one of my favorite scenes as well!

What did you think of the plot? Do you like the whole “fake” dating aspect?

Chelsea: Fake dating that turns into real romance is one of my favorite plot concepts so I adored that in this book. I also really loved the character interactions and the chemistry between Bridget and Chad.

Jessica: I loved the plot! I am also a huge fan of the faking dating trope! Sure, I was a bit frustrated by Bridget and Chad’s constant back and forth with one another, but once they got their shit together- it was well worth the wait.

And there you have it folks! Check out who we'd cast for Bridget and Chad below.

Bridget Rodgers (Sara Rue)

Chad Gamble (Chris Pine)

My oh my, I can't get enough of Chad Gamble. I absolutely LOVE this book and I have read it at least 4 times in the last year since I discovered it. Interestingly, I have never reviewed it before. There is something about this book that I just never get sick of. Maybe it's JLA's incredible writing style or the fun fake relationship plot. It could be Chad Gamble's sexy dominance or Bridget's feisty attitude. When it comes down to it, I'm gonna have to go with all of the above.

Chad Gamble is a pro baseball player and one of the hottest men in D.C. He is also a ladies man and constantly on the front of gossip magazines for his philandering ways. He meets Bridget at a club and he is immediately taken by her. She is definitely different from the normal women he goes after with her red hair and her sexy curves. Not only is he attracted to her physically but he finds himself attracted to her emotionally, something that Chad doesn't do. Bridget is definitely into Chad, who wouldn't be, but she is also a bit insecure when it comes to her looks. She is a beautiful woman but she doesn't have the blond hair and model body that Chad normally goes for. She definitely lets those insecurities get in the way of possibly building something really great with Chad.

I absolutely loved the plot in this book. I'm a huge fan of "fake" relationships that turn into something real. I like watching the characters inadvertently fall in love. Chad and Bridget have real chemistry and real attraction so when they are forced to have a pretend relationship to save Chad's career, sparks are flying all over the place. I felt like Bridget brought out the best in Chad and you get to see the REAL him when they are together. His parents had a very difficult marriage and that plays a huge role in why Chad doesn't want to do a relationship. I think Bridget helps him see that with the right woman, it can be really great. I also think Chad opens Bridget up a bit too. She holds her emotions tight to her chest and it takes a lot to let someone in.

Holy hotness, these two have some VERY steamy moments together and this book gets me to blush a little each time I read it. They have a lot of sexy moments and let's just say they don't spend a ton of time in the bedroom either. Not only did I enjoy the sexual chemistry between them but they had a lot of word banter that was fun and engaging. Chad does some really sweet and amazing things for Bridget and I liked seeing that side of him. There's not much more I can say except GO READ THIS BOOK! I know I'll be pulling it out again one of these days.

It's no secret I am a huge JLA/J.Lynn fangirl. The woman is just freaking incredible. Whether it's writing YA, NA, or Adult- I can pretty much guarantee I'm going to love whatever she writes. I actually bought Tempting The Player quite some time ago, but never got around to it until recently! I'm so glad I decided to read it!

 

As I said above, I love the fake dating trope. It's so much fun to watch two characters start off pretending and then slowly realize there's something more between them. It's even more humorous here, as Bridget and Chad have already met each other and had some sexy times together before embarking on a fake relationship.

 

I really liked Chad's character. Number one- he's a baseball player and I do have a thing for them!  Number two, he's been made out to be this big player (which he is, but is actually not as big of a one as the world thinks). Chad definitely likes and appreciates women and ends up getting himself into a bit of a pickle. His career as a ballplayer is in real danger if he doesn't simmer down and start acting more responsible and staying out of the tabloids. He now has a publicist in charge of toning down his reputation and while she is a mixture of crazy and brilliant, she does not take crap and gets the job done. Where Chad is confident and oozes sexuality, Bridget is quite the opposite. While confident, we do see her insecurities come into play a few times during the novel.

 

I really liked her as our female lead. She is curvy, dresses a bit differently, and really holds her own in this book. I like that J.Lynn created a heroine that dared to be unique. The minute Chad lays eyes on her he knows she's going home with him and no one else.

 

As the two get swept up in a fake romance, the lines of course begin to blur between them. Chad is upset with Bridget for a while after she left him high and dry at his apartment due to her insecurities. To save Chad's career, his publicist Miss Gore must do whatever necessary to salvage his image (and her own job!) After Chad and Bridget are caught kissing publicly, Bridget becomes Miss Gore's target of opportunity. Bridget is NOT happy about the development, but reluctantly goes along with it.

 

We caught a glimpse of these two's serious chemistry early on in the novel, so we know that they are going to have a hell of a time keeping things strictly platonic between them. They definitely do the back and forth dance with one another and while it was mostly hesitation on Bridget's end, I was ready to scream in frustration at these two to quit being ridiculous and just GO FOR IT already!

 

Watching Chad break down Bridget's defenses and realize that maybe he does want someone in his life after all is definitely my favorite part of the book. I also liked seeing the small interactions with his brothers Chad and Chandler- I am definitely excited to go back and read Tempting The Best Man! 

Overall, if you are a fan of J.Lynn's work, I think you'll really enjoy this one! Sexy, steamy, fun- Tempting The Player will definitely leave you satisfied and happy!

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Thanks for joining us for another Brazen feature this week! Come back next week as we talk Tessa Bailey and discuss Protecting What's His.