Reading Bliss: The Love Game and Playing For Keeps by Emma Hart Review Tour...

PLAYING FOR KEEPS BLURB:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Emma Hart, comes the second book in The Game series, and the story everybody wanted after The Love Game...

She's in love with him.

He's trying not to love him.

One night changes everything.

Aston Banks never meant to get close to Megan Harper - not even for that one night. Haunted by a childhood he refuses to face, he knew she could break through every wall he'd ever built and tear them down without even realizing she was doing it.

Betraying Braden by starting a relationship with Aston wasn't on Megan's to-do list, but the second she sees a glimpse of someone other than the arrogant ass she's come to know, she can't walk away.

Aston's childhood is worse than Megan ever guessed, but as he tries and fails to push her away, it's clear her love is stronger than the demons that cling to him every day. And now, because of it, he finally has to deal with what he's buried deep down.

What he doesn't want to face. What he's fought against for so long

And they have to do it all without Braden finding out.

Keeping a relationship secret has never been harder.

**This book can be read as a standalone novel, but reading The Love Game (The Game, #1) beforehand is advised.**

THE LOVE GAMES BLURB:

His challenge? Make her fall in love with him.

Her challenge? Play the player

Until life changes the rules of the game.

Maddie Stevens hated Braden Carter on sight. Arrogant, egotistical, and the playboy of the University of California, Berkeley, he's everything her brother Pearce has taught her to despise. So why, when the girls challenge her to play the player, doesn't she say no? She doesn't know either.

Braden wanted fiery little Maddie the second he laid eyes on her - and he'd do anything to have her, hence why he's agreed to make her fall in love with him. After all, it's the only way he'll get what he wants. Sex.

But, as Braden discovers, there's more to the girl from Brooklyn than he ever imagined - and he can't help but care about the broken girl behind those pretty green eyes.

Maddie finds Braden isn't just a walking erection - he actually has feelings. He can be sweet, funny and his good looks don't exactly hurt. That means trouble - but when her brother Pearce turns up in Berkeley begging for her help, she realizes Braden and Pearce aren't so alike anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, they're exactly what each other needs.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS EXCERPT:

"You okay?"

I shake my head. "No. Every time. Every fucking time he brings her up. I thought he wouldn't in front of you, but he did."

"He has his own pain," she says softly. "It doesn't excuse it, but he does. He feels guilty for what happened to you - that he couldn't stop it."

My mind reels for a second and I look down at her. "He told you that?"

She nods, letting her hand drop from my back and standing in front of me. I stop.

"You've never let him tell you." She reaches up and cups my face. "He hurts, too, Aston. You both hurt. It's not something that will go away, but you can't let it rule your lives. If you let pain rule you you'll get lost in it."

"What if I'm already lost?"

"You're not lost. You're hiding, but you're not lost. I won't let you get lost."

I let my hands come up and rest on her back, pulling her into me. "What if there's no map?"

"Then I'll get lost with you," she whispers. "I won't let you let them win, Aston. I won't let you get sucked in by those demons. I won't let that happen. I care too much."

And she does. I can hear it in her voice.

She wraps her arms around my neck, and I hold her to me tighter, our foreheads resting against each other.

"I'll try, Megs," I promise. "I can't say I won't, but as long as you're here, I think I'll be okay."

"And you'll talk to your Gramps? Just once?"

"I'll think about it. How about we just focus on stopping me from getting lost for a bit?"

"You just need a place to aim for, that's all. You need a place to go to."

"Go on then." I smile. "Give me a place."

"Okay." She pauses for a second, closing her eyes and chewing her lip.

"I'm waiting..." I tease her.

Her blue eyes open, shocking me with their vitality. "Aim for the moon, because even if you miss you'll land among the stars."

"I don't need to aim for the sky. The only star I'll ever need is standing right in front of me." I brush my lips over hers. "Maybe the place I need to aim for is nowhere other than where I am right now."

"Maybe I'd go with you wherever you ended up."

"Maybe I'd never ask that of you."

"Maybe you wouldn't need to ask. Maybe you'll never need to ask me for anything, because I"ll always be here."

AUTHOR BIO:

By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible two year old and growing bump, due September 2013. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of juice and writes books. She likes to write about magic, kisses and whatever else she can fit into the story. Sarcastic, witty characters are a must. As are hot guys.

Emma is currently working too many books to even count - including Playing for Keeps, the companion book to New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, The Love Game. She lives to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

**Beware of Spoilers...I tried to make sure not to let anything important out about book 2 but things slip sometimes.**

Book 1: The Love Game

Between the Game the characters play and the bantering they all do with each other I loved each and every minute of this book. There was laughing, crying, hitting the computer screen (since I couldn't hit the characters themselves) and yelling at the characters. I loved every second of the story. I related well to the characters and the story.

I love a story that you can relate to the story and characters. This book was one of those stories. Emma Hart tumbles you into a story full of twists and turns and up and downs. She puts the good in with the bad, as well as the happy in with the sad. The story tugs at each and every emotion out there.

If you are looking for a book that not only tugs at your heart but makes you laugh at the antics of the characters, this is one of the best ones I have come across...the sequel is EVEN BETTER! Maddie and Braden are a great couple and I love how they fall for each other as they play each other. Then you have Megan who I think is playing both of them and making it harder to not fall in love with each other. It is a great, great book.

Book 2: Playing For Keeps

Oh my! Everything I said about the first book in doubly true for this book. In the first book Megan and Aston were my favorite characters and I am SO SO glad that I got to learn so much more about them. In life I am a lot like Megan and I think that is why I was so drawn to her character. The best part of this book however was learning so much more about Aston.

I loved her use of classic literature in this book as well. I felt a kinship to Megan through this usage, we actually share the same major in school and favorite classic novels. I love how she has Aston quote Austen and I believe I read a Shakespeare verse as well. These things played a key part in making me fall deeper into love with his character. Megan and Gramps passion for literature made me fall in love with them as well.

In this book you don't see nearly as much about the other characters but everything you learn about Aston and Megan makes up for it. You are also introduced to their families. I laughed so hard through parts of this book because these two play their game SO incredibly well. There are a lot of much more intense and deep emotions in this book and the back story is a little bit harder to read.

While you do not have to read these books in order I recommend it as some of the events in book 1 will help you understand book 2 all the better.

RATINGS:

Book 1:

5 out of 5 stars

Book 2:

6 out of 5 stars