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Playing Deep

Miami Piranhas, Book 5

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Playing Deep

By: Beth Bolden
Narrated by: Darcy Stark
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Summary

Kenyon Ellis knows getting involved with Julian Anderson is an enormous mistake—but from the very first night, he finds him annoying, intriguing and ultimately, irresistible.

One, Kenyon is a player, and Julian is a reporter, so hooking up with him, no matter how spectacular the nights are, is a terrible idea.

Two, he’s falling for him, even if Julian continues to be prickly and impossible. But every time Julian’s walls shift, Kenyon sees the real man behind the attitude, and he only wants more.

Three, between the Piranhas and the charity work he’s committed to, Kenyon really doesn’t have the time for a relationship—but a relationship with Julian turns out to be exactly what he wants.

Maybe even exactly what he needs.

But when Julian starts calling out his performance on the field, the last thing Kenyon expects is to feel betrayed. But is it betrayal? Or does Julian simply see something in Kenyon he’s lost along the way?

The answer leads him not only to love, but to the biggest crossroads of his life.

The fifth and final Miami Piranhas book.

©2023 Beth Bolden (P)2024 Beth Bolden
Literature & Fiction Romance
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Listener received this title free

Story = 5 stars
Narration = 4.5 stars

M/M
Sports romance
Secret relationship
Player/reporter

This was the end of this series and it was a great end. This book can be read as a standalone but u will want to read the previous books to get to know Kenyons character, the great world building and side characters.

The nararrator did a great job and brought the story to life. He had a pleasant reading voice. He expressed all the emotions wonderfully. He gave all the characters distinct voices that made it easy to follow the story. While I appreciated the narrators attempt to give the side characters their own distinct voice as well and not just the 2 MCs, Julians female bosses voice was hard to bear and she was in this quite a bit. That's the only thing I didnt like. Other than that it was a pleasure to listen to.

Arc audio review

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Listener received this title free

This is the last book in the Piranhas series and its a fitting end to the series. I hadn't really noticed Kenyon in the previous books, at least not until he got caught by coach sneaking around after curfew in Asa and Scott's book.
Overall I enjoyed this story, especially the ensemble parts with the team. The constant insistance that it was 'just sex' went on a little too long in my mind, especially with Julian repeatedly denying his feelings.

* sports
* American Football
* interracial
* player x journalist
* found family

A fitting end to the series

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Listener received this title free

I’ll admit I wasn’t enamored with the last Beth Bolden I listened to, a number of years ago, but I’m always up for giving an author another shot. I’m so glad I did. I fell in love with Kenyon and Julian. Two unique men growing up in different circumstances. Kenyon with his loving family who’ve always supported him. Julian having none of that. Both men were dedicated to making their way in the world and, for both, that drive to succeed centers around football.

Kenyon’s a player. A football player. And he’s also gay and has dabbled with one-night stands. He’s not out, so no way is he going to do something that might jeopardize his career or the charity that means everything to him.

Julian’s a reporter. Reporting on Kenyon’s team. So a massive conflict of interest. Still, from the fist moment they meet, there’s something going on between the two of them. Neither man can deny it, but both try. Eventually, though, the pressure of the secrecy weighs on them.

Eventually things come to a head, and I have to say the dénouement was satisfying and I liked how things ended. Resolved. Worked.

As the story unfolds, it intersects with previous books, which I admit I haven’t read. No worry. Although the backstory would have been nice, and I plan to go back to the other books, I was never lost. Julian and Kenyon were the focus of the story – as they should be – and this was just a great listen.

I always enjoy Darcy Stark’s narration and he did a fantastic job with this book as well. Well worth a listen.

Two different worlds

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Listener received this title free

I have loved all of the audiobooks in this series and I'm sorry that it is ending but the epilogue gives us a great teaser for Beth Bolden's next series, the Charleston Condors (available now in KU). I want to read these books but I'm also desperately hoping that they will eventually be available as audiobooks.

Julian and Kenyon met as a quick hookup that turned into so much more. If only a relationship between them wasn't against the rules…Julian is a sports reporter covering Kenyon's team, the Miami Pirhanas. Of course, love doesn't always follow the rules and Julian and Kenyon can't stay away from each other. What started out as hot sexy time soon turned into so much more.

Once again, Darcy Stark did an amazing job performing this story. I'm in love with his voice for coach Asa but I also think he did an amazing job with all of the character voices in this series. I was so happy that this book gave him a chance to revisit those voices for our listening pleasure.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

I'm sorry to see this series end.

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Listener received this title free

I didn’t think I could love this as much as I loved Asa and Scott… but I was definitely wrong!

The heat, the snark, the denial between them… what an amazing story! I was hooked from the taster at the end of the last book and it only got better the more I read!

Absolutely amazing listen!

The icing on an amazing cake

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