Once Upon A Player

3.75 stars--ONCE UPON A PLAYER is the second instalment in Christina Phillips’ contemporary, adult BRITISH BAD BOYS romance series. This is British footballer Lucas Carter, and interior design student Violet Henderson’s story line. ONCE UPON A PLAYER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Lucas Carter is the twin brother of Harry Carter-Cinderella and the Geek-book one. Told from dual first person points of view (Lucas and Violet) ONCE UPON A PLAYER follow the building relationship between British footballer Lucas Carter, and interior design student Violet Henderson. Lucas Carter is on medical leave following a potential career ending injury but an out of control party at his new penthouse finds Lucas face to face with his new house cleaner-Violet Henderson- the woman with whom Lucas will fall in love. When Violet’s mother takes ill, our heroine steps in to help with her mother’s contracted cleaning service never expecting to meet her teenage crush in the guise of Lucas Carter. What ensues is the friends with benefits/no strings attached relationship between Lucas and Violet, and the potential fall-out as misunderstanding and miscommunication force Violet to walk away from the man with whom she is falling in love. Violet Henderson is an interior design student but works several jobs in an attempt to pay her way. Meeting Lucas Carter brings with it memories of her ex Geoff Hawthorne-Douglas, a footballer himself , who humiliated and betrayed our story line heroine. For all of Lucas Carter’s strengths, popularity and fame, our hero battles issues of self-esteem in the face of his twin brother’s successes in life. The brawn to the brain, Lucas believes he doesn’t measure up to his family’s high standards of education and fame. Lucas’ vulnerability and Violet’s insecurities make for some mistaken beliefs and heart breaking misunderstandings. The relationship between Lucas and Violet is one of immediate attraction but Violet battles memories from the past, and the devastating humiliation she endured at the hands of her former boyfriend. With Violet’s refusal to date professional footballers, Lucas makes Violet an offer she cannot refuse. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Violet’s parents, and her best friend Katie; Lucas’ brother Harry and his girlfriend Alice, and their sister Mackenzie; Lucas’ friends Will, Caleb, and sometimes plus-one Yolanda; and an assortment of ex-girlfriends who may or may not add fodder to Lucas and Violet’s tremulous relationship. ONCE UPON A PLAYER is a sweet and sexy story. The premise is engaging, entertaining and spirited; the characters are sassy and moving; the romance is spicy and captivating. ONCE UPON A PLAYER is an energetic and heart warming story.

I loved this book! Lucas is the totally hot and swoon-worthy professional athlete, while Violet is the young woman filled with insecurities and an ill mom who first encounters Lucas while helping her mom out by cleaning his house. He isn't quite what she expected and they begin a tenuous friendship. As their friendship grows and changes, each makes lots of assumptions and miscommunications. This brings in all the angst that you would expect in a young love story. I found myself turning pages quickly as I became engrossed in Lucas and Violet's tale. This is the second book in this series and I enjoyed it just as much as the first, however, it is a stand alone novel. The author is on my must read authors' list.

Loved this book! It's a quick and totally enjoyable read. The story is fun, sexy, sweet, and lighthearted. Lucas and Violet are great characters. He's a footballer with a reputation as a bad boy. She's a woman who has been burned by the jock type before so there's no way she's going to get involved with this one. She does have to clean his penthouse though since he's paid for it and all. Once Violet gets to know Lucas she realizes he not at all like his reputation portrays him. He's actually a great guy. Kind, caring, funny - NO, just no. Maybe? The writing is excellent and I adored these characters. I think this is a book everyone will enjoy. I definitely recommend it.