Book Review: Trick Play (Fake Boyfriend #2) by Eden Finley

Blurb:

Matt: 

Want to know the fastest way to get screwed out of a football career? Get photographed in a compromising position in a gay bar. Yep, welcome to my life.

My agent says he can fix my image. He wants me to become the poster boy for gay football players. Me? I just want back on the field. I’ll do anything to play for the NFL again, even pretend to have a steady boyfriend. If only my fake boyfriend wasn’t Noah Huntington III—the most arrogant, entitled rich guy in the world. 

Noah: 

Pretend to be Matt Jackson’s boyfriend, my best friend said. It’ll be fun, he said. What Damon neglected to mention is Matt is surly and bitter. Being his boyfriend is a job in itself. From his paranoia over being constantly photographed to his aversion to PDA, being with Matt isn’t the care-free fake relationship I expected when I signed on to do this. 

It’s supposed to be a win-win. I get to stick it to my politician dad who thinks no one is good enough for the Huntington name, and Matt’s reputation of being the bad boy of football dies. 

What I don’t expect is to start caring for the guy. That’s not part of the plan. Then again, neither is fooling around with him on my private jet.

Oops.

Todd's rating:

Awww, such a cute, fun story.

When this one starts out, Matt was an gruff, angry asshole, justifiably so, and Noah was a self-absorbed, rich kid, and the guys kind of hated one another.

For about 15 minutes.

Then, whether they liked it or not (spoiler: they did not), both of the guys began seeing that there was more to the other than first met the eye.

They understood one another, had more in common than either initially thought, and wanted to be there during the hard times -- even though that had *not* been part of their initial 'fake boyfriends' agreement.

“I’m sorry.”

Noah smiles. “This just became my favorite place on the ship. A joke and an apology within minutes of each other? Is this place magical?”

I sigh. Loudly.

“Oh wait, he’s back. Never mind.”

“Why do I have the feeling you get your ass kicked a lot?”

I loved how Damon was all, "end this" (meaning them sexing each other up) one moment, then after seeing the genuine caring first hand, eventually gave his blessing.

The first and last sections of the book were my favorites, with the middle section dragging on a bit more than I prefer. But the story felt compelling and kept my attention, in spite of feeling longer than absolutely necessary.

Another enjoyable part of this story was the arrival of Matt's quick-witted, sarcastic, little brother, Jet. I immediately adored him and can't wait to read his story. He's a little firecracker.

I also thought Noah's snark was pretty entertaining, but found it to be less present than I would have though (and hoped), after seeing his take-no-prisoners attitude in book 1. I got that his attitude softened as his feelings for Matt changed, but I still would've liked more of Noah's biting, signature banter on-page.



In regards to steam, the sheets were definitely set on fire, repeatedly and in a pretty versatile manner, which I much prefer to those "I only top, ever" stories.

“Guess we’re about to find out if you’re a top or bottom,” I say. He laughs against my skin, and I shiver. I close my eyes to enjoy the sensation.

“Pretty sure I’m going to be okay with either.”

My eyes fly open, and I turn in his arms. “How do you know?”

One side of his mouth turns up. “I have so many toys at home I could probably open my own sex shop.”

“Damn, that’s hot.”

Matt leans in and lays a kiss under my ear and then moves down my neck. His hands grip my hips and tug me closer. “And I’ve used them all. Every. Single. One.”

Maddox and Damon still hold my top spot as favorite MC's in the series, but Matt and Noah came in a damn close second, with this book rating at around 4.25 stars.

I highly recommend both books and am looking forward to reporter Lennon and hockey star Ollie's story next.

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