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A review by poisonivy70
Playing House by Amy Andrews
4.0
Eleanor Davis is a twenty six year old virgin. And guess what? She doesn’t want to be. She may love the Victorian era and adores making historically accurate clothing for commission, but she’s tired of waiting for the one. The man who is going to sweep her off her feet in his frock coat and Darcy-isms. The man who does not exist in Bungindally, her small town in the Australian countryside. Then she meets Bodie Webb during her brother’s engagement party, and she decides that he’s the one to help her out. At least with her virginity. And then, a couple of months later, well, if you’ve read any romance novels, you know the complication that comes into play. That one night stand turns into more. And yes, romance happens.
The Good.
So, so charming. From the first meet to the final scene, I was charmed by both Eleanor and Bodie. The tone of the story was a lovely blend of Victorian aesthetic with a modern day twist. The sex is great and I think it has alot to do with Eleanor’s choice of lingerie, her prim and proper being turned inside out by Bodie’s dirty talk, but it never loses that sweet undertone that really makes their love scenes pop. Finally, the emotional component is strong. Late in the book there are some truly heartbreaking moments that give that bitter tinge that makes the sweet real and eventually that HEA completely believable.
The Bad(ish).
I wish there had been a little less obfuscation and some outright lying that Eleanor does to make that first encounter happen. If the genders were reversed, it would have been completely unacceptable and Bodie would have been on my shyte list, for sure. The ending was abrupt, even if it is completely in keeping with the rest of the story for this couple. I wanted a wee bit more and it just cuts off.
Everything in Between.
It’s the fifth in the series, but it does work as a standalone. I’d read the second book in the series, but didn’t realize that I’d miss a couple of books already, but Eleanor and Bodie’s love story doesn’t really rely on knowing the other couples. This wasn’t bad or good, but the sports aspect is minimal. It’s part of Bodie’s life, but it does not factor into the story very much.
I really enjoyed this entry in the Sydney Smoke series. Bodie and Eleanor’s romance just charmed me from the very beginning and I do not hesitate to recommend it.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit
The Good.
So, so charming. From the first meet to the final scene, I was charmed by both Eleanor and Bodie. The tone of the story was a lovely blend of Victorian aesthetic with a modern day twist. The sex is great and I think it has alot to do with Eleanor’s choice of lingerie, her prim and proper being turned inside out by Bodie’s dirty talk, but it never loses that sweet undertone that really makes their love scenes pop. Finally, the emotional component is strong. Late in the book there are some truly heartbreaking moments that give that bitter tinge that makes the sweet real and eventually that HEA completely believable.
The Bad(ish).
I wish there had been a little less obfuscation and some outright lying that Eleanor does to make that first encounter happen. If the genders were reversed, it would have been completely unacceptable and Bodie would have been on my shyte list, for sure. The ending was abrupt, even if it is completely in keeping with the rest of the story for this couple. I wanted a wee bit more and it just cuts off.
Everything in Between.
It’s the fifth in the series, but it does work as a standalone. I’d read the second book in the series, but didn’t realize that I’d miss a couple of books already, but Eleanor and Bodie’s love story doesn’t really rely on knowing the other couples. This wasn’t bad or good, but the sports aspect is minimal. It’s part of Bodie’s life, but it does not factor into the story very much.
I really enjoyed this entry in the Sydney Smoke series. Bodie and Eleanor’s romance just charmed me from the very beginning and I do not hesitate to recommend it.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit