Play with Me by Kristen Proby

Narrated by Jennifer Mack

Book 3 of With Me in Seattle (can be read as a standalone)

Kristen Proby put on the Books by the Lake signing in Montana that I was attending, so I ordered her signing special edition, Play Wild, that included Play with Me (which apparently I bought in 2013 and never read) and Wild for You (which I haven’t read yet). It’s been a few weeks since I read it, but I definitely want to read more in the series now.

Seattle quarterback Will Montgomery may be famous, but that doesn’t impress Megan McBride. As a pediatric nurse in the children’s cancer ward, she’s seen his team ignore requests to visit her patients, and she has no interest in falling for another arrogant athlete. But Will isn’t the guy she thinks he is, and he’s determined to show her the truth.

“I don’t care about the spotlight. I care about you.”

What follows is a romance built on persistence, patience, and undeniable attraction. Will doesn’t let Megan’s initial frostiness deter him, and instead shows up in ways that matter — both for her and for the kids she cares for. Megan, still carrying the sting of past heartbreak, doesn’t trust easily, but Will slowly chips away at her walls until their chemistry can’t be ignored.

“When I take you, you’ll know exactly what we’re doing, what you’re feeling, and I won’t stop until your legs are shaking and the neighbors know my name.”

The book stays focused on their relationship, keeping the angst fairly low and leaning into the push and pull of enemies-to-lovers tension before settling into a steamy, heartfelt love story. Cameos from family and friends add warmth and humor, giving the world more depth, but the heart of the story is watching Will prove himself and Megan learning how to let him in.

Likes:

Will being consistent and fighting for Meg even when she resisted.
The hospital scenes that highlighted Megan’s work and showed Will’s softer side.
The enemies-to-lovers edge, with her initial dislike softening into attraction.
Strong chemistry and the perfect amount of spice.
Family and friend interactions that added humor and warmth.

Dislikes

The conflict was predictable and wrapped up quickly.
Megan’s mistrust circled back more than I hoped.
Some cameo appearances lost impact since I hadn’t read earlier books (I think I read the first in the series in 2012).

The Narration:

Jennifer Mack was unfamiliar to me, but I enjoyed her performance. As a single POV, she did a great job, but I can’t say that the performance added to the story, so I think you can go either way on this one—read it or listen.

The Down & Dirty:

Play with Me by Kristen Proby is a sexy, feel-good sports romance that leans into the enemies-to-lovers tension before delivering a sweet, satisfying love story. Will is the kind of alpha hero who proves himself with actions, not just words, and Megan’s guarded heart makes her journey toward trust feel earned. The story is simple, the pacing easy, and the spice is spicing, making this a solid 4-star read for me. It worked fine as a standalone, but it definitely made me want to go back and read the rest of the series.