Review: Is unputdownable a word? Either way, it perfectly describes Play.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 25, 2014
Usually when I'm reading a book late into the night, I know when to throw on the towel and come to a stopping point before closing my Kindle. The minute I started reading Kylie Scott’s Play, however, I knew it was one of those unputdownable books that required an all-night read-a-thon. When I think “rock star”, the first word that comes to mind certainly isn’t “hilarious” yet the relationship between protagonists, Anne Rollins and Mal Ericson, had me laughing loudly and consistently throughout the story. Play has its share of drama and steamy encounters between Anne and Mal, but what I loved most was how much FUN I had while reading. Kylie Scott's Stage Dive series proves without a doubt that a good dose of humor goes perfectly with rock and roll.The story’s concept of a fake relationship turned something more is one with which I’ve become familiar within the romance genre, but Kylie Scott puts her own unique spin on the concept with her memorable group of both main and supporting characters. Personality-wise, Mal and Anne are complete opposites, which is exactly what makes their interactions so entertaining. They have a push and pull relationship that is as frustrating as it is amusing. Mal is a person who likes to live in the moment - a lifestyle which is supported by his fame and fortune. Anne, on the other hand, has never had the luxury of being young and carefree, instead putting everyone else’s needs above her own. As the drummer for world famous rock band, Stage Dive, Mal's accustomed to woman tripping over themselves to get close to him, and while Anne’s inner teenage fangirl may revel at the idea of jumping his bones, she refuses to cater to his every whim, which made me have more respect for her character.Anne might have been the narrator but Mal was a scene stealer, easily winning me over with his irresistible charm and infectious humor. Mal is so lively and unapologetically boisterous that he tended to command all the attention. It's probably best that the inner workings of Mal's mind remain a mystery because the chaotic jumble of thoughts and clever quips might've been too difficult to decipher. Getting to know Mal as a protagonist as opposed to one of the band's supporting members helped me to better appreciate his character and get to know the complex man behind his stage facade. While his band persona and actual persona are similar, Anne gets to see a side of Mal that he doesn't share with many people. Play is a riveting, swoon worthy follow up novel to Lick and only made me more excited to read future stories about the remaining Stage Dive band members.*Complimentary copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.