Review: a great romance with that extra spark needed, humour and tears
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 11, 2013
Playing the Part.  Robin Covington.ARC supplied by publisher.I'm new to author Robin Covington, but love a good romance. One with a decent storyline backing it up I mean, not just a sweet, twee, love and happiness one, but one where -as in real life- there are hiccups in the journey, problems in the pathway - you know what I mean. Anyway Robin delivers all that, with a great batch of humour too.Female lead Piper was someone easy to identify with. Like so many people she's had romance problems, but as she was dating and engaged to a well known actor who cheated on her, and she was a top author the fallout was very, very public. And somehow she became the one to blame and vilified in the eyes of the media. Her publishers were very unhappy at the negative publicity, so as well as being hauled through the media, and dealing with heartbreak she faced potential damage to her writing career. That's a lot for anyone to deal with, and Piper's under contract to write more books but the emotional downfall has left her with writers block. She's trying hard to overcome that, keep out of the media and rebuild her career but then she asked to coach the drop dead gorgeous man who's playing the lead in the film of her book. He's an action star and struggling with the transfer to romance, and her agent has arranged for her to give him pointers on how the character should be acting and feeling. That's fine in principle, but when they meet...sparks fly between them. Never mind the on screen romance, its clear there's no avoiding the off screen one. Piper has the dilemma of really, really wanting the no strings affair he's proposing - that would suit them both - but she's worried about the media effect when their time ends.Mick is well known as a playboy, and doesn't know why she's avoiding what could be a fun fling for both of them. When he finds out he promises her there won't be a problem....but of course those sorts of promises depend on other people.The sexual tension between Mick and Piper jumps off the page right from the start. When they do get together the sensuality of the sex scenes is very erotic and well done. Its fits perfectly within the storyline Robin has created, and makes for a spicy riveting read. I loved the little humorous moments, Piper is a real character and I loved her. When the inevitable happened I felt for them both, Piper because the effect was just what she feared - and on top of that there was the emotional problems she thought she'd be able to avoid, but Mick, ah Mick, he was one of those men that worm their way in to a women's emotions regardless of how determined not to let him she was. It wasn't his fault - there was a spark between them right from the start that couldn't be doused. It came as a shock to him too, so the breakup affected them both. I'm a masochist in my romances, I need a good breakup - one that makes me want to cry with the characters and Mick - well he pulled out all the stops to try to put things right. He was a real hero.Its a fab romance, I loved it, I laughed and cried with them, got excited with them, and felt like a voyeur at some of the live scenes they were so realistic! To get all that in a book is just so good and its one I'd definitely re read when I want a lift in spirits.Priced at 2.36 for 250 pages on kindle its excellent value too.Stars: a great romance with that extra spark needed for a well deserved five stars.