The Playmaker

Andrew's stories usually grab me the instant I get in to them, but this one didn't. Not sure if I was just comparing it to similar stories (Santino Hassell's "Illegal Contact" did come to mind a few times) or if I just wasn't feeling the theme. It was still 3-4🌟 material, in my opinion, but the last quarter of the book really brings it in for a win. What happens is relatable on many levels; causing me to understand & empathize with both sides while totally rooting for Hunter & Monty. Hunter's dilemma is all too realistic. Companies want to sexualize him for profit yet expect him to live a sexless life so that the sports world can overlook the fact that he's gay so long as he doesn't act on it. That's not fair to anyone & there are several good points about the hypocrisy that keeps many athletes in the closet. There are athletes out there guilty of drugging, abuse, rape, assault, theft, domestic abuse & animal cruelty that play on with the support of fans & their team like the crimes are no big deal. But a male player having a relationship with another man? That's too much? B* please. By the end I was ready to fight for Hunter & Monty for real.

This one's a bit unusual for Andrew Grey, but he gets all the details right--except I think maybe the cover artist missed something because if I recall correctly somewhere along the line wide receiver Hunter Davis admired the golden locks of Monty--and that's not what the cover says.Actually, if you look at the cover, which is a bit stylized, you will see that these two are seriously not meant for each other. And that becomes apparent rather early on when their personalities and their individual approaches to everyday life are put before us--oil and water. Still, this is Andrew Grey and you have to suspect he's got something up his sleeve, and he does--but it's sweet and logical and somewhat angst-free all the way.Check that: except for what seems to be the obligatory father of the football star (or alpha male) stereotype that is slipping into a lot of MM books these days. This one is a congenital idiot and he turns out to be the catalyst for the angst that does develop---but like all catalysts eventually sinks to the bottom of the test tube.In the end, this is a sweet ride into fantasy based on potential reality, and with Andrew Grey parting the waters it all works out nicely.

bookshelves: fav-authors, m-m, made-me-think, made-me-angry, made-me-smile, mc-to-love, sports, want-moreRead from December 01 to 02, 2016I have a weakness for sports stories with LGBTQ MCs. There is so much added pressure because of our stupid prejudices. That always adds to the emotions of the story. Andrew Gray is one of my favorite authors. He is excellent at his craft and always touches my heart.Monty is a fantastic character. He is confident in who he is. I loved him. Hunter is out but not by choice. He has other secrets that contribute to his lack of time management and his dull wardrobe. Monty to the rescue.

Really loved this story about a sweet (awesome) gay pro football player who needs, and hires, an assistant who is an adorable, non-athletically-inclined dynamo 😎😎😎Really love Hunter and Monty - would love to spend time with them!....and....plenty of heat 😎

It didn’t really feel to me that the decision Hunter made was one that he really would have. It didn’t feel to me that he really was that selfish. It seemed that the plot twist was just done in order to prolong the book. I always enjoy Andrew Grey’s books though. He always tells a good story.

I think the book was good. I'm just not sure what is 'off' for me. Andrew Grey is my go to author. I buy his books immediately without reading the synopsis. Because I know I'm gonna love it. But the last couple just haven't hit the mark for me. Still gonna read more. Not giving up on him yet. This book is worth the read.

Great story. It made me feel a lot of different feels. I even used a few tissues. Monty is so cute. I loved the way he was able to take everything in turn and make it work for him in one way or another. Hunter is such a jock. I was glad to see him man up and choose Monty.

The Playmaker grabbed me from the first page and by the time Monty walked into Hunter's house I was fully invested in the story. I loved these guys and their chemistry was sizzling, but it was their journey that kept me riveted. I read this book in one sitting and loved it.