THE PLAY (Briar U #3) by ELLE KENNEDY

‘I fucking love this sport. I love the ice, the speed, the aggression. I love the physicality of it, the way every bone in my body jars and my teeth rattle when I’m slammed into the boards. Those are messed up things to love, but that’s hockey.’

There’s no doubt about it, Elle Kennedy can write one hell of a witty and sexy sports romance and we’ve been there for them all! We’re always excited another book is on the horizon, always eager to spend more time with her characters, and as The Play was Hunter Davenports story…he of the chaos from last season’s hockey loss, well, excited doesn’t cover it!

Hunter is now the captain of the Briar U hockey team and he’s focused on the team’s success. He blames himself for their loss the previous season and is determined not to let anything get in the way of winning, including sex! So much so, Hunter has taken a vow of celibacy for the entire season, with his eye firmly set on a big win…and no way is his dick getting in the way.

“I already am aroused.” I grumble. “Everything gets me aroused, Bee. The feel of the wind on my faces gets me aroused. Bumping into a table gets me aroused…”

Demi (or Semi as Hunter calls her) Davis has a lot riding on her shoulders. She’s expected to follow in her brain surgeon Dad’s shoes, and become a doctor, something she’s not sure about. Demi has been with her boyfriend, Nico since she was 13 years old, childhood friends from eight years old. Demi soon finds out all is not as rosy as she thought, and that Nico is a cheating arsehole.

Partnered with Hunter for a physicology exercise, they become close friends, bouncing off one another perfectly. Following her break up with Nico, Demi is after some rebound sex, and has her eye on the celibate Hunter, but how long can he hold out!

“You look so hot right now.”
I wrinkle my forehead. “Really?”
“Oh yeah…it’s that cocky look in your eyes. Never thought I’d get turned on by an academic, but fuck, I’ve got a semi, Semi.”

The Play was a fun, yet at times, sombre sports romance as it touched on some sensitive subjects. This wasn’t our favourite in the series, and whilst the trademark swoon and witty banter was ever present, we felt there was too much distraction to Demi and Hunters relationship, which tended to take us out of the moment. Also, we had a bit of an issue regarding Hunter’s vow and Demi’s reaction to it. We did however love how Hunter Davenport was a bit of a mystery in previous books, but in The Play, he was a revelation.

Elle Kennedy always manages to get the sports element of her stories spot on and we found ourselves awkwardly laughing at Demi’s fixation with real crime…something we both love too! Catching up with some favourite characters from past books was a lot of fun – it’s always good to see how these guys are faring, and we’re hoping Connor gets his book!

“I’ll kill you if you leave.”
I can’t tell if she’s joking. That’s the problem with being into a child who’s into murders.’