Review: The Player Next Door by Kathy Lyons

July 21, 2015September 17, 2016 Deanna | OkieDreams

The Player Next Door

188 Pages

Release Date: 07/21/2015

Publisher: Entangled Publishing | Imprint: Lovestruck
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Series Romance

An unexpected catch…

NBA star Mike Giamaria doesn’t mix basketball with love. Ever. Then Mike meets Tori Williams, his cute, quirky new neighbor who seems hell bent on refurbishing her death trap of a house on her own. When she falls from her roof and into his arms, Mike knows he’s just caught a whole heap of trouble.

Trouble sums up Tori’s life. Despite her academic success, no one believes she can take care of herself-not her family, not her ex-boyfriend. She’s determined to live her life on her own terms, and if that includes a hot summer fling with the super-sexy athlete next door, so much the better.

But when Tori’s around, Mike can’t keep his mind on basketball. He wants…more. And to his horror, not just more time on the court. When training starts, it’s game over-it has to be-unless Tori can convince Mike that love doesn’t belong on the sidelines.

*ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review *

First Impression: Well-written , fast-paced, excellent characterization.

The Player Next Door is a hilarious, new, feel-good contemporary romance by Kathy Lyons. In it, fun, quirky Tori is determined to fix up her late grandmother’s rundown house, despite no one actually believing she can do it. She meets NBA basketball star Mike after he catches her when she falls off her roof and into his arms. And let me tell you, folks, that is one cute, memorable, fun meet. I adored it!

I think I fell in love with this book right from the start. It was just so hilarious and fun to read. I absolutely adored Tori and her quirkiness, and I loved, loved, loved how patient and observant Mike was with her. Even knowing her for such a short time, it was easy to see that Mike gets Tori in ways no one else does, and really, isn’t that all any of us want in someone? To know we’re understood and accepted? I feel like that’s who Mike was for Tori, and I seriously loved him for it because it was part of what made this book special.

This is one of those books that I will remember because it’s just so fun, and the heroine is beyond hilarious with some of the things she says. I loved every single ounce of her quirkiness, her witty retorts and subtle sarcasm, and I think the author did a brilliant job of bringing that part of her personality to life on the page because she consistently made me smile and shake my head and laugh out loud.

And Mike! Oh my goodness, did I love him and his reactions to Tori. It was crystal clear that he didn’t always know what to do with her because she both exasperated and charmed him. And yet, he took exception to the people in her life running her down and making her feel bad about herself or the things she does and enjoys, or never letting go of things she can’t do well. He became such a champion for her and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is exactly the kind of man Tori needs in her life.

These two are both pretty perceptive of each other, which worked to give them a deep, natural feeling connection with each other. I loved every scene this couple had together, and each one was better than the last.

The Player Next Door is fun, sexy, and so outstandingly memorable. I adored this book and I loved these characters. Highly, highly recommend this romance read.