The Playmaker

This is a cute feel good story I need after some bad news I've heard from the whole world 11/9. You know which one.
I was glad I found Monty and Hunter. Especially Monty, because sometimes I have to hold my urge to slap Hunter. I get that he's 'like that' but didn't mean that I allowed him to act stupid like that. Thank God he has Joe to remind him how precious Monty for him.
I'm kinda hate Hunter's father, what kind of father was he? Duh.
I liked Monty and Hunter's relationship, but I found it was lacking of chemistry between them, not as strong as I wanted at least. Less bonding time and less heat between them probably was the one that caused it. No idea.
But overall, if you need very low angst, feel good and sweet story, go for it. Monty is cute and adorable. I liked him a lot.

* I was given the ARC by Dreamspinner Press for a fair and unbiased review, no high rating required*

Hunter Davis is an out and proud gay, professional football player who just happen to have not had a relationship since he hit the pro’s. His teammates and fans support him but as he’s never actually been seen in public with another man it’s not sure if they support the theory of him being gay or the reality of him being gay. When Hunter’s agent lays down the law and demands that he hires a personal assistant Hunter decides he needs a woman so there won’t be a hint of scandal.
Montgomery Willis is unemployed again. He’s discovered that it’s quite difficult to hold a job when either your boss or a work mate has decided your fair game because you’re very good-looking and nice! Monty happens to be at the agency when the call comes in for a personal assistant and he decides to put his hand up for it. Against Hunter’s best instincts he decides to give Monty a chance because he can see how desperate he is for the job. Monty soon proves he was worth taking a risk on by organizing Hunter within an inch of his life and making sure he’s on time for all his appointments.
Although Hunter and Monty are soon an inseparable pair, there isn’t anything sexual between them, not because of a lack of interest (there’s a lot of interest) on both sides but because Monty is determined not to do what he left his last job for, (sleep with his boss). The one black cloud, is Hunter’s father. Every Thursday like clockwork he turns up at Hunter’ house with his crony’s and they proceed to watch sport and eat Hunter out of house and home! When it’s time to leave, they leave the house looking like a pig sty. Because he’s Hunters father Hunter feels he must put up with his father’s behavior until Monty puts his foot down and makes Hunter realise that no, he doesn’t have to accept anything of the sort, what has to happen is that his father has to start respecting him instead of taking advantage of him.
There are a lot of emotional ups and downs in The Playmaker. You get to read about how Hunter’s upbringing stunted not only his emotional growth but his learning as well. Monty discovers by accident that Hunter went through years of schooling and came out the other end not being able to read. When Monty organizes for his sister, who is a teacher to give Hunter reading lessons, Hunter’s parents discover his secret and then all hell breaks loose!
Andrew has got another winner on his hands with The Playmaker. I can’t say anymore because I will invariably give away spoilers. I can’t recommend The Playmaker enough.
What are you waiting for? Get your copy!!!

Reviewed by Meredith for Diverse Reader

The Playmaker by Andrew Grey is the perfect RomCom. We have a big shot out football player, Hunter, and an organized, big hearted assistant, Monty.



Hunter may live his life as an out and proud football star but that hasn’t made life easier for him. He has secrets that threaten everything he loves.



Monty really is the strongest character in this book. He looks out for Hunter in a way no one ever has and where that may seem annoying Monty is anything but.



I adored Monty’s dialog with everyone he interacted with in this book. Whether it was his mom, sister, Hunter, Hunter’s teammates, or anyone; he was brilliant. In lots of ways Monty teaches Hunter that being strong isn’t just a physical thing.



Though Hunter makes some less than perfect decisions at points in this story he has no malicious intentions and he loves with his whole heart. Both of these characters were fleshed out wonderfully. I laughed and cried and really adored this story right to the end.



Andrew Grey is a versatile and fabulous writer and with The Playmaker we see a lighter side to his writing that’s filled with romance, strength, friendship, and growing up. This should absolutely be a book you read this year!

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

Hunter Davis is a professional football player in need of an assistant. He’s late to everything, forgets his appointments, dresses like a middle-aged man, and has an unorganized office. His agent is fed up and tells Hunter he needs to hire an assistant or he won't be helping him fix these problems. Hunter finally agrees but only wants a female assistant. Though everyone knows he’s gay, he never dates or hooks up so it’s not an issue. But the women he interviews for the position are not able to meet the qualifications and he’s left with Montgomery Willis. Monty, who is cute and doesn’t know anything about football and is obviously gay. Hunter hires him on a temporary basis and soon finds that Monty is everything he’s looking for. He takes care of Hunter and protects him like no one ever has. But, Hunter is held to a different stand than the straight players on the team, and the guy that has always just gone along and done what he was told, will now have to take a stance for himself and Monty.

I really liked both MC’s in this story. Hunter was raised in a two-parent home with a very dominating dad, who allowed no one to have a say in how he raised his son. Hunter was raised to play football and that was it. His education was ignored by his father, and eventually his teachers, which causes his issues as an adult. The only relationship he ever had ended tragically in college and he has not moved on from that loss. Hunter allows himself to be taken an advantage of by everyone, but mostly his agent and father. He gives no thought to standing up for himself. Monty was raised by a single mother and had to learn young to stand up for himself. He has had no luck with jobs, most of them have ended due to sexual harassment. He may be small, but he is strong. If Monty sees a problem, he figures out a way to fix it and continues.

Monty stands up for Hunter and teaches him to stand up for himself. He helps Hunter accept his imperfections and when possible, provides what's needed to fix them. He gives Hunter a voice, when no one ever has before. This is a low-angst, easy to read story. It had a great lesson about life and stopping to look at what’s really important.


Rating: 5 stars