PLAYING ALONG by Michele Zurlo

Title:  PLAYING ALONG
Series:  Awakenings #5
Author:  Michele Zurlo
Publisher:  Lost Goddess Publishing
Publish Date:   09.15.2020
Category /Genre:  Romantic Suspense, Erotic
Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing:  received as an unedited ARC copy / errors excused
Received from:  Michele Zurlo
Goodreads link: Playing Along
Date completed: 08.29.2020
 
Description from the publisher:
Stephen Galen is a certified Nice Guy when it comes to dealing with women, and he’d found out the hard way that Nice Guys finish last. Burned by love one time too many, he wasn’t looking for anything except a casual liaison.

Paget Draven never let an experience pass her by, so when she has the chance to have a casual affair with the man she’s lusted after for two years, she seizes the day.

Being with a Dominatrix was unlike anything Stephen had ever experienced. The more he played along with her scintillating and sexy scenarios, the thinner the boundary became between real life and their playacting. Pushing her away was the only solution to keeping his heart safe.

But life doesn’t always follow even the most careful plan. When devastating news rocks Paget’s world, Stephen must decide whether to stand by her or lose her forever.

Flaming hot, sweet, funny, and heart-rending, Playing Along is a messy, emotional tale of life, love, and fighting for happiness when everything is on the line.
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PLAYING ALONG is the fifth book in the Awakenings series.  Though each couple’s story is complete, I would suggest reading them in the new order of release.
 
Complex personalities and a unique relationship contract make this an interesting and intriguing premise.  Stephen is meant to be a nice guy, but in the end he comes off as cold…. Until Paget shakes him loose again.  Paget is a free spirit, but truthfully they are both hiding hearts afraid of being broken.  (I think I hear an old Bette Midler song playing now.)
 
I like how Paget shakes up Stephen’s life from the first moment of the job interview.  It may be the most unconventional interview ever!
 
I always want to read a book that Michele Zurlo releases.  This one is worth reading too, it’s just not my favorite. 
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
Awakenings Series:
1.      Letting Go
2.      Owning Up
3.      Serving Sophia
4.      Giving In
5.      Playing Along
6.      Hanging On
7.      Two Masters for Samantha
8.      Time to Pretend
9.      Stepping Stones
10.  Surreal Neal (Hanging on #2)
11.  In Their Hearts (Two Masters for Samantha #2)
Also from Michele Zurlo:
·         Bear Country
·         Blade’s Ghost
·         Catherine and the Spanking Room
·         Discovering Desires
·         Dragon Kisses
·         Irrepressible Force
·         Master Eddie’s Sub (Club Alegeria #2)
·         Master Jett’s Surprise (Club Alegeria #3)
Daughters of Circe Series:
1.      Torment
2.      Desiree
3.      Riley
Discovering Desires Novellas:
1.      Yes, Justin
2.      Out of My League
3.      By My Side
Doms of the FBI Series:
1.      Re/Bound
2.      Re/Paired
3.      Re/Claimed
3.5  Malcom’s Promise
4.      Re/Defined
5.      Re/Leased
6.      Re/Viewed
7.      Re/Captured  
8.      Re/Deemed
Kiss Me Series:
1.      Kiss Me Goodnight
2.      Kiss Me by Moonlight
SAFE Security Series:
1.      Treasure Me
2.      Switching It Up
Forging Love (Mercenary Hearts #0.5)
3.      Drawing on Love (Mercenary Hearts #1)
Broken Love (Mercenary Hearts #2)
4.      Shards of Love (Mercenary Hearts #3)
Safe Word: Oasis Series:
1.      Wanting Wilder
2.      Mina’s Heart
 

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