Nash Ellis knows music. Producing, performing, writing—if it involves the creative process he’s there for it. He knows nothing about copy machines. Or financial reports. Or anything related to the stuck-up business world his best friends have been chasing since they were kids. But Nash also needs money, so when his roommate gets him a paid internship at Reedweather Media, he reluctantly agrees. At least his know-it-all intern competitor is kind of cute in a nerdy-librarian sort of way—especially when she’s being tormented by an angsty rocker she can’t stand.
The only thing Paige Andrews hates more than failure? Nash Ellis. She has little patience for incompetence and zero tolerance for indifference. He clearly doesn’t belong in their corporate world, so why does he insist on ruining her dream job? And the worst part—he’s not what he seems. In fact, it’s all the things he’s hiding behind those electric blue eyes that make him straight-up captivating in an ironic-slacker sort of way.
But their smoldering friction bursts into open flames when the feuding interns are forced into a high-stakes mission that requires intimate knowledge of the music industry. Yep, what could go wrong when the least-qualified candidate to ever walk the halls of a major corporation becomes their only hope of success?
'Play Smart' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #5 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Cassie’s Review
4.5 Stars!
From the very first pages this book had me laughing so hard. Chad is back, and his chaotic ways had me laughing with every page he was one. I would definitely recommend reading Street Smart prior to this book, since there is an over lapping plot through both.
This book definitely had a little chaotic feel to it (mostly due to Chad and Reedweather), but there are such deep emotions in this book, that the levity helps balance out the emotions. I just wanted to wrap Nash up and and hold him. Val too.
Paige comes off as prickly, but man does she banter with Nash like she was born to do so. Her own growth in this book was icing on the cake, and I LOVE how much she wanted and supported Nash. A found family can be everything. The chemistry between these two is definitely undeniable, the push and pull between them definitely amps up the tension.
Absolutely adored seeing Marcos and Eva again, and the way that the author really brought in some of Penny’s characters was absolute perfection.
“ Family picks you up when you fall and pushes you when you’re too weak to go on,” Paige says, centering my face on hers. “Family trusts and believes enough for both of you when you’re too scared to take the next step, so let us do that for you. Let us help you stop being fine and start being whole.“
