SUNNY: BOOK REVEW "Playing the Part" by Robin Covington

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS:
After publicly self-destructing over a heartbreak a year ago, bestselling romance writer Piper James is now making nice with her publisher by agreeing to teach Hollywood's favorite action star how to act like he's in love. Only playboy Mick Blackwell has no clue what love looks like. When a seductive heat ignites between Piper and Mick, she jumps at the chance for a bit of fun between the sheets, but with two stipulatons: she's kept out of the public eye and things end when she returns to New York. Only Mick keeps changing the rules on her. Tempted by America's favorite bad boy, Piper is wondering how far she's willing to bend...

REVIEW: 
I am a fan of Robin Covington's work.  Her Boys are Back in Town series is an auto-buy for me.  So, when the opportunity to get an ARC of her latest came up, I couldn't resist.  After reading this book, this one thing I know for sure - Robin Covington can write one hell of a sex scene.  The story has plenty of them, but they are completely relevant to a story about a Hollywood playboy with no experience with true love.  That is what brings Piper James into the picture.  She is a romance writer, whose book is being made into a major motion picture starring Hollywood action-hero, Mick Blackwell. Mick grew up in the Hollywood spotlight, son of a lothario, and has no experience with relationships.  In comes Piper to "coach" him about the motivation of her characters.  

I enjoyed the premise of this story and I felt that Robin Covington had fun writing it.  There is a level of authenticity when the story focuses on the trials and tribulations of being in the public eye and how good and bad press can impact a person's career. I also liked the scenes when Mick was learning to be the character in the movie.   

For me, the shortcoming of this book is the characters.   I did not find Mick to be a sympathetic character until the very end and that's a long way to wait to start liking the main guy.  He is introduced as a playboy with a caveman mentality towards women and not much changes until he has his big revelation.   Piper, who is introduced as fairly strong minded character, devolves under Mick's sexual prowess.  I wish we had more of her spunky attitude and resistance.  It just seemed too easy.  

IN A NUTSHELL:
Still, despite my troubles with the book, there is a satisfying ending.  I would recommend this for a summer vacation read - poolside, bathing suit on, book in hand, and with an nice cool beverage. You'll need that ability to dip in the pool to cool off after the hot scenes. 

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.