Play to Win by Kelly Jamieson

Meet the Wynns—a hockey dynasty built on family, money, and drama. From USA Today bestselling author Kelly Jamieson, the first novel in a new series is a total win-win.

After an injury forced Théo Wynn to give up professional hockey, he turned to his second love: numbers. Now, as the general manager of his grandfather’s NHL team, the Los Angeles Condors, Théo is dying to prove to the rest of his family—especially the brother who betrayed him—that he’s just as successful as the rest of them. If only Théo had a gorgeous woman on his arm to complete the picture...

Lacey Olson needs to get out of Las Vegas right now, thanks to her no-good, crooked brother. When a handsome stranger who’s out partying with friends comes to her rescue in the cocktail lounge where she works, they strike up a conversation that leads to a crazy plan: her leaving with Théo for L.A. tomorrow. A few drinks later, the idea gets even crazier: a quickie marriage that works for both of them.

But back in California, Lacey immediately turns Théo’s precise, well-ordered life into one big beach party. And before long, she’s tempting him with her smart mouth, sexy body, and sunny charm. The last thing Théo needs is a real relationship to distract him. Because he only plays to win...

Book 1
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“This is going to be so nice.” She dips a hand into the water. “Hot.”

“That’s the idea.” I clear my scratchy throat.

The hot tub is built in, with two steps up to it. Lacey climbs them, giving me a stellar view of her ass, barely covered by the scrap of red Lycra, then lowers herself into the water and wades into a corner. She lets out a long sigh as she sinks into a seat. “Lovely.”

I leap in and submerge myself to hide the wood I’m suddenly sporting. The hot water closes around me. I’m in the opposite corner to Lacey, nowhere near enough to touch her. Except our feet. My toes brush hers when I stretch my legs out.

She leans her head back and closes her eyes. “Oh my God, this is wonderful.”

“It’s pretty nice.”

“I can just feel the tension melting out of me.”

“Yeah. Wait. What tension? We had fun today.”

“Oh, you know. Just normal stuff.”

“Like what?”

She sighs. “I’m still worried about Chris.”

“Have you heard any more from him?”

“I texted him yesterday, and he did reply and said he’s fine. I think he’s mad at me.”

“He has no fucking right to be mad at you.”

One corner of her mouth kicks up. “I know.”

“When we left Vegas, you were pissed at him for trying to pimp you out and disappearing, and you were strong enough to cut him loose to stand on his own two feet.”

“Yeah. But I still worry about him.”

I wade through the water over to crouch in front of her. I take her hands and squeeze them. “You’re being the strong one, you know. You’re doing the right thing.”

“As long as he doesn’t end up dead.”

Ugh. That is a concern. I wish I could fix things for her. “He won’t. And I for one am glad you’re here, and safe.”

She leans forward and plants a kiss on my mouth. My body zooms to attention, going still other than my dick which swells and twitches. It’s a chaste, closed-mouth kiss that lasts a few seconds, then she draws back and says, “Thank you.”

I stare at her, my body tingling, blood rushing hot through my veins. Her expression changes, her eyes darkening, her lips parting. I study that mouth. I want to feel it on mine again. I want to taste her. I want her warm wet curves pressed up against me, especially one part of me that’s throbbing with need.

“Théo...”

I shift closer, sloshing water, to find her waist. I clasp my hands on her and her knees part to let me closer. I’m weirdly weightless in the water. She sets her hands on my shoulders.

“Kiss me again,” I quietly order.

Her eyelids drift down and she leans forward. Our mouths come together in another kiss, this one gentler, our lips clinging, until I open mine on hers, coaxing her to open to me too. I lick inside, tasting her sweetness, swallowing her soft moan.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is a book more about being yourself than romance. While there is a romance, I really enjoyed watching the put-together Théo take a walk on the wild side with Lacey. She was able to bring out the goofball side of his personality and it was fun to see them have fun.

Lacey is hoping to get out of town when her twin brother puts her in a very dangerous and vulnerable position. Théo just happens to be there to help her with that.

What these two begin is a journey of discovery, friendship, and love. It was a funny story and full of jokes and laughter. I really liked how Lacey was able to get Théo to not take himself so seriously. It's a quick read that leaves you feeling good afterwards. I really want to see books for Taylor and JP, as I think they have very interesting books coming. I can't wait!


Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

This is the first book in a new hockey series and what a beginning it is. This is Théo and Lacey's story and it is fun, caring, lustful, family drama, and full of love.

Théo Wynn is part of the Wynn family and hockey dynasty, he played hockey until an injury took him off the ice for good. Now his grandfather wants him to be general manager of the Los Angeles Condors. While grandpa thinks he can push Théo into being a yes man, Théo will make his own decisions about the team. Before he leaves Vegas, his team takes him out for a goodbye celebration and he meets Lacey. She is their waitress and he is drawn to her.

Lacey Olson isn't having a good life. After her mother died, her twin brother was supposed to help her with the bills and help pay the debts owed. But he is more worried about gambling the money away and winning big than getting paid the honest way by getting a real job.

When things suddenly go wrong and Lacey needs to get out of Vegas, Théo has the perfect plan. She should go to L.A. with Théo until it is safe for her to go back to Vegas. After several drinks, a quick Vegas wedding and they are on their way. Lacey has a way out of town and Théo has a beautiful woman on his arm.

Can Théo and Lacey keep the relationship casual without fall for each other? Will Lacey's problems from Vegas come looking for her in L.A.? Will Théo show his grandfather that he can be a good manager for the Condors?

I love a good sports romance and this one was great, it kept me reading and left me wanting more. I can't wait for the next one. If you are looking for a new hockey series, then this one is it, hope you enjoy it as much as I have.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first book in a new series and has quite a significant amount of world building it in, as the Wynn dynasty is somewhat complicated and definitely fractured! Théo, who is the lead in this story, is learning that his change of employer brings on some unexpected revelations about the family dynamics. I enjoyed this side of the story, but do be ready to get your head around the players in this new series - and then there are the hockey stars!

As we get to meet Théo and Lacey and have knowledge of their whole relationship from evening one, it is useful that we get both their sides of the story. There is really no side to either of them, they are both good people, but wow, their one night of rebellion has a significant outcome. And moving forward is both entertaining and very sweet.

Lacey is a fascinating mix of worldly and yet innocent. She has had to be such a grown up since her mother died, and her brother has really lost it when he sends his debt collectors after her. It really is true that Théo saved her from a terrible fate - but he considers that she too has given him the confidence he needed to face his family, and most especially his brother. It is therefore eminently right that they both help the other's brother to make amends.

The way in which Théo's original career had been cut short is horrible, but I loved his take on hockey, the impact of analysis, and his plans for the draft. It is setting up some very interesting stories as his team uses his systems to improve their chances of a Stanley Cup. Cannot wait!

Any fan of Jamieson would know that there would be a fabulously satisfying ending, but the journey there definitely had some interesting roadblocks. In the end though, we are set up perfectly for some more Wynn romance in the future. 

USA Today bestselling author Kelly Jamieson is the author of more than forty contemporary romance novels. She writes the kind of books she loves to read—sexy romance with heat, humor, and emotion. She likes coffee (black), wine (mostly white), and shoes (high!). She also loves watching hockey.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Play to Win (Wynn Hockey #1) by Kelly Jamieson to read and review.