Reviewed by True
TITLE: Playing at Home
SERIES: Sporting Secrets #2
AUTHOR: Jax Calder
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 330 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 9, 2021
BLURB:
Falling for your kids’ nanny? Never a good idea.
Jacob Browne comes from rugby royalty but no matter how hard he tries, he’ll never be the same heroic idol his father was on the rugby field. And now he’s failed off the field with the breakdown of his relationship to New Zealand’s favorite ‘It Girl’ Matilda Neilson. When Matilda hires a male nanny, it feels like the ultimate kick in the guts that another guy gets to spend more time with his kids than he does.
Austin’s freshly back from London and his new job looks great. Matilda is determined to be his new BFF and the kids are awesome, although he gets the feeling that his other boss, the glowering rugby player, isn’t that excited by him. But that’s okay, he’ll win him over. What he won’t do is crush on his gorgeous straight boss, because that’s the pathway to a whole lot of hurt, as he knows from the scorch marks still burned into his heart. Unfortunately, that resolution doesn’t allow for when he gets to know the real Jacob. From princess parties, Lego wars, nights spent talking about everything and anything, Austin’s falling for him hard. And when Jacob is revealed to be not as straight as previously assumed, all bets are off.
In sports, playing at home is supposed to be an advantage. But sometimes when things get too scorching, it can threaten to burn the whole house down.
REVIEW:
Jacob is a famous New Zealander rugby player, just like his dad was. The bad experiences made him suspicious about people’s honestly why they want to be with him because he’s famous or because he’s a nice guy.
Jacob has twin daughters and co-parents with his ex-wife Mathilda.
She hired a manny, Austin, in no time they are friends.
Austin is a great nanny for the twin, a good friend for Mathilda, and yah, for Jacob he’s a… hmm, that’s much more complicating to describe.
Austin left Europe after a debacle and went back to New Zealand where his Gran needs him.
The opportunity to work for Jacob and Mathilda came right in time. Falling for his straight boss wasn’t what Austin had planned.
The attraction is undeniable, we can watch them get closer at the moments when Jacob was home from a rugby tour, and it’s his turn for parenting the girls. The circumstances are difficult, there’s always someone around to consider, and also the fact Jacob can’t promise Austin anything for the future. Jacob has to keep Mathilda in mind, he can’t upset her for the sake of the girls.
There’s a lot to take in for them, the twins, the co-parenting, family, Austin’s Gran, the rugby world. Ugh.
Then, there’s a scandal and Austin wants to explain to Jacob, it seems to deaf ears.
With Austin’s past in mind he doubts that for once he will be chosen.
It’s a widely written story, quite a slow burn. I large part is about Jacob and the impact of his feelings for Austin. I found it an awkward situation with the ex-wife nearby, not quite my thing. There are a few side stories, around teammates and family. This story caught me lesser than the previous one in this series. For me, it was too much divided into parts. It was entertaining, the protagonists were sweet and mature, only I couldn’t feel them in this relationship, I couldn’t fully connect with them.
I know for sure others will love and appreciate these guys and this story.
RATING: 
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