Game, set… match made in heaven.
Spoiled socialite Quinn Valenzuela has no interest in sports or his family’s huge sporting goods empire, Sparta Athletics. So when Quinn learns his grandfather has died and he’s in control of the corporation, no one is more surprised than Quinn himself.
Dedicated COO Porter Davis has little time and less patience for brats like Quinn who have never done a day’s work, but circumstances leave him with little choice. Quinn claims he’s ready to leave partying behind and grow up, but it’ll take more than words to earn Porter’s respect. As it turns out, they can work—and play—together after all. A friends with benefits arrangement makes sense for the two busy men, but are they too different for it to ever develop into more? Not if Quinn can convince Porter he has his head in the game.
The more Dreamspun Desires books I read, the more I crave them. When I saw O’Shea’s latest addition to the collection, I knew I had to have it. Her stories never fail to entertain me and I was intrigued with this recipe-for-disaster hook up. Not only are Quinn and Porter a delightful “opposites attract” couple but they start off with sharp disdain for each other. Not exactly enemies but neither likes the other very much..or at all. You see, Quinn has lived a very charmed life. He breezes through his days with his black AMEX leading the way. He is fabulously wealthy and excels at doing nothing. Surrounding himself with other elite partiers he has discovered he has everything money can buy yet he’s not truly happy. Drugs, sex, and rockin’ men have lost their luster and he’s feeling an emptiness he can’t seem to fill. Then his yacht surfing days are cut short when he receives word that his grandfather has passed. A break from his routine is exactly what he needs. However, he never expected to have his grandfather’s business (the source of his financial fluff) handed over to him. To make matter’s worse, he’s stuck with his grandfather’s right-hand man, Porter. Porter has been a more active member in his family than Quinn ever has…and he’s not even related! Which is a good thing because the grumpy guy stirs something deep inside Quinn. He wants to do better, be better and he wants to impress Porter at the same time. Now if only Porter will give him a chance….
It’s easy to connect with both Porter and Quinn. Two very different men leading very different lives. When they drop their preconceived notions about the other, they find they actually like what they see. Porter is extremely focused and dedicated to his career. He hasn’t had the best of luck but that hasn’t stopped him. He is driven and hard-working with no social life. Quinn is on the opposite end of the spectrum; his social life IS his life. He’s never had to work for a paycheck or balance stress from a career. But you can’t berate him for the path he was set on. He thought he was doing what he was supposed to do, what the family wanted, to stay out of their hair. But not having the comfort and joy of having a home and daily interactions with his family was beginning to dim his inner light. He didn’t know how to be anything else…until he had no choice but to figure it out. He might stumble but he’s not going to give up.
I loved the transitions we witness from both men. Porter gives Quinn something he’s never had before and at the same time, Quinn does the same for Porter. They push the other to BE better when they are together. I just adore it when a couple becomes two stronger parts when they connect. Quite simply, they make each other happy. The Seattle setting was fantastic and a strong secondary cast strengthens the story. I especially loved Porter’s sister. I also enjoyed their progression: not friends, tentative friends, friends with benefits and then…more than friends with benefits. They make an arrangement and enjoy the perks until feelings get in the way. Quinn doesn’t recognize what he has until he loses it. But the question is, can he get it back in time? Eek!!
Loss of a family member clouds the beginning with grief. A slow burn, a sassy socialite, and a near slip through the fingers. Does it count as a second chance if one partner doesn’t realize he was given a first? Hmmm, I think so!
If you’re in need of a dose of sweet and tender with a dash of sexy, this unlikely couple is sure to deliver the perfect combo.
TITLE: Game Point
AUTHOR: M.J. O’Shea
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 194 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 1st, 2017
BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner, Amazon
