Play by Kylie Scott

“For I am Malcolm, Lord of the Sex” – Malcolm “Mal” Ericson

Yeah, yeah, I know I could have chosen a different quote to start this review off, but to be honest, I love this and it really reminds me of Mal.  So there it is!

Play is book two of the Stage Dive series by Kylie Scott. The series is about a band named Stage Dive.  Lick is book one and its focus is on David Ferris the band’s lead guitarist, and the woman who steals his heart; Ev.  

Play is focused on Mal Ericson the drummer and the girl he falls for; Anne Rollins.

Malcolm “Mal” Ericson is tall and blond, with eyes that change between green and hazel depending on his mood.  He’s got muscular “drummer’s” arms and “hooker lips, high cheekbones and a notch in his chin” – Is how Anne describes Mal.  Yeah, it’s safe to say Mal is hot!!  But Mal is also the constant joker and manwhore too!

Anne Rollins is one of Mal’s biggest fans.  She grew up with posters of him all over her walls. Small, athletic with orange hair and blue eyes, she is beautiful!

Anne meets Mal at a party at Ev and David’s condo.  Ev used to live next door to Anne with her roommate Lauren, who still lives there.  Lauren drags Anne to the party after she's had a very a very bad day, which left her broke, shy of a roommate and next month’s rent.  Being a huge Stage Dive fan Anne reluctantly goes with Lauren.  

Anne finds herself on the balcony talking on the phone to her friend and crush Reese about her predicament; she is startled to find Mal on the balcony with her.  Anne is completely star struck at seeing her teen crush! After offering her a beer and questioning who she's on the phone with.  Mal begins to tease Anne telling her she has “crazy eyes” for him.  He is a huge flirt and loves to joke and talk dirty to her. Mal is over the top flirting and joking with Anne all night, leaving a furious Ev  telling Mal to stay away from her friends.

The next day as Anne arrives home from work she is speechless to find brand new furniture and Malcolm Ericson in her apartment, stating that he is her new roommate.  In between all of his joking and sexual innuendo, Mal asks Anne to be his pretend girlfriend.  He will not tell Anne the reason why, but says he will pay the rent and live there for a while.  Anne reluctantly agrees, because, well it is Malcolm Ericson and she needs the help.  How bad can it be?  They set up boundaries for their fake relationship and sex is off limits, kissing is ok. 

Things between Anne and Mal heat up rather quickly as Mal spends one night kissing Anne many different ways to try to gain her approval as she has told him his kisses were “okay”.  Soft, and hard, with or without teeth, tongue and hand placement, all different kisses from Malcolm.  Anne knew she was in trouble!  Malcolm had a way of making her feel like he was really into her and making her forget they were just pretending.

Spending so much time with Mal was so confusing. Mal was jealous of Reece (who now decided he was interested in Anne), and he made her feel wanted.  Mal was protective and flirty and he always seemed sincere to her.  He constantly joked and teased her about his desire for her and how much he cared for her.  Lines were definitely blurring, making Anne feel like he really wasn’t pretending after all.

Mal and Anne couldn’t deny their attraction and decide to give their relationship a go for real. Anne could not have been happier until one day at band practice an old hook-up has Mal quickly forgetting about Anne.  Mal reverted back to his old flirty, handsy ways.  Hurt and humiliated Anne in front of the band and the other women.  Anne left with the girls for a night out and wondered if Mal would wind up in the other woman’s bed.  Mal showed up frantic to the apartment the next day after Anne’s seemingly break up texts.  He explained how sorry he was and that he spent the night alone in his band-mate Ben’s room alone.

Anne and Mal had dinner with Mal’s parents, who loved her. Things seemed to going great with them and they finally gave in to all of the sexual tension that had been building up between them. Mal still would not talk about why he needed a pretend girlfriend in the first place.  Anne knew he was hiding something, and she hoped he would tell her soon.  She was worried as she saw him become sad for a bit, then immediately turn it around and make a joke.

Anne finally learning what Mal’s secret was, after a fight with his band mates and during a drunken declaration of love by Mal, Anne knew she was completely in love with him.  Drinking and manic behavior seemed to be the way Mal dealt with his heartbreak.  Drunkenly proposing to Anne in front of his parents, his band mates and a crowd after a concert was a big problem for Anne.  After Anne turned him down Mal took off.  He was gone and Anne did not hear another word from him.  The tour was cancelled and Mal and the rest of the band were gone dealing with Mal’s secret, Anne was very much alone, sad and miserable.  She lost the love of her life.

Will Mal realize how much he loves Anne and come back for her?  Will Reece win Anne for himself?  Will Mal’s secret destroy him?  Read Play and you will find out!

This book was fantastic! I really loved the way it made me feel! Mal was so much fun and so adorable he had me laughing and swooning at the same time!  Don’t let all the joking fool you though, Malcolm was intense and hot as well.  He said and did so many wild things; I just have to share a few!

Mal- “Hello, Anne’s clitoris.  It’s me, Malcolm, your lord and master”

Mal- “Whatever you’re imagining, it’s bigger”     Anne- “I’m not imagining anything”    Mal- “I’m serious, it’s basically a monster.  I cannot control it”   Anne- “Malcolm”    Mal-“You’re pretty much going to need a whip and chair to tame it, Anne”

Mal- “Ah man, I’m not sure I can stick my dick in a woman who doesn’t even know who John Bonham is”    Anne- “Stick your dick in? Did you actually say that?”    Mal- “Make love.  I meant make love… of course. I would never just stick my dick in you. I would make mad, passionate love to this sweet, sweet body of yours for days, no, weeks.  It would be beautiful, pumpkin. There’d be little angels, and birdies, and you know… all just hanging around, watching.  Perverts”

Yeah, Malcolm said all that and it totally worked for him and this book! Mal was funny, sweet, hot, sexy and did I say hot?  Yeah, Malcolm Ericson is definitely book boyfriend material!  I swear just writing this review makes me want to go straight to a re-read!!!

Definitely earned 5 lip smacks from me!!!