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Playing the Part
Anthea Cane is a successful actress-well, action star. Her films are mostly about how hot she looks silhouetted by fiery explosions. But Anthea is determined to prove she's more than just a body. With the role of a lifetime up for grabs-a serious adaptation of her favorite novel-Anthea sets off to her small hometown in the name of research.
Cole Daniel is a blind farmer with no patience for divas, especially one who mercilessly teased him as a young boy. When Anthea shows up using a fake name and pestering him into letting her stay, he can't pass up the opportunity to torment her just a little.
But Anthea won't let the stubborn farmer deter her from her goal, even if he is hotter than any man she's ever met. Cole finds his form of payback less than satisfying when Anthea keeps turning the tables on him, proving her mettle and gaining his respect. Will Anthea's research land her a man, as well as the part?
65,000 words
Cole Daniel is a blind farmer with no patience for divas, especially one who mercilessly teased him as a young boy. When Anthea shows up using a fake name and pestering him into letting her stay, he can't pass up the opportunity to torment her just a little.
But Anthea won't let the stubborn farmer deter her from her goal, even if he is hotter than any man she's ever met. Cole finds his form of payback less than satisfying when Anthea keeps turning the tables on him, proving her mettle and gaining his respect. Will Anthea's research land her a man, as well as the part?
65,000 words
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2013
10 people are currently reading
830 people want to read
About the author
Darcy Daniel
7 books125 followersI've loved reading from an early age and fell in love with many genres, but was drawn most of all to thrillers and romances - leaving me ecstatic when I won the Charter Oak Golden Acorn contest for Best Contemporary Series Romance.
I'm lucky enough to live in a picturesque, historic small country town in Sydney, Australia with my two energetic dogs.
I'm lucky enough to live in a picturesque, historic small country town in Sydney, Australia with my two energetic dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
January 1, 2014
4 Solid Stars! Wonderful...the author and narrator played this really well!
I was unprepared for emotions this book stirred up in me. Two lost souls; Anthea is lost to her celebrity, and Cole is lost to the horrific event that altered his life forever. Their chance meeting would bring about huge changes in their lives, and I thought the author did a great job entwining the characters and their stories! I was impressed when I found out this was her debut novel!
I didn't like Anthea at first, but once she settled into her role as Ann, a fake name she used, her true personality came through and I grew to like her...a lot! Deep down she was always this sweet caring person, but it was tamped down by the fame and success she acquired at such a young age.
Cole, broke my heart. Living alone, trapped by his disability and insecurity. He was a beautiful man, and he just needed to have the right woman come into his life to make him step out of the safety of the world he created for himself. All he ever had to gauge romance on was the books that he listened to, so sweet and touching, but he paid attention and when the moment came for him to experience intimacy for the first time, he had the stuff to make Anthea/Ann and me... RAWRRRR!!!
I was shocked when it was revealed as to what happened to him as a child, I didn't see it coming, made me want to wrap my arms around him. I had my suspicions about what caused Cole's blindness, and as your reading, don't scoff, it's real, although in Cole's case it might have been exaggerated to add effect to the read.
I wanted more in the way of an ending, it was sweet, but...something was missing. I could see this going the way of a series. There were a few secondary characters that felt had a story to tell and it would be awesome to catch up with Cole and Anthea, a novella would be nice too *hint hint*. Other than my problem with the ending, there was so much to love about this book. Even though there are some serious issues being dealt with, I never felt anxious, the story transitioned nicely and was a delight to read!
The narrator, Eva Kaminsky, was fabulous! I thought her Aussie accent was very authentic. She didn't try too hard, gave a distinct voice to each character, and emitted the emotions as the author intended. I'll be looking for more from her as well as the author, Darcy Daniel, who did a stand-out job with this debut novel!
August 28, 2014
A solid 4 stars
Over the weekend I was looking for a short length read with romance, little drama and definitely no murder to solve. This book came as a surprise to me. It has
~ a refreshing beta hero that melt my heart
~ a heroine I did not like but very slowly won me over
~ a straightforward storyline that did not stress me out
~ one of the best first kiss scenes
~ sweet/steamy intimate scenes
~ somewhat unrealistic plot I did not mind
~ super setting in Australia I can't wait to visit
Due to the traumatic experience, the hero lost his sight at the age of 9. He was a "all-around" 30 years old virgin. I freaking shamelessly adored this character. A surprisingly delicious read!
# different hero # refreshing
Over the weekend I was looking for a short length read with romance, little drama and definitely no murder to solve. This book came as a surprise to me. It has
~ a refreshing beta hero that melt my heart
~ a heroine I did not like but very slowly won me over
~ a straightforward storyline that did not stress me out
~ one of the best first kiss scenes
~ sweet/steamy intimate scenes
~ somewhat unrealistic plot I did not mind
~ super setting in Australia I can't wait to visit
Due to the traumatic experience, the hero lost his sight at the age of 9. He was a "all-around" 30 years old virgin. I freaking shamelessly adored this character. A surprisingly delicious read!
# different hero # refreshing
June 18, 2017
Sometimes a book comes along and utterly surprises you that is what Playing the Part did to me, I wasn’t expecting much but found myself loving this. There was so much I loved about it but in the beginning I thought I was gong it hate it.
The problem was that Anthea took a while to like she was awful and did so many things that made me rage. She breaks into a blind man’s home, helps herself to breakfast leaves his kitchen in disarray and then calls him clumsy when he trips over the stuff she has left out of place. That is just one of many examples of her selfishness but over time she begins to change and in the end I loved her. She grew into a kind and considerate person who took charge of her own life and wasn’t afraid to help others.
Cole was amazing I just adored him, he was so strong and tough yet very vulnerable. It was not his blindness that made him vulnerable but his past and the way he thought about himself did. He had closed himself off from everything and the fact that he had never even been kissed made me love him even more. I wanted to scream when he hurt Anthea because he didn’t mean to at all but her anger was so understandable. I loved his bravery when he decided to sort out his issues he was just perfect.
Darcy Daniels writing is what really made me fall in love with this. It is her words that made me find this book touching, it was the little things like Cole’s fear that he looked like his violent father that brought tears to my eyes, she just made it all seem so incredibly human and real which a lot of romances fail to do.
Playing the Part really took me by surprise it is well written, has great characters, am amazing romance and a lot of heart. I am so glad I read this and couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
The problem was that Anthea took a while to like she was awful and did so many things that made me rage. She breaks into a blind man’s home, helps herself to breakfast leaves his kitchen in disarray and then calls him clumsy when he trips over the stuff she has left out of place. That is just one of many examples of her selfishness but over time she begins to change and in the end I loved her. She grew into a kind and considerate person who took charge of her own life and wasn’t afraid to help others.
Cole was amazing I just adored him, he was so strong and tough yet very vulnerable. It was not his blindness that made him vulnerable but his past and the way he thought about himself did. He had closed himself off from everything and the fact that he had never even been kissed made me love him even more. I wanted to scream when he hurt Anthea because he didn’t mean to at all but her anger was so understandable. I loved his bravery when he decided to sort out his issues he was just perfect.
Darcy Daniels writing is what really made me fall in love with this. It is her words that made me find this book touching, it was the little things like Cole’s fear that he looked like his violent father that brought tears to my eyes, she just made it all seem so incredibly human and real which a lot of romances fail to do.
Playing the Part really took me by surprise it is well written, has great characters, am amazing romance and a lot of heart. I am so glad I read this and couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
November 9, 2017
Once again. Where the fuck is the grovelling?
Let me make it clear, whatever heroine did, who is pretty shallow to begin with, hero was the one who wanted revenge on her.
He lied deliberately for an agenda, she lied for privacy.
Yet he didn’t even for a split of a second apologise and somehow at the end page the heroine goes to HIM, and asks for forgiveness for not hearing him out.
When did he even try to explain himself? Even when he was “trying”’to explain, he was shifting blame on her. He didn’t even look for her.
He was the one doing wrong and she goes to HIM?
I’m sorry but I don’t appreciate a book when you feel your heroine’s confidence and self respect needs to brought down because otherwise hero needs to be proven guilty.
Let me make it clear, whatever heroine did, who is pretty shallow to begin with, hero was the one who wanted revenge on her.
He lied deliberately for an agenda, she lied for privacy.
Yet he didn’t even for a split of a second apologise and somehow at the end page the heroine goes to HIM, and asks for forgiveness for not hearing him out.
When did he even try to explain himself? Even when he was “trying”’to explain, he was shifting blame on her. He didn’t even look for her.
He was the one doing wrong and she goes to HIM?
I’m sorry but I don’t appreciate a book when you feel your heroine’s confidence and self respect needs to brought down because otherwise hero needs to be proven guilty.
September 6, 2016
3.5 STARS
Cover: 5/10
Plot: Forgiveness and loneliness
Writing style: 8/10
Heroine: 5/10
Hero: 8/10
Jealousy: 0/10
Romance: 8/10
Hotness: 6/10
Ending: 8/10
Extra book Details: Stand alone, HEA. 30 year olds.
Overall: Heartwarming.
Blurb: Anthea is a parody film actress. The lead role in what seems like a version of 'Kill Bill'. A few incidents in her life cause her to realise she's not being taken seriously within the film industry. Looking for a more serious role, she finds a casting call for a film based on the book The Farmer's Wife. Her favourite book as a child which holds a lot of memories for her. To research the role she decides that she will go back to her hometown; which she left 20 years ago, and reconnect with her old best friend as well as see if she can play house with a local farmer.
The only single local farmer is self-isolated, blind Cole. Cole was once Anthea's crush, she would tease and bully him relentlessly at school. Upon realising who he is, Anthea decides that she will use a fake name in order for him to allow her to stay. But Cole discovers who she is, and allows her to stay anyway, perhaps he might get his own back after all these years.
Lot's of readers won't like Anthea, she is spoilt and selfish. Anthea knows this, and does struggle with turning herself around, her love for Cole is her redeeming quality.
The first 20% didn't really interest me, it was all about Anthea and her career, current issues and lifestyle. It really picked up when she met Cole, the dynamics at the beginning of their relationship was great, they didn't like each other and both felt the other one was in the wrong.
The romance was REALLY good. It was gradual and not too sweet or hot, it was realistic and detailed. I really loved Cole, you really feel for him, he's tormented by his parents death and he's never felt the love of a woman, he's really lonely.
3.5 stars - excellent romance, unique storyline and characters, needed an epilogue, didn't like the lead female too much.
Cover: 5/10
Plot: Forgiveness and loneliness
Writing style: 8/10
Heroine: 5/10
Hero: 8/10
Jealousy: 0/10
Romance: 8/10
Hotness: 6/10
Ending: 8/10
Extra book Details: Stand alone, HEA. 30 year olds.
Overall: Heartwarming.
Blurb: Anthea is a parody film actress. The lead role in what seems like a version of 'Kill Bill'. A few incidents in her life cause her to realise she's not being taken seriously within the film industry. Looking for a more serious role, she finds a casting call for a film based on the book The Farmer's Wife. Her favourite book as a child which holds a lot of memories for her. To research the role she decides that she will go back to her hometown; which she left 20 years ago, and reconnect with her old best friend as well as see if she can play house with a local farmer.
The only single local farmer is self-isolated, blind Cole. Cole was once Anthea's crush, she would tease and bully him relentlessly at school. Upon realising who he is, Anthea decides that she will use a fake name in order for him to allow her to stay. But Cole discovers who she is, and allows her to stay anyway, perhaps he might get his own back after all these years.
Lot's of readers won't like Anthea, she is spoilt and selfish. Anthea knows this, and does struggle with turning herself around, her love for Cole is her redeeming quality.
The first 20% didn't really interest me, it was all about Anthea and her career, current issues and lifestyle. It really picked up when she met Cole, the dynamics at the beginning of their relationship was great, they didn't like each other and both felt the other one was in the wrong.
The romance was REALLY good. It was gradual and not too sweet or hot, it was realistic and detailed. I really loved Cole, you really feel for him, he's tormented by his parents death and he's never felt the love of a woman, he's really lonely.
3.5 stars - excellent romance, unique storyline and characters, needed an epilogue, didn't like the lead female too much.
March 13, 2013
Playing the Part by Darcy Daniel had such a sweet, different approach to romance and love, heck even pain, forgiveness and revenge. I really, really enjoyed this read.
Anthea Cane is an actress who has lost her true self in all the hype of Hollywood. She really wants the lead part in The Farmer’s Wife, but it seems unlikely because she’s gotten such a reputation as an action actress with little talent who slept her way to the parts that she’s gotten. Thinking to get away from the life she is living and do some in depth studying for the part that she covets she decides to go back to her hometown and see if she can get a farmer to allow her to live and work on his farm to gain the knowledge she needs. She didn't expect the barrage of feelings that would hit her as soon as she came back to that small town, nor the anger from her elementary school best friend whom she hadn't seen in years. With options dwindling fast Anthea convinces a local blind farmer to let her stay there and help him. The hitch was this was a boy that she had a huge crush on and instead of showing her feelings she teased him and made his days hell. Now, she’s not only living with him under a false name, but she is genuinely likes him and is hugely attracted to him. Now, she just has to find a way to tell him the truth without losing him.
Cole Daniel is annoyed. Being a blind farmer who lives alone you would think he was used to having all kinds of help, but it’s the exact opposite. He’s become very self sufficient and has little patience for this city girl who has showed up on his farm nagging him to let her stay for awhile to study for a part she wanted. She thinks he doesn't know who she really is, but he does. And he sees the perfect chance to get back at her for bullying him in school when they were kids. Imagine his surprise when after a few bumps in the road she pitches in and actually is helpful. Not to mention he finds her amusing and begins to really enjoy her company. Not to mention the heat between them. Nothing is going as planned and now he has to find a way to let her know that he knows who she really is hope that she doesn't just walk away forever.
Cole’s blindness was due to a horrific childhood trauma and broke my heart as he came to terms with his past with the help of Anthea. The way they bumbled along in the beginning and then slowly began to get to know what the other needed before being asked was sweet and entertaining. As they explored a physical relationship with one another and got to know each other better it was sweet and then hotter and hotter.
This was a really nice story. You will enjoy it, I promise.
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.
You can find this review and others at http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com and http://tinar1121.blogspot.com
Anthea Cane is an actress who has lost her true self in all the hype of Hollywood. She really wants the lead part in The Farmer’s Wife, but it seems unlikely because she’s gotten such a reputation as an action actress with little talent who slept her way to the parts that she’s gotten. Thinking to get away from the life she is living and do some in depth studying for the part that she covets she decides to go back to her hometown and see if she can get a farmer to allow her to live and work on his farm to gain the knowledge she needs. She didn't expect the barrage of feelings that would hit her as soon as she came back to that small town, nor the anger from her elementary school best friend whom she hadn't seen in years. With options dwindling fast Anthea convinces a local blind farmer to let her stay there and help him. The hitch was this was a boy that she had a huge crush on and instead of showing her feelings she teased him and made his days hell. Now, she’s not only living with him under a false name, but she is genuinely likes him and is hugely attracted to him. Now, she just has to find a way to tell him the truth without losing him.
Cole Daniel is annoyed. Being a blind farmer who lives alone you would think he was used to having all kinds of help, but it’s the exact opposite. He’s become very self sufficient and has little patience for this city girl who has showed up on his farm nagging him to let her stay for awhile to study for a part she wanted. She thinks he doesn't know who she really is, but he does. And he sees the perfect chance to get back at her for bullying him in school when they were kids. Imagine his surprise when after a few bumps in the road she pitches in and actually is helpful. Not to mention he finds her amusing and begins to really enjoy her company. Not to mention the heat between them. Nothing is going as planned and now he has to find a way to let her know that he knows who she really is hope that she doesn't just walk away forever.
Cole’s blindness was due to a horrific childhood trauma and broke my heart as he came to terms with his past with the help of Anthea. The way they bumbled along in the beginning and then slowly began to get to know what the other needed before being asked was sweet and entertaining. As they explored a physical relationship with one another and got to know each other better it was sweet and then hotter and hotter.
This was a really nice story. You will enjoy it, I promise.
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.
You can find this review and others at http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com and http://tinar1121.blogspot.com
February 5, 2013
As soon as I read the blurb stating that the hero was blind I knew I had to get this book. It was different to any other contemporary romance book I've ever read or listened to. It's a sweet romantic story that was so well written. Both the hero and the heroine had gone through trauma and sadness and it includes enough details to make it bearable.
I loved loved loved this book so much!!! I spent seven hours of my day listening to the story from beginning to end. I just could not put it down. The way the romance slowly develops is amazing. The best first kiss scene by far. EVER! I just loved Cole! I don't want to give spoilers because every little surprise this story has is worth discovering on your own. I'm just amazed that this is the first and only book by Darcy Daniel. I sure hope she writes many many more.
Narration: Eva Kaminsky did a wonderful job with this story. It was set in Australia and I could tell that the accent was different. Each character had a different voice and she added the extra sweetness and intensity that a story about a first powerful love deserves. It's definitely worth a credit or even full price!!
I loved loved loved this book so much!!! I spent seven hours of my day listening to the story from beginning to end. I just could not put it down. The way the romance slowly develops is amazing. The best first kiss scene by far. EVER! I just loved Cole! I don't want to give spoilers because every little surprise this story has is worth discovering on your own. I'm just amazed that this is the first and only book by Darcy Daniel. I sure hope she writes many many more.
Narration: Eva Kaminsky did a wonderful job with this story. It was set in Australia and I could tell that the accent was different. Each character had a different voice and she added the extra sweetness and intensity that a story about a first powerful love deserves. It's definitely worth a credit or even full price!!
January 29, 2013
Sweet contemporary romance. Sometimes you have to go back to the beginning to find out how you got to where you are.
Anthea Cane is a child star turned action hero. She wants to be considered for more challenging roles but nobody takes her seriously. When her favorite book, The Farmers Wife< is being turned into a movie she just knows she can do the part. She gets the casting director to grudgingly agree to allow her to audition. She has three weeks before the audition so she goes back to the small farming town she spent her early years in to do research.
Cole Daniels is a blind farmer. He has no patience for diva actresses or Anthea the girl from his elementary school nightmares. He could see then but she used to tease him unmercifully. So when she shows up using a false name and pesters him into letting her stay and do her research he thinks he might just get a little payback.
These two have more in common than they know and they each have lessons to teach and learn.
I was amazed at how fast I went through this sweet story. I was sucked in and couldn't put it down.
I’d like to thank NetGalley & Carina Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Anthea Cane is a child star turned action hero. She wants to be considered for more challenging roles but nobody takes her seriously. When her favorite book, The Farmers Wife< is being turned into a movie she just knows she can do the part. She gets the casting director to grudgingly agree to allow her to audition. She has three weeks before the audition so she goes back to the small farming town she spent her early years in to do research.
Cole Daniels is a blind farmer. He has no patience for diva actresses or Anthea the girl from his elementary school nightmares. He could see then but she used to tease him unmercifully. So when she shows up using a false name and pesters him into letting her stay and do her research he thinks he might just get a little payback.
These two have more in common than they know and they each have lessons to teach and learn.
I was amazed at how fast I went through this sweet story. I was sucked in and couldn't put it down.
I’d like to thank NetGalley & Carina Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2013
review title: better than Nicholas Sparks novel 'Safe Haven'
In this romantic tale of Anthea Cane and Cole Daniel, I adore the juxtaposition of an action film star wanting to act with more than her physical attributes and a BLIND farmer who holds the key to her getting the role of a lifetime, the role that could bring out deeper feelings than Anthea or Cole ever thought were possible to have.
Over a period of three weeks of 'research' in her hometown, Anthea faces hard, painful memories from her past... as does Cole.
Author Daniel picked the perfect tree to be an integral part of the story and the characters' lives. And that first kiss... MMMMmmmm, even I felt it through my eyes! This story brings Sparks' novel 'Safe Haven' to mind, but moves one level deeper to make it a better, more enjoyable read. Actually, I'd like to see THIS novel adapted for the big screen.
April 27, 2018
I am re-reading all my 5 star rated romance novels. There are 60 on my shelf. This is book 8.
(Tropes: Tortured Hero (blind), Obnoxious and Horrible Female)
This is how my 8th re-read held up.
Cover your ears.
Is it possible to go back in time and slap myself for rating this 5 stars?? I mean, did I fall asleep, roll over my phone and accidentally award this five stars??
This time around I DID NOT EVEN FINNISH!
Here’s why (there is a lot of anger below – just sayin’).
**********
Anthea is a child actress who has “made” it as an adult.
- Anthea’s grip tightened on her cell phone. She’d starred in three movies, for heaven’s sake. Okay, they were parodies, but the box-office takings didn’t lie.
Now she wants to go into SERIOUS acting and decides to research for the role of her life time, as a farmer’s wife.
She returns to her childhood’s dusty farm town in Australia, where she bumps into Cole, whom she tormented as a child because she had a big ass crush on him. Cole is a blind farmer.
When Anthea meets Cole, he is planting tree saplings in his field, and they are hit by freak weather carrying hail the size of golf balls. Cole’s saplings are crushed. Anthea is understandably empathetic.
- “My poor Manolos. They’re ruined too.”
Rescuing her shoes, she swings by a friend’s house.
- “You know, it’s been so long since I’ve been back, I got lost on the way. I had to stop and ask for directions from a blind farmer, if you can believe that. Talk about cranky.”
While talking to her friend she is struck by the idea that she could research her role while working on Cole’s land. Her friend reminds her that Cole probably hates her because of how Anthea treated him as a child. That’s when Anthea realizes that Cole did not recognize her earlier, and that might work in her favor.
- Could she really deceive the grump, though? Lying to a blind man to get her own way—especially when she knew he’d kick her to the curb in a second if he discovered who she was—went against everything she believed was right and decent.
She does it anyway.
- Exhilarated, she raced to her car, hauled her luggage and carryall out, mounted the steps and rapped on the solid door. No answer. Impatient, she knocked again, then tried the doorknob. It turned in her hand and, as the door swung inward, the dog raced past and into the house.
- The bathroom door stood open, the radio blaring from within. As steam escaped the room, Cole materialized through the mist. Wet and naked, he dried himself while happily singing along to the tune on the radio. She knew that if their positions were reversed, she’d be mortified to have a man ogle her without her knowledge. Still, she couldn’t look away.
Because she has moved chairs around while snooping, Cole trips when he comes into the kitchen.
- The glass of water flew from his hand and shattered on the floor as he made a grab for the fridge handle, just managing to keep himself upright. “What the hell?”
Anthea stared at him in amazement. “I guess you’re no Helen Keller.”
**********
If I could give this book a minus 10 I would.
(Tropes: Tortured Hero (blind), Obnoxious and Horrible Female)
This is how my 8th re-read held up.
Cover your ears.
Is it possible to go back in time and slap myself for rating this 5 stars?? I mean, did I fall asleep, roll over my phone and accidentally award this five stars??
This time around I DID NOT EVEN FINNISH!
Here’s why (there is a lot of anger below – just sayin’).
**********
Anthea is a child actress who has “made” it as an adult.
- Anthea’s grip tightened on her cell phone. She’d starred in three movies, for heaven’s sake. Okay, they were parodies, but the box-office takings didn’t lie.
Now she wants to go into SERIOUS acting and decides to research for the role of her life time, as a farmer’s wife.
She returns to her childhood’s dusty farm town in Australia, where she bumps into Cole, whom she tormented as a child because she had a big ass crush on him. Cole is a blind farmer.
When Anthea meets Cole, he is planting tree saplings in his field, and they are hit by freak weather carrying hail the size of golf balls. Cole’s saplings are crushed. Anthea is understandably empathetic.
- “My poor Manolos. They’re ruined too.”
Rescuing her shoes, she swings by a friend’s house.
- “You know, it’s been so long since I’ve been back, I got lost on the way. I had to stop and ask for directions from a blind farmer, if you can believe that. Talk about cranky.”
While talking to her friend she is struck by the idea that she could research her role while working on Cole’s land. Her friend reminds her that Cole probably hates her because of how Anthea treated him as a child. That’s when Anthea realizes that Cole did not recognize her earlier, and that might work in her favor.
- Could she really deceive the grump, though? Lying to a blind man to get her own way—especially when she knew he’d kick her to the curb in a second if he discovered who she was—went against everything she believed was right and decent.
She does it anyway.
- Exhilarated, she raced to her car, hauled her luggage and carryall out, mounted the steps and rapped on the solid door. No answer. Impatient, she knocked again, then tried the doorknob. It turned in her hand and, as the door swung inward, the dog raced past and into the house.
- The bathroom door stood open, the radio blaring from within. As steam escaped the room, Cole materialized through the mist. Wet and naked, he dried himself while happily singing along to the tune on the radio. She knew that if their positions were reversed, she’d be mortified to have a man ogle her without her knowledge. Still, she couldn’t look away.
Because she has moved chairs around while snooping, Cole trips when he comes into the kitchen.
- The glass of water flew from his hand and shattered on the floor as he made a grab for the fridge handle, just managing to keep himself upright. “What the hell?”
Anthea stared at him in amazement. “I guess you’re no Helen Keller.”
**********
If I could give this book a minus 10 I would.
January 27, 2013
This was such a fun read and very hard to put down. I found the writing to be very easy to read and the plot was awesome! Anthea is an actress who wants to switch from playing an action star to a more serious role in a drama, specifically the adaptation of a novel called The Farmer’s Wife. She has no idea how to play this part so she figures she will go back to her hometown of Mayfield (where she was invited to attend a fundraiser anyway) and people would welcome her with open arms. Things don’t quite go as planned.
Cole has lived in Mayfield his entire life. He lost his sight twenty years ago when he was just 9 years old but had grown up on the farm so he knew every inch of the place. He is comfortable out there and has no need to leave the farm. The town of Mayfield has rallied around him and brings him groceries, makes house calls, etc.
Anthea happens to be the girl that teased Cole mercilessly when they were in school together and he never forgave her for that. So when she turns up at his farm, pretending to be someone else (even though he knows who she is), he decides to have a little fun with her in the name of payback. Problem is, every time he thinks he has embarrassed her or given her a little taste of her own medicine, it doesn’t seem to work. Before both of them realize it, they are falling for each other.
It was great fun to watch Anthea and Cole circle each other, so to speak. They both thought they did a good job of hiding their feelings for the other one, but true love is hard to fake. I enjoyed watching Anthea’s transformation from prissy, Hollywood actress to small town farmer’s wife. Both Anthea and Cole were damaged emotionally for events that happened in their past. As you read the story you see how good they would be for each other and that they would be able to relate and comfort one another about their pasts if they just opened up to one another. And if they both confessed the lies – her not revealing her identity and him not admitting he knew who she really was.
I thought Darcy did a fabulous job balancing the romance and overall story in this book. She gives you little bits and pieces of romance throughout the book and made it very appropriate to the story and the characters. I never felt like anything was rushed or out of place. If you are looking for a sweet, emotional contemporary romance book that will pull you in from the beginning and is hard to put down, I highly recommend this one!
Cole has lived in Mayfield his entire life. He lost his sight twenty years ago when he was just 9 years old but had grown up on the farm so he knew every inch of the place. He is comfortable out there and has no need to leave the farm. The town of Mayfield has rallied around him and brings him groceries, makes house calls, etc.
Anthea happens to be the girl that teased Cole mercilessly when they were in school together and he never forgave her for that. So when she turns up at his farm, pretending to be someone else (even though he knows who she is), he decides to have a little fun with her in the name of payback. Problem is, every time he thinks he has embarrassed her or given her a little taste of her own medicine, it doesn’t seem to work. Before both of them realize it, they are falling for each other.
It was great fun to watch Anthea and Cole circle each other, so to speak. They both thought they did a good job of hiding their feelings for the other one, but true love is hard to fake. I enjoyed watching Anthea’s transformation from prissy, Hollywood actress to small town farmer’s wife. Both Anthea and Cole were damaged emotionally for events that happened in their past. As you read the story you see how good they would be for each other and that they would be able to relate and comfort one another about their pasts if they just opened up to one another. And if they both confessed the lies – her not revealing her identity and him not admitting he knew who she really was.
I thought Darcy did a fabulous job balancing the romance and overall story in this book. She gives you little bits and pieces of romance throughout the book and made it very appropriate to the story and the characters. I never felt like anything was rushed or out of place. If you are looking for a sweet, emotional contemporary romance book that will pull you in from the beginning and is hard to put down, I highly recommend this one!
March 13, 2017
3.5 stars. Despite the awful cover, this was a pretty cute story. There was some super duper cheese overload at the end, the speech about friendship and heroes was a bit much. The ending was slightly anticlimatic. Was Cole just going to tend to his tree farm while wearing nifty sunglasses for the rest of his days? I was hoping for him to at least be overcome with emotion.
Overall, a fast, fun read that was feel-good with a bit of cheese on top.
Overall, a fast, fun read that was feel-good with a bit of cheese on top.
March 29, 2013
I really enjoyed this one so heartwarming as two people learn to learn themselves and fall in love the setting is great and the characters are wonderful a great read
February 4, 2013
My Review:
Three words...blind alpha hero. This is so what I love to read, I honestly think that it would have been difficult for the author to mess it up. I love a wounded hero and you don't get many better than Cole. Cole has been blind for 20 years, since he was 9. Something incredibly traumatic happened to him then that took his sight and his freedom. He runs a farm, which is amazing for a blind man, but he NEVER, EVER leaves it and hasn't in years (cue back to that huge trauma). So you know what that means?? OMG, this gorgeous guy is also a virgin. *sigh* In fact, he's never even kissed a girl. He lives alone on this farm and listens to audiobooks of romance novels to get his "fix" for companionship. Seriously, how can you not melt at those facts?? I loved this book....OMG!
On the other side of the spectrum is Anthea. She's a movie star with a bit of a tragic past too. She spent the first eight years living in the same hometown as Cole (she left before his blindness struck), but then her mother died and her emotionally distant father and brother threw her into the movie lifestyle. As a result, she doesn't make connections with other people and never has since she moved away and her mother is never far from her thoughts. So when a movie role that will change her career comes up and just happens to be an adaptation from her mother's favorite book, she knows this is what she needs to do. Unfortunately, her movie past makes her a joke to the director and she comes up with the idea of learning how to live on a farm so that she is more viable for the part.
The set-up on this book is great. Cole and Anthea weren't the best of friends as kids. She had a crush on him then and so treated him harshly, the way little kids do. Their first meeting doesn't improve on that any as at the beginning of this book Anthea is a bit of a diva who is more than a little full of herself. But through a series of events, they end up living together and forming a team on the farm. I liked the way that their relationship slowly progressed from enemies to friends to more. And let me tell you, there are some smexy scenes in here. Just the kissing alone is written so incredibly well. A simple little kiss and it will melt your panties. Seriously! (I did mention the hero was a virgin, right??? Oh my!!)
I really enjoyed this book. It's set in a small Australian town where Cole's tree farm is located. It was really sweet and was one of those books that I couldn't put down even though I was reading it WAY past my bedtime. I highly recommend it, especially if you are a sucker for wounded heroes like I am.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Three words...blind alpha hero. This is so what I love to read, I honestly think that it would have been difficult for the author to mess it up. I love a wounded hero and you don't get many better than Cole. Cole has been blind for 20 years, since he was 9. Something incredibly traumatic happened to him then that took his sight and his freedom. He runs a farm, which is amazing for a blind man, but he NEVER, EVER leaves it and hasn't in years (cue back to that huge trauma). So you know what that means?? OMG, this gorgeous guy is also a virgin. *sigh* In fact, he's never even kissed a girl. He lives alone on this farm and listens to audiobooks of romance novels to get his "fix" for companionship. Seriously, how can you not melt at those facts?? I loved this book....OMG!
On the other side of the spectrum is Anthea. She's a movie star with a bit of a tragic past too. She spent the first eight years living in the same hometown as Cole (she left before his blindness struck), but then her mother died and her emotionally distant father and brother threw her into the movie lifestyle. As a result, she doesn't make connections with other people and never has since she moved away and her mother is never far from her thoughts. So when a movie role that will change her career comes up and just happens to be an adaptation from her mother's favorite book, she knows this is what she needs to do. Unfortunately, her movie past makes her a joke to the director and she comes up with the idea of learning how to live on a farm so that she is more viable for the part.
The set-up on this book is great. Cole and Anthea weren't the best of friends as kids. She had a crush on him then and so treated him harshly, the way little kids do. Their first meeting doesn't improve on that any as at the beginning of this book Anthea is a bit of a diva who is more than a little full of herself. But through a series of events, they end up living together and forming a team on the farm. I liked the way that their relationship slowly progressed from enemies to friends to more. And let me tell you, there are some smexy scenes in here. Just the kissing alone is written so incredibly well. A simple little kiss and it will melt your panties. Seriously! (I did mention the hero was a virgin, right??? Oh my!!)
I really enjoyed this book. It's set in a small Australian town where Cole's tree farm is located. It was really sweet and was one of those books that I couldn't put down even though I was reading it WAY past my bedtime. I highly recommend it, especially if you are a sucker for wounded heroes like I am.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 15, 2013
Wow! Just WOW! Truly loved this story more than I thought I would -
Just having Cole's POV in there was worth it -
Anthea has had her fame - 3 box office hit movies, and a childhood of chemicals, But she knows something is missing in her life. The 3 times she tried to give her heart away, it just forced her to put up another layer of bricks shielding her away even more.
When the oppertunity to star in a movie based on her mother's favorite book, she knew she had to do anything to get the part. And when the opportunity to go back to her home town arises, she jumps in her car and takes off without a word to anyone.
On her way to town, she gets lost - with nothing miles away , she spots a farm house. And a Farmer in the field. Wow!
Approaching him for directions, she starts to get a little agitated. When the hail starts, and they're trapped in the tin shed, she starts getting frustrated.
But she's not the only one. Cole's shipment was late, he was behind on planting the saplings, and now this hailstorm was going to destroy his crops. On top of this bizarre, rude, and inconsiderate woman who won’t leave ......
After the storm lets up enough, Anthea makes herself at home and freshens up, then heads back to town.
Stopping at her best friend's house, she gets a splash of reality - It's been 20 years since Anthea has been in her home town, and even though Karin recognizes her, she has no idea who she is other than the smut the tabloids print about her. True or not, Anthea see's that she's going to have to figure out another way to get her research for the movie.
Anthea gets an idea that Karin plants in her head. Cole would be perfect to help her learn how to be a farmer's wife.
But as Karin politely pointed out. Cole is the very same guy Anthea teased so much in elementary school. Why would Cole help her now?
But if he didn't KNOW that she was Anthea, maybe she could pull this off...
You can see where this is going ...
Cole can't stand this rude woman who is trying to worm her way into his house. But when she goes inside to use the bathroom, he hears the buzzing of her cell phone that she left behind. Curious, he picked it up and listened.
And THAT'S when he know exactly who this woman was. And a plan started forming in his head..
YEAH!!!
So what happens when you stick two people so desperate for love together? Based on a lie neither of them wanted to confess - Yeah, instant CHAOS -
Really cute story ! I loved the whole Blind man and movie star thing.
Happy Reading
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February 10, 2013
I enjoyed this story just because both main characters have issues with trust and love. They both have secrets they keep from one another but the relationship that develops was sweet to watch.
Cole was teased as a youngster by Anthea not realizing that it was because she had a huge crush on him. He's blind due to an amazingly traumatic event he witnessed as a child. He's made the best of it by staying at his grandparent's farm but is not capable of leaving this farm due to fear. I felt so bad for him but also hopeful as he gets to turn the tables on the woman who tortured him. I wanted to just cuddle him and show him everything he has been missing by closing himself off but I got beat to the punch by Anthea.
Anthea was an interesting character. She's been an actress since she was little and uses it as a crutch for avoiding her true feelings. She suffered the loss of her beloved mom as a child and immersed herself in acting as both a form of escape and a way to keep her mom's memory going. She left the country life to live in both L.A. and Sydney which also led her to close herself off to a childhood friend. She is lonely and is confronted by the fact that people in the industry only see her as a pretty face that slept her way to her adult career. When she finds out about the movie being made from a book her mom read to her as a child she's instantly chomping at the bit for the part but due to the misconceptions surrounding her life she has to fight to even get an audition which leads her to going to the country to live as a farmer's wife. What she gets is something she wasn't looking for in Cole and a chance to learn more about who she really is behind the trappings of a successful actress.
I loved this book in that both characters have so many things to come to terms with from their past but I also appreciated that the author didn't rush the relationship. You got to see both of them struggle with what they wanted while at the same time feeling guilty about the secrets they are keeping from one another. I will have to keep an eye out for more by this author as I liked the way she paced the book while keeping the core of the characters true and believable.
Thanks to NetGalley.com and Carina Press for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review. As always please take advantage of the Carina Press link to purchase this one and many other great titles.
Cole was teased as a youngster by Anthea not realizing that it was because she had a huge crush on him. He's blind due to an amazingly traumatic event he witnessed as a child. He's made the best of it by staying at his grandparent's farm but is not capable of leaving this farm due to fear. I felt so bad for him but also hopeful as he gets to turn the tables on the woman who tortured him. I wanted to just cuddle him and show him everything he has been missing by closing himself off but I got beat to the punch by Anthea.
Anthea was an interesting character. She's been an actress since she was little and uses it as a crutch for avoiding her true feelings. She suffered the loss of her beloved mom as a child and immersed herself in acting as both a form of escape and a way to keep her mom's memory going. She left the country life to live in both L.A. and Sydney which also led her to close herself off to a childhood friend. She is lonely and is confronted by the fact that people in the industry only see her as a pretty face that slept her way to her adult career. When she finds out about the movie being made from a book her mom read to her as a child she's instantly chomping at the bit for the part but due to the misconceptions surrounding her life she has to fight to even get an audition which leads her to going to the country to live as a farmer's wife. What she gets is something she wasn't looking for in Cole and a chance to learn more about who she really is behind the trappings of a successful actress.
I loved this book in that both characters have so many things to come to terms with from their past but I also appreciated that the author didn't rush the relationship. You got to see both of them struggle with what they wanted while at the same time feeling guilty about the secrets they are keeping from one another. I will have to keep an eye out for more by this author as I liked the way she paced the book while keeping the core of the characters true and believable.
Thanks to NetGalley.com and Carina Press for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review. As always please take advantage of the Carina Press link to purchase this one and many other great titles.
February 22, 2013
This book tell the story of Anthea, who is determine to get the role in the movie adaptation from her mother’s favorite book, went back to the hometown that she have forgotten to understand more of the life in a farm. So, she went back to her hometown under the impression that her presence is welcome by her best, Karin. But it was not the case. Her presence was not welcome and leaving no choice, she went to Cole’s for help but under pretense that she was someone else. Cole, who is blind after an incident when he was 9 years old, decided to play her out.
I like the story very much and really enjoyed reading it. It is really sweet to read the relationship between Anthea and Cole developed and it is a heartbreaking moment for me to read the subsequent event after Anthea get to know that Cole have deceived her especially the scene where the casting of the role that Anthea wanted so much. It really a defining moment to me and I could feel the emotion in the author’s writing.
I like the story very much and really enjoyed reading it. It is really sweet to read the relationship between Anthea and Cole developed and it is a heartbreaking moment for me to read the subsequent event after Anthea get to know that Cole have deceived her especially the scene where the casting of the role that Anthea wanted so much. It really a defining moment to me and I could feel the emotion in the author’s writing.
April 30, 2013
This book was so great! I thought the character development was very well done and I liked the perspective we see from both characters. I thought the plot was unique, and I enjoyed watching the characters slowly peel back the layers of trust with each other. I thought Cole was quite adorable, and I liked how he didn't have a miracle cure, he simply overcame a psychological issue that was holding him back.
I planned on only reading a few chapters, but this book sucked me in and I stayed up very late finishing it. Definitely a good book worth reading!
I planned on only reading a few chapters, but this book sucked me in and I stayed up very late finishing it. Definitely a good book worth reading!
January 24, 2013
This book was so good. The characters are great together . Loved there flirting/banter between them,Its a easy delightful read.
February 22, 2013
It's been a long time since a romance made this jaded reader go "Aww." Jesus. just read it already!
March 31, 2013
I loved this book. The story is sweet, warm and the hero is one of my favorites!
Ahhh...the first kiss was well written. I will definitely read this author again :)
Ahhh...the first kiss was well written. I will definitely read this author again :)
August 12, 2014
Loved the character journeys and the romance -- just a really cute story that made me smile.
February 4, 2013
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 Stars
Sometimes you read a book and you have an immediate reaction good or bad and then sometimes you read a book and you have to let it marinate for awhile and that was how Playing The Part was for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book but it took me a few days to think about it and fully appreciate everything about this book. I love the premise of this book, I enjoyed the journey the two characters took to reach their HEA, and I like the author's writing style. I however, had a very hard time with the main characters although they did grow on me as the book went on and I always have issues with relationships that are built on lies.
Action movie star Anthea Cane returns to her hometown to do some research for a movie role she wants but isn't being taken seriously for. She hoped her childhood best friend would be there to support her but she soon finds that the friend isn't very welcoming for someone who's neglected her for the last decade. Then she finds out the man she needs to help with her research is the boy she secretly had a crush on and picked on during her elementary years. The boy all grown up now but he's also blind so she develops a plan to get his help without him knowing who she is. What she doesn't know is he's discovered her true identity and he plans to have a little fun on his own.
I have to say Anthea does not make the best first, second, or third impression. She comes across very much like a spoiled movie star and I found it very hard to like her. I do like that throughout the story, she began to see the error of her ways and even set out to change and made sure to make amends to those she hadn't treated very nicely. It still bugs me that she placed blame solely on Cole's shoulders when she was just as guilty as he was for not telling the truth.
Cole Daniels is a very complex character and at first I wasn't sure about him. I can admit though as we found out more about his life, I began to understand why he behaves the way he does and how his past has shaped the person he is. I liked Cole and because of his inexperience with women I can make allowances for him. He was experiencing so many new and different feelings in a short amount of time it had to be overwhelming for him.
I found it interesting how the tables were turned over and over on these two as their relationship progress from antagonistic to friendship to love. I enjoyed watching the way they both changed over time and the way they each learned to trust the other. Trust wasn't something that came easily to either of them given the hard knocks they both suffered as children. I found Cole's story to be extremely interesting as I had a friend who experienced something very similar as a young child. So, it was easy for me to imagine how that horrific tragedy affected him. I felt their first kiss and their first time together to be quite poignant and written very well.
Playing The Part is a very enjoyable and unique book with a complex plot and engaging dialog. I appreciate that even though I didn't immediately like the characters the author spent a lot of time developing them and they grew on me throughout the book. This is the first book I've read by Darcy Daniel and although this isn't a book I was immediately wowed by, it grew on me and I will definitely read her again!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4 Stars
Sometimes you read a book and you have an immediate reaction good or bad and then sometimes you read a book and you have to let it marinate for awhile and that was how Playing The Part was for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book but it took me a few days to think about it and fully appreciate everything about this book. I love the premise of this book, I enjoyed the journey the two characters took to reach their HEA, and I like the author's writing style. I however, had a very hard time with the main characters although they did grow on me as the book went on and I always have issues with relationships that are built on lies.
Action movie star Anthea Cane returns to her hometown to do some research for a movie role she wants but isn't being taken seriously for. She hoped her childhood best friend would be there to support her but she soon finds that the friend isn't very welcoming for someone who's neglected her for the last decade. Then she finds out the man she needs to help with her research is the boy she secretly had a crush on and picked on during her elementary years. The boy all grown up now but he's also blind so she develops a plan to get his help without him knowing who she is. What she doesn't know is he's discovered her true identity and he plans to have a little fun on his own.
I have to say Anthea does not make the best first, second, or third impression. She comes across very much like a spoiled movie star and I found it very hard to like her. I do like that throughout the story, she began to see the error of her ways and even set out to change and made sure to make amends to those she hadn't treated very nicely. It still bugs me that she placed blame solely on Cole's shoulders when she was just as guilty as he was for not telling the truth.
Cole Daniels is a very complex character and at first I wasn't sure about him. I can admit though as we found out more about his life, I began to understand why he behaves the way he does and how his past has shaped the person he is. I liked Cole and because of his inexperience with women I can make allowances for him. He was experiencing so many new and different feelings in a short amount of time it had to be overwhelming for him.
I found it interesting how the tables were turned over and over on these two as their relationship progress from antagonistic to friendship to love. I enjoyed watching the way they both changed over time and the way they each learned to trust the other. Trust wasn't something that came easily to either of them given the hard knocks they both suffered as children. I found Cole's story to be extremely interesting as I had a friend who experienced something very similar as a young child. So, it was easy for me to imagine how that horrific tragedy affected him. I felt their first kiss and their first time together to be quite poignant and written very well.
Playing The Part is a very enjoyable and unique book with a complex plot and engaging dialog. I appreciate that even though I didn't immediately like the characters the author spent a lot of time developing them and they grew on me throughout the book. This is the first book I've read by Darcy Daniel and although this isn't a book I was immediately wowed by, it grew on me and I will definitely read her again!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
February 8, 2013
This was a wonderful book filled with amusing moments along with moving moments. The main characters both have things from their pasts they need to overcome and the writer does a great job of slowly healing them both. I love stories set in small country towns and this once certainly didn’t disappoint.
Anthea is different than most heroines simply because she’s a little difficult to empathise with at the start. She’s a bit of a spoiled brat, but once she starts her research on Cole’s farm, she changes into a really great person who I could get behind and root for.
Cole is one of the best hero’s I’ve ever encountered in a romance. He’s flawed in more way than one, but he doesn’t let his physical disability stop him from doing what he needs to do to earn a living. I thought a blind hero might make me want to feel sorry for him, but that never happened. He’s strong and independent and the writer has done a great job of making me want him for myself!
I would love to see this adapted for the cinema, it would make an excellent movie.
Overall, I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to the next one by Darcy Daniel.
Anthea is different than most heroines simply because she’s a little difficult to empathise with at the start. She’s a bit of a spoiled brat, but once she starts her research on Cole’s farm, she changes into a really great person who I could get behind and root for.
Cole is one of the best hero’s I’ve ever encountered in a romance. He’s flawed in more way than one, but he doesn’t let his physical disability stop him from doing what he needs to do to earn a living. I thought a blind hero might make me want to feel sorry for him, but that never happened. He’s strong and independent and the writer has done a great job of making me want him for myself!
I would love to see this adapted for the cinema, it would make an excellent movie.
Overall, I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to the next one by Darcy Daniel.
February 11, 2013
Playing the Part by Darcy Daniel is a sweet contemporary romance that will steal your heart.
Anthea Cane is a famous and successful actress, at least she has been on her last few films. But everyone believes that she has no depth and lacks talent. Now with her late mother’s favorite book becoming a movie, she will have a lot to prove that she is the perfect person for the role.
Cole Daniel is a blind farmer with no patience for divas, especially if that diva made his life hell when he was a child. So when Anthea shows up with a fake name and a true purpose, he finds himself unable to turn his back on a little revenge.Read More...
Anthea Cane is a famous and successful actress, at least she has been on her last few films. But everyone believes that she has no depth and lacks talent. Now with her late mother’s favorite book becoming a movie, she will have a lot to prove that she is the perfect person for the role.
Cole Daniel is a blind farmer with no patience for divas, especially if that diva made his life hell when he was a child. So when Anthea shows up with a fake name and a true purpose, he finds himself unable to turn his back on a little revenge.Read More...
February 7, 2013
If you're looking for an Alpha Male hero, you won't find him in this book. Instead, you will find a more grounded, flawed hero who you want to root for, one who overcomes his disability and fears to win not just the heart of the heroine but that of the reader. The heroine too is far from perfect but as the book progresses, her transformation is huge and I definitely was rooting for these two characters to have a happy-ever-after ending. A heartwarming story, told beautifully! I'm looking forward to reading more books by Darcy Daniel.
February 7, 2013
4.5 stars. Playing the Part by Darcy Daniel is so much more than a sweet (and steamy) romance. It is a beautiful story about coming to terms with the past. It is also a wonderful lesson in trust and acceptance. Please click HERE to read my review in its entirety.
February 6, 2013
Darcy Daniel had me at hello with this witty, romance. The story is set in Australia, as an American, that was not a distraction for me. To see the rest of my review please go to http://bsreviewers.blogspot.com I would also love a follow!
February 7, 2013
Incredibly sweet. I loved it.
February 10, 2013
Sweet, sweet read!
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
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