Review: Power Play by Tiffany Snow

Power Play (Risky Business #1)
Author: Tiffany Snow
Publisher: Piatkus
Release Date: 29 October 2015

THIS KIND OF BUSINESS CAN ONLY BE PERSONAL

Sage Reese lives for her job. More precisely, she lives for her debonair boss, Parker Andersen. Sage handles everything for Parker, even as she fantasizes about the one thing that isn't in her job description: him. But when a high-stakes account crosses the line from shady to deadly, a tough cop starts giving Sage the attention she wishes Parker would . . .

Detective Dean Ryker couldn't be more different from Parker. While Parker wears expensive suits like a second skin and drives a BMW, Ryker's uniform is leather jackets and jeans . . . and his ride of choice is a Harley. While Parker's sexiness is a reserved, slow burn, Ryker is completely upfront about what-and who-he's after. And Sage tops his list.

Now, as Ryker digs deeper into the dark side of Parker's business, Sage finds herself caught between two men: the one she's always wanted - and the one who makes her feel wanted like never before . . .

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Review

Sage Reese is in love with her boss, no matter how far out of reach he is and how hard she tries to suppress it. She knows that Parker isn't interested in her in anything but a professional manner, something she resigned herself to a long time ago. When a business deal turns out to have higher stakes than Sage could have imagined she finds herself entangled with the Russian mob and caught between her boss and a bad boy detective who makes no efforts to hide how much he wants Sage.

Sage is a good heroine and one you can find yourself empathising with.  I'd be a total wimp in her situation but she has a whole lot of courage and good intentions. Those good intentions did lead her into some sticky situations she was lucky to walk away from. She's likable and you can understand how she could have fallen so hard for Parker. Although it's sometimes frustrating to watch her doggedly defend and support Parker when there is no apparent reason for it  (though the ending does clear this up somewhat).

Parker is the smooth and sexy type. He wears expensive suits and is clinically professional with Sage, until their lives are turned upside down during the story. I'd like to have gotten inside Parker's head more during the story but we certainly get an intriguing glimpse into it later on.
Ryker seems like the typical bad boy type, complete with a motorcycle and a boatload of sexual charisma. We only really scratch the surface of who Ryker is and I loved his protectiveness towards Sage.
These guys have a pretty tragic past which just further complicates things for Sage.

I'm not a big fan of love triangles and whilst I did like all the characters, I didn't always love how the love triangle played out. Sage bounced between the two men so much and I could definitely understand why she was so torn between them, but she would make out with Parker and Ryker a bit indiscriminately and that just bugs me in a story. She does make a decision at the end, but it's definitely not a definite one and I can see more bouncing back and forth in future books.

The plot definitely has some holes and I had to suspend my disbelief at times and just go with it. But overall, it's fast paced and thrilling. My attention was riveted and I quite happily let myself be taken for a ride.
I didn't love every aspect of the story and I don't think love triangles will ever really be my thing, but I did really like the characters and the plot. I was hooked and thoroughly enjoyed this read. I usually end up with a clear favourite in a love triangle situation but I could see what Sage saw in both guys and I'm very intrigued to see where her heart will lead her in the next book.

*I received a review copy form the publisher, for my honest opinion. Thank you!