eArc Review: The Player In New Zealand
I can’t begin to tell y’all how excited I was to get approved for an eArc of The Player In New Zealand by Liz Alden. This is book 4 in her Love and Wanderlust series, which features a stunning travel destination as the backdrop for this low angst love story between a retired national level rugby star (and current bar owner) Tane and visiting American (while conveniently escaping a stalker) Claire.
Having never read a Liz Alden book before, I walked into this one pretty unsure of what to expect in steam level, writing style and overall angst, drama, and banter. And you know what, I loved this. The relationship and dialog moved at what I would call a realistic pace, and it was such a refreshing thing to read.
Tane is such a sturdy (and deeply sweet) hero. He’s dealing with his own baggage and working through grieving his rugby career, and fall out of the ACL injury that ended it all for him. A case of mistaken Identity, deep intoxication and a bossy grump collide (literally and figuratively) for a brutal meet cute. But from there, the relationship organically evolves from wary colleagues, to kind-of friends.
When Nina (Tane’s sister and bar co-owner) and Tane’s cousins wedding comes up, it’s rapidly decided that Tane absolutely NEEDS a date. But more than that he MUST attend with a fake girlfriend. Okay, y’all at this point I was HERE for it. Especially because this is written only from Claire’s point of view, I knew the wedding was gonna change things for these two. Before the wedding, there is a sweet moment between Tane and Claire as they practice the Hongi, and share breath. My word the connection and intimacy in that scene alone, had my whole heart.
Rest assured friends, there is also lots of great moments, for these two to heat up the tents, kayaks, hotels, Ute’s AND stock rooms as their physical relationship heats up. But fear not, the real hidden gem here is our physical touch love language MMC, and all the non sexual touching and cuddling. Gosh do I love a lil sweet cuddle between love interests.
From there these two slowly, sweetly and without a lot of fanfare, simply fall in love. There is some 3rd act external drama (care/of Claires stalker) but no third act break up! We stan a breakup free romance!
I loved the realistic representation of Tane. He’s absolutely a romance hero, but not with the PERFECT language every time, or the over the top physical descriptions. He’s imperfect, and his challenges with sobriety are handled with respect and care. I think lots of people will connect with the support, love and community found in Tane’s family.
Perfect for fans of Karla Sorensen, The Player in New Zealand is a delight that will have you smiling, happily sighing and wishing you had a Tane of your very own. Grab this one wherever you get your books on March 22nd 2022.