Review: The Play by Karina Halle (Goodreads Author)

The Play by Karina Halle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Moving.
Touching.
Beautiful.
Poignant.
Sexy.
Emotional.
Heartbreaking.
Uplifting.

Karina Halle has written one of the most unforgettable story of two damaged souls who find love and solace in each other and the journey they go on to be together. A story that makes you believe in the magic of true love.

The story begins with the most achingly sad prologue as we see Lachlan as a 5 year old. It blew me away…..the level of emotions I felt were almost too much for me….the hurt, the pain, the betrayal, the abandonment….it actually brought tears to my eyes.

Kayla Moore, loving daughter and sister, caring and loyal friend, funny, sexy, stuck in a job she doesn’t like and tired of being alone and of mindless one night sex encounters. Seeing her two best friend’s happiness with the men they love, it’s something she wants for herself. To find someone to love and who loves her back. But what if there’s no right man for her?

Lachlan McGregor, is a professional Scottish rugby player, sexy, secretive, remote, with a sad and painful past, which he never talks about and a love for caring and helping strays and others in need. His life has been a hard and harsh road and in solitude. Trying to survive the demons inside.

These two lonely people meet when Lachlan flies to San Francisco to help his cousin Bram with his charity organization. They recognized something in each other that they have never had with any other person.

When Kayla is asked by Bram to write a story of Lachlan’s philanthropic work to gain exposure to Bram’s plan to help disadvantaged people find affordable accommodation, she suddenly feels that she’s found the right man for her at last. Things begin to happen with each other and unable to stop the strong connection and attraction to each other. They agree to spend time with each other until Lachlan returns to Scotland, without making any commitments.

On the spur of the moment, Lachlan asks Kayla to go back to Scotland with him and spend more time together. She must decide what her going means to her, leaving her sick mother and family and friends behind. Will it be worth risking everything for this man? This man that she has fallen irrevocably in love with.

What happens when she has to come back home without him?

Lachlan’s fear that he will never be over his past and how it can destroy everything he feels and has with Kayla is just one of the things he’s struggles with. He needs to believe that he’s more than what he was in his past.

“who you are and who you think you should be are two very different things.”

Beginning in the quaint streets of San Francisco,, their relationship slowly builds up as it moves to the romantic, charming, historic and atmospheric city of Edinburgh, where it culminates to them finding a deep and emotional love for each other.

I loved this couple. The intensity of their feelings for each other and how unconditionally their love was – incredibly moving…

I was astounded by Kayla’s heart. She’s fun, feisty, beautiful inside and outside and her capacity for her love and feelings for Lachlan was a thing of beauty. She can see deep into Lachlan’s heart…..she never gives up on him even during those dark moments of his…..she wants him to see and believe that he’s a person worth loving and caring for….

How they find a way to each other…..to finding love and peace together…..

The love and care she has for her mother and brothers was incredible and the hospital scenes with the family having to make a decision about their mother had me in absolute tears.

Their sexual chemistry was incredible….sensual, sexy, hot and sweet…

There were so many parts in this story that grabbed me…..when Lachlan and Kayla go to the charity gala with his dog, wearing a bowtie, was a true magical moment.

This was a beautifully written story that will stay with me for a very long time and one that I will read and read over and over again.

When I started reading this book, I wasn’t aware that its part of a trilogy…however it can be read as a standalone. I will be reading the first two next.

If there is one book that anyone should read this year, it’s THE PLAY. Don’t miss out!!!

One, of the many beautiful quotes in this book:


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