Play It Safe by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Color me surprised. I expected this to be another solid 5 star Kristin Ashley book but for me it just didn’t have the usual sparkle. The biggest complaint I had was the double standard for Gray and Ivey’s 7 year separation and sexual history. Even prior to their first meeting Gray was quite the “Tom cat”. (I threw in that phrase because my grandpa used it and I think it’s very fitting to describe Gray’s character.) When he and Ivey started dating Cecily (evil reincarnated) threw his history in Ivey’s face. At that point I think Gray should have addressed his past especially since they lived in a small town and I’m sure atheist would run into his former lovers on a frequent basis. Instead Gray allows Ivey to get in a verbal tussle with Cecily and they never have that talk. Secondly and most egregiously is Gray’s reaction to Ivey’s celibacy during they 7 year separation. He’s delighted by it and cherishes that he’s her only lover. Not once does he share his sexual history which IMO was sexist and unsafe… especially considering condoms and protection aren’t mentioned at all in the book. He doesn’t have to glorify his past or share all the details but he should have given basic info to Ivey. Instead Cecily is able to throw that info in her face when they run into each other in a very public place. Lastly, Gray seemed offended that Ivey assumed that he had moved on with a new relationship when she sees him hugging his cousin … yet we learn his did move on to quite a few different partners on Ivey’s absence. Why the reaction Gray???