Playboy's Heart: A Modern Friends to Lovers, Contemporary, Fake Relationship Romance!

Playboy's Heart is the emotional, thrilling, and steamy conclusion to the Playboy Royal duet. It picks up at the event that made my heart stop at the end of the first book! Xander is finally happy that he is able to step up and help his brother Lex. Xander has so much guilt and pain stemming from his and Lex's childhood. He has built up strong walls to keep from feeling again and lives for revenge. He needs control over all things and that is a huge hurtle for he and Imani to overcome. She has a past that took her choices away and she needs to know she can make her own choices in her life. Their relationship started with a contract, so as their feelings for each other grow, it was hard to know what is real and what is an act. My heart broke for Xander as he tried to take care of Imani, pushing her further away. I loved how Imani stood her ground, wanting to be a team instead of letting Zander believe he had to do everything on his own. She wants to support Xander as he faces retribution for the plans he has implemented, but she has her own dangerous secret from her past that haunts her as well. This is probably one of my favorite story-lines in Malone's enchanting royal romances. It included all the things I love about her writing from the fast paced, thrilling story-lines, to having all the royals that we have grown to care for show up to support each other, and also her signature witty banter and wonderful steamy passion! I can't get enough of these fun, quirky, and sexy Royals and can't wait for more!

And the hits just keep on coming when it comes to the Royals of this series. As much as I love this author, the woman is a true masochist; boy does she love to make her characters suffer. Xander is an enigmatic character. One you want to delve into and refuse to come up for air until you find out all his secrets, and secrets he has by the bucket ton. Of course the first part of his story (Royal Playboy) ended on a cliff hanger, when doesn’t this author leave us hanging off a skyscraper? Imani had already come such a long way in Playboy. In this instalment she grew so much more than even she could imagine. Breathtakingly realistic and someone I would truly love to have a conversation with. Battling all that she has and overcoming demons. Not every woman can kick arse and take names, which is why I adore this author so much. Imani uses her smarts, not always in the right way however, but she does always fight for what she believes in. Family is important to her and she thrives to support her family in the only way she knows. Fighting against the current uphill. Battling against what is and what should be. Because of this belief system Imani and Xander clash on the basest level at times. He has his battles, protective instincts, and the warring of his own mind to overcome. Trust is hard for both of these individuals. Talking straight and not in riddles is even harder. Opening a door is easy, but walking through it? That is one of the hardest things to achieve. A vacant throne and a monarchy in turmoil are thrown into the mix from the beginning and lingers throughout this book. Xander’s mum is a woman of with an iron will and the tranquillity and decorum of a calm stream. She would do anything for her boys and does. To have gone through what she did and still be who she is, well, I’m amazed by her strength. Imani and Xander work in a way that is so difficult to explain. It’s like faith in the almighty. You either have that faith or you don’t. It just is. That isn’t to say that they don’t need to put the work in. Xander sure as heck does put the work in, fighting to put to rest what he has been fighting his entire adult life. Their love is as beautiful as a multi-coloured, transcendent sunrise. They have so much raw potential, if only they could get out of their own ways. I love that this book ended setting up for the next series Big Ben. That is a character I cannot wait to meet in more than precursory manner. Good work Ms. Malone, I still know you rock…HARD!!!!

Imani and Xander's story concludes in this book. You must read book one, Royal Playboy first to get the complete story and have a full understanding of these characters and events. This couple gave me such a case of the feels. My heart just ached for these two wounded souls and I wanted so badly for them to find the love and get the HEA they needed and deserved. This intense read will capture and hold your interest through every turn of the page with a compelling combination of raw emotions, drama, tension, intense love and hot passion. Heartbreaking, heart melting and one hundred percent swoon worthy, I adored this couple and their remarkable romance.