OH. EM. GEE. EVERYONE! This freaking book right here has everything I needed. It's fun, sexy and sassy. It's deep, exciting and inviting. It's heart warming, charming and honest. PLUS we get little moments of angst. Do you need anything else? I certainly don't! This is the third book in the Cocky Bastard series by the duo of Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland and has instantly soared (pun 100% intended) to my favourite in the series! I can't get over how much I loved this book. I found the others to be enjoyable but not perfect, where as Playboy Pilot quickly climbed to one of my favourite books of 2016! You know the drill, put your backs and tray tables in their fully upright and locked position, we're about to take off.
I lifted my drink to my mouth and mumbled to myself, “Where in the world should I go?”
I wasn’t expecting an actual answer.
“My place isn’t far.” A deep, baritone voice said from next to me.
I seem to be on a bit of a kick these days where I just say 'eff it' and don't read blurbs. Why, I really have no idea. But I was so excited every step of the way with Playboy Pilot, and after when I finished and read the blurb I noticed that some of the surprises I enjoyed the most are flat out, right there to see before you even read it. Obviously that's fine to get you interested in the novel but I was so happy to discover these in my own, I loved going in blind.
“Brucey?”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I need to borrow some pants.”
“What kind of trouble did you get into?”
“I was skinny dipping with a girl, and someone stole them.”
“Michelle Pfeiffer?”
“Yeah.” I smiled in the dark.
“Atta-boy.” He then simply rolled over and began snoring again.
So really, no surprise here but Carter is a babe. Like, COMPLETE babe. I love him a lot. Sure, he's cocky, sure, he's a playboy, sure, he's ridiculously handsome. But what else? He's kind. Charming. Loyal. Giving. Selfless. He's one of the most unexpectedly well rounded characters I've ever read and I loved that he could surprise me this way. He was anything but what I expected when I started and was pleased time and time again when it came to this guy. Yes, his wicked mouth will have you agreeing to things before you know it, but in the same breath he'll calm your soul, breathe life through your body and show you what it means to live in the moment. This guy though... *major sigh*
“Thank you for looking out for me, Captain.”
“Anytime.”
We were halfway back to Maria’s when I said, “Kendall…”
“Yeah?”
“I want to hold your hand.” My mouth curved into a smile. She immediately got it.
“I Want To Hold Your Hand. The Beatles song. I thought you were serious for a split second.”
Laughing, I said, “Actually, I am serious. Very serious. Can I?” I reached out my hand.
She handed me hers. “Yes.” Her fingers looked so tiny intertwined with my large ones.
I didn’t let go the entire way back. The truth was, I wanted to do a hell of a lot more than hold her hand…I wanted to wrap my entire body around her.
Too bad there wasn’t a Beatles song titled, I Want to Ravage You. Would have been way more appropriate for how I was feeling at the moment.
Yes, Playboy Pilot is plenty of fun to read, it's romantic and will have you laughing out loud, but it's more than that. This story finds its backbone with depth and substance coming from Carter's past mixed with Kendall's present and future. I'm not saying the other books were fluff, because obviously they weren't, but I just felt so much more for these two and on a deeper level than I did for the rest of the characters in the series. It was easy to see why these characters were struggling and even easier to route for them. And don't worry, the issues are explained early on in a moment of true trust and honesty between our MCs, it's not secretive and dragged out until 75% and used as a twist. I think everyone is getting tired of those these days anyways, so it's refreshing to see honesty, integrity and growth between a couple so quickly. It can only mean bigger and better things to come through the rest of the novel.
And by the way, these two are quite evenly matched. A feisty heroine with a sassy and charming hero. Yes. Please. Their banter will have you clutching your stomach while their sweetness will put those butterflies in your chest.
Ultimately it goes back to to some of the characters previous issues but something I didn't expect from this story that happened was the fact that Kendall and Carter didn't sleep together right away. I definitely assumed they would. I actually thought this was perfect, and the only reason I didn't expect it was because, um, hello, I've read the other two books in the series! I know how these guys work! But man, was I wrong. Nothing could've prepared me for Captain Carter Clynes.
Sometimes love is for a moment.
Sometimes love is for a lifetime.
Sometimes a moment is a lifetime.
Ours for a little while.
Wings for eternity.
I'll be straight up and say this with no qualms: I'm an angst whore. I LIVE for that shit, no joke. I was loving this book with its depth and characters and story and playfulness, but then throw in some brief moments of angst and MOTHER OF PEARL I'm totally on your side. Those moments had me gasping and my heart squeezing. I don't know why I get such a kick out of it but I totally do. The emotion in these moments and how clearly the character's thoughts come across and are digested by the reader is perfection. You're never confused. These two authors work well to always explain what's happening in a characters mind and what the issue might be. Angsty moments with this kind of writing = giant thumbs up.
"The woman who thought she was desperate turned out to be what I was in desperate need of."
I seem to be like the grinch who stole Christmas because believe it or not, I'm not a fan of epilogues. Too often these days they're super cheesy or not related to the story or characters. I don't need someone to be married with 2.5 kids 8 years down the line for me to believe they're happy. What's perfect about the conclusion to Playboy Pilot, AND the epilogue, is how these authors stayed true to Kendall, Carter, AND their story the entire time. It's ultimately needs a standing ovation. You get the loose ends tied up, you get an HEA, you see how every thing is going, and it. Makes. Sense. It make sense In relation to the book, it makes sense in relation to the characters and their journey. Boom. Let's get authors doing more of this.
“Carter? What are you doing?”
I laughed under my breath and banged the back of my head against the wood. “Praying?”
“Do you always breathe like that when you’re praying?”
“It’s an intense prayer."
I really enjoyed not just the various locations but the imagery and descriptions of these exotic locales as well. The authors seem to have a wonderful grasp on location and sights, as well as local culture. It was fascinating to see this translated on a page and how Kendall dealt with it all, while Carter helped, of course.
“Let’s just forget about our troubles for a couple of days. Stop overthinking this room situation. You have my word that I’ll keep my hands to myself. I won’t try anything if that’s what you’re worried about—unless you ask for it. Until then, no monkey business. Well, not figuratively at least. There will be an actual monkey from time to time.”
I really hope that there's more books to come in this series because they just keep getting better and better! I don't know how Pen and Vi could possibly top Carter, because he's an official boyfriend now and I'd like to keep him there forever. Playboy Pilot quickly became my favourite book in the series, and one of my top reads in 2016. If you take anything from this review, let it be these three words: READ THE BOOK!
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Popular Highlights in this book
“Sometimes the things we hold onto the tightest are the things we most need to set free.”Highlighted by 440 Kindle readers- Sometimes love is for a moment. Sometimes love is for a lifetime. Sometimes a moment is a lifetime. Ours for a little while. Wings for eternity.Highlighted by 375 Kindle readers
- I knew this was it. This was my only chance to answer that question in as honest a way as possible, or I was going to lose her.Highlighted by 175 Kindle readers
Reviews with images
Come fly with me, beautiful.
Playboy Pilot is the third installment in Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward's Cocky Bastard Series. It's a complete standalone. The only thing tying the books together is that the characters meet on a chance encounter."Sometimes the things we hold onto the tightest are the things we most need to set free."Kendall Sparks needs to get away. In the opening scene of the book she's in an airport bar, not sure of her destination. The only thing she's sure of is that she needs to get away from reality and clear her mind. Kendall meets the charismatic Carter in the bar and he helps guide her decision on where to travel to, hoping she'll take his advice.Carter is set in his ways as a man dedicated to his job, traveling whenever needed, and sleeping with whomever peaked his interest at his next stop. Meeting Kendall is a complete game-changer for him, and he won't stop until she can see that for herself."Stay in the moment with me, Kendall."Kendall and Carter have such an amazing relationship. They're both guarding their hearts, but are willing to try to open them up as well. Carter brings Kendall into his world at home in South Florida and what she finds is endearing and draws her to him more. The only stop for her is his former playboy status. Vi and Penelope take us on a fantastic trip with this story!"Maybe we see a little of ourselves in each other. We're two wrongs that somehow make a right. Inseparable we're miserable, but together...we somehow work."It's awesome to read a new story from a writing team that's always fresh and fun. Vi and Penelope consistently bring the funny and passion, but they don't ever forget the hard messages as well. Carter and Kendall's banter is expertly written for the utmost satisfaction. I almost forgot to mention the soundtrack. Vi and Penelope wrote songs from The Beatles into the story and that really touched on a personal note for me. The Cocky Bastard Series can do no wrong!
Top reviews from other countries
Gem Evans
Oh my, I adore this book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2023
Jaan
This is by far my fav book Ever. Captain Carter to the rescue.
Reviewed in India on February 3, 2022
Susan Armstrong
Playboy Pilot - Standalone series Book 5
Reviewed in Australia on July 7, 2023