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JL Merrow
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Played! (Shamwell Tales Book 2) Kindle Edition

by JL Merrow (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 211 ratings
A standalone Shamwell Tales story

All the world’s a stage . . . but life doesn’t come with a script.

Posh boy Tristan Goldsmith has one last summer of freedom before he joins the family firm in New York—no more farting around on stage, as his father puts it. But the classically trained actor can’t resist when the Shamwell Amateur Dramatics Society begs him to take a leading role in their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As an added incentive, he’ll be giving private acting lessons to a gorgeous local handyman who’s been curiously resistant to Tristan’s advances.

As a late-diagnosed dyslexic still struggling with literacy, Con Izzard’s never dared to act before. With arrogant yet charming Tristan helping him with his lines, he finally has his chance to shine. But Con’s determined not to start a romance with a man he’s convinced only wants a casual fling.

Tristan’s never been one to back down from a challenge, especially when he realises his attraction to the tall, muscular handyman isn’t just physical. Just as he thinks he’s finally won Con’s heart—and given his own in return—disaster strikes with a slip of the tongue that shatters Con’s trust and sends him running for cover. This show may be over before the curtain’s even opened.

NOTE: This is a revised second edition, originally published elsewhere.

* * * * * * *

Word count: 68,500; page count: 258
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  1. Book 2 of 3
    Shamwell Tales
  2. Print length
    244 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 10, 2017
  5. File size
    2.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Merrow brings community theater to life...Enjoyable characters and lively dialogue enhance this entertaining, lighthearted romance - Janice Carol, RT Book Reviews JL Merrow did it again. She gave me another favorite book which is going to join the beautiful Muscling Through. The amazing Tristan will stay in my heart as Al did...There was no dead moment, every sentence was full of humor, I laughed so much at Tristan. Played! was an absolute winner - 5 stars, Stella, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue WordsThese men had a true emotional bond and a kinship they shared between them that sizzled off of the written page...The story itself has a perfect balance between light and serious moments. Highly Recommended! - 5 kisses, Gabbi, Top 2 Bottom Reviews

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B072QV54LG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riptide Publishing (June 10, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 10, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 244 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 211 ratings

About the author

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JL Merrow

JL Merrow

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JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab ever again.

She writes (mostly) contemporary gay romance and mysteries, and is frequently accused of humour. Her novel Slam! won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best LGBT Romantic Comedy, and several of her books have been EPIC Awards finalists, including Muscling Through, Relief Valve (the Plumber’s Mate Mysteries) and To Love a Traitor.

JL Merrow is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, International Thriller Writers, Verulam Writers and the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.

Find JL Merrow online at: https://jlmerrow.com/, on Twitter as @jlmerrow, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jl.merrow

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
211 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book delightful and enjoy its magnificent humor. The plot receives positive feedback for being engaging.

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5 customers mention "Enjoyment"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book delightful and fun to read.

"...it really is - for romance but for stories that are complex, interesting and, if possible, humorous...." Read more

"Fun read. Who doesn’t love reading about the lives of residents in a small English village putting on a play?..." Read more

"A couple of years ago I read the first book in this series and found it delightful. I knew this would be a good read as well...." Read more

"There are some lovely moments in this book but overall its very unsatisfying...." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, with multiple reviews praising its magnificent wit and amusing dialogue.

"...read this - or anything by this writer - to be entranced by a master wordsmith and an intellect so sharp that it cuts the paper on which the words..." Read more

"...keeps us rolling along with a combination of silly and sometimes amusing dialogue and plot twists to counterbalance the fact that one of those MC's,..." Read more

"This is a quick, witty, fast-paced story full of wonderful back and forth chatter between Con and Tristan who don’t hit it off very well in the..." Read more

"I am a big JL Merrow fan. I like her humor and her way with words...." Read more

5 customers mention "Plot twists"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in the book, finding it engaging and intriguing.

"...It's so intriguing, and amazingly done...." Read more

"...with a combination of silly and sometimes amusing dialogue and plot twists to counterbalance the fact that one of those MC's, Tristan, on the cover,..." Read more

"...There’s a lot of drama and secrets revealed. 3.25 for the winning bet." Read more

"...Con is lovely but a bit of a doormat. The rest of the plot is engaging which is why I finished it but Tristan should have had to work harder and..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • bill m
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I don't read books in this genre - whatever it really is - for romance but for stories that are complex, interesting and, if possible, humorous. JL Merrow doesn't write romance, per se - she's too intelligent and erudite for that alone, and her feelings for timing, irony and humor are magnificent - but there's always a taste of m/m amorous relationships included in the books she writes. This one is perfect - it's a play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, within and central to the story but the story itself mimics the biting wit, missed chances and mistaken assumptions (as well as satisfying end) that are part of Dream. It's so intriguing, and amazingly done. Just read this - or anything by this writer - to be entranced by a master wordsmith and an intellect so sharp that it cuts the paper on which the words are written. I don my hat to Merrow - if she put her mind to it she could write a sizzling play based upon any of her stories, but this one in particular. This review will be meaningless to the author, but I hope that it attracts people who see it to read her work, and to this book certainly.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Puck & Bottom Redux
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is almost as unlikely a plot and MC pairing as the first book in this series, but author Merrow keeps us rolling along with a combination of silly and sometimes amusing dialogue and plot twists to counterbalance the fact that one of those MC's, Tristan, on the cover, is a bit of a flamboyant and selfish toad.

    Ironic, then, that it's a toad (or, frog) which brings his first encounter with the taller, bulkier, quieter, shy Con, who is the hero of the book in every way, shape and form. Though the POV throughout is Tristan's, the sidetracks of Con's own little mini ventures in this rustic little town of Shamwell are a perfect antidote to some of the conflicts that Tristan has which lead to a lot of his selfishness. Indeed, the fact that he only has two people he can talk to about his feelings toward Con are his former acting colleagues Amanda and Suki, young women who are cynical and pushy, by Skype and phone respectively, go a long way in stunting his emotional and career growth paths.

    The fact that there are hold overs from the first book, including the Sham-Dram crowd which stages plays in the village, helps create a wonderful sense of community that keeps the plotline of rehearsing for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" viable; and that Con stumbles into an acquaintance that eventually leads to a seriously heartwarming conclusion helps pave the way for Tristan's eventual salvation. Along the way he flounders and flounces, but in the end he's not such a snoot after all. We're sort of set-up for the next in the series as well, but it's never a hindrance to our enjoyment of this episode.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Rebecca
    5.0 out of 5 stars delightful!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Another true love story in Shamwell! Tristan begins as a very self-centered ass then manages to learn to be kinder. He and Con get to know each other and the ending is very sweet!
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  • Justin D
    3.0 out of 5 stars Acting!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Fun read. Who doesn’t love reading about the lives of residents in a small English village putting on a play? There’s a lot of drama and secrets revealed. 3.25 for the winning bet.
    Helpful
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  • WS Long
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a quick, witty, fast-paced story full of wonderful back and forth chatter between Con and Tristan who don’t hit it off very well in the first meeting. The story unwinds to a sweet romance between the two.
    Helpful
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  • zanara
    5.0 out of 5 stars I like her humor and her way with words
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I am a big JL Merrow fan. I like her humor and her way with words. The story starts when Tristan, a self obsessed soon to be ex-actor arrives to clean out his Nanny's house. He has two months freedom and to keep in the money he is used too,must join the family firm. Tristan sees a frog in his kitchen and with an over the top reaction calls Con the local handyman to rid him of the frog "plague" It is lust at first sight for Tristan and irritation, insult and bemusement for Con. How these two get together via half a mouse, the local amateur dramatic society, the village cricket match and Midsummer Nights Dream makes a great tale.
    Helpful
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  • June Jadus
    4.0 out of 5 stars The whole cast of characters was great.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2020
    Copied from my blog, Love is Love Reviews.

    I really did enjoy this book, which was why I had such a hard time rating it. It was a cute, fun, fluffy read without much of that rip-your-heart-out angst. Sure, the characters had their issues, and their fair share of drama, but you really got the feeling that they would make it work out in the end somehow (even knowing that, since this is a romance book, of course they would work it out and get together).

    I am a fan of opposites attract romances, and this one worked well. Both Tristan and Con have things they need to work on, and they both have a lot to give. Their strengths and weaknesses match up very well. They’re not a perfect couple, and I feel like their romance is on less firm of a footing than Sean and Rob’s from the previous book, but I did like watching them get together.

    I was surprised when reading other people’s reviews how many people hated Tristan and loved Con. I found them both to be imperfect but ultimately redeemable.

    Tristan is self-absorbed in a way only an actor from a wealthy family can be. He honestly doesn’t look around himself too often at other people and how they live. And his wealthy upbringing shows in a lot of little ways. But one thing I will say in Tristan’s defense is that he’s never intentionally mean or cruel. He’s oblivious and puts his foot in his mouth a number of times, but he also knows when he’s messed up and tries to make amends.

    Con is something of a sweet and gentle giant. One with a huge chip on his shoulder and paper thin skin due to how he’s been treated in the past, both by his mom and by the public school system. Con has such low self-esteem that it makes him think the worst of Tristan, assuming that Tristan is making fun of him when they first meet, which leads Con to act like a jerk.

    Despite their many faults, it’s clear that these two very different men can help each other. Because when it comes down to it, they’re both looking for a forever home where they can be happy.

    The cast of characters, while great, were something of a distraction at times. I thought that both Con and Tristan’s family lives could have been expanded on, because both clearly had such profound effects on the men they became.

    The main character from the next book in the series, Patrick, was introduced, and I can’t wait for the next installment of the series!
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Serin6
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant England-set small-town romance.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The setting, characters and dialogue are handled brilliantly by J L Merrow.
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  • luca
    4.0 out of 5 stars Continuano le storie di Shamwell
    Reviewed in Italy on September 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Torniamo nella cittadina Shamwell alle porte di Londra, e questa volta incontriamo il bel Tristan, giovane attore ebreo con una famiglia altolocata alle spalle ed un lavoro nel mondo della finanza che lo aspetta a New York presso l'agenzia del padre, e Con, diminutivo di Costantine, tuttofare con problemi di dislessia, cresciuto in una famiglia disagiata. Tra i due nasce subito qualcosa, ma a causa di varie diversità i due non riusciranno facilmente a trovarsi. Come sfondo ci sono una casa ereditata, una ranocchia che si nasconde, una gatta "fantasma" e Shakespeare, con la sua opera A Midsummer Night's Dream, a cui i nostri due giovani dovranno partecipare. Rivedremo anche vecchie conoscenze di Shamwell, non vi preoccupate. Unico difetto è che i nostri due beniamini prima di arrivare al sodo ci mettono quasi tutto il libro, ma comunque vale la pena di aspettare per uno come Con.
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  • Henno
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Midsummer Night's Read
    Reviewed in Germany on September 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is the second book in the Shamwell Tales series and equally as good as the first (Caught!).
    The instant attraction between the two main characters (Tristan the actor, who comes from money and Con the village handy man who's a dyslexic) makes for a good start. When Con doesn't just give in to Tristan's proposal of no-strings sex it makes Tristan re-think his life, which he dearly needs. Because I don't think I would like someone like him in real life. He is self-centred and some of his supposedly sarcastic comments, especially towards Con, weren't remotely funny in my opinion.
    I also had a little trouble with the quotes from Sheakspeare, because I'm not a native English speaker and the language of the bard's time is therefore a little hard to understand.
    The writing and editing are top - so a clear recommendation from me.
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  • Gelegenheitsleser
    4.0 out of 5 stars Zwei Protagonisten, die eigentlich niemals zusammenkommen können
    Reviewed in Germany on July 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Den ersten Teil der Serie fand ich ziemlich fad, weshalb ich eigentlich schon damit abgeschlossen hatte.
    Da ich aber an Shakespeare interessiert bin und der indirekt eine recht große Rolle in diesem Text spielt, wagte ich es doch, zumal auch der Preis äußerst günstig ist.
    Ich war positiv überrascht, wie die Autorin ihre beiden so grundverschiedenen Charaktere am Ende zum HEA führt und hatte auch Verständnis dafür, dass dieser Weg nicht immer gradlinig war. Die Gründe waren gut nachvollziehbar.
    Eine sehr unterhaltsame und humorvolle Geschichte, wobei die Autorin es auch hier mit dem Humor etwas übertrieb.
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  • P. Shuttleworth
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Tales and Tails of Shamwell Continue...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    With more Shakespeare references than a debut Stoppard play "Played" continues the tails and tales of a small English village. Caricatures abound, serve their duty, and feed the plot line - as well as the odd stray cat! JL Merrow has an acute insight into village life and the nocturnal behaviour of those who live there. I enjoyed the first book more - simply because this one ended too quickly. We need more Shamwell tales. Con was no con - a lovely character. Tristan seemed to be channelling Kenneth Williams at times. It made me laugh and I wanted more. A third book is on the way I hear.. Bravo!
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