Series: The Summer Circuit #1
Published by Allen & Unwin on June 1st 2016
Genres: Equestrian, Fiction, General, Love & Romance, Romance
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Click here to buy the book from Amazon •Booktopia • Book Depository • Angus and Robertson
World-renowned polo player and global face of Ralph Lauren, Nacho Figueras dives into the world of scandal and seduction with a new fiction series set in the glamorous, treacherous world of high-stakes polo competition.Georgia never wanted to be a jetsetter. A plain old country vet was fine for her. But one distress call from her best friend and the next thing she knows she's neck deep in the world of polo's most elite international players--complete with designer dresses, fine champagne and some of the most gorgeous thoroughbreds she's ever seen. Some of the most gorgeous men too. . .Alejandro Del Campo needs his team to win the season's biggest polo tournament or else he's not sure how much longer they're going to be in business. What he doesn't need is some sassy new vet telling him how to run his business--and distracting him at every turn. But as they come closer and closer to the championship match, it soon becomes clear that Alejandro wants to win Georgia just as much as the tourney trophy. But can he ever convince her his world is where she truly belongs?
Georgia Fellowes is a vet from a small town who dreams of something more for herself. When she uncharacteristically accepts an invitation from her best friend for a week in the sun, she never imagined where it would lead. Designer outfits, exclusive parties and some of the most expensive horses on the planet – Georgia is in another world from the rundown farm she is used to. And then there’s Alejandro Del Campo. He’s tall, dark, handsome and determined to lead his polo team to victory no matter the cost. When their paths cross there is instant chemistry and despite how wrong it would be for them to be together – it is even harder for them to stay apart.
High Season is the first novel in The Summer Circuit series set in the exclusive and seductive world of professional polo. Despite knowing nothing of the sport, it was not long before I was sucked into the world of billionaires, horses and the romance between Georgia and Alejandro.
This is a book which has everything from cases of mistaken identity and meddling family to employee complications and high drama. And despite High Season being seemingly full of romance novel cliches – it works. I loved reading about small town Georgia and her interactions with international sports star Alejandro. They have had a lot of hurt and heartbreak in their pasts yet despite as messy as life seems they are both somewhat hopeful. Both Georgia and Alejandro are more than who they appear on the surface and their histories make them more interesting and compelled me to want to read more about them.
Their chemistry was amazing with their banter being sometimes playful and fraught with sexual tension, sometimes intense and seductive. I wasn’t as fond of their more sensual scenes with some of them being a bit one-sided (to the point where I wouldn’t have been surprised if one party was asleep) but overall I was hoping these two would find a way to make everything work.
Another highlight of High Season is the cast of secondary characters. I loved reading about the Del Campo family. Rebellious teenage daughters, Lothario younger brothers and a matriarch who is keeping everything together – these characters are amazing. As much as I enjoyed the romance it was for Valentina, Sebastian and Pilar that I read this book in a single day. I’m delighted that this is only the first book of the series and there will be more Del Campo drama in future instalments.
The glamorous lifestyles of the rich and famous polo players will draw readers in but it is the relationship between a brooding widower and a small town vet which will have them wanting more. I recommend High Season for anyone who enjoys some scandal with their seduction – this book is a modern classic romance novel.
High Season in five words or less: High drama with explosive chemistry
I keep seeing the name, Nacho Figueras everywhere but have been generally ignoring it. The name sounds so pretentious! Lol. I think it’s one of unfortunate things. I’m turned off because of the name. Welp.
Haha. I suspose it does sound a little pretentious. Nacho is an Argintinian polo player who was the face of Ralph Lauren Polo for a long time. I think he’s just lending his name and face to this polo series and it’s mostly written by Jessica Whitman. 😛
So Nacho is the author? I wonder being a player himself if there’s any truth behind the series or it’s completely fictional. Colour me intrigued! i don’t mind a bit of well written drama from time to time, usually romance isn’t my thing but going to put this one on the maybe list for lazy Sunday read. Wonderful review Kate, so glad you enjoyed this one <3
To be completely honest I’m not sure if he’s the author. There is an author’s note by him but the impression I get is that he’s not.
I quite liked it as one of those lazy day afternoon kinds of reads. Reminded a lot of the stories I used to read when I borrowed my older brother’s Mills and Boon novels 😛