Playing With Trouble (Capital Confessions #2) by Chanel Cleeton

* * * 1/2

The author of Flirting with Scandal presents her second book in a sexy contemporary romance series about three sisters in a powerful political family, the scandals that threaten to destroy them, and the passion that drives them…

The daughter of one of the Senate's most powerful figures, Blair Reynolds was ready to become the ultimate political wife—until she caught her fiancé cheating on her wedding day. Law school is a fresh start, her shot at putting the pieces of her life back together. That’s the plan, at least. Until trouble comes in the form of her Torts professor, the man whose arrogance infuriates her in class but haunts her private fantasies.

Graydon Canter had a fortune and a place on all the hottest "Thirty under Thirty” lists, until a series of personal missteps nearly destroyed his career. A year teaching at a D.C. law school is just the break he needs to get his life back in order, as long as nothing—and no one—trips him up.

When Blair and Gray are forced to work together, their explosive attraction becomes impossible to resist. But Gray’s demons have drawn him dangerously close to the edge, and Blair has spent her life playing by the rules. Will she break them for a shot at love?

Chanel Cleeton’s books are where I look to for sizzling chemistry and some heated drama. Don't worry things do work out but it's a lot of fun getting there.

Playing With Trouble finds Blair, Jackie's half-sister looking for a new direction in life after her wedding day fell apart in a very public way.  Embarrassed, lost and adrift, she enrolls in law school thinking that it's the answer. Gray is the professor who can't take his eyes of off Blair. She's out of his league but that doesn't stop him wanting her. He knows he should tread carefully since this job comes after some personal scandal of his own. 

I’d normally be uncomfortable about student-teacher relationships crossing the line but in this instance, both parties involved are older and have some life experiences behind them. I didn’t feel like one was taking advantage of the other. It’s just a case of right place, wrong time. Theirs is an immediate attraction and Cleeton doesn't squander any time in letting us know just how much they affect each other. 

I ended up liking Playing With Trouble more than Flirting With Scandal. The storyline doesn't play out between the sheets as much as PWT did. The big difference for me is that I felt more invested in the characters. I empathized with Blair and her effort to redefine herself. Coming from political royalty and being in the public eye while she's struggling to figure herself out isn't easy. And she's doing this without any emotional support from her parents. With Gray I simply wanted him to have his second chance at happiness after working so hard to straighten out his life. These are two very likable and sexy characters to root for. And now thanks to a special sneak peek of  Falling For Danger featuring Kate, Blair’s sister, things are going to heat up and I for one am counting down! 

~ Bel