Playing to Win

4.25 stars. Wow, where have I been for the past few years that I totally missed this series? Glasgow Lads #1, [b:Playing for Keeps 25751572 Playing for Keeps (Glasgow Lads, #1) Avery Cockburn https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440061587l/25751572.SY75.jpg 45594055] was truly enjoyable, and Playing to Win might be the best M/M romance novel I've read in years. All the ingredients are there:*MCs from different social classes who are on opposing political sides (reminded me of a modern-day version of Silas and Dom from [b:A Seditious Affair 25241403 A Seditious Affair (Society of Gentlemen, #2) K.J. Charles https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436568399l/25241403.SX50.jpg 44960983], and that's not a comparison I make lightly given how much I admire [a:K.J. Charles 7123498 K.J. Charles https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1418032373p2/7123498.jpg]'s work)A wild attraction and lots of creative love scenes including one that incorporates a political debate between the MCs (whoever loses the point has to lose an article of clothing)Both men are reluctant to get involved for some very real reasons, but the dreaded Big Misunderstanding is generally avoided by actual communication, and several times they almost break up but one of the MCs doesn't let it happen.Learning about a piece of modern history that I knew nothing about (the 2014 Scottish referendum on independence)Most of all, two men who absolutely shouldn't belong together yet the author convinced me they absolutely do, with humor, emotion and more than a bit of suspense. I wanted to slap Lord Andrew silly at first, but he very clearly learns and grows from his interactions with Colin. And I just wanted to wrap Colin up in a hug for all of the pain he had suffered. He was the most delicious combination of tattooed tough guy, fierce soccer player, devoted son/brother, and brainy nerd. I can't imagine Avery Cockburn can top this with the other couples in the rest of the series, but as long as Colin and Andrew are there to make at least cameo appearances, I'll be there for sure.