If you’re planning on falling in love… to the seemingly invincible hottie.
you’d better be sure…
Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.
… someone is there to catch you.
Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.
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Caleb Parker is all work and no play until he meets Mercedes Lane. Sadie has her own demons but these two put all the pieces together. So fun reading more in this series!
Sadie Lane has to be the most heartbreaking character that Jill Shalvis has ever written about. The idea of someone cutting themselves can easily be misunderstood. It’s not about the act itself but about having a way to control their pain & situation. In this case, Sadie’s family misunderstood & instead of getting her the right kind of help, they created more pain & hurt by forcing the wrong help on her. For someone fighting for control of their feelings & pain, taking that control away is the worst thing & can cause a lot of damage. Sadie has so many shields up that nobody gets completely through them.
Caleb senses the pain & mistrust that is such a huge part of Sadie & knows he has to take it slow. One step at a time, he manages to sneak past her barriers but it’s always one step forward, two back. Sadie begins to open up as she realizes Caleb has a background that’s far from perfect too.
I loved the way rescuing Lollipop not only brought them together but also opened their hearts the first step. Sadie had to realize he wasn’t just the “suits” he wore & has a tender side. They both lowered their guard due to the empathy for the abandoned three legged dog. She was so cute & quickly became very spoiled!! Sadie may not have had a perfect family that understood her but the guys at the tattoo parlor became her big brothers & were always looking out for her. This wasn’t a lighthearted quick read but I felt it really made me think & engaged my sympathy & emotions. I couldn’t put it down!
I don’t think that Jill Shalvis can write a bad book. All of her characters have their own special quirks, some loveable, some not. Sadie and Caleb were no different. Their love for Lollipop (or as some call her “Poops A Lot”) is just the beginning for two people who don’t want to get involved in a relationship. It’s always good to catch up with a few others from the Heartbreaker Bay series. The good thing is that you don’t have to read the previous books to read this one. But I would highly recommend reading all of Jill Shalvis’s books. You won’t be sorry.
Playing For Keeps by Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay 7
Caleb and Sadie… whoa! I just loved these two. They had chemistry right from the start! Their story was written well, all the characters are wonderful and honestly everytime Sadie went to Ivy’s taco truck, I have to say I was a wee bit jealous.. her tacos sounded so good!
This is still one of my favourite series. I see Ivy’s story is due out in September! Looking forward to it.
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
An enemies to lovers romance with an animal rescue, consider me sold! This book had me captivated right from the start. I’m a sucker for rescue animals, especially when seemingly cold-hearted humans open up to them. The witty banter and undeniable chemistry between Caleb Parker and Sadie Lane makes for a journey you want to go on again and again! Caleb is the focused business man, while Sadie is the laid-back one with a past she wants to keep hidden. Lollipop is the loyal rescue pup along for the ride in this romantic comedy, and you definitely don’t want to miss out!
You can never go wrong with this author. A very good read.
This book had me snort-laughing at the most inappropriate times – much like all the books I’ve read by Ms. Shalvis. I didn’t think it could happen however Caleb Parker may be shouldering Sawyer Thompson (from a previous JS book) out of the way for the number one position in my heart. Maybe it will end up being a tie!
About the story: Caleb and Sadie Lane do a magnificent dance around each other, with all the Shalvis trademark snark and humor. Both of these characters have heart and depth…even though sometimes it is hard to find in Sadie – or even Caleb for that matter. Caleb rescues and they both adopt a little lost dog…and Sadie names him Lollipop. The dog, too, is hilarious, a big goof, and full of love to give.
I enjoyed reading about Caleb’s younger years and at times, my heart broke for him. He had the love of his family, though, even if they drive him crazy (in present day). Too funny. Sadie’s family is, well, it’s hard to explain. Her journey and story will make you want to hug her, hopefully without her slapping you silly.
How can you not help but fall in love with a three legged dog, Lollipop!! So that’s what Sadie and Caleb did, so they share joint custody. Very opposite of each other but will soon find they are fighting some of the past demons and can’t fight the physical attraction between them.
Loved Sadie, such a past and broken but is determined to do for her self. She is now so strong and wants to help others with their scars.
Caleb is my new book boyfriend, he looks so put together on the outside but has his own demons he has been fighting with. He is so good to Sadie. Now his sisters, I could do without, they are such PITA’s!!
This is the perfect read with plenty of banter, humor and a sexy relationship. Plus I loved Lollipop!!
I have been reading Jill Shalvis’ books for about a year now and I have only read a few but I have been enjoying what I have read so far.
Playing for Keeps is book 7 in Heartbreaker Bay and you don’t really need to read all the previous books in the series. This book was so good. I love Caleb and Sadie.
This story is a well written, quick read that gets you hooked and might make you cry a little.
I recommend this one.
Playing for Keeps is the seventh book in Jill Shalvis beloved Heartbreaker Bay series. For those familiar with the series, the characters here are new ones with previous beloved characters making cameo appearances here and there. Still, the heart of the series is always present and this time around it’s two hardened souls who found the most unexpected way of connecting and falling in love. I simply adore Jill Shalvis’ writing, it’s funny, sexy but most of all she happens to imbue her characters with their own individual character stamp that makes each love story unique. It was wonderful to read and experience Sadie and Caleb’s journey and to find out how each of them manage to make their own lives despite their childhood is inspiring. Playing for Keeps is definitely worth keeping.
The seventh book in the Heartbreaker Bay series, Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis was a heart-warming and sexy addition to this fantastic contemporary series. Shalvis has perfected the sexy-sweet alpha-hero, and she introduces another one to her readers in Caleb Parker. A bit scarred by his childhood, Caleb has overcome a great deal to become the suit-wearing, billionaire genius that he is today.
Sadie Lane has her own difficult past, and her present isn’t nearly as bright and shiny as Caleb’s. A struggling tattoo artist, Sadie works long hours at two jobs and is barely making ends meet. She’s a bit rough-around-the-edges, and she relies on her sarcastic wit and a tough-girl-exterior to keep people, especially interested men, at bay. She’s run into Caleb, or Suits as she calls him, a few times through mutual friends, and although she’s definitely felt a zing of attraction to him, she has successfully ignored it. But everything starts to change between the two of them the night she finds him in the courtyard in the rain.
That night, Caleb and Sadie work together to rescue a scared, hungry and cold, three-legged little dog that they named Lollipop. They both fall hard for the little pup and wind up in a canine co-parenting situation. With the sparks flying, it wasn’t too long before they gave in to that pull. Between meddling family members and the emotional walls they had to scale, this couple had some struggles to get through that ramped up the feels in this otherwise sweetly romantic, opposites-attract love story. Caleb was so thoughtful and swoon-worthy, and while it may have taken this prickly heroine a little persuading to come around, he was eventually able to convince Sadie that he was playing for keeps.
Jill Shalvis blends heart-tugging emotion, humor and heat into entertaining plots about endearing characters, and I absolutely love her feel-good love stories. Well written, charming and romantic, Playing for Keeps made my heart happy and kept me smiling the whole way through. Four smooches from me!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
4.5 ”Follow Your Heart” Stars!
Caleb Parker is a confident, charming, charismatic gorgeous man living in San Francisco. He’s a hugely successful, well known venture capitalist who seems to have the midas touch in business. He’s driven when it comes to his career, but never has put much effort into his personal life. He doesn’t date much or do relationships. Then one evening he rescues an abandoned dog with a beautiful woman named Sadie Lane, and everything changes. They have mutual friends in common, so they occasionally ran into each other. Every time they crossed paths they seemed to rub each other the wrong way. She always was too busy judging him to really see him, but he’d been fascinated with her since they met. She was temptation walking. A ridiculously sexy, edgy tattoo artist who was also opinionated, sarcastic, and stubborn. They were polar opposites, but he still wanted to get to know her better.
Sadie Lane is a fiercely independent, incredibly private woman who rarely lets anyone get too close. She works two jobs, and had long ago given up on men, and was working on herself. She tried to keep her dark parts hidden, and built up a tough outer shell to protect her heart. Then she suddenly finds herself co-parenting a dog with a know it all, buttoned up suit named Caleb Parker. He was everything she wasn’t, and completely out of her league. He was heartbreakingly beautiful, and disarmingly sexy. Then to top it all off he was also a dog whisperer. She hated how attracted she was to him. She had all these preconceived ideas about him that were wrong. He was actually a great guy and super kind, and shockingly could handle her sass without blinking an eye.
Caleb & Sadie are both dangerously attracted to one another, and didn’t know what to do about all these new feelings. Neither particularly liked emotions or commitment. Sadie was the first woman who didn’t want anything from Caleb. She continually pushed him away, but he was patient with her. She made him feel something he’d never felt, which was vulnerable. He was slowly becoming convinced she was meant to be his, but Sadie isn’t used to trusting or people loving her for who she is. Will either be willing to put their heart on the line for love and risk it all?
I really enjoyed this story and love this series. I’ve read 24 books by Jill Shalvis, and the Heartbreaker Bay series is one of my favorites! I have been so looking forward to getting Caleb’s book, and he didn’t disappoint. It was everything I wanted and more. A delicious billionaire with a beautiful heart. Just loved it!
I will read anything that Jill Shalvis writes, no exceptions. She has an easy blend of humor and sass that never fails to delight. While I am behind in the Heartbreaker Bay series (too many books and not enough time!) I picked Playing For Keeps up with ease and wondered what I was missing in the previous ones. Caleb is one of my favorite book boyfriends of all time and I definitely want more. The previous books definitely made a move up in my TBR pile.
I voluntarily reviewed and ARC of this novel.
I am a Jill Shalvis junkie. This book is one of my favorites because it was just so good. Sadie and Caleb are such perfect matches for each other…they fill each other’s empty places and heal past scars. A shared custody of a three-legged dog and The Coven add some fun and unavoidable bumps in the road, but watching these two hearts trust and love was an awesome time!
When you read a Jill Shalvis book you know you’re going to get amazing one-liners, banter for days, adorable animals, and steamy sexy times. All of these are front and center in Playing for Keeps, the seventh book in her Heartbreaker Bay series, but there’s also a beautiful and frank representation of living with and understanding a mental health issue.
Caleb and Sadie are opposites attract on the surface but soon realize they have more in common than they think. I loved the surety of Caleb and the tough yet vulnerableness of Sadie and Lollipop is too cute for words! I’m also hoping that frequent mentions of Kel means a trip back to the Sunshine, Idaho gang is in our future!
As mentioned, this is book seven in the series but interacts in a very minimal way with only a few of the characters from the first six books, and certainly not to a degree where you would need to read any of the first six books (and I’m a read in order fanatic!) although they are great and you will surely love them too!
Sadie Lane does not do love, she has been burnt too many times to go there again, so she puts off this prickly, somewhat sarcastic front to shield herself from the enemy. But then her friends bring Caleb Parker into her world, and suddenly maintaining that standoffish exterior becomes harder than ever to keep up. He has trouble written all over him, but convincing her heart and head to be on the same page about that becomes a major problem!!
Every time Caleb Parker is near Sadie Lane he notices the sparks, but she doesn’t seem to notice them, or him for that matter. She acts like she can’t stand him, constantly pushing him away with sarcastic comments, and damn if he still doesn’t want to get to know her, there is just something about her that cannot be denied. He just needs to find a way in… little does he know a scared little dog is about to give him that chance.
Playing for Keeps brings you a swoony love story that is good for your heart, each page is filled with humor and feisty banter that will have you giggling out loud! I absolutely loved this character pairing, the moment they graced the pages I was enamored with them and their unique little union. They tried so hard to fight the sparks, but ultimately love won out, and they both found themselves surrendering to it, and boy was it fun to watch the battle unfold! This is definitely one of my favorites from this author, it had everything I crave in a story, and then some, Caleb really helped seal the deal for me! He was the perfect book boyfriend, sexy, sweet, considerate, and just a tad bossy!! Highly recommend you get your hands on this newest offering from Ms. Shalvis, her wonderfully crafted characters will have you beaming throughout!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay, #7) by Jill Shalvis I don’t know how you do it Jill …but I fall harder with each book. Thank you so much for letting me preview and review this. Caleb Parker (rich …handsome…funny…sweet ..don’t tell him I said that) Sadie (tattoo artist.. she never felt like she fit in her family..dark past..also funny, caring and shielded) Heartbreaker Bay is where we all would like to live and fall in love… It was fun touching base will some of our old friends and getting updated on their lives…This book has all the feels..tears happy and sad, laughter, secrets, hot steamy sex, lets not forget lollipop and of course a very HEA.
Another great addition to the Heartbreaker Bay series. I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review – but I would and will gladly pay full price for this as soon as it’s released. Once again I find myself deeply invested in a Jill Shalvis series. These are great characters that make me laugh, cry and sometimes scream at my kindle as I read these well written and developed story lines.
I love these books and this author – simply because I always know what I’m going to get. Outstanding characters that are well written and entertaining to read. Not to mention just enough steamy parts to make me develop unhealthy crushes on these alpha male characters.
This book/series/ author is a must have for any fans of modern contemporary romance. Great addition to any book lovers collection.
Happy Reading…enjoy!
The Heartbreaker Bay Series is my favorite Jill Shalvis series (well, until she starts the next one). Fair Warning: You’ll want to read the whole series even though each book is a standalone. The latest in the series –Playing for Keeps has the elements that I love in a good Shalvis read. The characters are so well developed that you feel like you know them – I mean, ‘pick up the phone and call them for a chat’ know them. There is always a danger of falling head over heels in book love for the hero or heroine (whichever you prefer). She has created a diverse group of individuals as a backdrop which makes the story feel real. AH and the banter. Yes the banter sucks me in Every. Single. Time. I find myself laughing, cheering, encouraging, sympathizing, and feeling like a crazy person for being an armchair cheerleader for the characters. I am also a four legged hairy kid supporter and Jill includes a great centerpiece in her stories. Caleb and Sadie seem so far apart on the spectrum that the reader wonders how they can come together in a way that makes sense. The author has skillfully handled some real life issues with Caleb and Sadie in a positive way and the lessons learned reveal that good things can happen. Out of all the books in the series, this is the only one where I couldn’t wrap my head around the identity of some of the characters with the names. Definitely worth the read.
I was given a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. However, I’ve bought each of Jill’s books in paperback both for myself and as gifts. Yes, they are that good!
This was such a fun book! Loved this series!!