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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Playing for Keeps is the seventh in the series but can also be read as a stand alone. This is a story of opposites attract and misconceptions as to the truth of who people really are. Sadie and Caleb jointly rescue and adopt an abandoned dog. Sadie gives off a tough girl attitude that is really a protection shield against being hurt again. Caleb grew up a poor, sickly, bullied kid raised by his mother and 3 sisters. He is now extremely wealthy and takes care of all the people in his life and is leery of people taking care of him. Sparks have always flown between Caleb and Sadie but their joint ownership of Lollipop is bringing them closer together and learning to change their views of what is and what could be. This is a wonderfully written story, filled with laugh out loud moments and a few silent tears. Jill continues to draw you into the story making you feel as if you are part of the adventure.
One of the things that I really enjoy about Ms. Shalvis’ work is the heart and humor in the stories. I found myself laughing out loud (thankfully I was alone). I enjoyed this one and really look forward to the next one in the series.
Another awesome book from Jill Shalvis, my only complaint is that it ended. This was one of those books I wish would just keep going, could not put it down. Love everything she writes.
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Playing for Keeps
Jill Shalvis
I adored Playing for Keeps. The only reason I didn’t gave it 5 stars is because Caleb’s sisters are mean women that done something really disrespectful to Sadie and they didn’t admitted that they made a mistake, didn’t apologized and didn’t suffered any consequence. And if that wasn’t enough, his sister’s conduct was considered normal and Sadie had to apologize (not to them, but to someone else because of this disrespectful thing those mean women did). Revolting! Revolting!
Jill, why have you done this to me? I liked the book from the start. I adored Lollipop, Sadie and Caleb. Lollipop is the best. Sadie is formidable, one of the best female characters of all. Caleb is a great human being. Just the fact that he is rich and not idiot is already a relief. Break my heart not give 5 stars (but it’s going to the favorites list all the same).
Anyway, it was the first book by Jill Shalvis I read and won’t be the last. Of course I recommend Playing for Keeps. The book is super well written. So good that I think I’ll never be able to overcome what happened.
Irrespective, I loved the book. I hope the author don’t destroy your hearts like she destroyed mine (and that you adore her like I do).
Thank you Jill Shalvis.
Thank you for generously providing me this ARC in exchange of a honest review.
Follow Sol and Us around: https://linktr.ee/solandus2
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Playing for Keeps
Jill Shalvis
Eu adorei Playing for Keeps. Só não dei cinco estrelas porque as irmãs do Caleb são umas mulheres malvadas que fizeram uma coisa muito desrespeitosa com a Sadie e elas não reconheceram que cometeram um erro, não se desculparam e não sofreram nenhuma consequência. E como se não bastasse, a atitude das irmãs dele foi considerada normal e a Sadie teve que se desculpar (não com elas, mas com outra pessoa por causa dessa coisa desrespeitosa que essas mulheres malvadas fizeram). Revoltante! Revoltante!
Jill, por que você fez isso comigo? Eu gostei do livro desde o começo. Eu adorei a Lollipop, a Sadie e o Caleb. A Lollipop é o máximo. A Sadie é formidável, uma das melhores personagens femininas de todas. O Caleb é um ser humano ótimo. Só o fato dele ser rico e não ser um idiota já é um alívio. Quebra meu coração não dar 5 estrelas (mas vai para a lista dos favoritos mesmo assim).
Enfim, foi o primeiro livro que eu li da Jill Shalvis e não será o último. Com certeza eu recomendo Playing for Keeps. O livro é super bem escrito. Tão bom que eu acho que nunca vou conseguir superar o que aconteceu.
Independentemente, eu amei o livro. Espero que a autora não destrua seus corações como ela destruiu o meu (e que vocês a adorem como eu a adoro).
Obrigada, Jill Shalvis.
Agradeço por ter, generosamente, me fornecido o ARC em troca de uma resenha honesta.
Sigam Sol and Us por aí: https://linktr.ee/solandus2
Big fan of Jill Shalvis’ books. Another great addition to this series. I especially love the fun flirty conversations and sexy times between characters.
Playing for Keeps has all the feels! This story is beautiful! The ending left me wiping away the tears. I loved Sadie and all her pain. She’s hidden in the dark for far too long.
Caleb Parker- aka Suit- discovers an abandoned dog hiding in the rain. When Sadie goes to investigate she can’t help the connections she feels with the dog. The dog had been abused and born with only three legs. Caleb and Sadie decide to co-parent the abandon dog.
The new commitment allows Caleb to spend time Sadie. Although there is a spark between them, Sadie’s armor keeps Caleb at an arms length.
Caleb and Sadie both have a painful past.However their present is very different. Caleb is a successful mogul and Sadie a starving artist. It’s difficult for Sadie to trust any man. Caleb fights for Sadie. He won’t give up however his over protective sisters have other ideas.
I really enjoyed this sweet, touching story. 5 Stars
4.5 stars! This story was so freaking adorable and fun. Sadie and Caleb’s banter was priceless. Throw a cute dog and fun antics into the mix and it was pretty perfect. Playing for Keeps was an entertaining read that was heartfelt and real, from the sweet to the heat I was all in!
Where to start with this one. This wasn’t my favorite novel by Jill. Unfortunately I had lots of issues with this one. The story line is really cute. I mean two people rescue a three legged dog and co-parent it. What’s not to love?? Both characters are great on their own and getting to know them better was a good bit of the story and was entertaining. Jill deals with some hard issues in this one; Bullying and Cutting. If those bother you, I’d probably skip this one. If not you might have a better perspective on these two than I did.
The story: two people are drawn together by a three legged dog and decide to co-parent it. However, one is rich and one is ultra poor. So the rich one decides to foot all the costs and the poor one decides to teach how to be a good pet parent. Of course Caleb does not listen to a word Sadie says and soon the dog is sleeping in bed with him. They are two people who have seen and overcome some hard things in their life. Caleb understands Sadies decisions because of lack of money; he was there once. Sadie understands his two sides, the one with the tattoos overcoming his bullying since she too has a few tattoos doing the same thing, and his dressed-armored up side, just like her work life.
For the last part–Ratings. Overall I think Jill decided to take on some tough subjects, but tried to make them too mainstream and so it left a lot of true emotion out of the story so lots of people would be able to think about the issues without giving themselves trigger warnings.
So, although it seems like there would be a lot to discover in this relationship, I felt wanting by the end. Caleb never revealed to Sadie any truly traumatic stories that would make us or her understand how much the bullying affected him, or why he trusts very few people in his life. On the other hand Sadie shows all of herself and her family to him. He also wants this relationship way more than Sadie seemed to. She was the one with things that needed help to get over, but Caleb kind of got over all his issues on his own. Also, I feel like the relationship with Sadie’s family was a little off. The scenes with them don’t quite fit the descriptions of what should be happening. Overall, I was a bit disappointed in this one and am only giving it a 3 of 5 rating.
I absolutely loved Sadie and Caleb’s story in Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis, book seven in her Heartbreaker Bay series. Caleb Parker is a wealthy successful entrepreneur who is very close to his sisters, who all work with him. The Parker family is loyal and protective of each other. Sadie Lane is working two jobs, tattoo artist and in a spa, in order to make ends meet. She appears tough, always needing to have the last, often sarcastic response, as she does not care to open herself to a chance of again getting hurt. She is private, keeping her past to herself, and unlike Caleb, is not close to her family. One stormy, rainy night, Caleb encounters an abandoned three legged dog, trying to catch it. Sadie, who knows Caleb as a businessman who she calls “Suits”, tries to help him with capturing the dog. Together they rescue the dog and decide they both want to keep the dog Lollipop, as Sadie named her. Sadie and Caleb decide co-owning the dog is best, forcing them to work together, and learn how to ask someone else for help.
Caleb was an asthmatic and scrawny youngster, often the victim of bullies. One day he met a dojo who helped him learn to protect himself and save his life. As Caleb made his mark in the world he made sure his sisters and mom had all they needed, money-wise, and helped others, like his old dojo, in dire straits. Sadie was a round peg in a family of square holes; she did not fit. Misunderstood by her family she suffered from their over the top concern with her and her differences; losing much of her freedom and confidence. It was not surprising that she wouldn’t let people get close to her. Caleb wanted to help her, take care of her but knew she would resent any interference in her life. On paper Caleb and Sadie were opposites, him rich and she struggling, but they both loved that dog to pieces. As they spent time together, getting to know each other, their attraction grew and became steamy. I loved that Caleb was the first to truly see Sadie, through her walls, through her armor, and started understanding her. Saying that, Caleb and Sadie are experts as sabotaging any relationship they’ve been in and this one has its moments; especially when a major misunderstanding occurs causing trust issues. Like the other residents in Cow Hollow, I was cheering on these two toward a happy ending.
Ms. Shalvis wrote a wonderfully sexy, emotional and heartwarming story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with amusing and sexy banter, out loud laughs, sarcasm, and endearing characters not only giving Sadie and Caleb a chance at having a solid, loving future together but also a wonderful network of supportive friends. This book is totally in Jill Shalvis’ voice; I could hear her voice and many of her funny tales as I read this book. I highly recommend Playing for Keeps to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Jill Shalvis has done it again with her latest book in the Heartbreakers Bay series with Caleb & Sadie as the main characters. They work through their issues to get their own HEA. Great book, great characters & great series!! Ready for the next book!!
Book #7 of the Heartbreaker Bay could also be part of the Animal Magnetism series as there is a cute dog and it is chemical magnetism that pulls the main characters together. We find out more about Caleb Parker and Sadie Lane and why they are the way they are, outwardly very different, but having more in common they they realize, having built walls around their hearts to keep them safe from hurt. Having been circling each other for a while, one night in the courtyard they rescue a cute 3 legged dog, and end up co-parenting Lollypop. The more time they spend together, their walls comes down, but Sadie’s insecurities keep getting in the way. I don’t really like Sadie so much. She hates being judged and guards her privacy, but has no problem with judging Caleb or invading his privacy. I would have liked to see Caleb with Ivy instead, who is looking for love, and will probably be one of the main characters in the next book. Nevertheless, the book is a joy to read, with the author’s appealing and humorous narrative and endearing characters.
Great as always!!!
Copied from Goodreads:
Giving a 4.5. I would have given it 4 for just Lollipop/Poops-a- lot! Caleb and Sadie are both characters who wear the scars of their past both on their bodies and on their psyches. They had been on the fringes of each other’s lives until they both find and co-adopt Lollipop. Exposing their hearts to the dog opens each of them to the other. Only reason why I am not giving this a 5 is because I think Caleb is a bit too perfect (not that I would object on a personal level). I loved how Ms Shalvis used his old master to show Caleb’s vulnerability but he really seems to have few if any flaws so there is an imbalance in the protagonists. Sadie has a much more complicated personality and we see her development more. Highly recommended.
I gotta say, I loved it so much more than I even thought I would…the characters, their history, their triumphs and failures, their journey, and of course LOLLIPOP! OMG…the addition of this three-legged rescued furry friend was the cherry on the already irresistible sundae. You’ll ride the highs, and sink with the lows, as these two work out how to get exactly what they want out of life, and love, even when it doesn’t look like what they thought they wanted from the start. My only hang up….the cover. I know, I know…don’t judge a book and all that, and while I totally subscribe to that mantra, I just didn’t feel this one as much as the others in the series. The character representations? Spot on. The setting…I get it, but it just didn’t hit the spot. Cie la vie, the story ROCKED, so regardless of your dislike or lust for the imagery, get thyself to your favorite bookstore or online portal stat and grab your copy today! Oh and yeah, older teen through adult readers only.
**copy received for review
I could not put down the book. The characters each had their own problems and it was fun watching them work through them. Very funny.
I enjoy all of of Jill Shalvis’s books, but this one was especially fun due to the presence of one adorable, three-legged pup. Caleb and Sadie have been circling each other for awhile, when one stormy night Lollipop brings them together. (Jill writes so vividly, it was easy for me to picture these two standing in the rain, arguing about the dog lol). As they share custody, they begin to see each other in a new light. Sadie realizes that Caleb isn’t the stuck up “suit” that she thought he was, and Caleb recognizes that behind the tough exterior, Sadie is a fragile soul struggling with self-esteem issues. I only have two complaints about this book. First, I found it to be lacking some of the humor that is usually found in spades in a Jill Shalvis book. Second, I really could not stand Caleb’s sisters and the way they treated him like an idiot who couldn’t run his own life. True, they redeemed themselves in the end, but I wish Caleb had let them have it a bit more.
I know I can always count on Jill Shalvis to bring the swoons. Playing for Keeps is the latest in a long list of books of hers that I’ve fallen totally in love with. There’s just something about her writing that does it for me. Books like hers, particularly her Heartbreaker Bay series, are why I read romance.
I love love loved Caleb and Sadie. She was sassy and relatable. He was total book boyfriend material. As much as I enjoy grumpy guys or bad boys, sometimes it’s nice to read a nice, uncomplicated hero. It’s also nice to read about adult characters who talk through the challenges they come up against in their relationship instead of ignoring them or just overreacting. Caleb and Sadie had amazing chemistry, especially considering she wasn’t his biggest fan early in the book. Oh and Lollipop, the three-legged dog they adopted together? All the flipping feels. I adored that dog… and I’m not even that much of a dog person. Side note: I love how Jill includes a pet in each of her books. I think it makes her characters more relatable. Plus, adorable pets always get a thumbs up from me.
Playing the Keeps was so good that, instead of breezing right through it, I read it slowly to savor it. I didn’t even pick it up if there was a chance I would be distracted by something else. I loved Caleb and Sadie and their story so much, I wanted to give it my full attention. Things unfolded between them in such a natural way. I was all in for these two and I loved how they each grew throughout this book. Especially Sadie, though. She didn’t have the easiest past and I just really wanted to see her happy. Caleb gave her just that. They were amazing together.
Favorite Quotes:
Yes, he was fun, flirty and charming, but she was highly suspicious of all those things.
“So I’m not quiet. I’m opinionated and stubborn and I like to think I know what I’m doing at all times.”
“How am I supposed to make big decisions when I still have to sing the alphabet in my head to get to the right letter?”
“Some things are worth fighting for. Love is most definitely one of those things.”
“You’re not an easy woman, Sadie.”
“I am a handful. But that’s why you have two hands.”
“I’ve got you, Sadie, I promise you. Give me all your pieces, I can take everything you’ve got.”
“How do I look?”
“Perfect. You look like the rest of my life.”
Sadie Lane was one of the most heartbreaking characters that Jill Shalvis has ever written about which is fitting for this to be a Heartbreakers Bay Novel. Cutting is something that is psychologically misunderstood by people all the time. Some people feel that it’s just a way to.show manipulation but most of the time it’s a way to let out pain and anger about a situation. Sadie’s family instead of getting her help, they get her the wrong type of help which just reinforces that she can’t trust people and causes the cutting to increase. The way that Jill Shalvis handled the issue was well done and handled as if she knew someone who had gone threw it. I’m glad I got to read it ahead of time because I had a client going through something similar at the time and this was a good book to recommend.
Caleb knows he can’t rush into anything with Sadie because he senses what she’s been through, so he takes it as slow as he needs too. His motto is “one step at time” and he manages to slowly sneak past her defenses but he always feels like he’s takes two steps forward and twelve paces back.
I love that Jill always puts animals/dogs in her books because I believe in the healing power of animal therapy. I work in Psychology and bring my puppy (cocker spaniel) to work every day and it’s an absolute surprise everytime to see the change in people when a child talks for the first time, the breakthrough of a relationship that was over, and an autistic child that plays with abandon. It’s real and unfiltered.
The way that Lollipop comes into Sadie and Caleb’s lives and brought them together was priceless and the first step to opening their hearts for something more. Sadie had to look beneath the surface of Caleb and see the heart and Caleb had to do the same. I loved that this dog wasn’t perfect but in the imperfection was beauty and soon became the spoiled. If you’re looking for lighthearted silliness for an afternoon-this isn’t it. This was raw, unfiltered and real-life, but beautiful. I would recommend to everyone. Pictured above is Grace our therapy/ESA we use at our office and she is amazing!!!
Jill Shalvis is always at the top of my “to be read” pile. She has a way of bringing her characters to life and making you feel like you’re right there witnessing all the action in her stories. And never feels like a repeat of another story. Sadie and Caleb seem like opposites, but with the right catalyst (hello, Lollipop the adorable 3 legged dog!) they are destined to get to know one another. I love that there are glimpses of characters from former books, but even a first time reader can enjoy them. The secondary characters are also always well developed and lend so much to the story.
I DEFINITELY recommend Playing for Keeps! And if you haven’t read the rest of the series, you won’t regret getting those as well!
*ARC given for Honest review
This is the 19th book that I have read of Jill’s and #7 in the Heartbreaker Bay series. I have to be honest that this book took me a little bit to get into but once I got into the story I was hooked.
Jill does a great job of creating well developed characters that make a story you want to keep on reading to find out what happens to them in the end. In addition to the well developed characters she also does a great job of adding humor to the story so that it isn’t just a boring romance story that puts you to sleep. For instance the humor between Sadie, Caleb and their adopted dog Lollipop just made me giggle out loud a number of times and had my dog Oliver staring at me.
Lastly, I really think this is Jill’s best story yet. This story does not only have the romance, humor, family aspect and cute animals but also has the struggle of a woman trying to open heart to an attractive successful business man. Not just because of the normal stuff but because of serious things that happened during her teenage years. Mrs. Shalvis tackled the issue with facts and details which will make this story feel real and relatable to readers.
I can’t wait to read more in this series from her. I recommend this book to anyone that reads fiction, romance and comedy.