Friends with benefits—it never works. Someone always ends up wanting more.What happens when both want more, but neither will tell the other?Richard Murphy has been in the NHL for fifteen years, playing the game he loves. But with retirement looming in the next few years, he’s ready to settle down and start a family. There’s only one woman he wants that with, but she’s put him firmly into the … him firmly into the friends—with benefits—category. Can he change her mind and heart, and prove to her he’s playing for keeps?
Madison O’Neal has been a lover of sports since she was young. She and her dad bonded over them, both during and after her mother lost her battle with breast cancer. Her love of sports led to a successful career as a sports agent. As much as she loves her job, what she really wants is a family—and someone to call her own. But the one man she’s head-over-heels in love with has her in the friends—with incredible benefits—category.
Can Madison and Richard find their way through the murky waters of friendship and become the lovers they secretly want to be?
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Madison and Richard have been friends with benefits for a very long time, 7 years to be exact. They both feel something for each other but are afraid of rejection of the other not feeling the same, so nothing was ever mentioned until with a little help for Madison by her friends and the push that Richard needed to realize what he’s about to lose if he doesn’t man up and FINALLY these two declare their feelings towards one another.
This story has everything in it, and I wasn’t disappointed in reading this at all 🙂 It does have some tear-jerking moments in the second half of the story but luckily everything resolves and I’m glad, especially for Madison and her family <3
I liked the epilogue, though I wished we could have seen more into Madison and Richard's future in years into it like getting married and having kids but nonetheless, the ending was still sweet and at least these two FINALLY get their happily ever after <3
Playing for Keeps: Indianapolis Eagles Series Book #3, is Samantha Lind’s proverbial Hat Trick! I loved it, and I can relate to some of the story, I’m battling my own Cancer for the past almost 5 years, or my type of cancer is 5 years and yep I’m right there, but you fight every day and every day is a battle. My years are numbered, but there is always hope and love.
This book instilled a hope in me for love, that it is never to late to get the love of your life. Richard Murphy “Murphy” and Madison have been Friends with Benefits for several years, but little did the other know that they were only getting the benefits from each other and had were in a quasi-relationship. They love each other and no other but Madison had to start thinking of the future tells Richard that she wants to start to date again and that she has a date scheduled with a doctor friend of Kinley’s. Richard is heartbroken and angry but realizes he hasn’t told her or really expressed how he feels about her, so he must prove his intent.
This book is really well written, and I loved and felt every word of it. Samantha Lind thank you for once again knocking it out with this story. Your characters are amazing, and I can only think you know these people in real life to get them down so well.
Getting ready to start on Protecting her Heart and getting more into Mark and Laura’s story.
I gave this Book a rating of 5 ’s
Title: Playing for Keeps
Genre: Sports Romance, Second Chance Romance
Author: Samantha Lind
Format: Kindle Edition
Published on: Jun 14, 2018
I voluntarily received a Courtesy Copy of this book from Give Me Books Promotions and am choosing to leave a review.
>-< >–< >–< >–< >–<>–< >–< >–< >–< >–< >–< >–< >–< Character’s Descriptions: Richard Murphy 15-year veteran for the Indianapolis Eagles Hockey Team, if facing retirement in the next few years, he wants a family and he wants it with Madison nut she has friend zoned him Madison O’Neal is a sports agent hand is in love with Richard, but he has friend zoned her. >–< >–< >–< >–< >–<>–< >–< >–< >–< >–< >–< >–< >–< What I liked/Didn’t Like: Can two Friends with benefits, who have friend zoned each other but are in love with each other find love or will they just stay friends. Loved this book just like the first two books in this series. It was well written and easy to read and understand the sports terms used.
EEP!! I devoured this series and I still feel like I had to wait forever to get to this book! Richard and Madison are SO WORTH THE WAIT! The chemistry they have is undeniable! Watching them fall in love was perfection!
Communication is so important in a relationship. Friends with benefits can be a great arrangement, but what happens when one person ends up wanting more? Richard is a veteran player on the Indianapolis Eagles hockey team. Retirement is coming soon and he’s looking to settle down. His FWB, Madison, is the ideal woman. She’s a sports agent and loves her job, but she’s thinking more long term now. Maybe she should date and find the right man to settle down with. Madison thinks Richard is the best guy for her, too. Will these two ever get their wires uncrossed and compare notes? Throw in a scary diagnosis for Madison’s father and things get complicated.
I thought this book was a very sweet story. Richard is one hot hockey player and I enjoyed the game narration. There’s some very good steamy moments behind closed doors, as well. Playing for Keeps is a great addition to the Indianapolis Eagles series! 4 stars!
Sweet friends to lover’s story! Ashley @ White Hot Reads
After many years of being friends with benefits, Madison and Richard both wanted more. But both were afraid to tell each other and lose their friendship. This book three of the Indianapolis Eagles series and we get to see characters from the first two books. Watching how Madison and Richards relationship evolves and grows show another side of the hunky hockey player. The friendships and relationships that crossover from the first two books makes you loves this group even more. Even with Madison’s dad scare this group truly has a great support system. I loved watching these two grow and find their happily ever after.
I absolutely loved Playing For Keeps it was a sweet romance. The main couple had amazing chemistry. I really enjoyed reading about the previous characters as well and catching up on what they were doing. Overall, this was a great read and can’t wait for the next book.
It’s sweet, fun and heartwarming story. I loved the characters and the connection they have. I enjoyed the storyline and reading about their journey as they overcome insecurities. It’s an entertaining read.
Wasted Potential
2.5 stars
I went into this story, never having read this author before. I love strong characters and a good sports romance, so I decided to give Playing for Keeps a try. The main characters Madison and Richard were both likeable and interesting. Madison was independent, loyal, and caring. Richard was loving, supportive, and genuine. The sexy time scenes were pretty steamy, which I definitely appreciate. However, I felt the plot was exposed too early in the book and that there was no movement in the storyline from that point onward. Also, the author wrote using a great amount of passive voice which was more like someone telling you a story. In my opinion great books should show you a story not just tell you a story. The reader should be so immersed into the book that they can touch or feel it. This book was severely lacking in that regard. Unfortunately, I feel like Playing for Keeps was a wasted opportunity. This book just wasn’t for me.
My favorite one so far in this series!!
Books are my one great escape. A chance to disappear into someone else’s life for just a little while and possibly feel what they feel. Samantha Lind gave me all the feels in this Indianapolis Eagles, Book 3.
Richard Murphy has been a professional hockey player in the NHL for fifteen years
Madison O’Neal has a successful career as a sports agent and is in love with Richard Murphy but is afraid he doesn’t feel the same about her since they have had a friends with benefits relationship for years. So she decides she is going to start dating again.
All their friends know they love each other so with some friendly pushes they set out to see if they can get these two to stop being hard headed and admit to the other that they want more.
Madison’s dad gives them a scare when he is diagnosed with prostate cancer but it’s quickly brought under control.
I love how the players and their wives or girlfriends are such a close knit bunch and that we can keep seeing how the couples from the two previous books are doing in their lives.
I actually had to stop reading a couple of times during the proposal, to wipe tears. Yes it was just that special. So grab yourself a copy of this book and see what made it so special.
I’m hoping there will be another book in this series so that Laura and Mark can have their story.
I’ve been waiting for Murph!! I didn’t think anyone would top my love for Brian but Richard is all the swoon!
Murph and Madison have been friends with benefits for years but both have always been afraid to try to take it the next level. A little jealously goes a long way into getting the push into more. Their story is a quick, low angst book that I couldn’t put down. From the very beginning, I’ve been an Eagles fan (even though I don’t know anything about hockey in real life). I love Richard and Madison and I can’t wait to see what’s next for The Eagles players!!!
Playing For Keeps is the third book in the Indianapolis Eagles series and I so did enjoy it! Richard and Madison have been friends (with benifits) for years but they have both come to realize they want more. Samantha Lind wrote this story and these characters perfectly. She makes it so realistic, I found myself really rooting for this couple.
What a beautiful story! If you have read any of the books in this series you’ve already know a little of their story, and I was very anxious to get to know these two better. What an amazing rendition to this series.
They started out as friends with benefits for so so many years. Neither one looking for more with anyone else, but not really sure how to progress their explosive relationship. They were both afraid that if they went to far their friendship would implode. But is that really the case? They both hid their true feelings for so long, they weren’t sure where to go. Madison felt it was time to start dating, but Richard couldn’t deal with it. Was it time to take things to the next step?
This book was actually a great story of friends to lovers. No drama, or angst. Just friendship and love. I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author. I loved the love. It was just perfect.
This the third book in the series. This one was a nice light read that I gobbled up. Madison and Richard are friends with benefits, but secretly want more. Richard is dragging his feet and he might just cost himself the best thing in his life. I enjoy a friends to lovers story so this one is right up my alley. I liked the chemistry and connection between Madison and Richard. I thought this was a nice installment to the series. I mean the hero is a hockey player, yummy!
“We just fit. Like peanut butter and jelly go together. Madison and I just fit, we make sense together, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep it that way.”
Madison O’Neal needs to change things. The arrangement was fine for a while, but now her heart wants more. Seven years. This has been going on for seven years. He’s her best friend – with or without the benefits. And she loves him. But telling him that, when he doesn’t feel the same, could cost her his friendship. Life without him is unacceptable. She just needs to make him see her for more than just a mattress dance. It’s a delicate line she’ll have to walk to get what she wants but she’ll do what it takes to make him hers. Forever.
Richard “Rick” Murphy is in love with Madison. He knows it. She doesn’t. With possible retirement from hockey in the near future, he’s ready to settle down, and he’s already picked out the girl. He can’t imagine his life without her in it, and if he tells her how he really feels, he could lose her forever. Should he keep his mouth shut, or put his heart on the line? When another threatens to take her away, his decision is made, but is it too late? Has he lost his chance at a happily ever after with the woman of his dreams?
I love this series! From Scott and Becca to Brian and Kinley, and now Rick and Madison, these books are heartfelt and steamy too! I’d recommend this whole series!!
A very sweet friends with benefits turning to more. Richard (Murph) Murphy and Madison O’Neil have been friends with benefits for a number of years both falling in love with the other, but too scared to tell each other for fear of their feelings not being returned.
When Madison finally decides to try and move on from Murph, to something more serious, and chooses to go on a date, it finally Spurs Murph into action. Set up by one of Murph’s friends wives, with a hot doctor, Madison isn’t feeling what she should and misses Murph. After accompanying him to Richard to an event, things heat up between the pair and they finally reveal their feelings.
Things are finally going well in her personal life, but then Madison gets some news that threatens to change her life, thankfully Murph is by her side throughout it all.
A beautifully written story with loads of feels
Friends with benefits is what Richard and Madison are. The problem with this arrangement is that feelings always creep in and interfere with the arrangement and after awhile nobody benefits. Madison is a Sports Agent. Her love of sports and the bond it brings between her and her father has made her a successful agent. Richard has been an NHL player for 15 years. Playing a game he loves but his body is starting to tell him it may be time to hang up his skates. He also is ready to settle down and start a family.
It is getting harder and harder for Madison and Richard to hide their feeling. With a push from friends and the threat of Richard losing Madison has Richard going after what he wants. What he wants isn’t so easy to have. With relationship struggles and drama will they be able to have their happy end. Playing for Keeps is a sweet, sexy and entertaining read. I wish the book was longer but the pace of the storyline was set just right to pull you in and keep you engaged. Samantha has written another exceptional book in the Eagles series.
Richard and Madison were great together. I liked the story of friends to lovers. Chemistry was amazing, really great charactors.
Samantha really knows how to write a lovely, happy, romantic and steamy story!
We have been teased with bits about Madison and Richard in the first two books of the Indianapolis Eagles series and now we get the full story! I have been waiting anxiously for this!
Madison is a career woman, she is a hard as nails sports agent and she works hard to support her clients. She has had a friendship with Richard (Murph – to his friends and teammates) for YEARS and it has moved to the friends with benefits stage for a while. But she is looking for more. She is wanting the whole package, with feelings! And she wants it with Richard. However, she doesn’t want to lose the fantastic friendship her and Richard have. What’s a girl to do? What she doesn’t realize is…
Richard, oh my! I love his vulnerability. He too wants more from his “friendship” with Madison but doesn’t want to chance losing her. But when push comes to shove, he rises to the occasion brilliantly and makes sure that Madison knows where she stands with him.
I wanted to shake the both of them for waiting soooo long, but in the end it was worth it!
This is a low angst, lots of love romance, must read, that is classic Samantha! She is really knocking her stories out of the park and is getting better and better with each book she releases! Well done, Samantha! Well done!!