A sexy, brother’s best friend hockey romance from New York Times bestseller Kendall Ryan, kicks off a series you’ll devour! “PLAYING FOR KEEPS IS PERFECT!” -Modern Belle “A TOTAL, UTTER MUST READ.” -Book FanaticI’ve never been so stupid in my entire life.My teammate’s incredibly sweet and gorgeous younger sister should have been off-limits, but my hockey stick didn’t get that memo.After our team … off-limits, but my hockey stick didn’t get that memo.
After our team won the championship, and plenty of alcohol, our flirting turned physical and I took her to bed.
Shame sent her running the next morning from our catastrophic mistake. She thinks I don’t remember that night—but every detail is burned into my brain so deeply, I’ll never forget. The feel of her in my arms, the soft whimpers of pleasure I coaxed from her perfect lips…
And now I’ve spent three months trying to get her out of my head. Which has been futile, because I’m starting to understand she’s the only girl I’ll ever want.
I have one shot to show her I can be exactly what she needs, but Elise won’t be easily convinced.
That’s okay, because I’m good under pressure, and this time, I’m playing for keeps.
Free Bonus With Purchase
✔ A bonus scene in his POV that you DO NOT want to miss!
✔ A sneak preview of the next book in the series
Get ready to meet your new favorite hot jocks in this series of stand-alone novels. If you like sexy, confident men who know how to handle a stick (on and off the ice), and smart women who are strong enough to keep all those big egos in check, this series of athlete romances is perfect for you!
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Love the connection between Elise and Justin, both trying to deny their attraction in order to keep the peace for friendship shake. Hilarious of all the antics of players and good friends always messing with each other, but truly understand the meaning of love, friendship and forgiveness. I especially enjoyed the bonus ending of Owen’s escaped of his sex emergency.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kendall Ryan does it again. Another great read. Justin is your typical pro athlete. Single enjoying the good life. A different woman in his bed every night, no commitment, not a relationship type of guy. He comes from a home that did not know love. He became a pawn in his parents divorce. He thinks he is unlovable. Then you have Elise. Sweet, a preschool teacher, so unlike the puck bunnies he is used to and also his best friends little sister. S h e always loved Justin since she was a little girl. Getting involved with her was the last thing he thought would happen. But one drunk night was all it took. They agreed it would be a friend’s with benefit type of thing. And when one grew feelings for the other they would call it quits. Easy easy or so he thought. After all he was not relationship material and therefore would not grow feelings for her. And how could she fall for him knowing the kind of guy he was. Especially because he was unlovable.
Sometimes we can’t help who we fall in love with. The heart knows what the heart wants. Kendall did such an amazing job with the telling of their relationship. It was given time to grow. Even before Justin and Elise got together he was coming to the realization that the whole puck bunny scene, the sleeping with girls and not remembering their name the next morning was not what it used to be. He even began to think was he a relationship type of guy. He wanted to give it a chance. What better person to try it with then someone who accepted you for who you were in the inside. One who didn’t care what your bank book looked like. A woman who was not looking to score with the hot hockey player. Justin and Elise entered this relationship not expecting anything and came out of it with a happily ever after.
This is the first of a brand new series and I cannot wait to see what is in store for the others.
Elise Parrish and Justin Brady have known each other forever. After all, her brother Owen and Justin have been best friends forever and are teammates on the same hockey team.
But what happens when they both start to see each other as more than a friend? Especially when Justin is determined to never get settle down and get married.
One night lines get blurred and now things have become strained in their friendship. And now neither can stop thinking about the other.
Can Elise and Justin get over their hurdles and be together? Definitely one click this now!
Oh, man. Kendall Ryan & hockey. Together. In one story. And this friends-to-lovers, best friends little sister romance as perfect as I’d hoped.
Justin plays hockey and he has grown weary of the wild parties and unmemorable hookups. His roommate and best friend, Owen, has a younger sister, Elise, of whom he is equally fond. Their relationship changes after one wild night. But will Justin get over his fear of hurting Elise to carve out a happy ending? Can Elise prove to him they can be friends and lovers?
Kendall Ryan is one of my go-to authors who never disappoints. You’re in for a real treat.
Thanks Booksprout for the opportunity to read and review this title.
When you can’t act on your feelings you know the universe is out to jinx you !! She is beautiful, sexy and smells like heaven BUT when she is your best friend and teammates Little Sister you know she is off limits .. always HAS been and always WILL be OR will see ….
Justin has always been a man whore and according to Owen he will forever be his wing man on and off the ice. Something is changing for Justin .. he always believed he wasn’t enough for any woman .. even Elise .. BUT he realizes he want more and by more he means Elise !!
When you know someone your whole life you will no doubt have feelings for them so when Elise tried to keep her feelings out of the picture with Justine and just be f – – – buddies BUT we ALL know that won’t happen ..
The attraction and chemistry Elise and Justin have is off the charts !! Can they work through there feelings and show Owen they are meant to be together .. everyone else thinks it is a good idea .. even though they don’t !!
For this being Kendals first hockey book it is a Perfect Shot !! Loved it !! Can’t wait for Owen and Bella’s book !!
Justin and Elise both have secrets, and neither want to share them for fear of the other finding out, and what it will mean for their friendship. They, along with Elise’s brother, have been friends for years, and it’s always been known that Justin isn’t allowed to go near Elise, she is the forbidden little sister.
But sometimes love doesn’t obey unwritten rules or like to be kept a secret, and these two are about to learn that fact. Between their sneaking glances and sultry little fantasies these two know that what they have could be seriously hot, and a lot of fun, but they also know that it could end on a sour note too. Justin has always maintained that he isn’t a relationship kind of guy, and Elise has given up on finding Mr. Right, so a strings free friendship could bode well for both of them. Or it could lead to something neither of them ever expected to have, question is are they daring enough to give it a shot?
The moment your eyes hit the pages of this one you will be swept up in it’s beautifully penned words and mesmerized by it’s charming cast of characters. Playing for Keeps is a can’t miss tale!! I absolutely loved this pairing, their forbidden little journey had me smiling and swooning throughout. Nothing keeps you teetering on the edge of your seat quite like a forbidden passion-fueled romance, the anticipation and uncertainty of how it would all end darn near killed me. This one had some emotional highs and lows, but it also had humor to balance things out too, it was a perfectly blended tale. I’ve got to say this might just be my all time favorite read from Ms. Ryan, it had everything I want in a story and left me craving more!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Of course it is Freaking Awesome! What a great Best Friends/Sister romance. I just love this story. It has all the warm and fuzzies, along with some not so happy minutes! This series looks like it is going to be so good based on this book alone! I can only imagine what will happen with the rest of the group!
A wellwritten pageturner that I loved reading! Love the storyline and all the characters within. Will definitely check out the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5 Finally Seeing What’s Right in Front of Him Stars!!
I may have let out a little EEEPPP when I saw this book was an Audible Original and I could stem my road-rage while listening to the deliciousness of Jason Clarke and Virginia Rose acting out Ms. Ryan’s words in this first book of her new Hot Jocks series.
Elise has had a crush on her older brother’s best friend Justin for as long as she can remember. But he’s always been off limits…until one night that changes everything. At least Elise thought it did and boy was she in for a rude awakening the next morning. Unbeknownst to Elise, Justin has feelings for her too, but he’s not sure how to navigate around her brother without causing a friendship ending fight. This is where the fun really begins with our H/h.
Ms. Ryan does a great job of keeping this story captivating and sexy. These two are definitely on fire and I found myself having to turn the A/C up in my car because it got so hot! I shouldn’t be surprised though because quick, sexy and dirty are three of my favorite things of her writing and she definitely delivers that and so much more with this story.
I laughed, swooned and fanned my way through this book and I’m so looking forward to the next one in this series!
Kendall Ryan is one of my all-time favorite authors! I have read all of her books and loved every single one of them. Playing for Keeps was amazing! I was looking forward to reading this and she did not disappoint!
This is the first book in the Hot Jocks series and focuses on Elise and Justin. Elise is a teacher and Justin is a hockey player. I loved Elise and Justin. Elise is smart and sassy and she’s had a crush on Justin since she was a kid. Justin is hot and sweet, and has been warned off Elise by her older brother Owen. This was a great book. I loved everything about it and would one hundred percent recommend you read it.
I cannot wait for Owen and Becca’s story!
5 Stars!
A sweet yet steamy, best friend’s little sister romance. Justin is a pro hockey player and Elise is the little sister of his teammate/best friend since forever. Elise is much more than that though. She’s always been a friend and more recently the woman he can’t stop thinking about. Elise has always had a crush on Justin, but knows that it will never and should never happen. Until one night changes everything. Well sort of everything.
In Playing for Keeps Justin and Elise are basically navigating what has changed between them. Mainly by starting a secret, no strings, hook-up relationship. But those never work out how the participants plan, do they?
If you’re looking for a sweet and steamy romance that follows a handful of tropes, then you will enjoy Playing for Keeps. It was an easy and somewhat quick read, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
You really can’t go wrong with a book by Kendall Ryan, and when you add in a best friend’s little sister / pro athlete storyline (plus that awesome cover), you know it’s a book you’ve got to read. I’ll openly admit that this isn’t the book that I was expecting based on the title and blurb (which is probably why it took me a little while to get into the story), but it’s certainly a solid start to the new series.
The story follows Justin, a pro hockey player who has enjoyed the lifestyle being an athlete has provided him… but things have started to feel stale lately. He’s over meaningless nights with faceless women, and in a drunken moment of weakness he winds up in bed with his best friend’s little sister, a woman he grew up with and one of the only people who knows him inside and out. When the sun rises, awkwardness ensues as the two try to gauge how the other is feeling, and a misunderstanding leads them both to believe that the other isn’t interested in anything other than what they’ve already shared. Fast-forward three months later, and neither has been able to forget their steamy night together, so they clear the air and find themselves in a friends with benefits situation. But you can’t truly have a no strings attached relationship with someone who has known you for so long, and they find themselves in a complicated situation.
I love Kendall Ryan’s writing style, and the setting she created for this book will lead perfectly into an intriguing series. These are all guys who play hard on and off the ice (to the extreme), but it’s easy to see that they all have good hearts. Though Justin doesn’t have the best track record, he was easy to love and I was rooting for him to find happiness. It’s a steamy book and the chemistry between Justin and Elise is readily apparent. What threw me off initially is the direction I thought this book was going to take. Based on the blurb, I really thought Justin was going to see the error of his ways after his night with Elise, but it takes a LONG time for either one to acknowledge that they want more. That’s more an issue with my expectations for the book rather than a flaw in the story, so I can’t really fault Ryan for that, but it definitely colored my opinion of the book from the start. I’m intrigued by the couple that will be featured in the next story – we’re introduced to Owen in this story and it will take a strong woman to tame him, but assault survivor Becca seems like she’s up to the task. Overall, it’s a sexy and fast-paced start to a promising new series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
When you put two of my favorite things together, Kendall Ryan and sports romance, you have a winning combination!
Elise Parrish and Justin Brady grew up together and while she is five years younger, that never stopped her from noticing the hunky hockey player. Elise’s older brother, Owen, is Justin’s best friend and they both play for the same professional hockey team. Elise is a preschool teacher who is very much off-limits to the sexy Justin.
When an alcohol fueled evening finds Elise and Justin in bed together, the sparks are instantaneous! While the two vow that it will be limited to just one night, not only because of Owen, but also because Justin doesn’t want to be in a relationship, it proves to be harder than expected. The two can’t keep their hands off one another! As things progress, Justin has to figure out how to deal with Owen and prove that he is worthy of being with his best friend’s little sister. Can he make that happen and make Elise’s wish to have him for herself come true?
This was a sweet, forbidden romance that will appeal to those who love hockey, a sexy hero and a sweet heroine! I loved it!
Oh lord there is just something about sports romance that tickles my black little heart, and especially hockey romance!!! And this book is no different I absolutely fell in this book and now I am going to be dying until I can read the next book in the series. And no it doesn’t end in any cliffhanger of any sort the next book is a whole new couple, I just can’t wait for more from this group of guys. It’s like I was part of their group and was right there with them. And I need to know what happens with every single one of them like now. And this is just the first book in the series so can you imagine how I am going to be after the next book….lol. From all of the dynamics of the relationships from one person to the next and how they grow. It’s just absolutely put together so amazingly well. Justin and Elise are everything but lord add in that dynamic of Owen and it’s hilarious!!! I highly highly recommend this book and 5 stars isn’t enough for this book!!! By Tina
This book can keep my heart! 4 stars
This is a friends-to-lovers/brother’s best friend romance between Elise & Justin, and I enjoyed it so much! I laughed, I swooned and I felt for these characters, so what more could I ask for?! I liked Elise, because she was her own woman and fought for Justin. I enjoyed Justin’s journey/character arc in this book. I also enjoyed that it was low on angst; it was just two friends realizing they were perfect for each other. I recommend this book if you want a fun, quick, swoon-worthy romance!
I received a copy of this ebook from the author for my honest review.
I’m not usually very happy about the virgin/millionaire/player trope. When it’s also a friends to lovers and brother’s best friend I tend to overlook the cliche so I decided to give this book a chance. The story started off with the two characters getting together and then the guy decided to pretend that he didn’t even remember. Way to go! He is of course already smitten and he is trying to protect the girl from himself. The way towards a happy ending is thoroughly enjoyable and filled with passion and a lot of sneaking around. I’m happy to say I look forward to the next book in this series.
I loved this fun entertaining story, I loved the characters, the story and it was everything I have come to expect from Kendall Ryan and so much more. If you are looking for a sweet entertaining story that will leave you smiling like a Cheshire Cat look no further then this book.
Justin and Elise grew up together after all he is her older brother’s best friend and he was always around. Justin is now a pro hockey player he is rich and sexy and he should be completely off limits but that doesn’t stop Elise from lusting and dreaming about him. What Elise doesn’t know is the feelings are mutual.
But what happens when Elise wakes up in Justin’s bed after a few too many shots……Lines have been crossed but will Justin finally open up to his feelings for Elise and what will her brother have to say about his best friend and his little sister becoming an item….
I loved this book, the chemistry is lighthearted and the banter flows throughout this fun romance. Looking forward to book 2 in the Hot Jocks Series
It is all fun and games for hockey player and man-whore Justin – that is until he falls in love with his best friend and teammate’s sister. Although Justin and Elise have known each other for years, sparks fly one night at an after party for a winning game. Although they tell each other it is just a friends with benefits scenario, true emotions get in the way. Can Justin admit he is actually in love? Is he willing to ruin his friendship with Owen? Or will he finally admit that she is the one? I absolutely loved these characters. The storyline had me laughing out loud in some sections and sighing with happiness in others. I cannot wait to see what happens in the rest of the series.
Playing for Keeps was so light and airy! Filled with so much love and passion! Witnessing the relationship bloom and seeing the characters finally admit their attraction to one another was so liberating!! Such a wonderful story!! Kendall left a mark in my heart with this one!
Kendall Ryan’s new series is begging with a good start! This is one of her best books and a delight to read. Justin is the brooding hero but he has several layers which makes him such an unique book hero and character. Elise is literally the girl next door and best friend’s sister but she is too a much more than a cliche character.
Justin and Elise path to love is very real and their story develop in such a real way that it is impossible not to turn the next page. I read it in two days and am looking forward the next book of the series.
This is a great book and I just loved it!