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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I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Justin and Elise. He’s her brother’s best friend and a professional hockey player. She’s a pre school teacher. They have been friends forever and she’s had a crush on him forever. So when things change between them one night after a party it makes them both wonder could it be more. They agree to a friend’s with benefits agreement but soon discover it’s more complicated than that. Great HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fantastic, fun loving friends-to-lovers story. Elise has always been in love with Justin, her brother’s best friend. Justin is a professional hockey player, playboy jaded about love due to a painful past. Playing for Keeps was a great story filled with humor, heartache, angst, passion, romance, friendship, and love. This is a captivating must read, with wonderful characters readers will fall in love with. I really loved this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Entertaining, funny and great characters
I found this book to be absolutely riveting. The characters had great chemistry. The story was entertaining and humorous. I loved the little nuances that the author gave to the story through their reactions to each other’s words and actions. Great story
Spicy, sexy, and sweet!
Playing for Keeps is a beguiling, frisky, passionate tale that mixes the charming, slightly insecure Elise who may finally get more than just a drunken hookup with her forever crush, and Justin, the cocky, handsome hockey player who may finally discover his best friend’s little sister is more than he ever could have imagined and is definitely worthy of a long time instead of just a good time.
The writing style is smooth and steamy. The characters are playful, spirited, hesitant, and endearing. And the plot is a delicious combination of family, friendship, undeniable attraction, smoking chemistry, enticing innuendoes, light drama, swoon-worthy romance, and sporty action.
Overall, Playing for Keeps is an enticing, adorable, sizzling start to the Hot Jocks series and I can’t wait to read Owen & Becca’s story, All the Way, when it’s published September 24th.
I could never go wrong with a Kendall Ryan book.
She completely hooks me with her sweet, sexy and lovable hero’s and heroines.
Give me a trope that I enjoy immensely and I will devour the crap out of it in one sitting and that’s what happened with Playing for Keeps.
Everything about this book was adorably cute and so much fun to read.
If you’re looking for something that will have your toes curl, then this is the book for you!
This is an exceptional start to a new series. If you like Ms. Ryan’s books, this is a must read. Can’t WAIT for Owen’s story, cause that teaser…………O M G.
Elise and Justin are old friends and perfect for each other. Everyone knows it except them and Owen. I love that they do not let the past drag them down for too long. I love the characters and the writing and the story line. I can’t wait to read about Owen and Becca and Sara and Teddy and all the rest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Once again Kendall has scored a hat trick this hockey romance is off the charts. It grabs you from the first moment you meet the handsome broody Justin and his over the top room mate Owen the over protective brother of sexy sweet Elise. These three have grown up together and Elise has had a crush on Justin since she was nine. Justin has been drawn to her since she was in high school. Elise has always been off limits. This is their story as two old friends reconnect and maneuver the their ever changing relationship and learn that neither of them can be friends with benefits. A five star romcom that will leave you begging for more. Bring on Owen’s story. Bravo Kendall once again you pulled every heartstring !
Really enjoyed this smoking hot summer adventure filled with witty banter, interesting charters, forbidden passion and heart pounding twists…. was a great read from beginning to end and an excellent start to this new series. Looking forward to the next adventure.
Justin is a hockey player and at a celebration party one night he has too many cocktails at acts on a desire he’s harbored for awhile. He’s always thought his teammate’s little sister Elise was amazing and has crushed on her. When they wake up together the next morning, Elise is running for the door, thinking that Justin is sure to regret their night and she never wants to see that look in his eyes. Justin is heartbroken when he sees Elise leaving. Neither speak of the night until they can’t hold it in any longer. Will these two amazing people get their happily ever after? Of course they will. This is romance after all. Kendall Ryan outdid herself with this one. Do yourself a favor and one-click!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely loved this story of Justin and Elise. Hockey players for the win!! Cannot wait for the next story.
LOVE IT! This book has it all! There are those tender, heartwarming scenes (career day). There’s the laughing until you tear up (shopping trip texts). There are the panty melting times – those are absolutely yummy and hot. There is love of family and friends, as well as the romantic love. Of course, there’s the well balanced drama – whether it is the secret keeping and how it will impact those around them or sex life of the other hockey players.
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 1st book I’ve read written by Kendall Ryan; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
OMG this is such a sweet, funny, sexy, steamy, flirty, and fun story! I listened to the Audiobook and let me just say that Jason Clarke and Virginia Rose are the perfect Justin and Elise! Jason’s voice makes Justin even hotter! I was team Justin and Elise from the get-go and really like how their story unfolded. Some big hurdles to overcome including Justin’s reputation as a player but I love the best friend’s little sister trope and friends to lovers because it always makes for some great tension for everyone involved. I adore the date he plans. Sigh. I loved this book!
We are also introduced to some awesome characters in this book that I expect we’ll get much more from in future books! I hope so anyway!
This is another great story by Kendall Ryan. I loved their dynamic and how these two end up falling deeply in love. Justin is living the single life and never thought he would fall in love. And much less with his best friends little sister Elise. Who is nothing like all the girls he usually spends his nights with. Their chemistry is sizzling hot and I couldn’t get enough of them. I definitely look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sweet And Steamy! Pro Hockey ‘Player’ Justin Tires Of Puck Bunnies, Turning To His Childhood Best Friend’s Little Sister Elise.
Justin Brady, twenty-eight, a six foot two muscled pro hockey player, is from a broken family so he is a fighter. He has been the king of hookups for nearly a decade. Jersey chasers and puck bunnies flock to him and his teammates for the bragging rights. But lately the women have become stale. They like him because he plays hockey – it has nothing to do with him. His parents used him as a pawn and he knew he wasn’t lovable since age six. Similarly, women only want him for sex. He can’t get into the parties and women anymore because he is stuck in his own head, knowing he is more than a hockey stick and an easy lay.
Justin and his best friend Owen, one of the best goalies in the league, skated together on a frozen pond at home back when they were eight, along with Owen’s little sister Elise. They were true friends. He was drafted into the pro’s at nineteen, and Owen joined him after two years in the minors.
Hockey was Justin’s life. He and Owen made millions playing for the Seattle Ice Hawks, but they chose to be roommates. It had worked spectacularly until Justin started feeling himself pulling away from the party and hookup scene. It became uncomfortable to him.
Owen’s little sister Elise is the only one who looks as uncomfortable as him. The three grew up together in Washington; he’s known her since first grade. She is grown up now, just graduated college last year. He’s recently thought of her as something more than the cute kid sister. He can be himself with her. He missed her when he went to college, but was too busy to do anything about it and it was for the best. He wasn’t lovable, and she was too good for him. She is the only thing he has wanted that he didn’t go after. Now she is off limits to any team member and Owen would murder him if he made a move on Elise.
Elise is nearly twenty-four and works as a preschool teacher. She often hangs out with her girlfriends and her brother Owen and his hockey friends. Elise was four years behind Justin in school and had a crush on him since she was six. But she knows nothing will ever become of it; Justin will never be capable of anything more than hookups.
When they both find themselves drunk one night, they find that they cannot deny their mutual lust. But the next morning Justin doesn’t seem to remember taking Elise’s virginity. Things get awkward.
Justin and Elise navigate their changing relationship while struggling with their demanding schedules, concern for Owen’s feelings, and their own fears. Watching Justin make such a radical shift in his ways is rewarding. He really is a great guy underneath it all! Justin and Elise deserve their HEA.
This story is well written and realistic. It alternates POV between Justin and Elise. It is great that It works through the couple’s issues without unnecessary drama just for the sake of it. The characters are compelling, and already the couples for additional books in the series are beginning to form. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is an engaging page turner that is action packed with adventure, witty and colourful banter, good friends, and humour. The storyline is well-developed, emotionally deep, well written, and relatable. The ups and downs, fun, and excitement will keep you on the edge of your seat as it take you on one wild ride and keep you engrossed until the end. The characters are strong and loveable; their chemistry is off the charts and the sex scenes are HOT! I Look forward to the next book. Definitely recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Justin’s best friend is Owen. They grew up together playing hockey and now they play pro hockey on the same team. Owen’s sister, Elise, has had a crush on Justin since she was in middle school. They get drunk at a party and end up having sex together, in the morning Justin acts like he doesn’t remember what happened. Justin really remembered and he can’t stop thinking about her. He thinks he not good enough for her. I really like this book. The story and characters held my interest.
My new favorite! This is the first book in the Hot Jocks Series by Kendall Ryan. Justin and Elise have known each other for years. Justin and Owen, Elise’s brother are professional hockey players for the Seattle Ice Hawks and are also roommates. Lately, Justin has grown tired of the random hookups and being chased by puck bunnies. He also has noticed the beautiful woman Elise has become. Elise has crushed on Justin since she was a young girl but she knows he doesn’t want a relationship. And then there is her brother Owen. He made it clear Elise was off limits. But one night during a party, Elise and Justin give in to temptation. They agree to friends with benefits fling. However, Justin is quickly falling for Elise. Will he allow his guilt with her brother and his doubts to keep them apart? I loved this book and the group of friends in this new series. Can’t wait for Becca and Owen’s book!!!