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.
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✔ 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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***ARC Provided by the Author***
4.5 Stars
Elise and Justin were fun.
I loved the attraction and the reluctant friends to lovers. I loved that there was genuine affection between them, a friendship, that was important to preserve. I loved the secondary characters and the motivations they had for their actions.
Overall, I enjoyed this title. I thought it was well plotted and well constructed with a pacing that worked well. Sometimes it’s not about how new a story is, but rather how well it’s told…this one was excellent.
It’s easy, especially in the first of a series in which you introduce a lot of characters, to get lost in tune exposition of the characters and the plot that is to come. This one let the secondary characters exist as friends and family, which made them feel essential to the story even while being set up to be the next story.
Add in that the chemistry was fabulous and you have a great read.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
Really cute story by Ms Ryan! She never disappoints. You can always count on crazy chemistry, hot romance and lovable characters. Playing for Keeps is no exception! Plus, hockey. Need I say more? 4.5 hot hockey stars!!
I love love love friends-to-lovers romances and this one did not disappoint. It was so well written and had me enthralled from the very beginning. Elise and Justin kept trying to keep their feelings for each other at bay but their relationship was so easy and once it was out there, there was no denying their attraction and chemistry. I am a fan of Kendall Ryan now and will be picking up her other books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the connection that Elise and Justin shared from the very beginning. It was obvious that they already had a good friendship between them, but the fact that they had both been secretly crushing on one another for years made the romance part of the story almost inevitable. Naturally, the complication with regards to Owen, Elise’s older brother and Justin’s best friend and teammate, was one thing, but Kendall Ryan didn’t take the easy route and make that the sole hurdle these two had to overcome. They needed to transition into a different relationship and evolve as together and individually while fighting for the love they had. Playing for Keeps was a five-star read.
Five hockey stars for Elise and Justin !!!
I love reading Kendall’s books because they always make me laugh so much .
But this one was different from the other books which I’ve read this year .
After a few office romance books, Kendall surprised us with new hockey series !!!
Everyone knows how much I love a good sports romance and if you add brother’s best friend and friends to lovers tropes, you know that I will fall in love with that book .
And that happened with this one !!!
“Playing for Keeps” is hockey sports romance which will steal your attention once you start reading it and you will not put it down until the end of the book.
Elise and Justin have perfect chemistry and their care about each other, which started with their friendship in childhood, is so adorable and sweet.
This book was one of my favorite books by Kendall Ryan and I can’t wait for Owen’s story !
4.5 stars
I love Kendall Ryan’s writing and I was super excited when she mentioned she was going to be writing books about athletes. Now, I’m going to admit…hockey isn’t my sport of choice but I enjoyed the way it was written about in this book. This falling for the best friend’s sibling book was flirty, fun and sexy and it left me smiling.
I enjoyed getting to know Elise and Justin in this book. I liked that they were friends, too, outside of the fact that Elise is Justin’s best friend’s little sister. They had their own friendship to consider which just added another element to their relationship. Watching them figure out how to handle themselves on this journey was really satisfying-because let me tell you, I had some doubts about Justin initially. But I fell for him and I fell pretty hard.
This book is a standalone but it also introduces us to some characters that we will definitely see more of in the Hot Jocks world. I’m looking forward to learning more about these characters in their books (I’m looking at you Owen and Becca) but they didn’t overshadow Justin and Elise’s story in my opinion.
The book flowed very well for me and once I started reading it I didn’t want to put it down. I laughed in parts and shook my head in others, but Justin and Elise definitely left me smiling. I enjoyed this title and look forward to what this Author gives us next. I would recommend this title.
Slow realization
The story is good, well written and it is a very beautiful romance, with endearing characters but finally quite simple and predictable. On the other hand, because of Becca’s past, I look forward to her story with Owen, Elise’s brother.
Justin slept with Elise, his best friend’s sister, but he thinks he can not be loved and knows that it is forbidden to any player on their hockey team to hit on her. When she wakes up, although she loves him, she acts like she doesn’t remember anything, just like Justin, but the attraction they have had for a long time, is too strong. They appreciate each other, but are they really ready to risk their friendship and Elise’s brother friendship ?
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I love hockey books so I was so excited when I found out Kendall was writing a hockey series! She does a good job considering this isn’t something she’s written before. Justin and Elise are both likable, interesting characters. They’ve known each other for years and have had each other in a box in their head, but that changes quickly. I enjoyed seeing their relationship go from friends to more than friends, and all the challenges that come along with that. Justin has a history of sleeping around, but once things happen with Elise he puts that all behind him. He’s a great guy, and has some sweet moments. Elise makes him a better version of himself. The storyline gets moving quickly and has a steady pace throughout. I loved all the hockey in it, I would have even liked more of it. I’m very interested in reading All the Way and knowing how things are going to shake out there.
Sweet yet steamy friends-to-lovers sports romance…
This was a sweet friends-to-lovers/brother’s-best-friend hockey romance. Sweet in the sense of cute moments and the ease and familiarity between the characters because of their long-term relationship. But make no mistake, there are plenty of scenes between the sheets in this story.
I loved the ease between these two. There’s a comfort level that can only come from a deep friendship developed over time. And it’s obvious here. There’s angst created from the morning after interaction and because of Owen (Elise’s brother) and the bonds in their circle of friends, but it’s surprisingly far less than one usually gets in this troupe. This too was pretty easy so the angst mainly comes from Elise and Justin figuring out what they mean to each other and repeatedly dealing with the struggle between their head and hearts.
The writing flows smoothly and the dialogue was natural. Characters are all fully developed and I absolutely loved all the moments these two shared—Justin’s visit to the grocery store, the school visit, etc. So many scenes had me smiling and cheering these two on to finally get their act together. It ends beautifully and there are several sprinklings throughout of other stories in this series which I’m anxious to read.
/I received an advanced edition of this book. This did not affect my opinion of the story or content of my review./
4.5 – 5 Stars
This is the first story I’ve read by this author and I really liked it. I loved the characters, their bonds, their journeys.
Gah! I loved this sweet friends-to-lovers story! Kendall Ryan always delivers a story jam packed with feels, passion and a heart-racing romance. This one was quick and light and dirty and fun. Playing For Keeps is a deliciously forbidden, brother’s best friend/best friend’s sister story that was an absolute pleasure to read.
I really loved this pairing. Elise Parrish is a kind and beautiful preschool teacher who has always been off-limits to the sexy hockey star Justin Brady due to the unwritten laws of the bro code. She is Justin’s best friend’s little sister and because of that, he has always tried to keep his feelings for her in check. But after one drunken night, he simply cannot help himself and takes her to bed. Although there will be complications, it is clear that one night with her will simply not be enough. Justin must now find a way to prove that he is worthy of his best friend’s little sister.
Kendall Ryan kept me swooning with this sweet and sexy romance. Filled with feels, flirty banter and fiery hot chemistry, I devoured this story with a smile on my face while being left with the fullest of hearts. Playing For Keeps is a perfectly executed friends-to-lovers romance that hit all the marks for me. Once again, Kendall Ryan proves why she’s a one-click author for me.
Playing for Keeps is the first book in Kendall’s all new Hot Jocks series. I was so excited when I found out she had a new series coming out and for it to be hockey players? That’s a big fucking bonus. I love me some hockey players.
Justin wasn’t used to not getting what he wanted. He worked his ass off for the last ten years to stay in the NHL but off the ice he didn’t have to work too hard for the added benefits. Puck bunnies. They were everywhere. And after ten years he was done. He didn’t want to settle down but he didn’t want them. He wanted her. The one who has always been off-limits. Elise. His best friend/roommate/teammate’s little sister. The one he grow up with. The one he took care of when she was sick with the flu. The one he can’t get out of his head. She wasn’t so little any more. She was a beautiful, smart, sassy twenty-four year old independent woman. And the only woman he could be himself around. He was so fucked. Especially after what happened after the championship game. He went and slept with her and acted like he didn’t remember it. He knew it was a jackass move but he did it to protect her. To protect their friendship. To protect his friendship with Owen. They were the only real family he had left, he couldn’t lose them. But, months later…he still wants her.
Elise knew it was a bad idea. She knew Justin had no problem scoring on the ice and off of it. She knew it would end. This fling they agreed on. But, how could she say no to one with her crush? The one she has wanted since the day she figured out what a crush was. She knew she was risking her heart but this was Justin. She also knew he wouldn’t hurt her on purpose. And he seems to be determined to keep her right where he wants her. But what will happen when feelings get involved? Real feelings?
Overall…They were fucked. In the most delicious of ways. And in any other way. This book has to be one of my favorite Kendall books. Maybe even my favorite. It had it all. I laughed, cried, and got hot and bothered. I felt their passion. Their story. Their fears. I loved their flirty ways. They were so much fun!
Quotes:
“Today, tears,” she says, patting my back. “Tomorrow, we plot his murder and take over the world.”
I grin up at him, feeling a little cheeky. “Hey there, big boy.”
He chuckles darkly, gaze hot. “Don’t.”
“Is that a hockey stick, or are you just happy to see me?” I tease.
“Elise,” he warns, voice now tight.
“Oh God,” I groan, the sound long and throaty. He looks up at me, mouth still working and smirks.
“You keep calling me that and I’m going to develop a complex.”
Never get so drunk you have sex with your best buddy’s sister!
They had just won the championship and had been celebrating for hours. It just happened by chance that Justin was laying down in his bed and Elise was using the bathroom attached to his room. One thing lead to another and WOW!! the Earth shook!
Ever regret a mistake? What if it really was not a mistake just your body finally doing what it has wanted to do for years? How do fix taking someone’s virginity and her look of regret the morning after?
This book is a romantic and energetic display of amazing! Don’t miss Elise and Justin’s courtship. It will have you smiling and laughing while you are wondering if they will be able to get away with it before her brother finds out!
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
Although this is my first ever read from this author, I have had her on my TBR list and finally had the chance to read her work. And what a great way to start than reading Playing for Keeps!
Playing for Keeps is the first book in this series of stand alone, sports romance that will feature different couple. This is also forbidden kind of romance with bestfriend’s sister, friends to lovers and maybe a bit friends with benefits too. Whew, that was a lot but hey, I wouldn’t expect anything less from this author.
So, Justin and Elise are friends since they were young. Being neighbors and her brother’s bestfriend, Elise used to tag along with them to play hockey. It isn’t until her teenage year that she developed romantic feelings that she still carries through. Justin also felt the same way but was too afraid to pursue her in fear of her brother, Owen who was his bestfriend. Not to mention, he might be making a mistake and lose both of their friendships. But one drunken filled night lead to something that might shake the foundation of their friendship or could be a start of forever.
I loved the development of Justin and Elise’s love story and the feeling of trepidation that they would be caught. I loved the thrill of forbidden factor and this made me furiously read faster to know what will happens next. Just about all the parts of this book are amazing. It has the right amount of romance, forbidden element and hot, sexy times that makes it a perfect summer romance read for me. I loved it! Can’t wait to read Beca and Owen’s story next!
Forget about functioning as a responsible adult until you have finished the last chapter, you’ll want to hide out and read what happens with these characters…..steamy, sexy and laugh out loud funny. Playing for Keeps will steam up your e-reader and have you flipping the pages as fast as your fingers can. Totally unputdownable!! One of the best books of 2019 in my opinion and I can’t wait for All to Way and Trying to Score in this series that I know is going to be phenomenal!! Happy reading!!
I really love books with this storyline and Kendall knocked this one out of the park or into the net… haha Elise has always had the biggest crush on her brother’s best friend Justin. All her memories growing up he is in them, but to him he’s she’s just the little sister. Until he notices she’s not so little anymore.
I love these characters. Justin is the hot manwhore hockey player and Elise is his best friends little sister. They have off the charts chemistry which is full of fun and laughter. The author did a fantastic job with her story and I so can’t wait for Owens book next. This is a definite must read.
I really love books with this storyline and Kendall knocked this one out of the park or into the net… haha Elise has always had the biggest crush on her brother’s best friend Justin. All her memories growing up he is in them, but to him he’s she’s just the little sister. Until he notices she’s not so little anymore.
I love these characters. Justin is the hot manwhore hockey player and Elise is his best friends little sister. They have off the charts chemistry which is full of fun and laughter. The author did a fantastic job with her story and I so can’t wait for Owens book next. This is a definite must read.
*Review by Michelle
Terrific first book in this new series! Justin is a hot, swoony hockey player. But he’s not all player, he’s super sweet as well. Elise is a sweetheart all the way. I adored their chemistry together and I love that little bit of forbidden romance. And at times, they were really steamy! The storyline flowed nicely and I really enjoyed all the other characters as well. Definitely can’t wait for more!
Playing for Keeps is the first book in the all new exciting Hot Jocks Series from author Kendall Ryan. Now, I don’t know about you guys, but on these hot summer days, there is nothing better than curling up with a sexy sports romance and Kendall Ryan more than delivers.
Playing for Keeps brings together a few of my favorite tropes and wraps it all together in one fantastic package. So, if you’re a fan of friends to lovers/best friends little sister, then this is the book for you. Playing for Keeps grabbed my attention from the very beginning. From the moment Elise and Justin were introduced, you could just feel the chemistry oozing off of the pages. You see, Elise is Justin’s best friends’ little sister, and that puts her totally off-limits. No matter how much Justin keeps telling himself that, his brain just can’t seem to get the memo. Elise and Justin end up spending an amazing night together, and when morning comes, neither one of them is prepared to face what happens. She thinks he forgot about their special night and he’s letting fear dictate his actions. Will Justin wake up and fight for the woman he never knew he needed? There’s only one way to find out….
Playing for Keeps is a fantastic second chance sports romance. From a fun and entertaining story-line, to excellent chemistry and banter that keeps you glued to the pages; this book had it all. I fell in love with Justin and Elise from their very first encounter. They made me laugh and had me swooning like it was nobody’s business. It had just the right amount of sexiness and drama to keep me on my toes. My stomach was filled with butterlfies and I just couldn’t wait to see just how their story would play out.
If you’re looking for a second chance romance that has some fantastic hockey, a sexy hero and a female lead with a heart of gold, than look no further, Playing for Keeps is just the book you’ve been waiting for.
Who are Becca, Elise, Justin, and Owen? How do they know one another? What does each of them do for a living? What are the various relationships like? What happens on a night that the boys and their friends are celebrating? Why are they celebrating? How does it affect things starting the next day in the story? How long does it take to mend those fences? How is Justin different from Owen and the other guys? What does he not want to do? What does he want to do? Does Owen ever learn the truth? How? Do lives change for the better or worse through the course of this story? Read and see!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin’ With M. Brennan.