He’s a game she never intended to play. Free spirit Olivia knows everyone in Hardwood. Or at least she thought she did. But after a bike crash on private property, she opens her eyes and stares into the face of its handsome and mysterious owner. Brock lost everything two years ago and now lives a quiet life with his dog on the outskirts of Hardwood. A former Army medic, he knows a possible … Army medic, he knows a possible concussion when he sees one and he’s too much of a hero to let Olivia go home alone.
He’s able to deny her charms and his desire for the weekend — and keep his secret — but there’s no way out of his upcoming family vacation. The only way to keep his nosy family off his back is by faking a relationship. If playing girlfriend is what it’ll take to win his heart, Olivia’s up to the challenge.
A week with his tight family puts their budding relationship under the microscope, but Olivia soon learns there’s more to this warrior than she thought. What started as a game turns serious, but who’s in it for fun and who’s playing for keeps?
Playing for Keeps is a full-length steamy sports romance that has a small-town feel. Each book in the Hardwood Country Club Series is a full-length standalone novel that can be read in any order, complete with a swoon-worthy HEA and plenty of laughs.
* Stiff Competition
* Shotgun Start
* Playing for Keeps
more
This book was gripping, well written & the chemistry between the characters, Brock & Olivia, sizzled throughout this wonderful read.
Well done Amy. I look forward to more!
Playing for Keeps
Amy Pinkston
The Hardwood Country Club Series. This is the third book in the series, and each can be read as a standalone. Duke is ADORABLE! Olivia meets Brock quite by accident. She is an extreme biker, and lands on his property after a tumble from said bike. Brock was military, a medic, who sacrificed much for his country both physically and mentally.
Do these opposites attract?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found this to be a superb storyline that grabs you right from the start keeping you engrossed and on edge throughout the whole book!
I was very impressed with how simply and effortlessly this author told this addicting, multi-layered story with well-developed world building and great characters.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
I read this before reading the second book (oops) but it doesn’t detract from this series. I loved this story. Olivia is into extreme sports. She loves the thrill and excitement. While riding her bike, she has an accident and wakes to see a handsome guy leaning over her. With hurt ribs and a concussion, Brock finds Olivia and takes her back to his place since she doesn’t have anyone at home to look after her. Brock is attracted to Olivia but he fights it. Olivia can’t understand why he doesn’t act on their attraction. But then when he needs Olivia’s help, then she realizes maybe she can break down his walls. This is definitely opposites attract. I really liked their interactions and how Olivia tried to bring Brock out of his shell.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 3rd book I’ve read written by Amy Pinkston; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading 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.
Olivia is into extreme sports, especially mountain biking. One day she decided to trespass on the old Stapleton trails which had been closed since Carol died a couple years ago. She’s distracted by barking and tumbles down the hillside knocking herself out and injuring her ribs, waking up to dog licks and a gorgeous frowning man. He helps her to his home (Carol’s old place), turns out to be Carol’s grumpy grandson Brock, and his dog Duke. Olivia is undeterred and tries to make him smile, even though she trespassed. He has medic training and knows she’s had a concussion, which she somehow gets him to agree to watch over her for 48 hours for since no one is at her home. The attraction is there between the two but he won’t act on it, constantly hurting her feelings by rejecting her. She can tell he’s attracted and doesn’t understand why he won’t ‘go for it’. Brock has been injured, as readers will find out. It has affected his whole physical, mental, and emotional outlook on life. Can the mischievous, daredevil, sometimes reckless Olivia break him out of his gloom or cause him to retreat further?
This is the story of Olivia and Brock. This is the 3rd book in the series. I loved all of them thus far, but there is something special about this one. I love how the author makes you feel like you are part of the story through her style of writing. This book takes you on an emotional journey with lots of ups and downs. Be prepared for lots of tears but lots of laughter as well. Great story and very well written. I definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Frankly speaking, I almost skipped this book when I first saw the cover. But I am so glad that I gave it a try because it turned out to be a fantastic story. The male lead Brock could be a bit annoying whenever he stayed in his self-pity party. I’m just happy to see him eventually man up to deserve the adorable female lead Olivia.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The third book of the Hardwood Country Club Romantic Comedies series. Olivia and Brock’s story is well written and one I enjoyed reading. Brock lost his leg while in the military and has to fight to stay on top of his depression, when Olivia comes into his life she makes it brighter. They will face a lot before they get their happy ending.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fun book with characters that are well developed and engaging with a storyline that flowed easily and smoothly. I loved every word that was written with enough chemistry to set the pages on fire.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the story of Olivia and Brock. Brock is a former military man who lost his leg and is struggeling to live with it. He is dark and brooding. Olivia is a fun, happy and full of energy person who litteraly comes into Brocks life by accident. They spend a weekend toghether but Brock can’t face telling her about what happend to him and Olivia walks away a little hurt and not understading what happend. When Brock needs her help she gives it and she learns what happend to him and although he struggles she accepts it. They go through some ups and downs, and I laught, shed a tear, got frustrated and happy while reading this book! It made me feel so many different things and I really like it!
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My favorite story of the series! Author Amy Pinkston carefully constructs a story of a man with deep, deep physical and emotional wounds and the joyful young woman who sees beyond his scars. With much support and love from charismatic Olivia, and the on-going familial love, and occasional “ass whoopings” from his siblings, Brock becomes the man worthy of love. (For the future, there is a wealth of stories just waiting to be told involving Brock’s siblings!)
The Hardwood Country Club series is a great series to read! Each book can be read as stand alone books so if you haven’t read the first 2 books in the series you won’t be lost. Playing for Keeps is another great read in the series, it’s a great story line that keeps your interest, is a fun and enjoyable read and has a HEA! Amy Pinkston has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
While this is the third book in this series it can easily be read as a standalone. This was a great read and I really enjoyed it once I started reading it I just did not want to put it down. I liked both Olivia and Brock they were good characters and you cannot help but root for them, this was a good well-written book that is quite an emotional read but it will also have you chuckling at times too I liked it.
I highly recommend reading this Series from Hardwood Country Club they are exceptional books
Brock and Olivia meet in an unusual way but have a fast connection. He has had some hard times and is struggling with PTSD and injuries. She is the ray of sunshine he needs to bring him out of the funk he has been in. I liked that this story was about two kind people, who really want the best for each other in the end, no matter what that means. Brock’s family, especially his one brother Max, have helped him in the past, but Brock really needs someone who can force him to look to the future and all its possibilities.
I have read the other two books in this series as well. I think I like this one best of all so far! The author has introduced a lot of secondary characters so she has plenty of potential people to write about next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Olivia is a daredevil and when she crashes her bike and get knocked out she awakes to a dog licking her face. Brock finds Olivia on his private property and takes her home to attend her concussion. Brock is a broken veteran who has shutdown and shut everyone out but he can’t help his attraction to Olivia. Loved this story and how the relationship developed between Olivia and Brock and of course Duke the dog.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love Any Pinkston’s stories about Hardwood’ s inhabitants. The stories have centered around the Country Club but this one involves Fitz’s daredevil sister Olivia. She of the broken bones! Olivia is into extreme sports, especially mountain biking. One day she decided to trespass on the old Stapleton trails which had been closed since Carol died a couple years ago. She’s distracted by barking and tumbles down the hillside knocking herself out and injuring her ribs, waking up to dog licks and a gorgeous frowning man. He helps her to his home (Carol’s old place), turns out to be Carol’s grumpy grandson Brock, and his dog Duke. Olivia is undeterred and tries to make him smile, even though she trespassed. He has medic training and knows she’s had a concussion, which she somehow gets him to agree to watch over her for 48 hours for since no one is at her home. The attraction is there between the two but he won’t act on it, constantly hurting her feelings by rejecting her. She can tell he’s attracted and doesn’t understand why he won’t ‘go for it’. Brock has been injured, as readers will find out. It has affected his whole physical, mental, and emotional outlook on life. Can the mischievous, daredevil, sometimes reckless Olivia break him out of his gloom or cause him to retreat further? Great story. Former characters revisited, which is always fun. And we get to meet a whole group of interesting new characters! Enjoy!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story with great characters that you will love. I really enjoyed reading this book. This is a great read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The great plot was well written and the characters were so well developed that as I turned each page the chemistry between the characters kept me totally hooked until the very last page!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.