Title: Playing for Keeps
Author(s): Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay, #7
Also in this series: Sweet Little Lies , One Snowy Night
Published by Avon on January 22, 2019
Pages: 384
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Edelweiss
Format: ARC, eBook

Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating:
Heat Level:

If you’re planning on falling in love…

When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.

you’d better be sure…

Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.

… someone is there to catch you.

Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.

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I adored Playing for Keeps. This my favourite in the Heartbreaker series. This story addressed dark issues that affect young children, teens and adults.  

 

The story featured two individuals from different social standings but who both experienced trauma from their past.  From the moment I met Sadie, Caleb and their adorable pup I knew I would love them. Although sometimes Sadie frustrated me with her actions. 

 

Sadie is a struggling tattoo artist, who works at a day spa to make ends meet. She has no interest in relationship as her last one ended on a bad note. She has no interest in a man especially one who dresses in fancy suits and drives expensive cars. Caleb Parker should be avoided at all costs, as he is the epitome of these traits.

 

Caleb grew up poor, sickly and bullied by his peers. He managed, with help from an unexpected source turn around his life. He is now a self-made billionaire and a dreamboat.   Something about Sadie keeps pulling him to her, but he recognises she wants nothing to do with him.  However, all that changed when one rainy night they both came to the aid of a homeless puppy who saw it fit to claim them both as her owners.

 

Sparks sizzled between these two, but they fought them to no avail. Love proved the stronger opponent. 

 

Caleb proved to be a swoon worthy hero, which made him the perfect book boyfriend. He is caring, always looking to help persons in need. The more time Sadie spent with him she realised she misjudged him and she could not help but fall for him. 

 

Sadie had a hard time opening her heart to anyone. Her fears went deep, but Lollipop and Caleb had the capacity to melt the hardest of hearts and soon she found herself opening her heart.

 Their relationship developed at a good pace but it was not without its obstacles, which was to be expected from two damaged souls plagued by ghosts from their pasts and meddling family members

 

I enjoyed Sadie’s sarcasm. Sometimes her comments had me laughing aloud. I loved how Caleb held his own with her and never allowed her to scare him away.

 

Conclusion/Recommendation

Playing for Keeps is a well-written story with well-developed characters that will keep you engaged from start to finish

 

 

About Jill Shalvis

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental.

Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete booklist daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

 

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