Review: Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay #7) by Jill Shalvis

Posted January 30, 2019 by Kim in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review: Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay #7) by Jill ShalvisPlaying for Keeps by Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #7
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: January 22, 2019
Publisher: Avon Books
Format: Paperback
How I got it: From the publisher
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
My rating:

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.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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My Thoughts

I know I can always count on Jill Shalvis to bring the swoons. Playing for Keeps is the latest in a long list of books of hers that I’ve fallen totally in love with. There’s just something about her writing that does it for me. Books like hers, particularly her Heartbreaker Bay series, are why I read romance.

I love love loved Caleb and Sadie. She was sassy and relatable. He was total book boyfriend material. As much as I enjoy grumpy guys or bad boys, sometimes it’s nice to read a nice, uncomplicated hero. It’s also nice to read about adult characters who talk through the challenges they come up against in their relationship instead of ignoring them or just overreacting. Caleb and Sadie had amazing chemistry, especially considering she wasn’t his biggest fan early in the book. Oh and Lollipop, the three-legged dog they adopted together? All the flipping feels. I adored that dog… and I’m not even that much of a dog person. Side note: I love how Jill includes a pet in each of her books. I think it makes her characters more relatable. Plus, adorable pets always get a thumbs up from me.

Playing the Keeps was so good that, instead of breezing right through it, I read it slowly to savor it. I didn’t even pick it up if there was a chance I would be distracted by something else. I loved Caleb and Sadie and their story so much, I wanted to give it my full attention. Things unfolded between them in such a natural way. I was all in for these two and I loved how they each grew throughout this book. Especially Sadie, though. She didn’t have the easiest past and I just really wanted to see her happy. Caleb gave her just that. They were amazing together.

Favorite Quotes:

Yes, he was fun, flirty and charming, but she was highly suspicious of all those things. 

“So I’m not quiet. I’m opinionated and stubborn and I like to think I know what I’m doing at all times.”

“How am I supposed to make big decisions when I still have to sing the alphabet in my head to get to the right letter?”

“Some things are worth fighting for. Love is most definitely one of those things.”

“You’re not an easy woman, Sadie.”
“I am a handful. But that’s why you have two hands.”

“I’ve got you, Sadie, I promise you. Give me all your pieces, I can take everything you’ve got.”

“How do I look?”
“Perfect. You look like the rest of my life.”

Let’s Chat

Is Playing for Keeps on your TBR?

Kim

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