Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
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.

 

 

Review:

Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis is the 7^th book in her wonderful Heartbreaker Bay series.  Being a huge fan of Shalvis’ Heartbreaker Bay series, I looked forward to reading Playing for Keeps.  As always with this series and Shalvis, I loved this fun sweet wonderful story, which reads very well as a standalone.

Caleb Parker, our hero, is a wealthy successful entrepreneur, who is also very close to his family, especially his sisters, whom also work with him.  Caleb and his sisters made a wonderful  loyal family that protects each other. 

Sadie Lane, our heroine, is working two jobs to make ends meet ( tattoo artist & spa).  Sadie is as tough as they come, always has the last and at times sarcastic response; as years before her heart was broken by a failed relationship, and refuses to allow herself to get hurt again. She has a history, which she keeps private and a family she is not close to.

One stormy rainy night, Caleb comes across a three legged puppy, and tries to catch.  Sadie, who knows Caleb as a local businessman, tries to help him catch the dog.  Together they rescue Lollipop, and both decide they want to keep the dog. It was so cute how Lollipop, knew she was safe in their hands, and gave them both affection.  The two come to an agreement to co own the dog, which opens the way for them to get to know each other better; it was fun to watch them take turns with Lollipop, with each helping each other.

Caleb was a fantastic hero, smart, sweet, caring, loyal and a hottie all the way.  Sadie was completely different, as she was independent, stubborn, sarcastic, unwilling to allow herself to get close to anyone.  They were different like night and day, especially with him having lots of money and Sadie just making ends meet.  But they both loved Lollipop (so did I), and slowly their attraction for each other became very steamy.  I loved Caleb from the start, but as much as I did like Sadie, her behavior was constant, and at times annoying how she treated Caleb; even if I did understand the wall she built from her sad childhood, and her inability to trust her true feelings. 

What follows is a heartwarming and emotional romance, with both Caleb and Sadie having difficult, but different childhood.  Just when you think that Caleb will prove to Sadie how much he loves her, things will blow up to threaten their relationship.  Caleb’s sisters always protect him, especially in trying to investigate new people in his life, which will become a major misunderstanding.  Will Caleb convince Sadie to trust him, and open her heart?

As I have said before, Heartbreaker Bay is a great series to enjoy, and I suggest you start with the first book.  Playing for Keeps was a fun, heartwarming,  sexy, enjoyable read,  with an outstanding cast of characters. If you love pure romance, friendships, a sexy couple, and are not reading Jill Shalvis, it is time for you to do so. Don’t start just with this book, as why miss out on the earlier wonderful fun heroes/heroines that make this series so much fun; you need to start at the beginning.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

“Sadie.”
She shook her head.
“Look at me. Please?”
It was the damn please that had her opening her eyes. He’d closed the gap so that if she so much as took a breath, they’d be touching.
So she did just that. She took a deep breath, and then their bodies were up against each other, his warm and hard. Everywhere. “What’s happening?” she whispered.
“I believe you’re deciding between kicking me in the nuts and kissing me.” One side of his mouth curved very slightly as he lifted their still joined hands above her head, against the wall.
“But that last part might just be in my dreams.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Yes, it’s just in my dreams?”
She meant to say yes again, she really did.
She even opened her mouth to say it, because this was insane, this incredible . . . craving she had for him. It made no sense. Less than no sense, and yet . . .
She went up on tiptoe and touched her mouth to his.

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

 

 

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Jill’s publisher is offering an paper copy of PLAYING FOR KEEPS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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7. Giveaway open to USA/Canada only

8. Giveaway runs from January 24  to 28, 2019

 

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