Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis

Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay, #7)

by Jill Shalvis

The seventh in New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis's Heartbreaker Bay series, featuring her trademark gift for humour, warmth and romance. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts and Marie Force.

If you're planning on falling in love you'd better be sure someone is there to catch you... 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 yoga pants, he's a suit. 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.

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.

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...

Want more warm, funny romance? Check out the other Heartbreaker Bay novels starting with Sweet Little Lies, visit stunning Wildstone, gorgeous Cedar Ridge, spellbinding Lucky Harbor or experience some Animal Magnetism in Sunshine, Idaho in Jill's other unforgettable series.

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

5 of 5 stars

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Coffee dates with Playing for Keeps

  • First Date: Sadie Lane is a starving tattoo artist with a chip on her shoulder and purple dye in her hair. She has seen Caleb Parker around the courtyard and has admired his psyche but the man she has dubbed "suits" is not her type. Yes, she finds him yummy, but she has tested the type and knows oil and water don't mix. When he strolls past her shop one rainy evening bending over something near the alley curiosity gets the better of her. What they find is a soaking wet ball of fur. Caleb decides he will care for mutt, but so does Sadie. This changes the game and I strapped in for one heck of a ride!

  • Second Date: Shalvis has this way of bringing her characters to life, flaws, scars and swoon worthy qualities. She makes me care about them. From the way both react to the furball, to their interactions with secondary characters I felt as if I knew them. It wasn't long before I became their cheerleader. The romance from that first kiss to awkward moments sizzled and felt genuine.

  • Third Date: The big obstacles in this romance came from trust and character growth. Trouble in the form of family and the characters' own reactions caused issues. We saw and felt genuine growth as the storyline moved towards an HEA. I laughed, sighed and cheered my way through this final date.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 January, 2019: Finished reading
  • 1 January, 2019: Reviewed