Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay, #7)

by Jill Shalvis

[stacey_is_sassy]

****IT'S ALIVE!!!****

He wasn’t just a billionaire in a suit

When it comes to love, I have been known to be a little insecure at times. For years I saw my hubby with rose-coloured glasses. To me, he’s handsome, smart, caring and sweet. I thought every woman in the world would want him for their own. We’re so different, he is sporty and doesn’t read (WEIRD!!) and survives with little to no sleep. Finally, after 21 years of marriage, the rose-coloured glasses have a few smudges on them. He’s still bloody awesome but he’s not perfect. Seeing Sadie fight her insecurities and believe in Caleb’s love was something I could relate to. Her rose-coloured glasses needed a few smudges to see him clearly…suit and all.

It did not surprise me that Sadie questioned Caleb’s attraction. Sadie appears a little rough around the edges, is stubborn and a wee bit prickly. Caleb on the other hand, he’s a suit-wearing hottie with a successful empire and plenty of money in the bank. So very different but there’s this underlying buzz that neither can deny. Sadie’s hesitant to take their attraction too seriously as she’s not willing to put her heart on the line. Only thing is…Caleb’s Playing for Keeps…

I absolutely LOVED Caleb. After reading the little snippet at the end of Hot Winter Nights I predicted that Caleb was going to be the book-boyfriend for me. My heart melted at his thoughtfulness. I was swooning when we had his POV and I got to see him convince Sadie that her prickly barbs would not deter him. I loved it when he developed his own prickly barbs when it came time to deal with Sadie’s family. To be honest, I would have loved to see a few more interactions with Caleb and Sadie’s mum. I wanted to see him put on his Knight-In-Shining-Armour costume to fight the wicked witch. OK, she wasn’t that bad, but geez, she definitely rubbed me the wrong way.

I wouldn’t say Lollipop stole the show, but she came pretty darn close. Who wouldn’t fall in love with a three-legged puppy that’s had a rough trot up until the minute Caleb Parker found her on a cold and rainy night? Her devotion to her knew co-owners is so cute and I loved that with a little whining, she had them both giving into her. I loved the hand-holding to calm her fears in the car and the sitting on their feet to gain their attention. So cute!!

Sadie and Caleb were interesting, and I found them refreshingly real. I understood Sadie and Caleb’s tolerance of family interference because I could completely relate. What seems intrusive and meddling was done out of love for Sadie and Caleb. Sadie’s family couldn’t understand her, but constantly worried for her health and well being. Caleb’s family have been his carers, providers and protectors since the time he was a sickly kid. Even with all his success, he’s still their little brother.

I absolutely loved Playing for Keeps. It was an emotional story that dealt with two characters that faced challenges in their youth. Caleb has proven himself by becoming successful and repaying his family for all their sacrifice, love and support. Sadie, while still in the process of becoming successful, is finally coming to accept and love herself, scars and all.

In true Jill Shalvis fashion, she drags all of my emotions to the surface. I was sniffling like crazy towards the end of the story and then smiling like a loon by the end. While reading I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough but when it was finished, I was wishing I’d taken my time. Her books are never long enough. A new snippet (The Lemon Sisters, Wildstone Series) at the end has given me something to look forward to. Although, I was kind of hoping that it was going to be Ivy, from the Taco Truck’s turn. Fingers crossed, it may still happen.

If you haven’t tried a Jill Shalvis yet…DO IT!!

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.