5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Playing for the Keeps by Chris Pullen is a gripping, emotionally charged sports romance that hits every note perfectly. With a strong, relatable cast of characters and a plot filled with heart, passion, and a touch of drama, this book is impossible to put down. Pullen’s storytelling pulls you in, keeping you invested from the first page until the last.

What I Loved:
Pullen does an exceptional job of blending sports with romance. The scenes on the field are thrilling, filled with the kind of intense energy that only a true sports enthusiast can appreciate. But it’s the emotional core of the book that truly shines. The romance is sweet, slow-burning, and full of chemistry, and the character development is top-notch. Watching the protagonists navigate both their personal and professional lives is a journey that feels genuine and relatable.

The writing is sharp and filled with moments of tension, excitement, and tenderness. Pullen strikes the perfect balance between the adrenaline of sports and the quiet, heartfelt moments between the characters. It’s the kind of book where you’re rooting for the couple, while also appreciating the way the author crafts their growth as individuals.

What I Didn’t Love:
Though the pacing is mostly spot-on, there are a few moments where the plot slows down a little too much, particularly when diving into the characters’ emotional struggles. While these moments add depth, some readers might find them a bit drawn out. Additionally, a couple of secondary characters could have been fleshed out more to add further layers to the overall story.

Final Thoughts:
Playing for the Keeps is an outstanding sports romance that combines the excitement of competition with the tenderness of love and personal growth. Chris Pullen has created a story that is both thrilling and heartwarming, with a perfect balance of tension, romance, and drama. This book is a must-read for fans of sports romance and character-driven narratives, leaving you satisfied and eagerly awaiting more


❤️shaye.readss

I could not get into this book unfortunately and it ended up being a dnf for me. I try not to dnf but this was unavoidable.

I read 8% of the book and had no interest in going any further. The writing just wasn’t intriguing to me.

This is a difficult book to review. I REALLY wanted to love it, I was excited to read it, the synopsis of it was intriguing but the whole book just... kind of fell flat for me. Maybe it was the writing style? I almost DNF multiple times but stuck with it. It got better maybe 60% of the way through.

Initially, Anna really annoyed me as a character but she grew on me a bit. I didn't really feel their relationship had much to it though. Matt's character was developed well, as were the other characters related to the team. I felt like the author over-explained a lot of the football (soccer) terminology and aspects of the game which felt tedious to read after a while. It also seemed there were some extra dramatic things thrown in with the injuries, Anna's dad, and then the bit with Jess. The ending felt super rushed and random to me, especially with Sunderland and Crystal Palace. I wished there wouldn't have been as much back story in the beginning and it would have just taken place from the beginning of the FA cup through his trial.

Overall, it could have been much better. I'm glad I read it and I think others may enjoy it more than I did! Thanks to Matador and #NetGalley for the copy of #PlayingForKeeps!

This was an enjoyable read. But beware, the football mentioned in the description, is not the western idea of football. It is our version of soccer.
However, it is a really great read. An American girl meets and falls in love with Matt, the footballer.. Overtime, she begins to understand the dedication he, and the town, has to the sport and his hope to go professional.
Within this story is woven another of Matt finding he has chemistry to another woman.
Well written, with true emotions regarding winning and losing in pro sports and romance.

I was provided with this copy in exchange for an unpaid, honest review.