Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall is a heartwarming small town romance that I absolutely loved! I really enjoyed the first one in this series so I was looking forward to reading this one. This story is set in a quaint New England town with charming characters and is perfect for a fresh start. The romance between the main characters, Maggie and Zach, is very sweet and slow-burning. This book deals with heavy themes like bullying, self harm and grief, but the tone remains uplifting and hopeful.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC! Playing For Keeps in Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt is a lighthearted romcom about a young widow and her son who move to Starr’s Fall in hopes of a better life. Following the tragic death of her husband and her son’s difficult schooling year, Maggie decides to uproot Ben and move to Starr’s Fall to open a board game cafe. Little did she know, that this move would help her come to terms with the reality of her marriage before her husband‘s death. It also would allow her to accept the things that happened in her life in order to move on to better things. Being brave is not always easy, but sometimes is an essential part of life. Overall, a quick light read that I would recommend to others.

Kate Hewitt does emotion so well, and in Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall, she has managed to cover grief, loss, guilt, depression, and suicide in a measured yet engaging way. Starr’s Fall is a town of second chances and new beginnings for Maggie and her son Ben, who lost Maggie’s husband Matt in a motor vehicle crash just over a year before their story begins. It is clear that these two are barely marking time in their massive Greenwich home and that starting a boardgame café in a town they’ve only previously visited for holidays is a risky move. I felt for them both. Maggie is clearly riddled with grief, guilt, and worry, while Ben has withdrawn into his shell, virtually living his life in an online game called RainQuest. Zach, aka “Mr. Extra Spicy” both for his looks and his taste in pizza toppings, seems to be both happy-go-lucky and a bit of a flirt, though as the story unfolds it becomes clear that his life is not all beer and skittles either. I loved that he was keen to pursue a relationship with Maggie despite her being ten years older than him. At the same time, I could understand her worry over the age gap. These two are just wonderful characters and their story is uplifting and engaging from start to finish. The secondary characters are wonderful too, each playing a pivotal role in moving the story forward. The end of this book is heartwarming and uplifting. I haven’t read the first book in this series but am definitely going to check it out now. If it’s as good as this one, it will be worth reading.

This is the second book in the Starr's Fall series. I hadn't read the first one prior to this and it didn't affect my enjoyment of this book one little bit.

Starr's Fall is a small town where the main character, Maggie and her son, Ben have relocated to following the death of Maggie's husband. I liked Maggie's character very much. I appreciated the way with every decision she made she had Ben's welfare at the front of her mind and I think this made her extremely likeable.

I equally enjoyed the small town setting which the author described perfectly. The author brought the setting very much to life on the page.

Zach, the love interest was also a great character. It's a slow burn of a romance, but it was perfectly portrayed and I was rooting for them to get together. It's a lovely book which I recommend.

My second trip to Starr’s Fall and I love this town and the people who live there, it seems to be a place for people to find happiness and love will that happen when Maggie arrives with her fourteen year old son, Ben to open up Your Turn Next, a board game and café store, they both are carrying a lot of grief, but Maggie is determined that a new start is what they need and this is Ben’s true wish, will they get there?

When Maggie meets long time local Zach she is attracted to him even though she knows there is an age difference between them but he is fun and makes her feel good and he hits it off with Ben as well with their love of an online game RainQuest, soon Maggie is hearing things about Zach and with her vulnerability and her low confidence this will put a wedge between them, can she overcome this?

Zach has lived in Starr’s Fall his whole life and helps run the local shop with his sister Jenna but lately he has been feeling a bit put out with her and with what everyone in town thinks of him and they are wrong but when he meets newcomer Maggie and her son he starts to feel something that he hasn’t before, the age difference is not a worry for him but there are a few hurdles to cross before there might be a chance for what he has been looking for.

This is a lovely romance with fabulous characters and a lovely setting, one that I would highly recommend to any lover of small town romance and I look forward to more in this series there are a few locals who could find their HEA.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

This was such a cute book. It’s very small town cozy, very Gilmore girls. Maggie and her son Ben decide to move to Starr’s Falls, a small town that they vacation in years ago. Maggie lost her husband just over a year ago, and her son Ben has been struggling for a long time even before his father had died. Ben is a bit of a nerd likes video games and doesn’t have a lot of friends, but is a nice, kind boy. Maggie decides they need to change and Ben has always wanted to open a game café, Maggie decides to throw caution to the wind sell the big house. It’s way too big for them and move to this small town that her son Ben once asked if he could stay forever in.


As Maggie and then start to get moved into the new area, they meet Zach a younger man who seems to bond with them right away. Maggie also finds herself drawn to Zack, even though she declares that he’s way too young for her. Maggie meets many of the Starr’s Falls community members and decides that she’s going to say yes to things and make the life that she’s always wanted.

This was a cute romance, was enjoyable to read and was a good feel good book. This is the second book in the Starr’s Falls series.


Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for review, based upon my honest opinion.

The second book in the Starr’s Fall series is appropriately about second chances - at forgiveness, life, love, and new beginnings. Maggie and her teenage son Ben make a last minute move in the springtime to Starr’s Fall, a rural Connecticut town they previously vacationed in, all for a fresh start after her husband was killed in a car crash. Quickly getting to work to open a board game cafe in the small town, Maggie encounters Zach, the younger heartthrob with a reputation for being a heartbreaker. As they get to know each other, it’s clear there’s more to each of their stories…and some sparks.
This was a cute cozy romance, though it drove me nuts at times because of the lack of communication ;(would solve a lot of their problems!) and the quick forgive/forget when that wouldn’t happen. Otherwise I enjoyed this follow up and the new premise!
Thank you to Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’m going to say it…

Should I say it?!?!


I want to live in Starr’s Fall!

This book was honestly great and cozy to read . It may be a little slow in some areas. It overall a great read!

A fabulous story chock full of romance and lovely characters. I do love these books as they are so uplifting. They really paint a perfect picture which I enjoy. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt is a charming, heartwarming addition to the Starr's Fall series that will captivate fans of small-town romance and relatable characters. In this story, Maggie arrives in the picturesque town of Starr's Fall with her shy teenage son, hoping to start fresh and fulfill her dream of opening a board game café. The promise of a new beginning feels within her reach, but she quickly learns that life isn't always as simple as a roll of the dice.

Maggie's cautious optimism is tested when she meets Zach, a funny, geeky, and undeniably attractive local who bonds with her son. However, his reputation as a ladies' man and their ten-year age gap make Maggie wary of pursuing any kind of relationship. Despite her reservations, Zach’s charm and genuine connection with her son leave her questioning whether she can risk her heart once again.

Hewitt’s writing is as warm and inviting as the setting itself, with rich character development and a delightful exploration of second chances, vulnerability, and the complexities of love. Maggie and Zach’s dynamic is engaging—he’s the perfect balance of humor, sincerity, and youthful energy, while Maggie represents strength, resilience, and a mother’s protective instincts.

The town of Starr’s Fall continues to be the ideal backdrop for these emotional journeys, offering a sense of community, belonging, and the possibility of new beginnings. This book is a perfect escape for readers looking for a feel-good story about love, trust, and finding happiness when you least expect it.

If you love stories about starting over, unexpected romance, and the beauty of small-town life, Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall will definitely leave you smiling. It’s a sweet, uplifting read that will have you rooting for Maggie and Zach every step of the way.

Maggie and her son Ben have moved to Starr’s Fall, a place they have fond memories of, to start a new life after a difficult couple of years. Their plan is to open a boardgame café as Ben is a keen gamer. A chance meeting with Zach, a local born and raised in Starr’s Fall, has him offering to help with fitting out the café and he develops a bond with Ben, who is painfully shy and had been bullied in the past
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Both Maggie and Zach are attracted to each other but both are equally restrained by their pasts. Maggie is still grieving her husband’s sudden death, although the last few years of their marriage had seen them grow apart. Zach was still viewed by the locals as having the same reputation as he did as a high school senior, despite now being in his thirties. An image he doesn’t bother to dispel, even though it annoys him, until it starts to affect his growing relationship with Maggie.

A cosy, comfortable read had me rooting for Maggie and Zach to have the courage and determination to break free of the restraints of their pasts and grow into their shared future in Starr’s Fall.

Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall is the second book by Kate Hewitt I've read, and it’s the second in the Starr’s Fall series. Just like the first one, it captures that cozy vibe beautifully. This small-town, sweet romance is definitely one that many readers will find charming.
Maggie and Ben are still navigating the aftermath of her husband’s death and some of Ben's struggles. They decide it’s time for a fresh start in a new place, aiming to open a board game café. But as they soon discover, the journey isn’t as straightforward as they hoped, and they stumble upon more than they bargained for.
This story dives into themes of grief and second chances. Although it features a reverse age-gap romance, it does a wonderful job of exploring the characters' lives, family dynamics, and the community around them. I really liked Ben and Maggie most of the time, and I had a bit of a tough time with how judgmental everyone was toward Zach.
Overall, it's a lovely, enjoyable read that feels just right for spring. It’ll definitely make you wish you could live in a town like Starr’s Fall. While I liked this book a lot, I did feel like something was missing compared to the first. But I’m already excited to see where the story goes next and whose journey we’ll get to follow!

Loved the 2nd book in this series, this story is Maggie and Bens. From tragedy and consequences Maggie and Ben decide to move to Starr’s Fall and open a gaming cafe. In time Maggie and Ben meet people especially one of the well discussed in town Zach. Maggie and Ben open their Gaming cafe and it takes off. All turned out well for them both, look forward to the next book in the series.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Publisher Boldwood Books for the early read

I’m a bit under the weather (long story), but this small-town story featuring new starts, romances, and games was both heart-warming and compelling.
When you’re not feeling well, this type of read is excellent medicine to make you feel better. It’s a cozy book to read while looking at spring outside with a cat (or more cats) next to you.
The lovely characters and setting, along with moving and funny moments, made me smile and root for the characters.
Give me more books like this! I had fun, and it made me feel good. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy. All opinions are mine.

While this hasn't been my favourite in the series, it's still so lovely to pop back into Starrs Fall and catch up.
It's a perfect cosy pick me up.

3.5 rounded up.

I didn't know the book was part of a series. I want to read all of them. A small town romance with a few cute twists kept me reading and wishing I lived in Starr's Fall!

The second visit to Starr's Fall is full of family drama, loss and new beginnings. Maggie is a widow and still grieving, even if she's not sure how good her marriage was towards the end. Ben, her teenage son, is what keeps her moving forward, but he is reeling from his loss and other adolescent issues that have blighted his life. Motivated by their need to build a new life, they move to Starr's Fall, a place they were once happy in. The sense of family is key to this story. Maggie and Ben are emotionally broken and need the nurturing the Starr's Fall community can provide. The gentle romance builds from a mutual attraction, an element of forbidden love because of the age gap and the kindness Zach shows Maggie and her son. It's a complex story full of emotional ups and downs and charts a journey of self-realisation for Maggie, Ben and Zach. The gaming aspect gives the story a contemporary relevance and is the catalyst that draws Zach into Maggie's world. I like the small-town setting, the community, the emotional renewal Maggie and Ben achieve and the lovely, conflicted romance between Maggie and Zach.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

First, I want to thank Kate Hewitt, Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Oh how I just fell in love with Kate Hewitt’s newest book Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall!! This book was a breath of fresh air that I could not get enough of. Oh and I never realized this was part of a series-so now I want to read the rest in the series!! This book has the hallmark channel small town type of vibes that will put a smile on your face and love in your heart.

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. I say this because even though I didn’t read the first one I was able to catch on fine to this one. However, I would gladly read the first one.

I thought it was awesome that Ben came up with the idea of opening up a board game cafe with espresso and hot coco all by himself. That was the coolest concept ever to have board games, role playing games, and a cafe under one roof. Heck I wanted to jump into the story and offer to help volunteer my time to get it off the ground! I love playing board and card games!

Kate addressed some very important, tough, and heartbreaking and powerful life issues in this book.

The bond that Ben and Zach shared was priceless when it came to their gaming. They were literally in their own little world. Even Maggie Ben’s Mom didn’t comprehend the language!

Besides the Boardgame Cafe my other favorite storyline was the friendship that was blossoming between Zach and Maggie.

Kate’s book really did have a little bit of everything for every reading genre in this one I would say. I would highly suggest it to anyone who likes small town romances.

I loved the first book but sadly this one wasn’t for me. However I’m sure if there’s another book I will be happy to go back to Starr’s Fall.

Maggie arrives in town with her son Ben to open a board game cafe and have a fresh start after losing her husband/Ben's father and Ben's bullying at his previous school. I liked the idea of a board game cafe in a small town, and I enjoyed the characters in the small town of Starrs Fall. We were able to revisit Joshua and Laurie. I would've liked less of the awkward flirting between Maggie and Zach, and more of the romance. She was pretty awkward and immature at first and then gradually grew on me. I loved Zach though and sympathized with how frustrating it would be to have the towns folk constantly comment on how he's played the field etc. He turned out to be a good guy with a good heart. I also enjoyed her son Ben and sympathized with his problems. I loved the friendship between Zach and Ben. This was the second in the series and could be a stand-alone. The ending seemed to be setting us up for the newest resident to Starr's Fall. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Thanks to @netgalley, @boldwood, @rachelsrandomresources, and the author for this arc.