Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt is a romance that returns us to Starr’s Fall, a small New England town that appears to be dying, but the reality is much different. Maggie and her son, Ben, were staring at a pitiful Thanksgiving dinner, when Maggie decided they would go to Starr’s Fall and check out the property she had bought. It had been a rough year: Matt, husband and father, had died in a car wreck and Ben had been so bullied by his schoolmates that he had tried to take his own life. To be fair, their life with Matt hadn’t been great before he died, but they both had high hopes. Between the life insurance and the profit from the huge house Matt had insisted on, they had plenty of money so they were going to Starr’s Fall to open a game boarding cafe with an apartment above it in which they would live. Once they moved, they met a young man named Zach who loved playing the same computer game Ben did and to whom Maggie was mightily attracted, But, he was ten years younger, and she was not ready, anyway. Life went on as they adjusted to their new life.

Starr’s Fall is a place for second chances. Maggie and Ben found theirs there. The board game cafe was just what the little town needed. Ben made friends and so did Maggie. The reader was reintroduced to people the reader met in the last book. It was all very cozy and slowly they both healed. It was not an exciting read, but a satisfying one. Romances are all about happy endings and this book gave that. Good read.

I was invited to read Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #KateHewitt #PlayingForKeepsInStarrsFall

This is the second book in the Starr's Fall series, but reads perfectly well on its own.

Maggie and her son, Ben, are moving to Starr's Fall for a fresh start after the traumatic death of Maggie's husband/Ben's dad. They are going to open a board game café in the town. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story and thought the café sounded amazing.

When they first arrive in Starr's Fall, Maggie meets Zach and instantly falls for him. Although they get on well, Maggie feels that she is too old for him and also guilty about having feelings for someone when she is still grieving her husband. She is also put off by the way everyone in town keeps referring to Zach's serial dating reputation.

As they prepare for the opening of the cafe, Zach becomes close friends with both Maggie and Ben, but then something happens to cause a rift between them.

I loved the setting of Starr's Fall and will definitely be reading the first book in the series, and any future ones. The small town seems lovely and the book was a perfect escapist read for me.
The story was cute, but some parts about Ben's experiences were a bit heavy.

This is a low spice romance - just kissing.
Trigger warnings for mentions of death, bullying and self harm.

Maggie and her son, Ben, have been through quite a lot in the last year. They have decided to get a fresh start in Starr's Fall. And they do that in spite of old fears and some new ones. Maggie is afraid of her feelings for Zach, but he is just so kind and understanding. I was glad for them to get together.

Wholesome small town vibes with romance, friendship and family.

This is the second book in the Starr’s Fall series and I absolutely loved it. This book follows newly widowed mum Maggie who moves to Starr’s Fall to start a new life with her teenage son and open a board game cafe. Zach, a local who grew up in the town but has always felt like an outsider is also looking for a fresh start and when the two meet and Zach bonds with Maggies teenage son about an online video game, it starts a friendship with an underlying attraction.
This book is full of cosy small town vibes, fresh starts and an unlikely romance.

⭐️ Age gap romance
⭐️Small town
⭐️ Widowed mum with teenage son
⭐️ Gilmore Girls vibes
⭐️ Board game cafe

The second book in the Starr's Fall series which, in my opinion, was better than the first, which I also loved.

The second book takes place in the same cute little town, Starr's Fall, but follows the life of a different character, Maggie, who is new to town and opening up a board game cafe (as a gamer, I love all the gaming talk). Maggie is looking to start her life over after the death of her husband. She is also trying to help her teenage son start fresh after suffering from bullying and depression.

This is a somewhat typical romance story, but the characters had deeper, backgrounds that seemed more relatable and real than most. It was not as lighthearted as the first book felt but that made me enjoy it more and get a tad emotional at a couple moments.

Overall, enjoyed, and am looking forward to what I hoped was a setup at the end to a third book focusing on a new character's story.

'Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall' by Kate Hewitt is the next in the Starr's Fall series. Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. Maggie and her teenage son, Ben, decide to move to Starr's Fall, where they have had happy family holidays in the past. Maggie's husband died the previous year, so they decide to sell up and open a board game cafe at the one place they've been happy. However, despite a warm welcome from the other residents Maggie, who has barely worked and never run a business before, begins to wonder if she has bitten off more than she cope with. Zach, co-owner of the local general store, is also looking for a fresh start. Pigeon holed by the local community, can he and Maggie be what the other is looking for? I read and enjoyed this book, but for me it didn't quit measure up to the first book in the series.

🎲🃏Knowing when you need a fresh start🎮

4-4.5🌟 stars
A good romance, with a reverse age gap that bothered Maggie, the widow female lead, but not handsome Starr's Fall local general store co-owner Zach. The two have chemistry from their first encounter but Maggie, widowed only a year or so earlier and with her troubled, sensitive 14 year old son to fret over, resists, resists, resists. And all of the other locals keep telling her Zach's a player, which just serves to reinforce her reluctance to take the plunge. Not really steamy and I was totally fine with the slow development of their relationship and focus on emotion instead.

I liked all three main characters, especially Zach, and that the underlying theme for this small-town romance was getting perspective on one's life and making the changes that will increase your joy and optimism for the future. Maggie uprooted herself and son Ben, diving into a new community and a new business venture to help Ben. But it also made her take a deep look at where her life had been going before the move. And Zach, uncomfortably entrenched in the family business and unable to shake a reputation from his high school days, finally realizes he needs to revamp his relationship with his sister Jenna and find his own niche.

Ben's story and transformation also added a lot to the plot.

I missed the first book in this series but I like the town characters, including feisty octogenarian Harriet Starr, and anticipate returning for future stories in the series.

TW: discussion of bullying and past suicide attempt.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 3/17/25 on Waterstones, Goodreads, Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM. To be shared with kobo and Google Play when published.

Kate Hewitt writes a gripping and emotionally charged tale in Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall. The novel is placed in the quaint, idyllic village of Starr's Fall, where a strong-willed heroine is pulled into an unconventional romance that confronts their innermost fears and desires. With a blend of personal conflicts, family relationships, and social dynamics, Hewitt animates a story that is both heartwarming and realistic. The story is well-plotted, with tension and resolution points that keep readers fully invested. The characters here are deeply realized, with multifaceted emotional journeys that give the story depth. The journey of self-discovery taken by the protagonist feels true and accessible, and the ways in which he changes in his relationships with the other characters feel natural and significant. Supporting characters, ranging from family members and friends to love interests, are developed with unique personalities and motivations, adding to the rich fabric of Starr's Fall. Hewitt does a great job of making her characters real and complex.

The writer's style is lyrical, evocative, and rich in emotional content. She is a master of capturing the subtlety of human interactions and inner struggles, and that has become one of the markers of her technique. The writing walks the golden line between description and narrative readability perfectly, sucking the reader in with the universe of Starr's Fall and sustaining her interest in the characters' struggles. At its core, Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall is a love, grit, and risk-taking story that explores how it takes courage to create a meaningful life. The book also touches on the issues of family, forgiveness, and the value of accepting one's weaknesses. Through her narrative, Hewitt conveys a strong message about the potential of healing through connection and the grace of discovering love where it is least expected.

The author uses various literary devices to make the narrative richer, such as descriptive imagery, effective dialogue, and periods of reflection. Her utilization of the small town as a backdrop and metaphor for transformation makes the story richer and more profound. The pacing is controlled, as the emotional arcs are allowed to develop organically while maintaining interest from readers. The pacing of the novel is excellent, with a consistent rhythm that oscillates between tension and relaxation. The organization is natural, with chapters that run smoothly and culminate in a fulfilling ending. Hewitt's clear writing makes the book enjoyable to read, with a broad appeal to various readers.

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall is a wonderfully crafted and emotionally satisfying novel that will appeal to readers of contemporary romance and character-driven fiction. Kate Hewitt's masterful storytelling, along with her skill at portraying the intricacies of love and relationships, makes this book a gem in her repertoire. Although some readers might enjoy a more fast-paced or plot-based novel, the power of the novel is its emotional resonance and applicability. I would most strongly recommend Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall to anyone looking for a warm and uplifting novel of love, hope, and belonging.

Mourning the sudden death of her husband and her son’s father, Maggie makes the huge decision to uproot her life and move with her son to Starr’s Fall, a small town that offers a fresh start for them both. Since her husband’s death, Maggie has discovered that her husband wasn’t a good man, and that knowledge has affected their son most deeply. Her priority is to ensure that her son, Ben, finds the support that he both needs and deserves. For that reason, she has sold the family home and reinvested the money into a shop unit in the close-knit community of Starr’s Fall. Their dream is to open the unit as a board game café, a concept that Ben insists will be a huge success.
One of the first people that Maggie encounters is Zach, a handsome guy with a reputation for being a player and a good decade younger than her. Of course, Zach’s reputation precedes him, and every alarm bell rings for her. Having just come out of her marriage and adjusting to being a widow, she is determined not to be sidetracked from her focus on her son.
Zach is a delightful yet misunderstood lead, and he absolutely captured my imagination. His focus on being kind to others and supporting the local community was overshadowed by the opinions on his private life. The impact on his life soon becomes evident as the story expands, and we learn more about how opinions about his personal life are misleading. Zach happily offers friendship to Ben and supports Maggie in her push to open the board game café.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book's romance and the gentle buildup of the story, which allowed Maggie, Ben, and Zach to heal their pain. I can highly recommend this trip to Starr’s Fall and will be looking forward to future visits.

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt is a heartfelt and compelling romance that blends small-town charm with deep emotional themes. The novel follows Maggie, a dedicated single mother, and Zach , good looking local with quite a reputation. Both are searching for a change and when their paths cross both find they start to open up to love and healing.
Hewitt excels at crafting complex, relatable characters with real-world struggles. Maggie is a strong and determined protagonist, balancing motherhood and personal sacrifice, doing all she can to make sure her son is happier and more secure. She has made the decision to uproot them to this small, local community and open a games café – with risks surrounding every decision she’s made, Maggie is determined this will work. Zach is tired of not being taken seriously, everyone having opinions including his own sister; meeting Maggie and her son starts things in motion that has things changing. Their chemistry is believable, and their slow-burn romance develops in a natural, touching way that keeps readers invested.
The backdrop of Starr's Fall, with its welcoming community and scenic beauty, enhances the story's cosy, small-town atmosphere. Hewitt also weaves in themes of family, self-worth, and resilience, adding depth to the romance.
While the story follows some familiar romance tropes, Hewitt’s excellent character development and emotional depth elevate the story beyond a typical love tale. The secondary characters add to the narrative, making the town of Starr's Fall feel like a place you'd want to return to. If you have read the first book you will enjoy catching up with already well loved characters.
Overall, Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall is a beautifully written, emotional romance that will appeal to fans of small-town love stories and strong character-driven narratives. It's a heartwarming read with just the right mix of warmth, personal growth, and love.

This is the second book in the series and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. The story is about Maggie who arrives in Starrs Falls looking for a new fresh start with her son. It’s a wonderful romance set in an idyllic setting with wonderful characters . Recommended

this is highly unfair. as a young girl i wanted to move in to Stars Hollow in the Gilmore girls. hell, i wanted to run away to be adopted by them. even though looking back now as an adult the sensible side of me says dont be silly. but reading this book it seems the adult in me still wants to be scooped up and swept away by another similar place. and here enters Starrs fall. so yes, take me there please. another edition of the Starrs Fall series begins with a widow moving to the town. she has her vulnerable son with her and is having to work hard at being brave for the both of them.
we are back with the town. and back with the same gorgeous descriptions of both place and characters. the way Kate Hewitt writes is both beautiful and warm. i fall in love with all her books. its safe to say im a big fan. and having been that way for a while now, it feel just wonderful to know that
every book she brings out, i will love. and indeed once again i did.
don't get me wrong. not everyone in the town is Hallmark movie wonderful. and thats what Kate does so well. she doesnt scrimp on reality and relatable real characters. its doesnt have to be cliched or ucky to just be a great place,people,and plot.
and of course there is the love interest. its Zach who enters that role. and there is an instant bashful moment for both Maggie and us as readers. we are all giggly now. but Zach has a reputation. so Maggie doesnt want to play a game with her heart. shes here only to start her game cafe. no men allowed on that dice roll.
i really enjoyed the bond that the three got together. how Zach was so good with Maggie's son. and how throughout the book they became a really lovely unit. and grew and moved and healed together.
brilliant book. and anohter grateful thankyou for the opportuinthy to read this,

Maggie and Zach. Another sweet, slow-burn, clean sort-of-romance for a couple with a reverse age-gap.
Again we are in the cute little town of Starr’s Fall with the sweet, welcoming and gossipy residents. Maggie and her son Ben have been through some hardships and move there for a fresh start. A friendship is developed between them and Zach who, as time goes by, realises he too needs some life changes.
I liked the gaming references, both online and boardgame ones, it was nice to see them in a book. The description of their emotions and thought process was well done and I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first one. The 3rd person narrative makes it harder for me to feel more connected with the MCs and the fact that the actual romantic moments between the MCs are so few doesn’t allow me to give a higher rating.

-3rd person POV
-Spice: 0.25🌶️

Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Maggie has had a devastating blow and with her loveable, quirky young son the pair are about to make a fresh start in Starr's Fall opening a board game cafe. We see past characters of the small town feature in the book which made me feel right at home. The characters are believable and down to earth creating a charming tale. It felt romantic while keeping it cool. It's quite a nostalgic and emotional read. The chapters are filled with laughter and plenty of love and that has me wanting to stay in the book forever!

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall is the second book in the Starr's Fall series. While there was a lot I liked about this book, it just didn't have the charm of the first book. I really liked the residents of the town and enjoyed catching up with them, and the board game cafe was a fun touch. But I didn't feel much of a connection between the main characters, and the book just felt heavier than I like in a romance. That said, I did still enjoy the story overall, and am looking forward to the next in the series.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Maggie and her son Ben are looking for a new start in their lives since the loss of her husband. She knew that they could find what they were looking for in Starr’s Fall. They opened a Café called Board Games. This was an idea that seemed to suit them both.
This story had the perfect combination of people – the location and the need to have that family feel with everyone in the town and romance.
This book was a perfect way to spend a quiet weekend with all the people I meet in this book.
Thank you NetGalley, Kate Hewitt and Boldwood Books for the copy of the book Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall. This is my personal review,

Ah! Love confusion, starting over, and a slew of general and personal problems join together beautifully to form this lovely and tender story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this, the second book in the series.

The story is about Maggie, who’s recently lost her partner and her son Ben. Both of them trying to get their lives back on track. They move to Starr’s Fall and open a gaming cafe.

We also meet Zach, who is known by the residents as the town’s playboy. He helps them both a lot in their healing process. But Maggie is wary of how much to allow him into their lives.

I recommend this book.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall’, book two in the Starr’s Fall series written by Kate Hewitt, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Recovering from the death of her husband just over a year ago, Maggie and her teenage son Ben decide to move to Starr’s Fall, a town they’ve only been to twice before, and open up a Board Game Cafe at Ben’s suggestion. As she queues for their pizzas in ‘Slice of Heaven’ Maggie meets Zach who’s ten years younger than her, drop-dead gorgeous and who she’s instantly attracted to, but he has a reputation in Starr’s Fall for the number of women he’s dated and she knows there can never be anything between them other than friendship.

‘Playing For Keeps in Starr’s Fall’ is the wonderful story of a woman and her son who have history they’re hoping to forget by making a new life for themselves. Returning to Starr’s Fall gives me the same warm comfortable feeling that I had when reading the previous novel in the series and has made me want to keep reading without stopping. It’s an easy novel to read with a warm and fairly romantic plot and it’s been great meeting up with the previous characters again who feel more like old friends but with the addition of Maggie, Ben and Zach who’ve all been described to perfection. It’s a wonderful novel that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and I’m hoping there’ll be another in Starr’s Fall in the future.

"Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall" by Kate Hewitt is like settling into your favorite armchair with a warm cup of cocoa—comforting, heartwarming, and utterly delightful. Maggie's venture to open a board game café in the quaint town of Starr's Fall is as charming as it sounds, especially when paired with her endearing, albeit introverted, teenage son. Enter Zach, the town's unexpectedly geeky heartthrob with a reputation that precedes him, and sparks fly in the most unexpected ways. Hewitt's storytelling effortlessly transports you to a community reminiscent of "Gilmore Girls," where every corner holds the promise of new beginnings and heartfelt connections. The chemistry between Maggie and Zach is a delightful dance of wit and warmth, making this novel a must-read for anyone craving a feel-good romance set against the backdrop of a picturesque small town.