It’s spring in Starr,s Fall and it welcomes new people Maggie and her son, they plan to open up a Board game cafe. They have troubles and a fresh start will do them both good. Zach the local playboy bumps into Maggie’s, but will there be romance as they have a ten year age gap. Really enjoyed this cozy easy read. This is part of a series and the first one was set in Autumn, both are great reads. It’s a feel good read with normal characters with normal issues, I liked that. A fabulous 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS IN STARR’S FALL by KATE HEWITT
Book 2 of 2: Starr's Fall
Spring is in the air in Starr’s Fall, and for two people, love may be just a roll of the dice away…
As the frozen earth gives way to the first spring crocuses, pushing their way into the warmer air, Maggie arrives in Starr’s Fall. She’s looking for a new start, with her lovable but painfully shy teenaged son in tow.
It feels like the odds are against her, but she’s determined to come out winning this time, and to fulfil her dream of opening up a board game café. But not everything’s a game, and when she finds herself attracted to a man who’s known as a different sort of player, she worries she’s setting herself up to lose
Zach is funny, surprisingly geeky, and, most importantly, bonds with her son. But Zach is also drop-dead gorgeous, has a reputation around town, and is also ten years younger than her.
When he asks her out on a date, Maggie is totally thrown. She can’t deny she’s attracted to him. But is she ready to risk her heart with another roll of the dice?
This is Maggie Parker and teenaged son Ben's story.
This is Zach Miller's story.
“Hello,” the woman sang out, and Maggie turned, startled. She still wasn’t used to people talking to her without knowing her history.
But now this woman— she couldn’t be more than twenty-five— was beaming at her, while the dark-haired man behind her tried to keep hold of a small, and very cute, wiry-haired dog.
“Are you new here?” the woman asked. “Are you moving in?”
Maggie glanced at the man, who smiled and waved. “Yes,” she said when she realized belatedly that it was her turn to talk. “We’re moving in.” She nodded toward the shuttered storefront. “We’re… we’re hoping to start a boardgame café here, actually.” There. She’d said it out loud, so now it had to happen, right?
“Zach?” A man emerged from the kitchen, holding a pizza box. “Extra spicy chorizo and pepperoni pizza?” “That’s me.”
The man— Zach— turned around, one golden eyebrow arched. “You have a problem with my pizza?” he asked, and to her mortification, his tone was flirtatious.
“Are you new here?” he called just as she’d reached the door.
“Well,” he said with a grin that made his eyes sparkle, “welcome to the neighborhood.”
PLAYING FOR KEEPS IN STARR’S FALL by KATE HEWITT is a 3 star book.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are entirely my own.

I enjoyed the first Starr’s Fall book, but I couldn’t finish Playing for Keeps. First of all, I have no interest in games and a lot of the dialogue revolved around it. Fair enough, but I also wasn’t into the age gap love story, and the son I thought was maybe 10 from the way he was written who turned out to be 15. Maybe I’m wrong, but 15 seems old enough to help your mom move and settle, realize she’s grieving and not pester her about opening a store every 5 minutes. I also thought the love interest, Zach, was in his mid-20’s until I found out through another review here that he was 31. Maggie’s only 41 but acts like she’s ancient (and fair enough, because we all feel that way sometimes, but I just felt like there was too big of a maturity difference between her and Zach.)

I’m sad to say I couldn’t finish it because I know from the previous book that it had potential, but I just didn’t care about reading page after page about games, just a personal preference. I gave it a few chances and tried! It’s not bad, it’s just not for me.

I received an advanced copy through NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

"Hope feels so hard sometimes. To do it on the first place, and then also to risk the disappointment. I tell myself to be realistic about everything but sometimes I just want to believe."

This picks up very shortly before the epilogue of book 1 (by which I mean a few hours before!) where we meet Maggie and Ben at Thanksgiving. They're moving to Starr's Fall for a new start following the death of Maggie's husband/Ben's dad. Maggie works to open a board game cafe, with help from Zach - well known around town as a player, who everyone warns her about.

Maggie, Ben and Zach have a lot of healing to do, in different ways and their stories are well-written and engrossing. I loved reading this book (and the previous one) - the world and the characters are fantastic. It's Gilmore Girls adjacent - Hartford is nearby, there's small town gossip, but it's far more complex and interesting. There were difficult topics covered, but done sensitively.

There are references to book 1 but all explained in enough detail that this could be read as a stand alone.

The epilogue sets up the next story - I'm already looking forward to hearing about more from Starr's Fall.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt is a very charming contemporary novel. It is the second book in the Starr’s Fall series but can be read as a stand-alone.
All the characters are well drawn, believable and easy to empathise with. We see that Starrs Fall is a warm and welcoming community, where everyone knows your name – and your business! The residents help each other as they journey through life.
Starrs Fall offers a place to heal from life’s hurts. Various residents all have different stories – from the original resident of the town to the teenage boy recovering from bullying, and all those in between.
Life deals us blows. Life squashes the life out of some people – but lives can be redeemed and restored.
We learn of lives being controlled by others. “She’s let herself be changed.” Sometimes others are coercive in ways that are not recognized at the time. “Her life behind the glowing, golden bars of what had felt… like a gilded prison.” Riches do not make one happy, love and care do.
Sometimes parents place undue pressure on their children. “Letting Ben be the person he needed to be, rather than the person… anyone else thought he should be.” When expectations are too pressured, lives crumble.
A young mother and her teenage son are recovering from the loss of a husband and father. Grief cripples. Guilt goes hand in hand with grief.
There is a character who has been a people-pleaser all his life. This personal revelation enables a life to be re-evaluated and a new direction chosen.
A board game café offers new life for all the residents of Starrs Fall as they come together and discover new skills.
I thoroughly enjoyed Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall. It was such a delight, very warm and welcoming. I am sorry it is ended.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall
by Kate Hewitt

This is the second book in the Starr's Fall series, but it's the first one I have read. I previously enjoyed another book by Kate Hewitt. The story follows Maggie Parker, a widow who moves to Starr's Fall with her teenage son, Ben, to open a board game café on the main street. They both want to start a fresh new life and having vacationed in the area twice before, they believe it’s the perfect place for a fresh start. Maggie's main objective is for Ben to heal from the challenges he faced over the past year and to create a better life for both of them.

Zack Miller is the local boy with a bad reputation as a ladies' man, according to the locals. He and his older sister are now running their parent's old grocery store, which still feels rooted in the 1990s. Zack stops by the shop shortly after Maggie's arrival as the sign for the upcoming board game café takes his interest, he and Ben bond over their mutual interest in the online game RainQuest. Zack also notices how attractive Maggie is and flirts a little, but she concerns herself with their age difference and the fact that it has only been a year since her husband's passing.

A deep and meaningful friendship soon developed between Zack, Maggie and Ben as they navigated the process of opening their café in the charming small town. Their bond grew stronger as they shared their hopes, dreams, and the challenges they faced, allowing Maggie to form connections with other locals along the way.

The book is skillfully crafted, featuring well-defined pacing and relatable characters that draw readers in. Kate Hewitt masterfully creates a compelling storyline "Starr’s Fall," infusing it with themes of healing and the pursuit of love. I admired the way the three main characters evolved throughout the book; Kate provided them with ample opportunity to grow, allowing their personalities and relationships to develop organically. However, I found myself wishing for more romantic elements to be woven into the plot. The story does delve into several sensitive topics that some readers might find challenging, yet it's crucial to acknowledge that these struggles reflect the complexities of real life and the journey we all undertake.

I am thoroughly enjoying the town of Star Fall. The first book was great and the 2nd book was just as good. A small-town, feel good romance with an age gap (and single parent) was just what I was looking for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this book. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the small town feel of this book and the characters were relatable however I just had a hard time getting into the plot of the story. I didn't really care for the age gap romance and how the friendship between the male Main character and female main characters son started out the whole connection.

I would definitely read more by this author, I just think this trope was not for me.

I’ve always enjoyed this author and this book is no exception. You feel like you’re part of the story and no matter how many characters there may be in a book you feel like you’re a part of that world and invested in these characters as well. This would be a perfect beach read or book club book to choose. Loved the characters, location, and story.

I enjoyed the first book in the Starr’s Fall series, so I was looking forward to this second instalment—and I wasn’t disappointed.

Maggie and her teenage son, Ben, have been through a lot in the past couple of years. After the tragic death of Maggie’s husband, Ben has struggled at school and is recovering from an event that is slowly revealed throughout the book. Hoping for a fresh start, they move to Starr’s Fall, a place full of happy memories from past summers, with the dream of opening a board game café. The story touches on some difficult topics, but in a way that feels appropriate for the genre—gentle, hopeful, and full of heart.

The small-town charm of Starr’s Fall really shines here, reminding me of Gilmore Girls with the way the community welcomes Maggie and Ben. Their café isn’t just a business venture; it’s a place for people to gather, connect, and belong. I loved seeing that vision come to life.

What Maggie wasn’t expecting, however, was romance—especially not with Zach, a man ten years younger with a bit of a reputation around town. Their relationship develops slowly, which I appreciated, especially with everything else going on in their lives. Zach’s effort to connect with Ben was particularly touching and added depth to his character.

It was also nice to revisit familiar faces from the first book, though this one can absolutely be read as a standalone. There’s even a hint at what’s coming in book three, which has me excited for more from this series.

If you enjoy small-town romance with a single-parent storyline, Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall is a great pick. It’s a warm, comforting read about second chances, community, and taking a chance on love.

I received an ARC from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

This is a heartfelt, small-town romance about second chances, community, and the courage to open one’s heart again.

Maggie, a single mother, moves to Starr’s Fall with her teenage son, determined to give them both a fresh start. After years of struggle, she hopes her new board game café will provide stability and a sense of belonging. Adjusting to small-town life isn’t easy, but Maggie quickly finds herself embraced by the locals, especially the warm-hearted yet sharp-tongued Henrietta Starr, the town’s matriarch.

Then there’s Zach, a younger man who exudes easygoing charm. As he forms an unexpected bond with Maggie’s son, she finds herself drawn to him as well, despite her reservations. Having been burned before, Maggie is hesitant to trust again, and the age gap between her and Zach only fuels her doubts. But as she watches him support her son and bring laughter back into their lives, she begins to wonder if maybe—just maybe—she deserves a love that’s playful, uplifting, and real.

This novel beautifully captures the essence of small-town life, where neighbors rally together, new friendships blossom, and love often comes when least expected. Kate Hewitt delivers a sweet, uplifting story filled with warmth, humor, and tender emotions, making it a perfect read for fans of heartfelt, feel-good romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for providing me an e-arc in change for a honest review.
I enjoyed this small town romance book, it’s the second in the series, this time following a widower who’s moved into the area for a fresh start and falls for the local younger bad boy.
Although this was an enjoyable well written book it personally wasn’t for me. However if you enjoy a small town, second chance, age gap romance the this is one for you!

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt is a delightful read about starting over, moving forward from the past, finding the purpose for one's life, and finding hope for the future. Throw a romance in the mix and you have a page-turning enjoyable read. Thumbs up for Hewitt.

Releases Mar. 21st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This follows Maggie and her son Ben, she lost her husband a year ago and both of them are in need of a new start, choosing Starr's Fall as it holds good memories from past holidays. They have dreams of opening a board game café, very niche but she soon meets local heartthrob Zach who is surprisingly geeky and immediately bonds with Ben over their mutual love of game RQ. Zach helps to bring their dream to life but when he wants more than a friendship with Maggie will she be prepared to take a chance.

Its so lovely to be back in Starr's Fall, I loved Laurie's story in book 1 and when she was the first to wish Maggie a warm welcome it warmed my heart too.
Maggie and Ben's story was a tough one but really important to raise awareness to which I thought was handled with sensitivity. Considering Maggie's loss and needing to protect her own heart as well as focus on Ben, she is wary of any attention Zach gives her. The age gap of 10 years isn't an issue for Zach, however for Maggie she just can't see why the most handsome man in Starr's Fall would be attracted to her. With her self esteem low, Zach works on showing Maggie he can be trusted and helps her bring the Café to life.
While Maggie tries to integrate herself into the town she finds herself facing the gossip about Zach's reputation and when a misunderstanding with Ben causes Maggie to go into protective mum mode their budding friendship is at risk.
I loved the growth of all of the main 3 characters, Kate really gave them all the time and space within the story for them to develop. I would however have loved to have had more romance, I think a few more chapters would have given me the feel good feelings I was searching for.
Tropes are Age Gap, Friends to lovers, Single parent.
Thank you NetGalley, Kate Hewitt and Boldwood for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. This is such a cute small town book. About a mother and son wanting a change. I fell in love with all the characters and the characters were relatable. A story about a relationship between a mother and son but also about finding love.

I absolutely loved the second book in the Starr Fall’s series. This one follows Maggie, a widower and her son Ben’s journey with healing after her husband’s death while they try to rebuild their lives in Starr’s Fall by opening a gaming cafe. Zach, known as the town’s playboy, plays a big role in their healing, even though Maggie is cautious with how much she wants to allow Zach to be a part of their new lives.

As the storyline developed, I could see some parts of myself in all the characters. Healing for all the characters, even the non-main ones comes in so many different forms and stages. Which shows that healing and coming into your own self isn’t linear for everyone.

There’s possible romance, in a small town, with an age-gap between the main characters. What more can you ask for. This has to be one of my favorite reads of the year.

A sweet story of people dealing with personal issues and their growth. An age-gap romance, dealing with the death of a spouse and father, and so much more are presented in this heart-warming tale. I look forward to another visit to Starr's Fall. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I enjoyed the first book of this series and will keep reading all the books this author comes out with. I love how the author does a mix of real life nitty gritty and small-town romance. Also, how cute a board game café, I wish I had one in my town. Starrs Fall is a place I want to keep coming back to over and over again. Maggie and Ben's story is a timeless trope, with both suffering from grief and trying to move on. It is a story of hope and second chances. What's not to love! This series is perfect for Fans of the Gilmore Girls and Virgin River.

Thank you, Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This series is absolutely wonderful. Great setting and characters that you really care about. I’m very much looking forward to the next one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I enjoy Kate Hewitt's books; they have more substance to them than many in the genre. Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall is the second in a series set in small town New England, the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else's business. Apart from there being a remarkable number of incomers to such an unremarkable town (!), it's a pretty believable set-up. Maggie and her son move to the town a year after their husband/father is killed in a road accident. They have money but little energy or emotional resources. Inevitably Maggie meets a man and makes other friends very easily. But the rupture in her blossoming relationship happens fairly early in the book, leaving room for a more realistic resolution.