LibraryNinja Book Reviews

published 6/3/26

Hot on the heels in the Hockey Ever After trilogy comes Just Playing for Keeps. Remy is a successful dating coach who, after finding a small jewelry box among her boyfriend’s things takes matters into her own hands to stage her pro-po- the only hitch- he is actually dumping her on the Jumbotron at a game, center ice seats- which has the ability to tank her fledgling business.

But the one guy who has been paying attention to Remy for far longer is widower Lake Axelrod- the winger for the Foxes and he sees his opportunity to finally seize the moment. Remy needs a plus-one for her sisters’ many wedding events that are a reality show and Lake is ready to jump into the fray- as her ‘fake boyfriend’ while trying to turn her into his ‘real ever after’. They come up with rules that eventually lead to more rules that lead to so much heat, the book will burn your hands.

This is one of the spiciest novels I’ve read of hers to date- and that’s saying a WHOLE LOT.

So. Much. Spice. I literally sweat thinking about it.

Lauren Blakely does a fantastic job of introducing Lake’s family, including his father who has become agoraphobic after loss. There aren’t punches pulled here- and the scenes between Lake and his father and the struggle to regain normalcy- and what that looks like- is a backstory so worth telling.

Thank you so much to Lauren Blakely’s team, who allowed me to read this arc in advance for free in exchange for an honest review.

#LaurenBlakely #JustPlayingforKeeps #libraryninja📚