Playing for Keeps

Loving this minor league series. It’s refreshing to see characters who don’t have multi-millions to throw at challenges, and who don’t make it so big.

One question I had is how the guys are still relatively well-off. With an average salary of $52K in the minors, I would think most would need a working spouse or would need a summer job. But that may very well be my ignorance.

There were two details that didn’t sit right with me:
1. The guys nagging each other to talk. Not realistic. IRL, guys do banter, esp about “sensitive” topics, but readily back off if a buddy is genuinely upset. Men are pretty good about letting someone open up in their own time. That’s an important part of their friendship.

2. ALL we see of the coach is him being angry. I’ve just started the coach’s story and on the first page it refers to him being known as level-headed/unflappable. Not at all how he’s been portrayed. In fact, we’ve had his players afraid to move bc they don’t want to set him off. And he’s thrown things. I honestly don’t know at this point, why anyone would want to play for him.

So, the characters are excellent and have real-life challenges, but the finances and the team cohesion could use some bolstering via context.

This is the 3rd book in the York Bombers series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment and understanding, I recommend reading this series in order.

Jennifer had to start over. She just needed a new place and new scenery to get over the past. Her brother lets her stay with him. Then she meets his teammate....

Tyler has already got the hots for his friends sister. The code among the team is you don't poach family. He just cannot stop how he feels. She seems to feel something too.

This is such a fast paced story. I like the characters and the heat. Love that it has hockey. This series is just a really great read. I am hoping for another installment.

***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.

Playing For Keeps is the third book in the York Bombers series. As with the author's other books, the action is hot and steamy, so definitely 18+. While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Though some events coincide with events in the first book. There is some violence.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. This story is about Tyler and Jenny. If you read the previous book, Playing to Win, we first met Jenny in her brother Jason's story. As a hockey fan, I always like the hockey action, but like how this book also highlighted that off the ice the players are real people with family, jobs, and relationship issues just like the rest of us. I look forward to reading more of this series.