Reviews

Playing for Keeps by Kendall Ryan

megwoman25's review against another edition

2.0

Lackluster

I accidentally deleted my review and can’t be bothered to write another detailed one considering how lackluster this book was. I was excited Kendall Ryan was putting this series on KU for a limited time yet the characters in this book felt very 1 dimensional and while I believed they liked having sex with each other, it didn’t feel like they really had any deeper connection which is weird considering they basically grew up together.

The conflict was predictable because obviously the brother was going to be upset at some point. The book did set up the series for the other books but I can’t say I am super excited to keep reading them. Quite disappointing really.

kimmykim79's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is my first book from Kendall Ryan and I’m so hooked. The storyline between Elise and Justin was incredible.  I loved the spicy 🌶️ chapters, the drama, the romance and how the story ended.  It was so hard to put this book find. I highly recommend it.  

mandarenae's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

stewartbrittany26's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0

kippins's review against another edition

DNF there was just nothing likeable about either character for me.

aleigh220's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

bel_saturnreads's review against another edition

3.0

3'5

Ha estado entretenido aunque pasaron un poco de cosas al principio que fue como en serio? pero poco a poco fue remontando aunque eso entretenido y poco mas

Me quedo con los chicos de Briar y Pucked ♥

bookbae96's review against another edition

4.0

Let's see, hot hockey player, best friend's sister, longtime unrequited love...Kendall Ryan has managed to cover a multitude of delicious bases with PLAYING FOR KEEPS, the first book in her new Hot Jocks series, and, y'all, she hit a home run with this one.

I have to tell you, as much as I love Kendall's books, I wasn't sure that I was going to love Justin Brady as much as I did. I mean, he's the typical sports god player, playing as hard as he works, and getting all the ladies. But Justin is harboring a secret, that soft spot that he has for Elise Parrish, lifetime friend and younger sister of his teammate and bestie. To make matters even stickier, Justin is not alone in his feelings, because sweet Elise feels just the same. Ruh-roh, romance lovers, talk about a fly in the ointment. Because we all know that the best friend's sis is waaay off limits.

I really did enjoy this book, and I especially loved that Justin redeemed himself so easily for me. He and Elise work so well because of the friendship that existed before all of the romantic stuff, and it makes for a more solid and realistic relationship, which I personally really like.

Kendall is building a group of characters that are fun to read, have some actual depth to their personalities, and storylines that are about more than just the steamy stuff. PLAYING FOR KEEPS is a solid 4 stars for me, and a great set-up for ALL THE WAY, the next book in the series. This is definitely one for all of the sports romance fans, and, if you're already a fan of Kendall's books, this is one to grab right the heck now. You can thank me later... :-)

winemakerssister's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars

'Playing for Keeps' is quintessentially Kendall Ryan: sexy, relatively entertaining, and formulaic. It's okay, but just that. There's absolutely nothing in the novel that you can't find in dozens of others. It's a story of a hockey player who falls for his best friend's little sister (who has always had a crush on him). Sound familiar? Uh, yeah.

Luckily it's part of Audible's Romance Package so it was free.

Themes: hockey, best friend's little sister (off limits), Seattle, preschool teacher

darkness223's review against another edition

4.0

This is a fun sexy brother best friend romance and I really enjoyed it. I liked that Elise and Justin and know and liked each other for years but because of her brother, they had never acted on their feelings that is until one night and one too many drinks but afterward, there are some misunderstandings between them and their relationship is now not the same but when she tries to move one he finally decides to act and prove he is good enough for her.