Just Playing For Keeps is book 2 in the Hockey Ever After series and follows widower, Lake Axelrod, and his sister’s best friend, Remy.
About Just Playing For Keeps
Lake has a hidden history. Everyone knows he was married before and his wife was killed. What they do not know is the story behind what happened right before the accident that killed her. He is a single cat daddy, which allows him to attend the get togethers his single dad teammates have. He is very close to his father and looks out for him. He brings him games and visits him every chance he has.
Remy is best friends with Lake’s sister. She also works part time with the same team he plays for. She has been dating a guy and was expecting an outcome that never happened. Instead, she was embarrassed to be the center of attention. When Lake sees what is happening, he draws attention away from her and onto him.
Remy has always had a crush on Lake. But when she is in desperate need for a date to her sister’s wedding, he volunteers to be her date and her fake boyfriend. Especially since her ex, who broke up with her in public, will be there and she is the maid of honor (MOH).
Even though Lake is not part of the wedding party, because Remy is he goes with her to all of the events she needs to be at. Cake tasting. Dress fittings and pick up. He is there for everything to support her. But when the bridal shower venue has a last minute snafu, he really comes through by allowing them to have it at his family ranch.
As time passes with wedding events, fake becomes real. These two are destined to be together, but neither is willing to broach the subject with the other.
Lake has opened up to Remy, telling her about his marriage, his father and his life. Yes they are friends. But they are so much more. But what will it take for them to realize they belong together?
Impressions
I have mixed emotions about this book. I love Lake and Remy together. Everyone can see what they so clearly cannot. They are so determined not to get hurt and keeping in mind that this is only temporary that they do not see what is really happening.
Lake’s backstory broke my heart. His father’s story is a testament to how life events affect older people more personally than younger people. Although we do not meet his wife, we get a picture of who she was through him describing their relationship to Remy. It was the first time he had opened up about everything. And it seemed like he got some closure by finally telling someone what was really going on.
Although Remy is being the perfect sister and maid of honor, she secretly is wanting everything that her sister is getting. She wants to be madly in love with the man of her dreams. She wants the happily ever after. She wants the kids. She wants the family life. But she just can’t seem to find Mr Right.
Remy’s ex is a tool. I was surprised it took as long as it did for things to come to a head. He was using her sister’s social media to get exposure for his personal gain. He was trying to destroy everything she had worked so hard for to make the wedding a complete success. And he was just a jerk. But the wedding dress fiasco was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I loved the adventure that Remy and Lake took courtesy of the woman at the dress shop. It made them find each other and bond over a shared experience. Then to hear the story behind the adventure was heartbreaking, but also rewarding. They took the adventure that someone else dreamed of.
Narration
Listening to Jason Clarke play Lake was a dream. He brought the broody hockey player to life and gave him personality. Erin Mallon does not disappoint in this story. She plays Remy to a tee. Frustration, embarrassment, friend, confidante. Throw in Savannah Thomas and Ryan West for a full cast and you have a dream story.
Availability
Just Playing For Keeps is currently available to read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited and for purchase in all formats on Amazon.
Series Listing
- Just Breaking the Rules (Hockey Ever After Book 1)
- Just Playing For Keeps (Hockey Ever After Book 2)
- Just Scoring With Love (Hockey Ever After Book 3)
About Lauren Blakely
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
Connect w/ Lauren:
Website: laurenblakely.com
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