Review includes content guidance

Ainsley Booth's The Playing Game is a steamy (13! spicy scenes), immersive sports romance between NHL veteran player Kieran, and paediatric nurse, Harper.

In this series kick-off, we know that after an unforgettably sexy hook-up 2 years ago during which she persisted not to exchange names or numbers, he has just been traded to her hometown team. Despite all best intentions to not follow her secret passion for hockey, and desire for Kieran, she simply cannot resist to check out their kick-off game. He's been transforming his life since they first met, hoping they'll somehow find each other again. And when he spots her at the game, he pursues her. Harper still isn't up for being with a hockey player, so he insists on becoming friends instead. Well, needless to say that they won't be playing in the friends-only zone for long.

Kieran and Harper are so hot for each other! This book could easily also be in the erotic romance category. Though there are also plenty of heartwarming and sweet love scenes, funny aspects, and descriptions of professional hockey player life. As a side note, I appreciate the diversity of the team, which isn't always a given.

I found it super easy to get lost in the story. It's an easy, super sexy read spread out to over 400 pages. And even though there was plenty of potential for more drama (for example her dad, or at the children's ward), I appreciate that the author didn't go there. Nevertheless, I did include content guidance at the end of my review.

Tropes: 2nd chance, good girl, reformed rake/ 'player'
Heat:4.5/5
Overall: 5/5
Release: March 9th 2023

Bonus: I totally appreciated having the opportunity to read Kieran and Harper's 1st hook up as a free prequel novella available. That part of the story could have easily been a prologue as part of the book but I loved having it as a separate option.

The story left me with a book hangover and I now crave more stories from the series.

Please note that the eARC did not include an epilogue (why? why? why?) and this review is based on the story without the final story wrap up.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for granting me a copy of this novel in advance of the publication date in exchange for a fair review.

Content guidance:
frequent, explicit, consensual sex scenes between adults; scenes of a paediatric hospital ward (not explicit, low angst); unsupportive parents; abandonment by father and resulting trauma, descriptions of injuries received during hockey training and games

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Holy sh*t did I need this book in my life. Ainsley Booth (aka Zoe York) writes some of the best romances around (see: Pine Harbour), so when I was approved to read her upcoming hockey romance The Playing Game, I JUMPED at the opportunity to scoop this one up. And friends, FRIENDS, Kieran Marsh is about to be everyone’s book boyfriend, for real.

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Ainsley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the advance copy, thoughts below are my own, enjoy!

So before we get, get into it, do y’all know I’m from Canada? The west (best) coast but I am very much a north of the border human (hi). And there are a lot of hockey romances out there set in my home country that kinda miss the mark a little bit, and I don’t know if that this game, culture and sport are SO ingrained in our lives, but reading The Playing Game was SUCH a comfort. From the way the game is described, to the language of how the coach “motivates” the team to TOQUES being called toques (sorry knit caps and beanies this ain’t your time) and arenas being affectionately called BARNS, friends I was all in.

But Kelsey, what about the romance? Stuff it you, I’m getting there.

YOU GUYS. From the moment we meet Kieran, our big (elder statesman) is playing but also so distracted by a woman who rocked his world TWO YEARS earlier has somehow made her way to his first home game (and is wearing his jersey). And from there, it’s one delicious moment after another while our big boi is SO in love and playing the long game to win our gal Harper’s whole heart.

THIS IS A JOY TO READ. IT’S GENUINE, SWEET, SWOONY, EARNEST, AND WOW DO WE ALL WANT A KIERAN IN OUR LIVES? YES. ALSO HE TEACHES HER HOW TO SKATE?!? LIKE IS THERE ANYTHING MORE ROMANTIC THAN THAT? ACTUALLY I DON’T CARE, NO THERE IS NOT. SKATING IS ROMANTIC, I DON’T MAKE THE RULES, ALRIGHT.

But! Butt. Butt. Also there’s a face-melting amount of smut. Some of the hottest sexual chemistry I’ve read, and we’ve got everything:

- Butt Stuff
- All the Praise
- Pseudo-exhibitionism
- Phone Interview Hand Stuff
- Oral All Day Long

Like good-god, this book. This man. I was here for every freaking minute of it. But it’s not all fluffy smut. There is a secondary story-line that features Harper’s own baggage with professional hockey players, and wow the PROTECTIVENESS Kieran has for her (and their relationship) is truly goals (pun intended). Oh and fans of Pine Harbour, my little heart was OVERJOYED to see Becca, Hayden and Charlie. Wow, I love these fictional characters like a totally well-adjusted and very normal amount.

If you’re looking for a big golden retriever type that is just GONE for the girl (plus hockey) please look no further than one of the best lower-angst, no 3rd act break, (kinda) second chance romances I’ve read, in The Playing Game, which is hitting retailers March 9th 2023. Go on and grab it on pre-order or grab it when it’s released, so we can all loose our collective marbles over how much we all LOVE Kieran.

xo Kels

Included as a top pick in bimonthly March New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

***

This was such a comforting read. Maybe that’s a weird thing to say about sexy hockey romance, but sometimes you just wanna bask in a low drama relationship where the hero is obsessed with the heroine from day one. Harper is more wary, but that’s mostly due to her mom’s bad experience with athletes, not because of a personality clash or disinterest. Sure, there’s minor trade uncertainty and angst about telling Harper’s mom, but mostly it’s them spending time together without strife. No miscommunication, no bullshit third act breakup, no sudden plot twist creating unnecessary tension. Just two adults having a LOT of sex and falling in love.

I’d recommend for fans of praise kink, masturbation, and kinda-exhibition (like the threat of it? Not sure how to describe it). Two standout erotic scenes: when 1) he’s fingering her during the radio interview and 2) they’re joining the mile high club. Sign me up for the next book in the series — like Kiley and Ty Connor. Did I imagine that potential pairing?? And maybe sports doctor Grant for a m/m book? Can’t tell if I’m grasping at straws here since the sequel bait wasn’t super clear, lol.

Caveat: I know nothing about hockey. No clue how accurate the rep is, but I grasped enough to understand plot dynamics. Also, the arc doesn’t include the epilogue, which is sad because I really wanted to read it.

Two years after a one night stand Kieran and Harper see each other again. Kieran, who felt an instant connection had been searching for the mystery girl and finally spots her at his hockey game. Harper, also felt the attraction to Kieran but is very hesitant because of his career. This book was very cute and sincere. Kieran was so patient with Harper. I thought it was good, but I don't think it will be overly memorable. However, if you are looking for a book that is spicy, full of dirty talk while also being sweet and low drama this will be the perfect book for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the free ARC!