This is a clean romance between two characters that I found very compatible. The cover is very misleading because I expected a laugh out loud romantic comedy romp. Although there are funny parts, there are dark ones too that were very emotionally draining. I didn't hate the heavier stuff, it just wasn't what I expected. I enjoyed the imperfections of the characters and they are both a mess in their own ways. Jake grated on me a bit but I did like him more by the end. Overall, 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
This cover is amazing and I'm so glad I read this.

In "Playing for Keeps," USA Today bestselling author Julie Hammerle delivers a delightful romantic comedy filled with humour, heart, and a healthy dose of quirky charm. Set in a teeny Midwest town, this novel follows the unlikely partnership between Bryce Barrett, a woman hiding out from her ruined marriage and professional demise, and Jake Warner, a free-spirited nomad grappling with family expectations.

When Bryce's chance encounter with her ex leads to a panic-induced fake relationship with Jake, the stage is set for a series of hilarious and heart-warming misadventures. As they navigate the pitfalls of small-town life and grapple with their own insecurities, Bryce and Jake find themselves drawn to each other in unexpected ways.

What sets "Playing for Keeps" apart is its endearing characters and witty banter. Bryce is a relatable and flawed protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery and redemption is both empowering and relatable. Jake, on the other hand, is a charming and charismatic leading man, whose reluctance to settle down is balanced by his genuine kindness and warmth. Together, they form a dynamic duo that keeps readers laughing and rooting for their happily ever after.

Hammerle's writing is sharp and engaging, with laugh-out-loud humour and poignant moments of reflection. From the quirky townsfolk to the awkward situations Bryce and Jake find themselves in, every scene crackles with energy and authenticity. The chemistry between the two protagonists is palpable, sparking off the page and drawing readers into their whirlwind romance.

Moreover, "Playing for Keeps" is more than just a romantic comedy; it's a celebration of embracing life's unexpected twists and finding love in the most unlikely of places. As Bryce and Jake confront their fears and insecurities, they discover that sometimes the best things in life come when you least expect them.

This was a fun romance read, that I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

Okay, I gotta be honest here guys, I didn't not love this one, but I didn't love it either. Let me explain....

In the beginning, I was getting way too much deja vu...curious how I mentioned that same thing in my first review, but this one is of another sort. I could have sworn I read an opening sequence, or setup, very similar to the way this one starts out with our girl needing a break from life because it generally sucked, and being caught up in an apparently somewhat indecent ice cream eating scene on the streets of her new temporary home sweet home. Did I really? Yes...because I hadn't read that other title so long ago, but they weren't exactly the same, and had I not already read one similar, I wouldn't have been as perplexed, merely entertained by the whole fiasco, but I digress.

The story moves forward with two hearts seeking places, times, and people other than that which is in their current surroundings. A fake relationship later, and while the heat is off them for the moment from others, it doesn't help their future plans when they actually start catching feelings. There's definitely more than enough sparks for them to develop into something more than a passing fancy, and there's a ton of heart that goes along with all the family drama they are each dealing with.

So if you're in the mood for snark, humor, and potentially a bit of romance, take your shot at this reading escape, and see if you don't fall under its spell!

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.

The book is really good, if you want to laugh this is it look no further. The characters work well together, and has just enough of emotional situations to make it a well rounded romance.

Bryce Barrett, after facing a professional setback in Chicago, finds herself in a Midwest town where she meets Jake Warner, a security personnel at a resort. They enter a fake dating relationship for personal reasons, and despite Jake's intent to leave town after saving money, they form a close bond. The story delves into serious issues such as suicide and opioid addiction. Jake struggles with his manipulative family and past issues. While the narrative is engaging, some resolutions, like Jake's swift career transition and Bryce's dropped legal advice, seem overly simplified and don't do justice to the complexities introduced in the story.

A great meet cute kind of book.. Funny, drama and of course some scorching hot scenes... Loved this book....

The hot mess fake dating express.

Bryce and Jake have a meet cute for the ages that I thought would be leading into the perfect hallmark-y romcom. Unfortunately this story was anything but. There was a lack of chemistry, waaaaaaay too many side characters and sub plots that it was unclear where the reader was supposed to focus/what storyline to root for. And, there were some pretty heavy topics that were glossed over and not cautiously, ultimately hurting the storyline even further. This seemed like a perfect one sitting beach read but it took a long time to get into the actual romance, almost like it was an after thought. The MMC and FMC were such good friends that honestly the relationship didn't make sense. The ending/reconciliation and character growth felt soooo rushed but I will say, the epilogue was perfect for the tiny snipets of Bryce and Jake's relationship that we did get to see 🥰

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Playing for Keeps is a fast paced romance with some surprisingly deeper plot points and a healthy dose of family drama. It is part of the fake dating trope and is a closed door romance. I liked it but i had some issues with it, especially how both of the characters really are in need of therapy. I hated how Jake was so antagonistic towards his dad and his approach to mental health while also being a hypocrite and not actually taking care of his own mental health, I was frustrated. But I didnt dislike the book, it kept my interest and had some interesting moments.

A unique romance novel that covers heavier topics but doesn't make the overall novel seem to depressing. The characters are genuine and relatable with relatable struggles.

This book was a lot darker than the cover and blurb made it out to be, so I felt a little cheated by that. There were some things that didn't work for me, but they might work for someone else. Either way, the fake dating parts were GREAT and I loved Jake & Bryce's relationship!

Fun, amazing


Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

A big thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I really wanted to like this book-but geez, I just couldn't get into the characters. I wanted to like Bryce-who is a lawyer-so I am thinking a strong female character. Well she hits some bumps and she goes off the rails? What the heck? Her fake date Jake-I didn't understand either. While there were moments of fun and Jake did seem to help Bryce get her act together, it was just hot/cold. For me, this was a 2.5 star, but I am sure that many will love it. Maybe it was my mood, which can change how you feel about a book.

Im glad this book had a happy ending, but I was quite underwhelmed and surprised that this was closed door romance.
I think I just was not in the mood for this book, but I do think it would make a great summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book.

This story was so interesting! I really enjoyed it and will be rereading in the future!

3 stars
I have been on a tear of reading about fake dating, fake engagements, and fake marriages. This had all of the elements qualifying for my continuing this type of reading.
Have a security guard close by when you need to have someone quick be your guy...done.
cute

Not going to lie, after reading this I'm sad I don't own a pair of beaver slippers for myself. #themoreyouknow

A cute story with a solid plot, I enjoyed my time reading it. I can't give it 5 stars because at times Jake got on my nerves. He wouldn't listen to anyone's opinion outside of his own, and he would only accept his version of the story as the only true one. I'm glad it works out, but for a hot second there I was rooting for Bryce to find someone else.

3.5 stars..Umm it was okay? Kind of cute and what not but wasn’t really for me. Would probably be good for those who like closed door romance. The writing wasn’t bad or anything, just not my cup of tea.