Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book!

After meeting at Farren's weekly board games night, Farren, a little bit lost in life and working on a board game in secret, and Sebastian, lonely, overworked and stressed from his career as a software developer, bond quickly, trying to support each other while their schedules, and relationships with their family and friends put daily pressure on them.

This is a fairly short novel and feels a bit more like contemporary fiction than a fun fluffy romance as more time in the story is given to Farren and Sebastian's relationships to work, family, and friends.

As the main draw to this book for me was the "board games" theme I did wish there was more of it in the story. There were really only game nights at the beginning, and I didn't have a strong attachment to the friend group who Farren met with weekly to play. It was fun hearing about some new games though!

Thank you Tristen Crone and NetGalley for this ARC of Playing For Keeps in exchange of an honest review!

I know this isn't plot related, but I have to start by saying how incredible gorgeous that cover is, the second I saw it my mind went like “I HAVE to get my hands on this book.”

Farren is a substitute teacher struggling to find her true passion and Sebastian is an overworked employee finding to prove himself to the people who've let him down. The story begins after their first encounter while they challenge each other to a game of “Garden Tiles“ for the prize of a “honey lemon curd croissant” and then we get to see how their relationship unfurls through their own insecurities and inner conflicts.

Throughout the first part of the book I was really invested in the story and the main characters, but then something happen and I started to lose attention and I was suddenly getting irritated with both Farren and Sebastian, to the point that I stopped enjoying the book. I didn't see any spark in their relationship past their first encounters, so I guess I wasn't rooting for them by the end of the book.

I did like the concept of the group of friends getting together to enjoy each other's company over board games but then we don't really get to see a lot of them interacting.

This was a cute read. I did feel like the main characters' relationship was a little rushed. I wish there was more of a backstory before they got together. To me, it seemed like they met and got together right away. But still, a cute read, and I would suggest it.

It’s refreshing to see a curvier main character and one who isn’t trying to change her appearance so this book deserves a shoutout for that, first of all! This was an easy read, if not a little slow, but I liked the board game focus and how that was portrayed as a sort of community, and a way to meet and make friends - especially for people who might be struggling with that. I love a good board game and it’s definitely fun playing with your friends!
I did feel like I didn’t really get to know any of the characters, other than Farren and Sebastien. Other than this pair, we only really saw them properly speaking to Corrine and Rachel, and Corrine spent most of that moaning (she was definitely not a likeable character) and so it would have been nice to get to know the others a little more and experience the group settings better.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

A little nerdy and surprisingly emotional, Playing for Keeps was sweet and sentimental. Both Farren and Sebastain have issues from their past they Do Not Want To Think About ™ and suffer from too little or too much ambition.
Watching both characters slowly stand up for themselves and support each other was glorious and adorable.
While it was a fun read, some aspects fell a little flat for me, sometimes there would be descriptions of events that happened that really would have been great to read on page instead of just told about.
Although I got attached to both characters pretty easily and I found myself getting furious on Farren's behalf, that girl did not deserve to be yelled at so much ohmygod!
Overall a fun time :)
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGallery for the free copy provided in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely adored this!

Farren and Sebastian meet at a coffee shop when Farren takes the last croissant that Sebastian has been hoping for after a long day (week… month…) at work. Sebastian gets a little aggressive and frustrated over losing the croissant until Farren offers to bet him for it. If Sebastian wins, he gets the croissant. If Farren wins, Sebastian has to join game night with her friends at the coffee shop the next week.

As they form a friendship and the beginnings of a relationship, will Sebastian learn to stop over-working himself and find balance? Will Farren continue being scared of commitment and falling in love?

I loved Farren’s character. A plus-sized girl who loves board games and is a substitute teacher?! Definitely some amazing qualities. Farren is mostly happy with her life and vaguely knows of the emotional things she struggles with. She has some great growth as well and I definitely loved her.

Sebastian is a software developer, like I am, and doesn’t know how to stop overworking himself. His company is a subcontractor for the government (I believe, the whole relationship between his company and the government and his actual position is kinda messy and hard to distinguish), and because of the government connection, Sebastian’s bosses keep dangling promotions or layoffs over people’s heads. I definitely liked reading Sebastian’s POVs because of how accurate his work life seemed to be with the real world of software development but like Farren, Sebastian is vaguely aware of the issues he has to eventually confront within himself.

Ultimately I really enjoyed the growth that both characters have individually and that neither of them relied upon the other to force those changes. They realized the issues and made steps to improve themselves, for themselves! The only thing I wish we got a little more of was closure/circle back on both of their family relationships. Neither has great familial connections that play semi-important roles in the plot and their characters, but those things aren’t really well wrapped up.

We have Farren a substitute teacher with a passion for Board games, who meets an overworked stressed out Sebastian who is working every minute he can to get his promotion. The meet cute is adorable, we get a cosy low stakes romance featuring a growing bond over board games and family drama. I love that there is no unnecessary communication tropes. I think this is a very strong debut novel from Tristen Crone and very much looking forward to what they write in future. If you want something cosy and heartfelt, then this is the book for you. I devoured it in one day as I just could'nt put it down.

I mean board games, Grumpy x Sunshine and plus size rep, whats not to love.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Country Press & Review for an advanced copy in exchange for honest feedback.

first off I’m obsessed with this grumpy/sunshine trope!!! I feel like Farren and Sebastian are perfect for one another and balance each others personalities very well. Sebastian needs someone to liven his life up and change his everyday, while Farren needs someone who’s always rooting for her and loves her for her.

I loved the aspect of the board games, honestly want to play some of the ones mentioned in it 😂. It’s exciting to see new ones and that they just bring people in for a fun get together.

As a debut novel, Tristen perfectly hit the notes for this cutesy, smutty, low stakes romance novel. I loved everything from the background for both characters, the setting, and the infamous croissant we never saw them eat together (rip)

I am so excited for everyone to read this!

Playing For Keeps by Tristen Crone was a warm and fuzzy story.

Farren and Sebastian are just so endearing. I loved their personalities.
This book is a heartwarming read that easily puts a smile on the reader's face when reading it.
I found the writing strong, the characters had depth and warmth and were funny at times, and the story flowed nicely.
Overall, this was a super cute and easy read! It's filled with some great characters and wonderful story.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Country Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Overworked grump meets vivacious sunshine. It’s a trope I always adore and Playing tor keeps generally didn’t disappoint.
I loved the positive and realistic fat representation of Farren. She loves herself and her body but it doesn’t mean self doubt and outsiders opinions don’t affect her. I heavily related to the feeling of not having a traditional ‘career’ instead having a multitude of creative interests and feeling the need to defend them.

I liked shy Sebastian especially when he had a surprisingly dirty mouth but I found him a tad exhausting especially with how he sometimes spoke to Farren.

The main downfall for me was the pacing of the narrative, it felt a bit jumpy and I couldn’t always tell if it was a few days that had passed or weeks.

Overall Playing for keeps is a lovely cozy romance with two generally likable main characters. I wish it had been a bit spicier because I wanted more of Sebastian’s demanding side.

Playing For Keeps was like a cozy hug and a cup of tea all wrapped up in one. I loved the plus size rep in this story and loved how genuine these characters felt. Both of them just wanted to do what was best for the other, or more accurately what they thought was best for the other and for the most part did a great job of communicating with each other. I also loved that this book let the romance start right from their meet cute, we got to enjoy their sweet little interactions and a frankly a pretty realistic version of romance in a work heavy world. They made time for each other when they didn’t really have time because they really wanted to spend that time with each other and I loved being a fly on the wall for it.

The board games tie in was super cute and I really liked that Sebastian was open to learning more about Farren’s hobby and interest and embraces it.

Overall I really loved this and can’t wait to see what else Tristen Crone releases.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lake Country Press & Review, and the author Tristen Crone for providing me with a e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Book boyfriend - check, cute funny moments - check, love story you wish would happen to you - check. Romantic comedy perfection - check check! Farren and Sebastian are the couple you root for and show you that sometimes you find love in the most unexpected way...

I would do anything for love, but I won't do that (aka share my honey lemon twice-baked croissant).

***

I am always going to be in the mood to reread Playing For Keeps.

Within pages of meeting Farren, you're falling in love with her. This loveable, soft, hard working woman is real to me the moment she makes note of the pants that dig in at the waist, shucking a work blouse to air out the underboob sweat, and regarding piles of house mess as 'problems for later'.

Sebastian is a grumpy, red flag makes the feminism leave my body, do crime for those forearms, thoughtful, akward drink of understanding, gentle, and tall. Also known as your next delicious bearded swoony book boyfriend.

The surprise star for me in Playing For Keeps was the theme of 'belonging'. Farren ends relationships or only lets them develop superficially to protect herself from the inevitable pain of a breakup or the reminder that she isn't anyones favorite or first choice. Sebastian has either been unwanted or used in his significant relationships. Hes hardened his heart to the point where attachments are now seen as a hindrance to success. They're both so scared of being alone that the very real connection they have with eachother is as exciting as it is terrifying.

You're picking up Playing For Keeps for the romance but it'll stay in your heart long after that final page for how these characters learn they are worthy of love.

Thank you Netgalley & Lake Country Press & Review for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My full review will not go online until after release as a courtesy to the author.

Thank you to the author and Lake Country Press for the chance to review an eARC of this novel. I love stories about characters struggling with inner turmoil, and even better if it's a romance. On its surface, this story was exactly what I'm looking for.

One thing I loved was Farren's pain involving others' fatphobia and how it affects her, her family history, etc. This aspect of her character was well handled.

Overall, the story was okay. The structure of the storytelling was not to my liking, which is of course a personal preference. For me, I felt there was too much "telling" in the narrative.

Plot-wise, I did not find the hesitancy between the protagonists believable or relatable, and found myself confused about whether or not they were 'together'. I also did not care for Sebastian when it came to the sex scenes (and several other occasions), which is very much a personal preference.

My main criticism is the lack of gaming when the story was advertised as a story about a gamer. There were indeed several scenes, but I felt there should have been more, or it should have influenced the plot and relationship much more than it did. It felt like an afterthought and/or a plot device for only the beginning and the end. Additionally, there is a Scrabble tile (which is probably a copyrighted design, by the way) on the cover, but no mention of Scrabble.

In the end, the book overall was not to my liking, though by no means a bad book. It was at times touching, and Farren is a cool character.

This is honestly probably less than 3 stars but I'm giving it some grace for being about board games.

Overall, while I didn't mind the plot/pacing - the actual writing didn't connect with me at all. It felt surface level and like it was just glossing over every moment in the main character's lives with description and then peppering in a few conversations. The story didn't allow the characters to actually connect in anyway - and both side plots with families felt super random and dropped in to lengthen the word count.

Farren is a substitute teacher who both loves to play and wants to design board games. She gets off on wrong foot with Sebastian—He was having a terrible day, hates his job, etc., and to make matters worse, Farren buys the last of his favorite pastry. So of course he blows it by insulting her gaming habit. This leads to a bet between them. If he wins then he gets the pastry. If she wins then he had to join her friends gaming club. This leads to flirting, an exchange of phone numbers, and a date?

I really liked these two together. They are similar enough to understand each other, but also wildly different. For example, Sebastian is and only child who feels like an outsider with his parents. It was them against the world with no space for him. Farren is one of seven, and was the odd one out. No one ever included her, visited her after she moved away, etc. so very different childhoods but both felt like outsiders.

Sebastian’s social anxiety, fear of stepping out of line at work, low self esteem, etc was great representation. Reading about him working through these things was quite motivating.

Oh, and for once, this was not just a “hey, one conversation could fix things” plot. They characters actually communicated, and for the most part they communicated well. Yes, they had to figure things out, and did argue, but the argument wasn’t just because of one simple misunderstanding.

The secondary characters here were fine. They needed a bit more fleshing out though. I didn’t love any of them but only disliked one. Farren’s best friend grated on me. All Corrine amounted to was a person who vented about how terrible her seemingly amazing life is, barring her mother-in-law. It was all “woe is me” and it wasn’t till the end she was supportive of Farren at all.

To end this review, I have to say that I loved the concept of Farren’s board game. Why does this not exist?

Solid four star cozy read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for an arc of this book.

this was such a comforting and heartfelt debut. it's such an excellent romance about two people closed off from their childhood wounding and yet finding love in each other. it's just such a sweet story and I loved the gaming aspect too.
Thank you to Crone and Lake Country Press for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy.

The second that I read the description of this book, I knew I had to read it. The correlations between the main characters and my husband and I were too good to pass up. The female main character, Farren, and I are both substitute teachers; the male main character, Sebastian, is a developer who worked for a government contract near DC - my husband had a government contract as a developer near DC. Sebastian loves mules - Farren loves sweet drinks - same as my husband andI. Farren loves playing games - my husband and I love playing games (he and his friends broke me down and convinced me to start playing D&D with them; now they’re trying to get me to play the Killing Floor - it’s a slippery slope!)

All this to say that I enjoyed the book more because I felt like I had something in common with the characters, especially Farren and her struggles as being a plus size woman. I thought the meet-cute between Farren and Sebastian was absolutely adorable, and I thought it was sweet how quickly they fell for each other. Reading about characters who have real relatable issues - like being plus size and/or having anxiety and/or having hyperthyroidism - is nice because it makes the story feel realistic.

The only things I wish were different about the story is I wish we got to see Sebastian and Farren get to know each other more - and I wish we got to know more about Farren’s game. Other than that, I thought it was a super sweet story, very easy to read, and I finished it in one sitting.

Can’t wait to recommend this to all of my friends!

Also, huge thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours (and Tristen Crone) for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5🌟

thank u net galley and lake country press for an e-arc for a honest review

playing for keeps by tristen crone is a heartwarming romance novel that follows the story of farren and sebastian

despite their hectic schedules, they find solace in each other’s company and develop an undeniable attraction to each other. the book features a memorable meet cute between farren and sebastian over the last lemon curd twice baked croissant at their favourite cafe

what sets this book apart from other romance novels i’ve read is the communication between the two characters, they are honest and upfront with each other from the beginning

the book also features a charming board game idea that farren comes up with, which adds to the overall charm of the story

overall, i absolutely loved this. was such a enjoyable read

also the cover art??? pls it’s gorgeous

Thank you Tristen Crone and NetGalley for this ARC of Playing For Keeps.
It should be a crime how cute and heartwarming this read was.
I’m a sucker for grumpy x sunshine and this hit all the right notes.
Reading the story of Farren and Sebastian meeting and falling in love while simultaneously navigating through their own childhood traumas, fears, and insecurities was such a breath of fresh air.
While there is only a very mild amount of spice I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear seeing how Sebastian had such a dirty mouth/mind considering he is always so serious and an “uptight as*hole” (his own words lol).
If I could inject this book into my veins I would.