Playing for Keeps is Tristen Crone’s debut romance novel. It tells the story of Farren, a young teacher that doesn’t have all her life figured out yet and spends her free time playing board games with her group of friends. On the other hand, there’s Sebastian, the love interest that spends all his time working to climb the ladder in his workplace and doesn’t have that much free time.

At first for me this book promised a rivalry between two opposing characters in which board games would come into action so OF COURSE I was excited to read about it. Maybe it was my mistake for assuming something that wasn’t spelled in so many words, but a girl can hope and dream. That’s why I think the synopsis was a bit misleading to the reader, the book coming as a little bit flat after the first encounter between the main characters.

I really liked Farren and I was rooting for her at all times to be honest, and her group of friends brought some really entertaining scenes to the story. Sebastian on the other hand was a bit exaggerated for me as a character, don’t get me wrong I love grumpy men but in this case it felt like too much. To the point that it didn’t make sense, and the third act argument that he had with Farren was so over the top. The grand gesture was good tho, but it didn’t make me feel as excited after what transpired between them.

*ARC kindly provided by Lake Country Press & Review via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet meet-cute featuring a curvy sunshine and a grumpy app/program developer.

Though I love the cozy romance, I adore the gaming theme! It's so rare for board games to be a primary focus and not something that's simply mentioned as an activity.

And the grand gesture was absolutely everything!

This book was so good. They are both just such lonely people and then they happened to find each other. Seeing how he altered his daily routine to fit her in even though that was hard for him was so sweet. They just love each other so much. Also the third act break up is soooo good. I know people don't like those but this was just filled with the right amount of angst and tension and I just loved it.

I received an arc through netgalley.

“You’re the most alive person I’ve ever met. You’re bright and creative and you make me lose myself in your eyes when they light up in excitement.”

I am a convention professional. I’ve worked for my cousin’s company at Gen Con (the biggest table top game convention in the US) since 2013 and I’ve worked PAX East twice. It was so fun to read a book with a focus on games and mentioned cons I’ve been to! It felt different than a lot of other romances, which made this a quick, delightful read.

Farren projects confidence while dealing with not fitting into society’s ideals. She’s always been a wandered, following relationships and job-hopping often. Sebastian is overworked and convinced the only way to prove himself is to work hard and earn promotions. A chance meeting has them both reevaluating their lives to see how the other can fit in.

I loved Farren’s character. I love her development and seeing her find her confidence. She has always felt a bit adrift and never holding down a permanent job. It’s clear her passion lies elsewhere, but she’s kept it a secret from all of her friends and it takes Sebastian to bring her ideas to fruition. Their relationship develops so organically and it never feels forced. She’s also fabulous plus-size representation. Her figure is detailed in her chapters, but not once do we fall into fat shaming or fat phobia which was really refreshing. It’s just used as a descriptor for her and is never used in a derogatory way.

Sebastian clearly falls hard for Farren, and I adored the chapters from his perspective. He is stuck in the corporate world, feeling like that’s the only thing he can do to prove himself. A moment that stuck out to me was a part where his boss compliments that he’s been working outside of normal hours, and it really highlights how toxic corporate culture can be. And he doesn’t realize it until his relationship with Farren is in jeopardy. His journey is great, and when he finally talks to his parents, it’s a beautiful moment.

I wish we got a little more detail and resolution with Farren and her family, but it did provide a good insight into her character and why she tends to overthink. It just fell like a blip in the plot and didn’t serve to advance the overall story. That said, this was such a cute read, perfect for summer!

Playing for Keeps by Tristen Crone is a heartwarming romance that exceeded my expectations. Inspired by the Reylo trope, the book introduces readers to Farren and Sebastian, one of the most adorable grumpy x sunshine couples I have encountered in the romance genre. Their dynamic as opposites who bring out the best in each other is beautifully portrayed, making this a must-read for fans of this trope.

The romance between Farren and Sebastian unfolds in the most tender and captivating way as they navigate through the challenges of life. I found myself rooting for their love story as they faced their own personal demons and found solace and support in each other's arms.

Farren is an incredibly relatable character who is trying her best to live her life despite its complexities. With relatable struggles, family baggage, self-esteem issues, and a people-pleasing personality, Farren's journey is a recipe for disaster, but she remains endearing and resilient throughout.

Sebastian, on the other hand, initially embodies a dismissive and work-focused attitude. However, as the story progresses, we witness his transformation as Farren opens his eyes to the joys of living and challenges his perception of relationships. His journey from workaholic to someone who values human connection adds depth to the story.

The author's writing style is vivid and immersive, painting scenes so vividly that I felt like I was right there with the characters. Whether it was at the coffee shop, on a train, or walking alongside them, each setting was brought to life, enhancing my reading experience. Tristen Crone's debut is a testament to their talent, and I eagerly anticipate their future works.

I particularly appreciate the representation of plus-size characters in this book. Farren's character is beautifully crafted, and I applaud the author for promoting inclusivity. The meet-cute between Farren and Sebastian is charming, and Farren's boldness in inviting him to hang out with her friends adds a delightful touch to their blossoming romance. While the initial connection between them felt somewhat rushed, their chemistry and connection remained palpable throughout the story.

I wanted to read this book since I heard is inspired by Reylo, and it totally and exceeded my expectations. This book has one of the most adorable grumpy x sunshine couples that I have ever seen in a romance!! I’m sure people who love this trope will love to meet Farren and Sebastian. I loved the way they are opposites, but at the same time they are exactly what the other need. They challenge each other, but also evoke the best in themselves.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake City for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: toxic workplace, family tensions, fat phobia, anxiety

We all know I'm a big fan of seeing fat rep in romance and this was also had the added benefit of taking place in my backyard. It was great to see a DC romance that had nothing to do with politics and seemed to be inspired by one of my favorite bars.

Steam: 3

3.75

Love that both D&D and board games are quickly introduced in the book!

The two of them were fun together at first. Pacing got a bit difficult at around 55ish percent for me. It felt more like women’s fiction than romance.

Plot wise most everything felt as if it was a side story. If the relationship was the main focus I would have wanted more of a connection between them built prior to it falling apart, with more groveling in the end.

Overall still def worth the read. I loved the FMC!!

Including my Amazon profile link as the review has not posted yet as it is prior to the release date.

A book so nice, I read it twice!

If there was a Venn diagram of grumpy x sunshine, friends to lovers, and tabletop games, this book would be nestled right in the middle of it all. Yes it has a meet cute…but may I also float the idea of a meet cute fight? Because there’s an argument and it’s adorable.

The romance is soft, and blooms in the best way next to Farren and Sebastian navigating life.

Farren is so relatable. She’s out there trying to live her life and god is it hard and confusing and more trouble than anyone warned her about. But at least she’s got her regular session of games with her friends. She’s got family baggage and self esteem issues and a people pleasing personality. A recipe for a disaster.

Sebastian is in his life, and gives the energy of: ugh, this is it?? Games are a waste of time, until Farren turns his view around. He’s terrified to get close to people in relationships of the personal variety and the working variety, as well as being a workaholic because he got this far and there’s only one way up. A different kind of disaster.

They balance each other out, and when they’re communicating, about anything other than romance for a while, they’re great! They’re supportive, they’re rooting each other on as they chase and shape their dreams.

This book was as sweet as I imagine a twice baked lemon croissant to be. And just as delicious. Slow burn friends to lovers and the most adorable and hopeful ending. Well written, like I could picture myself there in every scene, at a different table at the coffee shop, or on a different seat on the train or walking just behind them. An incredible debut, and I can’t wait to see what else the author writes in the future. A book I will be picking up on publication day to add to my shelves.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Country Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Farren feels stuck in her life. Working a job she's not passionate about and constantly worrying about her future. Tristan is incredibly driven and focused but feels like he's not working towards a future.

These two strike up an unlikely friendship that leads to more. It quickly becomes serious and as life and work gets in the way, they have to find a way to make it through.

This was such a fun and slightly quirky read. I loved watching these two interact together as well as the friendship group that we see.

I also adored seeing the plus size representation as well as mental health representation.

They were a couple points that I kind of wish got expanded on further such as the games. I wish played a bigger part of the story than they actually do. Since they met at a game night and all it felt like it could have been more important.

But it was still a very fun romance read. I can definitely see myself picking up more about this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Expresso book tours for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to Lake County Press for the advance copy of this book!

The cover for this book drew me in right away. I love that board/table top games are moving into the romance space. It is such a great concept and I think most adults go through phases with their friends in having a game night (or perhaps it was just me and my friends).

I will always promote books with plus size characters and this one is no exception! This was such a great read & I definitely was invested in Farren & Sebastian's love story. I love the meet cute & how Farren was so not shy about inviting him over to hang with her friends. Though fighting over a last croissant would only work in books so I'll allow.

Insta love is a hit or miss for me and this falls right in between. As much as I love the two characters together it did seem very rushed? Granted they are both adults and hey when you know it feels right, it feels right. I think of my own relationship with my husband how quick I would start to stay over & how he met my parents a week after we met.

One of my favorite chapters of the whole book was the Halloween party. I just loved everything about it! I love how Crone wove in the Tik Tok trend of "who is going to get the drunkest at the party" as it felt very current. Also if you have a chance to see the author's character card of Farren & Sebastian in their costume - do it! It's gorgeous!

A relatable theme throughout the book between the two characters is figuring out what you want to do in life. Being in the corporate world is not for everyone and I related with Sebastian when you are tiring yourself out thinking that if you do more that you will prove yourself worthy when it doesn't necessarily get you anywhere. And for Farren just being confident in yourself & your abilities in the work space.

Bonus that the convention mentioned in the book took place in Philadelphia - woo!

I recommend this book if you like insta love, game play, Halloween costumes party and a grand gesture!

If you're seeking a comforting and easy-to-read romance, this book is a delightful choice. I particularly adored the characters' shared passion for gaming and their distinct professions, which added a refreshing touch. It's refreshing because romance novels often fall into repetitive patterns, but this one stands out.

This was an instant connection romance and done really well. I love instant connection and this totally worked for me.

Once Sebastian and Farren met, their relationship progressed rapidly, accompanied by a few time jumps. The pacing of the story and the time jumps did make it hard to be full into their connection or the intensity of their emotions for each other.

Nonetheless, I truly enjoyed the characters themselves, the length of the chapters, the individual journeys they embarked on (not solely revolving around each other), and the overarching theme of board games and gaming.

If you're seeking a quick read and you appreciate stories with instant love, then this book could be just what you're looking for!

I love the cover of this book and I’m all for a sassy plus size lead in a romance. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. Both characters had a massive chip on their shoulders. They both blamed their families for not being there for them when neither of them made any effort to talk to them. Sebastian was beyond boring. We get introduced to a load of characters in the first chapter and then we don’t learn anything else about them. I didn’t really understand why the hell they had sex when and where they did when they waited so long. Plus Sebastian's sex talk didn’t seem to match who he was as a person. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. I hate the stereotypical 3rd act breakup and this one was next level. The ending didn’t really do it for me either and Farren’s big reveal came out of nowhere. Just felt like another plan that she didn’t really think through. The book could’ve been so much shorter and I ended up skimming a lot as it was overly descriptive and their inner monologue got repetitive.

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

There's a lot to like in the book: it has this lovely, cozy feeling, a plus-sized MC, and the very much loved grumpy-sunshine elements.

Also, the guy in the cover just really looks like Chris Evans to me.

I'm very much a lover of slow burn romances and in this, Farren and Sebastian get together quickly and the rest of the story focuses on them learning to be together and to stay together. Which made for a lovely story, but it's just not my kind of story.

Another reason that I couldn't fully feel invested was the third act break up. I'm not usually a fan of them, but this one especially I didn't like. The reason for it made me fall out of love with one of the characters and it meant I no longer rooted for their relationship.

(My video on tiktok involving this book is not up yet but will be uploaded just before this book's release).

Playing For Keeps, Tristen Crone’s debut novel, boasts a fat main character, a sweet meet cute, and a grumpy/sunshine opposites attract. Farren is a substitute teacher whose highlight of the week is Friday night board games at her local DC coffee shop. But when one Friday night, Sebastian, a handsome stranger, accuses her of stealing his pastry, Farren challenges him go a board game. Despite being major opposites, Farren and Sebastian start to date and realize they’re both unhappy with the life they’ve been living.

I was so drawn to this book from the description and cover. It was overall, enjoyable. It was nice to see a relationship develop rather than a book filled with slow burn (which I love but it’s nice to shake up every once in a while). The book lost me a bit in the third act breakup - I was screaming at these characters to go to therapy. Both had much deeper rooted issues with their parents and commitments than could be covered with one phone call or made up for with one grand gesture. The game aspect was fun, though I was expecting a bit more board game content. Overall, it was fun and fast pace.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Country Press & Review for the ARC. Playing For Keeps by Tristen Crone publishes on June 27, 2023.

I was really really looking forward to reading this when I received the arc but it unfortunately fell short for me and I sadly didn't finish the book.

I got to 15% and I very rarely DNF a book but the representation was so off for me. Farren had sooo so much potential but her internal dialogue had me rolling my eyes by 6% in, specifically when Corrine was talking about her MIL and the part here got to me -> "Farren lamented with her friend, letting her vent about the hardships of mothers-in-law. Not something Farren had to worry about. Not something she’d ever have to worry about if her track record was anything to go by." She is supposed to be a confident, plus-sized woman in her twenties but I felt this was really childish. I understand that her confidence is 'feigned' but I am also a plus-size woman with low confidence so this book I expected to be a powerhouse of Farren really unapologetically owning herself and it's a shame this wasn't the case.

Moving to Sebastian... He's angry about the choices he's made in his own life and I absolutely LOVE grumpy/sunshine but he was insufferable. "Rationally, it was a dick move to berate her for taking it and unloading his stress onto her." Self aware? Yes... but it's a damn pastry.. Get over itttt. What followed shortly after was his petty behaviour and attitude of being a horrible man. Knowing this is a romance, I didn't want any sort of redemption arc for him. He went by Ian at work as it was more professional than Sebastian? I don't understand this logic at allll.

I wasn't rooting for either of these people individually, I couldn't imagine them together and didn't want to read about it either. This was a huge swing and a miss for me and I'm really gutted about it - I might return to it again in the future but the writing felt clunky, too much description for such a short book too, I don't feel as though it was really needed and instead from that the speed of the book could have been amped up.

I had trouble getting into the story. When I saw the plus-sized girl on the cover who plays games out of boredom and the grumpy x sunlight trope, I knew I would want to read this or at least try it. However, I simply did not sense any spark between the characters? I don't know, I had to really push myself to continue the book though I never really finished it. I had to DNF at around 34% because it never really held my interest. It was okay, though, based on the few chapters I read and I do know a lot of individuals who would adore this book. But it just wasn't for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of "Playing For Keeps". All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the premise of the story and I can see the potential that it has. It just fell flat for me. There were times when I think the thesaurus was used because the characters would definitely not have used those words. At times I felt like I was reading a romance novel written by a man because of how the situations were handled. I did really enjoy Farren and connected with her as well as Sebastian's workaholic behavior. Overall, it wasn't bad, just not my favorite.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Country Press and Review for a copy of an ARC in return for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this book because I used to play test boardgames and I love games (tabletop and video). Add in a plus-sized main female and a grumpy, tall handsome man for a romance with gaming...and let's go!!

But that was as far as it got. This book was... Just not it for me. The writing style is a bit overly descriptive. I don't mind flowery language, but there were a lot of irrelevant details that weren't clever and didn't move the story forward. At least 50 if not 75 pages could be trimmed with a bit of an editing eye. Also the pacing is kind of off. I felt like this was kind of reminiscent of when you and your partner tell all the flashbulb memories from when you both had a crush on each other and were smitten. I didn't really understand the instant attraction between Farren and Sebastian. Also for all the details and backstory and family trauma (they kind of unknowingly trauma bond because they both feel their parents didn't get them/want them), I still have no clue why Sebastian goes by Ian at work? Whatever.

I did finish the whole thing. The third act conflict/breakup was jarring and unnatural. The grand gesture was nice, but I think it would have been better had they bother worked on it together and had more of PAX Unplugged in the book.

So much potential, but this really missed the mark for me. Stars for cute concept, some nice scenes, and board game rep in romance.

Playing For Keeps is a story about Ferren, a substitute teacher, and Sebastian, a government contractor. Ferren and Sebastian have very different personalities and come from very different types of families. Their families both gave them a lot of baggage they caused issues between the lead characters. It was good to see them fight against that baggage and find love together.