Personally I couldn’t get into the story. I was excited to read this when I was the cover w a plus sized girly who plays bored games and grumpy x sunshine trope. But I just did not feel the chemistry between the characters?? Idk I really had to push myself through the book. But it is cute, I know a lot of people that would love this book!

DNF @ 10%

The story is really not gripping me and I have only been able to get through 10% in a week which is unheard of for me.

Thanks to Lake Country Press & Review, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.

I'm so glad I requested this book. It was an absolutely delightful read. Farren is a wonderful character and I was fully absorbed in seeing her break out of her rut and make an effort to succeed. Similarly I though Sebastian was a complex and interesting character. I loved the way he overcame his inner demons and found a way to be happy.

The other characters added more of a background to the central relationship, and while they helped the story along, I didn't feel any real connection to them. Corinne and her friendship with Farren seemed a little toxic at times but maybe that's a more realistic representation of friendship.

I enjoyed this book and the author writes slow burn very well.

I am sorry but this just wasn’t my favorite read. I didn’t dislike it but also didn’t love it. The writing was okay. The cover was cute at least. Literally no other thoughts.

Playing for Keeps is a poignant portrayal of young people trying to find themselves in a world that doesn't appreciate them.

Farren is a free spirit, a pretty young fat woman with a bubbly personality and a fear of settling down. Sebastian is a socially-challenged workaholic who despises parts of himself and is motivated more by a desire to show people they were wrong than by an actual passion for his work.
If it weren't for Farren's kindness and empathy, their first meeting would have been a disaster (and rightly so, because in his pain and cluelessness and obsessive focus, Sebastian did something that could have been considered an assault). But from that first meeting grows a relationship they both treasure and fear, a relationship that offers them both the comfort and company and support they so badly need, even as it tempts them away from the safety of their familiar patterns.

As different as these two characters are, I found myself identifying with both of them: with Farren as a late bloomer with trust issues, and with Sebastian as a self-critical burned-out loner. It was lovely to see their relationship grow into something that enriched both their lives.

One thing nagged at me through the story: Farren had a secret close-to-her-heart project, a game she'd developed involving a topic that seems to have nothing to do with her own interests or experience or knowledge base. That was a minor blip that my mind wouldn't let go of. Other readers might not notice or care.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and reallllly wanted these two wounded characters to end up together so they could take comfort in--and care of--each other.

4.5 stars rounded to 5
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of playing for keeps. this was a very cute romance about a woman who tries to take what she wants and a man so focused he lost sight of what he wanted.

This was a very eh read for me. I do not like third act breakups at all. I loved that the FMC was plus sized and it was represented as so (which is why I requested an ARC copy).

I love grumpy x sunshine but Sebastian was almost too grumpy. For too long.

Didn’t love the book, didn’t hate it. Just wasn’t the book for me.

** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own **

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

As a plus sized woman, I am always a fan of books that have representation of women like me. It’s so nice to see a plus sized woman on the cover of a book and to read about a woman like me as the main character. The cover of this book was also super cute and the representation was great.

As for the story itself, it wasn’t a huge hit for me but wasn’t a miss either. I felt like there were too many characters introduced for a story that wasn’t terribly long and it was hard to follow. As a teacher, I was happy to see our main character was teaching as well but she did not seem happy to be there and that made me sad. Thought it was a cute story/connection between our couple but nothing to write home about.

I’ve seen a lot of a reviews mention the melt down Karen like behaviour of our mmc over a croissant as well and I have to agree. Not my fave thing to read.

Overall, it was cute but didn’t leave a lasting impression.

I’m not sure how to feel about this one. I really enjoyed it up until the big end conflict. It seemed unnecessary. There wasn’t anything to show that he didn’t feel the same and wasn’t in it as much as her. I don’t know. There just wasn’t conflict until the end and that one I just didn’t believe much.

I did appreciate the ending a lot though!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Country Press & Review for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I dnfed this book at only 13% and you may wonder why.

I was very excited to get an answer for this ARC and even more excited to start it once my request was approved. I was curious to read a plus-size female character for the first time and how the author was going to write her personality, experiences, everything.

But the befinning of this book was so off. I don't know if the author had beta/alpha readers but I think it should be something to consider in the future. I say this because the time period was so off right in the first 2 chapters.

We begin to see Farren in her new job and then at this coffee shop, we are introduced to a bunch of new characters and it's hard to understand who is who, who does what, what the relationship is between one and the another.

The 2nd chapter is, once again, Sebastian and his job, a few characters that we don't even meet but know about and the coffee shop.

For a book of 200 and a few pages, it doesn't make much sense to introduce so many characters at once when you have such a small space to develop the love relationship. And, even if it was necessary, because, as you can see from the title, you will find some board games, these characters needed a proper introduction.

Do you know that trend that went around tiktok and instagram a while back, where two people who are in a relationship recorded themselves bumping into each other and then there were random clips of their relationships over the months/years they were together? That's "almost" what happens with the two main characters. They bump into each other and immediately find each other attractive and somehow interesting? But they didn't even know each other, that's so... I don't even know if it is correct to say insta-love because it isn't.

The last thing is the way Sebastian acts like a Karen over a croissant... Yeah, you heard it right, over a croissant. That was my last straw.

As you can see I barely read this book and I had so much to say about it. I couldn't force myself to persue my reading and I even checked other reviews to see if maybe it would end up being something I liked but it seems these characters are dull, superficial, which I really don't like and could see why people say that, just over the 2 chapters that I've read.

P.s: It didn't have an Archive Date until a few days ago, I suppose. I remember checking it on the last day of May and nothing. At least it could had had a disclaimer so people would know it was time to read. And to do that when there are still more than 20 days until the release date?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book feels like a warm weighted blanket, like a hot cup of coffee on a rainy day ❤️
Farren and Sebastian are such complex characters. Given this book has only about 250 pages, the author did an excellent job in letting the reader get to know these two on a deeper level. I loved that we learned so much about their difficult family histories and why they acted in a certain way in tough situation.

I absolutely adore this book and will keep it close to my heart ❤️

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet and quick read if you’re looking for a comforting, easy to read romance. I really loved that these characters were into gaming and that they each had somewhat unique jobs, it made the characters feel unique, when it can feel like romance reads are often repeats of the same old thing I’ve read before.

I, personally, tend to prefer a bit of a slow burn that gets me really attached to the characters and makes the romance believable. That was not what this was (and that’s okay, just maybe not as much for my preferences). After Sebastian and Farren had their initial encounter, things moved quickly and there were big jumps of time. I didn’t have a lot of buy-in for their relationship or the strength of their feelings for one another.

I really did enjoy their characters, the chapter lengths, the way they each found themselves and not JUST each other, and the theme of board games and gaming in general. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience reading this, it just wasn’t anything groundbreaking for me.

If you’re looking for something distracting and quick to read with low stakes and enjoy insta-love, this could really be your jam!

Firstly, I loved the cover! I love the plus size rep and I love the fact that it wasn't the main topic of the story. Secondly, it was a good book! I had a hard time believing some of the parts and believing the romance fully. I was expecting a little more steam overall. It was a good book.

First of all, that dedication! I have been a bigger girl my whole life and that dedication just hit the cord. I didn't knew I needed it until I read it.

And that feeling kind of stayed through the whole book. That I found something I didn't knew I was looking for.

It's a slow burn, sunshine + grumpy romance, that represents plus size, is sweet, funny and will hit a sweet spot for board games lovers. I'm not big on board games myself, but after this book I definitely want to pick some up and try it!

I honestly loved this book! It was an easy and cosy read, hit close to home in many ways and just made worth my time. I found both Sebastian and Farren relatable to me, as I'm kind a mix of their personalities. And that made me root for them, I wanted to see them make it work. I must admit, I did shed a year or two, but it gave me much more happiness than sadness.

I just must say, I don't think that Sebastian is grumpy. He's overworked, stressed guy that trying to make out of himself something he ain't. He's quite charming guy when he let that go. I think he and Farren is a perfect match!

It's a debut novel for the author and hell, it's one great book to start your career with!

Also, may I have one of those fancy croissants, please? 😊

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher of this book for accepting my request for an e-copy.

I had requested this book, with the idea that I was going to really love it and devour it right away. But actually, it was quite hard for me to keep focused on this book and connect with the characters. I felt like a lot of the time I just couldn’t flow with their dialogue and overall their vibe. I really wish I enjoyed this read more but I didn’t even complete it. I’m sure this will be a lovely read for others, it just wasn’t my taste. Thank you again, I appreciate the opportunity to get to read this early.

Playing for Keeps by Tristen Crone is about a professionally aimless, board game lover, named Farren who meets a personally aimless, govt employee named Sebastian (who sometimes but rarely goes by the name Ian?).

The cover art is beautiful, and I love seeing size rep in romance as well as on the cover. It was possibly my favorite thing about the book, since often it's written as some fatal flaw or focus of the FMC, but in this, Farren is a curvy, hot thing and not once does Sebastian comment internally about how she's attractive despite being curvy or even consider that this is any failing on her part. Loved that! There are some passing mentions of Farren noticing a certain seat isn't comfortable or her waistband is tight, but beyond that, she wears what she wants; she dresses up; she goes out; she's fire, and I love that for her! Thank you, author!

I liked that they often seemed to have frank discussions in regards to where they were at, or their time together, but the lack of communication as well as what was actually keeping them apart was a bit lost on me. I didn't necessarily mind the stakes being low, but it needed to feel bigger. If he was really desperate for a crescent, I needed to see a little more desperation, or something amusing about it. If they were going to have sex for the first time at a party, in costume, I would have loved to feel as if there was considerable heat that was building up until that point so that there was no other option--to be clear, I'm not opposed to sex in bathrooms or at parties, but it seemed like such an odd choice to make for two characters that seemed to be SO careful before. Who were essentially sleeping in the same bed together most nights and it was the first real mention of anything sexual. I would say that this would be a great book for someone who's not as comfortable with sex in their reads, but even the kisses and touching--I needed heat! I wanted to be strung along and float away!

I loved that she was aimless and didn't have a plan--it was one of my favorite things about her, because it was entirely real and palpable to feel anxious about having nothing to root you like blood relatives, but also, not have any kind of steady income/career. And I was glad when she mentioned her dream of the board game, that he was supportive and wanted her to find a way to succeed. There were enough references to their family troubles, but by the time she goes back to see her family, it felt as if so little was explored that when they have a blow up, I went back a few pages to make sure I hadn't missed something.

I kept looking for something to really hook me in this one, but sadly, it wasn't for me.

For the most part I liked it but wasn’t mad for it. I took my time with it, not rushing through, so I read it over the course of a week. I enjoyed the story, even if the third act break up was annoying and filled with poor communication. Also I felt like the character development was lacking, we’re told a lot about Farren and Sebastian but it didn’t feel more than surface level for the most part. I didn’t feel like I felt what the character was feeling. I was just being told how they felt.

The third person POV came across as arrogant and overly introspective at times. But my feelings about this are likely a result of my preference for first person POV.

As a note on plot: I’m also still not sure what roll the “Government” had in Sebastian’s job. It was talked about as if he was with a contracted company, but also as if he was a government employee. It all had a weird vibe…1984ish…where it was this giant imposing entity that wasn’t really understood and had far reaching control. I personally found it distracting.

Playing for Keeps was such a cute little rom com - I loved that grumpy sunshine/opposites attract vibes we got from Sebastien and Farren. It was so fun to see them get to know each other and warm up and open up to each other as the book progressed. I appreciated the way the book presented the complicated baggage from the family dynamics that plagued both of our main characters, but I think I wanted a little more in the way of resolution for both of them. I loved the grand gesture that Sebastien pulls off to show Farren he loves her at the end of the book - huge swoon and it was fun to see Farren start to have some real success with her passion project by the time the story wraps.

I think if you enjoyed The Love Con or Bet on It or Conventionally Yours, you'll enjoy the swoony nerdy slightly steamy vibes that this story has to offer!

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is so sweet and real! Farren and Sebastian are such insecure characters (for good reason!) but Playing For Keeps takes us on the journey of how the find themselves and work through their issues together. Something I really appreciated and enjoyed about Farren and Sebastian is how real and honest they are with each other. Seriously, it's so refreshing! Sebastian and his anxiety are probably the most real for me, his constant feelings of inadequacy and desperation for approval are so relatable. Farren, sweet chaos baby Farren. Her difficulty committing made me want to shake her at times, but only because I totally get it, especially when she goes from being hesitant to jumping in with both feet.

I also really love the gaming aspect, from playing games with friends to Farren's creation of her own game. Such a cool setting that we don't see much of in NA/Contemporary Romance. But I think we should definitely have more of this!

I will say that if you're coming into this expecting a romcom based on the admittedly adorable, amazing cover, you may want to adjust your expectations. PFK is an adult bildungsroman, replete with much introspection and internalization and LOTS of growth, making this more of a contemporary romance than romcom as one might expect from the illustrated cover. (Still LOVE the cover. And the CROISSANT!!)

That said, I enjoyed PFK immensely. It's full of refreshing characters and sweet romance. Bit of a slow burn, but we get there in the end and WHOOO BOY Sebastian surprised me okay? Brb, I need a croissant.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lake Country Press, and Tristen Crone for the advance copy for review!

Swoony, sexy, hot!! This is a romcom for the ages, with beautiful representation ans characters you will love to root for! Check this one out and you will be sure to have a smile on your face the whole time you're reading :)