This book is my favorite of the series! I love it!

The final book in this series takes a refreshing turn by introducing two entirely new main characters. Madison, an American midfielder, is still reeling after being left at the altar, with her plans for retirement and family life shattered. Reluctantly, she agrees to join Calverdale's squad at the request of Gabe Rivers, but struggles to fit in. Overwhelmed by it all, Madison escapes to a small Welsh inn over Christmas, a nostalgic pilgrimage to where her parents once married. There, she crosses paths with Geraint, a former rugby star whose career and marriage were derailed by a severe injury, and who now fights to keep his late father's inn from going under.

With minimal ties to the previous installments, this book almost reads like a standalone Christmas romance, with Madison as the hardened, guarded one and Geraint as the warmhearted, somewhat broken counterpart. There’s a lot of emotional depth here, with Madison coming off as distant and difficult at times, but her emotional journey makes the happy ending all the more satisfying.

Eventually, Madison reconnects with the Calverdale team as she heals, finding her place both on the pitch and in her new life. The story wraps up with a heartwarming holiday scene in Wales, bringing all the characters together and giving the series a comforting sense of closure.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC!

The fourth and final instalment in the series is something a little different. Unlike previous books, both the MCs here are new. Madison, an American import, reluctantly accepts an offer from Gabe Rivers to come and bolster Calverdale's midfield after she's jilted at the altar and left reeling, her plans to retire from soccer and start a family in tatters. Struggling to connect with her team and wanting to escape over Christmas, Madison books into a Welsh inn over the holidays, in a sort of pilgrimage to the area where her parents were married. There, she meets Geraint, an ex-professional rugby player who lost his career and his marriage to injury, and now struggles to keep his late father's beloved Dragon Inn afloat.

For the most part, the lack of direct connections to previous books and characters means this reads a little like a standalone Christmas novel, with a reverse grumpy/sunshine - black cat/golden retriever vibe. Like Lace's other books, there's emotional complexity; in particular, FMC Madison is not always very sympathetic given how closed-off she is for much of the book, but that makes the eventual HEA earned, I think.

And we do eventually see the Calverdale crew brought into the story, as Madison heals and finally commits to her place in the team. The book closes with a nice scene of the gang together enjoying Christmas in Wales, bringing a sense of completion and full-circle-ness to both the book and the series as a whole.

Thank you NetGalley & Montlake for allowing me access to the fourth book in the series Playing the Field, Playing to Win by Sasha Lace will be released on Nov 15 and it follows Madison & Geraint. It was one of my favourites in the series tbh, I love the British settings, the Christmas vibes and Geraint is just so swoon worthy!

The novel masterfully explores the complexities of professional and personal boundaries, showcasing the characters’ growth and the passionate connection that ignites between them. This book is a captivating journey through heartache, desire, and the transformative power of love, making it an engaging read from start to finish.