Stealing for Keeps was a fun and heartfelt story about former figure skater, Claire who is coming to terms with not only a career ending injury, but a blind siding break up that happened at her lowest point. Claire is ready to spend her junior year spending time with friends and finding who she is without skating or her ex, Vaughn, but life had other plans. Soccer star, Austin has moved halfway across the country to play for one of the best teams and coaches, but his first day doesn't go as planned. Run in with a cute girl that ends with him covered in glitter? Check. Late for first soccer practice? Also check. Kissing the cute girl only to find out she's the team captain's ex that he isn't quite over? Unfortunately, check. As Junior year starts, neither Austin nor Claire are having the year they hoped for. In spite of the trouble it causes they keep being drawn together. Are they going to resist the pull? Or will the throw caution to the wind and see where their connection leads??

I loved Stealing for Keeps! I admired Claire's honesty with herself about her feelings in regards to Vaughn and the end of her competitive skating career. I enjoyed her friendships and hope that if more books are to come we see more of her friends! I really loved Austin's love of his family and his drive to do well and even when it's difficult to be true to himself and his feelings!

This is definitely not one to miss!

Thank you NetGalley, Rebecca Jenshak, and Bloom Books!

This was really cute, and I’m invested in Frost Lake!

⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶️: fade to black, kissing & touching, implied sexual activity

💭 overall thoughts:
I’ve been back on forth on my review for this one!

I absolutely ADORE Rebecca Jenshak and her writing 🥰 the story was super cute, and I was invested in the main & side characters - I love the world she’s built at Frost Lake High!

Claire & Austin meet at a party, where he’s dared, as the new guy, to kiss her - and she just happens to be his soccer team captain’s ex-girlfriend.
Their dynamic is so sweet as they get closer as friends, and try to fight becoming more 🥹

I’m just not sure if I’m the right audience for this one… I think it would be better suited for (older) teens.
I generally like my YA a little more innocent 🙃

I definitely think it’s realistic for 16 year olds to be getting drunk & having s3x, but it’s not really something I personally want to read (at 40 myself).

read if you enjoy:
⚽️ YA sports (soccer) romance
⛸ former figure skater
⚽️ new guy at school + ex’s teammate
🚫 forbidden
🤫 secret dating
💞 dual 1st person pov

Thank you to Rebecca Jenshak, Bloom Books and Valentine PR for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

“Being with Claire feels like a milestone that can’t be undone.”

ARC Review 5/5 🪩
I loved Stealing for Keeps so much. It was such a cute and easy read. It starts with the funniest meet cute and classic high school drama, in the best way. I WISH I went to this high school. What a dream.

I have been reading this book slowly and just enjoying it. Rebecca Jenshak doesn’t miss and I have become such a huge fan of her this year! I was laughing because I unintentionally took a target run and bought a disco ball magic 8 ball 🤭🪩 IYKYK

Austin is the new student at Frost Lake High after transferring from AZ to play for a legendary soccer coach. Little does he know his first week he gets dared to kiss a girl he already had an eye for, which also happens to be his teammates ex gf, and the coaches son! Classic new kid mistake right? The only problem, he actually likes her.

Claire was an amazing figure skating until she fractured her ankle leaving her in a walking boot. Not only that, but her bf all but ended things when she needed his support. Luckily, she has a the company of a great best friend and a new soccer boy who looks good covered in glitter and sitting on her floor drawing photos of her 🤭

Tropes I loved:
🪩 funny meet cute
⚽️ teammates ex
🪩 secret hobby dates
⚽️ cute sibling relationships
🪩 he draws her
⚽️ new guy from AZ (😏☀️)

When I say Rebecca Jenshak knocked this YA romance out of the park, I mean she hit a grand slam!!! I listened to this ALC and couldn't stop. The narrators were perfect for these two characters.

I LOVE young, first love, and I fell immediately for Austin and Claire. Their story will take you right back to high school with all the drama, shenanigans, parties, and young love that will make your heart sing and leave you feeling nostalgic. Both of the main characters have a depth to them that allows them to grow throughout the story, as well as introduces side characters who I can't wait to see where their stories take them. I have a certain feeling about a couple that I can't wait to see what happens! Well done once again, R Jenshak!

This was an adorable, sweet read about young love and finding the thing you love most. Claire is at a crossroads in her life, she was injured and can no longer do the one thing that she loves the most in her life. She doesn’t know who she is anymore. When she runs into Austin, literally, she is immediately drawn to him. Austin moves to town to give him a better chance at playing soccer and following his dream. When her ex-boyfriend is also his team captain, things get a little complicated. Then Austin has issues at home with his younger sister who is mad at him and believes that she is being punished and it’s all about Austin. I think that once she makes friends, she will be happy there. I think that Austin and Claire have a long way to go to completely figure things out, but I would love to see what happens to them after high school. This is a sweet young love story that of course includes teen angst and drama, but it was entertaining, and I couldn’t help but root for them. I am excited to see where this series takes us, and I look forward to whoever’s story is next.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Rebecca Jenshak and Valentine PR.

4 stars

Absolutely devoured this story and Rebecca Jenshak delivered with her new world of Frost Lake!
I loved the setting - and the mmc came from Valley High!! - the characters, the sports!
Claire and her ex Vaughn recently broke up, and she’s still hurting a bit. At the beginning of the school year there’s a new guy joining the school, and the soccer team, where her ex is the star player.
All is fine, until Austin gets dared to kiss Claire - not knowing she’s the ex of his team mate - and after it’s not fine between the team mates no more. Can they solve the discrepancies in the team?
I really liked reading this new story by Rebecca Jenshak.
All these team members leave room for possibilities who could be the next couple in the next book. I have my guess, and am looking forward to see if I’m right!

“𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐞,”

“𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠,”

This book was incredibly charming, and I absolutely loved Claire and Austin. Austin, a new to town soccer player, joins Claire's high school, and their first meeting is as memorable as it is accidental, they literally bump into each other and are instantly intrigued. Their connection deepens at a party when Austin accepts a dare to kiss Claire, and sparks truly fly.

However, their budding romance faces a challenge when Claire's ex, who also happens to be the captain of the soccer team, finds out. This causes tension between Austin and his teammates, forcing Claire and Austin to figure out how to make their relationship work. Despite a few bumps along the way, their desire to see each other happy never wavers.

The narrators perfectly captured Claire and Austin's chemistry, delivering all the sweetness of a high school crush. If you're looking for a heartwarming YA romance, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. You won't be disappointed!

4.5 New guy plus most popular guy’s ex girlfriend? What could possibly go wrong. Austin just wants to play soccer, Claire just wants to figure out what her life will look like now that she can no longer compete competitively in figure skating and to heal from her broken heart when her boyfriend dumped her after she got injured. I loved this story and love seeing different sports represented in books

Life as Claire knows it has been uprooted as not only has her relationship with her boyfriend ended but an injury has put her dreams of figure skating in jeopardy. When she shares a kiss with Austin it not only opens new possibilities but complications as well.

To pursue his soccer dreams he finds himself at Frost Lake High. All he wants is to fit in and be an asset to his team and sharing a kiss with his teammates ex-girlfriend is not the best way to accomplish that. He knows that he shouldn’t pursue anything with Claire, but some rewards are worth the risk.

The characters draw you in and the camaraderie of the team as well as the family relationships only make this story better. A sweet romance with a little drama that will not only draw you in but entertain you as well.

***ARC REVIEW***
Stealing For Keeps by Rebecca Jenshak (Frost Lake High, Book 1)
Releases Dec 31st- Paperback and Free on #KindleUnlimited!


Claire is a former figure skater, healing from a career-ending injury, trying to figure out where she goes from here.

Austin and his family recently moved cross-country specifically for him to play soccer at Frost Lake (a top program in the US,) which has caused some tension in the family as they try to navigate their new life. But he's ready to give soccer his all in the fast-approaching school year. He runs into Claire (literally) on his way to his first soccer practice, and they catch each other's eye. They soon cross paths again at a party, where Austin loses a bet with one of his teammates and has to perform a dare: Kiss Claire. He's more than happy to have an excuse to talk to her, and more than happy to kiss her, and there's a spark. HOWEVER, Austin did not know that Claire is his team Captain Vaughn's Ex Girlfriend, and that lands him into hot water with his soccer team. But Austin is undeterred, and he's prepared to keep pursuing Claire.

This is the first book in a brand new YA romance series (for 16+). I have read many of the author's adult sports romance books, and have loved her work. This is yet another great book by Rebecca Jenshak!

I thought this story was really cute. Their meet-cute was memorable, and Austin's determination to win Claire's affection was so endearing. Austin was optimistic and outgoing, and he was willing to try to crack Claire's newly acquired shell. He seemed to see her for who she really is, and he encouraged her to shake it off and try to find something new in life since figure skating is out of the picture. (Positive attitude, unbothered by the obstacles & down bad-- I was getting total Noah Riley vibes!) Besides all the typical parts of high school (fighting over crushes, parties, sports, drama) there is actually a lot of emotional depth too, with the pressures they feel to perform and be the best, complicated family dynamics, and finding their place in the world. [Side note- Austin's friendship with Rowan was so great, and I found myself really liking him and wanting to learn more about him, so hopefully he'll be next!]

This was a great YA read!
4.5⭐(round to 5) .5🌶️

I read an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest opinions. Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Jenshak, and Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Do you need a book to recommend to your librarian to expand their YA section or your teen for an age appropriate romance? This one would be perfect! Stealing for Keeps is a young adult sports romance featuring students of Frost Lake High School. Claire, a former figure skater embarks on her junior year single and meets Austin, the new guy and new star of the soccer team. They start a friendship, and as their feelings grow so do the complications with the relationship and their friend group. There are many applicable and relatable high school scenarios, the characters were written for their age and their actions appropriate, the plot was well placed, and there was still banter banter and chemistry that kept me captivated. I am happy that this author branched out to YA and still kept the integrity of her great stories. 4.25 stars

Oh my freaking adorable! It’s all the hearts and stars in your eyes of new love, all the angsty stressful drama of high school, losing dreams and finding new ones, tricky family dynamics, and it is unreal good. Austin is an absolute charmer, swooping in as the new guy with a thing for one of the hottest girls in school, honest, sincere, and smoking hot. And man does it just tip your heart on its side for him as he shoots his shot with Claire, puts his all into assisting in a new hobby search, and leaves no doubt that Claire comes first, and anything else is just a bonus. Funny, swoony, and brimming with that vivacious, anything is possible teen vibe, it’s a killer YA read that you cannot put down.
This is so cute! Austin steals your heart like two chapters in, Claire gets all your empathy and tugs a few heart strings, and when they’re together it’s an explosion of feel goods. It’s definitely a love story through and through but it also does a fantastic job of addressing all the uncertainty of high school and the future, how much has to be given up to chase dreams, rocky family relationships, and it handles the whole situation with Claire’s ex with the perfect amount of turmoil and tension while still feeling (mostly) maturely handled. Just an excellent read and I can honestly say I’m dying to see what’s next at Frost Lake High.

I love Rebecca’s work and I was so curious to see how her writing YA would come out and this book was the sweetest! This reminded me so much of the growing pains and obsessive teens that I know and knew.

Austin and Claire are characters you can help but fall for and find absolutely adorable. Claire is recovering from an injury that has ended fissure skating for her. Austin is the new kid, passionate about soccer, a little flirty but so kind. They have such an amazing meet-cute.

Perfect book for YA readers!

4.5⭐️ There is something about a YA that hits me in all the feels. Young love is the best where the brushes of pinkie fingers and stolen glances is everything.

Austin & Claire are adorable. They fall for each other over a dare, shared sketches in art class and Austin trying to help Claire find herself after an injury that ended her figure skating dreams.

“like you,” I say, brushing a piece of hair that’s fallen into her face back behind her ear. “I like you too.” The words don’t feel like enough. We make out until we’re both breathless and my head swims with only thoughts of her.”

I gobbled their story up and I loved all of their friends and the introduction to Frost Lake High, I can’t wait to return to this world.

Thank you to Valentine PR and the author Rebecca Jenshak for the advanced reading copy. All my opinions are my own.

What can I say this books was amazing, this is the first book I’ve read by Rebecca and I absolutely loved it. Between the friends to lovers trope and the teammates ex trope happening, I just didn’t want to put it down!! I can’t wait to see how the series will continue!!

It started with a dare

Being a teenager can be hard sometimes, there are plenty of highs and lows, broken hearts, friendships lost and found, and of course there's love. STEALING FOR KEEPS, book #1 in the Frost Lake High series, was such a sweet, fun, and entertaining read.

Austin Keller won my heart from the moment he found himself covered in glitter and still went to soccer practice. He's fun, flirtatious, and the "new guy" on the team, and he's feeling guilty because of the sacrifices his family have made for him. Claire Crawford's dream of competitive figure skating disappeared the moment she was injured, now she's feeling lost with no sense of direction. Her best friend Lacey is determined to cheer her up, their friendship is one every teenage girl should have, reliable, honest, and fun-filled. However, it's not Lacey who allows her to step back and rethink her goals, it's Austin, the rival to her ex, in more ways than one.

Austin and Claire's story was pure romance. They had an instant connection and chemistry, but a "kiss dare" ensured they both wanted more. Sharing a love of art brought them closer, but Claire is the ex of Austin's teammate so keeping their friendship a secret became a priority. I loved the encouragement Austin gave Claire in finding something new to focus on... one of his choices was amusing. These two were perfect for each other, they have wonderful banter, mutual respect, hot chemistry, a supportive friendship, but not everything runs smoothly and there are a couple of hurdles to overcome.

STEALING FOR KEEPS was a great introduction to this new series. I can't wait to read more stories from this world. There are already a few characters I'll be cheering for. I loved the friendships, the banter, the emotions, the parties, and the trials and tribulations of school life. I loved everything about this book and found it difficult to put down. It's another sports romance winner from Ms. Jenshak. Highly recommended.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

💜 Sports Romance
🖤 Secret Relationship
💜 Soccer Player/Figure Skater

I truly loved this book, so many memorable lines. Love all the amazing characters. Austin and Claire are the perfect couple, but they are dealing with things that are keeping them apart. Austin kept fighting his feelings to respect bro code since Claire’s ex-boyfriend is also on the soccer team, Claire is trying to figure out what is her next step since her only true interest was taken away. Great book. Recommend it!!!

Games of the heart
4.5 ⭐️
This is a great YA romance filled with fun, sports, rivalry, cute moments, emotion, school drama and antics, family dynamics and a budding friendship that builds into love.
Claire and Austin are engaging characters with sweet chemistry and a beautiful story.

I’m glad this is the first in a series because I’m already obsessed with the characters! I kept finding myself matching up couples for future books.

I love a sports romance and I thought this one was really cute. I haven’t read a YA romance in a bit, and it was nice to be back! I’m completely obsessed with Lacey so I can’t wait for her book!

I did think there was a fine line between YA and adult with this one. Borderline adult content, but some of the other content felt a bit too juvenile.

I love Rebecca Jenshak, so I’m excited to read more.

Ms. Jenshak always knows how to hook us in and keep us reading, I've yet to be disappointed. This start of a new series is no exception. Highly recommended to anyone who likes this authors work.