Fall with Me

This book had me in a chokehold! Jaxon is now easily my fav boy of the series all broody and tattooed 🥵 Don’t worry about missing the other characters as they are all still very much apart of the family and make appearances through the book.

📖 Favourite Quotes:
-“She’s the Man? She’s the Man is one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time?”, “I said what I said”
-“I don’t need a valentine! I have a cat”
-“One of these days Jaxon Riley you’re going to realise you’re worth it”

📸🏒I loved the team photographer runs into her one night stand broody hockey player and tries to pretend he doesn’t exist 😂 This cat dad wasn’t having it . We love the little extra toes kitty and all of its cameos throughout this book love this book as an over all!!!🐱

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

Fall with Me by Becka Mack is her 4th book in her Playing for Keeps series and I have to say it is her best one yet!! If you love hockey and a possessive yet I’ll do anything for my woman kind of guy, look no further than Jaxon Eugene Riley! Understanding why Jaxon is the way he is throughout the book was heartbreaking but with Lennon becoming part of this life and proving all the ways he is wrong making this book extra special. I cannot recommend this book enough along with the whole series, which is exceptionally written with a lot of laughs, tears, happy moments and of course spice!

This book was a masterpiece.

Jaxon and Lennons story was beautiful, real, raw and so damn emotional i wasn’t expecting it. Reading had me all up in my feels but witnessing the journey of Jaxon finding his self worth after being so insecure and vulnerable was magic. Lennon was made for Jaxon . She was so patient and just being there for him when he was ready. The way she found her self again after being silenced for so long. Jaxon was so attentive and caring with her I just loved their relationship. The banter as always was perfection I don’t ever want this series to end. I loved everything about it.

Spoiler free review -




Fall with me was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. It is a captivating book that beautifully deals with grief, found family, and realising that you’re worthy of love. We get to see a side of Jaxon we’ve only seen a glimpse of in the previous books, and be introduced to Lennon who is a character that feels like she’s been there from the beginning. While a big portion of the book pulls at your heart strings, there’s no lack of the banter, comedy or Carter and Cara’s typical antics from the previous books (which we love). We also get to see the grumpy NHL defensemen be the greatest dad to his son (cat) Mittens and honestly what more could you ask for.
Link to my TikTok review!
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSY923sNJ/

Don’t you hate it when a book hits you with themes and a story so relatable it makes you far too emotional? Nah actually I don’t hate it, this book was absolute gold.

Becka Mack writes incredible stories and such well rounded and thought out characters, which is one of the many reasons this series has my heart. I love that even though there’s a main couple, the others feature quite frequently instead of being relegated to your typical side character cameos. It really helps shape the Vipers world and how friends can really become family.

I’ve been waiting for Jaxon’s story and it was better than I imagined. Roommates to lovers, close proximity, I feel like a bit of grumpy/ sunshine and don’t forget that spicy spice. And obviously shout out to Mittens, the comic relief marshmallow I needed.

One of my top romance reads for far for 2024!
★★★★★

Playing for Keeps is one of my favourite sports romance series, and I was so excited to be back in their world. The whole gang in this series are hilarious and the best found family I’ve read. (Carter Beckett… need I say more?) 🫠

I laughed, cried and swooned over Jaxon & Lennon’s story. Pure perfection. Their banter, chemistry and how they show they care for each other had me completely hooked throughout. 🫶🏼

Hockey Player MMC
Team Photographer FMC
Reformed Playboy
Found Family
Roommates
Cat Daddy 🐈

"You take a deep breath, let go, and fall. But I don’t want to fall alone. I want her to fall with me."

Already counting down for the next book in the Playing For Keeps series, and I know Cara & Emmett are going to be 😭❤️‍🔥

5 ★

This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

"You take a deep breath, let go, and fall. But I don’t want to fall alone. I want her to fall with me."

Jaxon Riley, proud cat dad, the Vancouver Vipers enforcer, and current 9th wheel to all his loved-up friends, is a big ol' marshmallow at heart even if on the outside he seems all swagger and sex-appeal. Being traded from team to team every two seasons, as well as a traumatic childhood event, has left him emotionally scarred and unable to fully grasp what love is - whether it be the love of his friends or romantic love.

Lennon Hayes, astronomy lover, photography whiz and now free from her douche of an ex-fiance, is looking to find her voice again. After minimising herself to fit into the expectations of a sad excuse of a man, she has moved to a new country and a new job, and isn't letting anyone get in the way of finding her true self.

Fall With Me, the fourth installment in Becka Mack's Playing for Keeps series, was everything I've been waiting for. Becka threw me straight back into the world of the Vancouver Vipers, a world that to me feels so real, and further solidified the fact that Playing for Keeps is my most loved hockey romance series out there (huge call as I've read so many but when you know, you know).

The whole gang is back with their hilarious and at (most) times unhinged ways and this book had me experiencing all the feels, from cackling with laughter, to a toothache from the sweetness, blushing because you know that spice is immaculate and then crying because I just couldn't deal with the heartache then the love.

I really hope this isn't the end for the Playing for Keeps gang, because I'm just not ready to say goodbye, so Becka, if you're reading this, please drop us a hint and let us know when we can fall back into your world with you again.

“lennon lives in every single piece, etched into the details, the sense of wonder, the same way she lives in my thoughts, running around all day, even when she’s not here.”

who would have ever thought a hockey romance book would make me cry 😭😭
this book was amazing! i was laughing so much and devoured it just in a day. i loved the banter between lennon and jaxon, and seeing them navigate their way together was so sweet.
jaxon remembering all the little things about lennon was too much 🥹 her favourite flowers, her crocs, her allergy, even how she does her hair.

one-night stand
roommates (with benefits)
broody hockey player
team photographer
reformed playboy
acts of service
found family

I love everything about this book, and this series. The fun and silliness, the found family and unconditional love they freely give to one another, and the deep healing this author brings to my broken heart. Jaxon, Lennon and Mittens are the perfect mix.

Can I give this more than 5 stars?

An absolutely beautiful story by Becka Mack that focuses on found family, finding your self worth and love that is found within.
Tropes:
Found Family
Roommates to Lovers
Forced Proximity
One Night Stand
Reformed Playboy
Spice: 3.5/5

I loved Lennon and Jaxon! The banter between the two was a highlight of this book. Jaxon is the definition of if he wanted to, he could. The acts of service being his love language was chef kisses.
The small acts he did throughout the book made me swoon.

I'll be extremely sad to see this series end after Emmett and Cara's book.

Thanks to Netgalley, Becka Mack and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fall With Me deserves every star possible!!

This had me blushing and giggling like an idiot and I'm completely obsessed with this book, like oh my god!!
starting this book was like coming home, I didn't realise how much I missed Becka's characters until I picked this up. the friend group in this series is fucking everything, I love their dynamics and how much they care for each other - also the group texts??? these had me in hysterics.

After Unravel Me I firmly thought it was an Adam girlie to my core, but now... Now I'm a Jaxon girlie because that man is perfection (but also they're all perfect and I love them all) the way he was with Lennon was adorable, and some of the things he did for her, I can't take it he is such a softie and ultimate cat daddy!

I really enjoyed Jaxon and Lennon as a couple! the way their relationship grew felt so genuine, the banter between them was top-notch!

Basically long story short, I fucking loved this book with everything in me!! and if you enjoy the below, I think you'll love it too!

- Forced proximity
- One-night stand
- Found Family
- Hockey Romance

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this beauty!

FIVE STARS. FIVE OUT OF FIVE. 5/5 💫🐾🏒💜

* Found family
* Roommates to lovers
* One night stand

Becka are you trying to break my heart in this book? This was by FAR THE SADDEST book of the series, I did not expect to cry as much as I did. This book blew away all my expectations! It was everything I wanted and needed in a romance book.

I loved Jaxon’s character and his vulnerabilities. It was refreshing seeing an mmc having self doubt and feeling unlovable, and the fmc supporting him through these moments. The found family dynamic during these moments made me realise why I love this series so much, and how important the group dynamic is to each book. The book touched on important, real life themes which were portrayed in such a good way.

I loved Jaxon and Lennon as a couple. The banter was great, and their relationship felt so real. My favourite moments were when the group was trying to express how loved, valued, and important Jaxon is and he gets all embarrassed 🥹

So grateful for an early copy 💌

The way I lapped up and ate up every single morsel of this!!!!
Lennon and Jaxon are so much fun, hot and so sweet and precious!!
I love them so so much!! They have my heart!
I sobbed and got so emotional reading this, reading about Jax and how he felt about himself and life and love. How he found his worth and found his love and healed!
Lennon who became just as obsessed with Mittens as
Jax, the photo shoots l love it!
How she found her voice
and her confidence and herself again, and the love ano friendships she so deserves!!
Love as always the found family in this series, how they may be many things, but above all else they are loyal and love unconditionally and always always have each others backs!!
Even if Carter drives them up the wall
Spice was spicing!!! And loved all the tropes in this one!
Especially forced proximity, such a fave for a reason!
If you get me crying, feeling all the feelings, you've done some damn good work sis!
Your brain, what's it like to live in it and have this crazy, wild, funny, silly, goofy, sweet, kind and good hearted motley crew in your head constantly, thank you for sharing them with the world! For letting each of us that want to, be a small part of it!

Never have a I ever, been more in love with an author 🥹 Becka definitely delivered the Jaxson we wanted.

The reformed playboy trope can sometimes feel very “copy and paste” but the way Becka executed this was perfect.

I loved the back and forth hissing between Jaxon and Lennon and how even within the first moments of knowing each other, Lennon felt safe and comfortable to be just be her and her voice.

Jaxon 😮‍💨 if “he wanted to he would, even when he said he didn’t want to” was a person, it would be this man. I lost count with how many times I sighed nawwww at the things he did for Lennon.

Becka always takes me on an emotional rollercoaster with her books, in the best way possible. The raw and heartfelt topics are always done with so much care and respect.

The family moments between the entire gang just tied everything together like a perfect gift.

Jaxon and Lennon were everything.

POV: Dual
Tropes: Hockey, Runaway Bride, Reformed Playboy, Cat Daddy, frenemies to lovers
Nicknames: Honey, Tidbit,
Smut Index: Chapters 3, 14, 19, 20, 23, 27, 32, Epilogue

Ps.
I don’t wanna hear nothing about chapter 19 being gross. It’s completely natural and normal for some women to feel that way and they shouldn’t be shamed for it.

okay wow.

all of the stars 💫🍯❤️‍🔥

when i thought that nothing could beat adamrosie in unravel me, becka has blessed us with jaxonlennon and this absolute masterpiece.

jaxon, you sweet, sweet boy. he is the definition of “if he wanted to he would” his crippling insecurities and self doubt had my heart shattering. just wanting somewhere to finally belong and be loved 😭 and lennon, the sweet patient woman loving him exactly the way he needs to be loved, knowing exactly what he needs when he needs it. the perfect cat parents to fluffy marshmallow mitts.

the found family in the playing for keeps series has always been unmatched and i had missed them so much. i was audibly laughing so hard while reading fall with me.

prepare to need tissues from 96% onwards because becka, you will be paying for my therapy after that epilogue 😭🥹🥹🥹

thank you to Netgalley for the arc.