Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Book Review: Playing to Win

If you are following me on Instagram, a couple of weeks ago I mentioned that my favorite sport is hockey, and that if I need to read a sports related romance.... I'm going to pick a hockey one. If you're like me, this is definitely a series to get into.
Playing to Win - Stacey Lynn
It was a three-week fling. Nothing more than a couple of college kids having some fun, but then I did the stupid thing and fell for Jude Taylor quicker than he can score a goal on the ice. And after one beautiful night together, he left for the pros before I could make my first cup of coffee.


I thought I’d put him behind me. I thought I’d moved on. Then he hobbles into my physical therapy office and I realize how absolutely wrong I’ve been—there’s no getting over Jude Taylor.

But now things are complicated. Jude lives half a country away and his career is in direct opposition to my need for stability. Most of all, getting involved with him could mean losing my job and everything I’ve worked so hard for.

Jude doesn’t seem to mind one bit and he’s all in. He might be a patient in my office, but he’s no longer the patient guy I remember.

This time, he’s playing to win, and the prize he’s looking to score is me.

Let's not beat around the bush and get into it, this book was pretty dang great. So often in romance novels the trope can be different but the arc of the story is similar, it will likely have a huge drama thing at the end, the couple go their own ways only to come together because that's what you do. I am pleased to tell you that this one is DIFFERENT. Oh yes. It's different in the best, most refreshing, completely mature adult way and I'm here for it.

In this book we have Jude, a big time hockey player with a new injury forced to re-evaluate things and work on recovery. We have Katie, a physical therapist in a bit of a rut. Together they had a night to remember years ago and Katie thought she was doing herself a favor by deleting his number and moving on because surely he won't remember.

Oh but he has and when he discovers he is doing his therapy at the same facility Katie works at, sparks immediately fly.

Over a few weeks/months they slowly start to reconnect and they realize there is more to the spark than just sexual chemistry. Katie knows he's going to recover soon and go back to his team and she doesn't know if he wants to really make this work. Can it be long distance or should she take the plunge and leave all that is familiar to her and go with him?

First off, the ending was perfect, I am totally excited for a romance to not have children masquerading as adults. I love how Jude and Katie have actual discussions, they open up to each other, and are willing to discuss hard things and work out a solution so they each feel fulfilled. It's the story I didn't know I needed and I really hope other authors pick up on this. The steamy scenes are pretty great considering this guy has a messed up knee/leg and mobility is an issue. Plus, he's just a really great guy and she seems pretty great, too.

If I absolutely had to give you something I wish was different... I would give you two things:

  • It would have been cool to get maybe a prologue of their time leading up to their first hook up. They talk about how they knew each other, but what led up to that first night? 
  • I didn't realize this was book one in the series, I assumed maybe book three. Towards the end a couple of other girlfriends/wives are mentioned and hinted that there is a story there that I missed but nope- this is the first book. 

I loved this one a lot and I am so excited to read the rest of this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A huge thank you to Social Butterfly PR and Stacey Lynn for having me on this tour, I cannot read what is next for the Ice Kings! This post contains affiliate links. 

1 comment:

Paige said...

I am not always into sports romances, but I'm glad you loved this one!