Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940161180570 |
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| Publisher: | Kendall Ryan |
| Publication date: | 08/13/2019 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | NOOK Book |
| Sales rank: | 51 |
| File size: | 550 KB |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Playing for Keeps
4.5 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
46 reviews.
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4.5 Star Review Playing For Keeps (Hot Jocks #1)by Kendall Ryan
When ever I pick up a Kendall Ryan book I know I am in for a great read or listen. Playing for Keeps is book 1 in a new series and I for one cannot wait to read them all.
I really liked Elise, although I am not sure I would have put up with the behaviour of the men in her life. The behaviour of Justin and his friends, particularly his roommate Owen (who also happens to be Elise’s brother) was immature and off putting at times. However in fairness once Justin realized he had strong feelings for Elise, his party animal ways ceased immediately.
The chemistry between Elise Parrish and Justin was lighthearted and yet extremely hot and it really added to my enjoyment of this book.
The story was lighthearted and fun and altogether a joy to read. It was also at times, sexy, sweet, romantic and emotional. I like that Kendall Ryan is not afraid to write about characters who have flaws and this just makes them easier to relate too.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series which is Owen and Becca’s story.
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Really enjoyed this smoking hot summer adventure filled with witty banter, interesting charters, forbidden passion and heart pounding twists.... was a great read from beginning to end and an excellent start to this new series. Looking forward to the next adventure.
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This is the 1st book I've read written by Kendall Ryan; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
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This book is an engaging page turner that is action packed with adventure, witty and colourful banter, good friends, and humour. The storyline is well-developed, emotionally deep, well written, and relatable. The ups and downs, fun, and excitement will keep you on the edge of your seat as it take you on one wild ride and keep you engrossed until the end. The characters are strong and loveable; their chemistry is off the charts and the sex scenes are HOT! I Look forward to the next book. Definitely recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Justin's best friend is Owen. They grew up together playing hockey and now they play pro hockey on the same team. Owen's sister, Elise, has had a crush on Justin since she was in middle school. They get drunk at a party and end up having sex together, in the morning Justin acts like he doesn't remember what happened. Justin really remembered and he can't stop thinking about her. He thinks he not good enough for her. I really like this book. The story and characters held my interest.
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Funny, sexy, and sweet!
This is the first book in the Hot Jocks series, and the story of Justin, and Elise. Justin is a pro hockey player, and best friends with Elise's brother. Elise is a school teacher, and has always had a crush on Justin, but when they both have a little too much to drink one night, they end up in bed together. The next morning, when everyone has sobered up, Elise doesn't think Justin remembers, but Justin can't forget. He can't get her out of his head. This was an entertaining read, humorous, steamy, emotional, and a must read. 4.5 Stars
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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This is was a best friends brothers little sister. So we meet Justin who is guess what, you know that requirement of romance main characters, Did you guess? No, well you should know a manwhore..anyhoo he has been keeping to himself because he has been getting tired of slutting around, and he has been having some feelings for Elise, his bestfriends little sister. They have a night together and he acts like he does not remember since he does not know what else to do, she is broken hearted, trying to move on. 3 months later after she breaks up with her boyfriend they decide that they will have a friends with benefits arrangement to keep feelings out of it, but we know that that does not stay that way..
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This was a good read. Both Justin and Elise frustrates me and I so wanted to smack them but I’m glad they got over their issues.
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Cute. Love all of her books.
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I think this was my first Kendall Ryan read, and I really enjoyed it. It was two friends giving into mutual crushes, which started with a drunken one-night stand. Considering Justin was casual with his previous relationships and more experienced, he really treated Elise well and was sweetly romantic at times. That's not saying that there was no passion. It was more so because it was kind of a forbidden affair. Fun read!
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This is the first book in a new series. It’s a great start with likeable characters that you want to see get their HEA. Elise and Justin have known each other for years, and she’s been in love with him forever. Justin is living large as a pro hockey player with women at his beck and call. But Justin is starting feel like the same old is getting stale. Maybe he’s ready for a relationship—but he’s got a lot of baggage that makes it unlikely.
Too many drinks and a hot night change their path. They have obstacles to overcome and both need to accept the possibility of a future.
The characters interactions are entertaining and, with a long history together, they know each other. Attraction is hot and they really bring out the best in each other. Fun read. I’m looking forward to more bad boys in this series. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC).
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Funny, sweet and lighthearted read.
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Let's see, hot hockey player, best friend's sister, longtime unrequited love...Kendall Ryan has managed to cover a multitude of delicious bases with PLAYING FOR KEEPS, the first book in her new Hot Jocks series, and, y'all, she hit a home run with this one.
I have to tell you, as much as I love Kendall's books, I wasn't sure that I was going to love Justin Brady as much as I did. I mean, he's the typical sports god player, playing as hard as he works, and getting all the ladies. But Justin is harboring a secret, that soft spot that he has for Elise Parrish, lifetime friend and younger sister of his teammate and bestie. To make matters even stickier, Justin is not alone in his feelings, because sweet Elise feels just the same. Ruh-roh, romance lovers, talk about a fly in the ointment. Because we all know that the best friend's sis is waaay off limits.
I really did enjoy this book, and I especially loved that Justin redeemed himself so easily for me. He and Elise work so well because of the friendship that existed before all of the romantic stuff, and it makes for a more solid and realistic relationship, which I personally really like.
Kendall is building a group of characters that are fun to read, have some actual depth to their personalities, and storylines that are about more than just the steamy stuff. PLAYING FOR KEEPS is a solid 4 stars for me, and a great set-up for ALL THE WAY, the next book in the series. This is definitely one for all of the sports romance fans, and, if you're already a fan of Kendall's books, this is one to grab right the heck now. You can thank me later... :-)
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Kendall Ryan hits it in the net with PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Hot Jocks #1). Twenty-eight-year-old NHL star, Justin Brady, falls for his best friend Owen’s little sister, Elise Parrish. This novel takes place in Seattle. It is suitable for adult readers.
I love Justin. Admitting, my son’s name is Justin, so I immediately had a soft spot for him. Unlike my Justin, this Justin had a tough life growing up. His parents used him against each other, making him feel unloved. He has known his best friend and teammate, Owen Parrish and his sister, Elise, since they were kids. Elise has always been interested in Justin. After winning the championship Justin and Elise wind up in bed together. Elise thinks Justin doesn’t remember, and Justin thinks Elise regrets it. So many interesting things transpire after their encounter.
Kendall Ryan does a great job with PLAYING FOR KEEPS. It is the perfect foundation for the Hot Jocks series. The novel is skillfully executed and hard to put down. I recommend this story to people who enjoy sports romances and/or best friend’s little sister stories. I cannot wait for Owen Parrish’s and Elise’s best friend Becca’s story next in book two, ALL THE WAY. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
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A steamy and swoon worthy read!
Kendall Ryan never disappoints and she manages to deliver a sweet yet sexy friends-to-lovers sports romance to keep you reading nonstop until the very end.
At the beginning of the story we get to meet Justin Brady, a twenty-eight year old pro hockey player for the Seattle Ice Hawks. As a celebrity in his town, he is used to being around woman all the time and he doesn’t want that anymore. His career is what is keeping him going and now that they’ve won the championship he is on break, which means no training or anything related until he is called back. But when the team decides to celebrate the big win, Justin takes a few many drinks and talks to his best friend’s little sister, Elise who he has had a crush on for so long, and crosses a line he never intended to cross. The both wake up the next morning and before he can say anything he sees Elise running away from him. This hurts his feelings and vows to never speak of it again, but he remembers everything and the more he sees Elise moving on the more he wants to fight for her. Now he has to convince her that she is truly the one for him.
As a preschool teacher, Elise Parrish is used to taking care of others and that’s what she is doing at the championship party that the team is throwing. She is babysitting her brother and his team as per usual, but she is not having a good time. Elise sees how girls are throwing themselves at her brother’s teammates and decides to get away from that by going to Justin’s bedroom. When she stumbles upon Justin, she can see that he is looking a little depressed and he tells her to stay. She does and wakes up next to him the next morning. Her first thought is that he regrets their night together and to avoid embarrassment she is running off away from Justin. The two don’t speak of it again, until she can’t stop thinking about him that becomes evident that she wants him more than anything.
I loved Justin and Elise’s chemistry! Their friendship goes way back and they can no longer avoid the fact that they want each other. But Justin is Owen’s friend (Elise’s brother) and there is some type of bro code that he doesn’t want to break yet in order to get Elise, Justin is going to have to convince her that he is perfect for her. As we get to find out more about their past and how it affects their future, we get to meet secondary characters that brought more to the story and it was enjoyable to read. The ending is touching and sweet. I would highly recommend pick up this book and any others by the author. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
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4 1/2 Stars
Great storytelling talent as this author was able to show such sweetness in the way Justin cared for Elise. True, he retreated as soon as the next morning rolled around, but as boneheaded as that was, he did struggle with his decision to act as though nothing happened between them.
For Elise, it was clearly a self preservation tactic to try to move on from Justin.
I liked the way they slowly found their way back to each other and their HEA!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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4 1/2 STARS!
Playing For Keeps is the debut book in Kendall Ryan's new Hot Jocks series and centers around a pro hockey player and a preschool teacher who happens to be his best friend and teammates little sister.
Justin Brady is quick to catch the reader's eye because not only is he a sexy hockey player, but he also has a softness that only comes through for Elise. He's quick to try to protect her by pretending he doesn't remember their time together when it's obvious she's full of regret.
Elise Parrish is used to being around hockey, but she's not used to having to admit her feelings. When three months pass and they finally confront what each is feeling, a clandestine affair kicks off and things are about to get serious when they have to decide whether to go public to her brother.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast paced, steamy gem. The hockey was a little light in the plot, but the bad boy players were front and center and a lot of fun to get to know. Looking forward to Owen's story next!
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This was my first book by Kendall Rayn and I loved it! Her word usage and story building has you hooked form the start. It's a friend to lovers, brothers best friend amazing book. Justin and Elise have all the banter and chemistry down for a forbidden secret romance. It leads to many funny moments and lots of romance! It's the start of a new hockey romance series and WOW did Kendall Rayn stag a GOAL with this one! I can't wait too see more in this series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Kendall Ryan has always been my go to for feel good romances. She always manages to give you all the feels with the best HEA's. This story is a brother's best friend romance and it is one of my favorite tropes. Throw in sexy hockey players and this is a win.
I can not wait for the next story in this series!! Absolutely a must read!!
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Another "Goal" for Kendall Ryan! I really fallen for this new series. Playing for Keeps was witty, funny, and smokin' hot! The forbidden romance trope will have you craving for what you cannot have. Elise and Justin hit that spot! I loved this story and cannot wait for more to come from this new series! I mean come on, who does not like a bunch of hunks falling for the right girl :)
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There isn't a book by Kendall that I haven't and loved. Playing for Keeps is no different. This is another fun, sexy, exciting read.
Elise and Justin are the perfect combination. The "broken" guy who doesn't think he deserves love and the "little sister" that has been in love with him since they were kids. They make quite the couple once they both accept and submit to one another.
This is a quick read that will have you devouring this book in one setting and falling in love!
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I really enjoyed this a lot, even more than when I listened to the audiobook. I'm giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars. This review is for an ARC, and reflects my honest opinion.
I liked Justin and Elise in my previous read, but they grew on me more this time. Elise was cute and funny, and Justin was a hottie with a sweet side. However, I still think Owen was my favorite guy from this group of friends. Yes, he slept around, but so did all of the other hockey players. I think that his book will definitely be a 5 star read for me. Another character I adored was Becca.
While I've never been a sports person, I love sports romances. I would say hockey's probably one of my favorite sports to read about, so I was so happy Kendall did a book (and will be doing a series) focused on it. If you like any of these tropes: best friend's sister, sports, slight age gap, etc. then I think you'd enjoy this!
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This is a sports romance with a best friends to lovers story that will make you laugh, swoon and has some great friendships, secrets and steamy moments to keep you intrigued and not want to put the book down!
I just loved Justin and Elise and I think Justin is a very swoonworthy man trying to do his part justice. Yes there is dilemmas, yes there is so much LOVE and I cannot wait for more of this series.
Does keeping a secret from her brother longer than necessary mean the proverbial poo will hit the fan when he finds out??? The suspense was killing me and I thought the way their connection deepened was beautiful! Shouldn’t you go after the person you want regardless of the consequences??
Drama galore and so many laughs to be had but the whole storyline is just so flipping good!!
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Elise has had a crush on her brother’s best friend, Justin, for years. When a drunken night of fun brings them together, is Justin willing to test his friendship with his teammate and best friend.
Great forbidden romance. I liked how Justin admitted his flaws and tried to atone. Elise is super sassy and sweet. I liked how she unapologetically owned her sexuality. Great dynamics between Elise’s friends and hockey players. Plenty of feels and heat. Great start to this new series.
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Another fantastic story from Kendall Ryan! I love a good sibling's best friend/secret crush romance and we get that with Elise and Justin. It's a quick and easy read, perfect on a day when you just want to kick back and relax and lose yourself within the pages but not have to be on edge trying to figure out what's going to happen. Plenty of fun, good character development, sexy and flirty banter, a minimum of angst makes this an overall fun story.
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