Playing for Keeps: A Brother's Best Friend Hockey Romance (Hot Jocks Book 1) Kindle Edition

Playing for Keeps is Kendall Ryan’s first foray into hockey romances, and she kicked this series off with a completely addictive hybrid romance that was a blend of the friends-to-lovers and best friend’s little sister tropes. I’m definitely a fan of Kendall Ryan’s writing, especially in her sassy, sexy, easy-reading contemporaries and romcoms. Playing for Keeps was brimming with heat and heart, and it had just enough angst to keep me on the edge of my seat.Elise and Justin had the banter thing down born from a long friendship, and I couldn’t get enough of their witty, easy relationship. Elise has buried her long-held feelings for Justin, and he’s done the same, hiding them behind a playboy pro athlete persona. But Justin had reached the point in his life where he was looking for something more meaningful, something real, and he found that something in Elise. Once the chemistry between them started simmering, their attraction couldn’t be denied. The relationship build-up was seriously sweet, and I was rooting for this couple the whole way through. But they did have their challenges to overcome in the form of Elise’s big brother, Owen, as well as Justin’s relationship hang-ups. This couple had a solid foundation of friendship to fall back on, though, and because of that they were effortlessly playful, overwhelmingly passionate and so naturally paired.Playing for Keeps was a fabulous start to an exciting and promising new hockey-themed sports romance series from Kendall Ryan. Full of heart-tugging emotion, Elise and Justin’s irresistibly sexy, forbidden romance pulled me in from page one, and I devoured it in a day. Kendall Ryan’s Playing for Keeps gets 5 smooches from me!

This story took me a bit to get into. The beginning was just messy with the characters and trying to get their story set up. I missed having the backgrounds of Elise and Justin. We knew that Justin’s parents were not together but sometimes having that back story explains why they feel the way they do.Elise was the sweet, younger sister of Owen..Justin’s best friend and teammate and he has forbidden Justin from messing around with her. But what Owen didn’t know is that Elise was breaking those barriers with Justin and pulling him out of his partying ways. He’s ready to settle down but he doesn’t think he’s good enough for Elise. Elise knew she was playing with fire and when “friends with benefits” was an option, she took it but couldn’t keep her heart out of it.It was a good story, I just felt like a little back story of Justin would have helped with his story. It was a very sweet HEA and now I can’t wait to read Owen and Becca’s story. So much there to unwrap.

This is a fun one-night-stand gone wrong story with a teammate’s little sister. It was sweet and had some steamy moments. I enjoyed Elise and Justin’s story, although Becca and Owen are still my favorite couple in this series, so I read All The Way again after finishing this one.

It was a cute story. There was humor, romance, swoon worthy scenes, and some spice. I liked all the characters in the book. They all added to the story. Elise and Justin are absolutely adorable together! I loved their story. I did feel the ending was a little bit rushed and left me wanting more of seeing them as a couple since we wait the whole book for that to happen. Also I wish the bonus scene was some sort of scene of the two of them in the future instead of something about her brother. That’s why I only gave 3.5 stars. I definitely sensed some vibes between Owen & Becca so I think I’m going to give their book a chance & hopefully there will be some more about Elise and Justin in it too!

My 1st but definitely not my last! This was a fantastic mix of great storyline, passion, HEAT (man oh MAN the 🔥)! Vulnerability and grit. It truly had it all and I was very surprised that the lack of drama (sometimes it’s done in a not so great fashion nowadays anyway), didn’t bother me in the least! The characters were mature and had real reactions to situations and I liked that in this setting! We had 2 people who had grown up together essentially and already best friends fearful of taking things to the next level. This story is about them working through this minefield and finding their HEA. I loved the side characters a LOT and so excited to hear/read their stories too! If you do the audio version you won’t be disappointed either! Jason Clarke and Virginia Rose we’re both great narrators for this book. I swear Jason has gotten better as I remember him from one of my very 1st audible books and wasn’t a fan so kudos to you sir!! All in all, I will be back. Kendall Ryan has captivated me and cinched herself a new fan. I am officially following her and her work. Go grab this book if you want to laugh with a heaping side of smëxy time. You won’t regret it!

I love a good brothers best friend trope and Kendall Ryan does not disappoint. Add in the fact that this is the first book in a hockey series and it’s even better. Justin and Elise had really good chemistry and I loved that they grew up together. I was also glad there was no major roadblocks or setbacks for them. The team dynamic and banter was fun too. All in all an excellent read!

Just finish the book and loved every single page.Justin and his E-Class made a super sweet couple.I simply love when the relationship is based in a long term friend-zone couple. For me it’s the best formula for anyone, actually, fictional ou true life.The author’s writing is clear, straight and very interesting, what makes the reading easy and quick.The hot scenes are very well written and they seem just right for the story.Justin is a sweet pie to be fair, very romantic- even when he did not have idea he could be.Elise is very serious, very self secure and her feelings for Justin were so strong that became the major strength for building their resistant relationship when they decided for the next step.Simply brilliant.Recommend for everyone.

This is one of The best books I have read in a long time!! I was hooked from the first page and it only made me fall more and more in love with it the more I read. I can definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking Sweet Hockey, brothers best friend romance.I am 100% going to read the whole series and cannot even wait to get started with the next one🥰

Ice Hockey (check) Romance (check)This book made me chuckle aloud. It had heart warming, sometimes eye rolling moments and love.As Elise's brothers best friend, and team mate, Elise is very much off limits to Justin, but their mutual attraction and long harboured crushes might just be worth the risk. A drunken night leads to a secret relationship with the potential to change everything.This light hearted, steamy read is an instant page turner. The characters are likeable, the dialogue is far from cheesy and the hot moments are HOT!As a sports romance lover, I would recommend to anyone with similar reading tastes.

Nice book!