New Release Review: Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren Blakely

A dirty-talking, grumpy hockey player MMC that takes his cat on walks??? Say less.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes the next standalone hockey rom com in her Hockey Ever After series, JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS! This spicy, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, only one bed in a room, opposites attract hockey rom com is filled with all the steamy tension, yearning, and heat! JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS is now available in all formats, including the special edition hardcover, and free to read in Kindle Unlimited. Check out the excerpt below, and one-click your copy today!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ

✦ Audible ➜ Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke narrate in duet with a full cast!

http://blkly.pub/JPFKAudible

About JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS:

Ever hear the story about the dating coach who got dumped on the hockey arena’s jumbotron?

Everyone did. But I lived it. Including the moment when the team’s broody, tattooed star Lake Axelrod swooped in on skates to rescue me from public humiliation.

Even more surprising? When the famously grumpy (and ridiculously sexy) hockey player insists on being my fake boyfriend for my sister’s high-profile wedding. It’s the perfect sweet revenge plan since my ex is the best man. Bonus – I might even salvage my professional reputation.

We need rules though.

To pull this off, everyone from his teammates to my boss has to believe we’re a real couple.


That means swoony touches and knee-weakening kisses are required.


When it ends, we walk away.

But the intensity in Lake’s eyes after every post-game kiss makes me wonder if he’s pretending. With each whispered secret, the line between fake and real bends. Until it shatters one night in a hotel room.

Soon, he isn’t just playing the protective boyfriend—he’s the only one who truly sees me.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to break the most important rule of all: don’t fall for your fake date.

This is Lake and Remy's romance. Tropes include: grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend's brother, obsessed hero

ONE-CLICK YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ

✦ Audible ➜ Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke narrate in duet with a full cast!

http://blkly.pub/JPFKAudible

ONE-CLICK YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ

✦ Audible ➜ Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke narrate in duet with a full cast!
http://blkly.pub/JPFKAudible

My review: 5 stars!

Playing for Keeps was an absolute delight! Grumpy/sunshine will always be my favorite trope, but I loved seeing our grumpy male lead Lake have such a sweet spot for our heroine Remy. Fake dating is always so fun and I love seeing couples gradually realize they are experiencing the real thing! The chemistry and banter between the couple was so fun. Narrators Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke were so well-cast- I especially thought Clarke's gruff voice fit Lake perfectly. 

ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com
NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks
Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

Excerpt Reveal: Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren Blakely

When she’s fake dating the hockey star, but he was never faking it…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes the next standalone hockey rom com in her brand new Hockey Ever After series, JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS! This spicy, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, only one bed in a room, opposites attract hockey romance releases in one week on June 3rd in all formats, and will be free to read in Kindle Unlimited. Check out the excerpt below, and one-click your copy today!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ

✦ Audible ➜ Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke narrate in duet with a full cast!
http://blkly.pub/JPFKAudible

Read the Excerpt: 

Lake looms in my doorway, filling the space ominously. The afternoon sun halos his face, highlighting his strong jaw, lined with a beard that looks trimmer than usual. It’s operating at scruff-level now, and that’s unfairly hot. I try not to stare, but my mind’s going haywire, and my gaze bounces all over him. He’s wearing jeans that hug his thighs, a maroon Henley that shows off the shape of his big biceps and the outline of his strong pecs, and a glimmer in his blue eyes. He’s the portrait of the athlete post-workout, his hair slicked back, and wet. 

   “I just took a shower after practice. It dried a little,” he says casually, running a big hand through his wet hair, almost, almost, in slow motion. “But you can just get it a little more wet, right?”

I blink, trying to process his words. But it’s hard with the way he looks right now, all muscular and clean, and the way he sounds, too, all gravelly and flirty.

“Yes, it’s wet,” I say slowly, like I’m mesmerized. Because I am.

His lips quirk up in the hint of a grin. “It is? Wet?”

“I mean, I’m wet,” I correct, then panic shoots through me at my faux pas. “I mean, you’re wet. Your hair is wet. Your hair is plenty wet. For a haircut that is. Wet enough for a haircut.”

That grin grows wider. He cocks his head. “So everything’s wet, Remy? That’s what I’m hearing?”

I clench my thighs, even though they ache. “Yep.”

I turn around so he can’t see the heat spreading across my cheeks. Not that it matters. Pretty sure he knows it’s there, and he’s the one responsible for it.

“Come inside,” I say, but then my mind replays my words. Come inside?

I need to get it together.

“Oh I definitely will.”

About JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Coming 6/3/2026):

Ever hear the story about the dating coach who got dumped on the hockey arena’s jumbotron?

Everyone did. But I lived it. Including the moment when the team’s broody, tattooed star Lake Axelrod swooped in on skates to rescue me from public humiliation.

Even more surprising? When the famously grumpy (and ridiculously sexy) hockey player insists on being my fake boyfriend for my sister’s high-profile wedding. It’s the perfect sweet revenge plan since my ex is the best man. Bonus – I might even salvage my professional reputation.

We need rules though.

1. To pull this off, everyone from his teammates to my boss has to believe we’re a real couple.

2. That means swoony touches and knee-weakening kisses are required.

3. When it ends, we walk away.

But the intensity in Lake’s eyes after every post-game kiss makes me wonder if he’s pretending. With each whispered secret, the line between fake and real bends. Until it shatters one night in a hotel room.

Soon, he isn’t just playing the protective boyfriend—he’s the only one who truly sees me.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to break the most important rule of all: don’t fall for your fake date.

This is Lake and Remy's romance. Tropes include: grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend's brother, obsessed hero

ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com 

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks 

New Release Review: Bad Boy Era by Amy Daws

 

Bad Boy Era: A Best Friend’s Twin Brother Small Town Sports Romance by Amy Daws
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been so excited for matchmaker Everly's book! Grumpy/sunshine is one of my favorite tropes, and Conri (Wolf) was a textbook grumpy hero and I was here for it. I loved catching up with the entire Fletcher family and seeing all the brothers get their HEA was a delight. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by a full cast that included fan favorites Erin Mallon, Connor Crais, Emma Wilder, and Teddy Hamilton and enjoyed it so much!

View all my reviews

Cover Reveal: Illegal Formation by Kandi Steiner

Illegal Formation

by Kandi Steiner

Release Date: July 21, 2026

When I make the cheerleading team for Seattle’s pro football organization, there are many rules.
Most notably?
Stay away from the football players.

Everyone on my squad takes that warning to heart.
I, on the other hand, take it as a challenge.

Especially after I meet Braden Lock.

With his easy smile, endless patience, and heart-of-gold reputation, the star receiver is everything I’m not — soft where I’m sharp, steady where I’m mayhem. Braden Lock has always played by the rules.

Unfortunately for him, I’m very good at breaking them.

And after one unexpected turn of events leaves me spiraling, I convince the league’s golden boy to indulge in one very forbidden distraction: me.

What starts as secret hookups and harmless fun quickly turns into something far more dangerous — because the more time we spend sneaking around behind closed doors, the harder it becomes to pretend we’re not already in too deep.

But our organization has one ironclad rule: players and cheerleaders are strictly off limits. If anyone finds out about us, Braden’s contract — and my spot on the squad — could disappear overnight.

We knew the risks of our illegal formation. We just didn’t realize the real danger wasn’t getting caught.

It was how badly we’d destroy ourselves trying to hold on.