Sandy M’s review of Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay, book 7) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 22 Jan 19

I thank my lucky stars every time I read a Jill Shalvis book lately that she’s the talented author she is – she’s never disappointed me when it comes to her stories. I’ve given up on a number of authors over the last year – favorite authors – who have disappointed me, so you can imagine how heartbroken I would be if Jill Shalvis were to ever move to that list. But with this newest release, I have a feeling that will never happen.

The laughter, the emotion, the romance, the love, and especially the prickly heroine and suit-wearing hero pull you in immediately and never let you go until happily ever after is reached. Both Caleb and Sadie have difficult pasts, especially Sadie, and their families are front and center in their lives, all of which will drive you just as crazy as they do this couple. Those families are just as opposite from one another as Caleb and Sadie are from each other. However, watching them come together to understanding and then loving the other is poetry in motion.

These two have mutual friends and have had minimal contact over the last year. To make ends meet, Sadie works two jobs at the spa and tattoo place in the Pacific Pier building; Caleb has his own very successful business, employs a couple of his sisters, and has a hefty bank balance. They both have walls around their heart and emotions for different reasons, but one has the loving support from their family, while the other gets only grief from theirs. Their interaction begins when Sadie spies Caleb outside the Pacific Pier business where she’s wrapping up a long day.  It’s a cold, rainy night but that doesn’t stop Caleb from from helping a wet and hungry three-legged dog. That’s the first of many acts over the course of this story that worms its way into Sadie’s heart, though she doesn’t realize it just yet.

They both are immediately attached to Lollipop (you can thank Sadie for that name), so they decide to co-parent the scene-stealing dog. The sparks that pass between them come more frequently and intensely as they get to know one another, despite telling themselves they just need to keep things friendly. I love Caleb’s patience when it comes to Sadie. He’s a decent and generous man, and you can see his love grow for this woman as her story becomes more clear to him over time. I especially love his perception when it comes to how Sadie is treated by her mother. Sadie is a bit slower to give her heart over to Caleb than he was, even after being on the receiving end of his kindness, gentleness, and love. She has good reason, of course. Her on-and-off behavior might not work for some readers, but I’m with Caleb – there’s something worth working for when it comes to Sadie.

As any Shalvis fan has come to expect, this story is full of heartwarming and amusing moments, laced with difficult and heartbreaking ones. But in the end, love wins out and you’re as happy as the characters are when all is said and done.

Grade: A

Summary:

If you’re planning on falling in love…

When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s yoga pants, he’s a suit. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.

You’d better be sure…

Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.

Someone is there to catch you.

Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Wrapped Up in You – Sept 2019