Unravel Me

Playing for Keeps #3

by Becka Mack

Golden boy. Notorious serial dater. The NHL’s most eligible bachelor. That’s what the headlines say about me, at least. I wish I could say they’re not accurate, but truthfully? I don’t even know who I am anymore. Between a soul-crushing ex-girlfriend and a never-ending queue of dates gone wrong, one thing has become glaringly I don’t want to be Adam Lockwood.

So when my dog decides to play matchmaker, taking down a sweet little thing with rose gold waves, brilliant green eyes, and a smile for days, I can’t believe my luck that she doesn’t have a clue who I am. I know I should tell her, but for once in my life someone sees the man behind the goalie mask. Rosie gives me all of her–her heartache, her laughter, and her son. But me? I’m holding on a little too tightly to the pieces I’m scared to give up, the pieces she might not like. One small lie becomes a secret hanging above my head, but what if there’s another one hiding right around the corner? Suddenly, my deepest desire becomes my biggest fear. I’m terrified she’s going to unravel me.

Unravel Me is book #3 in the Playing For Keeps series, a series of interconnected standalone mature hockey romance stories that contain relatable characters, lots of heat, swoon, laughs, and a ride on an emotional rollercoaster!

Unravel Me contains emotional references to the past death of parents and its surrounding grief, as well as brief discussions of foster care, depictions of child neglect (not by the main character), and the death of an animal (minimal descriptions and as it pertains to the FMC’s training as a veterinarian student; not main character’s pet). If you are sensitive to these subjects, please use this information to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with this story.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Hockey Romance, Found Family, Contemporary

434 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Maditales · Rating 1 out of 5]

Things that don’t make sense to me: a 10 inch dick

[Iqra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adam is the personification of a warm hug, it’s true 🤧💗💘🦋🩵✨🧸


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Edit: after reading 23% I physically cannot binge it bc this book deserves to be SAVOURED ✋ it’s just too good

***

UPDATE: ADAM IS FINALLY COMING HOME ON 1st AUGUST IM SCREAMINGGGG-

Watch me go missing for a day… 🤭

***

Update: we have a cover and it’s a bit… hmm i don’t know if I like it or not lol.

***

AAAHHHH!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL. ADAM IS COMING HOME. MY PRECIOUS 😭😭

Adam falling in love with a single mom just *screams* Adam Lockwood. He’s so freaking wholesome 🤭🔫

Ughhhhh I just wanna hug him, bag him and then keep him in my basement forevermore ☹️☹️

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 25%

i think the fact that olivia’s height haunted me in this book’s first chapter was already a bad omen.

first of all, i wanna say that i dove into this book with absolutely 0 expectations and 0 prejudice toward the author’s writing. i had a really, really bad experience with 'Consider Me' and i hoped that the cringy, too sweet dialogues would vanish with the author’s 3rd book but oh, how wrong was i.. i think i just need to call it a day and admit that BM’s writing style is not my cup of tea.

now the plot: at the 24% mark, the hero has already met the heroine’s son and they went on their 5th date. I’m not an insta-love girly but i was willing to give the book a chance because of the single mom part. for a -nearly- 500 pages long contemporary romance book it felt too rushed and everything happened too quickly. but so far in the book i didn’t get attached to the protagonists and kinda disliked the mmc after he openly lied to the fmc when she asked him about his profession.

I didn’t like how the single mom arc was handled. i wanted to give up after reading the first two chapters because of the writing but i thought that i should wait until the kid is introduced into the picture to really judge the book and see if it deserves a fair chance after all. it simply did not.

also wanted to add that the poor man got slapped in the face the same day by his ex in the morning and his date at night.. this part was so so unnecessary plus I’m not a huge fan of banalized violence.

wanted y’all to. enjoy one of the chapters title : ADAM’S ROAD TO HOPE: ONE MAN’S JOURNEY TO PUSSY PALACE 💀
~•~•~
is it a bad idea to give becka mack a second chance ? probably.. but im craving a single mom romance so here we are.

[Liani ♡ (semi-hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

˗ˏˋ 5 / 5 ★’s for this precious book ´ˎ˗

𓏲 ₊♡𓂃“I've waited too long for this, a partner to walk through life with, a love I haven't had to earn but simply deserved. Because, fuck, we all deserve to be loved without condition.”⋆𓂃ִֶָ ⊹˚

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there’s nothing better than a good hockey romance to warm your heart, and this book just confirms it💖 I’ve read a couple of hockey romance books before, and this one is my favorite so far. Better than that, and let me rephrase it- this entire series is my favorite hockey romance, and I know I’ll read it again🌷💕

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𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 / 𝓣𝓸𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓼:

🌷 insta-love
🌷 dual POV
🌷 single mom
🌷 found family
🌷 animal lovers
🌷 hidden identity
🌷 friends to lovers
🌷 hockey romance
🌷 cinnamon roll mmc
🌷 no third act breakup
🌷 mental health rep (anxiety)
🌷 sensitive topics: body shaming, foster care, parental death, grief, insecurities, self-love

────── ⋆⋅💗⋅⋆ ──────

💐“If I'm your happy ending, you're my heaven. There's nothing else I need from this world. I could live here forever, in this place where I'm yours and you're mine. There's never been anything more beautiful than this version of paradise. I'm certain of it.”💐

❥𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼💭 ˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹

➴ I had the best time reading this book💞 knowing Adam from previous books, I knew that his book was going to be heartwarming, and let me tell you this: it didn’t disappoint me💅🏼❤️‍🩹 this book is so cute, sweet, funny, and something comfy that it made me feel calm and so happy. I just couldn’t stop reading it until I finished it.

➴ I need to say this first because I know many people don’t like it and is the whole insta-love trope. Adam and Rosie literally started dating and fell in love from the moment they saw each other, and I think that was in the first 1-5 chapters. Their love story started very quickly, but honestly? I didn’t mind one bit about this fact. I’ve read other books with insta-love, and sometimes I don’t like this trope. But in this book? it was quite the opposite, and I loved it. Everything felt so sweet and healthy, and maybe cheesy, but sometimes that’s all I need.

➴ Adam and Rosie had their own insecurities for past experiences that broke them and made them feel like they didn’t deserve anything good or that they would never find it. It was a long journey to overcome these insecurities to understand that they are so worthy of acceptance and love for being just the way they are. I loved the way they helped each other feel comfortable in their own skin and love themselves first. They were so sweet, gentle, respectful, supportive, patient, caring, and loving with each other❤️‍🩹

➴ Rosie struggled with anxiety, and I loved how Adam always validated her feelings and thoughts and never made her feel bad about it. On the other hand, I loved how Rosie made Adam accept himself and showed him that he was so worthy of being loved without having to change anything about himself. The people who really deserve you will accept you as you are and will always look out for your well-being. These factors were something they helped each other understand. It wasn’t easy, but they slowly began to learn and accept it. For me, this was a really beautiful thing to read.

➴ I loved how they were strengthening their relationship and family. From the beginning, they were so sure that they wanted to be with each other for the long haul, and they worked for it and to be worthy and healthy for each other. Also, Adam as a daddy? it. was. everything. 🛐 he didn’t hesitate to accept and love Connor as if he were his own son and their scenes were so cute. And the scenes with the animals? perfection.

➴ the found family in this series is literally everything. They love and support each other through good times and bad times, and they are so funny. I loved reading all the crumbs of the previous couples and how sweet and strong all their relationships and found family are. Blood doesn’t necessarily make a family. Sometimes, a family can be the people you find on the journey of life and those who support, accept, and love you no matter what. And this series is literally the definition of this lovely lesson and I just love them so much.

💐“I mentioned we love super hard in this family, right? Any more and it'd be downright suffocating.” Suffocating? But it's the opposite. These people, the way they love so openly and without limits, it's so goddamn refreshing. I've been searching my entire life for these people, for this kind of love, and I didn't just find it in one person; I found it in a whole group of them. Surrounding myself with their love is like coming up for air at the last moment, having life breathed back into you.”💐

➴ new favorite hockey romance series? YESS✔️💖

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❥ Many quotes just because I love them ✨

⋆˙⟡ “Nothing worth having ever comes easy, does it? We want the calm, but sometimes we have to brave the storm to get there.” So real😌✨

⋆˙⟡ My past is not my future. I'm allowed to be scared, and I'm allowed to choose to move slowly, so long as I move. ❤️‍🩹

⋆˙⟡ “I'd like to watch the sunset with you while we lie together.” As someone who is completely obsessed with looking at the sky, if someone tells me this… I’m DEAD. Blushing. Falling hard. When is the wedding? 🛐💍

⋆˙⟡ She's my version of paradise. And you’re mine, Adam💘

⋆˙⟡ “But what matters most, Rosie, is that you're your own first choice. Love yourself for exactly who you are and where you're at, mistakes, imperfections, and all. The people who are going to choose you will love all your pieces, not just some of them.” Thiss >>

⋆˙⟡ “Every single thought leaves my body, except...wow. How fucking lucky am I? I found you, and somehow, you chose me. I get to keep you.” And I want to keep YOU, Adam. You’re perfect😭💖

⋆˙⟡ “I like you for everything you are, all the pieces you've shown me, and the ones you try to hide too. I know our insecurities exist for a reason, but there's nothing you need to hide from me.” The way he loves her and wants her to love and accept herself too💕

⋆˙⟡ “I don't want to waste my time asking pointless questions, imagining a life where you're anywhere other than right next to me. I want to spend my days giving you the love you've always deserved, the kind you've dreamed of, and I want to show you how thankful I am for giving it back to me. You're mine, Rosie, and I'm yours. That's all I need to know. That's why I'm staring at you.” Marry me, Adam. Please and thank you💞

⋆˙⟡ “We have to get comfy with the uncomfy parts of ourselves before we can really know who we are and love that person, before we can let someone else know and love us. I want to know you, but I want you to know you more. Then you can share that person with me. Okay?” Rosie is the sweetest and kindest, and they definitely deserve each other💗

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Anyways💜🦋 I absolutely loved this book and enjoyed every page I read. I’m obsessed with this found family and team of hockey players. They’re the best, seriously💗 now I can’t wait until July to read Jaxon’s book💕

𓏲 ₊♡𓂃I'd give her anything, whatever she wants, because as she stares up at me like I'm the sun in her sky, I realize she's mine. She's everything bright and good in my world, and in this moment, I'm so fucking thankful.⋆𓂃ִֶָ ⊹˚

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˚˖𓍢ִ໋💗 ·˚ pre-read ˚ · ˖ nothing's better than a good hockey romance to warm your heart💕

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Sappy. That’s the first thing that comes to mind to describe this book.

The heroine’s repeated monologue of “I have never been loved, and that’s all I ever wanted” got pretty old, pretty fast.

Overall, there’s wasn’t much plot here. A lot of side characters with “funny” (depends on what you find funny) antics and a lot of melodramatic sentiments coming from both main characters.

I personally am not a fan of woe is me. Feels icky.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the emotional turmoil and the angst that comes from a hard life (like Rosie’s) but I just don’t like how she constantly acts like she’s the most unfortunate person on earth. Get a grip. Life’s a bitch to many people. She sometimes acted like she was the only one to have had a hard time and an emotionally traumatic experience. She isn’t, and she needed to stop with the self pity.

I mostly picked this book up despite the disaster that Consider Me was because I love the single mom trope. That’s a sure way to make me read it, but unfortunately I don’t know why, but I didn’t buy Rosie in her mom role. There was something missing. It felt like her kid was written in as a prop to add stuff to the plot, I didn’t feel their connection as much as I would have liked.

Adam was okay. I don’t know what to say - I didn’t really care that much for him. I could take him or leave him. Sure, he was a good guy, but I don’t know .. he didn’t didn’t interest me.

And lastly and probably most importantly, the relationship between those two, made me feel nada, zilch. I couldn’t care less if they got together or not. They just didn’t make me care. I think they suit each other cause they’re both cheesy and needy, but I can’t say I enjoyed reading the development of how they got together.


Also, can you believe that they still made jokes about Olivia’s height and her perfectly miniature self? Yeah, her height is a character in itself at this point. I skipped book 2 so I don’t know if that was a theme there too but GEEZ, there needs to be some new material.

[monica ✨ romantasyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You didn’t throw my whole world off balance. You centered it. It was like you were my gravity, and every moment I was with you, everything settled into place. My fears, my insecurities, my hopes, and my dreams. I was at peace with everything, as long as you were by my side.”

Did I absolutely SOB during the last 10% (and other points along the way) during this book? Yes. This is Becka’s best, most beautifully written book and it’s hands down one of my forever favorites. I have NO NOTES. This was the easiest 5 star rating I’ve given since Icebreaker.

Adam is perfect. Rosie and Connor are perfect. The chaotic Vipers family is. perfect.

This book is full of so much fucking love that I was besideeeeee myself. Adam and Rosie were both in the foster care system growing up, and while their circumstances were different, the marks from their childhood were mirrors of each other. As an adoptee, I can’t begin to express how deeply I felt their emotions and had such similar thoughts about what makes a family. The two of them saw each other, and chose each other, at each moment that they needed each other. And the way the Vipers family (AND HANK!!) welcomed Rosie and Connor with open arms?! Please. Between the Halloween and Christmas holidays and every little moment in between, I was cackling, kicking my feet, and crying the happiest of tears.

This book is a masterpiece.

Thank you to Becka for an arc 💙 THIS BOOK IS OUT NOW 💙

[Milo (if lost, return to hot fictional character) · Rating 4 out of 5]

don't mind me, i keep being an indecisive ass and changing the rating. just go on with ur lives and act as if u never saw me xoxo

hi and welcome
(this is not the actual review yet, i’m still absolutely insane at this moment so y’all have to sit ur asses down and wait for that xoxo)

First of all I’d like to thank some people.
To my delulu brain who made reading 536 pages possible in one day.

To time, a social construct that doesn’t exist within the tight bonds i hold over reading

To my body who is now suffering because i forgot to eat all day👍🏼 i cannot promise it won’t happen again

To my non existent sleep. There is no one really to thanks as it is, quite literally, non existent

To my tear ducts who worked overtime today. y’all the real heroes

To jaxon who went dressed as Ginger spice girl, adopted a cat and went full on Winston from New girl. I love u my man, u better end up witj that camera woman

To Adam who brought more daddy to the table than i thought was possible

and lastly,
to me.
for being awesome and literally abandoning anything i had to do today so i could just lie down in my bed and cry over some ink on paper. ur my real homie🫶🏼

rtc

•



pov me sitting on my bed when this drops at 12am:
👁💧👄💧👁
🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️

[Lara Siefken · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a snooze-fest. First of all, I really wanted to love this book because I really liked the first two in the series. But this one? Basically, two people falling in love in chapter 2 who continue to recite SACCHARINE monologues to each other troughout the whole book. Other than that? Nothing! No major hick-ups, every possible conflict gets resolved within 2 pages and the story is just bland overall. I started skipping whole paragraphs of Rosie and Adam telling each other how perfect they are.

Additionally, the character of Rosie really didnt make much sense in my eyes. She has been so much and is still such a naive and trusting person? Why did she let her child stay with his OBVIOUSLY TERRIBLE father? Why is she so desperate for outside-validation? At some point it got quite annoying.

Extra point because I loved Adam and really appreciated the groups dynamics.

[aira · Rating 2 out of 5]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 1.75/5

I tried to manifest my October reading to be so much better than the past couple months and I told myself: "October is going to be your best month yet"

best, huh? best my ass.

Positive words of affirmation didn't work bc two back to back bad books and it's only day 2 of the month. That's got to be an all-time low for me.

On an overall level though, this was goofy (yet again) and it had the most eye-bleeding smut - yes, yet again. For a 500 page book, it was so much more frequent which threw off the pacing because the smut was overpowering plot. If they weren't doing it, they were have these therapy-like talks. Which yeah, I guess it's nice to be vulnerable, but the way they talk during those conversations isn't like how two people usually talk about their feelings, it's almost like they're trying to psychoanalyze each other's feelings.

We quite literally had Adam thirsting after a woman he barely has chemistry with. And then we had a third act conflict where Courtney (his ex) comes back. Honestly, that was irrelevant to the plot and just led to it dragging so much longer than it needed to be.

and then we had this....

“He said the same to me, but then he did this high-pitched giggle, promised it would be ‘spicy,’ and then ran away.”

The fuck? Carter seriously needs an exorcist because this has to be possessed behavior. I cannot possibly think of why some sane man would do that?

Carter acting like a man child even when it ain't even his book - also, was he this bad in his own book? you know what, I don't even want to know anymore.

Again, I reiterate my statement in my review for book 2: CARTER NEEDS TO MOVE AWAY!!

2 more books in this series, but I need a break for sure.

--------

pre-read: I'm scared for this one bc it's single parent 😭😭 but 500 pages?!?!

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY FREAKING SHIT!!!! I LOVED EVERY SINGLE WORD OF THIS BOOK!!! It made me cry happy tears and sad tears. And the found family?!?! I forgot how much I missed this world, especially the found family!! EVERYTHING about this book was PERFECTION!!! Like Garrett and Carter bickering every time Garrett brought up Jennie. Carter’s theatrics whenever he popped up. The group chats. Especially the one with Adam and all the girls. How nervous both Adam and Rosie got in each other’s proximity. Bear, Piglet, and Dinosaur. Connor and Lily. How flirtatious Adam was when he wasn’t nervous. Adam’s BDE. How after they first met, he went back to where she worked to hopefully find her so they could go for a walk again, AND SHE made an extra sandwich for him, just in case he was there. 😭😭. How Connor called him Dada the second he laid eyes on him😭😭. How perfect of a family they were, including the found family. How they always supported each other and were there for each other without hesitation. And just how Rosie and Adam are LITERALLY made for each other. OOH, and the chapter titles!! I forgot how much I loved those. And the little sneak peek we got of Lennon and Jaxon. I almost forgot, the pepper scene made me SOB, it hit way too close to home.

If you are unaware of this world, please start it!! The first book is about Carter and Olivia. Book two is about Garrett (Carter’s best friend and teammate) and Jennie (Carter’s sister). And this book is about Adam (Carter and Garrett’s best friend and teammate) and Rosie. Book four will be about Jaxon (all of the aforementioned men’s best friend and teammate) and Lennon. And the final book will be Cara (Olivia’s best friend) and Emmett (all of the aforementioned men’s best friend and teammate).

After Adam got out of a long, toxic relationship, he’s trying to find his happily ever after. And all of his attempts have been puck bunnies who only care about his money and reputation. One day, he stumbles upon Rosie after his dog, Bear attacks her face with kisses, when she was walking one of the dogs at the shelter she volunteers at. And wowzers, there was an instant connection. Will he tell her his real identity? Will she accept him? Will he accept her for something that’s driven others away? Go read and find out!!!!

*Warning, I may overload this with a BUNCH of quotes. Sorry not sorry. And beware of potential spoilers*

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“Jennie’s about to take me for a ride.” (Garrett)
“fuck. u.” (Carter)
“Rather fuck ur sister.” (Garrett)
“i’m gonna fucking kill u” (Carter)
“Dad??? This is where you interject.” (Emmett)

“You know, Rosie. I wasn’t having the best day when I ran into you. Or rather, when my dog tackled you to the ground. Maybe he knew what he was doing, though. Because my day got a hundred times better after you fell into it.”

“Ireland, baby, look! Look at Daddy! Watch what I can do!” He presses his feet against the pool wall and launches himself backward, flipping underwater, emerging with a gasp. “Did you see me, princess? Did you see Daddy? Ten outta ten, right, baby?” (Carter)
“Wasn’t watching.” (Adam)
“Aw, man.” Carter slaps the water and swims away.

“You’re my favorite brand of trouble. Want to know why?” (Adam)
“Why?” (Rosie)
“Because I’ve never wanted to be so deep in it as I do now that I’ve met you.” (Adam)

“I could float through the rest of my life content in knowing I’ve held perfection in these arms.” (Adam)

“Please don’t ever try to convince yourself any part of you isn’t just right, because to me, it’s everything. You. Are. Everything.” (Adam)

“I’d give you some if I had them, but Jennie lets me fuck her raw.” (Garrett)
“Yeah I do, baby!” (Jennie)
“Take that back.” (Carter”
“No.”
“I said take it back!” Carter shouts, pinning Garrett to the ground.
Garrett rolls on top of him. “And I said no!”
“You can’t have unprotected sex! You might accidentally have a baby!” (Carter)
“Proof I fucked your sister! And don’t call your daughter an accident!” (Garrett)
“Ireland, baby, Daddy loves you! You were a happy surprise!” (Carter)

“I’d give her anything, whatever she wants, because as she stares up at me like I’m the sun in her sky, I realize she’s mine. She’s everything bright and good in my world, and in this moment, I’m so fucking thankful.”

“I just want to be perfect for you two.” (Adam)
“I don’t need perfect. I need the mess, the chaos, all your fears and your insecurities. I’ve given you mine, and you’ve walked me through all of them. Let me walk with you through your chaos.” (Rosie)

“Ready to spend your days waiting on a woman, huh?”
“If that woman is you? Absolutely. I’m gonna marry you someday, after all. Batman always gets the girl.”

“He’s squeezed himself into every crevice of my life, and everything feels so full I’m nearly ready to burst.” (Rosie)

“I want her to know how I feel about her. How utterly devoted I am to her. How mind-blowingly in love with her I am.”

Connor’s wearing a tiny version of my jersey, big headphones covering his ears, and when Rosie points to me, a smile ignites his face. He slaps at the glass as I stop there. “Dada! Hi, Dada!”
“Hi, buddy. I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Hockey!” He points at my stick. “Dada… pay… hockey?”

“What are you afraid of, Rosie?”
“Losing you. Connor’s is the only love I’ve ever got to keep.” “You can keep mine. It belongs to you.”
“Promise?”
“Swear it.”

“Loving you came so naturally, like all these years I’d been saving it just for you, and when you walked into my life, all I wanted to do was hand you my heart and tell you to take it.” (Rosie)

“The second I saw you with that little boy, I knew my heart was yours. You’re everything I was looking for.” (Adam)

“It’s Carter’s world; we’re all just living in it.”

“Do you wake up every day and think to yourself, ‘What can I say to Rosie today that’ll make her fall even more in love with me?’”
“Pretty much. I need you head over heels if I have any hope of getting you to change your last name one day. Every morning I wake up and ask myself how I can get us one step closer.”

“If I’m your happy ending, you’re my heaven. There’s nothing else I need from this world. I could live here forever, in this place where I’m yours and you’re mine. There’s never been anything more beautiful than this version of paradise. I’m certain of it.”

“Can I give you something to help you feel better?”
“I’d like that.” Two tiny, gentle hands cup my cheeks, and I close my eyes as Lily presses featherlight kisses across my nose.
“There. Butterfly kisses.I think Connor’s the luckiest kid in the world. He’s got the best mama.”

“You didn’t throw my whole world off balance. You centered it. It was like you were my gravity, and every moment I was with you, everything settled into place. My fears, my insecurities, my hopes, and my dreams. I was at peace with everything, as long as you were by my side. With you, I found my gravity. That’s worth so much more than my chaos.” (Adam)

[ikram]

oh i just KNOW adam’s book is going to serve i’m so ready for this 🫡

[priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

the things that came out of rosies mouth at time were CRINGE

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 I know it’s just my cold heart so take this with a grain of salt, but this was just a liiittle too sickeningly sweet for my taste. So many cheesy one liners that I just kinda rolled my eyes at. Garrett and Jennie still have my heart.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read Unravel Me because I didn't exactly enjoy the first book and I skipped the second one due to an OW scene; this was the last chance I was giving this series. While I did almost give up in the first 15% because of how nauseatingly sweet Adam was (I was seriously embarrassed for him); the man was an absolute SIMP from the beginning. I am so glad I continued reading because after Rosie and Adam get to know each other a little and Rosie's son, Connor, makes an appearance, I couldn't get over how perfectly they suited each other and wanted to make their relationship work. Adam was 100% committed to making Rosie and Connor his family.
The whole book features found family throughout in many different ways and I loved how beautifully it was done; I don't cry often but this book had me in tears. That epilogue seriously had me balling my eyes out. I can definitely see how some people wouldn't be able to get over how the beginning is insta-lovey, but if you can, I seriously recommend this book. 🤞 Becka Mack doesn't let me down with Jaxon, but I would love to see another MC that isn't a manwhore from her because Adam had my whole heart!


~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
No one is more shocked than me by the fact that I actually liked this. RTC!

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

one of most anticipated reads of the year and it was disappointing. i loved the tropes and the premise, but it just fell flat

- a 15 mo old doesn’t know that many words unless he’s some kind of baby genius
- unnecessary ow drama in the last 15% that also felt rushed
- another very inexperienced heroine w an experienced hero
- multiple sad dog scenes ??? why
- can rosie stop crying all the damn time pls
- dialogue felt flowery
- was adam with an ow or not at the party in the beginning?
- garrett and jennie throwing their relationship in everyone’s face
- rosie leaving her baby with her shitty baby daddy knowing how indifferent he seems towards their child
- insta-lovey for two people w trauma towards relationships

[⋆ ༻ Rue ༺⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so this was so different and I loved that!

[Alix Pedersen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really don’t like the fact that these 26 year olds are acting and talking like they are 6. Just a no from me. This had so much potential and it made me cringe every 5 seconds.

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ -- ratings may change when I've completed the series but RTC 🩷

[claudia (purged my account) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden boy. Notorious serial dater. The NHL’s most eligible bachelor. That’s what the headlines say about Adam Lockwood, at least. He wishes he could say they’re not accurate, but truthfully? He doesn't even know who he is anymore. Between a soul-crushing ex-girlfriend and a never-ending queue of dates gone wrong, one thing has become obvious: Adam no longer wants to be Adam Lockwood. So when Adam's dog decides to play matchmaker, taking down Rosie Wells. Adam couldn't believe his luck that she didn’t have a clue who he was. Adam knows he should tell her but for once in his life, someone sees him as the man behind the goalie mask. Rossie offers her heartache, laughter, and her son. But Adam? He's holding on a little too tightly to the pieces he is scared to give up, the ones she may not like. His deepest desires become his biggest fear, and Adam is terrified Rosie will unravel him. One small lie becomes a secret hanging above his head, but what if there's one hiding around the corner?

Rosie and Adam clicked from the very beginning. Finding each other was like putting two pieces of puzzle together. Adam was someone who had so much love to offer and Rosie needed someone to show her how loveable she was. The chemistry this brought was undeniably good.

"You know, Rosie. I wasn't having the best day when I ran into you. Or rather, when my dog tackled you to the ground. Maybe he knew what he was doing, though. Because my day got a hundred times better after you fell into it."

I'm not really sure what was going on with Adam being shy for one second and then confident. I liked the shy boy aspect I think Becka should have run with that and made Rosie the confident one instead just to switch it up from the other books. The personality switch from Adam was a little poorly written. But Adam and his cocky mouth has everyone blushing.

"Jesus listen to you. And you were gonna give them these noises?" He cocks his head, tsking. "No, these are all mine, trouble."

"I'd kiss every fucking inch of this body, worship it all, make it my only religion if you'd only let me. What do you say, trouble? You gonna let me?"

"Such a pretty mouth, begging so nicely. You don't have to beg though. I'd never say no to you."

"That's my loud girl. Tell them who you belong to."

"You feel like being a bad girl tonight, huh? That's okay. I don't feel like being all that nice."

I loved how accepting Adam was with Connor. He was one hundred per cent committed to making the three of them his family and it was so cute. The found family trope was so beautifully written I adored that Becka made Rosie a single parent, it is a trope she does so effortlessly perfect. Honourable mention for Adam Lockwood being such a DILF.

"Now I get two for the price of one."

"I like being here. I have no plans of leaving. You're a package deal, Rosie. That doesn't scare me. I'll tell you as often as I need to until you believe it."

"Connor is a million times more important. There is nobody as important to me as you and that little boy."


Rosie was simply iconic, the way she spoke about Adam is what everyone has been thinking since the first book. She was absolutely great nothing this woman could do would annoy me.

"What do you think buddy? Wanna ride in Adam's truck?" Cause Mama wants to ride something else of Adam's.

I was so obsessed with these two together. They truly fell in love because of the people they were. It wasn't based on money, fame, attraction, and lust. It really was because of the way Adam would treat Conner, and how Rosie fell for the real Adam despite his flaws or insecurities.

"Was there any other option? Choosing you? Because it didn't feel like a choice; it just felt right."
"Like it was meant to happen? Me and you? That little boy out there?"
"Like we were lost, and you pulled your truck over to the side of the road and asked if we needed a ride. We climbed in and never left."
Adam grins against my cheek, "I like that. You were made to ride in my passenger seat."

Adam just had a way with words when it came to reassuring Rosie. You could tell he so desperately wanted it to work he knew she was the one for him so he had to fight for her.

"This, Rosie," he murmurs, pressing my palm above his pattering heart. "It's all for you."

"You're not my first choice, Rosie. You're the only goddamn option.">

I knew Adam's love language would be acts of service. What he did for Rosie was so heartwarming. Making a room for Connor, opening the Stardust Lane Scholarship in honour of her parents when she lost hers for having a child, planting peonies at Rosie and her parent's tree with their initials in their camping spot, having a peony garden at his house so she feels at home, and reading co-parent books. From book one, I knew the way this man would show his love was through his actions and I am elated Becka ran with that.

The side characters in this book were so strong. So much love for Marco, Archie, Jax, Bev and Cara. They really did carry and need an honourable mention.

I loved it when Adam was showing off his family! That man was so damn proud of what he had and he genuinely was holding them close to his heart.

"So, do I see myself settling down with her? Yeah, I really do. And starting a family?" Adam looks directly into the camera, and for a moment, it feels like he's looking right at me. "We already have one, but I can't wait to keep building it."

A round of applause for how Adam deals with Brandon. The bollocking was so deserving I was waiting for someone to tell Brandon off and I am more than glad Adam was the one to do it.

"You shut your goddamn mouth and quit acting like those two walking out this door and never looking back won't be the worst thing that'll ever happen to you. Because I promise you, it fucking is. You're only gifted something like this once in a lifetime, and somebody else is going to appreciate and love the beautiful family you were given, the same one you took for granted."
"Who?" Brandon struggles to ask. "You?"
"Yeah. Me."

This scene had to be my favourite it was so heartwarming! I was grinning throughout. It genuinely shows how good of a man Adam is.

"My only goal in this life is making sure you spend the rest of your days knowing, without a doubt, how loved you and Connor are. If I Succeed, I'll have lived this life right."

The epilogue went beautifully. They completed their family with additions and I couldn't have been happier. Yes, this book was very insta-love but I needed a book like this because of my recent read so there's no complaining. I think I read this book at the perfect time I'm not sure if I would have had the same reaction if I read this book at a different time. There is nothing to criticise apart from Adam's character being a little all over the place but it is understandable after Courtney.

[isy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So... I don't really know my exact thoughts on this book, but I'm going to do my best to, you know, try and express my feelings.

I LOVE this group. I love their scenes together hanging out, I love their friendships, I just love THEM. They MAKE THESE BOOKS. The whole series would be nothing without this group of friends (like literally but I hope you guys get what I mean by this not literally to). Does that make sense? I don't even care at this point.

The first 200 pages of this book were pretty hard for me to get through. The trope is "like at first hike"... which when you take away the fancy phrasing, it legit just means insta-love, so going into it my expectations where pretty low. In case you didn't know, I HATE insta-love. I hate it I hate it I hate it. But anyways, yes they were insta love. The first date he went all out with a picnic and cute lights and shit and they had deep, meaningful conversations that made me want to puke.
That was basically the first 30% of the book. Them going on dates and having deep conversations and falling in love. Blah blah blah.
At that point I seriously thought it was going to be a 2 star read lol.
LUCKLYYYYYY after that little conflict in the middle with his career and stuff did make things go better for me.
They "slowed down" idk if I would even really call it that, but after that something switched and I started enjoying it a lot more.

The ridiculousness of the way they talk and how in every freaking chapter they are having a deep convo or talking about their insecurities or just the overall flowerly, cringiness that is the couple was still there, but you gotta expect that going into a BM book. They are going to talk weird and not realistic and they are going to reassure reassure reassure over and over and over again.

Also, the dog was dirty move Becka. That was just MEAN.

[Jen ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

adam fvcking lockwood era is here!!!! 😍😍😍


probably some spoilers below, so please skip this review if you don't like them ✌️


“You’re not my first choice, Rosie. You’re the only goddamn option.”



so, i stayed up until 3 AM because i have to, no, i need to finish this book, and mind you, it was a thick one! 500+ pages isn't a joke, hahaha. was it the sensible thing to do? of course not, i have a job the next day, but i know caffeine will help me pull through. 😂 was it worth it, though? definitely, 1000%!!!

idk how to explain all the emotions i've felt reading adam and rosie's story. it was so overwhelming (in a good way), heartfelt, hopeful, and adorable. i think they're the most awkward and clumsy couple i've ever read, but these traits made them so much more likeable and lovable for me. it was so funny reading them being flustered whenever they're together or how they always blurt out things without thinking and make them embarrassed afterwards.

but what i loved the most between them was the genuine connection, honesty, and openness when everything finally came out. the maturity of these two is so refreshing, and there's nothing more i love than reading characters who talk things out and resolve issues/problems in a loving and respectful manner.

there are a lot of tropes included here, but "found family" is my favorite one. i love the camaraderie between the puck sluts (emmett, carter, garett, adam, and jaxon) and how they've become friends and brothers for life. there's nothing like carter and his oversize ego, and i love his DILF moments 😂 or how garett always annoys carter by talking about jennie, and jaxon for being a softie when it comes to mittens and to his friends.

also, the wives and girlfriend who rally behind adam and are always there to give him a little push and tips on how to make his moves with rosie. they are just the supportive bunch of people that you would want on your side, and i'm happy that adam has them. and as for rosie's team, she got archie and marco. i'm glad that both mcs here have friends who really care and want the best for them.

aside from those friends, i think what makes the story even sweeter are connor, lily, bear, piglet, and dinosaur. 🥰 it's so adorable reading daddy adam and how he embraced that role wholeheartedly, and i agree with the girls, adam is the bigger dilf than carter 🤣 maaan this guy is the epitome of a green flag (except the part of hidden identity, but he made up for it anyway). can i have my own adam??? is it too much to ask??? 😭😂

as for the issues they've faced, i'm not a fan of ow/om drama if i could i would avoid books like the plague that have this content. buuuuut i also know that in this story, that is very much needed for the mcs to finally move on and to leave behind those toxic people. more importantly, to heal from the negative impact they left on adam and rosie. like i said, i don't like brandon and courtney's existence, but they're still somehow significant to the story. and i'm truly and deeply satisfied that adam and rosie finally took that step to kick out those awful human beings from their lives.

i also don't like lying in my books, even if it's by omission, and i get where adam is coming from, but i would've liked for him to open up to rosie a little bit earlier in the story rather than letting his lie fester for way too long (too long that rosie found out from her friend). he made up and asked for forgiveness for his mistake in the story anyway, so i guess it's all good in the end.

overall, i enjoyed reading adam and rosie's story. it made me laugh, cry, hope, swoon, angry (courtney!! brandon!!) but most of all i feel the encompassing love between the mcs, and side characters in this book. would i wish for this to be at least a few pages less? yes, i honestly think some of the inner monologues are way too long, and there's a lot of things happening. but it is what it is, and i still enjoyed every minute of it. this is surely going to be one of my top 10 books for this year.


book info:
- no cheating
- om (not really, but connor's father is in the picture, and brandon is an asshole, btw, doesn't give a crap about his son)
- ow (fucking courtney, being the evil witch herself, causing ruckus in the story, but this was handled so beautifully, so adios satan's mistress)
- death of a loved one (parents and animal)
- mental rep (anxiety/ocd)
- hidden identity
- matchmaking dogs
- cute babies and children
- found family
- temporary breakup?? (rosie asked for space when she found out adam's real job, and this lasted for two weeks)



Self note: jaxon and lennon's book is the next one, and i'm praying that they're both players!!! 😂 readers know that jaxon is a manwhore and is so proud of it. so, in my mind and i want to manifest that lennon is sexually active just as the same. cuz if she's not, their story will be just like carter & olivia version 2. also, i want jaxon to fall so fast, hard, and deep with lennon that he won't know anymore which way is up or down 🤣



----- thoughts before the book release -----

is it possible to die from jealousy???? because i am 😭 the arc reviews are driving me wild and i really really really want to read adam's book like right now. 😭🤣

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book #3 in the Playing For Keeps Series following Adam & Rosie. We have met Adam in the other books of this series, he is the star goalie for the Vancouver Vipers NHL team. After being cheated on by the woman he was going to propose to, Adam is tired of dating & is ready to find his person. Well one day while out on a hike with his dog, Bear, they run into Rosie — a single mom in school to become a veterinarian. They really hit it off & end up having more in common than they think.

I feel like we waited forever for this book & I was so excited but unfortunately this one just fell flat for me for multiple reasons.

1. The book had too many similarities to other hockey romances. Plain & simple.
2. I am not an insta-love girly. I liked Adam but found that he was obsessed with Rosie right from the get go & was already in love by like 30%.
3. I feel like Adam’s personality was so up in the air. He would be super dominant in the bedroom & a big dirty talker even before they made it to sex, but then we would see his conversations with his friends before their first date & then again before they had sex & he acted as if he was like a virgin teenager. His personality just seemed very contradictory to me.
4. I don’t want to spoil anything but basically the scene where things eventually blow up with Rosie’s baby daddy did not sit well with me. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a mom to two toddlers but that made me sick to my stomach. I’ve never had a trigger in a book before but that part really got to me. I totally get that it was part of the storyline to make her baby daddy look bad but it bothered me a lot. & to add to that, the fact that Rosie barely even bat an eye at what happened there but nearly broke up with Adam over a minor detail really just irked me.
5.Rosie was way too trusting in my opinion for a single mom who has been through what she has. I didn’t relate to her whatsoever.

Overall, I liked the premise of the story but there were just a lot of things about this book that really bothered me. My favorite parts were when they were all together as a friend group because they are an incredibly funny group think but since it’s a romance novel, that shouldn’t have been my favorite. I liked Adam & Rosie but Garrett & Jennie have my heart in this series.

Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Single Mom
- Insta-Love
- Found Family
- No 3rd Act Breakup

3/5⭐️
2.5/5🌶️

[Gry ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

anxious, overthinking girlie 🤝 comforting, secure good guy

as an overthinking girlie myself this was so so sweet.
the found family might've made me tear up a few times 🥹
these two(plus the fam) are probs my fave in the series so far
____________
°. *࿐pre-read:

if I don't end up loving this I am suing

[rapha]

dnf at 33% this was so insta lovey, ew. and why tf did they talk like fucking children?!!!

[astarion's bhaal babe (wingspan matters) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ADAM LOCKWOOD SUPREMACY

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

ngl this was a let down, i get you want a story to be healing/found family but dear god these ppl were professing their love for each other within their first meeting. it got to the part where whenever adam & rosie were talking and i saw big paragraphs i just skipped ahead until they got shorter. ALSO with a friend group as well written as this one why was there barely any content until the book was half over??? and i get its cute for the baby to say dada but after looking at this man once???? yeah i’m sorry but what?

[Sarah Lutfy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mon préf de la série à date et je sais même pas comment que les prochains pourront topper. Y’a rien que j’ai pas aimé.

La dynamique entre Rosie et Adam, leur awkwardness, le grand cœur d’Adam 🥹, j’ai tellement ris souvent. Je veux pas en dire trop pour spoil mais Adam est 100% parfait.

J’pense que ce tome est une de mes romances préférées à vie

[ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I love this whole series.

The only thing about this book is that there should have been more build up to their relationship but other than that it was perfect.

She falls asleep in his car so he goes around the block 8 times. 😩

We need a second gen !!

[sil ♡ the book voyagers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becka Mack never has a bad track idk like every single one of the Playing for Keeps books are A+++++ 10/10 hands down.

[Katie Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG THIS SERIES!! THIS BOOK!! Becka is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors yall. Her characters are top-notch and relatable. The buildup between her MCs is SOOO delicious. And her spice is just yummy. I LIKED Consider Me, but have really LOVED Play with Me and Unravel Me. The top spot for MC is now between Garrett and Adam. Adam Lockwood was just SUCH a wonderful man. He had been hurt so badly by who he thought was the love of his life. She was truly trash- the red haired devil. He so wanted to be loved by someone who knew HIM not the hockey player. Enter Rosie and her son, Connor. Rosie was just the SWEETEST. I loved how naturally their relationship progressed. They were so at ease with each other. They fumbled and were goobers around each other. It just felt PERFECT. I liked how much they helped each other build back their confidence. I liked their chemistry and how they literally met in the woods. I liked Adam's commitment to her and Connor and hated that Rosie's bar had been set so low by Connor's dad, her uber toxic ex. I had a hard time swallowing Adam not disclosing some thing BUT at the same time understood it. I liked how even in the third act breakup these two were reasonable. The spice was HOT and passionate. At the end of the day, these two made each other better and stronger. They were SUCH a cute unit together.

Adam is done with dating. He has TRIED SO hard to find the right person. How hard is to find someone who just wants to hang out with him. Not to ask him how many houses he has. Or be there for him the hockey player not the man. His ex has got him so twisted with how things ended. He thought she was his forever when clearly he was her meal ticket. But then he meets Rosie. Rosie who has NO idea who he is. Rosie who makes his stomach flutter. Rosie who gets him excited to meet up again and set dates. Rosie who is a single mom to the CUTEST kid who immediately calls him Dada. This woman can't be real. She is beautiful and fun and makes him laugh. She sets him at ease which is something he hasn't felt in a long time. But somehow they have avoided talking about what he does. That's ok. He will tell her eventually. He sees how hard she works and all that she does and just wants to celebrate her and her amazingness. The chemistry between them is unreal. He likes being needed by her and her son. He wants to provide and make her smile. The buildup to them taking things all the way legit makes Adam nervous and giddy in the best way. And just when everything is perfect his job comes to bite him. His past comes to bite him. And now he is stuck wondering all of the what ifs and hoping she can see past this stuff and recognize that he is still HER Adam. He will always be her Adam.

Rosie needs a break. She is a single mom who is also in vet school. She LOVES her job and is happy but she feels like she is missing that connection with someone. Then she meets Adam and his dog Bear. There is an instant connection to him. She feels as though she has known him for a while but also finds herself being so quirky around him. Like he makes her nervous in the best way. Then they go there separate ways BUT then she sees him again with Bear on the trail the next weekend and knows that this could be something. So they explore it. Adam takes her on a date, and it is more thoughtful than anything anyone has ever done for her. So she tells him about her son Connor. She actually introduces him. She opens that door in her world to this man who makes her smile and feel things she has never really felt. They are progressing. Dating. Looking forward to MORE. They do sleep overs and Adam seems to love spending time with Connor too. Everything is just so magical when he is around. Not even her ex can break her down anymore because Adam has helped with that. He is becoming her person, and then they sleep together. And all bets are off. Can this be real? Is it weird to be thinking about a future with him this soon? But then something comes to light and she feels like she might not know all about Adam. She questions a lot but not his feelings for her. She just has to determine if she can move on from what she now knows so that they can realize their future together.

I LOVED this little family unit. I loved how Adam treated Rosie like a queen and all of the little things that he did for her. I loved how this woman who had no family found her family with him. How his hockey family became her family and how they welcomed her with open arms. I loved how they were able to help each other FINALLY cut off their toxic exes. I just loved HOW they loved each other. And though it might have been fast nothing felt forced if that makes sense. It was a literally when you know you know. I can't recommend this series enough. I have tried to prolong them so that I can savor and spread this series out as long as possible BUT am also chomping at the bit because I am SOOO excited to read Jaxon's books!! If you haven't started this one or this series do so sooner rather than later- you won't regret it :)