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Playing for Keeps: a Friends-to-More Sports Romance
A love story a decade in the making
Professional soccer player Hunter McKinley is living the dream. But with fame comes temptation, and Hunter finds himself questioning if the life he’s built truly aligns with his heart. A trip to his hometown brings him face-to-face with Jo Donahue—the woman who once saved his life and has haunted his dreams ever since.
Jo is dedicated to saving others as an EMT, but the weight of grief and lingering guilt threatens to pull her under. When Hunter re-enters her life, their lives intertwine in remarkable ways once more. But old wounds, new doubts, and a growing distance in their individual paths threaten to derail what they could have together.
When tragedy strikes, will they have the courage to trust in something bigger than themselves—and to embrace the love they’ve been seeking all along? Temptation, faith, and romance come together in this Realistic Christian Romance series that tells stories of love, faith, and God, but don’t shy away from tough subjects or physical attraction. Begin your journey with the Legacy Falls series now!
You'll love Playing for Keeps if you
⭐Heartwarming, inspirational love stories
⭐Small town charm
⭐Slow-burn relationships
⭐Friends to more
⭐Soccer/Sports romance
⭐Faith struggles
This novel is part of a larger series but can be read as a standalone.
Playing for Keeps explores healing, resilience & forgiveness but addresses difficult experiences that may be triggering for some, including steroid use and a minor character's suicide.
What Readers
"One of the best books I’ve read in awhile. Can’t wait to read more by this author. I would recommend this book to everyone." ~ coyotecactus
Professional soccer player Hunter McKinley is living the dream. But with fame comes temptation, and Hunter finds himself questioning if the life he’s built truly aligns with his heart. A trip to his hometown brings him face-to-face with Jo Donahue—the woman who once saved his life and has haunted his dreams ever since.
Jo is dedicated to saving others as an EMT, but the weight of grief and lingering guilt threatens to pull her under. When Hunter re-enters her life, their lives intertwine in remarkable ways once more. But old wounds, new doubts, and a growing distance in their individual paths threaten to derail what they could have together.
When tragedy strikes, will they have the courage to trust in something bigger than themselves—and to embrace the love they’ve been seeking all along? Temptation, faith, and romance come together in this Realistic Christian Romance series that tells stories of love, faith, and God, but don’t shy away from tough subjects or physical attraction. Begin your journey with the Legacy Falls series now!
You'll love Playing for Keeps if you
⭐Heartwarming, inspirational love stories
⭐Small town charm
⭐Slow-burn relationships
⭐Friends to more
⭐Soccer/Sports romance
⭐Faith struggles
This novel is part of a larger series but can be read as a standalone.
Playing for Keeps explores healing, resilience & forgiveness but addresses difficult experiences that may be triggering for some, including steroid use and a minor character's suicide.
What Readers
"One of the best books I’ve read in awhile. Can’t wait to read more by this author. I would recommend this book to everyone." ~ coyotecactus
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 25, 2025
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.
it was good. Jo and Hunter's relationship started from a shared trauma where she saved his life. Both of their lives changed after that. Jo realized her calling in life and became an EMT. Hunter realized his strength in his relationship with as well as repairing his relationship with his parents. 5 years after the incident legacy, Jo and Hunter reconnect as Jo is struggling with the death of a friend and colleague. Hunter helps her and they become faith partners. Their friendship is on a new path seemingly drawing them closer. Their relationship abruptly stops as life gets in the way but yet they find their way back to each other.
Through a shared traumatic incident their bond becomes unbreakable. Their journey has its ups and downs but when they finally reconnect they find their true path with a shared passion for their faith and true partner in life in each other.
It is a sweet story filled with finding their faith and connecting on a deeper level to find HEA. it is written well.
it was good. Jo and Hunter's relationship started from a shared trauma where she saved his life. Both of their lives changed after that. Jo realized her calling in life and became an EMT. Hunter realized his strength in his relationship with as well as repairing his relationship with his parents. 5 years after the incident legacy, Jo and Hunter reconnect as Jo is struggling with the death of a friend and colleague. Hunter helps her and they become faith partners. Their friendship is on a new path seemingly drawing them closer. Their relationship abruptly stops as life gets in the way but yet they find their way back to each other.
Through a shared traumatic incident their bond becomes unbreakable. Their journey has its ups and downs but when they finally reconnect they find their true path with a shared passion for their faith and true partner in life in each other.
It is a sweet story filled with finding their faith and connecting on a deeper level to find HEA. it is written well.
May 29, 2025
This is the third book in the Legacy Falls series, but you do not need to have read the earlier books to enjoy this one. Having enjoyed the other books, I gladly took the ARC for this one when offered by Hidden Gems. The author also included a novella that provides the full backstory of Hunter and Jo, covering the event that ties them together.
The author did a good job of pacing their friendship from high school and college to beyond, as they built a lasting bond. They go through many stumbles as they are there for each other while growing to be more than friends. Their faith and how they lean into it are a large part of their story.
The author did a good job of pacing their friendship from high school and college to beyond, as they built a lasting bond. They go through many stumbles as they are there for each other while growing to be more than friends. Their faith and how they lean into it are a large part of their story.
May 26, 2025
He seems to be living his dreams as a soccer player but a trip home makes him wonder if it is. He will meet her again and her guilt is threatening to overcome her as a paramedic. Is this what they both need in their life? Will love save them both? See if it will
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a delightful tale
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a delightful tale
May 27, 2025
Years ago, Jo saves the life of her brother’s best friend and since then, there is some connection between them. Even though they dont see each other for years, they reconnect and become best friends. The story is inspiring with great characters. There were some parts that were not necessary for the story.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
June 29, 2025
This is a good, fairly quick story about real friendship and faith.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews