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Frost Lake High #2
Playing with Forever
Not yet published
Expected 20 Jan 26From USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Jenshak comes the next in a brand new YA romance series that follows Frost Lake High School's state champion soccer team.
Tutoring the captain of Frost Lake High's soccer team isn't on her bucket list. And neither is falling for him.
Seventeen-year-old Lacey Kerr is a lot of head cheerleader, an A+ student, vice president of student council, a loyal friend, and beloved by her classmates.
What she isn't is a fan of star soccer player Vaughn Collins.
And he knows it.
Unfortunately for him, he needs her.
With his grades on the line, he'll do anything to turn it around and keep his spot on the soccer team. Even if it means winning over his ex-girlfriend's best friend and convincing her to tutor him.
They're different. She's sunshine and he's…not. She has a bucket list of fun things to do before high school is over and he's allergic to fun.
But as they spend more time together, studying and crossing things off Lacey's list, they realize they're more alike than either of them wants to admit.
She doesn't want to fall for him, and he doesn't want to fall for anyone. They're both good at playing the game, but maybe this time it could be forever.
Tutoring the captain of Frost Lake High's soccer team isn't on her bucket list. And neither is falling for him.
Seventeen-year-old Lacey Kerr is a lot of head cheerleader, an A+ student, vice president of student council, a loyal friend, and beloved by her classmates.
What she isn't is a fan of star soccer player Vaughn Collins.
And he knows it.
Unfortunately for him, he needs her.
With his grades on the line, he'll do anything to turn it around and keep his spot on the soccer team. Even if it means winning over his ex-girlfriend's best friend and convincing her to tutor him.
They're different. She's sunshine and he's…not. She has a bucket list of fun things to do before high school is over and he's allergic to fun.
But as they spend more time together, studying and crossing things off Lacey's list, they realize they're more alike than either of them wants to admit.
She doesn't want to fall for him, and he doesn't want to fall for anyone. They're both good at playing the game, but maybe this time it could be forever.
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 20, 2026
7 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Jenshak
53 books6,388 followersRebecca Jenshak is a new adult romance author.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a classic sports romance. Team captain x tutor. Though in this case the athlete was the fmc bestfirends ex, which I found a little off putting because the author made us hate him in the last book, (or atleast I did) I found Lacey and Vaughns relationship very dense, and I felt like they did'nt really have any tension or passion between them. I also jst could not get past how Lacey was dating her bestfriends ex that did her so dirty, even though she has a new boyfriend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I may have just found my first feel good romance to begin 2026.❤️ Yes, I realize I'm reviewing this in 2025, but Playing with Forever doesn't officially release until January 2026 so my reasoning stands.
I couldn't set this book down from the moment I picked it up. It's a wonderful view into the demands of being a top high school athlete; with everything that entails - like keeping up your grades, the extra-curriculars, the demanding workouts, and if there is time left - friends or even love. For Vaughn Collins and the way he was raised he would answer no. Outside of school, soccer is his only focus. For Lacey Kerr she finds a way to balance everything and everyone in her busy schedule so she would say yes. Lacey and Vaughn would seem like total opposites when you stand them side by side and for the most part that is true. Lacey is outgoing, bubbly, and smiles at everyone she sees, while Vaughn is stoic, introverted, and hardly says two words to those around him. However, outside appearances may be more deceiving than they appear and these two may actually have more in common they ever would have thought. Sooo, of course this book is also about the first feelings of falling in love, the crazy intensity of thinking about each other all👏 the👏 time👏, and the intense chemistry that comes along with first kisses and long make-out sessions.😍
I was completely captivated by these two and I was honestly shocked by how drawn-in I was by this story. In a way, this was Vaughn's redemption story, not that he was a villain per se, but in the first book, he is Claire's ex-boyfriend and Claire is Lacey's best friend. I don't want to say more to give away too much in either book, but even Vaughn admits he's not the greatest boyfriend because he's so singularly focused on soccer. For what it's worth, it was really nice to get his point of view and understand that he's not a bad guy, but instead just a normal teen with his own problems. Even Claire stands up for him, now that she's happy in her own relationship, saying pretty much the same thing. Lacey checks in with her a few times and it's so sweet to see these two best friends supporting one another and not have any bitterness attached to a relationship that is no longer relevant. Is it realistic at this age, probably not, but Jenshak writes it extremely well and I loved reading how close these two girls are nonetheless.
Lacey is the girl in school that makes you wonder if she ever sleeps. Head cheerleader, perfect grades, on the student council, helps everyone and always has a smile on her face...except for Vaughn. She's still a bit salty at him for dumping her best friend, but because it's Lacey, it also doesn't last long. She truly can't dislike anyone and for that I was grateful. Once she lets Vaughn in, you find out he's actually a likable guy, he just needed a chance to have his story told. It's the small things that speak volumes with him and where Lacy is boisterous with her love and friendship, his quiet emotions shouted from the rooftops. I think it's why I was so enthralled with these two, their yin and yang, but also where they met in the middle, it's what love truly is.
The friendship circle within this book is amazing. The secondary characters always enhance the story, without distracting from the plot and I love that about her writing. 🥰 It's an aspect that Jenshak does extremely well, no matter what she writes. Lacey's personality is larger than life, so it's basically a character all on its own, but the soccer team is full of fun players. I can see more books coming from this world as they each get a book.👌😍
Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and Bloom Books for the advance review copy and all opinions are my own.
I couldn't set this book down from the moment I picked it up. It's a wonderful view into the demands of being a top high school athlete; with everything that entails - like keeping up your grades, the extra-curriculars, the demanding workouts, and if there is time left - friends or even love. For Vaughn Collins and the way he was raised he would answer no. Outside of school, soccer is his only focus. For Lacey Kerr she finds a way to balance everything and everyone in her busy schedule so she would say yes. Lacey and Vaughn would seem like total opposites when you stand them side by side and for the most part that is true. Lacey is outgoing, bubbly, and smiles at everyone she sees, while Vaughn is stoic, introverted, and hardly says two words to those around him. However, outside appearances may be more deceiving than they appear and these two may actually have more in common they ever would have thought. Sooo, of course this book is also about the first feelings of falling in love, the crazy intensity of thinking about each other all👏 the👏 time👏, and the intense chemistry that comes along with first kisses and long make-out sessions.😍
I was completely captivated by these two and I was honestly shocked by how drawn-in I was by this story. In a way, this was Vaughn's redemption story, not that he was a villain per se, but in the first book, he is Claire's ex-boyfriend and Claire is Lacey's best friend. I don't want to say more to give away too much in either book, but even Vaughn admits he's not the greatest boyfriend because he's so singularly focused on soccer. For what it's worth, it was really nice to get his point of view and understand that he's not a bad guy, but instead just a normal teen with his own problems. Even Claire stands up for him, now that she's happy in her own relationship, saying pretty much the same thing. Lacey checks in with her a few times and it's so sweet to see these two best friends supporting one another and not have any bitterness attached to a relationship that is no longer relevant. Is it realistic at this age, probably not, but Jenshak writes it extremely well and I loved reading how close these two girls are nonetheless.
Lacey is the girl in school that makes you wonder if she ever sleeps. Head cheerleader, perfect grades, on the student council, helps everyone and always has a smile on her face...except for Vaughn. She's still a bit salty at him for dumping her best friend, but because it's Lacey, it also doesn't last long. She truly can't dislike anyone and for that I was grateful. Once she lets Vaughn in, you find out he's actually a likable guy, he just needed a chance to have his story told. It's the small things that speak volumes with him and where Lacy is boisterous with her love and friendship, his quiet emotions shouted from the rooftops. I think it's why I was so enthralled with these two, their yin and yang, but also where they met in the middle, it's what love truly is.
The friendship circle within this book is amazing. The secondary characters always enhance the story, without distracting from the plot and I love that about her writing. 🥰 It's an aspect that Jenshak does extremely well, no matter what she writes. Lacey's personality is larger than life, so it's basically a character all on its own, but the soccer team is full of fun players. I can see more books coming from this world as they each get a book.👌😍
Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and Bloom Books for the advance review copy and all opinions are my own.
December 7, 2025
𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 4⭐️
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ 𝓖𝓮𝓷𝓻𝓮𝓼, 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 & 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓼 𐙚⋆.˚
★ Soccer Romance
★ High School
★ Tutoring Lessons
★ Grumpy/Sunshine
★ Best Friend’s Ex
★ Soccer Player/Cheerleader
࣪ ִֶָ☾. ✨ 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ❣️ .𖥔 ݁ ˖
Seventeen-year-old Lacey Kerr is a lot of things: head cheerleader, an A+ student, vice president of student council, a loyal friend, and beloved by her classmates.
What she isn't is a fan of star soccer player Vaughn Collins. And he knows it.
Unfortunately for him, he needs her.
With his grades on the line, he'll do anything to turn it around and keep his spot on the soccer team. Even if it means winning over his ex-girlfriend's best friend and convincing her to tutor him.
They're different. She's sunshine and he's…not. She has a bucket list of fun things to do before high school is over and he's allergic to fun.
But as they spend more time together, studying and crossing things off Lacey's list, they realize they're more alike than either of them wants to admit.
She doesn't want to fall for him, and he doesn't want to fall for anyone. They're both good at playing the game, but maybe this time it could be forever.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁݁ . ⊹💝 𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 🧸ྀི☁️⊹ . ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
I have now read three Rebecca Jenshak books and I can officially confirm that she’s one of my new favorite romance authors. I haven’t given any of them less than four stars.
This book was so freaking cute. They go APPLE PICKING ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! I fell in love with both Lacey and Vaughn. Lacey being pure optimism, kindness and sunshine and Vaughn being the reserved and quiet but always paying attention kind of person.
This is a Best Friend’s ex trope but let me clarify that there is no drama and no competition between the girls in this book (thanks Rebecca). The main characters are high schoolers but it never gave cringe.
I was hooked since the very first page and I couldn’t stop reading.
If I had to be picky, I would’ve loved to explore Lacey’s relationship with her father a little bit more and Vaughn’s with his mother. I felt like something more could’ve been done there but this is me nitpicking.
PS: I’d love to read more about Rowan…
𝙎𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙀 𝙇𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙇: 🌶️🌶️
⤷ ⚠️ 𝗧𝗪 ⚠️
A few sexual scenes.
💚Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC copy💚
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ 𝓖𝓮𝓷𝓻𝓮𝓼, 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 & 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓼 𐙚⋆.˚
★ Soccer Romance
★ High School
★ Tutoring Lessons
★ Grumpy/Sunshine
★ Best Friend’s Ex
★ Soccer Player/Cheerleader
࣪ ִֶָ☾. ✨ 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ❣️ .𖥔 ݁ ˖
Seventeen-year-old Lacey Kerr is a lot of things: head cheerleader, an A+ student, vice president of student council, a loyal friend, and beloved by her classmates.
What she isn't is a fan of star soccer player Vaughn Collins. And he knows it.
Unfortunately for him, he needs her.
With his grades on the line, he'll do anything to turn it around and keep his spot on the soccer team. Even if it means winning over his ex-girlfriend's best friend and convincing her to tutor him.
They're different. She's sunshine and he's…not. She has a bucket list of fun things to do before high school is over and he's allergic to fun.
But as they spend more time together, studying and crossing things off Lacey's list, they realize they're more alike than either of them wants to admit.
She doesn't want to fall for him, and he doesn't want to fall for anyone. They're both good at playing the game, but maybe this time it could be forever.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁݁ . ⊹💝 𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 🧸ྀི☁️⊹ . ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
I have now read three Rebecca Jenshak books and I can officially confirm that she’s one of my new favorite romance authors. I haven’t given any of them less than four stars.
This book was so freaking cute. They go APPLE PICKING ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! I fell in love with both Lacey and Vaughn. Lacey being pure optimism, kindness and sunshine and Vaughn being the reserved and quiet but always paying attention kind of person.
This is a Best Friend’s ex trope but let me clarify that there is no drama and no competition between the girls in this book (thanks Rebecca). The main characters are high schoolers but it never gave cringe.
I was hooked since the very first page and I couldn’t stop reading.
If I had to be picky, I would’ve loved to explore Lacey’s relationship with her father a little bit more and Vaughn’s with his mother. I felt like something more could’ve been done there but this is me nitpicking.
PS: I’d love to read more about Rowan…
𝙎𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙀 𝙇𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙇: 🌶️🌶️
⤷ ⚠️ 𝗧𝗪 ⚠️
A few sexual scenes.
💚Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC copy💚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“I’m better with you. Not worse. I see that now. When you’re in the stands or by my side, I feel like I can do anything. I can’t fail with the best damn cheerleader in the whole world rooting for me. And if I do, then knowing you’ll be there the next time will keep me pushing to be better. I want more than to be the best soccer player in the world. I want you with me while I do it.”
Vaughn is the ex boyfriend of Lacey's best friend Claire (book 1). He needs help in Algebra II and only Lacey can help him. He wants to focus on soccer and becoming a star player, so he thinks he doesn't have the time to be a good boyfriend. Lacey is captain of the cheerleaders wants to study to have great SAT scores. When they get to know each other more they start to develop feelings. 🫶🏻
Oh my sweet baby Vaughn, what a cutie you are. A grump who does the sweetest acts of service for his girl? 😫 Please give us more of him in the next book!!
Lacey is all sparkles and glitter which is the exact opposite of Mr. Broody and non-sparkles, but they fit perfectly! They are a really sweet couple and fit together nicely!
This is a feel good, clean and cute romance that I recommend to everyone! 🤍
Thank you Netgalley, Rebecca Jenshak and Bloom Books for the eARC! 🤍
Vaughn is the ex boyfriend of Lacey's best friend Claire (book 1). He needs help in Algebra II and only Lacey can help him. He wants to focus on soccer and becoming a star player, so he thinks he doesn't have the time to be a good boyfriend. Lacey is captain of the cheerleaders wants to study to have great SAT scores. When they get to know each other more they start to develop feelings. 🫶🏻
Oh my sweet baby Vaughn, what a cutie you are. A grump who does the sweetest acts of service for his girl? 😫 Please give us more of him in the next book!!
Lacey is all sparkles and glitter which is the exact opposite of Mr. Broody and non-sparkles, but they fit perfectly! They are a really sweet couple and fit together nicely!
This is a feel good, clean and cute romance that I recommend to everyone! 🤍
Thank you Netgalley, Rebecca Jenshak and Bloom Books for the eARC! 🤍
December 16, 2025
When his grades drop and he’s benched from the soccer team, star player Vaughn is in need of a tutor. Lacey is the head cheerleader. Bubbly, bright, insanely smart and the perfect person to help him. She’s reluctant at first, but the more time she spends with him, the more she realize how alike they are.
I’m not really sure what to make of this. Was this a fun story? Yes. Was the pacing fast and scenes somewhat disconnected? Also yes. Lacey and Vaughn had their cute moments, but it was a little up and down in a sense that the momentum got cut short. The amount of scene breaks didn’t help with this either. I couldn’t get past the whole dating the best friend’s ex thing no matter how many times it was stated Claire was ok with it. Maybe that’s my own moral compass going haywire, but it doesn’t make it any less weird. I’ll admit, the last 35% or so was actually really cute. The pacing by that point was what the rest of the 75% was lacking. The epilogue felt completely unnecessary.
Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for sending me an e-arc
I’m not really sure what to make of this. Was this a fun story? Yes. Was the pacing fast and scenes somewhat disconnected? Also yes. Lacey and Vaughn had their cute moments, but it was a little up and down in a sense that the momentum got cut short. The amount of scene breaks didn’t help with this either. I couldn’t get past the whole dating the best friend’s ex thing no matter how many times it was stated Claire was ok with it. Maybe that’s my own moral compass going haywire, but it doesn’t make it any less weird. I’ll admit, the last 35% or so was actually really cute. The pacing by that point was what the rest of the 75% was lacking. The epilogue felt completely unnecessary.
Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for sending me an e-arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
After reading Keeping Score, I knew I wanted to pick up more books by Rebecca Jenshak. I enjoyed it that much. So when I got the chance to read Playing with Forever, I was really excited… and it didn’t disappoint at all.
This was such a fun, swoony sports romance. I loved Lacey’s sunshine personality paired with Vaughn’s more serious, closed-off vibe, and watching their relationship slowly develop through tutoring sessions and shared moments felt easy and genuine. The chemistry built naturally, and it was one of those reads that just flowed really well.
Safe to say, I’m officially a fan. I’m already planning to grab hardcovers or paperbacks of the books I’ve read from her, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the rest of this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Rebecca Jenshak for the ARC.
After reading Keeping Score, I knew I wanted to pick up more books by Rebecca Jenshak. I enjoyed it that much. So when I got the chance to read Playing with Forever, I was really excited… and it didn’t disappoint at all.
This was such a fun, swoony sports romance. I loved Lacey’s sunshine personality paired with Vaughn’s more serious, closed-off vibe, and watching their relationship slowly develop through tutoring sessions and shared moments felt easy and genuine. The chemistry built naturally, and it was one of those reads that just flowed really well.
Safe to say, I’m officially a fan. I’m already planning to grab hardcovers or paperbacks of the books I’ve read from her, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the rest of this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Rebecca Jenshak for the ARC.
December 20, 2025
Playing with Forever is book 2 in the Frost Lake High series. I just loved Lacey and Vaughn. Vaughn is the star athlete of the soccer team that is failing math. Lacey is the head cheerleader and smart. Vaughn and Lacey do not like each other after he broke her best friend’s heart. Vaughn knows no one else can help him pass his math test and be able to play on the team again.
Enemies become lovers in this high school sports romance.
I just love this world that Rebecca Jenshak has created. The characters are fun, the friendships heartwarming and the bucket list was perfect.
This was a sweet story of young love, first love and trying to figure out how to do it all. Playing with Forever is a High School, Best Friend’s ex, soccer cheerleader romance.
Enemies become lovers in this high school sports romance.
I just love this world that Rebecca Jenshak has created. The characters are fun, the friendships heartwarming and the bucket list was perfect.
This was a sweet story of young love, first love and trying to figure out how to do it all. Playing with Forever is a High School, Best Friend’s ex, soccer cheerleader romance.
November 29, 2025
The high school nostalgia this story brought was so good. The cheerleader falling for the broody soccer player who he had tutor him. I love the innocence and the feeling of falling in love for the first time and how scary that can be. Vaughn and Lacey brought so much high school drama and I was so here for it. She is sunshine and glitter and he is ultra focused on his sport but what these two lack in common they make up for in desire. I ate this story up and it felt like a warm summer breeze and falling in love.
December 7, 2025
Super cute YA book from Rebecca Jenshak.
I love her adult books, I have been reading them for years! So I was intrigued about her new YA series. I had not read the first book, so this interconnected standalone definitely can be read by itself. I love the characters, they were super cute. This book is truly a YA, other than kissing, very little happens on the page. Mildly angsty, high school athletes who fall hard and fast, a good intro to romance for the younger crowd. I enjoyed this quick and cute read!
I love her adult books, I have been reading them for years! So I was intrigued about her new YA series. I had not read the first book, so this interconnected standalone definitely can be read by itself. I love the characters, they were super cute. This book is truly a YA, other than kissing, very little happens on the page. Mildly angsty, high school athletes who fall hard and fast, a good intro to romance for the younger crowd. I enjoyed this quick and cute read!
July 30, 2025
Counting books in my reading challenge that I copyedited or proofread, when they're available here on Goodreads for me to add in a timely manner (several I've worked on already exist and are being repackaged/rereleased by a publisher). It's only fair. It's a damn lot of reading I'm not including otherwise.
Read
December 7, 2025Cute sport teen romance with relatable characters struggling with balancing lots of obligations. Third act breakup was predictable but not too stressful. 15+ maturity rating
December 9, 2025
THIS BOOK WAS PERFECTION! I honestly didn’t think anything could top my love for Stealing for Keeps, but this one is right on par. Lacey and Vaughn were complete opposites who complemented each other perfectly. She was the peppy head cheerleader and straight A student, while he was the broody soccer captain struggling to stay on top of his grades.
I loved the tutoring setup and how all the close proximity pushed them into forming a genuine friendship. When things finally started to shift into something more, it felt real because they had such a solid foundation. All the first love moments had me absolutely giddy. The way they constantly showed up for each other, and even softened or stretched themselves to match each other’s level, was everything, especially in the ways Vaughn helped Lacey cross things of her bucket list.
Like Stealing for Keeps, the friend group was perfection. Seeing more of Claire and Austin made me want to reread book one ASAP, and I’m assuming Rowan’s story is next… hopefully with Torrance (please). Rowan was truly the ultimate side character and the perfect meddling best friend.
Read if you like:
-HS romance
-First love
-Soccer captain x head cheerleading
-Bucket lists
-Opposites attract
-Amazing friend groups
I loved the tutoring setup and how all the close proximity pushed them into forming a genuine friendship. When things finally started to shift into something more, it felt real because they had such a solid foundation. All the first love moments had me absolutely giddy. The way they constantly showed up for each other, and even softened or stretched themselves to match each other’s level, was everything, especially in the ways Vaughn helped Lacey cross things of her bucket list.
Like Stealing for Keeps, the friend group was perfection. Seeing more of Claire and Austin made me want to reread book one ASAP, and I’m assuming Rowan’s story is next… hopefully with Torrance (please). Rowan was truly the ultimate side character and the perfect meddling best friend.
Read if you like:
-HS romance
-First love
-Soccer captain x head cheerleading
-Bucket lists
-Opposites attract
-Amazing friend groups
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews