Play For Keeps: A Not His Baby x Forced Proximity Hockey Romance

Los Angeles Comets

by Alexandra Silva

She’s the governor’s daughter.
He’s hockey’s most dangerous playboy.
One night ruined everything.
Now, the truth could destroy them both—
unless love does first.

FULL BLURB COMING SOON

Genres: Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Hockey Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance

714 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Alexandra Silva is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense. Her stories are raw, heartfelt, and sexy. With flawed, dirty talking and sexy as hell heroes, and feisty heroines that give them a run for their money.

Alex is a tequila loving book hoarder. She lives in London with her boys and man, as well as their three cats.

Salted Caramel Coconut lattes are a real weakness, along with dark, taboo romance and angst heavy new adult reads.

She blames the classics and a nutty English teacher for her obsession with books and fiction. Come rain or shine with either coffee or wine in hand, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book and her head in the clouds.

FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER / BOOKBUB / AMAZON

Reviews

[🌝 Delululand 🌝 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Alexandra Silva, for giving me an Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really liked the book overall - I’m a SUCKER for pregnancy romances and Matheo - ugh this sweet, golden retriever of a man 🥹 He was so sweet and tender and Christina was truly the strongest soldier out there with what she went through not only with her pregnancy but with her entire life. And their communication - I have NEVER read a healthier couple! There was so much happening at one point but then at others there was… nothing. Way too much repetitive spice in my opinion - I could’ve done with like 4/5 scenes less and been given more of the pregnancy that wasn’t him talking to her belly (don’t get me wrong that was sweet as hell) but about him actually doing the acts of service we were promised/were only mentioned. There are a couple things, like the ones that I just mentioned, that would’ve made the read a 4 or even a 5 star read for me but unfortunately as much I enjoyed the book it had some things I would change to make it perfect.

Also I’m not sure if I just totally missed the memo or if it wasn’t mentioned but I had no idea this wasn’t a standalone and I was already running late on finishing this book in time for release day that I had no time to go back and read the past few books so for the first like 20 percent I had ZERO CLUE what was happening and why the characters were already so familiar with each other and what history I missed between them so just know that if you decide to read the book.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Play for Keeps and I have really mixed feelings on this one.

I’ve read Alexandra Silva before and I usually LOVE her stuff - she’s incredibly talented and that definitely still applies here.

Again - this review has nothing to do with her ability as a writer, because she’s genuinely amazing at what she does.

That said… I struggled a lot with this book.

I went in fully aware and accepting of the content warnings. I felt prepared for them, but what I wasn’t prepared for was how much the dynamic between Professor Colesdon and Christina would bother me. It gave me such a strong, visceral reaction that it completely eliminated the thrill and joy out of the story.

I understand that situations like that exist and that some women would make the same choices, but for me personally, watching her continue to accept and entertain that kind of treatment was honestly really hard to get through. It was even weirder to me that her mom and grandma and all the money they needed, being the reason for her in this situation, were mentioned so frequently in the beginning, and then when she finally decides Mattie’s not going anywhere, those mentions pretty much disappear and we’re focused on Elliot and Smudge.

This surprised me - I’ve read darker and similar storylines before without this kind of reaction, so I’m not sure I can articulate it, it just didn’t sit right with me at all and left me feeling icky.

It sucks, because there is a beautiful love story here. Mattie is such a genuinely good character - like, truly beautiful inside and out - and I really did love him. But for me, his and Christina’s relationship ended up being overshadowed by the heavier, grittier dynamic that just kept looming over everything like a dark cloud.

I’m really glad I got to read Christina and Mattie’s story and see them get their HEA, and I know a lot of people absolutely loved this book.

If you’re someone who can handle those themes, you’ll hopefully feel very differently than I did. 🤷‍♀️

This just ended up being more of a personal disconnect for me than anything else.

I’m still excited about this series and hopeful to read more from this world!

[Brandy Dunigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play for Keeps absolutely wrecked me in the best way. Matheo is the kind of MMC that romance readers dream about — protective, obsessed, patient, and completely all in from the very beginning. Watching him care for Christina and love her without hesitation, despite everything she was carrying, made this so emotional and swoony.

The mix of hockey romance, found family, healing, and intense chemistry worked so well together. Christina’s journey felt raw and real, and I loved that the story gave her space to heal while still delivering plenty of steam and sweet moments.

If you love “he falls first,” protective hockey players, pregnancy tropes, and heroes who would burn the world down for their girl, this one is definitely worth picking up

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

bMatheo and Christina – deeply emotional and oh so romantic

Wow, Author Alexandra Silva blew me completely out of the water with her latest release PLAYING FOR KEEPS. It’s deeply emotional, often unbelievably heavy on my heart, beautifully and sensitively written, and oh so romantic. I just couldn’t put it down and have read it twice already.

Biggest things I’ve taken away from this dark hockey series though? How is it that I’ve not read anything from Ms Silva before????👀👀👀

Her characters aren’t perfect, but they’re perfectly intense and perfect for each other. We met Matheo Hillier and Christina Halliday as secondary characters in the previous books in this Los Angeles Comets hockey series and I couldn’t wait to find out just why Christina was forcing distance between her and Matheo.

She knew what a great guy Matheo is. He was honourable, straight up sexy and treated her like a precious treasure. He fell first and hard. He made her want to risk it all and take a chance, but she had too much baggage and too many secrets that she feared will come into the open should she be romantically linked to such a famous face. I really wanted her to have this good man in her life so my heart was broken for her.

“Truth is, I can’t get enough of Matheo Hillier’s touch. He makes it too easy to forget the cards in hand and wonder if there’s better in the draw pile.”

Why, why WHY wouldn’t she let him in??? When I found out her secret, my heart dropped like a stone and I cried. 😭😭😭 She was in the worst bind that any young lady could find herself in and I wondered just how bad her story was going to be.

Still though, Matheo was a presence who wouldn’t stop. Obsessive much? Abso-freaking-lutely and I was there for all of it. He was completely into Christina, and no matter how much distance she tried to put between them, Matheo remained stoic with his eye on his prize. He already knew the outcome; he was just waiting for her to catch up with the program, and this was totally what I loved most about him, well about any alpha-male character who just won’t disappear into the ether because the object of his obsession demanded it. I loved that he was steadfast for her and admired the deepest parts of her;

”I’ve known a lot of beautiful women. But Christina’s in a league of her own. Her fight, the refusal to collapse, even when she’s cracking, is the most mesmerizing thing I’ve ever known.”

Colour me all swoony and shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! Even better was that Christina teased him about his scary obsession with her, that he was legit a weirdo, and told him just how much she loved it.

I could wax lyrical all day about the writing of PLAY FOR KEEPS. It’s passionate and heartfelt, almost poetic in it’s broken beauty and absolutely conveys heavy subject matter made bearable through sensitive wording. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a dark romance but there are definitely difficult passages to read and much to think about. I avidly recommend checking out the shopping list of warnings carefully and read responsibly. For those who hurt, I am intensely sorry and please know you are not alone 💔❤️

This book is stunning. Matheo is a perfectly OTT obsessive book boyfriend who loves and supports Christina to the moon and back, and what I loved most was his unconditional love, warts and all for Christina and their baby girl, already claiming parental rights to love even knowing that she might not be his. I always adore such characters because our first grandchild isn’t biologically connected to us, yet through the love of our son for him and his mother, we have claimed him also. And Ms Silva wrote everything about this scenario beautifully.

Yeap, PLAYING FOR KEEPS was everything that I love in romance and it’s a favourite so far in the series and is why I’ll unreservedly highly recommend it as a must-read. 5-obsessive-might-be-his-baby-Stars🏒•🩵☆

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We fit in all the ways that we are flawed and scarred.”

Play For Keeps was one of my most anticipated stories in this series, and it still managed to exceed every expectation I had. Matheo and Christina’s journey is an emotional gauntlet — raw, angsty, tender, and deeply human — and I fell completely in love with them. Their story isn’t just romantic; it’s a beautifully crafted exploration of resilience, healing, and choosing love even when life keeps trying to break you.

“She just fits. Against me. Around me. Into every place I didn’t know was empty until she filled it.”

Christina absolutely shattered me. The sheer weight of everything she endured — one blow after another, never given a moment to breathe — made her strength all the more remarkable. She’s vulnerable, yes, but she’s also fierce in a way that feels earned. Watching her slowly allow herself to lean on Matheo, to trust in the safety he offered, to believe she deserved something good… it was powerful. Her resilience wasn’t loud or dramatic; it was steady, quiet, and incredibly moving.

“This infuriatingly loud man is everything I never knew I could have. That I wanted. And he’s mine.”

And Matheo? He’s soft in the ways that matter, strong in the ways Christina needs, and emotionally open in a way that made my heart ache. His devotion to her is immediate and unwavering — not obsessive in a toxic way, but in that “I know what I want and I’ll show up for it every single day” way. He sees Christina fully, even the parts she tries to hide, and he loves her without hesitation. His determination to be her safe place, her constant, her reminder that she is worthy of love, was absolutely beautiful.

“He makes me feel like I could be something worth keeping.”

Their chemistry? Electric. Their banter? Sharp and addictive. Their connection? Soulmate-level. What I loved most was how they faced every obstacle together — with honesty, communication, and a willingness to fight for each other instead of against the world alone. It’s rare to see a couple who balance angst with emotional maturity so well, and these two nailed it.

“He’s my one and only person. The part of me that I didn’t know existed until I saw him that first time. And my heart knew. My soul recognized his. Despite my best efforts, it refused to let him go.”

Play For Keeps might be my favorite book in the series. It’s emotional and heartfelt, full of characters you can’t help but root for, and packed with the kind of angst that hits you right in the chest. Matheo and Christina’s love story is messy, tender, and unforgettable — the perfect blend of heartbreak and hope.

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play For Keeps is the fourth book in the Los Angeles Comets Series. It is a forced proximity, not his baby, found family, hockey romance. The story is told in first person, dual POV.

Christina is a strong and fiercely independent woman. She has had a tough life, that only seems to want to get more difficult. She is working hard and is determined to finish her education and make a better life for herself and her mom, but the hits just keep coming for her. The only bright spots in her life are her friends and Matheo, who she is trying to push away for his own good. No one truly knows Christina, her life is one huge secret that she keeps under tight wraps.

Matheo is the star forward, and alternate captain, for the Los Angeles Comets pro hockey team. He has made a good life for himself, his mom, and his sister, but he carries his own traumatic baggage. From the time Matheo first met Christina, he has wanted her. They've had an on and off "friends with benefits" type relationship for a while. Matheo wants more, but Christina keeps running. Will he still want her when he learns why she runs and all the secrets she has been hiding?

This was an incredible read. Matheo and Christina melted my heart and made me root for them. Matheo is so tender and loving with Christina, giving her what she has never had. Their chemistry was intense and the spice was sizzling. I loved the drama, the banter, the emotional moments; honestly, I simply loved everything about this book and its characters.

I could not get enough of this story, it was literally unputdownable. The writing was terrific, and the pace and flow were perfect. The characters, storytelling, storyline, character development, relationship development, and world building were all amazing.

If you are in the mood for an intense, emotionally charged storyline with fabulous characters, then I'd absolutely recommend this book.

Thank you so very much to Alexandra Silva for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Linea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from Author

Play for Keeps is my favorite book so far this year!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I absolutely fell in love with Matheo and Christina. I really loved that the story had the space to be told in such depth because of its length. It was so refreshing that there weren’t constant breakups. Once Christina told Mattie the truth, he never ever let her go again. I also really liked the open communication between them.

“Because if you run away from me again, I’ll find you. No matter where you go. There’s nowhere in this goddamn world. In this fucking universe. That. I. Will. Not. Find you. And I will bring you back to me. I will tie you to this damn bed for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes to keep you.”

Mattie truly sees Christina. He knows what makes her happy and how he can make her day better (Acts of service 🥵). And the spice 🥵 let me tell you… it’s hot!!! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
It was beautiful to witness Christina finding a family and realizing that she is valuable and loved, without strings attached. Mattie is there every step of the way. I thought it was really beautiful to see how Christina’s mom truly put in the work to get better and show that she wants to be part of their lives.

Christina had some issues and got blackmailed by one of her professors and didn’t know how she could end this arrangement without him destroying her life. Every time you thought everything was good, something new came her way. I’m glad that she had Matheo at her side, who could help her.

I definitely suffered with both of them. I cried my eyes out sometimes, but I also laughed and looooooved it very much. I think in the last 10% of the book, I almost cracked my Kindle lol

“Every tide has a home, a place it breaks open and becomes whole again. Let go of what drags like undertow and follow the pull toward the shore that steadies you. Your rebirth is calling. Go where you belong.”

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play For Keeps absolutely wrecked me in the best way. This book delivers emotional depth, tension, spice, and healing wrapped up in a hockey romance that kept me fully invested from beginning to end.

Matheo Hillier? OBSESSED. He’s the perfect mix of protective, patient, possessive, and completely devoted. The way he loved Christina, without trying to force or “fix” her, made my heart ache. He stood by her, made her feel worthy of love and safety, and brought the heat when it counted. Strong, caring hockey MMCs who are emotionally available but still dominant and protective are my weakness, and Matheo delivered.

Christina was also such a strong FMC. She’s vulnerable without being weak, traumatized without becoming frustrating to read, and I really appreciated how realistically her fears and reactions were portrayed. Sometimes, FMCs carrying this much trauma can feel repetitive or overly dramatic, but Christina felt human. I loved the connection between her and Matheo and how deeply they seemed to understand each other.

The darker themes are definitely there, so I’d recommend checking trigger warnings, but I didn’t feel like the story relied on shock value. The suspense and emotional weight balanced well with the romance and spice.

And Elliot? Absolutely made my blood boil. I was nervous at first that the story might lean into a frustrating love triangle, but thankfully, it never lost sight of the central relationship and gave us a satisfying HEA.

If you like:
🏒 Protective hockey players
🏒 Forced proximity
🏒 “Not his baby” trope
🏒 Emotional healing
🏒 Possessive but patient MMCs
🏒 Spice with actual emotional connection

…this one is definitely worth picking up. One of my favorite hockey romances I’ve read lately.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Floor · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Play for Keeps - Alexandra Silva✨

To be honest I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump and Play for Keeps was what I needed. This book had me feeling all the emotions. I was laughing, crying, screaming, everything!
I had never read a book from this author before I got this ARC but I’m going to have to read the rest of the series. I absolutely love her writing style. She manages to give all the characters so much depth and I love that. This story is a lot, as in a lot of difficult things happen (so definitely read the trigger warnings) but somehow she managed to not make it too much. That’s talent.
Now, I’m lying in bed after finishing the book and desperately wanting a Matheo of my own. That man loves so fiercely and that’s all I want. The way he calls her his wife before they’re even married is doing things to me. But also that switch in him when it comes to protecting the ones he loves has me going feral.
Christina is such a powerhouse. The things she had to go through…. And still she knows happiness when she sees it. She is so brave! I loved how she was going through a rollercoaster of emotions without the writing becoming annoying or whiny. Again, real writing talent.
As for the trigger warnings in this book, please please please read them. It’s not a dark romance or anything like that but a major part of the book is Christina’s professor who is an absolutely vile creature. The way this part of the story is written is again beautifully done but can also be very triggering for some.
The amount of dogs in this story is a very big plus for me. I love dogs!
It looks like I’m back in my hockey era and I’ll go read to other books in the serie now so bye!

Read this book if you’re looking for:
🏒 Hockey Romance
💛 Reformed Playboy
🏒 Not His Baby
💛 Acts of Service
🏒 Found Family
💛 Forced Proximity
🏒 C*ckwarming
💛 He Crawls
🏒 Women in STEM

[Taylor Abrahams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK. Like genuinely, completely, obsessively loved it.

I will always recommend a good hockey romance, but I’m going to be honest… when I first saw the page count, I was nervous 👀 And then suddenly I was inhaling every page and absolutely FERAL trying to get to the extended content with Matheo and Christina.

From the second Matheo decided this was basically insta-love while Tee was out here fighting him *and* everything else happening in her life, I was hooked. Their dynamic had everything: yearning, tension, emotional moments, laugh out loud scenes, and chemistry that had me HOT AND BOTHERED 😮‍💨

And listen… I did NOT know a non-penetration scene could be THAT HOT. Alexandra Silva, respectfully, what the hell 🔥

But beyond the romance, I also loved the relationships with the side characters and how fully developed the world felt. Every interaction mattered and it made the story feel so immersive.

Also, I need to talk about the “not his baby” trope because historically, books where the FMC is pregnant throughout the storyline haven’t always worked for me… but THIS ONE?? Consider me converted. I am fully here for this trope now because the emotional depth it added to Matheo and Tee’s relationship was EVERYTHING.

And Matheo Hillier??? Oh he is down BAD. The acts of service, the possessiveness, the “my wife” energy before they’re even married, the touch her & die vibes?? OBSESSED.

“I don’t do forever.”
Yeah well Matheo absolutely did 😭

This story gave us:
🏒 Reformed playboy
🏒 Fling to forever
🏒 Forced proximity
🏒 Yearning
🏒 Simp for her ONLY
🏒 “Good boy” energy
🏒 Touch her & die vibes

Basically all my favorite things wrapped into one incredible romance.

Huge thank you to Alexandra Silva for allowing me to ARC read this story 🖤 I cannot wait to see what comes next!

[Jamie McKell Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am super grateful I got a chance to review this book! It was an emotional roller coaster that I would love to ride again and again. The story telling and romance in this book is next level. A one night stand leading to him falling hard and fast for her. He would do anything and everything to keep her at his side and steps up when she gets pregnant with I am super grateful I got a change to review this book! It was an emotional roller coaster that I would love to ride again and again. The story telling and romance in this book is next level. A one night stand leading to him falling hard and fast for her. He would do anything and everything to keep her at his side and steps up when she gets pregnant with another man’s baby. The way he loved that baby since the moment he knew about it in her tummy is the sweetest thing I have ever read. If you love hockey romance you will love this story of Mattie and Christina. There banter is next level. It’s that level of teasing but also showing up much they love each other. The way he brings home plushies to show the size that the baby is. The fact that he does research about pregnancy right after he finds out she is pregnant. He looked up what food was safe for her to eat and change their diet. He looked up what she could have to help with her morning sickness. The way he offered to take care of the other man so he is out of the picture and won’t come for their baby. The way he called her their baby the moment he found out. I feel like no other book boyfriend can compare to Mattie. He wanted to protect her so bad that he would go to prison so that Christina was safe from the sperm donor and would never lay a hand on the baby. I will forever think about this book it was that good! There is a lot of emotion in this book so make sure to read your triggers before hand.

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the previous installments in this series I was so glad that we were getting more! I've been adoring the teasers for this one. I jumped right back into the Los Angeles Comets world. I so enjoyed this story!

Christina and Matheo's journey captured my attention from the start! A person can be everything to your heart, something Matheo knows when it comes to Christina. Christina is now pregnant and Matheo wants it all with her. Can the two of them take on everything and be together?

I've been curious about Matheo and Christina and I enjoyed getting to really know them. Things weren't so easy for these two. Christina and Matheo couldn't ignore what was between them. I wanted to see how they'd navigate everything and I was so into their story.

My heart hurt for Christina and everything she went through. She was such a strong soul. Christina showed such realness and she got right to my heart. Matheo made it known what Christina meant to him and did I ever love that! He was so caring with Christina and so in love with her. This man had me falling just like he fell for Christina.

The chemistry between Matheo and Christina was so wonderful, touching, and heat filled! They made each other feel so much and they truly connected. I went through all kinds of emotions with Christina and Matheo throughout!

I enjoyed being back in the Los Angeles Comets world and reuniting with familiar faces!

With Play For Keeps, Alexandra Silva has created such a good not his baby romance that brought many moments that'll get to your heart, fantastic chemistry, realness, and a lot of emotions!

Start this series today!

Check out the author's content/trigger warnings.


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*

[mycosybookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Alexandra Silva for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I thought I knew what I was getting into with this book, a hockey romance - surprise pregnancy trope. It all appealed to me and that’s why I applied to read it. But gosh was I wrong! In the best way.

To preface everything this book covers something very dark and potentially trigger subjects so please do check the warnings.

Mattie, what a man! The perfect golden retriever but touch her and die mixture of a man! Tall, tattooed and pierced. Not to mention he knows exactly what he wants and he’s not going to give up without a damn good fight.

What does Matheo want? Christina of course, our stunning fiery redhead FMC. She also knows what she wants, she’s determined and independent to a fault.

This book had a massive found family aspect and I can only imagine that it feels even more intense and special if you’ve read through the series from the start. I will certainly be going back to read the previous books in this series.

Alexandra Silva has a way with words, Play for Keeps was extremely well written, it’s on the longer side but I never felt like it was too long. The progression of the plot was really well paced and all the topics felt really well written. The things I didn’t know much about were well explained but not overly, it was a really good balance of informing so I understood well and not making me feel like I was being overly educated.

There’s a fair amount of smut scenes in the book 🥵 and it’s definitely not all vanilla sex. It never felt repetitive or there just to be there and tick the box.

All in all I really enjoyed this book, I will 100% be reading more Alexandra Silva books in the future!

[Imogen Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christina
Matheo

Thank you for this ARC Alexandra and team!

I love a good hockey romance, they are my faves.

I inhaled this book like a cigarette and I don’t even smoke 🔥 Easiest 5⭐️ read ever!!

Guys who call their woman ‘my girl’ like hot hot hot 🔥 He was calling her his girl as soon as the book started

They have such cute nicknames for each other like ahhhh, he calls her different things in his language 🥹 he is a lovesick puppy from the get go for her

Christina’s character and what she goes through is so emotional and gut wrenching, she was so vulnerable and I loved how she eventually opened up. I just wanted to go into the pages and hug her, nobody should go through what she did but she was super strong

This book made me cry from the very start so I recommend tissues!!

Matheo you are adorable. Ladies and gentleman if you want a man who crawls for their girl then this is the book for you!

Love the found family in this, you can tell how much all of the characters love and support each other through thick and thin like a real family should. Matheo when he was told the baby had a slim chance of being his but he was all in regardless and also how supportive others were about the topic, it gave Christina strength to push forward

If you’re looking for a book that has hockey, found family, drama, cute animals, a pining MMC then this one is for you

No Virgins- He was a playboy before her.
He is also Pierced and Tattooed down below 🥵

No condom use- she is pregnant and they have both been tested for STI’s. I am assuming he has used them in the past

10/10 recommend

[MaeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️
4/5🌶️

Tropes:
🍼Unexpected Pregnancy
🏒Second Chance
🍼Banterrrr
🏒Man Obsessed
🍼Found Family Vibes
🏒Trauma + Healing

Triggers:
‼️some serious triggers here so please read the lovely warning at the beginning <3

Summary:
The book opens with Christina (FMC) and Matheo (MMC) as they reunite at their friends' wedding. They previously had a fling, which Christina broke off. Of course, that's kinda crazy because their chemistry is OF THE CHARTS YALL! After they hook up, Christina is no where to be found and Matheo is YEARNING! She soon finds out that she is pregnant and loses her job. Even though there is a good chance the baby is not Matheo's, he swoops in to help her in every way she'll let him, even when she's too proud to ask for help.

Let Me Rant Yall
Ok, the first and only thing you need to know before you read this is that Matheo is a captial Y yearner and will stop at nothing to please his girl. He was such a supportive, breath of fresh air to all the hardship Christina was going through. It made me so sad (and yes, I cried like a baby through half the book) to see Christina suffer so much. I have to give props to Ms. Alexandra Silva for making one of THEE strongest, most powerful FMC's ever. And I loved that we sort of saw her learn that it doesn't take away from her strength to lean on others, like Matheo and Finley, her best friend, when she's going through something. That it's okay to let others in and let them see your emotions. Ugh okay, I'll stop gushing over it now, but seriously, this book is where it's at with the unexpected pregnancy trope.

Thank you to Alex Silva + Julie Race for the ARC, I ate that book UP! 💗💗

[Camryn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

۶ৎ 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙨 𝙗𝙮 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖 𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙫𝙖

#arcreview

ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★


Tropes- not his baby, hockey romance, found family, yearning/pining, hidden identity, dog dad x4, women in STEM, reformed playboy x escort, he crawls, forced proximity

—

This series just keeps getting better and better every book and this one definitely is my favorite so far it was amazing filled with a little angst, love, sadness and drama but with all that happening Christina and Matheo still were everything and more I love them and their little family so much including the hockey fam. This book deals with some heavy topics so please check TW

Christina is just everything to me and she deserves the world with all she went through in this book I just wanted to reach into my kindle and hug my girl. Christina is an escort working to support herself, school, and taking care of her mom and she’s also the governor daughter but they have a bad relationship. Christina is strong, smart, and amazing woman. We have so much in common including making sourdough bread hehe. I will do anything for my girl

Ugh these two are so beautiful together I love them so much they just get each other and will do anything for each other. Matheo and Christina love each other so deeply and the spice was just hitting different had me fanning myself and kicking my legs. Christina is so guard but Matheo loves her so loud and never tries to change her

MATHEO FREAKING HILLIER oh how I love him and yes he’s a dog daddy to 5 dogs and all has cool names, Matheo plays hockey for the LA Comets and is Brazilian who takes care of his family but also lives with a secret nobody knows. My heart goes out to him and his family I love his sister and mom they are funny. I will do anything for this man!

If you know me yk I love the pregnancy trope and this one was done so well and beautifully. Christina and Matheo mean so much to me their banter and chemistry is so good seeing their love grow more and more throughout the book was so special because they already was so down bad for each other but with Christina being hesitant about love she tried to stay away.

I love this series so much and the found family in this book is so amazing and I can’t wait for the next book



Thank You So Much for giving me this incredible arc !💐🖤

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught my attention from the tropes alone. I love me a Hockey Romance book and then the tropes within it also made me interested. I’m a sucker for a surprise pregnancy/ not his baby and found family. I love a man who steps up to care for someone especially his women even if she doesn’t know it yet. Matheo encompasses all of that and more.

From the Jump you could tell that they were meant to be together and that Christina just needed someone to show her what real love, care and devotion was so that she could let her guard down. Christina did so much for others but didn’t have someone to care for her so when Matheo steps in especially when he finds out that she is pregnant, I absolutely fell in love with him.

Matheo is a true caregiver. Finding foods that were safe for Christina and making sure she stays fed, helping her throughout her pregnancy, claiming the baby before he knew who’s child it was, bringing her home and giving her everything and more. I mean come on that’s swoon worthy. I loved him from beginning to end and that’s a bonus for me.

The support they had from Matheo team mates and his family being there as well as Christina friends that’s so important and I loved that. The spice in the book was so good and didn’t feel overwhelming. The angst and the back and forth and Matheo speaking in Portuguese like yes please. This being my first book by this author, I would gladly go back and read the others.
I would highly recommend this book and can’t wait for others to read it when it comes out.

I am so grateful to have revived this ARC from the author herself Alexandra Silva.

[Veronica Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play For Keeps by Alexandra Silva, Book 4 of the Los Angeles Comets Series. This is a Not His Baby, Forced Proximity Hockey Romance following Matheo Hillier and Christina Halliday. 🚩This is for readers 18 years and/or older as it has mature content and not suitable for underage readers. There are dark themes that can be triggering so please check out the content warning before you dive in 🚩

My thoughts 💭
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I have read the previous books in this series and goodness…the way that Alexandra Silva writes about such heavy topics in this series is beautiful. It’s done in a way that you can’t help but hurt for these characters in a way you never imagined and also pray for their HEA because they deserve it all. Matheo has a heart of absolute gold, yes he’s loud and eccentric and most certainly the life of the party. He’s also strong, a foundation Christina never had, offers a safe space no one has ever given and most importantly he doesn’t judge. He accepts her and all her faults…ahhh he’s so great. Christina hasn’t had it easy and we are finally shown the side we couldn’t see when she is introduced in the series as a side character. She is happy and supportive and everything they need in a friend when in reality she’s fighting to stay above water in more ways than one. The chemistry between these two is amazing, they are instantly drawn toward each other and no matter what she does to keep her walls up, Matheo knocks them down. This is such a beautiful series and this book is just…wow. Read it. Read them all. You won’t regret it.

✨I would like to thank Author Alexandra Silva for the opportunity to read and review Play For Keeps.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok… I actually adored this book so much more than I thought possible!
Matheo (Mattie) has a secret past that he keeps buried. He’s the passionate, intense, no strings attached hockey star, who doesn’t do feelings. Except for that one time, at his birthday, that he bumped into (or maybe she bumped into him🤭 IYKYK) Christina (Tee). She flips everything on its head, and Mattie instantly knows that no one will EVER compare to Tee.
Christina is miss independent. She has walls higher than the biggest skyscraper in LA. Let no one in, and they can’t hurt you- right? Christina takes a chance on one night with Mattie, but has some deep dark secrets of her own, that could threaten everything she has built and has worked so hard for…

The character development is very mature, and shows real emotional growth. It’s a HEA romance with so many emotional moments. Deeper themes, and a slow build- but it’s worth it! Progression in the relationships and in each character is so so well done.

Tropes:
Found family
Plus sized FMC
Reformed playboy
Not his
Acts of service
Forced proximity
Pierced and tattooed MMC
Morally gray family members


*content warnings*
Sex work
Unplanned pregnancy
Paternity uncertainty
Pregnancy complications
Parental addiction
Parental infidelity and abandonment
Absent/emotionally abusive parent
Dementia rep (side character)
Cancer (side character)
Death of a sibling (backstory)
Sexual coercion and blackmail by professor
On page sexual encounter with coercion and disassociation
Stalking/surveillance
Sl*t shaming
Panic attack/anxiety rep

[Kelsie Bowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad that we are still being fed with quality, yearning men, and Matheo is an all-caps YEARNER. Does he set unrealistic expectations for the rest of mankind? Yes. Do I have a problem with that? No!

First off, surprise pregnancy is not my go-to trope, I have been giving it more os a shot recently and I am glad that I didn't let that keep me away from Play for Keeps. If a pregnancy is what it took for Christina to finally give our yearning Matheo a chance, then I'll take it. BUT a trope that I am finding that really does it for me is the independent woman who doesn't want to accept help because she is capable of surviving on her own but then he keeps at it and finally gets her to accept his help. Let the man help take care of you girl! It doesn't mean that you aren't strong enough, it means that you are loved! Play for Keeps did this wonderfully.

This is a darker story, so while it is filed with sweet, lovey-dovey moments, it also stands a fair amount of time dealing with the darker pasts that Christina and Matheo bring with them. I haven't ventured too far into this type of heavier romance, typically sticking with "fluff with substance" as my go to. However, I enjoyed it enough that I am adding the first 3 books of the series to me TBR. Because of the needed backstories, the book got longer than I am used to, and I could have done with it being edited down by 50-100 pages.

All in all, I am very grateful that I was selected to be an advance reader for Play for Keeps. It was a real treat to witness Matheo and Christina's story.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play For Keeps by Alexandra Silva is the first title I have read by this author and I was not disappointed.
It had me hooked right from the start and with the main characters of Christina and Matheo pulling me in straight away, I was completely captivated by their ups and downs throughout quite a long read. Despite the length, I was completely submerged in the story and at no point did I think anything dragged.
The dual POVs were great and helped to fully develop the characters and illustrate the push-pull between them at the beginning and then later, the give and take between them as their relationship grew. Christina and Matheo complimented and completed each other and it was a pleasure to read their journey.
The steam and spice throughout was full of heat and emotion and was written in such a way that was integral to who Christina and Matheo are individually and who they become as a couple.
Its not often that a story makes me tear up but there was definitely several occasions I was reaching for a tissue so be warned that if you are susceptible make sure you have a box to hand.
The cast of supporting characters - even the villains - was excellent and ensured that the many facets of this story moved seamlessly along side their interactions with Christina and Matheo.
Overall, I am glad to say that my expectations for this book were fully realised and I would highly recommend this title and look forward to reading more by this author when the opportunity arises.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Play for Keeps and let me just say… what made me want this ARC? I’ll give you two words: HOCKEY ROMANCE. And wow, it absolutely delivered. This was another new to me author that I’ll 100% be going back for more from, because the writing pulled me in fast and never let go. I’m giving this 4.5 stars, because it had me hooked, stressed, swooning, and fully invested all at once. Christina and Matheo were the perfect match for each other in that intense, push-and-pull way that makes you feel everything. I loved how she tries to keep control and distance, while he just quietly and stubbornly refuses to let her disappear on him.
Matheo Hillier? Yeah… he’s that man, the relentless, soft underneath the ice kind who sees something real and refuses to walk away from it. I felt every late night message, every stolen moment, and every ounce of tension as their connection deepened into something neither of them could ignore. And let’s talk about the emotional stakes, because they hit hard secrets, past baggage, and that complicated pregnancy storyline added so much weight to their journey. I found myself rooting for them even when things felt impossible, because what they had felt worth fighting for. You can feel how much they both want something real, even when reality keeps threatening to tear it apart. If you love romance that mixes heat, heart, and hockey, trust me you’re going to eat this one up like I did.

[Fernanda Dzib · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This one, oh my god, it was more than a roller coaster of emotions, my heart broke so many times reading Christina’s back story and all the things she had to get through, and don’t even get me started with the professor…. I’ve never hated a character this much, like, immediate jail, I think about it and I just want to scream!!!

My girl didn’t deserved anything that happened to her, she’s one of the most precious, strong, brave, resilient woman I’ve ever read, and I was so happy when Mattheo entered her life, I mean they spent a night together but from the moment he discovered about her pregnancy even when they weren’t sure about him being the daddy, he claimed both, her and the baby like his and oh my god h was swooning 😩❤️ because Mattheo? He’s THE standard, he’s just perfect, his back story made my heart broke again, because he suffered so much, that kind of loss is devastating but he made it through, and he was there for Christina and their baby every step of the way 🥹❤️

This was a very beautiful book, I loved everything, minus the professor and everything about him and his actions, and with that being said, you have to read this story with caution because there are some triggers and sensitive topics, so if you want to read Mattheo and Christina’s story, make sure to read the trigger warnings first❤️‍🩹

This was also the first book I read by the author but I won’t be the last ✨

[Shanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Book: Playing for Keeps
✍🏼Author: Alexandra Silva
⭐️Rating: 4.5/5
😀Genre: Romance
🌶Spice Level: 3/5
⏰When Read: April 2026
📝Review: Matheo and Christina… the couple they are!! Christina is the governor daughter and that alone is enough pressure in her life. She is one of the strongest FMCs because she doesn’t let everything shes been through stop her. She has her moments and just gets up and keep going. Watching her turn to Matheo is wonderful thing. He didn’t force her to rely on him. He offered and stayed consistent in being there and it allowed her to lean on him.

Matheo is such a softie its too cute. He never gave up on Christina and make a way to be there for her without being overbearing and toxic. He gave intentional and protective of her and the baby. He gained more points with me because he cares for a baby that he doesn’t even know if its even his. Thats truly a good man.

Now this is the first story in LA Comets series i’ve read but I did like the other characters from previous stories so I’m going to go back and read them. However, Professor Colesdon sucked. My most hated character of the year possibly and its only April. When he first appeared I had an ick about him. Really wnated him to go away.

If you’re look for a book with spice and plot then I definitely recommend this story. There is about seven chapters of spricy spread throughout the book so its not over spicy if you don’t like that but justg enough!

[SheReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ ARC READ

Play for Keeps ended up being one of my favourite reads this month.

I went in expecting a hockey romance, but it turned out to be so much more. There’s a quiet emotional depth to the story as it follows two people trying to navigate everything they’ve been carrying for far too long. And yet, despite that weight, it unfolds into something incredibly soft, comforting, and worth it.

What I loved most was how naturally the relationship develops. What begins as something casual slowly turns into something neither of them can walk away from. There’s a constant pull between them that makes their connection feel raw and real.

The story centres around the female lead’s journey and adds a beautiful depth to her character and the choices she makes. There’s a quiet strength in her that makes you want to root for her.

And Matheo… he completely stole my heart. The way he shows up, again and again, without making it about himself, patient, steady, and deeply reassuring, made him such a standout. There’s also a moment in the story that could have changed everything, and the way he handles it says so much about the kind of person he is.

I also loved the sense of found family and the few unexpected turns that keep the story engaging without taking away from its emotional core.

This book is emotional and a little intense at times, but also warm, healing, and absolutely worth reading.🧡

A 100% recomend🤍

[Jazzyreadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Play for Keeps by Alexandra Silva
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️


Matheo Hillier is the Brazilian golden retriever of my dreams. I LOVE a down bad man that shows love as acts of service, and that is exactly what Mattie does for Tee. The things this man did and was willing to do for her made me swoon so hard. Let’s not even mention the amount of Portuguese nicknames he gave her. I love a bilingual man!

Tee’s a badass babe that doesn’t trust easily, and never planned to be in a committed relationship. Her past has shown her time and time again that it only leads to heartbreak. Mattie is determined to show her she’s the only one for him. He was so willing to do whatever Tee needed, and showed her time and time again how much he loved her. The things this man was willing to do

As a pregnancy trope defender, I knew I’d enjoy this book, but add to that the fact that this book also has the not his baby trope and I was hooked! The chemistry and banter between these who had me giggling and kicking my feet. The plot was well executed that I was on the edge of my seat waiting for things to hit the fan. I was pleasantly surprised there was no third act breakup because by that my heart could not take it.

If you’re a lover of hockey romance, and down bad men who fall hard for their black cat like girls, then this book deserves a spot on your endless TBR.

Thank you to Alexandra Silva and team for this ARC!

[Della · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am not going to lie, I applied to get an ARC of Play for Keeps with the intention of reading the other novels in the Los Angeles Comets series first, but ran out of time. This means I started the novel with trepidation as I was worried I wouldn't get as much out of the characters and the length of the novel was also intimidating!

But boy, did I get proved wrong.

I instantly fell in love with the plot line and both the FMC and MMC. I could immediately relate to our fierce, independent FMC Christina. She is someone who is so used to having to work through issues on her own that when she meets Matheo, who would (and does) crawl on his knees for her, she really doesn't know how to cope.

What made Play for Keeps a five star read for me was the emotional growth of both characters. I love a sports romance, but I find often you just get the spice and the sport, without the emotion and Alexandra Silva had me on a chokehold and feeling all the feels.

This book is perfect for fans of
🏒 hockey romance
💔 reformed playboy x escort
🫦 yearning
🤰 not his baby
🤲 acts of service
🏵️ secret tattoo
🫂 found family
👩‍🎓 women in STEM
🏡 forced proximity
🍆 c*ckwarming
🧎 he crawls
🚫 s-x ban
🧷 pierced MMC
🧘 plus-size FMC

I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this ARC by Alexandra Silva 🥰

[Rania Zulkifli · Rating 5 out of 5]

POV: you just read a man who said "that baby is mine" ...

and now no one else compares
Matheo Hillier is actually insane (respectfully).

Golden retriever energy but make it cocky, protective, a little unhinged-and so gone for her it hurts

I thought I was getting a cute hockey romance...

NO ONE WARNED ME I WAS GOING TO FEEL THIS MUCH.

Christina??? She owns my heart.

The way she fights to survive, to take care of her mom and grandmother, carrying everything alone...

doing what she has to, even when it breaks her
And just when life couldn't get heavier-blackmail, secrets, and a pregnancy that might not even be his...

THIS MAN DOES NOT RUN.

He stays.
He fights.

He chooses her-loudly, proudly, unapologetically.

The moment he says he doesn't care whose baby it is...

that it's his anyway???

Yeah... I had to put my phone down and process

Because he didn't just love her-he loved her at her messiest, her most complicated, her most vulnerable.

This is the kind of love that heals you.

The kind that says "you don't have to earn this."

Hockey player x resilient queen

Reformed playboy x escort

Found family, forced proximity, yearning, acts of service...

and YES, he crawls

If you want a man who doesn't just say "I love you" but proves it in every single choice... read this.

** 18+ ONLY - spicy, emotional, messy in the best way

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Rounded up from 3.5 stars

Play for keeps is a book in the Los Angeles Comets series. This book follows Matheo and Christina. After a whirlwind, on-again-off-again fling, Christina ghosts Matheo to protect herself and him from the toxic influence of her manipulative professor, Elliot, who blackmails her into a degrading arrangement. Matheo however isn’t giving up so easily. When he spots her looking exhausted and withdrawn at a café, he is determined to uncover what’s hurting her and prove he’s not going anywhere.
This is a slow-burn, angsty romance with high emotional stakes and a hero (Mateo) who refuses to let his girl push him away.
The tension between Matheo and Christina is jumping off the pages. The book is filled with spicy scenes that are very satisfying to read.
The book has a few darker themes, including the issue with the professor. I like how they are handled with care by Silva.
While i enjoyed reading this book I did have the feeling that the book was dragging a bit. In my opinion some parts in the book could have been shorter to improve the flow of the book.
I enjoyed the whole found family vibes of the LA Comets crew. They seem like a tight knit group that are there for each other.
Play For Keeps is a solid, steamy sports romance with great chemistry, emotional depth and a hero worth swooning over.

[B Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Y'all are not ready for the perfection that is @alexandrasilvaauthor 's new novel, Play for Keeps 😍🔥

This book is part of an interconnected series but it's the first one I read and it can definitely be read as a standalone (although I will absolutely be going to read the previous books asap).

Matheo is absolutely obsessed. He is so head over heels for Christina from day one and from the moment he learns about "Smudge", he's all in for that precious baby as well, regardless of the fact it is likely not biologically his baby. He is telling anyone who will listen (and anyone who won't) that Christina will be his wife. There is no turning back for him.

Christina is in a vulnerable position, being taken advantage of and scared to commit to Matheo because of the possible repercussions. She's seen the perfect examples of what love shouldn't be and she isn't sure if she can truly be chosen and loved unconditionally.

Matheo is ready to actively prove her wrong.

You will fall in love with this couple, their found family, and their pets.

There is high spice, incredible banter, drama, and so much love. ❤️

This was my first Alexandra Silva book but it sure won't be my last.

#arcreview #kindleunlimited #hockeyromance #hefallsfirst #spicyromance