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Oakwood Ranch #3
Playing for Keeps
It’s all fun and games until fake starts to feel like forever…
My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much. But my fans have other ideas. And they’ve turned my easy-going life into a nightmare with their campaign to find me a wife…
My childhood best friend Serena thinks it’s hilarious. She’s always wanted the big, swoony love story, but instead, she has a controlling ex she can’t shake breathing down her neck. And then the solution to both our problems hits me: a fake romance. ‘Settling down’ with Serena will get the fans off my back, and having a muscly football player on her arm should be enough to warn off her ex. Plus, we’re best friends, so what could go wrong?
Our first date is set for the city’s annual charity ball. I’m smug as I imagine how easy my life will be after tonight. Except, when my lips touch Serena’s in front of the flashing cameras, when I hear her soft sigh as I dip her lower, something like panic creeps through my chest. I’m not meant for love—letting people down runs in my genes. I can’t do that to Serena. I won’t.
As the story we’re spinning gets bigger, so do the feelings I’ve worked so hard to chase away. We want completely different things. But I can’t stop wondering: do we both want the one thing that counts—each other?
Playing for Keeps is a fun, steamy, friends-to-lovers sports romance, perfect for fans of Liz Tomforde, Stephanie Archer and Elsie Silver. The third in the Oakwood Ranch series, it can also be read as a standalone.
My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much. But my fans have other ideas. And they’ve turned my easy-going life into a nightmare with their campaign to find me a wife…
My childhood best friend Serena thinks it’s hilarious. She’s always wanted the big, swoony love story, but instead, she has a controlling ex she can’t shake breathing down her neck. And then the solution to both our problems hits me: a fake romance. ‘Settling down’ with Serena will get the fans off my back, and having a muscly football player on her arm should be enough to warn off her ex. Plus, we’re best friends, so what could go wrong?
Our first date is set for the city’s annual charity ball. I’m smug as I imagine how easy my life will be after tonight. Except, when my lips touch Serena’s in front of the flashing cameras, when I hear her soft sigh as I dip her lower, something like panic creeps through my chest. I’m not meant for love—letting people down runs in my genes. I can’t do that to Serena. I won’t.
As the story we’re spinning gets bigger, so do the feelings I’ve worked so hard to chase away. We want completely different things. But I can’t stop wondering: do we both want the one thing that counts—each other?
Playing for Keeps is a fun, steamy, friends-to-lovers sports romance, perfect for fans of Liz Tomforde, Stephanie Archer and Elsie Silver. The third in the Oakwood Ranch series, it can also be read as a standalone.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✎ᝰ. Actual rating: 1.5☆, rounded up!
╰›“He’s hot in a way that feels entirely unfair to the rest of the population. And I’m thankfully immune to it all. Mostly.”✮⋆˙
: ̗̀➛ Post-reading:
I told myself I would follow my rating system more closely this year, so even though I can definitely see why so many people would absolutely love this book, I was sadly not one of them.
I feel like I went into this book expecting something else entirely, given the premise and tropes list shown… I for one am disappointed to say the least.
Like I’m genuinely so confused, did I read the same story as everyone else? Did I in fact HAVE to read the other books in the series to get emotionally attached and invested in these characters, even though it says it’s possible to read them as standalones??
· · ─ · 𝜗𝜚 · ─ · ·
The book follows Chase, a famous NFL player, and Serena, a cheerleading coach for the Stormhawks cheerleading team. They’ve been bestest of friends for as long as they can remember but Serena has a lil secret. She’s actually in love with Chase and has been so since they were 16 years old. She tried kissing him once at a NYE party, but it didn’t go as planned so she’s shoved all those feelings to the back of her mind and kept their relationship completely platonic.
But what happens when someone suggests they fake date to help a messy situation they’ve both fallen into?
· · ─ · 𝜗𝜚 · ─ · ·
I was really intrigued by this premise as I found it to be a fun twist on the fake-dating trope, like them already being such good friends (I love friends to lovers) and Serena’s very strong feelings. I was expecting a whole-heck of a lot of yearning and pent-up longing between the two of them and even though we got “enough” glimpses of Serena’s feelings towards Chase, I can’t say I saw or felt the same from him. Like genuinely, I still don’t think of him as being in love with her… sexual attraction? Sure, and a whole lot of that (more on that later), but actual romantic feelings that will ensure that their relationship lasts forever to come? No.
I get that Chase has had a difficult past and he’s dealing with some serious commitment issues and a loss of stability, but instead of actually working on those, he just briefly mentions going to a therapist some years ago (who told him of his commitment issues). But we don’t actually see him take any accountability for his mental health, which would have also been such a good mental health representation. Instead, we just get the version where Chase decides that closing himself off and pushing everyone away is the best solution.
And on the subject of his commitment issues being related to the fact that he was abandoned by his birth parents at a young age, I feel like that whole plot was so seriously glossed over. Like this is such a HUGE part of who Chase is, it’s brought up over and over again in the story: his fear of ending up like them and abandoning everyone he’s ever loved, him not having the guts to reach out to his birth mom, But instead of that leading to any kind of emotional growth or him working through that abandonment, it’s just used to trigger the 3rd act breakup?!? Like I’m sorry but what?? He spirals, pushes Serena away, It just feels so unbelievably cheap and like such a shortcut.
And speaking about their 3rd act breakup, atp I was already so detached from them as a couple I seriously didn’t care, and even while it was happening I legit kept hoping that Serena would just move back to Idaho and start over there which I was SO much more excited about than her and Chase getting back together 🥴
Like don’t get me wrong, I loved them as best friends and that’s where their personalities really shined in the book, and at the start of the story I was really rooting for them to get together as a couple, but once they started fake dating and lines got blurry, everything turned a complete 180 and I lost the little connection I’d built up with them as a couple.
And this ties directly into my biggest issue with their relationship.
I feel like this is a common mistake from authors, but in my honest and deepest opinion, sexual attraction does not equal romantic attraction. Yes, a character can have intense sexual attraction to their love interest, but lust and love are not the same. In this story we have these 2 best friends for over 19 years and instead of getting a gradual shift into them crossing the lines, or romantic gestures between them, or even just some basic romantic feelings being shared between them, we get them being very platonic friends with strict rules and boundaries (Serena always wishing for more) to Chase being literally obsessed with intercourse between him and Serena right from the get-go!?
Not only that, but we don’t even get them acknowledging that this is a huge shift in their relationship. Like even just a quick “hey wow this is kinda new; we’ve never seen each other naked” moment would’ve sufficed, but instead, they go straight to “yeah let’s bang each other!!” 🤨🤦🏼♀️
I wanted to include some quotes from the book to showcase what I mean, but they’re honestly a bit too much, so instead I’ll quote my own notes, basically my thoughts on Chase’s absolute overdrive when it comes to sexual attraction…
As can be seen, I lost all hope there with the last scene.
Just so things are clear, I have nothing against spicy scenes in books, but whether it’s me being a hopeless romantic or someone who loves yearning and tension over everything else in books; let me at least see some emotional bonding between the couple and maybe give their intimacy time to develop alongside said relationship?? And the bare minimum, let me actually believe they have real genuine feelings for each other and let’s stop conflating love with lust/sexual tension.
Going into a bit more detail here on the third act breakup and the ending,
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bella North & Bookouture for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. ⋆˙⟡
· · ─ · 𝜗𝜚 · ─ · ·
: ̗̀➛ Pre-read:
Ngl I requested this book purely based on vibes and curiosity!! I haven’t even read the first two in the series (but this can be read as a standalone so thats good!!). Given all that, this is in fact my first Bella North book!! When I saw the tropes list, I waskinda-very-much-so intrigued yk?? 👀 These are all amazing but I lovelovelove slow burn so im very excited to see how its done here!!
🌶️Friends to lovers
🌶️Fake dating
🌶️Sports romance
🌶️Golden retriever boyfriend
🌶️Slow burn
🌶️Workplace romance (sports star vs cheerleader coach)
🌶️Found family
╰›“He’s hot in a way that feels entirely unfair to the rest of the population. And I’m thankfully immune to it all. Mostly.”✮⋆˙
: ̗̀➛ Post-reading:
I told myself I would follow my rating system more closely this year, so even though I can definitely see why so many people would absolutely love this book, I was sadly not one of them.
I feel like I went into this book expecting something else entirely, given the premise and tropes list shown… I for one am disappointed to say the least.
Like I’m genuinely so confused, did I read the same story as everyone else? Did I in fact HAVE to read the other books in the series to get emotionally attached and invested in these characters, even though it says it’s possible to read them as standalones??
· · ─ · 𝜗𝜚 · ─ · ·
The book follows Chase, a famous NFL player, and Serena, a cheerleading coach for the Stormhawks cheerleading team. They’ve been bestest of friends for as long as they can remember but Serena has a lil secret. She’s actually in love with Chase and has been so since they were 16 years old. She tried kissing him once at a NYE party, but it didn’t go as planned so she’s shoved all those feelings to the back of her mind and kept their relationship completely platonic.
But what happens when someone suggests they fake date to help a messy situation they’ve both fallen into?
· · ─ · 𝜗𝜚 · ─ · ·
I was really intrigued by this premise as I found it to be a fun twist on the fake-dating trope, like them already being such good friends (I love friends to lovers) and Serena’s very strong feelings. I was expecting a whole-heck of a lot of yearning and pent-up longing between the two of them and even though we got “enough” glimpses of Serena’s feelings towards Chase, I can’t say I saw or felt the same from him. Like genuinely, I still don’t think of him as being in love with her… sexual attraction? Sure, and a whole lot of that (more on that later), but actual romantic feelings that will ensure that their relationship lasts forever to come? No.
I get that Chase has had a difficult past and he’s dealing with some serious commitment issues and a loss of stability, but instead of actually working on those, he just briefly mentions going to a therapist some years ago (who told him of his commitment issues). But we don’t actually see him take any accountability for his mental health, which would have also been such a good mental health representation. Instead, we just get the version where Chase decides that closing himself off and pushing everyone away is the best solution.
And on the subject of his commitment issues being related to the fact that he was abandoned by his birth parents at a young age, I feel like that whole plot was so seriously glossed over. Like this is such a HUGE part of who Chase is, it’s brought up over and over again in the story: his fear of ending up like them and abandoning everyone he’s ever loved, him not having the guts to reach out to his birth mom, But instead of that leading to any kind of emotional growth or him working through that abandonment, it’s just used to trigger the 3rd act breakup?!? Like I’m sorry but what?? He spirals, pushes Serena away, It just feels so unbelievably cheap and like such a shortcut.
And speaking about their 3rd act breakup, atp I was already so detached from them as a couple I seriously didn’t care, and even while it was happening I legit kept hoping that Serena would just move back to Idaho and start over there which I was SO much more excited about than her and Chase getting back together 🥴
Like don’t get me wrong, I loved them as best friends and that’s where their personalities really shined in the book, and at the start of the story I was really rooting for them to get together as a couple, but once they started fake dating and lines got blurry, everything turned a complete 180 and I lost the little connection I’d built up with them as a couple.
And this ties directly into my biggest issue with their relationship.
I feel like this is a common mistake from authors, but in my honest and deepest opinion, sexual attraction does not equal romantic attraction. Yes, a character can have intense sexual attraction to their love interest, but lust and love are not the same. In this story we have these 2 best friends for over 19 years and instead of getting a gradual shift into them crossing the lines, or romantic gestures between them, or even just some basic romantic feelings being shared between them, we get them being very platonic friends with strict rules and boundaries (Serena always wishing for more) to Chase being literally obsessed with intercourse between him and Serena right from the get-go!?
Not only that, but we don’t even get them acknowledging that this is a huge shift in their relationship. Like even just a quick “hey wow this is kinda new; we’ve never seen each other naked” moment would’ve sufficed, but instead, they go straight to “yeah let’s bang each other!!” 🤨🤦🏼♀️
I wanted to include some quotes from the book to showcase what I mean, but they’re honestly a bit too much, so instead I’ll quote my own notes, basically my thoughts on Chase’s absolute overdrive when it comes to sexual attraction…
“uhm dude, that’s way too much way too soon”
“okey fine I’ll believe yall have been in love w one another for years, but to go from being “just” friends to this?!!? You’ve completely lost me”
“I kinda feel like this scene is coming out of nowhere… sure I felt Serena’s love for Chase but not rlly vice versa, but we don’t need a full out bang scene for that? Maybe instead we could’ve built on that love-ship first and then get the sexual attraction? This scene just feels like checking a box cus wtf is even going on.”
"nah this should have been a romantic confession from him and not just about sex like hello that was such a moment???"
“This feels so out of place im so confused?!?”
“I CANNNOT???? Can yall literally SHOW SOME ANY OTHER FEELINGS except sexual once??? Like how am I supposed to believe in yalls relationship continuation here 😭???”
As can be seen, I lost all hope there with the last scene.
Just so things are clear, I have nothing against spicy scenes in books, but whether it’s me being a hopeless romantic or someone who loves yearning and tension over everything else in books; let me at least see some emotional bonding between the couple and maybe give their intimacy time to develop alongside said relationship?? And the bare minimum, let me actually believe they have real genuine feelings for each other and let’s stop conflating love with lust/sexual tension.
Going into a bit more detail here on the third act breakup and the ending,
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bella North & Bookouture for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. ⋆˙⟡
· · ─ · 𝜗𝜚 · ─ · ·
: ̗̀➛ Pre-read:
Ngl I requested this book purely based on vibes and curiosity!! I haven’t even read the first two in the series (but this can be read as a standalone so thats good!!). Given all that, this is in fact my first Bella North book!! When I saw the tropes list, I was
🌶️Friends to lovers
🌶️Fake dating
🌶️Sports romance
🌶️Golden retriever boyfriend
🌶️Slow burn
🌶️Workplace romance (sports star vs cheerleader coach)
🌶️Found family
April 18, 2026
This was a sweet friends to lovers romance. I loved the chemistry with Chase & Serena so much. To be honest though, I hated that she ended up pregnant. The way Chase walked away from her in the most scary time ever, and then came back? I get he has shit going on but to treat his best friend that way, ruined it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2026
Playing for Keeps hits all those familiar, comforting notes that make a childhood-friends-to-lovers story so hard to put down. There is something incredibly moving about the way Chase looks at Serena with that golden retriever devotion. It makes their transition from best friends to "fake" partners feel both inevitable and deeply sweet. My favorite part of this whole series is the found family vibes! Oakwood Ranch wraps around you like a warm blanket, and the banter is sharp enough to keep you smiling even when the romantic tension starts to ache.
That being said, the story does lean heavily into the typical sports romance playbook, which can make the emotional stakes feel a little predictable at times. While the chemistry is undeniable, the middle of the book stalls slightly as the characters dance around the obvious, leading to some avoidable miscommunication tropes that might leave you wanting a bit more depth. While it's not my favorite of the series, I would still recommend it. It is a lovely, steamy escape that captures the heart of small-town life, even if it doesn't quite deliver the gut-wrenching emotional payoff needed to make it a favorite.
That being said, the story does lean heavily into the typical sports romance playbook, which can make the emotional stakes feel a little predictable at times. While the chemistry is undeniable, the middle of the book stalls slightly as the characters dance around the obvious, leading to some avoidable miscommunication tropes that might leave you wanting a bit more depth. While it's not my favorite of the series, I would still recommend it. It is a lovely, steamy escape that captures the heart of small-town life, even if it doesn't quite deliver the gut-wrenching emotional payoff needed to make it a favorite.
April 28, 2026
I enjoyed this fake dating friends to lovers romance between a pro football player and the team's cheerleading coach. I loved the spotlight on a woman's role in sports that I haven't read a lot about and in this particular one there's also workplace sexual harassment from the FMC's ex who is part of team management and when budget cuts loom has the power to eliminate her job. There's also an accidental pregnancy and some family trauma. Lots of emotional depth, a fun but spicy slow burn love story and it was also great on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 15, 2026
3.5⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I enjoyed this SO much more than the first two books! The friends to lovers trope really pulled through for me (plus the fake dating).
I really liked both Chase and Serena, their friendship was great from the start, the way they showed up for each other all the time!
I enjoyed this SO much more than the first two books! The friends to lovers trope really pulled through for me (plus the fake dating).
I really liked both Chase and Serena, their friendship was great from the start, the way they showed up for each other all the time!
April 16, 2026
Playing for Keeps by Bella North
2.75 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with this advanced listeners copy of Playing for Keeps. I devoured this within a day and I have a lot of thoughts to share but I’ll start by saying boy was I entertained.
Plot Review & Overall Story
Serena and Chase have been best friends for nearly their entire lives. Serena has been secretly in love with Chase but had no desire to lose their friendship (especially after New Years 🥲). Well, all of that changes when these two start a fake dating relationship that quickly bleeds into more.
This was a fun, quick, and easy listen. Their friendship was easy to root for and as a reader I wanted to protect Serena at all costs. Chase, on the other hand, was a mixed bag for me. One second I wanted to hold him and the next I wanted to pummel him. You go through it with these characters but I can’t say Chase did enough groveling for me. He messes up BIG (no worries no cheating) and I personally feel like Serena forgave him way too easily. I mean come on girl a DAY, that’s it 😓. He needed therapy and never got it. Am I happy with their happily ever after? Sure, but I can’t say I find it believable. 🤷🏻♀️
Audiobook Review
Friends this is DUET NARRATION!! Woohoo!
The overall production was done well and both narrator’s don’t just read the words on the page they feel them!
I want to talk about our narrators too. I am convinced CJ Bloom can narrate anything and I’d likely enjoy it. How she narrates this character feels incredibly relatable.
Sean Crisden is new to me but I will now be on the lookout for his works. His natural talking voice is very attractive and his passion could be felt in his performance. But there were certain moments when he growled that sounded very cringe 🥲 So much so I said to myself “oh noooo.” Those are far and few in between but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Should this spill into your TBR and earbuds?
This was okay! It had a strong start and a eh ending. I wanted more from the MMC in development. However, if the story catches your attention I’d say give it a try!
2.75 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with this advanced listeners copy of Playing for Keeps. I devoured this within a day and I have a lot of thoughts to share but I’ll start by saying boy was I entertained.
Plot Review & Overall Story
Serena and Chase have been best friends for nearly their entire lives. Serena has been secretly in love with Chase but had no desire to lose their friendship (especially after New Years 🥲). Well, all of that changes when these two start a fake dating relationship that quickly bleeds into more.
This was a fun, quick, and easy listen. Their friendship was easy to root for and as a reader I wanted to protect Serena at all costs. Chase, on the other hand, was a mixed bag for me. One second I wanted to hold him and the next I wanted to pummel him. You go through it with these characters but I can’t say Chase did enough groveling for me. He messes up BIG (no worries no cheating) and I personally feel like Serena forgave him way too easily. I mean come on girl a DAY, that’s it 😓. He needed therapy and never got it. Am I happy with their happily ever after? Sure, but I can’t say I find it believable. 🤷🏻♀️
Audiobook Review
Friends this is DUET NARRATION!! Woohoo!
The overall production was done well and both narrator’s don’t just read the words on the page they feel them!
I want to talk about our narrators too. I am convinced CJ Bloom can narrate anything and I’d likely enjoy it. How she narrates this character feels incredibly relatable.
Sean Crisden is new to me but I will now be on the lookout for his works. His natural talking voice is very attractive and his passion could be felt in his performance. But there were certain moments when he growled that sounded very cringe 🥲 So much so I said to myself “oh noooo.” Those are far and few in between but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Should this spill into your TBR and earbuds?
This was okay! It had a strong start and a eh ending. I wanted more from the MMC in development. However, if the story catches your attention I’d say give it a try!
April 30, 2026
ARC Review
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 ⭐️ This was a super cute (and pretty generic) friends to lovers story. I liked all the characters and there were a lot of funny and heartwarming moments. BUT, the ending fell really flat for me and significantly lowered my rating.
First of all, this included a pregnancy trope in the last like 50 pages (when I really don’t think there had to be one!) One thing about me, I HATE a pregnancy trope… especially one that feels so forced.
I also kind of hated Chase by the end of this because he handled everything so poorly. This man needs therapy!! And poor Serena can’t see through her rose coloured glasses well enough to get over her childhood crush on him and move on.
The miscommunication at the end, and Chase just blatantly ignoring her, pissed me off. And the way he just walked away when she needed him?? I’m actually mad.
It had a cutesy cookie cutter ending, where Serena believed in him the whole time and forgave him immediately, but I did not.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 ⭐️ This was a super cute (and pretty generic) friends to lovers story. I liked all the characters and there were a lot of funny and heartwarming moments. BUT, the ending fell really flat for me and significantly lowered my rating.
First of all, this included a pregnancy trope in the last like 50 pages (when I really don’t think there had to be one!) One thing about me, I HATE a pregnancy trope… especially one that feels so forced.
I also kind of hated Chase by the end of this because he handled everything so poorly. This man needs therapy!! And poor Serena can’t see through her rose coloured glasses well enough to get over her childhood crush on him and move on.
The miscommunication at the end, and Chase just blatantly ignoring her, pissed me off. And the way he just walked away when she needed him?? I’m actually mad.
It had a cutesy cookie cutter ending, where Serena believed in him the whole time and forgave him immediately, but I did not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I very much enjoyed this book! It’s not the typical fake dating story and that was definitely a nice surprise.
You get to see them struggle and heal and make mistakes and that felt really really real tbh.
Characters
Serena: Such a great fmc! She’s strong, independent and yearning for a certain kind of love and who can blame her? I definitely loved her and the way she understood Chase without forgetting herself or that it turns somehow toxic
Chase: My brokenhearted boy 💔 while he made mistakes and made me made here and there, he’s such a real character. I felt with him and i hoped with him and im so happy he realized what he wanted and that he deserved what he wanted
All in all they were really sweet! I loved their banter and their friendship and how it turned into so much more. While I don’t usually like certain things that happened at the end (without spoiling), I felt it was fitting for this story!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc❤️ I really appreciate it! Also thank you to the author of course. I will read more by her!!
I very much enjoyed this book! It’s not the typical fake dating story and that was definitely a nice surprise.
You get to see them struggle and heal and make mistakes and that felt really really real tbh.
Characters
Serena: Such a great fmc! She’s strong, independent and yearning for a certain kind of love and who can blame her? I definitely loved her and the way she understood Chase without forgetting herself or that it turns somehow toxic
Chase: My brokenhearted boy 💔 while he made mistakes and made me made here and there, he’s such a real character. I felt with him and i hoped with him and im so happy he realized what he wanted and that he deserved what he wanted
All in all they were really sweet! I loved their banter and their friendship and how it turned into so much more. While I don’t usually like certain things that happened at the end (without spoiling), I felt it was fitting for this story!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc❤️ I really appreciate it! Also thank you to the author of course. I will read more by her!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cute fake dating book. I enjoyed the fact that it wasn't your typical "keep the fake a secret from everyone" storyline as all their friends and family were aware of the situation. Definitely a nice, easy sports romance to read. The characters had good depth, but some internal thoughts were quite repetitive.
I knocked a star because I wanted more from the ending. I loathe a pregnancy trope done in this manner, and the ending just felt all around rushed. I jut wanted a little more on their actual relationship and instead it jumped right into the epilogue and post-birth. We didn't really see them legitimately together for very long.
***Thank you Bella North and Bookouture for this ARC. My review is voluntary and all thoughts and opinions are my own***
I knocked a star because I wanted more from the ending. I loathe a pregnancy trope done in this manner, and the ending just felt all around rushed. I jut wanted a little more on their actual relationship and instead it jumped right into the epilogue and post-birth. We didn't really see them legitimately together for very long.
***Thank you Bella North and Bookouture for this ARC. My review is voluntary and all thoughts and opinions are my own***
March 12, 2026
3.75⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is such a fun sports romance. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to settle into, with a world and characters that make the story feel warm and engaging from the start.
This book combines two of my favorite tropes—fake dating and friends-to-lovers—and I had a lot of fun with that dynamic. Serena and Chase have great chemistry, and their banter throughout the story kept me smiling. There’s a clear sense of comfort and affection between them that makes their relationship feel natural. I also really liked the side characters, who add a lot of personality.
That said, there were a few aspects where I found myself wanting a bit more depth. The book talks a lot about how close Serena and Chase were growing up and how strong their bond has always been, but we don’t get to see many of those moments directly. I think including a dual timeline or flashbacks to their earlier friendship could have strengthened the emotional impact of their relationship.
I also would have loved to spend more time inside Chase’s perspective. The story focuses more on Serena’s evolving feelings, and seeing more of Chase’s feelings would have added another layer to their romance.
There’s also a moment toward the end that didn’t quite land for me—it felt a little unnecessary within the overall storyline. Still, it didn’t take away from the fact that this was a fun read.
Overall, this was an enjoyable sports romance that I’m glad I had the chance to read early. I’m definitely interested in picking up more of Bella North’s books in the future.
This one releases 4/27/26, and I recommend picking it up!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is such a fun sports romance. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to settle into, with a world and characters that make the story feel warm and engaging from the start.
This book combines two of my favorite tropes—fake dating and friends-to-lovers—and I had a lot of fun with that dynamic. Serena and Chase have great chemistry, and their banter throughout the story kept me smiling. There’s a clear sense of comfort and affection between them that makes their relationship feel natural. I also really liked the side characters, who add a lot of personality.
That said, there were a few aspects where I found myself wanting a bit more depth. The book talks a lot about how close Serena and Chase were growing up and how strong their bond has always been, but we don’t get to see many of those moments directly. I think including a dual timeline or flashbacks to their earlier friendship could have strengthened the emotional impact of their relationship.
I also would have loved to spend more time inside Chase’s perspective. The story focuses more on Serena’s evolving feelings, and seeing more of Chase’s feelings would have added another layer to their romance.
There’s also a moment toward the end that didn’t quite land for me—it felt a little unnecessary within the overall storyline. Still, it didn’t take away from the fact that this was a fun read.
Overall, this was an enjoyable sports romance that I’m glad I had the chance to read early. I’m definitely interested in picking up more of Bella North’s books in the future.
This one releases 4/27/26, and I recommend picking it up!
February 6, 2026
Did I stay up until 6am reading this book because I physically couldn’t put it down? yes. But i’m not mad about it and i’d do it again! I said this when I read Game Changer and i’m going to say it again, Bella North can’t write a bad book.
All 3 of the Sullivan men are top tier but oh my god Chase Sullivan has stolen my heart!! Now, he definitely did make me want to grab him and shake some sense into him at points but he made up for it in the end. In previous books, you only caught a glimpse of Chase’s story, so it was really nice getting in his head, seeing him deal with so many inner battles and mourn a relationship he wished he’d had, rather than one that actually existed. His growth throughout the book was beautiful to see!
I am a sucker for friends to lovers, add fake dating into the equation, i’ll absolutely devour it and Playing for Keeps? Devoured!!!! I absolutely adored Serena, as someone who loves a random fact, she’s definitely given me some new ones to use. Chase and Serena together was extremely wholesome to see, watching years of friendship bubble into something so beautiful, i loved their story so much! I’m not going to be able to stop thinking about them, I already want to reread.
If you like a fake dating football romance, with a small town, found family feel to it then this book is definitely for you. I would suggest reading the 2 others in the series before this, both are also great books with so many amazing characters!!
In a world full of Ryans may everybody find their Chase Sullivan!
Thank you netgalley, bookouture and bella north for this arc copy!
All 3 of the Sullivan men are top tier but oh my god Chase Sullivan has stolen my heart!! Now, he definitely did make me want to grab him and shake some sense into him at points but he made up for it in the end. In previous books, you only caught a glimpse of Chase’s story, so it was really nice getting in his head, seeing him deal with so many inner battles and mourn a relationship he wished he’d had, rather than one that actually existed. His growth throughout the book was beautiful to see!
I am a sucker for friends to lovers, add fake dating into the equation, i’ll absolutely devour it and Playing for Keeps? Devoured!!!! I absolutely adored Serena, as someone who loves a random fact, she’s definitely given me some new ones to use. Chase and Serena together was extremely wholesome to see, watching years of friendship bubble into something so beautiful, i loved their story so much! I’m not going to be able to stop thinking about them, I already want to reread.
If you like a fake dating football romance, with a small town, found family feel to it then this book is definitely for you. I would suggest reading the 2 others in the series before this, both are also great books with so many amazing characters!!
In a world full of Ryans may everybody find their Chase Sullivan!
Thank you netgalley, bookouture and bella north for this arc copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.6 ⭐
I enjoyed reading the love story of Serena and Chase. Chase is such a sweet character with deep wounds and I knew it'd be a very interesting character! He was. Serena was also a good character.
📚 Both have been best friends since they met. Both have a struggle of their own and someone suggested they start fake dating as it would solve both their problems. Plus they're not looking to date just now. So they do.
Will the scheme work?
Will they allow themselves to fall for each other?
🌟 I like that Bella North takes the time to have interesting and emotionally layered characters. I also like that it's not cliché and instead brings good intentions into the stories, some new things. Like how a character would raise children encouraging self worth that is self centered and not dépendant on the presence or validation of others.
🥰 When I read the previous book in this series I wanted to read the story of Serena and Chase. I was pleasantly surprised to find the ARC available for request not long after!
Now I just need to read the first book as I don't know the story of Harper & Jake!
🌟 Tropes: fake dating, best friends to lover.
And others but they would spoil some things! But sometimes we want to know so I'll put them bellow. Read at you own risk 😉
😶🌫️ TW: light stalking (not between the MC), grief and loss of a parent.
🌶️ Open door sexual scenes
🚨 Additional tropes but this is spoiler adjacent!
Grief. Third act break up. Accidental pregnancy.
🖋️ I was provided the ARC of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading the love story of Serena and Chase. Chase is such a sweet character with deep wounds and I knew it'd be a very interesting character! He was. Serena was also a good character.
📚 Both have been best friends since they met. Both have a struggle of their own and someone suggested they start fake dating as it would solve both their problems. Plus they're not looking to date just now. So they do.
Will the scheme work?
Will they allow themselves to fall for each other?
🌟 I like that Bella North takes the time to have interesting and emotionally layered characters. I also like that it's not cliché and instead brings good intentions into the stories, some new things. Like how a character would raise children encouraging self worth that is self centered and not dépendant on the presence or validation of others.
🥰 When I read the previous book in this series I wanted to read the story of Serena and Chase. I was pleasantly surprised to find the ARC available for request not long after!
Now I just need to read the first book as I don't know the story of Harper & Jake!
🌟 Tropes: fake dating, best friends to lover.
And others but they would spoil some things! But sometimes we want to know so I'll put them bellow. Read at you own risk 😉
😶🌫️ TW: light stalking (not between the MC), grief and loss of a parent.
🌶️ Open door sexual scenes
🚨 Additional tropes but this is spoiler adjacent!
Grief. Third act break up. Accidental pregnancy.
🖋️ I was provided the ARC of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t read the first two in the series, and you don’t need to in order to read this one. However, after finishing this book, I really wish I would have read them! If they were anything like this one, I know that I would have enjoyed them!
This is a friends to lovers, fake dating romance book. Fake dating has to be one of my favorite tropes. The way that North wrote their friendship really made me, the reader, believe this friendship. You could tell that these two knew each other well. They grew up together, and were very comfortable around each other. That also made it really believable when they started catching feelings for each other.
This book also looks going through difficult things. This time it was Chase going through something difficult. I don’t want to give anything away, but I loved how much Serena stood beside Chase, always letting him feel supported. Even when he pushes her away at one point, she does send him a few texts to let him know that she is there for him. I will say that I think him dealing with some of his struggles via professional help could have been something that was explored further. It felt like in one night he was suddenly over it and was okay after feeling a certain way his whole life.
There is also some spice in the book. It felt right for these characters. So if you like a sweet, spicy, deep romance, give this one a try. Oh yeah, there were a few times I shed a few tears!
This is a friends to lovers, fake dating romance book. Fake dating has to be one of my favorite tropes. The way that North wrote their friendship really made me, the reader, believe this friendship. You could tell that these two knew each other well. They grew up together, and were very comfortable around each other. That also made it really believable when they started catching feelings for each other.
This book also looks going through difficult things. This time it was Chase going through something difficult. I don’t want to give anything away, but I loved how much Serena stood beside Chase, always letting him feel supported. Even when he pushes her away at one point, she does send him a few texts to let him know that she is there for him. I will say that I think him dealing with some of his struggles via professional help could have been something that was explored further. It felt like in one night he was suddenly over it and was okay after feeling a certain way his whole life.
There is also some spice in the book. It felt right for these characters. So if you like a sweet, spicy, deep romance, give this one a try. Oh yeah, there were a few times I shed a few tears!
April 14, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the Audio ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Playing for Keeps by Bella North (Book 3 in the Oakwood Ranch series) completely stole my heart! This audiobook was an easy 5 stars for me.
First, the dual narration was absolutely fantastic. Having one of my favorite female narrators, CJ Bloom, brought so much life and emotion to the story. The performances truly elevated the experience and made it impossible to stop listening.
Serena and Chase had me hooked from the very beginning. Their fake dating trope felt fresh and different from the typical storyline, which I loved. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and watching their relationship unfold kept me fully invested the entire time.
I’ve really enjoyed this series as a whole, but this one is hands down my favorite in the Oakwood Ranch series. Everything from the characters to the narration to the storyline just worked perfectly.
If you love romance audiobooks with amazing narration and a unique take on fake dating, this one is a must listen!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Playing for Keeps by Bella North (Book 3 in the Oakwood Ranch series) completely stole my heart! This audiobook was an easy 5 stars for me.
First, the dual narration was absolutely fantastic. Having one of my favorite female narrators, CJ Bloom, brought so much life and emotion to the story. The performances truly elevated the experience and made it impossible to stop listening.
Serena and Chase had me hooked from the very beginning. Their fake dating trope felt fresh and different from the typical storyline, which I loved. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and watching their relationship unfold kept me fully invested the entire time.
I’ve really enjoyed this series as a whole, but this one is hands down my favorite in the Oakwood Ranch series. Everything from the characters to the narration to the storyline just worked perfectly.
If you love romance audiobooks with amazing narration and a unique take on fake dating, this one is a must listen!
February 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! This was such a cute, quick sports romance.
There’s something about the friends-to-lovers trope that always gets me. Watching that moment when they suddenly realize they may have been in love the entire time—and everything shifts—is so satisfying.
This story also weaves in deeper plot line as well. The main character feels unable to fully experience love until he uncovers the truth about why his mother left when he was a baby. His relationship with his adoptive mom was especially heartwarming, and understanding why he needed that closure made my heart ache for him.
Overall, the dual plotlines worked well together, and the book was well written and easy to fly through.
There’s something about the friends-to-lovers trope that always gets me. Watching that moment when they suddenly realize they may have been in love the entire time—and everything shifts—is so satisfying.
This story also weaves in deeper plot line as well. The main character feels unable to fully experience love until he uncovers the truth about why his mother left when he was a baby. His relationship with his adoptive mom was especially heartwarming, and understanding why he needed that closure made my heart ache for him.
Overall, the dual plotlines worked well together, and the book was well written and easy to fly through.
April 25, 2026
I’d probably round this one up to 3.5⭐️
I enjoyed the story, I’m not normally one for a friends to lovers but I really enjoyed how their relationship grew.
What I didn’t expect was the surprise pregnancy. That story line is just not the one for me. I immediately got the ick for Serena, and then got the even bigger ick for Chase with the way that he acted towards her.
I mean we did get a HEA but it really did take him to get his head out of his ass, and she was so vulnerable that she just caved so quickly to him! I’m glad they lived HEA - and omg twins are you kidding?!
If you like surprise pregnancy and friends to lovers this one is definitely for you.
I enjoyed the story, I’m not normally one for a friends to lovers but I really enjoyed how their relationship grew.
What I didn’t expect was the surprise pregnancy. That story line is just not the one for me. I immediately got the ick for Serena, and then got the even bigger ick for Chase with the way that he acted towards her.
I mean we did get a HEA but it really did take him to get his head out of his ass, and she was so vulnerable that she just caved so quickly to him! I’m glad they lived HEA - and omg twins are you kidding?!
If you like surprise pregnancy and friends to lovers this one is definitely for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2026
Oh this boy is sooo complicated!! Despite the fact that he's been raised by loving parents, he's great with his nieces/nephews, and he shows up EVERY TIME for the ones he loves, Chase thinks he's not relationship material and genetically bound to be a bad father. And Serena stays best friends with him through it all even after he crushed her hopes in high school. I loved their best friends/fake dating dynamic and loved seeing him finally realize she's it for him, but the way he treated her after the road trip and especially after her news was unforgivable! She deserved so much more (or a more epic grovel at least!).
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
April 2, 2026
I read this book in a single sitting. It’s fast paced and easy to follow. Both main characters were super believable as individuals but also as a couple.
Only down side is that the fake dating could have used a bit more time to develop and that would have helped the story to flow a bit better without the need to add more tropes.
All in all it’s a ver enjoyable story with well developed characters and cry worthy ending.
I received an ARC from NETGALLY.
Only down side is that the fake dating could have used a bit more time to develop and that would have helped the story to flow a bit better without the need to add more tropes.
All in all it’s a ver enjoyable story with well developed characters and cry worthy ending.
I received an ARC from NETGALLY.
April 18, 2026
This is book 3 of the Oakwood Ranch series narrated in duet by CJ Bloom & Sean Crisden. They did a wonderful job with the narration. The book itself was great! I really enjoyed this listen. Fake dating at its finest! Best friends to lovers written really well. The book had me in my feels for sure. Chase & Serena’s love story was so good. The spice was really good. I would recommend this listen for sure!
April 30, 2026
this was soooo good on audio! I loved the narrators & the way they really brought the story to life. I basically adored every minute of this, minus the last 15% because the miscommunication AND surprise pregnancy threw me for a dang loop. the way Chase just all of a sudden started being a complete asshat also blew my mind. I get he was grieving & dealing with big feelings, but come on. he was better than that lol.
Anyway, I really liked it & I was hooked from the very start! 4.5⭐️ rated down.
Anyway, I really liked it & I was hooked from the very start! 4.5⭐️ rated down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2026
This is the first book I’ve read by Bella North and it definitely didn’t disappoint!
💖Fake Dating
💖Childhood Friends to Lovers
💖Slow Burn
💖Found Family
💖Sports Romance
I really enjoyed this book! Normally I’m not a fan of the friends to lovers trope but it was done really well throughout this book. I loved Chase and Serena’s friendship and how that developed throughout the book.
Was it a bit predictable in places? Yes but did that bother me? No!
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for an easy sports romance read.
3.5🌟
💖Fake Dating
💖Childhood Friends to Lovers
💖Slow Burn
💖Found Family
💖Sports Romance
I really enjoyed this book! Normally I’m not a fan of the friends to lovers trope but it was done really well throughout this book. I loved Chase and Serena’s friendship and how that developed throughout the book.
Was it a bit predictable in places? Yes but did that bother me? No!
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for an easy sports romance read.
3.5🌟
April 18, 2026
Another amazing installment in the Oakwood Ranch series! I think this is my new favorite. Chase and Serena are the perfect best friends to lovers story, with a side helping of fake dating. Watching these two struggle, make mistakes, recognize their flaws, and heal stronger was a beautiful journey.
The narration was once again fantastic. This book has a lot of big, emotional moments, and these performances did not disappoint!
Now that we’ve seen the last Sullivan brother find his happy ending, I sincerely hope this isn’t the end of Oakwood Ranch! I’m sure I’m not the only one hoping for another romance starring our favorite bartender?
The narration was once again fantastic. This book has a lot of big, emotional moments, and these performances did not disappoint!
Now that we’ve seen the last Sullivan brother find his happy ending, I sincerely hope this isn’t the end of Oakwood Ranch! I’m sure I’m not the only one hoping for another romance starring our favorite bartender?
May 5, 2026
We follow the story of Chase and Serena who have been best friends for years. Serena has always loved Chase but he unknowingly friend zoned her one New Year's Eve. Fast forward a couple years and Serena's ex-boyfriend will not take a hint and leave her alone - on the other side Chase's fans will not leave him alone about not having a girlfriend so they both devise a plan to fake date to get each other off of their backs.
I was really enjoying this until a) in the audio the male narrator really gave me the ick during a certain spicy scene. Normally I can get past this but after that I just was not invested in the characters unfortunately. & b) a certain 3rd act trope cropped up and I hated the way that Chase handled it.
Best friends to lovers
Fake dating
Sports romance
I was really enjoying this until a) in the audio the male narrator really gave me the ick during a certain spicy scene. Normally I can get past this but after that I just was not invested in the characters unfortunately. & b) a certain 3rd act trope cropped up and I hated the way that Chase handled it.
Best friends to lovers
Fake dating
Sports romance
May 5, 2026
1 star entirely for the surprise pregnancy the author didn't warn anybody about and just shove it at the end to create more drama. You include "golden retriever boyfriend" in your list of tropes but no surprise pregnancy? Disgusting.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
April 27, 2026
It’s all fun and games until fake starts to feel like forever…
My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much. But my fans have other ideas. And they’ve turned my easy-going life into a nightmare with their campaign to find me a wife…
Really enjoyed this whole series!!
Playing for Keeps is a fun, steamy, friends-to-lovers sports romance, perfect for fans of Liz Tomforde, Stephanie Archer and Elsie Silver. The third in the Oakwood Ranch series, it can also be read as a standalone.
My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much. But my fans have other ideas. And they’ve turned my easy-going life into a nightmare with their campaign to find me a wife…
Really enjoyed this whole series!!
Playing for Keeps is a fun, steamy, friends-to-lovers sports romance, perfect for fans of Liz Tomforde, Stephanie Archer and Elsie Silver. The third in the Oakwood Ranch series, it can also be read as a standalone.
April 27, 2026
Playing for Keeps is a beautiful best friends-to-lovers romance with fake dating and a football setting that completely pulled me in emotionally.
Serena and Chase have been best friends since third grade, she’s a cheerleader-coach, he’s a quarterback. There has always been something more between them, even if it stayed unspoken for a long time. On New Year’s Eve, they finally share a kiss, which means so much more to Serena, while Chase sees it as something that simply happened because of their close friendship, not fully realizing what she was trying to tell him.
After that, they remain best friends and continue seeing each other regularly. Serena tries to lock away her feelings and move on, while Chase doesn’t really notice any of it. Serena has long been part of the Stormhawks as a cheerleader, while Chase only joins the team years later as their quarterback. When they eventually end up in a fake dating situation, all those buried feelings start to resurface.
What really stands out is Chase’s depth as a character. Because of his past, being abandoned by his parents, dealing with loss, and struggling with commitment issues, it’s incredibly hard for him to truly let someone in. At the same time, you can feel how much he loves Serena throughout the entire story. That’s also what makes it frustrating at times, because you just want to shake him.
Serena, on the other hand, knows exactly what she wants: love, a family, a home. That contrast between them creates so much tension and emotion.
What makes it even more special is their development, the deep connection that comes from years of friendship adds so much intensity. And even though it hurts at times to see them get in their own way, the ending is incredibly wholesome, emotional, and genuinely made me happy.
A heartfelt sports romance with fake dating, lots of emotion, and a love story that shows how hard but also how worth it is to face your fears.💛🏈
Playing for Keeps ist eine richtig schöne Best-Friends-to-Lovers Romance mit Fake-Dating und Football-Setting, die mich emotional total abgeholt hat.
Serena und Chase sind seit der dritten Klasse beste Freunde, sie ist Cheerleader-Coach, er Quarterback. Schon immer ist da mehr zwischen ihnen, auch wenn es lange unausgesprochen bleibt. An Silvester kommt es schließlich zu einem Kuss, der für Serena viel mehr bedeutet, während Chase ihn eher als etwas sieht, das aus ihrer engen Freundschaft heraus passiert ist, ohne wirklich zu erkennen, was sie ihm damit zeigen wollte.
Auch danach bleiben die beiden weiterhin beste Freunde und sehen sich regelmäßig. Serena versucht für sich, ihre Gefühle wegzupacken und abzuschließen, während Chase davon eigentlich nichts wirklich mitbekommt. Serena ist schon lange Teil der Stormhawks als Cheerleaderin, während Chase erst Jahre später als Quarterback zum Team dazukommt. Als sie schließlich in ein Fake-Dating-Szenario rutschen, kommen all die verdrängten Gefühle wieder an die Oberfläche.
Was die Geschichte besonders macht, ist die Tiefe hinter Chase. Durch seine Vergangenheit, das Verlassenwerden seiner Eltern, Verlust und Bindungsängste, fällt es ihm unglaublich schwer, sich wirklich auf jemanden einzulassen. Gleichzeitig spürt man aber die ganze Zeit, wie sehr er Serena liebt. Genau das macht es manchmal auch so frustrierend, weil man ihn am liebsten einfach schütteln würde.
Serena hingegen weiß genau, was sie vom Leben will: Liebe, Familie, ein Zuhause. Und genau dieser Gegensatz zwischen ihnen sorgt für so viel Spannung und Emotion.
Besonders schön ist die Entwicklung der beiden, diese tiefe Verbindung, die aus ihrer langen Freundschaft entsteht, macht alles noch intensiver. Und auch wenn es zwischendurch echt weh tut, zu sehen, wie sie sich im Weg stehen, ist das Ende einfach unglaublich wholesome, berührend und hat mich richtig glücklich gemacht.
Eine gefühlvolle Sports Romance mit Fake Dating, viel Herz und einer Love Story, die zeigt, wie schwer aber auch wie lohnend es sein kann, sich seinen eigenen Ängsten zu stellen.💛🏈
Serena and Chase have been best friends since third grade, she’s a cheerleader-coach, he’s a quarterback. There has always been something more between them, even if it stayed unspoken for a long time. On New Year’s Eve, they finally share a kiss, which means so much more to Serena, while Chase sees it as something that simply happened because of their close friendship, not fully realizing what she was trying to tell him.
After that, they remain best friends and continue seeing each other regularly. Serena tries to lock away her feelings and move on, while Chase doesn’t really notice any of it. Serena has long been part of the Stormhawks as a cheerleader, while Chase only joins the team years later as their quarterback. When they eventually end up in a fake dating situation, all those buried feelings start to resurface.
What really stands out is Chase’s depth as a character. Because of his past, being abandoned by his parents, dealing with loss, and struggling with commitment issues, it’s incredibly hard for him to truly let someone in. At the same time, you can feel how much he loves Serena throughout the entire story. That’s also what makes it frustrating at times, because you just want to shake him.
Serena, on the other hand, knows exactly what she wants: love, a family, a home. That contrast between them creates so much tension and emotion.
What makes it even more special is their development, the deep connection that comes from years of friendship adds so much intensity. And even though it hurts at times to see them get in their own way, the ending is incredibly wholesome, emotional, and genuinely made me happy.
A heartfelt sports romance with fake dating, lots of emotion, and a love story that shows how hard but also how worth it is to face your fears.💛🏈
Playing for Keeps ist eine richtig schöne Best-Friends-to-Lovers Romance mit Fake-Dating und Football-Setting, die mich emotional total abgeholt hat.
Serena und Chase sind seit der dritten Klasse beste Freunde, sie ist Cheerleader-Coach, er Quarterback. Schon immer ist da mehr zwischen ihnen, auch wenn es lange unausgesprochen bleibt. An Silvester kommt es schließlich zu einem Kuss, der für Serena viel mehr bedeutet, während Chase ihn eher als etwas sieht, das aus ihrer engen Freundschaft heraus passiert ist, ohne wirklich zu erkennen, was sie ihm damit zeigen wollte.
Auch danach bleiben die beiden weiterhin beste Freunde und sehen sich regelmäßig. Serena versucht für sich, ihre Gefühle wegzupacken und abzuschließen, während Chase davon eigentlich nichts wirklich mitbekommt. Serena ist schon lange Teil der Stormhawks als Cheerleaderin, während Chase erst Jahre später als Quarterback zum Team dazukommt. Als sie schließlich in ein Fake-Dating-Szenario rutschen, kommen all die verdrängten Gefühle wieder an die Oberfläche.
Was die Geschichte besonders macht, ist die Tiefe hinter Chase. Durch seine Vergangenheit, das Verlassenwerden seiner Eltern, Verlust und Bindungsängste, fällt es ihm unglaublich schwer, sich wirklich auf jemanden einzulassen. Gleichzeitig spürt man aber die ganze Zeit, wie sehr er Serena liebt. Genau das macht es manchmal auch so frustrierend, weil man ihn am liebsten einfach schütteln würde.
Serena hingegen weiß genau, was sie vom Leben will: Liebe, Familie, ein Zuhause. Und genau dieser Gegensatz zwischen ihnen sorgt für so viel Spannung und Emotion.
Besonders schön ist die Entwicklung der beiden, diese tiefe Verbindung, die aus ihrer langen Freundschaft entsteht, macht alles noch intensiver. Und auch wenn es zwischendurch echt weh tut, zu sehen, wie sie sich im Weg stehen, ist das Ende einfach unglaublich wholesome, berührend und hat mich richtig glücklich gemacht.
Eine gefühlvolle Sports Romance mit Fake Dating, viel Herz und einer Love Story, die zeigt, wie schwer aber auch wie lohnend es sein kann, sich seinen eigenen Ängsten zu stellen.💛🏈
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Got the approval for this one today and I started reading straight away, could not put this one down. It’s quite a fast paced book, the fake dating is more or less done 40-50% in and then I felt that the ending was far too sudden, I felt this book could have benefited from 50~ pages just because the surprise pregnancy came about and then a couple weeks before Chase pulls his head out of his ass, it’s a lot of time we the reader just don’t get with the pacing, but I would have preferred more grovelling from Chase and seeing him being the partner Serena deserves and seeing some of the pregnancy moments, at a scan or something like that just to give us more, see how Chase spoils Serena and is protective as hell over her and the babies. You know, get a glimpse into the work Chase is doing for himself, therapy etc.
The weather updates, random facts and their chemistry. I loved it. I loved how they had a friendship that was basically a base for them like to grow to a couple.
I don’t really like a friends to lovers trope in the sense of one just pining for years and saying nothing. It frustrates me but I wasn’t too bothered in this one. Serena wasn’t just sitting along while Chase was out being a manwhore.
I did not see the surprise pregnancy coming at all. I just figured that Chase would have some realisation that he wanted the same things as Serena. I did love this twist, and I was happy for Serena, I know how it feels to feel somewhat behind in life and I would have thought I’d be at that point too, wondering if it’s an if and not when. Hold on and keep hope.
His reaction to her being pregnant was genuinely horrible and childish. There’s nothing wrong with shock etc BUT he literally RAN away and drove off on the mother of his kids… and then it’s like he shows her a furnished house and it’s all resolved. Nah. He should have been grovelling and literally see him do things to prove this to her, like literally had been friends their entire life and how he treated her then was just upsetting to read. I felt heartbroken for Serena in that moment. He knew too how much being a mom meant to her and took that moment from her. That really angered me and genuinely was the only part of the book that I disliked. I’d consider maybe knocking 0.5/0.75 off the rating so 4.5-4.75 stars
I am so confused why only one of the babies name is said??? Is that just me who is annoyed about that? I’m nosey lol I just want to know. I re read the epilogue three times to be sure I didn’t just miss it. Bella North please tell us!!
I’ve read all of the books from this series, so I loved to get a catch up with them. I love Mad and Izzy. AND Izzy having a baby!! Yes
Mama is the person who person who’ll set you straight. She’s not a meddling character but she delivers the home truths when needed, I love a boy mom who is not afraid to call their sons out and also be a good mom while doing it. Mama should forget being a sports agent and be a therapist for real. She’d help so much. I wanna see Flic get a story, but the three boys have their own books so if this is the end of the series, I’m still happy regardless. Maybe Mama gets with a GM or coach in a book?
It’s a great series. I think this is my favourite one of the series.
The writing style is easy to follow and understand. I was bad at English at school, but always loved reading and the style just made it so easy to completely fall in love with this book.
Thank you so much to Bella North, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
- fake dating
- dual POV
- friends to lovers
- sports romance
- surprise pregnancy trope
The weather updates, random facts and their chemistry. I loved it. I loved how they had a friendship that was basically a base for them like to grow to a couple.
I don’t really like a friends to lovers trope in the sense of one just pining for years and saying nothing. It frustrates me but I wasn’t too bothered in this one. Serena wasn’t just sitting along while Chase was out being a manwhore.
I did not see the surprise pregnancy coming at all. I just figured that Chase would have some realisation that he wanted the same things as Serena. I did love this twist, and I was happy for Serena, I know how it feels to feel somewhat behind in life and I would have thought I’d be at that point too, wondering if it’s an if and not when. Hold on and keep hope.
His reaction to her being pregnant was genuinely horrible and childish. There’s nothing wrong with shock etc BUT he literally RAN away and drove off on the mother of his kids… and then it’s like he shows her a furnished house and it’s all resolved. Nah. He should have been grovelling and literally see him do things to prove this to her, like literally had been friends their entire life and how he treated her then was just upsetting to read. I felt heartbroken for Serena in that moment. He knew too how much being a mom meant to her and took that moment from her. That really angered me and genuinely was the only part of the book that I disliked. I’d consider maybe knocking 0.5/0.75 off the rating so 4.5-4.75 stars
I am so confused why only one of the babies name is said??? Is that just me who is annoyed about that? I’m nosey lol I just want to know. I re read the epilogue three times to be sure I didn’t just miss it. Bella North please tell us!!
I’ve read all of the books from this series, so I loved to get a catch up with them. I love Mad and Izzy. AND Izzy having a baby!! Yes
Mama is the person who person who’ll set you straight. She’s not a meddling character but she delivers the home truths when needed, I love a boy mom who is not afraid to call their sons out and also be a good mom while doing it. Mama should forget being a sports agent and be a therapist for real. She’d help so much. I wanna see Flic get a story, but the three boys have their own books so if this is the end of the series, I’m still happy regardless. Maybe Mama gets with a GM or coach in a book?
It’s a great series. I think this is my favourite one of the series.
The writing style is easy to follow and understand. I was bad at English at school, but always loved reading and the style just made it so easy to completely fall in love with this book.
Thank you so much to Bella North, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
- fake dating
- dual POV
- friends to lovers
- sports romance
- surprise pregnancy trope
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
@justcallme_linaa_ sur Instagram
🇫🇷 Playing for Keeps, de Bella North
*service presse numérique*
5/5⭐️
Merci à NetGalley pour le SP de Playing for Keeps et wow, je l’ai littéralement dévoré. Impossible de le poser. C’est exactement le genre de romance sportive que j’adore : fake dating + meilleurs amis depuis l’enfance + tension + émotions = combo parfait.
On suit Serena et Chase, meilleurs amis depuis l’école primaire. Lui est quarterback en NFL (avec le hashtag viral #ChasingLove qui n’aide PAS sa tranquillité), elle est coach de cheer, passionnée de météo (oui, et j’ai adoré ce petit côté geek). Quand ses fans deviennent envahissantes et que l’ex de Serena refuse de comprendre que c’est fini, quoi de mieux que de faire semblant de sortir ensemble ? Sauf que… évidemment, les lignes deviennent floues. Et quand on ajoute des sentiments enfouis depuis des années… ça fait des étincelles.
Ce que j’ai le plus aimé, c’est la base de leur relation. Leur amitié est tellement solide, tellement douce. On sent l’histoire entre eux, les souvenirs, les private jokes, les messages au début des chapitres (j’ai A-DO-RÉ ce détail, ça rendait tout encore plus réel). Quand leur relation évolue, ça ne sort pas de nulle part. Ça paraît naturel. Mérité.
Mais surtout… l’émotion. Chase m’a brisé le cœur. Son passé, ses peurs, sa manière de repousser Serena “pour son bien”… j’étais MAL. Le third act conflict m’a vraiment touchée. J’aime quand ça fait mal avant de réparer, et ici ça a fonctionné. Même si j’aurais aimé un peu plus de pages avant l’épilogue pour profiter davantage de leur bonheur.
J’ai aussi adoré la dynamique familiale, les frères, Mama… ça donne une vraie sensation de found family hyper chaleureuse. On s’attache à tout le monde.
🇺🇸 Playing for Keeps, by Bella North
*ARC Review*
5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Playing for Keeps and wow, I literally devoured it. I couldn’t put it down. It’s exactly the kind of sports romance I love: fake dating + childhood best friends + tension + emotions = the perfect combo.
We follow Serena and Chase, best friends since elementary school. He’s an NFL quarterback (with the viral hashtag #ChasingLove not helping his peace at all), and she’s a cheer coach who’s obsessed with weather (yes, and I loved that geeky side of her). When his fans become too much and Serena’s ex refuses to accept that it’s over, what’s better than pretending to date each other? Except… of course, the lines start to blur. And when you add feelings that have been buried for years? Sparks fly.
What I loved most was the foundation of their relationship. Their friendship is so strong and so soft. You can feel their history, the memories, the inside jokes, the text messages at the beginning of the chapters (I LOVED that detail : it made everything feel more real). When their relationship shifts, it doesn’t come out of nowhere. It feels natural. Earned.
But most of all… the emotion. Chase broke my heart. His past, his fears, the way he pushes Serena away “for her own good”… I was hurting. That third-act conflict really got me. I love when a story hurts a little before it heals, and this one delivered. I just wish we had a few more pages before the epilogue to enjoy their happiness longer.
I also loved the family dynamic : the brothers, Mama… it gives such a warm found family feeling. You get attached to everyone.
With all my love,
Ur Lina 🏑
🇫🇷 Playing for Keeps, de Bella North
*service presse numérique*
5/5⭐️
Merci à NetGalley pour le SP de Playing for Keeps et wow, je l’ai littéralement dévoré. Impossible de le poser. C’est exactement le genre de romance sportive que j’adore : fake dating + meilleurs amis depuis l’enfance + tension + émotions = combo parfait.
On suit Serena et Chase, meilleurs amis depuis l’école primaire. Lui est quarterback en NFL (avec le hashtag viral #ChasingLove qui n’aide PAS sa tranquillité), elle est coach de cheer, passionnée de météo (oui, et j’ai adoré ce petit côté geek). Quand ses fans deviennent envahissantes et que l’ex de Serena refuse de comprendre que c’est fini, quoi de mieux que de faire semblant de sortir ensemble ? Sauf que… évidemment, les lignes deviennent floues. Et quand on ajoute des sentiments enfouis depuis des années… ça fait des étincelles.
Ce que j’ai le plus aimé, c’est la base de leur relation. Leur amitié est tellement solide, tellement douce. On sent l’histoire entre eux, les souvenirs, les private jokes, les messages au début des chapitres (j’ai A-DO-RÉ ce détail, ça rendait tout encore plus réel). Quand leur relation évolue, ça ne sort pas de nulle part. Ça paraît naturel. Mérité.
Mais surtout… l’émotion. Chase m’a brisé le cœur. Son passé, ses peurs, sa manière de repousser Serena “pour son bien”… j’étais MAL. Le third act conflict m’a vraiment touchée. J’aime quand ça fait mal avant de réparer, et ici ça a fonctionné. Même si j’aurais aimé un peu plus de pages avant l’épilogue pour profiter davantage de leur bonheur.
J’ai aussi adoré la dynamique familiale, les frères, Mama… ça donne une vraie sensation de found family hyper chaleureuse. On s’attache à tout le monde.
🇺🇸 Playing for Keeps, by Bella North
*ARC Review*
5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Playing for Keeps and wow, I literally devoured it. I couldn’t put it down. It’s exactly the kind of sports romance I love: fake dating + childhood best friends + tension + emotions = the perfect combo.
We follow Serena and Chase, best friends since elementary school. He’s an NFL quarterback (with the viral hashtag #ChasingLove not helping his peace at all), and she’s a cheer coach who’s obsessed with weather (yes, and I loved that geeky side of her). When his fans become too much and Serena’s ex refuses to accept that it’s over, what’s better than pretending to date each other? Except… of course, the lines start to blur. And when you add feelings that have been buried for years? Sparks fly.
What I loved most was the foundation of their relationship. Their friendship is so strong and so soft. You can feel their history, the memories, the inside jokes, the text messages at the beginning of the chapters (I LOVED that detail : it made everything feel more real). When their relationship shifts, it doesn’t come out of nowhere. It feels natural. Earned.
But most of all… the emotion. Chase broke my heart. His past, his fears, the way he pushes Serena away “for her own good”… I was hurting. That third-act conflict really got me. I love when a story hurts a little before it heals, and this one delivered. I just wish we had a few more pages before the epilogue to enjoy their happiness longer.
I also loved the family dynamic : the brothers, Mama… it gives such a warm found family feeling. You get attached to everyone.
With all my love,
Ur Lina 🏑
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quick Summary: A QB/BFF romance
My Review: Playing for Keeps by Bella North is book #3 in the Oakwood Ranch series. It is scheduled for release on 4/27/26.
About the Book: "My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much.
My childhood best friend Serena thinks it’s hilarious.
And then... a fake romance.
It’s all fun and games until fake starts to feel like forever…"
In My Own Words: Chase and Serena have been best friends since childhood. When they both need a buffer from the world around them, it's only logical that they would look to each other as the solution. But what happens when they each catch feelings?
About the Characters: I have read all three books in this series, and I have enjoyed meeting every character that is a part of this family/found family. The Sullivan tribe and their extended friends and family are endearing and represent what heart, family, and love are all about. This book brought all of them together in another unique way. It was a good read.
Chase - > Talented QB, protector, bestie, family oriented but guarded in certain respects, playful uncle, insecure in matters of the heart related to partner commitment, scarred by past
Serena - > Quirky, focused, determined, patient at a cost, hesitant, fun loving auntie, all in kind of heart
About the Conflict: While the conflict in this book scored low, in my estimation, the conflict points were notable and telling. Both leads had a long standing internal, personal struggle in regard to certain relationship elements. Those aspects led to tension, doubt, insecurity, and not so great choices. Well, that made for good reading, which I was totally here for.
I personally loved the inner tug of war that Chase had dealing with the unresolved matters he faced. It added texture to his life. I loved the mental health nod and the surrounding supports that were expressly available to him. Where his character was headed along that storyline, I was totally following. It came across as realistic. In the end, I was left as he was, for better or worse. That made for good reading, as well.
The other situation that shall not be named (so as to avoid spoilers) was... I could say a lot, but I won't, but it was a tick, tick, boom situation.
About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by CJ Bloom and Sean Crisden. This duo did a stellar job. I enjoyed their rhythm and enthusiastically expressive efforts.
My Final Say: I really liked this story. It had more layers that I expected. In the end, I got what I got and so did Chase and Serena. Growth happened and realization dawned.
Honorable Mention: Bella North wrote the heck out of what I will call the hot & spicy real deal. OKKKKAAAYYY!
Other: Readers who enjoy sports romances, found family love fests, fake dating scenarios, and BFF/friends to lovers encounters will like this romance novel.
TROPES:
🌶️Friends to lovers
🌶️Fake dating
🌶️Sports romance
🌶️Golden retriever boyfriend
🌶️Slow burn
🌶️Workplace romance (sports star vs cheerleader coach)
🌶️Found family
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 🌶️🌶️
Format: 🎧
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Bookouture), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest review. It was a fantastic listening experience. I am grateful for the opportunity.
My Review: Playing for Keeps by Bella North is book #3 in the Oakwood Ranch series. It is scheduled for release on 4/27/26.
About the Book: "My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much.
My childhood best friend Serena thinks it’s hilarious.
And then... a fake romance.
It’s all fun and games until fake starts to feel like forever…"
In My Own Words: Chase and Serena have been best friends since childhood. When they both need a buffer from the world around them, it's only logical that they would look to each other as the solution. But what happens when they each catch feelings?
About the Characters: I have read all three books in this series, and I have enjoyed meeting every character that is a part of this family/found family. The Sullivan tribe and their extended friends and family are endearing and represent what heart, family, and love are all about. This book brought all of them together in another unique way. It was a good read.
Chase - > Talented QB, protector, bestie, family oriented but guarded in certain respects, playful uncle, insecure in matters of the heart related to partner commitment, scarred by past
Serena - > Quirky, focused, determined, patient at a cost, hesitant, fun loving auntie, all in kind of heart
About the Conflict: While the conflict in this book scored low, in my estimation, the conflict points were notable and telling. Both leads had a long standing internal, personal struggle in regard to certain relationship elements. Those aspects led to tension, doubt, insecurity, and not so great choices. Well, that made for good reading, which I was totally here for.
I personally loved the inner tug of war that Chase had dealing with the unresolved matters he faced. It added texture to his life. I loved the mental health nod and the surrounding supports that were expressly available to him. Where his character was headed along that storyline, I was totally following. It came across as realistic. In the end, I was left as he was, for better or worse. That made for good reading, as well.
The other situation that shall not be named (so as to avoid spoilers) was... I could say a lot, but I won't, but it was a tick, tick, boom situation.
About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by CJ Bloom and Sean Crisden. This duo did a stellar job. I enjoyed their rhythm and enthusiastically expressive efforts.
My Final Say: I really liked this story. It had more layers that I expected. In the end, I got what I got and so did Chase and Serena. Growth happened and realization dawned.
Honorable Mention: Bella North wrote the heck out of what I will call the hot & spicy real deal. OKKKKAAAYYY!
Other: Readers who enjoy sports romances, found family love fests, fake dating scenarios, and BFF/friends to lovers encounters will like this romance novel.
TROPES:
🌶️Friends to lovers
🌶️Fake dating
🌶️Sports romance
🌶️Golden retriever boyfriend
🌶️Slow burn
🌶️Workplace romance (sports star vs cheerleader coach)
🌶️Found family
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 🌶️🌶️
Format: 🎧
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Bookouture), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest review. It was a fantastic listening experience. I am grateful for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much Netgalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
Playing for keeps is a best-friend romance between a cheerleader and a football player, we first meet them with a friendzone scene in which i felt sorry for her fr.
Seeing their dynamic as best friends honestly was amazing, they had a bond and banter and their little traditions, it genially made me happy to read about a relationship like that.
Then we get the “fake daiting plot” and honestly, it wasn’t bad, until it was. I loooove a fake daiting plot as much as the other person. I loved that they tried to establish rules and stuff to make them feel a little more comfortable but i feel like the way they acted as friends was better because they were super confortable and they had inside jokes and they were all lovey dovey in a natural way not forced.
On the other hand i loved that they slowly started to get more comfortable and natural doing those kind of things.
i do want to point out that the moment they hit me with the “but what if i was” that hit hard! I love that parts in this type of romance!
I know that they didn’t accept their feeling for each other and were trying to convince each other that their love was for the cameras, but once they accepted their feeling it turned from a wholesome relationship into a 100% sexual relationship, and that didn’t sit right with me. That was a lot of sex in a span of like 5-6 chapters.
I know you wanna establish that their relationship changed from friends to lovers. But being in a real relationship doesn’t mean that it turns into sex every single time you are together.
When Chase was having problems with his identity and his mother’s death and stuff, they could have talked, they could have done anything else to see how their relationship evolves from “i’m
talking to my friend about stuff” to “i’m letting my partner into my life not only the good but also the bad and the problems we all have” but what do we get? A side of the road blowjob :|
Now, they breakup after A DAY of being together. and I HATE that he goes from having her everyday in his life as a vital part being friends, to just one day of difference and being all like “i don’t need her in my life, i’m not what she wants”.
And, let me just talk about the worst part. I HATE when instead of just talking about the problems of having a real conversation about anything, she gets pregnant.
When has ever a baby saved a relationship? NEVER.
you guys are two grown adults, you couldn’t talk about things when it was just the two of you, what makes you think that a baby is gonna solve that, specially if the guy has ALWAYS said that he doesn’t want kids!
as a girl who doesn’t want kids, having them change their mind in just 2 chapters, that’s not realistic at all.
Besides any of that, this was a good book, just not the one for me. This book was gonna be a really good one and they hit me with the pregnancy trope. I like their friendship. i liked the setting and everything i just think we could have gone about it in a different way.
Now the audiobook was good, the girl actor ate, the guy on the other hand was kind of monotone and when he did the “groaning” i’m not gonna lie, that made me laugh out loud.
Playing for keeps is a best-friend romance between a cheerleader and a football player, we first meet them with a friendzone scene in which i felt sorry for her fr.
Seeing their dynamic as best friends honestly was amazing, they had a bond and banter and their little traditions, it genially made me happy to read about a relationship like that.
Then we get the “fake daiting plot” and honestly, it wasn’t bad, until it was. I loooove a fake daiting plot as much as the other person. I loved that they tried to establish rules and stuff to make them feel a little more comfortable but i feel like the way they acted as friends was better because they were super confortable and they had inside jokes and they were all lovey dovey in a natural way not forced.
On the other hand i loved that they slowly started to get more comfortable and natural doing those kind of things.
i do want to point out that the moment they hit me with the “but what if i was” that hit hard! I love that parts in this type of romance!
I know that they didn’t accept their feeling for each other and were trying to convince each other that their love was for the cameras, but once they accepted their feeling it turned from a wholesome relationship into a 100% sexual relationship, and that didn’t sit right with me. That was a lot of sex in a span of like 5-6 chapters.
I know you wanna establish that their relationship changed from friends to lovers. But being in a real relationship doesn’t mean that it turns into sex every single time you are together.
When Chase was having problems with his identity and his mother’s death and stuff, they could have talked, they could have done anything else to see how their relationship evolves from “i’m
talking to my friend about stuff” to “i’m letting my partner into my life not only the good but also the bad and the problems we all have” but what do we get? A side of the road blowjob :|
Now, they breakup after A DAY of being together. and I HATE that he goes from having her everyday in his life as a vital part being friends, to just one day of difference and being all like “i don’t need her in my life, i’m not what she wants”.
And, let me just talk about the worst part. I HATE when instead of just talking about the problems of having a real conversation about anything, she gets pregnant.
When has ever a baby saved a relationship? NEVER.
you guys are two grown adults, you couldn’t talk about things when it was just the two of you, what makes you think that a baby is gonna solve that, specially if the guy has ALWAYS said that he doesn’t want kids!
as a girl who doesn’t want kids, having them change their mind in just 2 chapters, that’s not realistic at all.
Besides any of that, this was a good book, just not the one for me. This book was gonna be a really good one and they hit me with the pregnancy trope. I like their friendship. i liked the setting and everything i just think we could have gone about it in a different way.
Now the audiobook was good, the girl actor ate, the guy on the other hand was kind of monotone and when he did the “groaning” i’m not gonna lie, that made me laugh out loud.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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