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Hockey Ever After #2
Just Playing for Keeps
A grumpy/sunshine fake dating hockey romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely performed in duet by Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke, and with a full cast including Ryan West and Savannah Thomas!
Ever hear the story about the dating coach who got dumped on the hockey arena’s jumbotron?
Everyone did. But I lived it. Including the moment when the team’s broody, tattooed winger Lake Axelrod swooped in on skates to rescue me from public humiliation.
Even more surprising? When the famously grumpy (and ridiculously sexy) hockey star insists on being my fake boyfriend for my sister’s high-profile wedding.
It’s the perfect sweet revenge plan since my ex is the best man. Bonus–I might even salvage my professional reputation.
We need rules though.
1. To pull this off, everyone from his teammates to my boss has to believe we’re a real couple.
2. That means swoony touches and knee-weakening kisses are required.
3. When it ends, we walk away.
But the intensity in Lake’s eyes after every post-game kiss makes me wonder if he’s pretending. With each whispered secret, the line between fake and real bends. Until it shatters one night in a hotel room.
Soon, he isn’t just playing the protective boyfriend—he’s the only one who truly sees me.
If I’m not careful, I’m going to break the most important rule of don’t fall for your fake date.
This is Lake and Remy's romance. Tropes grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend's brother, obsessed hero
Ever hear the story about the dating coach who got dumped on the hockey arena’s jumbotron?
Everyone did. But I lived it. Including the moment when the team’s broody, tattooed winger Lake Axelrod swooped in on skates to rescue me from public humiliation.
Even more surprising? When the famously grumpy (and ridiculously sexy) hockey star insists on being my fake boyfriend for my sister’s high-profile wedding.
It’s the perfect sweet revenge plan since my ex is the best man. Bonus–I might even salvage my professional reputation.
We need rules though.
1. To pull this off, everyone from his teammates to my boss has to believe we’re a real couple.
2. That means swoony touches and knee-weakening kisses are required.
3. When it ends, we walk away.
But the intensity in Lake’s eyes after every post-game kiss makes me wonder if he’s pretending. With each whispered secret, the line between fake and real bends. Until it shatters one night in a hotel room.
Soon, he isn’t just playing the protective boyfriend—he’s the only one who truly sees me.
If I’m not careful, I’m going to break the most important rule of don’t fall for your fake date.
This is Lake and Remy's romance. Tropes grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend's brother, obsessed hero
Audible Audio
First published June 3, 2026
About the author
Lauren Blakely
252 books25.2k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,064 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh my God, I was so busy I forgot to write the actual review 🤦🏻♀️ Anyway, I really enjoyed reading this book, but not as much as the first book in the series. Somehow, there's less humor in this one, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. I just hoped for more. I think I pushed through because of the audiobook - again, I'm in a slump - HOWEVER, I really admired the MMC's personality and gentleness so much.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
SKIP CHAPTERS: 27, 28, 33, 36, 40, 47, 57
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I have been in a horrible reading slump, and I hope this book helps me get out of it. Thank you so much, Good Girl PR, for the eARC & the ALC 🩵🩷
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
SKIP CHAPTERS: 27, 28, 33, 36, 40, 47, 57
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I have been in a horrible reading slump, and I hope this book helps me get out of it. Thank you so much, Good Girl PR, for the eARC & the ALC 🩵🩷
May 25, 2026
✨ Rating: 5⭐️
🫧 Vibes: meant to love you
🎶 Song: when you're ready - shawn mendes
📖 Favourite Quote: "She’s the most real thing to happen to me in years."
📚 Would I recommend? YES
💬 tldr thoughts: another banger from Lauren 🙂↕️
In the package:
📦 fake dating
📦 he falls first
📦 best friend's brother
📦 gift giving
Plot: Remy thinks she's about to get engaged but turns out she gets dumbed on the hockey arena’s jumbotron. Enter Lake Axelrod, the team’s right winger, who swoops in to rescue her from public humiliation. He proposes the fake date so she can have a date to her sister's wedding, where her ex is the best man. Lake is determined to show Remy how she deserves to be treated by a boyfriend.
Thoughts: are we surprised I rated this 5 stars? Cause I'm not 🤭 Lauren always writes the sweetest MMCs and I love it when a man is pathetically obsessed with the FMC. The man listened and paid attention to everything Remy did and said 🙂↕️ (as any man should). They had so many cute and heartfelt moments, I was swooning. I am also obsessed with MMCs that are grumps to everyone but the FMC they're crushing on. Loved seeing the cameos from Corbin and Mabel in this one as well! At this point, if Lauren writes it, I'll read it and rate it 5 stars, it's that simple.
Thank you Hambright PR and Lauren Blakely for the eARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: meant to love you
🎶 Song: when you're ready - shawn mendes
📖 Favourite Quote: "She’s the most real thing to happen to me in years."
📚 Would I recommend? YES
💬 tldr thoughts: another banger from Lauren 🙂↕️
In the package:
📦 fake dating
📦 he falls first
📦 best friend's brother
📦 gift giving
Plot: Remy thinks she's about to get engaged but turns out she gets dumbed on the hockey arena’s jumbotron. Enter Lake Axelrod, the team’s right winger, who swoops in to rescue her from public humiliation. He proposes the fake date so she can have a date to her sister's wedding, where her ex is the best man. Lake is determined to show Remy how she deserves to be treated by a boyfriend.
Thoughts: are we surprised I rated this 5 stars? Cause I'm not 🤭 Lauren always writes the sweetest MMCs and I love it when a man is pathetically obsessed with the FMC. The man listened and paid attention to everything Remy did and said 🙂↕️ (as any man should). They had so many cute and heartfelt moments, I was swooning. I am also obsessed with MMCs that are grumps to everyone but the FMC they're crushing on. Loved seeing the cameos from Corbin and Mabel in this one as well! At this point, if Lauren writes it, I'll read it and rate it 5 stars, it's that simple.
Thank you Hambright PR and Lauren Blakely for the eARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
June 17, 2026
Just Playing for Keeps
&
The Deal vs Just Playing for Keep
..
Just Playing for Keeps
The idea may be deeper than the novel itself..
yet it invites the reader to reflect on it.
It remains unclear where it all began.
Were hidden feelings lying dormant all along..
quietly setting the game in motion?...
Or did the game awaken vague emotions that surprised everyone..including the people experiencing them?
The beginning remains uncertain
and perhaps that uncertainty is what makes the story so compelling.
💔
As always...
Lauren Blakely delivers a light and enjoyable romance..
filled with witty dialogue..
and playful chemistry between the characters.
Romance and humor blend seamlessly creating a story that is both entertaining and effortlessly engaging.
What makes this novel stand out is that its
"fake relationship"
premise serves merely as a narrative device.
Love here is not born from pretending..
it is revealed through it.
The protagonists do not move from indifference to genuine feeling.. rather.. the game gives them the opportunity to acknowledge what they have been trying to deny from the very beginning.
As a result..
the novel feels less like a story about falling in love and more like a story about discovering and embracing a love that was already there.
..
The Deal vs Just Playing for Keeps
At first glance..
the two novels share a similar foundation:
both are sports romances built around an agreement between the protagonists
and in both stories..closeness begins for practical reasons rather than a direct confession of love.
Yet beneath that similarity..
the emotional core of each novel is quite different.
In The Dea..
the relationship is rooted in mutual benefit.
Hannah helps Garrett academically..
while Garrett helps Hannah socially.
Their feelings develop gradually through cooperation..
trus..
and growing intimacy.
The novel places significant emphasis on personal growth..
emotional healing..
and the lasting impact of past wounds.
At its heart..
The Deal is a story about two people who grow closer and eventually realize they have fallen in love.
Just Playing for Keeps..
on the other hand..
is built entirely around the fake relationship trope.
Its tone is lighter..
more playful..
and closer to a romantic comedy.
The focus is less on emotional trauma and more on chemistry, attraction..
and the joy of watching two people navigate increasingly blurred boundaries between performance and reality.
...
The difference between the two can be summed up simply:
The Deal asks: How does love grow?
Just Playing for Keeps asks: When did love begin .. and was it there before the characters realized it?
In The Deal.. the relationship creates love.
In Just Playing for Keeps..the relationship reveals it..
and in doing so allows it to emerge.
&
The Deal vs Just Playing for Keep
..
Just Playing for Keeps
The idea may be deeper than the novel itself..
yet it invites the reader to reflect on it.
It remains unclear where it all began.
Were hidden feelings lying dormant all along..
quietly setting the game in motion?...
Or did the game awaken vague emotions that surprised everyone..including the people experiencing them?
The beginning remains uncertain
and perhaps that uncertainty is what makes the story so compelling.
💔
As always...
Lauren Blakely delivers a light and enjoyable romance..
filled with witty dialogue..
and playful chemistry between the characters.
Romance and humor blend seamlessly creating a story that is both entertaining and effortlessly engaging.
What makes this novel stand out is that its
"fake relationship"
premise serves merely as a narrative device.
Love here is not born from pretending..
it is revealed through it.
The protagonists do not move from indifference to genuine feeling.. rather.. the game gives them the opportunity to acknowledge what they have been trying to deny from the very beginning.
As a result..
the novel feels less like a story about falling in love and more like a story about discovering and embracing a love that was already there.
..
The Deal vs Just Playing for Keeps
At first glance..
the two novels share a similar foundation:
both are sports romances built around an agreement between the protagonists
and in both stories..closeness begins for practical reasons rather than a direct confession of love.
Yet beneath that similarity..
the emotional core of each novel is quite different.
In The Dea..
the relationship is rooted in mutual benefit.
Hannah helps Garrett academically..
while Garrett helps Hannah socially.
Their feelings develop gradually through cooperation..
trus..
and growing intimacy.
The novel places significant emphasis on personal growth..
emotional healing..
and the lasting impact of past wounds.
At its heart..
The Deal is a story about two people who grow closer and eventually realize they have fallen in love.
Just Playing for Keeps..
on the other hand..
is built entirely around the fake relationship trope.
Its tone is lighter..
more playful..
and closer to a romantic comedy.
The focus is less on emotional trauma and more on chemistry, attraction..
and the joy of watching two people navigate increasingly blurred boundaries between performance and reality.
...
The difference between the two can be summed up simply:
The Deal asks: How does love grow?
Just Playing for Keeps asks: When did love begin .. and was it there before the characters realized it?
In The Deal.. the relationship creates love.
In Just Playing for Keeps..the relationship reveals it..
and in doing so allows it to emerge.
June 8, 2026
HELLO BOOK TWO IN THE HOCKEY EVER AFTER SERIES!! FAKE DATING AND HOCKEY ROMANCE IN ONE!? HELLLL YESSSSSS
It was actually the perfect book to read after finishing my binge of the Off Campus tv show so for you girlies that get it...here you go!
I absolutely loved Remy & Lake together. Besides the fact that this man has had feelings for her FOR YEARS, he literally distracts everyone when she gets publicly friend-zoned by her (ex)boyfriend on the jumbotron during a hockey game...WHAT A MAN. oh and he agrees to fake date her for her sister's wedding where her ex is the best man so like we are winning on all aspects here!!! This is a big deal too because her sister is lowkey famous and being sponsored /televised so Remy feels the need to show everyone her ex didn't ruin her vibes. Oh did I mention that Lake is also secretly dirty asf in the best way. YUMMY. Remy is such a good character and she really drew the short stick with her previous partners. Now she has a guy who is willing to show her how a real man would treat her even if its just "fake" ;)))) I had a great time listening to two of my faves narrate this, they really brought the characters to life and I felt like I was IN IT.
my favorite moment is the lipstick test WHEW. and the practice beforehand. IFYKYK.
type: audio (erin mallon & jason clarke)
spice: 2
tropes:
grumpy x sunshine
hockey romance
best friend's brother
fake dating
only one bed
he falls first
workplace romance
Microtrope:
when he comes in his pants
thanks lauren for the ALC <3
It was actually the perfect book to read after finishing my binge of the Off Campus tv show so for you girlies that get it...here you go!
I absolutely loved Remy & Lake together. Besides the fact that this man has had feelings for her FOR YEARS, he literally distracts everyone when she gets publicly friend-zoned by her (ex)boyfriend on the jumbotron during a hockey game...WHAT A MAN. oh and he agrees to fake date her for her sister's wedding where her ex is the best man so like we are winning on all aspects here!!! This is a big deal too because her sister is lowkey famous and being sponsored /televised so Remy feels the need to show everyone her ex didn't ruin her vibes. Oh did I mention that Lake is also secretly dirty asf in the best way. YUMMY. Remy is such a good character and she really drew the short stick with her previous partners. Now she has a guy who is willing to show her how a real man would treat her even if its just "fake" ;)))) I had a great time listening to two of my faves narrate this, they really brought the characters to life and I felt like I was IN IT.
my favorite moment is the lipstick test WHEW. and the practice beforehand. IFYKYK.
type: audio (erin mallon & jason clarke)
spice: 2
tropes:
grumpy x sunshine
hockey romance
best friend's brother
fake dating
only one bed
he falls first
workplace romance
Microtrope:
when he comes in his pants
thanks lauren for the ALC <3
May 30, 2026
Who wouldn’t want nap lessons from a hot professional hockey player?
This story starts with our FMC thinking she’s going to get a diamond ring at the hockey game, but a metaphorical tub of popcorn is dumped on her head.
After she’s dumped on the Jumbotron she needs to find a date to her sister’s wedding that’s coming up - because she wants everything to be perfect. Remy is a romance planner, and her sister is a famous influencer so this wedding needs to go off without a hitch.
Insert Lake who is our tattooed, flawed, hockey player. He offers to be her date… which turns into being a fake boyfriend.
I think my favorite parts of the stories are the fun dates and the effort the characters put into their “relationship” and I also liked the character details - like being superstitious and the animal tattoos. Honorable mention fav part: Thor
I received an ALC of this story, and I enjoyed the main character’s narrators, but the other minor character’s lines sounded like they were recorded on much cheaper equipment.
This story starts with our FMC thinking she’s going to get a diamond ring at the hockey game, but a metaphorical tub of popcorn is dumped on her head.
After she’s dumped on the Jumbotron she needs to find a date to her sister’s wedding that’s coming up - because she wants everything to be perfect. Remy is a romance planner, and her sister is a famous influencer so this wedding needs to go off without a hitch.
Insert Lake who is our tattooed, flawed, hockey player. He offers to be her date… which turns into being a fake boyfriend.
I think my favorite parts of the stories are the fun dates and the effort the characters put into their “relationship” and I also liked the character details - like being superstitious and the animal tattoos. Honorable mention fav part: Thor
I received an ALC of this story, and I enjoyed the main character’s narrators, but the other minor character’s lines sounded like they were recorded on much cheaper equipment.
Read
May 26, 2026I’ll always devour a sports romance with fake dating 🤭
May 28, 2026
4.5⭐️
First of all, this was a fantastic narration by Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke! These two are forever hilarious and brining all the emotions on these audios!
Lauren has a way of always keeping me laughing and absolutely loving her characters! Remy & Lake were no different! These two were perfect together.This one had me laughing and loving the banter! Undeniable chemistry & so much tension!!
I love a fake dating story & this one sucked me in and kept me hooked. I loved the added emotion in this one too & watching them navigate their pasts. Watching their relationship turn from fake to something so real just made my heart so happy! A heartwarming, fun, and swoony read! Probably one of my faves I’ve read by Lauren Blakely!
First of all, this was a fantastic narration by Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke! These two are forever hilarious and brining all the emotions on these audios!
Lauren has a way of always keeping me laughing and absolutely loving her characters! Remy & Lake were no different! These two were perfect together.This one had me laughing and loving the banter! Undeniable chemistry & so much tension!!
I love a fake dating story & this one sucked me in and kept me hooked. I loved the added emotion in this one too & watching them navigate their pasts. Watching their relationship turn from fake to something so real just made my heart so happy! A heartwarming, fun, and swoony read! Probably one of my faves I’ve read by Lauren Blakely!
June 4, 2026
The narrators were lovely, like always. I always love a good fake dating story because I know I'm going to get my HEA. 🤣 I loved Lake and adored Remy. Lauren Blakely always makes you fall for all of her characters and be besties with the FMCs.
We still get the found family with the teammates and the girl gang. But we also get...Banter. Yearning. Slow burn. Steam. Grumpy Sunshine. Revenge at an ex. Heartache. Drama from the wedding. Cute moments with stuffed fox toys. And even a kidnapping that was funny.
I just love the depth to the characters and the tiny details that went into their personalities. Such authentic characters and realistic story....but also dreamy and will make you swoon.
✨️ I demolished this book in less than a day.✨️
We still get the found family with the teammates and the girl gang. But we also get...Banter. Yearning. Slow burn. Steam. Grumpy Sunshine. Revenge at an ex. Heartache. Drama from the wedding. Cute moments with stuffed fox toys. And even a kidnapping that was funny.
I just love the depth to the characters and the tiny details that went into their personalities. Such authentic characters and realistic story....but also dreamy and will make you swoon.
✨️ I demolished this book in less than a day.✨️
June 2, 2026
2 1/2 🌟 rounded up
🎧 Audiobook
Want a book that’s heavy on spice and light on character and plot development? This is the book for you. This is a fake dating hockey romance that just tipped the scale too aggressively for me on sticky sweet. We have the hunky hockey star, Lake, with an unexplained and lacking-in-back-story obsession for his sister’s friend, Remy. Remy works part-time for the hockey team and has just been publicly dumped by her boyfriend during what she thought would be a proposal.
There are plenty of spicy sequences but, unfortunately, the story that fills in between them just lacked development and depth. And the level of ooey gooey sweetness coming from all characters just got to be too much to handle for me. The story opens early with Remy’s unfortunate dumping which, honestly, she ironically orchestrated on herself. For someone who was about to accept a wedding proposal there was no sense of heartbreak or even sadness. Similarly, the book starts off right away with Lake’s mad obsession for Remy with no explanation or history. It was all just too and convenient.
This isn’t a bad book and the narration is solid. It just wasn’t terribly original or interesting. There were moments where I was invested but also plenty of moments of eye rolling. Just have to be ready for all of that.
Thank you to Hambright PR for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy and share my thoughts.
🎧 Audiobook
Want a book that’s heavy on spice and light on character and plot development? This is the book for you. This is a fake dating hockey romance that just tipped the scale too aggressively for me on sticky sweet. We have the hunky hockey star, Lake, with an unexplained and lacking-in-back-story obsession for his sister’s friend, Remy. Remy works part-time for the hockey team and has just been publicly dumped by her boyfriend during what she thought would be a proposal.
There are plenty of spicy sequences but, unfortunately, the story that fills in between them just lacked development and depth. And the level of ooey gooey sweetness coming from all characters just got to be too much to handle for me. The story opens early with Remy’s unfortunate dumping which, honestly, she ironically orchestrated on herself. For someone who was about to accept a wedding proposal there was no sense of heartbreak or even sadness. Similarly, the book starts off right away with Lake’s mad obsession for Remy with no explanation or history. It was all just too and convenient.
This isn’t a bad book and the narration is solid. It just wasn’t terribly original or interesting. There were moments where I was invested but also plenty of moments of eye rolling. Just have to be ready for all of that.
Thank you to Hambright PR for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy and share my thoughts.
May 28, 2026
𐙚 𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: ★★★★
𐙚 𝓈𝓅𝒾𝒸𝑒:🌶️🌶️
𐙚 𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈:
- grumpy x sunshine
- hockey romance
- fake dating
- workplace romance
- best friend’s brother
- obsessed hero
⤷ the fake dating trope is definitely my favorite because it is never just fake but i love how they lie to themselves about how they feel about each other💓
❀࿐ 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈:
lake axelrod definitely has a first class in pining!!
he falls first and even though she doesn’t realize it immediately, he just wants to be there for her. even with being a grump, he’ll put it aside just to show up for remy and it’s so, so cute.
remy is sunshine personified!! she’s such a romantic. she’s a perfectionist, a type a girl, and i love how well she’s doing for herself, especially while dealing with her anxiety (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ‹𝟹
they fit together like puzzle pieces. i love how well he sees her, he notices everything about her and would do anything to make her happy. he’s so protective of her and i love them so much. this book made me feel all warm and fuzzy 🥰
it reads like the loveliest romcom. just wonderful!
𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌🎧
i’ve only listened to a fair number of audiobooks and i will always choose a duet narration. the narration made everything feel so immersive and the narrators brought the chemistry to life so perfectly. the extra performances were just perfect too, i loved every second of listening to them🥺
thank you so much @laurenblakely & @hambright.pr for the eARC and ALC🎧
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ᰔᩚ
𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙: currently in my hockey romance era and this one has fake dating so my expectations are already dangerously high
thank you so much to Hambright PR and Lauren Blakely for the ARC + ALC 🎧💕
⋮ ⌗ ┆ 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙: 21st May,2026
𐙚 𝓈𝓅𝒾𝒸𝑒:🌶️🌶️
𐙚 𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈:
- grumpy x sunshine
- hockey romance
- fake dating
- workplace romance
- best friend’s brother
- obsessed hero
⤷ the fake dating trope is definitely my favorite because it is never just fake but i love how they lie to themselves about how they feel about each other💓
❀࿐ 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈:
lake axelrod definitely has a first class in pining!!
he falls first and even though she doesn’t realize it immediately, he just wants to be there for her. even with being a grump, he’ll put it aside just to show up for remy and it’s so, so cute.
remy is sunshine personified!! she’s such a romantic. she’s a perfectionist, a type a girl, and i love how well she’s doing for herself, especially while dealing with her anxiety (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ‹𝟹
they fit together like puzzle pieces. i love how well he sees her, he notices everything about her and would do anything to make her happy. he’s so protective of her and i love them so much. this book made me feel all warm and fuzzy 🥰
it reads like the loveliest romcom. just wonderful!
𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌🎧
i’ve only listened to a fair number of audiobooks and i will always choose a duet narration. the narration made everything feel so immersive and the narrators brought the chemistry to life so perfectly. the extra performances were just perfect too, i loved every second of listening to them🥺
thank you so much @laurenblakely & @hambright.pr for the eARC and ALC🎧
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ᰔᩚ
𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙: currently in my hockey romance era and this one has fake dating so my expectations are already dangerously high
thank you so much to Hambright PR and Lauren Blakely for the ARC + ALC 🎧💕
⋮ ⌗ ┆ 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙: 21st May,2026
June 4, 2026
Thank you to Lauren Blakely and Hambright PR for providing me with a #gifted ARC/ALC!
The setup alone had me hooked. A dating coach getting publicly dumped on the jumbotron is painful enough, but then Lake Axelrod, a broody, tattooed hockey player, steps in to save the day? I was obsessed from the start.
Lake is the perfect grumpy MMC quiet, protective, ridiculously swoony, and somehow even more lovable once the fake dating starts turning into something real. The chemistry between him and Remy was so good, especially with all the forced proximity, public displays of affection, and those moments where you know the feelings are no longer pretend.
And that only one bed hotel room scene? Absolutely everything.
As much as I loved the fake dating and romance, my favorite part was watching Remy finally find someone who truly saw her, supported her, and cared about her. Those emotional moments made me root for these two even more. 💕
The setup alone had me hooked. A dating coach getting publicly dumped on the jumbotron is painful enough, but then Lake Axelrod, a broody, tattooed hockey player, steps in to save the day? I was obsessed from the start.
Lake is the perfect grumpy MMC quiet, protective, ridiculously swoony, and somehow even more lovable once the fake dating starts turning into something real. The chemistry between him and Remy was so good, especially with all the forced proximity, public displays of affection, and those moments where you know the feelings are no longer pretend.
And that only one bed hotel room scene? Absolutely everything.
As much as I loved the fake dating and romance, my favorite part was watching Remy finally find someone who truly saw her, supported her, and cared about her. Those emotional moments made me root for these two even more. 💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Just Playing For Keeps was another cute and funny hocky romance featuring one of my favorite tropes, fake dating.
Remy is humiliated by a very public breakup on the jumbotron during a hockey game. Lake is a pro hockey player and her best friend's brother. He usually doesn't like attention, but he does what it takes to get the focus off of her. He offers to fake date her during all of her sister's wedding planning and events since her ex is also the best man.
Lake has been pining after Remy for a while and this fake dating gives him the best opportunity to get closer to her. He may have come off grumpy at first, but he was super swoony. He decided to show her how she should be treated and they start to fall hard for each other.
I really loved how they had so many sweet moments where they really opened up to each other. I felt their connection and the chemistry was off the charts as usual.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Duet narration by Jason Clarke & Erin Mallon
This had duet narration from Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon, featuring Savannah Thomas and Ryan West. I always love Lauren Blakely's audiobooks and I think this one mad the reading experience more enjoyable. Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon brought the chemistry, humor, and spice to life in the best way.
Thank you to Lauren Blakely for providing the ARC & ALC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Just Playing For Keeps was another cute and funny hocky romance featuring one of my favorite tropes, fake dating.
Remy is humiliated by a very public breakup on the jumbotron during a hockey game. Lake is a pro hockey player and her best friend's brother. He usually doesn't like attention, but he does what it takes to get the focus off of her. He offers to fake date her during all of her sister's wedding planning and events since her ex is also the best man.
Lake has been pining after Remy for a while and this fake dating gives him the best opportunity to get closer to her. He may have come off grumpy at first, but he was super swoony. He decided to show her how she should be treated and they start to fall hard for each other.
I really loved how they had so many sweet moments where they really opened up to each other. I felt their connection and the chemistry was off the charts as usual.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Duet narration by Jason Clarke & Erin Mallon
This had duet narration from Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon, featuring Savannah Thomas and Ryan West. I always love Lauren Blakely's audiobooks and I think this one mad the reading experience more enjoyable. Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon brought the chemistry, humor, and spice to life in the best way.
Thank you to Lauren Blakely for providing the ARC & ALC.
May 25, 2026
4/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
Lauren Blakely delivered exactly what I wanted from a hockey romance with Just Playing for Keeps — chemistry, banter, emotional depth, and a hero who completely stole the show. While I enjoyed book one in the Hockey Ever After series, this one had a little more substance and emotional weight to it, which made me connect with the characters even more.
Lake and Remy were such a fun pairing. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic worked perfectly, and fake dating will always be one of my favorite tropes when it’s done well. Lake had that broody, protective energy that made every scene with him feel intense in the best way, but Lauren balanced it beautifully with humor and playful banter throughout the story. And of course, there was plenty of spice to keep things moving along.
What I loved most was how their relationship slowly shifted from “pretending” to something undeniably real. Beneath the swoony hockey romance, there was genuine vulnerability and emotional connection that gave the story extra depth.
The audiobook narration made the experience even better. Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke are absolute staples in the romance genre for a reason. Jason Clarke was the perfect choice for Lake — his voice captured that gruff, possessive, secretly-soft energy flawlessly. Erin Mallon also did a fantastic job bringing Remy to life, especially with the subtle emotional shifts in her performance.
Overall, this was funny, heartfelt, sexy, and emotionally satisfying. If you love grumpy hockey players, fake dating, obsessive heroes, and fantastic audiobook narration, this one is definitely worth picking up.
1.5/5 🌶️
Lauren Blakely delivered exactly what I wanted from a hockey romance with Just Playing for Keeps — chemistry, banter, emotional depth, and a hero who completely stole the show. While I enjoyed book one in the Hockey Ever After series, this one had a little more substance and emotional weight to it, which made me connect with the characters even more.
Lake and Remy were such a fun pairing. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic worked perfectly, and fake dating will always be one of my favorite tropes when it’s done well. Lake had that broody, protective energy that made every scene with him feel intense in the best way, but Lauren balanced it beautifully with humor and playful banter throughout the story. And of course, there was plenty of spice to keep things moving along.
What I loved most was how their relationship slowly shifted from “pretending” to something undeniably real. Beneath the swoony hockey romance, there was genuine vulnerability and emotional connection that gave the story extra depth.
The audiobook narration made the experience even better. Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke are absolute staples in the romance genre for a reason. Jason Clarke was the perfect choice for Lake — his voice captured that gruff, possessive, secretly-soft energy flawlessly. Erin Mallon also did a fantastic job bringing Remy to life, especially with the subtle emotional shifts in her performance.
Overall, this was funny, heartfelt, sexy, and emotionally satisfying. If you love grumpy hockey players, fake dating, obsessive heroes, and fantastic audiobook narration, this one is definitely worth picking up.
June 15, 2026
Just Playing for Keeps
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lauren Blakely
Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke, Savannah Thomas and Ryan West
Seriously, I have never read a Lauren Blakely book that I haven’t absolutely loved! The banter, the characters, the delicious spice and then she goes and gets me every time when she my absolute favorite supporting characters of the four legged variety!
This book has Remy and Lake and I just fell in love with them, their families, their coworkers and teammates and this just made me wanting more!
I read most of the book with my ears and Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke knocked it out of the park as Remy and Lake. I felt the friendship and then the love just coming through. Great choices for narration!
I can’t wait for Lauren’s next book!
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lauren Blakely
Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke, Savannah Thomas and Ryan West
Seriously, I have never read a Lauren Blakely book that I haven’t absolutely loved! The banter, the characters, the delicious spice and then she goes and gets me every time when she my absolute favorite supporting characters of the four legged variety!
This book has Remy and Lake and I just fell in love with them, their families, their coworkers and teammates and this just made me wanting more!
I read most of the book with my ears and Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke knocked it out of the park as Remy and Lake. I felt the friendship and then the love just coming through. Great choices for narration!
I can’t wait for Lauren’s next book!
May 18, 2026
Remy Hatmaker was dumped in the most embarrassing way in front of the world. Thank goodness hockey right winger, Lake Axelrod, was watching and stepped in to help. Now, she needs a date to her sister’s wedding since her ex is the best man and Lake wants to be her faux boyfriend to help her out. One thing though, he might be emotionally unavailable but he always had a thing for Remy. Can being her “boyfriend” maybe get him to open up to something real? This is a sweet, faux boyfriend romance. Lake was such a sweet man even with his occasional grump persona and Remy was his perfect match. Told in first person and dual POV.
May 31, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and ALC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Phew what a great audiobook/book!! The spice was spicing and I just absolutely loved it!! I love the full cast narration!! Lauren Blakely you did it again with this book!! It was chefs kiss!! The chemistry between Lake and Remy was phenomenal!! Love a good fake dating romance!! Cant wait for the next book!!
“This is Lake and Remy's romance. Tropes include: grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend's brother, obsessed hero.”
“This is Lake and Remy's romance. Tropes include: grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend's brother, obsessed hero.”
June 9, 2026
I love a good fake dating, sports, best friends brother romance book.
Remy is dumbed on a jumbotron at her work. Lake, hockey player and resident grump, takes the eyes off her by actually being cute and kind on the ice.
From there starts a fake dating scheme with real feelings. I love a man who wants the best for his girl and knows she deserves the best. And the story of a good girl who has been walked over too many times and finally gets what she deserves.
Remy and Lake are so great together and this was a really fun read! Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke did a great job bringing these characters to life!
Remy is dumbed on a jumbotron at her work. Lake, hockey player and resident grump, takes the eyes off her by actually being cute and kind on the ice.
From there starts a fake dating scheme with real feelings. I love a man who wants the best for his girl and knows she deserves the best. And the story of a good girl who has been walked over too many times and finally gets what she deserves.
Remy and Lake are so great together and this was a really fun read! Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke did a great job bringing these characters to life!
June 3, 2026
ARC/ALC
June 4, 2026
Beta
📕Book Review/Beta📕
This one had all the things that make a book a 5 star read for me: humor, wit, delightful side character interaction, my favorite microtropes, swoon, exquisite mental health rep, character growth, and deeply moving parts that made me choke up and cry.
Lake and Remy were the sweetest couple whether fake dating or really vibing, the spice was steamy, and the touching journey from fake to oh so real was laced with emotional intimacy building and connection and communication that made this therapist heart so happy. No one makes me giggle like Lauren Blakely-and being in a small way a part of this journey was and always is a dream.
Therapist 👋 Take: the mental health rep here was so well done-anxiety rep and perfectionist and people pleasing behaviors acknowledged and unpacked, therapy that felt realistic, internal dialogue that was relatable and important. Lake was a great example of a man living with complicated grief, managing that in healthy and not so healthy ways, and he demonstrated the beauty and peace that results from finally asking for help. You’ll love Lake’s dad and his journey too but I won’t go spoiling it. It takes a lot these days to deeply move me and make me cry, and even to have me stop and pause in the home stretch because I don’t want it to be over. Lauren B seems to nail that every time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Lauren Blakely for the opportunity to beta read and for the eARC 💕
📕Book Review/Beta📕
This one had all the things that make a book a 5 star read for me: humor, wit, delightful side character interaction, my favorite microtropes, swoon, exquisite mental health rep, character growth, and deeply moving parts that made me choke up and cry.
Lake and Remy were the sweetest couple whether fake dating or really vibing, the spice was steamy, and the touching journey from fake to oh so real was laced with emotional intimacy building and connection and communication that made this therapist heart so happy. No one makes me giggle like Lauren Blakely-and being in a small way a part of this journey was and always is a dream.
Therapist 👋 Take: the mental health rep here was so well done-anxiety rep and perfectionist and people pleasing behaviors acknowledged and unpacked, therapy that felt realistic, internal dialogue that was relatable and important. Lake was a great example of a man living with complicated grief, managing that in healthy and not so healthy ways, and he demonstrated the beauty and peace that results from finally asking for help. You’ll love Lake’s dad and his journey too but I won’t go spoiling it. It takes a lot these days to deeply move me and make me cry, and even to have me stop and pause in the home stretch because I don’t want it to be over. Lauren B seems to nail that every time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Lauren Blakely for the opportunity to beta read and for the eARC 💕
May 31, 2026
Just Playing for Keeps is the second book in the Hockey Ever After series and can 100% be read as a standalone. And while the story takes place during the hockey season, it felt like the perfect summer read.
Remy is the FMC and loves love. So much in fact that she kind of helps plan her supposed proposal. Well, what she thinks is going to be her proposal. But ends up being one of the most embarrassing things to happen to her and is shared on a Jumbotron during a hockey game. Lake, the MMC plays for said hockey team and sees everything. He's grumpy and has been emotionally unavailable for years, but has harbored a secret crush on Remy. When he sees what is happening on the Jumbotron, he swoops in and provides just what Remy needs to take some of the spotlight off of her disaster. But the good looking, protective star hockey player doesn't stop there. When Remy needs one more thing, Lake knows it has to be his in and he will take any piece that Remy will give him, fake or not.
This story was just so fun and sweet and with the best characters. I love a good fake dating trope and Blakely came through with two characters that nailed their situation (pun intended). When Remy could've let the world eat her up by being embarrassed, she came out on the other side much stronger thanks to being preoccupied with her sister's wedding. And that's where Lake, her best friend's brother steps in. He may be perceived as grumpy, but he has a bit more in his repertoire than that. He loves his family fiercely, is an animal lover and has a leash-wearing cat that tends to steal every scene he is in. And when Remy asks him to be her date to her sister's wedding because her ex is going to be there, Lake knows that this is his chance to show Remy what a true boyfriend should treat her like.
I loved Lake and Remy and how well they seemed to balance each other out. I liked their "fake" dates and how well they fit each other's personalities and how careful they were with each other's feelings. Lake may have been grumpy, but it was obvious by all his actions how much he cared for Remy. I never for one minute questioned their undeniable chemistry. Watching them navigate their pasts while making a connection to each other during their "fake dating" was just so much fun. Filled with laughs and obvious sexual tension that kept me pulled in, this hockey romance was a joy. I also have to add that I loved who was made the villain and all the douchey things they did. It made me love Lake that much more.
With all that said, I have to give major props to the audiobook narrators. I couldn't think of two better narrators to portray Lake and Remy than Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon. Jason is hands down one of my favorite male narrators that captured Lake's protective yet soft personality with a grump exterior, while Erin gave a perfectly emotionally nuanced performance for Remy, bringing those two characters to life in duet style narration with a full cast that also featured Savannah Thomas and Ryan West in supporting roles.
Overall, this was an enjoyable listen with a great cast of characters.
If you like sports romance with a fake dating trope between grumpy/sunshine characters, I think Just Playing for Keeps will be a book to add to your summer reading list.
Remy is the FMC and loves love. So much in fact that she kind of helps plan her supposed proposal. Well, what she thinks is going to be her proposal. But ends up being one of the most embarrassing things to happen to her and is shared on a Jumbotron during a hockey game. Lake, the MMC plays for said hockey team and sees everything. He's grumpy and has been emotionally unavailable for years, but has harbored a secret crush on Remy. When he sees what is happening on the Jumbotron, he swoops in and provides just what Remy needs to take some of the spotlight off of her disaster. But the good looking, protective star hockey player doesn't stop there. When Remy needs one more thing, Lake knows it has to be his in and he will take any piece that Remy will give him, fake or not.
This story was just so fun and sweet and with the best characters. I love a good fake dating trope and Blakely came through with two characters that nailed their situation (pun intended). When Remy could've let the world eat her up by being embarrassed, she came out on the other side much stronger thanks to being preoccupied with her sister's wedding. And that's where Lake, her best friend's brother steps in. He may be perceived as grumpy, but he has a bit more in his repertoire than that. He loves his family fiercely, is an animal lover and has a leash-wearing cat that tends to steal every scene he is in. And when Remy asks him to be her date to her sister's wedding because her ex is going to be there, Lake knows that this is his chance to show Remy what a true boyfriend should treat her like.
I loved Lake and Remy and how well they seemed to balance each other out. I liked their "fake" dates and how well they fit each other's personalities and how careful they were with each other's feelings. Lake may have been grumpy, but it was obvious by all his actions how much he cared for Remy. I never for one minute questioned their undeniable chemistry. Watching them navigate their pasts while making a connection to each other during their "fake dating" was just so much fun. Filled with laughs and obvious sexual tension that kept me pulled in, this hockey romance was a joy. I also have to add that I loved who was made the villain and all the douchey things they did. It made me love Lake that much more.
With all that said, I have to give major props to the audiobook narrators. I couldn't think of two better narrators to portray Lake and Remy than Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon. Jason is hands down one of my favorite male narrators that captured Lake's protective yet soft personality with a grump exterior, while Erin gave a perfectly emotionally nuanced performance for Remy, bringing those two characters to life in duet style narration with a full cast that also featured Savannah Thomas and Ryan West in supporting roles.
Overall, this was an enjoyable listen with a great cast of characters.
If you like sports romance with a fake dating trope between grumpy/sunshine characters, I think Just Playing for Keeps will be a book to add to your summer reading list.
June 4, 2026
Thank you to Lauren Blakely for the opportunity to review this book. This is my voluntary and honest opinion.
This is my first book by this author but I am an avid contemporary romance and sports romance reader and enjoy the fake dating trope!
Overall Thoughts:
From the very beginning I loved these characters and was rooting for them. I loved them individually, and I loved their connection with each other. The story was a fake dating one but there was so much more to it. Unlike the typical fake dating they were both all in from the beginning though afraid to share how they felt. I really loved seeing the two of them put each other first and do their best to make each other feel loved and appreciated.
Spice Level:
This gets pretty spicy with some graphic scenes and language.
Characters:
Remy and Lake are #goals honestly. The way they treat each other but also the others in their lives shows how much they deserve each other. Remy has devoted wheeled to her job but also to her sister who is getting married and needs all hands on deck, including a MOH sister with a plus one. Enter, Lake. The dreamy swoony growly ridiculously sweet hockey player who skates in to save the day after Remys original date dumps her in the worst way.
The friend characters are definitely fun and add a little laughter to the book when needed. I also loved Lakes father and of course, Thor- his Siamese cat!
Romance and Chemistry:
Their romance is so sweet and they both go out of their way to shower the other with love even when it’s “fake”. Once things get rolling and they can’t deny their explosive chemistry anymore things get really fun!
Writing Style and Pacing:
I loved the writing style on this book. I enjoy when I’m reading a book and I can hear my friends and I saying the lines because it’s so realistic. The pacing was perfect and the story moved so well that it made the book go by fast!
Setting and Vibes:
Set mostly in the San Francisco are with time spent on a farm, and also at the hockey rink.
Content and Triggers:
Anxiety/mental health
Death of spouse (off page)
Final thoughts:
I loved this book and already downloaded the others in the series! It was such a nice enjoyable romance with lovable characters, a cat daddy, sexy mirror scene, cute hockey moments, and wedding shenanigans. If you life fake dating, only one bed, grumpy sunshine, hockey romance, and swooning- this is your next read!
Ratings:
4.25/5
3/5 spice
This is my first book by this author but I am an avid contemporary romance and sports romance reader and enjoy the fake dating trope!
Overall Thoughts:
From the very beginning I loved these characters and was rooting for them. I loved them individually, and I loved their connection with each other. The story was a fake dating one but there was so much more to it. Unlike the typical fake dating they were both all in from the beginning though afraid to share how they felt. I really loved seeing the two of them put each other first and do their best to make each other feel loved and appreciated.
Spice Level:
This gets pretty spicy with some graphic scenes and language.
Characters:
Remy and Lake are #goals honestly. The way they treat each other but also the others in their lives shows how much they deserve each other. Remy has devoted wheeled to her job but also to her sister who is getting married and needs all hands on deck, including a MOH sister with a plus one. Enter, Lake. The dreamy swoony growly ridiculously sweet hockey player who skates in to save the day after Remys original date dumps her in the worst way.
The friend characters are definitely fun and add a little laughter to the book when needed. I also loved Lakes father and of course, Thor- his Siamese cat!
Romance and Chemistry:
Their romance is so sweet and they both go out of their way to shower the other with love even when it’s “fake”. Once things get rolling and they can’t deny their explosive chemistry anymore things get really fun!
Writing Style and Pacing:
I loved the writing style on this book. I enjoy when I’m reading a book and I can hear my friends and I saying the lines because it’s so realistic. The pacing was perfect and the story moved so well that it made the book go by fast!
Setting and Vibes:
Set mostly in the San Francisco are with time spent on a farm, and also at the hockey rink.
Content and Triggers:
Anxiety/mental health
Death of spouse (off page)
Final thoughts:
I loved this book and already downloaded the others in the series! It was such a nice enjoyable romance with lovable characters, a cat daddy, sexy mirror scene, cute hockey moments, and wedding shenanigans. If you life fake dating, only one bed, grumpy sunshine, hockey romance, and swooning- this is your next read!
Ratings:
4.25/5
3/5 spice
June 12, 2026
#Review: *Just Playing for Keeps* - Lauren Blakely - ARC/ALC [18+]
4.5/5✨
3.5/5🌶️
Remy was friendzoned in the worst way possible by her boyfriend. While attending a hockey game, what Remy initially thought it's going to be a proposal became, in fact, the most awkward moment, because her now ex boyfriend dumped her while they were on the big screens, being humiliated in front of an entire country. That's how grumpy hockey player, Lake, came into the picture, who suggested to Remy to fake date him. That was only meant for her sister's high profile wedding, so that Remy won't go alone when her ex will be also present as a best man. But what started as fake didn't feel like that anymore after a while, the lines getting more blurred with each moment they spent together. Will there be more between them in the end or will they amicably part ways after they've accomplished their purposes?
This was such a cute, fun and sexy read! I had a blast listening to Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon who brought these characters to life🥰. I must start by saying that I fell in love with grumpy Lake, who was quite compassionate and protective, especially when it came to Remy.🤭 And the way Jason Clarke succeeded in portraying him made me love him even more! I really hated Remy's ex boyfriend, who was such a self entitled prick 😅, especially for what he did to her and how he thought that Remy would come back to him anytime he wanted to. Lake was the complete opposite to him, trying to be discreet and more withdrawn, but I liked how Remy managed to bring to out another side of him, being a little less grumpy when he was around her. Of course that I was completely swooned by Lake because of his secret crush for Remy and how he fell even harder during the period when they spent more time together.
I enjoyed so much reading and listening to this book, having a great time following these characters and the entangled situation they were part of. I cannot wait to read the next book from this series 😍.
Thank you so much Hambright Pr for accepting me to receive an e-ARC and ALC of this book. It was so much fun! The whole cast of this book were amazing!💗
✨Tropes
▫️Grumpy/Sunshine
▫️Fake Dating
▫️Workplace Romance
▫️Best Friend's Brother
▫️Obsessed Hero
▫️He Falls First
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Hockey Player
4.5/5✨
3.5/5🌶️
Remy was friendzoned in the worst way possible by her boyfriend. While attending a hockey game, what Remy initially thought it's going to be a proposal became, in fact, the most awkward moment, because her now ex boyfriend dumped her while they were on the big screens, being humiliated in front of an entire country. That's how grumpy hockey player, Lake, came into the picture, who suggested to Remy to fake date him. That was only meant for her sister's high profile wedding, so that Remy won't go alone when her ex will be also present as a best man. But what started as fake didn't feel like that anymore after a while, the lines getting more blurred with each moment they spent together. Will there be more between them in the end or will they amicably part ways after they've accomplished their purposes?
This was such a cute, fun and sexy read! I had a blast listening to Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon who brought these characters to life🥰. I must start by saying that I fell in love with grumpy Lake, who was quite compassionate and protective, especially when it came to Remy.🤭 And the way Jason Clarke succeeded in portraying him made me love him even more! I really hated Remy's ex boyfriend, who was such a self entitled prick 😅, especially for what he did to her and how he thought that Remy would come back to him anytime he wanted to. Lake was the complete opposite to him, trying to be discreet and more withdrawn, but I liked how Remy managed to bring to out another side of him, being a little less grumpy when he was around her. Of course that I was completely swooned by Lake because of his secret crush for Remy and how he fell even harder during the period when they spent more time together.
I enjoyed so much reading and listening to this book, having a great time following these characters and the entangled situation they were part of. I cannot wait to read the next book from this series 😍.
Thank you so much Hambright Pr for accepting me to receive an e-ARC and ALC of this book. It was so much fun! The whole cast of this book were amazing!💗
✨Tropes
▫️Grumpy/Sunshine
▫️Fake Dating
▫️Workplace Romance
▫️Best Friend's Brother
▫️Obsessed Hero
▫️He Falls First
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Hockey Player
June 4, 2026
Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 The immediate and never-ending happy hormone boost! I absolutely adored this story and this scrumptious narration. But, my notes are limited because life was lifin’, and I just needed to soak up some happiness in my ears.
🤩 If you love a fake dating trope at all, you need this in your life!
🤩 Narrated in DUET by Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke!! Rent & Lake are fun and fabulous and hot! These narrators are so so so scrumptious bringing these characters to life!
🤩 You know I love a good book pairing, and this one had all the fun details for so many options.
🤩 The Costco date! How fun!
🤩 The hair-cutting innuendos. 😏
🤩 The fake fun: “You’d better kiss it off then, Lake.”
🤩 That practice kiss and zipper fix!! Oh my tension!
🤩 “You’d better go put on some lipstick, Remy. I’m going to do everything in my power to absolutely f*ck it up on camera.” 💯in looooooove!
🤩 💒👗
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I immediately listened to chapter 27 again because I just wasn’t sure how much I loved it! 😜😏 But, could he really game day nap like that? 🤨 🤔 🧐
🤩 But, I like nap lessons! Because, “Naps are better with a . . .” “ . . . friend.”
🤩 After the reread, I decide that It! Is! Perfect! No matter what I was questioning, it is absolutely perfect! ❤️🔥🫠
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 The immediate and never-ending happy hormone boost! I absolutely adored this story and this scrumptious narration. But, my notes are limited because life was lifin’, and I just needed to soak up some happiness in my ears.
🤩 If you love a fake dating trope at all, you need this in your life!
🤩 Narrated in DUET by Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke!! Rent & Lake are fun and fabulous and hot! These narrators are so so so scrumptious bringing these characters to life!
🤩 You know I love a good book pairing, and this one had all the fun details for so many options.
🤩 The Costco date! How fun!
🤩 The hair-cutting innuendos. 😏
🤩 The fake fun: “You’d better kiss it off then, Lake.”
🤩 That practice kiss and zipper fix!! Oh my tension!
🤩 “You’d better go put on some lipstick, Remy. I’m going to do everything in my power to absolutely f*ck it up on camera.” 💯in looooooove!
🤩 💒👗
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I immediately listened to chapter 27 again because I just wasn’t sure how much I loved it! 😜😏 But, could he really game day nap like that? 🤨 🤔 🧐
🤩 But, I like nap lessons! Because, “Naps are better with a . . .” “ . . . friend.”
🤩 After the reread, I decide that It! Is! Perfect! No matter what I was questioning, it is absolutely perfect! ❤️🔥🫠
June 12, 2026
Just Playing for Keeps was everything I want in a hockey romance. It was funny, swoony, emotional, and packed with the kind of chemistry that makes you fly through a book in a single sitting.
The fake dating trope was done so well, and the grumpy x sunshine dynamic between Lake and Remy made every interaction entertaining. Lake is the perfect broody hockey player hero. He's protective, loyal, and completely gone for Remy long before he's willing to admit it. Watching him fall harder with every chapter was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Remy was equally easy to love. After a very public heartbreak, she's trying to rebuild her confidence and move forward, and I loved her resilience, warmth, and sense of humor. Together, she and Lake balanced each other perfectly.
What really made this story stand out was the emotional depth underneath the romance. The fake dating may have brought them together, but their growing trust, vulnerability, and friendship made me fully invested in their relationship. The chemistry was fantastic, but it was the emotional connection that made me root for them.
With hockey, fake dating, an obsessed hero, and plenty of heart, Just Playing for Keeps was a fun, feel-good romance that delivered all the swoony moments I was hoping for.
If you love grumpy x sunshine, fake dating, protective MMCs, and hockey romances that balance humor with emotion, definitely pick this one up.
The fake dating trope was done so well, and the grumpy x sunshine dynamic between Lake and Remy made every interaction entertaining. Lake is the perfect broody hockey player hero. He's protective, loyal, and completely gone for Remy long before he's willing to admit it. Watching him fall harder with every chapter was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Remy was equally easy to love. After a very public heartbreak, she's trying to rebuild her confidence and move forward, and I loved her resilience, warmth, and sense of humor. Together, she and Lake balanced each other perfectly.
What really made this story stand out was the emotional depth underneath the romance. The fake dating may have brought them together, but their growing trust, vulnerability, and friendship made me fully invested in their relationship. The chemistry was fantastic, but it was the emotional connection that made me root for them.
With hockey, fake dating, an obsessed hero, and plenty of heart, Just Playing for Keeps was a fun, feel-good romance that delivered all the swoony moments I was hoping for.
If you love grumpy x sunshine, fake dating, protective MMCs, and hockey romances that balance humor with emotion, definitely pick this one up.
June 2, 2026
Fake dating ✔️
Hockey romance ✔️
Grumpy/sunshine ✔️
It doesn’t take much for to reel me in and those 3 will do it every time.
Love that it’s a dual POV and we get to see exactly how Lake has felt about Remy and how this fake dating partnership is no hardship for him at all.
I love this little world that Lauren has created. The side characters are hilarious and amazing and I love the little peeks we get into the next book and even some nods to her other series.
I really liked seeing Remy’s journey and growth. Really realizing what she deserves and being unafraid to say it and take it. And the support and understanding from Lake complements her perfectly.
Thank you to Lauren, her team and Good Girls PR for this early copy!
Hockey romance ✔️
Grumpy/sunshine ✔️
It doesn’t take much for to reel me in and those 3 will do it every time.
Love that it’s a dual POV and we get to see exactly how Lake has felt about Remy and how this fake dating partnership is no hardship for him at all.
I love this little world that Lauren has created. The side characters are hilarious and amazing and I love the little peeks we get into the next book and even some nods to her other series.
I really liked seeing Remy’s journey and growth. Really realizing what she deserves and being unafraid to say it and take it. And the support and understanding from Lake complements her perfectly.
Thank you to Lauren, her team and Good Girls PR for this early copy!
June 9, 2026
I love a good hockey romance and this dual POV, fake dating, he falls first and harder, cat daddy love story was the greatest!!!
Funny, full of emotional depth, fake dating shenanigans and MOH events, spicy sex scenes and a dating to-do list. I really enjoyed Lake and Remy's story as they helped one another recover from loss and move on in life with one another.
It was great on audio with duet narration and a full cast of voice actors and perfect for fans of authors like Meghan Quinn or Helena Hunting. Many thanks to Hambright PR and the author for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.
🔥Steam level: multiple open door, explicit scenes
Funny, full of emotional depth, fake dating shenanigans and MOH events, spicy sex scenes and a dating to-do list. I really enjoyed Lake and Remy's story as they helped one another recover from loss and move on in life with one another.
It was great on audio with duet narration and a full cast of voice actors and perfect for fans of authors like Meghan Quinn or Helena Hunting. Many thanks to Hambright PR and the author for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.
🔥Steam level: multiple open door, explicit scenes
May 28, 2026
4.25 Stars!
Following Remy and Lake and their idea of helping each other with a fake dating situation that you can’t top watching unfold! Lake has had a crush on Remy for sometime but never acted on it and what better way to come in and save the day when Remy got publicly humiliated and needs a wedding date!
The banter was great! The connection was there! This had fake dating, fun banter, heartwarming, and told in dual pov.
Thank you to hambright pr and the author for the ALC! Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke did not disappoint! Out 6/3!
Following Remy and Lake and their idea of helping each other with a fake dating situation that you can’t top watching unfold! Lake has had a crush on Remy for sometime but never acted on it and what better way to come in and save the day when Remy got publicly humiliated and needs a wedding date!
The banter was great! The connection was there! This had fake dating, fun banter, heartwarming, and told in dual pov.
Thank you to hambright pr and the author for the ALC! Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke did not disappoint! Out 6/3!
May 22, 2026
ALC 4.25 ⭐
LOVED THIS!!!!
such a fun cute little hockey romance.
Lake was just 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹❤️🔥
Everything you want in a man!!!!
This was very trope heavy, fake dating, best friends brother, one bed BUUUUUUT it was all done well!
And the audio 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 DELISH
lakes dad at the end, my heart!!!!! Officially in my hockey romance era.
LOVED THIS!!!!
such a fun cute little hockey romance.
Lake was just 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹❤️🔥
Everything you want in a man!!!!
This was very trope heavy, fake dating, best friends brother, one bed BUUUUUUT it was all done well!
And the audio 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 DELISH
lakes dad at the end, my heart!!!!! Officially in my hockey romance era.
June 3, 2026
arc review | 3.5⭐️ 1-2🌶️
🏒🦉🩷
this was a good hockey romance! i really liked how lake was all in and ready to swoop in to help remy and the fact that he had a crush on her was the cutest thing ever. he may be in the fake dating scheme to help her but he was ready to claim her all along…swoon 🫠
remy took her public breakup like a champ and she deserved so much better and that was lake axelrod. they both helped heal and grow each other in different ways and it was so stinkin cute to see their connection blossom 😍
٠࣪⭑ what to expect ٠࣪⭑
🏒 hockey romance
🌦️ grumpy x sunshine
🤫 fake dating
🦊 workplace romance
🩷 obsessed hero
👀 best friend’s brother
🏒🦉🩷
this was a good hockey romance! i really liked how lake was all in and ready to swoop in to help remy and the fact that he had a crush on her was the cutest thing ever. he may be in the fake dating scheme to help her but he was ready to claim her all along…swoon 🫠
remy took her public breakup like a champ and she deserved so much better and that was lake axelrod. they both helped heal and grow each other in different ways and it was so stinkin cute to see their connection blossom 😍
٠࣪⭑ what to expect ٠࣪⭑
🏒 hockey romance
🌦️ grumpy x sunshine
🤫 fake dating
🦊 workplace romance
🩷 obsessed hero
👀 best friend’s brother
June 1, 2026
4.5 stars | this was so fun!!! I imagine someone coming down from the high of watching off-campus would absolutely love a hockey romance like this!
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