The Hope Valley series is one that I will always find myself rereading over and over again! Playing for Keeps; the tenth in the series, is a powerful story of love, friendship and inner strength. Author JP has become an icon in the world of small-town romance with her quick wit and magical mind.
Charlotte “Charlie” Belmont is a survivor. She’s known the worst of the worst, suffered pain and lose, but always gets back up again. Bad relationship after bad relationship, lost trust and a good few beating, Charlotte has become a rock, not letting anyone in anymore. Or so she thought. Now she finds herself surrounded by a new family of friends, one that she has struggled to build, but the secrets are still there. The pain. The toxic that is her is life. For that reason, she won’t let herself have the one thing she wants. Or rather, the one person.
Dalton.
Big, Burly, Bearded Dalton. An alpha to his core, his protectiveness knows no bounds, and Charlotte, she’s his to protect. Weather she wants it or not. *As a side note, the previous book does have details that help with the back story, but it is somewhat explained in PFK as well*
When Charlotte is shot on his watch, Dalton’s perspective on things shift. They have chemistry, they have spark, they have connection, but Charlie has her secrets clutched tight. Can she let her past go long enough to try with Dalton? Will she cave to their connection?
Dalton and Charlotte were so much fun to read, I always love new books in a series, but I also really enjoying see past characters. Charlie suffered so much by her own hand by turning everything inward. I loved her friendship Hayden and Micah, he plays the big brother and that alone is worth reading the book. The only thing I wish there was more of is Dalton. We don’t get very much in his POV, it would be nice to see more of him through other books. With the ending to Playing For Keeps, I think we will see more of Charlotte and Dalton, it’s a cliffhanger and unfinished for sure. Either way, All Hall The Mighty JP lol