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Off the Ice #1
The Playing Game
NHL veteran player Kieran Marsh has had more relationships than trips to the sin bin, making him a player on and off the ice. And two years ago, I had a one night stand with him when I thought I would forever stay the anonymous girl in the hockey jersey.
But now my city has an expansion team, and guess who's one of their star players?
Of course I accept an offer to go see the opening night game. I can't stay away, even though hockey destroyed my family, and so much about Kieran reminds me of the worst things my father ever did to my mother.
And when Kieran sees me in the stands? I know nothing is going to be the same again. This is his game, and he knows how to win.
But now my city has an expansion team, and guess who's one of their star players?
Of course I accept an offer to go see the opening night game. I can't stay away, even though hockey destroyed my family, and so much about Kieran reminds me of the worst things my father ever did to my mother.
And when Kieran sees me in the stands? I know nothing is going to be the same again. This is his game, and he knows how to win.
486 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 541 reviews
March 27, 2023
I saw the author promo The Playing Game as having a hockey romance with no third act breakup, lots of praise, the FMC having to be quiet, and some other awesome sounding highlights so I had to check this out! It was a slow start and felt like too many pages at points, but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did because this was such a swoony and sweet romance with a hefty amount of steam. Kieran (H) and Harper (h) had a one night stand two years ago following a hockey game Kieran played in (which apparently there's a prequel for that I didn't read) and neither has forgotten about it. Kieran ends up being picked up by the local city's expansion team and Harper goes to the first game, where he sees her again. Then he's determined to find her and if nothing else, be friends with her. Harper's a pediatric nurse with a lot of judgement against hockey players specifically, but Kieran is perfect and eventually they ease into more than friendship as he consistently shows her who he is and how devoted he is to her. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and neither were virgins (both have been celibate since their night together two years ago, he never even considers another woman, be still my heart).
I loved the romance of this book, which is good because that's the focus. There's no bad guy or crazy plot. Just two people working through hang-ups to be together. There's a touch of angst because of why Harper's not ok with hockey players and then a concern over whether Kieran, who's closer to the end of his career than the beginning, could be traded. But this book is chock full of time spent together, sweet moments, steamy moments, and hockey moments. Harper pushed away and questioned whether she could be with Kieran for longer than I preferred, but I also understood her conflict, and it was always clear that she wanted him. The scenes of him visiting kids at her hospital were amazing and I also loved that there's a point in the story where Kieran gets banged up a bit and Harper cares for him. As I said, lots of steaminess in this book and the chemistry between them was excellently built, but also didn't overwhelm the romance part either.
I did get a bit lost in the hockey moments too because the only sport I'm devoted to is football, but I also appreciated that this is a hockey romance that includes a fair amount of scenes at games and behind the scenes. For side characters, there's a whole hockey team behind Kieran and then Harper has two childhood besties, her mom, and she makes friends with a few significant others of Kieran's teammates. Zero mean girls or puck bunny appearances. I loved that Kieran is a leader on his team and how he interacted with his teammates and I also loved the interactions Harper had with her mom and her BFFs. One of the BFFs appears to be the FMC for the next book and I think she'll be a fun one.
The ending is sweet, I'm not counting how many times I said that in this review, and is their wedding day a few months later. It truly felt a HEA even though it's not much in the future and the author's note at the end has a link to a ten year in the future scene that can be found on her website, I think by signing up for her newsletter. Writing-wise, the author's style didn't always work for me and there were a handful of errors here and there that I noticed, but I just loved these two together and I ended the book with a full heart. I'll definitely continue to check out this series, although I'll be checking reviews first since some of these hockey guys have player backgrounds.
I loved the romance of this book, which is good because that's the focus. There's no bad guy or crazy plot. Just two people working through hang-ups to be together. There's a touch of angst because of why Harper's not ok with hockey players and then a concern over whether Kieran, who's closer to the end of his career than the beginning, could be traded. But this book is chock full of time spent together, sweet moments, steamy moments, and hockey moments. Harper pushed away and questioned whether she could be with Kieran for longer than I preferred, but I also understood her conflict, and it was always clear that she wanted him. The scenes of him visiting kids at her hospital were amazing and I also loved that there's a point in the story where Kieran gets banged up a bit and Harper cares for him. As I said, lots of steaminess in this book and the chemistry between them was excellently built, but also didn't overwhelm the romance part either.
I did get a bit lost in the hockey moments too because the only sport I'm devoted to is football, but I also appreciated that this is a hockey romance that includes a fair amount of scenes at games and behind the scenes. For side characters, there's a whole hockey team behind Kieran and then Harper has two childhood besties, her mom, and she makes friends with a few significant others of Kieran's teammates. Zero mean girls or puck bunny appearances. I loved that Kieran is a leader on his team and how he interacted with his teammates and I also loved the interactions Harper had with her mom and her BFFs. One of the BFFs appears to be the FMC for the next book and I think she'll be a fun one.
The ending is sweet, I'm not counting how many times I said that in this review, and is their wedding day a few months later. It truly felt a HEA even though it's not much in the future and the author's note at the end has a link to a ten year in the future scene that can be found on her website, I think by signing up for her newsletter. Writing-wise, the author's style didn't always work for me and there were a handful of errors here and there that I noticed, but I just loved these two together and I ended the book with a full heart. I'll definitely continue to check out this series, although I'll be checking reviews first since some of these hockey guys have player backgrounds.
March 30, 2023
4.5 stars.
Awwww! That was so incredibly sweet!
I adored this low-stress love story.
From the moment, he met her, he was hers. No OW after that. And for her too. The gift she gave him for Christmas at the end. 😍 So cute.
This has hot smut, great dirty talk, and just pure lovely sweetness. I adored this!
Thanks Goodreads friends!
No third act breakup. Great relationship growth. Fun side characters. Cute dog cameo, including snuggles when he has a concussion.
Ugh. It was so cute.
I am not a big fan of lying about a relationship to protect someone else’s feelings but that’s all I didn’t like. They ended up being a great team together and I adored how he saw her and did everything he could to make her feel loved and cared for.
Awwww! That was so incredibly sweet!
I adored this low-stress love story.
From the moment, he met her, he was hers. No OW after that. And for her too. The gift she gave him for Christmas at the end. 😍 So cute.
This has hot smut, great dirty talk, and just pure lovely sweetness. I adored this!
Thanks Goodreads friends!
No third act breakup. Great relationship growth. Fun side characters. Cute dog cameo, including snuggles when he has a concussion.
Ugh. It was so cute.
I am not a big fan of lying about a relationship to protect someone else’s feelings but that’s all I didn’t like. They ended up being a great team together and I adored how he saw her and did everything he could to make her feel loved and cared for.
March 8, 2023
2023 Spring Bingo (#SpringIntoLoveBingo🌷): Competence Porn
This was such a comforting read. Maybe that’s a weird thing to say about sexy hockey romance, but sometimes you just wanna bask in a low drama relationship where the hero is obsessed with the heroine from day one. Harper is more wary, but that’s mostly due to her mom’s bad experience with athletes, not because of a personality clash or disinterest. Sure, there’s minor trade uncertainty and angst about telling Harper’s mom, but mostly it’s them spending time together without strife. No miscommunication, no bullshit third act breakup, no sudden plot twist creating unnecessary tension. Just two adults having a LOT of sex and falling in love.
I’d recommend for fans of praise kink, masturbation, and kinda-exhibition (like the threat of it? Not sure how to describe it). Two standout erotic scenes: when 1) he’s fingering her during the radio interview and 2) they’re joining the mile high club. Sign me up for the next book in the series — like Kiley and Ty Connor. Did I imagine that potential pairing?? And maybe sports doctor Grant for a m/m book? Can’t tell if I’m grasping at straws here since the sequel bait wasn’t super clear, lol.
Caveat: I know nothing about hockey. No clue how accurate the rep is, but I grasped enough to understand plot dynamics. Also, the arc doesn’t include the epilogue, which is sad because I really wanted to read it.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a comforting read. Maybe that’s a weird thing to say about sexy hockey romance, but sometimes you just wanna bask in a low drama relationship where the hero is obsessed with the heroine from day one. Harper is more wary, but that’s mostly due to her mom’s bad experience with athletes, not because of a personality clash or disinterest. Sure, there’s minor trade uncertainty and angst about telling Harper’s mom, but mostly it’s them spending time together without strife. No miscommunication, no bullshit third act breakup, no sudden plot twist creating unnecessary tension. Just two adults having a LOT of sex and falling in love.
I’d recommend for fans of praise kink, masturbation, and kinda-exhibition (like the threat of it? Not sure how to describe it). Two standout erotic scenes: when 1) he’s fingering her during the radio interview and 2) they’re joining the mile high club. Sign me up for the next book in the series — like Kiley and Ty Connor. Did I imagine that potential pairing?? And maybe sports doctor Grant for a m/m book? Can’t tell if I’m grasping at straws here since the sequel bait wasn’t super clear, lol.
Caveat: I know nothing about hockey. No clue how accurate the rep is, but I grasped enough to understand plot dynamics. Also, the arc doesn’t include the epilogue, which is sad because I really wanted to read it.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2023
there was a time i read so many hockey romances and almost all of them has ow/om drama, secret baby trope and third act break-up so when i tell you this book was refreshing i'm not kidding 😋🤭 (one of the safest books really)
plus this has a VERY SPECIFIC trope that i love: she's giving him a hair cut 🤭😍✨
this was about two very loveable characters falling in love with each other. i have to admit normally i get bored if there's no ✨additional drama✨ but this one was really good. they were both very mature (he's 35 and she's 28 so it was nice they're acting as their age) and have great communication, she keeps hidden some things about past but he's okay with it and gives her time to explain things.
apart from her two besties i have zero memory about side characters but i think some of them will get their own book? maybe i'll continue reading because i liked author's writing but definitely need to check the safety in the future books because with hockey players you never know 🥴
plus this has a VERY SPECIFIC trope that i love: she's giving him a hair cut 🤭😍✨
this was about two very loveable characters falling in love with each other. i have to admit normally i get bored if there's no ✨additional drama✨ but this one was really good. they were both very mature (he's 35 and she's 28 so it was nice they're acting as their age) and have great communication, she keeps hidden some things about past but he's okay with it and gives her time to explain things.
apart from her two besties i have zero memory about side characters but i think some of them will get their own book? maybe i'll continue reading because i liked author's writing but definitely need to check the safety in the future books because with hockey players you never know 🥴
April 13, 2023
For the love of Mariana Zapata can we stop with the long-winded almost 500-page-long contemporaries? The Playing Game could have been a perfect erotic second-chance low angst, low external conflict sports romance. And it was for a while. Except the low conflict didn't lend itself to being drawn out for over 450 pages.
First, the hero was adorable. But also too perfect? Can we have people with some flaws? Humans are not perfect and perfect people are boring IMO. He was a player but we don't see it because it all happens off page before the book even starts. So basically this book is just Kieran being a hot hockey player, sweet and sexy, and making romantic declarations to Harper who kinda wants him but is afraid of her mom's reaction to her dating a hockey player. Girl, you are twenty-eight years old and you pay your bills, your mother can deal with it 🙄 That's it. That's the conflict.
I enjoyed myself for about 300 pages. Kieran was a soft hockey Daddy who had a praising kink. Harper was a nurse and can I please have more MCs with regular jobs? Thanks! Loved their sex scenes and the slow build-up to their relationship. The chemistry was well done and kept me turning the pages.
But then after three hundred pages, shit started going downhill fast. Because the plot was stretched out into nothingness, it got repetitive. There are only so many ways a hero can declare himself 🙄 When I start skimming the horny parts, you know things are dire. I also disliked the second chance aspect. Harper and Kieran have a one-night stand and then she skedaddles. The reader doesn't get to see this epic boink fest that left Kieran so hung up on a girl he stays celibate for two years. It was all very hand-wavy and the insta love didn't work for me because I needed to be shown why Kieran was so gone for Harper after just one night. Also, the whole internal conflict was weak and the MCs were way too emotionally mature 😅 I need some mess to keep reading for over four hundred pages.
If you love low angst, no drama, and perfectly flawless, and emotionally mature MCs who sometimes talk in psychobabble you might adore this book. For me, it was just okay.
🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Second Chance
Insta love
Sports romance
First, the hero was adorable. But also too perfect? Can we have people with some flaws? Humans are not perfect and perfect people are boring IMO. He was a player but we don't see it because it all happens off page before the book even starts. So basically this book is just Kieran being a hot hockey player, sweet and sexy, and making romantic declarations to Harper who kinda wants him but is afraid of her mom's reaction to her dating a hockey player. Girl, you are twenty-eight years old and you pay your bills, your mother can deal with it 🙄 That's it. That's the conflict.
I enjoyed myself for about 300 pages. Kieran was a soft hockey Daddy who had a praising kink. Harper was a nurse and can I please have more MCs with regular jobs? Thanks! Loved their sex scenes and the slow build-up to their relationship. The chemistry was well done and kept me turning the pages.
But then after three hundred pages, shit started going downhill fast. Because the plot was stretched out into nothingness, it got repetitive. There are only so many ways a hero can declare himself 🙄 When I start skimming the horny parts, you know things are dire. I also disliked the second chance aspect. Harper and Kieran have a one-night stand and then she skedaddles. The reader doesn't get to see this epic boink fest that left Kieran so hung up on a girl he stays celibate for two years. It was all very hand-wavy and the insta love didn't work for me because I needed to be shown why Kieran was so gone for Harper after just one night. Also, the whole internal conflict was weak and the MCs were way too emotionally mature 😅 I need some mess to keep reading for over four hundred pages.
If you love low angst, no drama, and perfectly flawless, and emotionally mature MCs who sometimes talk in psychobabble you might adore this book. For me, it was just okay.
🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Second Chance
Insta love
Sports romance
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April 30, 2025
dnf at 45% :(( harper was just not my kinda girl and kieran is the name of this ANNOYING ASS guy in my class so…
March 29, 2023
I read The Playing Game like a fever dream; it hit my id in all my sweet spots and honestly now I remember mostly vibes and they were all great. my favorite part was how sexily patient kiernan was with wooing Harper. He doesn't just bring HER breakfast at work; he brings ALL the breakfast for her and her pediatric ward hospital coworkers. he LISTENS to her, in both life and bed. Also, I'm truly a sucker for a gentle giant in the streets, hot bossy man in the sheets (and on the ice lets be honest) and this paid out in so many delicious ways.
Good girls, assemble, this one is for us!
Good girls, assemble, this one is for us!
March 23, 2025
You guys … I honestly don’t know where to begin with this review.
This story could have gone off the rails into an angst-driven, dramatic, over the top mess, easily, but the author used her word wizardry powers and instead of driving the story into a cliché mess full of conflict, she instead made the choice to positively unfold not just the conflict in the story but everything else! It’s possible that’s a run-on sentence gone off the rails, but do you feel me? Because this little note is super important. Harper & Kieran’s story could have been written as an uphill battle, especially from Harper’s perspective, because of the baggage that Harper has been lugging around her entire life, but that’s not how it was written. It was written as a journey that sometimes was a little inclined, between a man and a woman who took the time to understand each other and respect the baggage they each carried from their pasts and worked together so they could both share in the carrying. Feel me? It is deeply emotional in all the organic, beautiful ways life is emotional, no more and no less, which made the entire journey relatable and realistic!
Okay, enough about that! Let’s talk about everything else!
Equal parts sexy, sweet and swoony, this story brought joy into my heart and soul!
The book is JOY.
The characters are JOY.
The storyline is JOY.
Every word is JOY.
When you read a story that lights you up inside, it can de difficult to convey that in a review because it’s just a feeling you get inside while you read and it’s very subjective but I just cannot imagine anyone not having a huge smile on their face while reading this story. It is a genuine life-positive story with ridiculous characters, secondary and main, that spark with the greatest energy! Banter and chemistry between everyone and an overall package full of heart!
This is my first #TopRead of 2023 and I hope it brings you as much enjoyment as it brought me!
GO DO THE THING!
Universal: https://bit.ly/3YpO3Vx
This story could have gone off the rails into an angst-driven, dramatic, over the top mess, easily, but the author used her word wizardry powers and instead of driving the story into a cliché mess full of conflict, she instead made the choice to positively unfold not just the conflict in the story but everything else! It’s possible that’s a run-on sentence gone off the rails, but do you feel me? Because this little note is super important. Harper & Kieran’s story could have been written as an uphill battle, especially from Harper’s perspective, because of the baggage that Harper has been lugging around her entire life, but that’s not how it was written. It was written as a journey that sometimes was a little inclined, between a man and a woman who took the time to understand each other and respect the baggage they each carried from their pasts and worked together so they could both share in the carrying. Feel me? It is deeply emotional in all the organic, beautiful ways life is emotional, no more and no less, which made the entire journey relatable and realistic!
Okay, enough about that! Let’s talk about everything else!
Equal parts sexy, sweet and swoony, this story brought joy into my heart and soul!
The book is JOY.
The characters are JOY.
The storyline is JOY.
Every word is JOY.
When you read a story that lights you up inside, it can de difficult to convey that in a review because it’s just a feeling you get inside while you read and it’s very subjective but I just cannot imagine anyone not having a huge smile on their face while reading this story. It is a genuine life-positive story with ridiculous characters, secondary and main, that spark with the greatest energy! Banter and chemistry between everyone and an overall package full of heart!
This is my first #TopRead of 2023 and I hope it brings you as much enjoyment as it brought me!
GO DO THE THING!
Universal: https://bit.ly/3YpO3Vx
Read
March 7, 2023“You know what?” she asks as the door latches shut behind me.
I correctly read her question as rhetorical and stay fucking silent as she presses her body against mine. Lifts her head. And rewards all of my patience with the best words I’ve ever heard.
“I’m tired of saying no when I really want to say yes.”
Coming to KU on March 9: https://geni.us/ThePlayingGame
https://www.ainsleybooth.com/off-the-ice
*
The "dates read" range on this review is how long it took to write this book, from the first TikTok inspiration (and tweets about those TikToks) on October 31, 2021, to formatting the first ARC this morning! I'm so excited for people to read this book. It's long, and sexy, and sweet, and filthy, and full of hope and joy.
I correctly read her question as rhetorical and stay fucking silent as she presses her body against mine. Lifts her head. And rewards all of my patience with the best words I’ve ever heard.
“I’m tired of saying no when I really want to say yes.”
Coming to KU on March 9: https://geni.us/ThePlayingGame
https://www.ainsleybooth.com/off-the-ice
*
The "dates read" range on this review is how long it took to write this book, from the first TikTok inspiration (and tweets about those TikToks) on October 31, 2021, to formatting the first ARC this morning! I'm so excited for people to read this book. It's long, and sexy, and sweet, and filthy, and full of hope and joy.
March 12, 2023
I super duper enjoyed this! I don't know why I have been reticent to try Ainsley Booth when I like Zoe York so much, but this was a great introduction and a very good hockey book. Looking forward to the Kiley/Ty sequel very very much.
January 6, 2025
5 ⭐️
Hot DAMN 🔥 freaking loved this so much (infinite stars if he hadn't been a playboy, but to his credit we get NO details and I appreciated that big time)
This man stays celibate after their ONS when it's not even certain they'll ever see each other again - he knew that night she was the one and never looked anywhere else since (same for her)
This is really just a story about them - there's not a lot of drama, or angst, or any external forces, just two people falling in love 🥰
– Dual pov
– Both celibate since ONS (both experienced, H says he used to be a playboy but no details)
– Hockey player H/nurse h
– Located in Hamilton, Ontario (hi neighbours!!)
– 35H/28h
– No cheating or OW/OM drama
– HEA ending + epilogue
Hot DAMN 🔥 freaking loved this so much (infinite stars if he hadn't been a playboy, but to his credit we get NO details and I appreciated that big time)
This man stays celibate after their ONS when it's not even certain they'll ever see each other again - he knew that night she was the one and never looked anywhere else since (same for her)
This is really just a story about them - there's not a lot of drama, or angst, or any external forces, just two people falling in love 🥰
– Dual pov
– Both celibate since ONS (both experienced, H says he used to be a playboy but no details)
– Hockey player H/nurse h
– Located in Hamilton, Ontario (hi neighbours!!)
– 35H/28h
– No cheating or OW/OM drama
– HEA ending + epilogue
March 16, 2023
Sugar and spice
All sugar and SPICE (and everything nice), this low angst/high heat romance is a feel good treat. Our hero was gone for his girl from the moment they met, and he has no intention of letting her get away this time around. It's rare to find a hero who is so ALL IN from the start, and I loved that there was no question as to how much he wanted her. It was undeniable. He's also a sweetheart of a man - a leader on his hockey team, but so soft and loving everywhere else. And he's got no qualms about showing his girl some affection, if you know what I mean. Which means there was tons of spice and fan-worthy moments, paired with soft and swoony situations that will melt your heart. In fact, if I have one complaint it's that it was TOO easygoing - is that a thing? Not sure that it is, lol. Because this was low drama and lighthearted in the best of ways, with a hero who falls first and is not afraid to CHASE his girl.
The story follows Kieran, a pro hockey player who is starting the season with a new team. He's cautiously optimistic about his new city and situation, willing to look on the brightside. So when Kieran catches a glimpse of the girl who got away during one of his games, he wastes no time in pursuing her. Kieran and Harper shared one steamy night together two years ago, and he hasn't been able to stop thinking about her since. While the two are still near-strangers, he's confident in the connection he felt that night, and that means Kieran is unwilling to let Harper slip away a second time. But Harper has her reasons for staying away, and she knows there's a big difference between giving in for one night and letting herself fall completely.
I love a good fling to more romance, but I'm always a little hesitant when there's been an extended separation, as that moves the story into second chance territory... and we all know how I feel about that, lol. But it was apparent from the first few chapters that Kieran had never stopped thinking about Harper, and hadn't moved on. Zero OW/OM drama. Which immediately eased my worries, and let me sit back and enjoy this low angst romance. I loved just how smitten Kieran was with Harper, and I loved that he was willing to put in the work. He knew that expecting them to pick up where they left off was unrealistic, and he never tried to put them into hookup territory. That was incredibly refreshing. I also loved Harper and how her reasons to stay away did not prevent her from seeing what was in front of her. The tension between "want" and "need" was delicious, sparking the chemistry in a big way. And when they give in? Yeah, pretty sexy. There's a LOT of spice in this one, and I didn't mind it. There's a part of me that wanted this to get a little grittier, but it definitely makes for a refreshingly easy treat - and that is a great thing.
All sugar and SPICE (and everything nice), this low angst/high heat romance is a feel good treat. Our hero was gone for his girl from the moment they met, and he has no intention of letting her get away this time around. It's rare to find a hero who is so ALL IN from the start, and I loved that there was no question as to how much he wanted her. It was undeniable. He's also a sweetheart of a man - a leader on his hockey team, but so soft and loving everywhere else. And he's got no qualms about showing his girl some affection, if you know what I mean. Which means there was tons of spice and fan-worthy moments, paired with soft and swoony situations that will melt your heart. In fact, if I have one complaint it's that it was TOO easygoing - is that a thing? Not sure that it is, lol. Because this was low drama and lighthearted in the best of ways, with a hero who falls first and is not afraid to CHASE his girl.
The story follows Kieran, a pro hockey player who is starting the season with a new team. He's cautiously optimistic about his new city and situation, willing to look on the brightside. So when Kieran catches a glimpse of the girl who got away during one of his games, he wastes no time in pursuing her. Kieran and Harper shared one steamy night together two years ago, and he hasn't been able to stop thinking about her since. While the two are still near-strangers, he's confident in the connection he felt that night, and that means Kieran is unwilling to let Harper slip away a second time. But Harper has her reasons for staying away, and she knows there's a big difference between giving in for one night and letting herself fall completely.
I love a good fling to more romance, but I'm always a little hesitant when there's been an extended separation, as that moves the story into second chance territory... and we all know how I feel about that, lol. But it was apparent from the first few chapters that Kieran had never stopped thinking about Harper, and hadn't moved on. Zero OW/OM drama. Which immediately eased my worries, and let me sit back and enjoy this low angst romance. I loved just how smitten Kieran was with Harper, and I loved that he was willing to put in the work. He knew that expecting them to pick up where they left off was unrealistic, and he never tried to put them into hookup territory. That was incredibly refreshing. I also loved Harper and how her reasons to stay away did not prevent her from seeing what was in front of her. The tension between "want" and "need" was delicious, sparking the chemistry in a big way. And when they give in? Yeah, pretty sexy. There's a LOT of spice in this one, and I didn't mind it. There's a part of me that wanted this to get a little grittier, but it definitely makes for a refreshingly easy treat - and that is a great thing.
March 15, 2023
This book scratched my personal reading id in a way that is hard to even put into words. It was filthy and horny (boy was it filthy and horny, like so many sex scenes and yet, they did not seem repetitive and mindlessly boring, they were all hot and distinctive and moved the story along) and yet, it was also comforting and warm and sweet and tender and Kieran is one of the best contemporary heroes I've read in a long long time. In short, this book had everything I could ever want in a contemporary romance and I'm already hoping that there is an audio book in the future because I would love to have all 16 utterances of "good girl" and the bonus "good fucking girl" rumbling in my ears one day. It may cause me to spontaneously combust but that's a problem for future me.
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January 9, 2024
4.75 ⭐️ This is, in the purest sense, the perfect hockey romance.
This is a reread, because I read this last year right after it came out and I fell head over heels in love with it. My whole review last time was:
'If anyone finds a Kieran on the loose, he's mine, please return him asap thx.'
That was it. And it kind of still stands! But I found this book a little repetitive the second time around, and last year I clearly completely ignored the fact that this is an age-gap romance (F28, M35). I never give age gap romances 5 stars (unless the oldest of the two is the FMC).
But overall, I highly recommend this book, and I cannot wait for book #2 aka Kiley and Ty's masterpiece.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
This book is spicy with a little extra sprinkling of dirty talk in top. Soo, so good!
This is a reread, because I read this last year right after it came out and I fell head over heels in love with it. My whole review last time was:
'If anyone finds a Kieran on the loose, he's mine, please return him asap thx.'
That was it. And it kind of still stands! But I found this book a little repetitive the second time around, and last year I clearly completely ignored the fact that this is an age-gap romance (F28, M35). I never give age gap romances 5 stars (unless the oldest of the two is the FMC).
But overall, I highly recommend this book, and I cannot wait for book #2 aka Kiley and Ty's masterpiece.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
This book is spicy with a little extra sprinkling of dirty talk in top. Soo, so good!
March 11, 2023
Oooooooh how I loved this book. An awesome start to a new series!
I absolutely loved how obsessed Kieran was with Harper. Every woman deserves a man to worship her the way he did. Delicious praise kink, a dash of exhibitionism and plenty of filthy hot chemistry. Yum!
Can I also make mention that there wasn’t the usual nonsense/drama for drama’s sake third act break up. Nope. This one is like a sexy comfort read.
Definitely recommend.
I received an arc of this book
I absolutely loved how obsessed Kieran was with Harper. Every woman deserves a man to worship her the way he did. Delicious praise kink, a dash of exhibitionism and plenty of filthy hot chemistry. Yum!
Can I also make mention that there wasn’t the usual nonsense/drama for drama’s sake third act break up. Nope. This one is like a sexy comfort read.
Definitely recommend.
I received an arc of this book
March 7, 2023
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
I love sports romance so when I saw the Arc for this on Netgally it was a no brainer.
I’m so glad I went for it, it was excellent.
A really good read, one that I found both interesting and entertaining.
The characters had a wonderful sense of chemistry between them , and it was so lovely to see what he was willing to give up for her.
Knowing her past he did everything to make her feel comfortable and confident within the relationship.
This was a very well written story and I very much would recommend it
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post a review
💋💋
I love sports romance so when I saw the Arc for this on Netgally it was a no brainer.
I’m so glad I went for it, it was excellent.
A really good read, one that I found both interesting and entertaining.
The characters had a wonderful sense of chemistry between them , and it was so lovely to see what he was willing to give up for her.
Knowing her past he did everything to make her feel comfortable and confident within the relationship.
This was a very well written story and I very much would recommend it
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post a review
April 8, 2023
A few friends loved this hockey romance and I had high hopes but it proved to be too low conflict and overly long for me. It lacked narrative tension and could have been trimmed down by at least a hundred, if not two hundred pages. I contemplated DNFing at various points but I genuinely liked both Kieran and Harper and skimmed most of the last hundred pages just so I could see how it ended. Ultimately, I chalk it up to the writing style not working for me, along with Harper’s codependent relationship with her mom. Seriously did not get how either of them painted all hockey players with one brush just because her biological father was a jackhole.
This probably won’t bother anyone who hasn’t worked in healthcare but I used to work at a children’s hospital, albeit one in the US, and did not understand how Kieran could just waltz onto the ward whenever he wanted to when he’s not there as part of a team visit and he’s not a volunteer. Children’s hospitals are extremely secure places; you cannot visit willy nilly. You can’t even get onto the floor unless someone buzzes you in! Perhaps it’s different in Canada but I doubt it. I also didn’t like the way Kieran developed a special relationship with only one patient, nor how that led to not only Harper violating patient confidentiality but also visiting the patient’s home in personal capacity. Both big no-no’s. It was also weird that we didn’t know what Harper’s nursing specialty was.
Also: praise kink is more than saying “good girl” repeatedly. Is this the new version of authors treating Daddy kink like it's just the FMC calling the MMC "Daddy"? Blerg.
Characters: Kieran is a 35 year old white hockey player. Harper is a 28 year old white pediatric nurse. This is set in Hamilton, ON.
Content notes: brief sexual harassment by fan, physical assault (during hockey game), concussion, pediatric patients via FMC’s work (unknown illnesses), PIPEDA violation (Canada’s version of HIPAA , professional ethics violation , FMC’s father abandoned her and mom when she was a baby, infidelity (players/secondary characters), ageism, vomit (due to concussion), athlete training diet, family planning discussion, on page sex, Mile High Club, public sex, auditory voyeurism, manual sex while MMC is on radio calls, praise kink lite, rimming, anal play, sex toys, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, ableist language
This probably won’t bother anyone who hasn’t worked in healthcare but I used to work at a children’s hospital, albeit one in the US, and did not understand how Kieran could just waltz onto the ward whenever he wanted to when he’s not there as part of a team visit and he’s not a volunteer. Children’s hospitals are extremely secure places; you cannot visit willy nilly. You can’t even get onto the floor unless someone buzzes you in! Perhaps it’s different in Canada but I doubt it. I also didn’t like the way Kieran developed a special relationship with only one patient, nor how that led to not only Harper violating patient confidentiality but also visiting the patient’s home in personal capacity. Both big no-no’s. It was also weird that we didn’t know what Harper’s nursing specialty was.
Also: praise kink is more than saying “good girl” repeatedly. Is this the new version of authors treating Daddy kink like it's just the FMC calling the MMC "Daddy"? Blerg.
Characters: Kieran is a 35 year old white hockey player. Harper is a 28 year old white pediatric nurse. This is set in Hamilton, ON.
Content notes: brief sexual harassment by fan, physical assault (during hockey game), concussion, pediatric patients via FMC’s work (unknown illnesses), PIPEDA violation (Canada’s version of HIPAA , professional ethics violation , FMC’s father abandoned her and mom when she was a baby, infidelity (players/secondary characters), ageism, vomit (due to concussion), athlete training diet, family planning discussion, on page sex, Mile High Club, public sex, auditory voyeurism, manual sex while MMC is on radio calls, praise kink lite, rimming, anal play, sex toys, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, ableist language
Read
July 12, 2022This is the HEA story of Harper and Kieran ... but there's another story for them, first. A single night, two years ago. And THAT is coming out very soon! Stay tuned.
March 7, 2023
That was a refreshing and unbelievably steamy story! These two have nothing ho-hum about them, they go all out with everything they do. From expressing how they feel, what they want, and how they want it, gah, so hot. The emotions, those they keep a bit guarded, but when they let those loose, it is an avalanche of feelings. These two had a connection that couldn’t be denied from when they first met, and while they tried to deny it, there was no stopping it. I just loved the pace and feel of this story, the way it hit on all levels, and I can’t wait for more in the series <3
March 24, 2023
Very much into everything going on in this one. Just two very easy to root for characters falling in love with no third act breakup, and pretty good hockey content too. A welcome change all around. Looking forward to Ty and Kiley's story.
Also, I didn't originally realize this was Zoe York until the Pine Harbor reference, but I also wasn't surprised as soon as I figured that out.
Also, I didn't originally realize this was Zoe York until the Pine Harbor reference, but I also wasn't surprised as soon as I figured that out.
May 8, 2025
it was stupid and fun. could’ve been 200 pages shorter though.
March 13, 2023
Took a while for this book to click. Did this book need to be almost 500 pages long? Absolutely not. I think the author could’ve cut out the first 30% and the story still would’ve came across.Truthfully I almost stopped reading around 30% because I was bored and the FMC was so back and forth about her feelings for the MMC. Glad I stuck around because the last 60% was a feel-good love story with no third act breakup.
MMC: Kieran - veteran NHL player, reformed player, hard worker for his team and his girl
FMC: Harper - pediatric nurse, strong daddy issues, guarded but eventually gets real about her feelings
Rating: 🏒🏒. 🥅 (2.75 stars)
Heat: 🌶️🌶️ (praise, self love, toys, dirty talk, 🍑 toy, public play (minor))
T/W: parent abandonment (reference in past), cheating (reference, NOT MCs), parental disappointment/parental judgement
MMC: Kieran - veteran NHL player, reformed player, hard worker for his team and his girl
FMC: Harper - pediatric nurse, strong daddy issues, guarded but eventually gets real about her feelings
Rating: 🏒🏒. 🥅 (2.75 stars)
Heat: 🌶️🌶️ (praise, self love, toys, dirty talk, 🍑 toy, public play (minor))
T/W: parent abandonment (reference in past), cheating (reference, NOT MCs), parental disappointment/parental judgement
May 20, 2024
If you want a hockey romance where the couple ACTUALLY communicates and works through their problems without jumping to conclusions and getting in unnecessary fights then this is for you!!
I loved how they handled everything that came their way and made an effort! My fav from the series so far!
I loved how they handled everything that came their way and made an effort! My fav from the series so far!
March 16, 2023
This book was just pure joy. Almost no obstacles, no third act breakup, no stupid miscommunications, just 400 pages of two people falling madly, passionately in love (and having HOTTTTT sex). Sometimes you just need a low angst swoon-fest, and this book is it!
April 10, 2023
I LOVED this! I knew it was going to be good because people who’ve read it can’t stop raving about it and I am so glad I loved it just as much. Harper and Kieran are the absolute cutest thing. I loved them from start to finish.
Also there’s no third act breakup?!!! GO READ THIS NOW!!!
Also there’s no third act breakup?!!! GO READ THIS NOW!!!
dnf
March 21, 2023DNF @ 16%
I heard the praise kink in this book is top notch. Unfortunately, I'm just not vibing with the writing style. The book isn't bad, it's just not for me.
I heard the praise kink in this book is top notch. Unfortunately, I'm just not vibing with the writing style. The book isn't bad, it's just not for me.
March 14, 2023
3.5-3.75 stars. The Playing Game is a cute, sweet read. This is a standalone book, although I can see there being lots of potential for the other characters to develop storylines as well. This is Harper and Kieran's story. Kieran is an NFL player and Harper is a pediatric nurse. Two years ago, they met and had a one night stand, while Kieran was in town for a game. For Kieran, he was smitten and wanted more from Harper right away, but she left and he had no way of getting in touch with her. Now, Kieran has been traded to Harper's local team and he is shocked and excited to see Harper in the stands at a game. He instantly pursues her, but she pushes him away, afraid to let him in because her hockey player father abandoned her. But Kieran is patient, they become friends, where Harper can see the kind of man he is, and they fall in love.
This story was sweet and simple. Kieran and Harper are both celibate after meeting. He is absolutely smitten for her and all-in from page one. He was taking his shot no matter what. Still, their relationship is a slow burn because Harper pushes him away for a while (maybe a little too long for my taste and without enough reason). So I found the book a little slow starting and a little on the long side. But once she gives in, their relationship is very sweet, low angst and had good spice. I really liked them as a couple and enjoyed their relationship. They adored each other.
Overall, this was a sweet book. I would have loved an epilogue, but hopefully, this develops into a series and we can see Kieran and Harper further down the line in other books. I look forward to more from Ms. Booth in the future!
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
This story was sweet and simple. Kieran and Harper are both celibate after meeting. He is absolutely smitten for her and all-in from page one. He was taking his shot no matter what. Still, their relationship is a slow burn because Harper pushes him away for a while (maybe a little too long for my taste and without enough reason). So I found the book a little slow starting and a little on the long side. But once she gives in, their relationship is very sweet, low angst and had good spice. I really liked them as a couple and enjoyed their relationship. They adored each other.
Overall, this was a sweet book. I would have loved an epilogue, but hopefully, this develops into a series and we can see Kieran and Harper further down the line in other books. I look forward to more from Ms. Booth in the future!
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
March 7, 2024
Objectively, this is a good, solid 4. I was torn between a 3 and 4, but I know I will never reread this and so it gets a 3.
Kieran is great - supportive, respectful, caring, kind, smart, and sexy as hell.
Being in Harper's head was almost daunting at times - the first quarter and a chunck around 75-80% was frustrating. I just never bought into the reasoning behind why she "doesn't date hockey players". I understood it more after she finally opened her damn mouth and explained everything but it just didn't work for me. I hate when characters fight internally against their own happiness because of their (often wrong) perception of other people's experiences. And Harper's relationship with her mother just plain bothered me.
I wanted to love this and I did not.
Kieran is great - supportive, respectful, caring, kind, smart, and sexy as hell.
Being in Harper's head was almost daunting at times - the first quarter and a chunck around 75-80% was frustrating. I just never bought into the reasoning behind why she "doesn't date hockey players". I understood it more after she finally opened her damn mouth and explained everything but it just didn't work for me. I hate when characters fight internally against their own happiness because of their (often wrong) perception of other people's experiences. And Harper's relationship with her mother just plain bothered me.
I wanted to love this and I did not.
April 15, 2023
Very steamy, and plenty of hockey. Also kudos to the author for avoiding an angsty misunderstanding breakup at 80%. If anything, this book tips the other way. The main couple gets together quickly and without much drama or new trauma. Kieran makes zero mistakes and is scripted perfection all the way through. This novel reads more like an escapist fantasy (the food, the luxury, the lack of sadness/ill-intent throughout). As a result, it felt pretty low stakes. I wasn’t super invested, but I enjoyed the fantasy tour like Zillow-stalking a luxury home in paradise. A comfort read.
March 9, 2023
You know what I love the most.. When I've been away from an author's world and I come back and you're reminded just why you loved it the first time around and what an idiot you are for not coming back sooner.
I'm gonna start this review with saying I loved Kieran and wish him to be real. His patience with Harper from the get-go was so sweet. Don't get me wrong that man has a mouth on him, that will make you want to worship at his feel, but his sweetness was what made me love him.
Harper has a complicated past and when she was pushing him away, I secretly hope he'll start looking elsewhere. But when she finally realized that she's powerless to the pull he had on her, magic happened and I absolutely loved the relationship.
I'm so happy to be back in Ainsley Booth world and now I need to make sure to never leave again.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
I'm gonna start this review with saying I loved Kieran and wish him to be real. His patience with Harper from the get-go was so sweet. Don't get me wrong that man has a mouth on him, that will make you want to worship at his feel, but his sweetness was what made me love him.
Harper has a complicated past and when she was pushing him away, I secretly hope he'll start looking elsewhere. But when she finally realized that she's powerless to the pull he had on her, magic happened and I absolutely loved the relationship.
I'm so happy to be back in Ainsley Booth world and now I need to make sure to never leave again.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
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