Audiobook Review for Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren Blakely

 

Hockey Ever After #2

Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren Blakely

Published:  June 3, 2026

Genre:  Fake Dating, Sports Romance, Hockey Romance

Taken from Goodreads: A grumpy/sunshine fake dating hockey romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!

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 all: don’t fall for your fake date.

This is Lake and Remy's romance. Tropes include: grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend's brother, obsessed hero

 

My Thoughts:  Oh this book, I listened to it.  The people I work with think I am losing my mind.  They heard me laughing, saw me blushing, and heard me sighing.   This book had me finding time to listen when I should have been doing something else but I just needed one more chapter, which lead to 2 or 3 more chapters. 

Hockey romance is my jam and Lauren Blakely knows how to write it.  Then she picked out the best full-cast of narrators and the book came to life for me.  Lake and Remy are wonderful characters, they fake date with the best of the world.   I love the twists and turns, the cute romance, and the way Lake goes above and beyond to show his true feelings. 

Thank you Hambright PR for a copy of the audiobook via BookFunnel in exchange for my honest review.

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