I read 8% of the book and had no interest in going any further. The writing just wasn’t intriguing to me.

This is a difficult book to review. I REALLY wanted to love it, I was excited to read it, the synopsis of it was intriguing but the whole book just... kind of fell flat for me. Maybe it was the writing style? I almost DNF multiple times but stuck with it. It got better maybe 60% of the way through.

Initially, Anna really annoyed me as a character but she grew on me a bit. I didn't really feel their relationship had much to it though. Matt's character was developed well, as were the other characters related to the team. I felt like the author over-explained a lot of the football (soccer) terminology and aspects of the game which felt tedious to read after a while. It also seemed there were some extra dramatic things thrown in with the injuries, Anna's dad, and then the bit with Jess. The ending felt super rushed and random to me, especially with Sunderland and Crystal Palace. I wished there wouldn't have been as much back story in the beginning and it would have just taken place from the beginning of the FA cup through his trial.

Overall, it could have been much better. I'm glad I read it and I think others may enjoy it more than I did! Thanks to Matador and #NetGalley for the copy of #PlayingForKeeps!

This was an enjoyable read. But beware, the football mentioned in the description, is not the western idea of football. It is our version of soccer.
However, it is a really great read. An American girl meets and falls in love with Matt, the footballer.. Overtime, she begins to understand the dedication he, and the town, has to the sport and his hope to go professional.
Within this story is woven another of Matt finding he has chemistry to another woman.
Well written, with true emotions regarding winning and losing in pro sports and romance.

I was provided with this copy in exchange for an unpaid, honest review.