ARC received for review

I love hockey romances and I enjoy Ms. Booth's books, so why not give it a try. It did not disappoint. He is a charmer but knows when to back off. Harper is strong and gives friendship a try which blooms into more.

Wow wow wow.

This is absolutely everything I was looking for in this book and when I tell you I devoured this from start to finish I mean it!

This book had me laughing, crying and honestly questioning everything but I feel like this was written perfectly.

I fell in love with these characters and I felt so connected to them immediately, I would recommend this book 100%

This is a good book. When you start reading it you can’t put it down. The two main characters are Harper and Kieran. Harper is a nurse and Kieran is a hockey player. They meet and have a one night stand. Two years later Kieran gets traded to Harper’s hometown. They meet again at a hockey game. There is still an attraction. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

Nothing happened and nothing kept happening. The angsty reveal wasn't angsty nor an actual reveal, the story was dragged on for way longer than it needed to and yet the ending was abrupt, wrapping up everything in a matter of pages while leaving a lot of loose threads. The writing wasn't engaging, the pacing was slow and there was nothing memorable about the characters themselves.
The protagonist supposedly had daddy issues, but all I saw were the ones created by the mother. The premise was kinda stupid, too - she didn't want to meet again a guy after their one-night stand because he was a hockey player - but she showed up at one of his games, where he recognized her and proceeded by being creepy and showing up at her work, having been obsessed with her for those years they didn't see each other, but even that went nowhere. Poor sexual tension, even though there were more smut scenes than necessary instead of, I don't know, developing the plot.

Ok i am NOT a sports fan and contemporaries rarely ring my bells so when I tell you this book had me in a chokehold! I was shocked by how much I loved this and literally could not put it down. 🤯

The writing is fast paced and keeps you interested, the setup of a mysterious one-night-stand and the MAN being obsessed with finding HER while she tries to avoid being found? yes and yes

When he accidentally liked her photo as he was SM stalking her? gahhhh 😩🥰

However, I can’t decide if the entire plot driver (she can’t date him because her dad is a famous jerk hockey player that broke her mom's heart) is genius or too ridiculous. but I am sure there are some women so completely co-dependent with their moms that that would be a thing.

The fact that they’ve both been celibate since their hookup is also beyond cute. I wish we could've seen more from this infamous night, because it's the night he fell in instalove with Harper.

This is a little bit of a slow burn until suddenly at 30% it gets hotter than hell out 🥵 this man is getting driven slowly nuts with lust and i gobbled up every word.

There is a “can you be a quiet good girl for me while I'm on a phone call” scene that was honestly one of the hottest things I’ve read in a longggg time. Then in the next scene he’s bossing her to be loud, equally hot. 🔥🔥🔥 Each sex scene builds on the next but she does a great job of preventing them from actual intercourse so the tension keeps climbing as you get deeper into the book. Every scene is sexier than the last in a new and different way and it’s just YEOWZA 😩❤️🥵 And yes they basically end up doing everything, it's wildly hot.

This book is full of great steam, lots of 'good girls' and growly 'mine's and at the same time the inner dialogue for both of them shows that they are just madly in love with each other, it's swoony, sweet, cute and hot! I couldn't believe I was engrossed in a hockey book, it is so not my thing but I was obsessed. I did have to gloss over some of the hockey scenes because yeah, it's like written in Greek, but the romance definitely takes center stage here.

I loveeeee her writing style, this book just flows and is so fun and engaging. i will definitely be back for more.

Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

It took me a while to read this but oh my god! This was such a sweet read, no third act break up, the steam was incredible and I enjoyed it so much, no crazy plot twists, just two people working through a good amount of angst to make things work between them. I really enjoyed this a lot and I'll keep an eye out for the author.

4 stars!

Oh. My. Goodness. "The Playing Game" by Ainsley Booth is hot, Hot, HOT! This is one of my first hockey romances, and I foresee many, many more in my immediate future if they are as good as this second chance, dual-perspective, super sexy book! Booth clearly did a ton of research on hockey before she wrote this book because all of the sports scenes and vernacular feel very authentic. This story is super duper spicy, almost to the point of it being too much spice (which is something I never thought I would say). To me, it feels like some of these scenes are added to pad the story because there's not a whole lot going on here. It's simply the story of a hockey player and a nurse reconnecting after secretly pining for each other for two years. They start off as friends, quickly turn to lovers, they bang, she works, he plays hockey, they bang, there is some mellow drama with his team and another dose of small tension with her mom, and then bang over and over and over in different places (literally and physically) until the book ends. There's not a ton of fanfare, drama, or blow-ups, just a lot of sweetness and lovemaking. In fact, if anything, I think this book is a little too drawn out and overlong. Luckily, Kieran and Harper are both great characters! I loved Kieran's devotion, attentiveness, and cinnamon roll demeanor. He never pushes her outside her comfort zone, and he quickly checks in with her in any and all situations. I loved Harper's caring heart, willingness to compromise, and quick wit. There's also no third act break-up, so that's a plus! I hope we get more books based on the secondary characters, like Harper's best friend Kiley and newcomer on Kieran's hockey team, Ty Connor. I feel like the seeds were planted for their story, so we shall see. If you like hockey romances, give this book a (slap)shot!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ainsley Booth, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

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!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

It was a fantastic read.. You are so going to enjoy this one!this is a great romcom! I recommend! 5 stars for me! I love a good picky romance!! Yes from me!!!

A great sports centred story. The author has clearly done her homework on the rules and intricacies of Hockey.

While I'm not into the detail, I have a huge appreciation of sports romantices and this one ticked all of the boxes, while some parts were predictable it gave that sense of heartwarming comfort that it would come to a happy ending.

It was an OK book... There was a lot of back and forth on their points of view... I usually like that in a book but it was just different it could be just me though..

A one night stand that neither person really got over … until they connect two years later.
I liked the way this book was written and I also liked that the macho hockey player fell first.
I do wish that there could have been a storyline of Harper meeting her Dad, I was waiting for it and thought it would have added value during some of the slower parts of the book.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

Kieran Marsh is a big-time hockey player and has many one-night stands but the one with Harper Anne Roberts in Jersey. Now two years later and in Seattle with an expansion team, he sees her and also wearing his jersey. She knew it was a mistake coming and then to wear his jersey as well but she could not stay away, even though hockey ruined her mother. Now she must leave before the end of the game so he won’t find her. He remembers that she is a nurse and so the hunt begins. This is a very good book with some emotions thrown in along the way.

I really didn't take so long reading this as the dates here suggest, but I can't remember when I read it so I'll have to leave it at that. Can I say for the record though I'll read it again, so there's that verification that this is a good book. Definitely 4 -4.5, maybe 5 but for there's alot of book without great conflict.

Kieran is gone for a girl in the hockey jersey - he met her (Harper) two years ago, they spent a night together and that was it for him. She bolted and he was left wondering. He thinks she thinks he's a player, and he was but not after the one night. She thinks he was a player, because of course he would be, bringing back old memories and the challenge of explaining to her mother that after one night she had fallen for a hockey player, just like her mother did isn't what Harper is ready for... and fat lot of good it did her mother, so there's that.

And thus is the gist of this book. Kieran doing all the things right by Harper when they meet a second time. Well he chases her down really after she goes to the season opener of the new franchise he's playing for. He then tracks her down through her friend/work colleague. Kieran falls way first and Harper continues to sit on the fence emotionally - not that she isn't enamoured by him, she just doesn't want to take the risk. For the love of spice and some hella hot scenes this book is good but it's balanced by alot of build up and some ruminating by Harper that gets a little much considering she's 28 years old - like really, does it matter that much if Mum is going to struggle a little with this dynamic?

Great friendships, and a big yes to a FMC who is frighteningly normal, the man falling first (though I do want to know more about what made that night THE night that slayed Kieran).

Can't wait to read the rest of this series. Sign me up!

I finished this book, then started reading it again because I can’t remember when I’ve ever read a love story that is so sweet and tender-hearted but also SO freakin hot.

You know what is my absolute favorite? When the hero falls first. And I love it when he’s willing to play the long game to get the girl.

I love how this author lets her characters be mature and deal with the obstacles in the relationship without silly, angsty drama. I’ve been a huge fan of Zoe York (this author’s other pen name) for years, and I guess I’m becoming a huge fan of Ainsley Booth too! I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

* thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I could not put this book down, I read it in one day.

The trauma from Harper's past makes it difficult to fall in love with the star NHL player, Keiran Marsh when they met 2 years ago. One night 2 years ago sealed the deal for him and after seeing her in the stands at the first game of the season, he wasn't about to let her get away again. He was going to do anything it took to make her not only stay, but make her his. Harper's past gets in the way of things progressing like Keiran wants them to but eventually they figure things out and show readers that there can be happy endings between a celebrity and a nurse.

This was my first novel by Booth and I have to say that I am hooked. It wasn't too difficult to follow along and make sense of the Canadian/English translations. Her style of writing and how she pulls the reader in has me a reader for life.

While I have zero interest in sport, I really do love a good hockey romance. This is in spite of the plethora of really bad, cheesy formulaic ones I've read.

Thankfully The Playing Game by Ainsley Booth is not that. In fact i'd say it is a cut above, especially because its refreshingly set in Canada.

Professional NHL player Kieran is shocked to see in the stands Harper, a woman he had a one night stand with two years previously. Because of Harper's past, she is very reluctant to get involved with a player, so does everything she can to fight the attraction she has to Keiran.

I loved both characters and their dynamic. Kieran is a sweetheart who, unlike the majority of novels that make male leads possessive horrid cave men, never forces Harper or pushes her into submission. Sure he challenges her, but he does so in a loving and safe manner. Harper has a lifetime of walls up, mostly thanks to her mother, but she too cannot help but slowly open up which was lovely. I also love that Harper is sex positive. I am sick and tired of female lead characters who are sexless while the guy is a bit of a manwhore.

I really loved how this book was low on the melodramatic angst that I think a lot of writers fall into the trap of doing - throwing up ridiculous hurdles and cliches to move the story forward. Instead this was a smart and assured character drama where both characters have a lot of chemistry that sizzles off the pages. if you love hockey romance, be assured this is a must buy, I know I certainly did.

I'm not going to lie, I definitely thought our "Jersey Girl" Harper would be able to resist Kieran longer than she did but do I blame the girl? Absolutely not.

Kieran and Harper spent an unforgettable night two years ago that still haunts them. While he's searched for her over the years, he ends up finding her at the very last place he thought he would see her which ended up being very convenient for him and none other than his own game. Kieran's soft side quickly makes you like the guy. I did enjoy this read. It was easy, fun, and cute but I expected the main reason for Harper's reluctance to have a bigger effect on the plot itself. The greatly anticipated 3/4th conflict felt lackluster and I wanted more from it. Although I greatly appreciate that there wasn't a miscommunication trope slotted in there.

More 3.5/5 Stars than 4
2.5/5 Spice Level
TWs: Chronic and Terminal Illness is mentioned.
While I have received an arc of this book, my thoughts are all my own.

This was an ok book. I felt like it dragged out way longer than it needed to. Overall, I’m glad I stuck with it, and the second half was a nice little story.

Thank you for the ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op. This was a cute hockey romance! I loved the fact there was no third act breakup and the steam was great! I enjoyed the depth and maturity of the characters a lot! I wasn’t into the hockey bits much but the romance was on point. I’m hoping her next book is about Kiley and Ty Connor!