Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

I rated this 3.75 stars

This was a pretty good contemporary romance! There was real emotion from the characters and they felt very realistic. I enjoyed the romance, though it did feel a bit insta-lovey to me, which I didn't love (but that's just a personal preference).

This was a great book! I really enjoyed everything the author was trying to do, but I didn’t enjoy some of the things like “liberal but not loud about it” and laughing because the male main character was wearing a skirt. It didn’t strike me as particularly tasteful.

However, the story in and of itself was cute and I liked the relationship between Farren and Sebastian. The sex scene was so good, but why did she have to say I love you in the middle of it? To me it wasn’t romantic, but that’s just my boundary!!

All in all great story!! Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Country Press for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This was a super fun and surprisingly emotional contemporary romance, perfect for those who like their steam with a side of geekery. I loved the board game aspect of the story, and wish we had more romances that centred nerdy FMCs.

I had so much fun going on this journey with these characters, and seeing them learn to trust each other and themselves.

If you've loved the recent rise in STEMinist romcoms, this one is for you.

Farrah is currently a substitute teacher in Washington D.C. She likes to keep things fun and light, and never gets too serious with anyone or anything. The highlight of her week is the Friday night board game night she has with her friends at a local cafe. Sebastian is extremely driven. Nothing will stand in the way of his goals as a computer programmer. He's serious and keeps to himself. When Farrah orders the last pastry on Friday night, Sebastian offers to pay her for it. She in turn offers to play him for it. They develop a relationship of opposites, but a very sweet one. But when things turn serious, they have to decide to either go all in or check out. I loved this book. Farrah's hang ups and anxieties make sense once you discover what is driving them, and Sebastian's ice slowly chips away so you can see his real personality. I really enjoyed reading this on a plane ride, and want to read more about them. Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I find it challenging to provide a star rating for this book as I ultimately did not finish it. It's essential to note that my decision to discontinue reading was influenced by the circumstances surrounding my initial attempt and a lack of connection with both the story and characters.

Admittedly, I embarked on this literary journey during a less than optimal time, and unfortunately, the timing may have colored my overall experience. The intricate dance between reader and narrative is often a delicate one, and external factors can significantly impact our ability to fully immerse ourselves in a book.
I am sad because I really wanted to read this book, but I dont want to force it as I feel it wil be a negative experience.

I love my romances and this hit me in the feels. It gave me exactly what I needed and I am so glad I found this author!

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.

Playing for Keeps was just an okay read for me. I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters. I though this was going to be an enjoyable read because it involved board games. This was barely any of the story unfortunately. There is a perfectly represented plus size character and a workaholic mmc. They were kind of whiny in my opinion at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake County Press and Review for the copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions above are my own.

3 stars.

Tristen Crone's "Playing for Keeps" is a hit or miss grumpy/sunshine novel that overstays its welcome a bit too long. I love and appreciate that Farren, the main female character, is fat and described as such. So many books that claim they have "plus size representation" simply say that a character is "curvy" and leave it at that. Crone goes out of her way to let readers know that THIS is how you do plus-size representation! The story starts out really strong. I love how Sebastian and Farren met each other for the first time. It's like the opposite of a meet-cute... like a meet-fight! Crone takes to let Farren and Sebastian grow as individuals and as a couple. Though there is an insta-love element here (they are both attracted to each other and fall quickly), they take their time to solidify their pairing, almost to the point of "this is going so slowly that I want to pull my hair out from all of this waiting." I like that they waited to, you know, do the deed, but they also don't call themselves a couple...??? Red flag for me since they are so obviously smitten with each other. Sebastian might just be the grumpiest MC I've ever read. He is consumed with his work to the point where it's literally all he does. He has no hobbies, he has no friends, and he has no ambitions other than workworkwork... another red flag for me (though this is discussed in the book). Unfortunately, both of these characters are in desperate need of therapy because they both have major issues to work out. I like how the plot revolves around board games. YES! I loved reading about Farren's group of friends and all of the games they played together. They sounded like such a cool group of people to hang out with (minus Corrine, because with friends like her, who needs enemies?). I LOATHED the third-act break-up. If I had gotten into an argument like Sebastian and Farren did that early on in a relationship? Game over, no apologies. They were both out of line, but Sebastian was WAY MORE OUT OF LINE. YIKES. Dude is a walking red-flag-machine. In the end, there are some positives and some negatives about this story. Regardless, I can't wait to see what Tristen Crone writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tristen Crone, and Lake Country Press & Review for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Playing for Keeps is one of those books which allows characters to grow. For Farren and Sebastian both of them have things they have to learn. Farren has to realize she has to speak up about what she wants, to not hide in her fears and for Sebastian he needs to learn not to be so carried away with the grand capital G goal. The thing we think will make us happy at the end of the day. So together they have a lot to learn and while my feelings towards Sebastian are hit and miss, I really loved Farren.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. This was a cute and cozy read. It made me laugh and swoon! Highly recommend!

This is by far one of the coziest reads that I've picked up in a long time. The stakes are low, but that's not a bad thing! Curl up in a comfy spot and fall in love with the characters, the board games, and the quiet spaces we carve out for ourselves amidst a busy, career-centric world.

This book! This cover! This meet-cute! Her easy breezy noncommittal vibes and his workaholic vibes all coming together over a pastry and a board game? Yes please! An Absolute delight!

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book and the mental health representation that was in it as well. There is nothing I love more than a opposites attract story! Some parts did seem like they dragged a bit but there was still a lot to enjoy. I love HEA so I already knew I was going to be happy with the way this book turned out.

It was the cover that pulled me in, I have to admit, I love a cartoon cover, and a curvy FMC. It was a little sad to read about her struggles and inner dialogues. The writing felt clunky at times and I wanted to DNF a few times throughout the story. There's a HEA so you know its a romance read, and grumpy sunshine and meet'cute moments were good but overall it was only an ok read.

- curvy FMC
- opposites attract / grumpy sunshine
- meet cute
- banter!
- some little steam
- mental health rep

This debut book was so much fun to read. Tristen Crone is a very talented writer and her storytelling of Farren and Sebastian’s love story was full of witty banter, sexy and romantic dialogue, and the growth of these two characters was marvelous in every aspect of their story.

Farren and Tristan are an unlikely pair. The journey from getting stuck to finding a fabulous HEA is a treat to read. Thank you for the opportunity to read and enjoy the very special romance