Seduced By A Book: January 2019

Friday, January 25, 2019

Giveaway, sneak peek, and Review of Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay #7) by Jill Shalvis

Playing for Keeps

A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

by Jill Shalvis

If you’re planning on falling in love…

When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.

you’d better be sure…

Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.

… someone is there to catch you.

Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.

“Sadie.”

She shook her head.

“Look at me. Please?”

It was the damn please that had her opening her eyes. He’d closed the gap so that if she so much as took a breath, they’d be touching.

So she did just that. She took a deep breath, and then their bodies were up against each other, his warm and hard. Everywhere. “What’s happening?” she whispered.

“I believe you’re deciding between kicking me in the nuts and kissing me.” One side of his mouth curved very slightly as he lifted their still joined hands above her head, against the wall.

“But that last part might just be in my dreams.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Yes, it’s just in my dreams?”

She meant to say yes again, she really did.

She even opened her mouth to say it, because this was insane, this incredible . . . craving she had for him. It made no sense. Less than no sense, and yet . . .

She went up on tiptoe and touched her mouth to his.

Jill Shalvis

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New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Title: Playing for Keeps
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay (Book 7)
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (January 22, 2019)
ISBN-10: 0062741888
ISBN-13: 978-0062741882
Author's Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher for review purposes.

For the past year Caleb Parker and Sadie Lane have performed a slow and careful dance around each other. Caleb has been trying to get Sadie's attention, but the complicated, fiercely independent, and private beautiful young woman seems impervious to his charm. She's a puzzle he can't seem to figure out and that intrigues him to no end.

The sparks between the two are strong and obvious to everyone but them. Will a three legged dog who decides to adopt the pair finally be the catalyst that ignites those sparks into flames? If Caleb gets his wish it will because he's already all in, and he's playing for keeps.

This is the seventh book in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis, and it can be read as a standalone and/or out of order. The series takes place in San Francisco and centers around a group of young people who slowly become a very tight-knit group. As the series progresses, the relationships slowly weave those individuals into the fabric of each other's lives, turning strangers into family. At the center of it all is a fountain rumored to grant wishes for love when wished with a true heart. If you haven't read one of these delightful novels yet, you're in for a real treat. If you've never read one of Ms. Shalvis' books, be prepared to meet one of your new favorite romance authors. Be forewarned, however, Jill's novels are somewhat addictive. It's hard to stop at just one. They tend to be sweet and oh, so steamy all while bringing a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. This one is no exception.

Caleb ("Suits" as Sadie refers to him) is a genius who is a tech savvy inventor and entrepreneur who has made a small fortune selling his wares. He is close with his family and employs three of his sisters. He's charming, fun, and flirty--all traits Sadie's finds highly suspicious, and are characteristics of people she's learned to be cautious around. What she doesn't realize is Caleb is a genuinely nice guy. Of course she's heard that about people before, and it hadn't proven true, so seeing is going to be the only way she'll believe it. Caleb is used to having women chase after him, and the challenge that Sadie presents does not detour him. He's used to seeing what other's don't, and what he sees in Sadie is definitely worth waiting for.

Sadie Lane works as both a tattoo and a permanent makeup artist. She has trust issues, for good reasons, and is currently on a 3 year hiatus from men. She's built up walls around her heart because, in the past, when she's let down her guard people have tended to disappoint her in big ways. The pain that brought has left her a little emotionally scarred. She's wary about forming relationships of any kind, and tends to shield herself in sarcasm. That has served her well. Somehow, though, Caleb has managed to see through the rough and prickly facade Sadie's erected, and what he see's he likes. He's willing to be patient and do whatever he needs to to gain her trust and eventually her heart.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. I just love how a small sweet dog named lollipop, who was desperately in need of some love, brought these two together. Lollipop made Sadie see Caleb in a new light which gave her the courage to take another chance on love. I just adored seeing these two come together in a way that just seemed to make sense. The chemistry between them practically scorched the pages. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I loved it! This one is definitely a keeper.