Playing for Keeps

By: R. L. Mathewson

Narrated by: Fran Jules

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Done with being the world's biggest pushover, Haley decides that things are going to change starting with the aggravating neighbor who has too much charm and not enough restraint. What she didn't expect was to be sucked into his world, but Haley has a game plan and she won't let herself forget just what the bad boy next door is capable of.

The last thing Jason expected was for his little shy neighbor to go Rambo on him over some ruined flowers. After he decides to take her under his wing he can't help but that notice that she fits very nicely in his life. Now the only left is to convince her that this is anything but a game.

©2011 R.L. Mathewson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Shallow, immature female lead

The story would have been great if the female lead wasn’t irrationally pouty, angry, and melodramatic towards the end.

It is a cute story.

Ending was disappointing

I enjoyed the book, the humor, and how the characters bantered with each other. However, the ending was pretty silly to me. The lack of maturity between the two man characters just had me annoyed. Annoooooyed

So nice I read it twice

This book bring the phrase being neighborly a whole new meaning! because first their enemies then their friends as that develops into love and at the end they're a family of 5.

WOW!!
A must read

loved it!!!

I loved this story. I definitely recommend giving it a chance. I was not disappointed.

Entertaining, light, fun

I very much enjoyed the banter and the fun relationships between the different characters. I'm definitely buying some frosting to surprise my husband lol

A Bit on the Fence, Here.

I love romantic comedy. It's pretty much timeless. It's actually the comedy of this read that kept me going. It was well timed, well delivered, and a total hoot, especially the outrageous family scenes.

It was the romance part I'm on the fence about. It was good. It just wasn't as great as the comedic moments. I'll admit, the author knows how to write a sizzling love scene, and there are plenty in here. I thought my ear buds might spontaneously combust a few times. Perhaps my issue was based on the lack of communication between the pair. Even when they finally tried to truly express themselves, they didn't seem to be very good at listening to each other. Blame it on the raging hormones between the two. I suspect my issue won't be a problem for most readers, though, so take this with a grain of salt.

Haley and Jason are fun characters, and I love Jason's attitude toward things: especially toward Haley. He goes from zero to hero in my book...mostly because of the way he helps Haley overcome her doormat tendencies. So, yes, I did enjoy this book. It has a lot to offer, and I believe most fans of romantic comedies will enjoy it.

Love the full series

Love this book, and I'm writing the review after listening to the full series available in audible. This being the first book and available in the plus catalog got me hooked and I purchased the ones not included. I enjoyed the narration and would recommend if you like silly banter, sexy times and food do they love food lol !!!

Not bad

I am hoping that a first book this is just a starting point for this author. I hope we hear growth in her writing style in the years after this was book was written. 🤞
I didn't necessarily dislike this book. It is good, but missing some things for me. The obsession with food was weird. The immaturity she chose for herein character's personality was weird. I am glad it was free. I probably wouldn't be giving book two a shot if it wasn't free as well.

easy to listen and captivating

it was easy to listen to in a day as I've been doing my vigorous house chores which truly i hate yet today I really didn't mind as I wanted to keep hearing the next chapter eager to hear the next moments of the story.... time slips away quickly and enjoying every moment of it at the same time...

Excellent

This was a strong romance with great interpersonal tension that sustained the narrative from beginning to end. Sexual tension was high, but with emotional depth that kept it from being boring. I plan on adding this to my reread pile!