Just Playing for Keeps

Hockey Ever After, Book 2

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke, Savannah Thomas, Ryan West

A grumpy/sunshine fake dating hockey romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely performed in duet by Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke, and with a full cast including Ryan West and Savannah Thomas!

Ever hear the story about the dating coach who got dumped on the hockey arena’s jumbotron?

Everyone did. But I lived it. Including the moment when the team’s broody, tattooed winger Lake Axelrod swooped in on skates to rescue me from public humiliation.

Even more surprising? When the famously grumpy (and ridiculously sexy) hockey star insists on being my fake boyfriend for my sister’s high-profile wedding.

It’s the perfect sweet revenge plan since my ex is the best man. Bonus–I might even salvage my professional reputation.

We need rules though.

1. To pull this off, everyone from his teammates to my boss has to believe we’re a real couple.

2. That means swoony touches and knee-weakening kisses are required.

3. When it ends, we walk away.

But the intensity in Lake’s eyes after every post-game kiss makes me wonder if he’s pretending. With each whispered secret, the line between fake and real bends. Until it shatters one night in a hotel room.

Soon, he isn’t just playing the protective boyfriend—he’s the only one who truly sees me.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to break the most important rule of all: don’t fall for your fake date.

This is Lake and Remy's romance. Tropes include: grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend's brother, obsessed hero

©2026 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2026 Lauren Blakely Books

Lauren Blakely never disappoints

Loved this live duet performance! Erin and Jason are so good together! Also loved Savannah Thomas and Ryan West.

From the jumbotron to a winning goal!

Lauren Blakely does it again as she brings me into her Hockey Ever After series. Quirky Remy is a dating coach that thought she knew what was happening. When the proposal she expected on the ice turned into lets be friends, her embarrassment was so great and Lake saw it. He pulled the camera off of her and onto him, and then fun begins. He agrees to be her plus one at her sister's wedding, and as her fake boyfriend, the two begin a fast friends to lovers relationship. The two stumble upon a thrift store where the two buy a beautiful wedding dress that has a list in it that was to be completed by the bride and they decide to complete it while pretending to be together. But feelings change. The grumpy Lake and the sunshine Remy are prove that life can never be predicted and love shows up at the most unexpected time. Loved this listen, and Blakely has me invested in this series. Can't wait for more!

Erin Mallon is the perfect fit as Remy. From the jumbotron to the list, she brings the hurt to the humor and love with ease, and had my heart rooting for her. Jason Clarke is the broody Lake with the teddy bear heart. He eases into life with Remy with such warmth and love, he makes it impossible to see the grumpy side. Add in Savannah Thomas and Ryan West filling in with personality and emotion and the story is one that is just all around fun to listen to.

Narrators killed it

It was a good read and the voice actors were perfect. It could have been 10 chapters shorter IMO, but the author obviously had a message she wanted to share. Would recommend to lovers of romance.

Love, love, love!

Lauren Blakely absolutely delivered with Just Playing for Keeps. This was an easy 5-star listen for me because the romance between Lake and Remy felt so emotionally real and deeply earned.

Lake and Remy are the kind of characters who don’t just fall in love—they fight their way there, carrying the weight of their pasts every step of the journey. What made this story so compelling was how deeply their previous hurts shaped their choices, their fears, and the walls they built to protect themselves. Neither of them comes into this relationship unscathed, and Blakely doesn’t shy away from that. Instead, she leans into it, giving us a romance that feels raw, honest, and incredibly earned.

Lake’s guarded heart and Remy’s emotional scars create this push-and-pull tension that had me completely hooked. You can feel how badly they want something real, but also how terrified they are of repeating past pain. Watching them slowly unravel those defenses—and learn to trust not just each other, but themselves—was both tender and powerful.

And as an audiobook, this story truly shines. The narration of Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke brings an added layer of vulnerability and depth to Lake and Remy’s journey, capturing every ounce of longing, hesitation, and undeniable chemistry. You don’t just hear their story—you feel it. This is more than just a romance; it’s a story about healing, second chances, and the courage it takes to open your heart again when it’s been broken before. This was funny, romantic, emotional, and incredibly satisfying—a perfect blend of swoony romance and healing after heartbreak. Lauren knows how to create characters you root for from the very beginning, and Lake and Remy completely swept me away—heart, soul, and all the messy, beautiful emotions in between.

Adorable

Love this series! I will definitely keep listening to the other books. The spice is perfect too.