Playing for Keeps Audiobook By R. L. Mathewson cover art

Playing for Keeps

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Playing for Keeps

By: R. L. Mathewson
Narrated by: Fran Jules
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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. Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance
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Editorial reviews

R. L. Mathewson's ear for witty dialogue and tension-filled scenes is on full display in her audiobook Playing for Keeps. Haley, young and easily pushed over, has finally decided she's had enough and it's high time she takes charge of her life. When she spies her annoying neighbor ruining one of her flowerbeds, she finds her first opportunity to take charge. The only problem is, Jason, the troublesome neighbor, has a look and physique that could melt a popsicle in January. Performed by Eileen Stevens with a sultry energy, Playing for Keeps is a perfect for remedy for those cold, late nights.
Humorous Interactions • Entertaining Romance • Excellent Narration • Lighthearted Storyline • Sweet Moments

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After a battle over property lines that results in getting swarmed by wasps, Haley and Jason find friendship and eventually love. Of course, the fun part was the in between. With lots of LOL bits and plenty of sweet moments too, you get a great little romantic comedy. It reminded me a lot of Wallbanger, in formula. Enemy neighbors to good friends to love and a HEA. I really liked the epilogue too! One thing did kind of bother me though, how in the hell is Jason not fat!

“How dare you touch my cookies, you bastard!” Jason said in utter disgust before popping the cookie into his mouth and heading back to his house.
“Damn those looked good, too,” Brad grumbled.
Haley sighed. “Don’t worry I have a second plate on my counter.” The words were barely out of her mouth when Jason abruptly changed course and headed towards her house.
“Well, there was,” she said, watching Jason walk into her house like he owned it. A minute later he walked out of her house, carrying both plates and the gallon of milk she had in her fridge. He headed back to his house, but not before he glared at Brad. “You cookie thieving bastard,” they heard him mutter.

Silly

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Immature characters, cliches abound, and I just can’t be convinced to give a crap about them. These two are more like high schoolers than anything.

DNF

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I was ready to love this book, but the final 1/3 of it totally ruined it.

Ending ruined it for me

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My Review:
Overall.... 4.75
Performance... 5.0
Story.... 4.75

Okay, I heard ALL the many, many raves about this book when it came out and bought it...but just never read it. But when I saw it on Audible, I decided that would be a good way to delve into this new to me author.

OMG, listening to this book on audiobook could not have been a more perfect experience. The story is funny and sweet and romantic. I'm a huge friends to lovers sucker and this story was a perfect example of why I think that trope works so incredibly well. On top of that, the narrator was incredible. I loved her voices and inflections for all the characters. I seriously cannot imagine a single way this story could have been told better. It was just so freaking good.

I love that these two have lived next to one another for 5 years, but have been pretty much enemies...until Haley hits the wall of what she will accept...and then an amazing friendship blossoms from that. I like how they transitioned from friends to lovers...it was such a natural progression for the two of them. I ADORED and continually giggled about Jason's obsession over food and then to see his father...OMG, seriously rolling on the floor.

I cannot rave enough about just how good this book was. I listened to it easily in two days and then immediately downloaded book #2...and yes, the review is coming for that one too. Same narrator, same amazing story telling. I think I just found a new author to stalk. Now if only all her books were available as audiobooks...

A+ rating...

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Overall the concept and story had some very touching and good points. It was really the small things that hurt my overall enjoyment of the book. The biggest sin is that the characters are just way to immature, the girl is 29 and the man 31 and they act like two teenagers. Their humor is also along those lines, and those jokes are very repetitive. The brownies and baked good joke runs throughout the book, and honestly by chapter 8 it was getting old, by chapter 12 I hated it. Calling her "grasshopper" also, gets old, it was kind of humorous at the start but when you using it against your girlfriend who is only 2 years younger, it just sounds weird. Also, the three stooge act with Jason's friends was stupid… and repetitive again. Also, the other males and females that keep jumping at the two main characters and no one believes they are dating the whole book, also gets again, repetitive. The book is mainly just to long winded, repetitive and predictable.

I expected a story about personal growth, where Hailey is the shy, skittish, slightly immature girl and her mature neighbor helps her grow as a person. After the first few chapters, it becomes just a generic love story.

Broad strokes good, small holes sink the ship

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