Playing for Keeps
Bella North
It’s all fun and games until fake starts to feel like forever…
My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much. But my fans have other ideas. And they’ve turned my easy-going life into a nightmare with their campaign to find me a wife…
My childhood best friend Serena thinks it’s hilarious. She’s always wanted the big, swoony love story, but instead, she has a controlling ex she can’t shake breathing down her neck. And then the solution to both our problems hits me: a fake romance. ‘Settling down’ with Serena will get the fans off my back, and having a muscly football player on her arm should be enough to warn off her ex. Plus, we’re best friends, so what could go wrong?
Our first date is set for the city’s annual charity ball. I’m smug as I imagine how easy my life will be after tonight. Except, when my lips touch Serena’s in front of the flashing cameras, when I hear her soft sigh as I dip her lower, something like panic creeps through my chest. I’m not meant for love—letting people down runs in my genes. I can’t do that to Serena. I won’t.
As the story we’re spinning gets bigger, so do the feelings I’ve worked so hard to chase away. We want completely different things. But I can’t stop wondering: do we both want the one thing that counts—each other?
Playing for Keeps is a fun, steamy, friends-to-lovers sports romance, perfect for fans of Liz Tomforde, Stephanie Archer and Elsie Silver. The third in the Oakwood Ranch series, it can also be read as a standalone.
Readers are OBSESSED with Playing for Keeps:
“Wow oh wow… Incredible. I absolutely flew through it… From the first chapter it had me hooked… Absolutely PERFECT… Made me tear up… So captivating… Had me wanting to keep reading late into the night… HIGHLY recommend… Truly amazing.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Swoon-worthy… Bingeable… I loved it!… Fast-paced, full of witty banter, LOL moments and spicy scenes… Right from the start, I was hooked… LOVED… Amazing.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Oh God, I’m obsessed!… Genuinely so sweet and funny—you’re right there, falling for them and getting butterflies… I guarantee you’ll lose track of time once you start.” harusenaread, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Oh, these two destroyed my heart and my emotions in one swoop… I loved this book so much… Like soooooo much… Fantastic… Brilliant… Push[es] every button on a readers’ heart.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I know that if I’m picking up a Bella North book, I’m not leaving my sofa until I’m done. I fell in love… Sublime… Witty… Made my heart melt… Obsessed.” thelitwhisperer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“One of the best [sports romances] I’ve read… You will definitely need a box of tissues within easy reach… If you don’t cry buckets there is something seriously wrong. I read it in bed and ended up having to change my pillowcases.” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Okay but this was seriously cute!!… Chef’s kiss… So real… So swoon-worthy… Fun… Heartfelt… Just hit different… Left me smiling and dying for more!!… ADD. THIS. TO. YOUR. TBR.” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I started today and finished it a few hours later… Everything I wanted it to be… Made me giggle… So adorable… I think at this point I’d read Bella’s shopping list!… I loved it!” shhreads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book!!! Honestly, I adored it… Delivered everything I love… Delicious… So good… Engaging from start to finish… I flew through it… Such a fun read… I loved everything about it.” lanainfiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
TROPES:
🌶️Friends to lovers
🌶️Fake dating
🌶️Sports romance
🌶️Golden retriever boyfriend
🌶️Slow burn
🌶️Workplace romance (sports star vs cheerleader coach)
🌶️Found family
