Playing for Keeps
Ratings1
Average rating4
15
Ratings1
Average rating4
From the author of Some Girls Do comes another heartfelt YA sapphic romance—starring a baseball pitcher and a student umpire who are definitely not supposed to fall for one another. “Sapphic sports romance perfection. Swoony and romantic, but unafraid to tackle grief, family expectations, and fighting for your dreams, this is a home run of a book.” —Rachael Lippincott, coauthor of the #1 New York Times Bestsellers Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl June is the star pitcher of her elite club baseball team—with an ego to match—and she's a shoo-in to be recruited at the college level, like her parents have always envisioned. That is, if she can play through an overuse injury that has recently gone from bad to worse. Ivy isn't just reffing to pay off her athletic fees or make some extra cash on the side. She wants to someday officiate at the professional level, even if her parents would rather she go to college instead. The first time they cross paths, Ivy throws June out of a game for grandstanding. Still, they quickly grow from enemies to begrudging friends . . . and then something more. But the rules state that players and umpires are prohibited from dating. As June's shoulder worsens, and a rival discovers the girls' secret and threatens to expose them, everything the two have worked so hard for is at risk. Now both must choose: follow their dreams . . . or follow their hearts?
Reviews with the most likes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this new novel from Jennifer Dugan. One of the primary things that I look for when I am reading a new book is how the characters are developed over time and whether I feel any emotion for them. This story did an excellent job of character development to the point that I thoroughly disliked a couple of the characters and loved the main characters.
I have seen so many kids go through what June did, where their parents try to mold them and shape them into star athletes without letting them grow up and enjoy their teen years. I experienced some of that growing up as well and the author did an excellent job of portraying the father and the aspirations he placed on his kid.
I loved the relationship building that was done between Ivy and June. They were bitter enemies at the start due to one being an athlete and the other being a player. But their attraction was magnetic. When they kissed in the book, I could feel the love as I read it. I found myself hoping for them to work through their trials and come out on the other side.
I enjoyed that this was a sweet romance and was very well written.
