Review: Playing for Keeps – Kate Donovan

Posted January 25, 2015 by Cocktails and Books in Reviews / 0 Comments

by Kate Donovan

20675791When Erica McCall finally gets her big break in advertising, she knows just which spokesperson to pitch: gorgeous football superstar Johnny Spurling. She has followed his career since college and knows he’s perfect for the spot, even though it’s common knowledge his famous family doesn’t do product endorsements, ever. But Erica knows Johnny’s weak spot, and she’s confident she can use it to gain his trust and seal the deal.

Quarterback Johnny Spurling is running out of time. His father’s health is failing, and there’s one last thing he’s asked Johnny to do—settle down and produce a son, before it’s too late. Which means Johnny needs a new kind of girlfriend. No more casual hookups or high-maintenance divas. When his sister-in-law claims to have the perfect candidate, he urges her to set up a postseason blind date.

Then Johnny meets long-haired, long-legged Erica and can’t resist her outrageous proposal—or her. So he decides he’ll do the commercial and have one final, hot-as-hell fling before settling down. They set the ground rules, then proceed to break every one of them as fun turns to the kind of true romance that just doesn’t end with the final touchdown—and with luck, never ends at all.

Series: Play Makers #2
Release Date: January 30th 2014
Publisher: Self Published
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Karen
Rating:
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Reviewer’s Thoughts

PLAYING FOR KEEPS is an engaging story about a famous quarterback and a fledging advertising executive.   Quarterback, Johnny Spurling is talked into attending an ad campaign even though he has a strict rule of never endorsing products.  When Erica makes her presentation, Johnny’s immediately smitten with her and he agrees to do the ad campaign so he can get to know her.

I like Johnny.  He’s a sweet guy, although he does have a big ego.  He lives and breathes football and right now his sole focus is playing in and winning the super bowl.  Although football is all consuming in his life, Johnny still tries to spend time as much time as possible with Erica.  I enjoyed Johnny relationship with his teammates and I had some laugh out loud moments when they all get together.  They all revere him, whatever he says goes and they refer to him as “the big dog.”    

Erica is a huge football fan and excited to be working with Johnny. She is finally achieving her dream of living in New York and working on a high profile account.   She doesn’t want anything to interfere with her success. 

Johnny and Erica hit it off immediately.  They have fun and enjoy a passionate relationship whenever they are together, which isn’t often, because they live on opposite sides of the country.  They must make some decisions and sacrifices if they want it to continue their relationship. The only thing getting in the way is a promise Johnny made to his family and Erica’s determination to have a career and not a relationship. The story was unrealistic at times, but still a feel good, fun read. This is second book in the Playing for Keeps series and each book is a stand-alone.