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Playing for Keeps (A Neighbor from Hell #1)
by
R.L. Mathewson (Goodreads Author)
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 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...more
The last thing Jason expected was for...more
ebook, 198 pages
Published
April 29th 2011
by Smashwords
(first published April 1st 2011)
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This story was sweet, romantic, and fun! The characters were lovable and I enjoyed the playful interaction between them. The storyline was simple, and although it wasn't action-packed, I did not want to put this book down.
"Playing For Keeps" begins with the hero and herione pretty much detesting one another. (Love that!) Haley and Jason are neighbors who can't stand each other, and they both happen to work as teachers at the same high school. They have never officially spoken to one another unti...more
"Playing For Keeps" begins with the hero and herione pretty much detesting one another. (Love that!) Haley and Jason are neighbors who can't stand each other, and they both happen to work as teachers at the same high school. They have never officially spoken to one another unti...more
35 likes · like · see review
view all 16 comments
What a funny and sexy contemporary romance! It was over-the-top silly, but it made me laugh so many times! And best yet, the steamy parts were HOT.
Jason is Haley’s next door neighbor from HELL, but in truth he really is a fun and misunderstood kind of guy. Sure, the neighborhood starteda few many petitions trying to get him to stop doing this or that, but he means well. And his shy little neighbor has never once complained. However, Jason is pretty clueless when it comes to things like women....more
Jason is Haley’s next door neighbor from HELL, but in truth he really is a fun and misunderstood kind of guy. Sure, the neighborhood started
85 likes · like · see review
5 stars
It's been a long time since I've loved a book this much, so I'm spreading the word!
You know how they say "Don't judge a book by its cover"? Well, let's be honest:We all do. A pretty cover will get me to buy a book faster than a tempting blurb. I know, I know-it could be just me and my shallowness or I'm a plain old book cover snob, but it's a fact of life. Now, if this book wasn't recommended to me I never would've picked it up. So, to all my GR friends who share my book cover predicament...more
It's been a long time since I've loved a book this much, so I'm spreading the word!
You know how they say "Don't judge a book by its cover"? Well, let's be honest:We all do. A pretty cover will get me to buy a book faster than a tempting blurb. I know, I know-it could be just me and my shallowness or I'm a plain old book cover snob, but it's a fact of life. Now, if this book wasn't recommended to me I never would've picked it up. So, to all my GR friends who share my book cover predicament...more
57 likes · like · see review
Original review: Swept Away By Romance
It has been a very long time since I laughed so hard and had so much fun with a book.
Haley and Jason are neighbors and colleagues but they don’t get along very well. Or at least it feels that way for Haley. Jason is loud, ignorant and quite selfish and Haley never complains. But one day it’s simply enough and Haley decides to change her life and starts speaking up for herself. Surprisingly, she and Jason strike up a friendship. That friendship and Jason’s i...more
It has been a very long time since I laughed so hard and had so much fun with a book.
Haley and Jason are neighbors and colleagues but they don’t get along very well. Or at least it feels that way for Haley. Jason is loud, ignorant and quite selfish and Haley never complains. But one day it’s simply enough and Haley decides to change her life and starts speaking up for herself. Surprisingly, she and Jason strike up a friendship. That friendship and Jason’s i...more
28 likes · like · see review
Always a glutton for punishment, Haley Blaine believes she can tolerate anything her jerk of a neighbor can dish out. After five years of his antics, she has had enough and flips out on him and has no plans in holding back her unleashed fury, well that is until she finds out the real reason he was tearing up her garden.
Jason Bradford loves women, just doesn't love them enough to start a relationship with him. After five years of getting the cold shoulder from his neighbor, he is delightfully sur...more
Jason Bradford loves women, just doesn't love them enough to start a relationship with him. After five years of getting the cold shoulder from his neighbor, he is delightfully sur...more
15 likes · like · see review
4.5 stars
What an unexpected little gem!!
Playing for Keeps has to be one of the funniest and sexiest reads I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Jason and Haley are adorable, sweet and kept me laughing out loud throughout the entire book. Jason is absolutely delicious and his obsession for baked goods was freaken hilarious. Haley is your typical shy bookworm but she's got a lot of sass and fire underneath it all and it was really great to see her come out her own shell. The off the charts chemis...more
What an unexpected little gem!!
Playing for Keeps has to be one of the funniest and sexiest reads I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Jason and Haley are adorable, sweet and kept me laughing out loud throughout the entire book. Jason is absolutely delicious and his obsession for baked goods was freaken hilarious. Haley is your typical shy bookworm but she's got a lot of sass and fire underneath it all and it was really great to see her come out her own shell. The off the charts chemis...more
12 likes · like · see review
I haven't read a book this funny in a while. It got to a point, where I'd just burst out laughing. Which led to strange looks from my family...priceless.
Jason and Haley make an adorable couple and the bantering between these two are hilarious. Not to mention the secondary characters being Jason's friends are an added bonus.
This is a real feel good, pick me up type of book, that'll have you laughing in no time. Loved it!
Jason and Haley make an adorable couple and the bantering between these two are hilarious. Not to mention the secondary characters being Jason's friends are an added bonus.
This is a real feel good, pick me up type of book, that'll have you laughing in no time. Loved it!
36 likes · like · see review
This is a short & sweet romantic story with some hot love scene's
I loved Jason, he really made me laugh especially about the thieving of the baked goods.
And Haley was such a likable female lead. Even though she was a tad stereotypical in the whole not knowing she's beautiful & all shy etc. she was also funny & down to earth and I could understand why Jason liked her.
There is nothing new or startling here, it is your typical they don't like each other, they like each other, they love...more
I loved Jason, he really made me laugh especially about the thieving of the baked goods.
And Haley was such a likable female lead. Even though she was a tad stereotypical in the whole not knowing she's beautiful & all shy etc. she was also funny & down to earth and I could understand why Jason liked her.
There is nothing new or startling here, it is your typical they don't like each other, they like each other, they love...more
10 likes · like · see review
Apr 17, 2013
Susanne
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
genre-contemporary-romance,
giggles
Gah! This book was so freaking amazing and then it had to fall into the CR-trap. Yes, I made it up right now. Beware, the second part of this review will contain mild spoilers. I will let you know when.
The first part. So incredibly funny! I laughed so much on the train that the people around me thought I was crazy. It was brilliant!
Haley. Sweet bookish heroine who is done with being a pushover.
She was always the shy girl with her nose buried in a book, hoping no one would notice her.
Who knew th...more
The first part. So incredibly funny! I laughed so much on the train that the people around me thought I was crazy. It was brilliant!
Haley. Sweet bookish heroine who is done with being a pushover.
She was always the shy girl with her nose buried in a book, hoping no one would notice her.
Who knew th...more
26 likes · like · see review
Sep 20, 2012
Ren
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Readers who like light romance read
Shelves:
humor,
e-books,
group-challenge,
alpha-hero,
annoying-chara,
enemy-to-lover,
family-theme,
contemporary-romance,
favorite,
make-me-nosebleed,
my-nom-nom-boyfriend,
reccomended-to-translated,
read-english-book-challenge,
rolling-my-eyes-at-the-cover,
reviewed,
stubborn-chara,
there-are-hot-men,
there-s-hot-and-dangerous-heroes,
virgin-heroine,
wow-fantastic-baby,
top-read-2012,
new-author-2012-challenge
My first thought after finish this :
WHOA!! I just find new book to make it into my Top Read 2012. And I just found my new nom nom boyfriend!
I'm so happy!!
I must celebrate!
With doing happy dance!!!
*cough2*
Now that's just weird dance not a happy dance *grinning sheepishly*
Playing for Keeps is the first R.L.Mathewson's book I read,and definitely not the last. Reading this make me amend what my lovely GR friends had said " if you love Shelly Laurenston, you will love this one". I couldn't agree m...more
WHOA!! I just find new book to make it into my Top Read 2012. And I just found my new nom nom boyfriend!
I'm so happy!!
I must celebrate!
With doing happy dance!!!
*cough2*
Now that's just weird dance not a happy dance *grinning sheepishly*
Playing for Keeps is the first R.L.Mathewson's book I read,and definitely not the last. Reading this make me amend what my lovely GR friends had said " if you love Shelly Laurenston, you will love this one". I couldn't agree m...more
12 likes · like · see review
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
It’s hard not to like a story that starts out with the hero and heroine wrestling over tulips. But that’s just a taste of the craziness that Jason brings into Haley’s life when he takes on his next door neighbor as a project to get her out of her shell and to start standing up for herself; his little grasshopper. The humor had me laughing throughout. The random things Jason says and thinks are so out there, a few things had me shaking my head but still la...more
It’s hard not to like a story that starts out with the hero and heroine wrestling over tulips. But that’s just a taste of the craziness that Jason brings into Haley’s life when he takes on his next door neighbor as a project to get her out of her shell and to start standing up for herself; his little grasshopper. The humor had me laughing throughout. The random things Jason says and thinks are so out there, a few things had me shaking my head but still la...more
12 likes · like · see review
Unfortunately, I only got to page 39 of this book before I gave up on it.
The blurb implies it's a enemies-to-lovers trope, but the hero and heroine are only enemies for (literally) the first pages of the book. Very soon they're instant best friends--which we are TOLD, not shown--so the book is really a friends-to-lovers trope.
The friends-to-lovers trope wouldn't have put me off, but adding to the book's woes, it was poorly edited. (I have since read that the author is having her books edited AF...more
The blurb implies it's a enemies-to-lovers trope, but the hero and heroine are only enemies for (literally) the first pages of the book. Very soon they're instant best friends--which we are TOLD, not shown--so the book is really a friends-to-lovers trope.
The friends-to-lovers trope wouldn't have put me off, but adding to the book's woes, it was poorly edited. (I have since read that the author is having her books edited AF...more
15 likes · like · see review
The first in the Neighbor from Hell series. Silly and funny. Sometimes almost too silly but I still enjoyed it.
Haley lives next door to the neighbor from hell. She also works with him but one day she finally has enough and lets him have it. Jason is the neighbor from hell and he is a bit of a player. He likes what he sees next door and he's misunderstood, of course. He was probably just hungry. lol
It was an entertaining, funny, light read. I recommend this to those who are looking for a humorou...more
Haley lives next door to the neighbor from hell. She also works with him but one day she finally has enough and lets him have it. Jason is the neighbor from hell and he is a bit of a player. He likes what he sees next door and he's misunderstood, of course. He was probably just hungry. lol
It was an entertaining, funny, light read. I recommend this to those who are looking for a humorou...more
7 likes · like · see review
What an enjoyable read. Glad I stumbled upon these romances! The second book in this series doesn't seem to be listed on Goodreads, but Travis and Zoe's story "Perfection" is a 5-Star because it made me cry - twice.
16 likes · like · see review
LUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDD IT,Enjoyed this book from pg 1 till the end,I am in love with Jason-Haley,now they are on my "MFC(Most Favourite Couple) list,adored their friendship bond and how it slowly blossoms into love.Love each and every other character in this book.Loved how the story progressed and laughed so hard on their first meet and Bradford's Food Craziness.The epilogue was cute and perfect.So looking forward to read more books from this series,i want to read s...more
15 likes · like · see review
Here’s my Jason Bradford Yep. You read that right. He’s mine. Back off bitches!:
Awwwww.. isn’t he adorable? I think I’m about to swoon…
There.
I don’t remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book as much as I di...more
It was made even worse with good looking men like Jason. His ebony hair, ocean blue eyes and chiseled good looks made her nervous. She just wasn’t any good at handling people. Throw good looks onto a guy that was being particularly jerkish and she turned into a blubbering idiot.
Awwwww.. isn’t he adorable? I think I’m about to swoon…
There.
I don’t remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book as much as I di...more
4 likes · like · see review
wonderful new voice in contemp romance! Steamy, witty and heartwarming I fell in love with both protags... Reminded me quite a bit of Shelly Laurenston's voice- without the pnr aspect! (LOVE me some SL.)
8 likes · like · see review
Dec 19, 2012
Michele ~ la Smoocherina
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
up-next
This is one of those books everyone loves but me. It was like a Hurlaquin book mixed with a Lifetime Movie of the week. I even rechecked the copyright date because I was picturing 1984. Lol
14 likes · like · see review
This book is why we all read in the first place...and it was a fun and hilarious escape! That being said, it didn't blow me away or make me want to cry, although it did have my attention the entire time!
Haley and Jason are next door neighbors. For years, (5 to be exact), Haley has loathed Jason's lack of yard maintenance and general rudeness when it comes to being her neighbor; even if he IS a handsome, muscular tall drink of water! (Yes, Jason is yet another stereotypical "clueless" man and I'm...more
Haley and Jason are next door neighbors. For years, (5 to be exact), Haley has loathed Jason's lack of yard maintenance and general rudeness when it comes to being her neighbor; even if he IS a handsome, muscular tall drink of water! (Yes, Jason is yet another stereotypical "clueless" man and I'm...more
5 likes · like · see review
I purchased this on a whim after seeing it pop up on my GR feed over and over and I am very pleased a took the risk. Playing for Keeps is cute story centering on two neighbors that finally become involved after years of ignoring and annoying each other.
The story is sweet with relatively little agnst or conflict until the final 20% or so. I found the final misunderstanding to be out of character for both of the main characters and it took away from my enjoyment of the book. The rest of the book w...more
The story is sweet with relatively little agnst or conflict until the final 20% or so. I found the final misunderstanding to be out of character for both of the main characters and it took away from my enjoyment of the book. The rest of the book w...more
Five Delicious Buttercream Frosting Flavored Stars (whew! Stay that ten times fast :)
This was such a wonderful find. I LOVED every moment of this story. I could not put it down for the life of me. How could I not? Not only did it have a great romantic story line, but a lot of scenes in the book made me laugh out loud. Particularly when they involved Jason Bradford and his insane obsession with food. Gotta love a man with a big appetite. Word of caution, never get in the middle of a Bradford man...more
This was such a wonderful find. I LOVED every moment of this story. I could not put it down for the life of me. How could I not? Not only did it have a great romantic story line, but a lot of scenes in the book made me laugh out loud. Particularly when they involved Jason Bradford and his insane obsession with food. Gotta love a man with a big appetite. Word of caution, never get in the middle of a Bradford man...more
8 likes · like · see review
I really liked this book a lot. It was the PERFECT fluff read for me. It was well written, with characters I really cared about, lots of adorably cute and funny moments, no heart-breaking moments, no damaged or tortured characters, didn't make me cry at any point, really really adorable HEAs, and not super long reads. I read this book and its sequel in 4 hours. It was the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.
I love the way their relationship developed. It was perfectly paced. Fast enough that...more
I love the way their relationship developed. It was perfectly paced. Fast enough that...more
Feb 06, 2012
Tina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-reads,
romance-contemporary
I am always on the look out for a good, straight up contemporary romance. This one fits the bill excellently. It is a fun, well written little book.
The stuff that gets a big thumbs up:
The friends to lovers arc. I really enjoyed how the writer built the relationship between Haley and Jason. For five years they were semi-hostile neighbors. Well, Jason was just obnoxious. Haley silently fumed and tried to sell her house a few times to no avail. But finally comes the breaking point where Haley just...more
The stuff that gets a big thumbs up:
The friends to lovers arc. I really enjoyed how the writer built the relationship between Haley and Jason. For five years they were semi-hostile neighbors. Well, Jason was just obnoxious. Haley silently fumed and tried to sell her house a few times to no avail. But finally comes the breaking point where Haley just...more
5 likes · like · see review
Apr 05, 2012
Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult
3.5 stars. Rounding up because Jason is such a rock star.
I picked up Playing for Keeps because it was getting some attention and I was curious to see why a seemingly unnoticeable book (have you seen the cover?) was starting to cause a stir.
What I was expecting : Neighbors who don't get along spend half of a book torturing the living daylights out of each other before th...more
She quietly said good night, rolled her eyes as Jason mumbled, "I love you" to his brownies, and headed off to the bathroom.
I picked up Playing for Keeps because it was getting some attention and I was curious to see why a seemingly unnoticeable book (have you seen the cover?) was starting to cause a stir.
What I was expecting : Neighbors who don't get along spend half of a book torturing the living daylights out of each other before th...more
27 likes · like · see review
*4.5 Stars*
This book came to my attention and I bought it for exactly one reason: I was told it was similar to Shelly Laurenston's style. Sold! It didn't hurt that it was only a $0.99 investment, either. :) And luckily the recommender was correct. It did read like Shelly Laurenston. Yay! Another author to feed my need for immature humor and outrageous antics. :D
This book was, quite simply, hilarious. The start was a little clunky for me, but it quickly smoothed out and settled into a fast paced,...more
This book came to my attention and I bought it for exactly one reason: I was told it was similar to Shelly Laurenston's style. Sold! It didn't hurt that it was only a $0.99 investment, either. :) And luckily the recommender was correct. It did read like Shelly Laurenston. Yay! Another author to feed my need for immature humor and outrageous antics. :D
This book was, quite simply, hilarious. The start was a little clunky for me, but it quickly smoothed out and settled into a fast paced,...more
14 likes · like · see review
Mar 02, 2012
Anna (Bobs Her Hair)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of light, humorous romance
Recommended to Anna (Bobs Her Hair) by:
Karla Parks
Cute, light story with some angst... laugh out loud funny situations, steamy sexy times...inexpensive ebook...Fans of Shelly Laurenston may enjoy Mathewson's humor.
***edited to add review***
Playing for Keeps
The Story
Jason is a womanizer and he knows it. He informs his dates not to expect anything long-term or a commitment, but they tend to show up outside his house shouting at him. Jason knows he can be an asshole, but he also knows he’s a good person with solid friends and family.
His sexy-look...more
***edited to add review***
Playing for Keeps
The Story
Jason is a womanizer and he knows it. He informs his dates not to expect anything long-term or a commitment, but they tend to show up outside his house shouting at him. Jason knows he can be an asshole, but he also knows he’s a good person with solid friends and family.
His sexy-look...more
9 likes · like · see review
17 likes · like · see review
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I had no idea when I started reading Playing For Keeps that it would become one of my favorite reads for the summer. It was a very quick read.. I read it in just 5 hours but a cute and fun read. I was laughing out loud at some parts. My husband thought I was crazy but I don't care! So glad I picked up this book!
Playing for Keeps is about a 29 year-old woman, Haley; who is trying to make it on her own instead of living on her families money. She p...more
I had no idea when I started reading Playing For Keeps that it would become one of my favorite reads for the summer. It was a very quick read.. I read it in just 5 hours but a cute and fun read. I was laughing out loud at some parts. My husband thought I was crazy but I don't care! So glad I picked up this book!
Playing for Keeps is about a 29 year-old woman, Haley; who is trying to make it on her own instead of living on her families money. She p...more
3 likes · like · see review
Can I just say that Jason is probably one of the sexiest men I've encountered. He's on my top 10 list at least, I think. Yeah. And he's so funny! His obsession with food and cookies of any kind is hilarious! Don't be anywhere near him when there's food around because he'll knock you down just so that he can have it all for himself!
I love the banter between him and Haley, it's cute and funny and they are so sweet together.
This was a fun surprise and actually a very nice little story. The cover...more
I love the banter between him and Haley, it's cute and funny and they are so sweet together.
This was a fun surprise and actually a very nice little story. The cover...more
4 1/2 stars (The little drama near the end of the story cost the book 1/2 star.)
11 likes · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| something similar | 51 | 669 | Jun 17, 2013 07:57pm | |
| What should I rea...: What to read next?(Neighbor From Hell-ish books) | 1 | 18 | Apr 23, 2013 11:57pm | |
| Did anyone else think the ending was weak? | 4 | 123 | Apr 13, 2013 03:48am | |
| Romance Readers R...: AC: R.L. Mathewson of Playing For Keeps (June 6-8) | 34 | 138 | Jun 09, 2012 07:46pm | |
| Goodreads Librari...: eBook ISBN - 13 0780983212539 | 6 | 76 | Feb 15, 2012 07:48am | |
| Romance, Historic...: Free ebook from the Neighbor From Hell Series | 3 | 116 | Jan 19, 2012 06:59am |
Hello, my name is R.L. Mathewson :)
Before I tried my hand at writing I was a receptionist, cafeteria worker at the college I attended, museum worker, bellhop, and about a dozen other different things that are pretty embarrassing so we're just going to skip over those things and pretend that they never happened ;D
At some point I got a little direction in my life and tried my hand at emergency medic...more
More about R.L. Mathewson...
Before I tried my hand at writing I was a receptionist, cafeteria worker at the college I attended, museum worker, bellhop, and about a dozen other different things that are pretty embarrassing so we're just going to skip over those things and pretend that they never happened ;D
At some point I got a little direction in my life and tried my hand at emergency medic...more
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“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.
Brad rolled his eyes, chuckling. “And people wonder how I lost weight rooming with him in college.”
—
212 people liked it
“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.
Brad rolled his eyes, chuckling. “And people wonder how I lost weight rooming with him in college.”
“He glared accusingly at her while he made short work of his clothes. "You didn't wake me up."
She rolled her eyes as she speared a piece of sausage with her fork. "I did wake you up. Three times in fact. Each time you threw something at me and went back to sleep."
Jason gaped at her. "And you gave up? You know our routine, woman. You have to
keep at it until I'm forced to get off the bed to find something to throw at you.”
—
181 people liked it
More quotes…
She rolled her eyes as she speared a piece of sausage with her fork. "I did wake you up. Three times in fact. Each time you threw something at me and went back to sleep."
Jason gaped at her. "And you gave up? You know our routine, woman. You have to
keep at it until I'm forced to get off the bed to find something to throw at you.”
