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Playing for Keeps
(Neighbor from Hell #1)
by
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B004YQBXIE
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 capabl ...more
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 capabl ...more
Kindle Edition, 332 pages
Published
April 29th 2011
by Rerum Publishing House
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Sometimes when I read other people's reviews, I think "Did we read the same book?"
Anyways, the good- this book is very well written, esp by the standards of self pubs. It flows well and is very engaging. I had fun while I was reading it and kept turning the pages. It really lost me in the last third though.
The bad- this book is about two idiot adult children who take immaturity to a new level. Hayley starts dating her neighbor Jason when they are trapped inside her house by a swarm of killer bee ...more
Anyways, the good- this book is very well written, esp by the standards of self pubs. It flows well and is very engaging. I had fun while I was reading it and kept turning the pages. It really lost me in the last third though.
The bad- this book is about two idiot adult children who take immaturity to a new level. Hayley starts dating her neighbor Jason when they are trapped inside her house by a swarm of killer bee ...more

O.M.G.! 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 lik
...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

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

Feb 12, 2012
Mimi Smith
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary-romance
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

Caution:You will laugh out loud!
I mean it!
I hate reading funny books but this one was a random pick which turned out to be sooo good!
Enter,Jason

He is 31 and definitely the biggest jackass on earth,or at least he seems to be.He is every householders' nightmare.We can see what a prick he is from Haley's eyes.

How would you feel if your idiot neighbor destroyed your bed flower?
I dont know about you but I would have KILLED HIM!
Well in our story his action brings them closer which is good s ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Dec 31, 2012
Lady Gabriella of Awesomeness (SLOW)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
This book was amazing and after a lot of after-thought I finally decided to go for a 5 star as the rating ;)

'Playing for keeps' is a novel that provides a perfect example of how important it is to NEVER judge a book by its cover..and I'm glad I chose not to with this one.The stellar reviews this book received from book besties,left me curious enough to pick this one out.So an applause for their fabulous review :D And now I'm just another reviewer hoping that I recommend this book good enough ...more

'Playing for keeps' is a novel that provides a perfect example of how important it is to NEVER judge a book by its cover..and I'm glad I chose not to with this one.The stellar reviews this book received from book besties,left me curious enough to pick this one out.So an applause for their fabulous review :D And now I'm just another reviewer hoping that I recommend this book good enough ...more

Nov 29, 2014
Beverly
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Beverly by:
Jennifer Kyle
5 LMAO Stars
This is such a fun read! I told my friend I needed something light and she recommended this one, and it is perfect.
The story is about two neighbors who through little misunderstandings and some bad actions despise each other.

Of course, once they are forced together one day and able to communicate things are cleared up. They immediately see they are perfect for each other and become best friends.

Naturally their attraction for each other gets in the way and things escalate.

I liked ...more
This is such a fun read! I told my friend I needed something light and she recommended this one, and it is perfect.
The story is about two neighbors who through little misunderstandings and some bad actions despise each other.

Of course, once they are forced together one day and able to communicate things are cleared up. They immediately see they are perfect for each other and become best friends.

Naturally their attraction for each other gets in the way and things escalate.

I liked ...more


FREE on Amazon US today (6/4/2015)
Stand-alone book 1.
BLURB:
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 ruin ...more

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 ...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 ...more

4 ‘I giggled, I snickered, and fanned myself' stars!!!
Playing for Keeps is the first book in R.L. Mathewson’s Neighbor from Hell series and one hell of a funny story.
Description…
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 ...more

I lost count of the times I laughed like crazy over Jason's 'I'm a growing boy' quips and his obsession with anything edible. And he was just so adorable. His obvious love for his little grasshopper was "diabetic inducing" sweet, even though Haley never returned the favor and called him Miyagi. Not that everything was a smooth sail, but each of their grovelling methods had its charm! *wink wink*
Such a feel good romcom with the right level of smut, sure to make anyone smile. ...more
Such a feel good romcom with the right level of smut, sure to make anyone smile. ...more

May 31, 2019
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition

Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest
DNF @ 15%
I wanted to like this book. A lot of my friends rated PLAYING FOR KEEPS very highly. Now, I'm questioning that, as I couldn't find anything that really called to me about this book. Haley and Jason are both incredibly immature. The book starts out as an enemies-to-lovers romance but they get over being enemies really quickly and then it becomes a friends-to-lovers romance instead. I felt like their reactions made them feel like ...more

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! ...more
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! ...more

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

This book was absolutely hilarious!
I was laughing the whole time...when I wasn't crying that is.
Loved it.
Get on it. ...more
I was laughing the whole time...when I wasn't crying that is.
Loved it.
Get on it. ...more

Mar 09, 2015
❤️ Paulette Alphas Review
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
romantic-comedy
I enjoyed this very sexy, romantic comedy.
I think I laugh so hard in some part of this book that I was crying. This was the most playful, flirty, sweet story ever. I just loved Jason and Haley's interaction with each other. That's my kind of romance. Jason is one of those guys that you just can't stay mad at no matter how bad you want to. Omg His obsession with food and cookies of any kind is hilarious!... He had me at "My Brownies!!"
I like this author and will read the rest of this series.
Tha ...more

Jul 09, 2012
Akanksha❤ Søren♰
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone who wants a good laugh
LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
So cute and funny and sappy!
You cookie thieving bastard
Jason and his father were suchhhhhh food sluts!
So cute and funny and sappy!
You cookie thieving bastard
Jason and his father were suchhhhhh food sluts!

Mar 23, 2012
Emily
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
author-r,
bad-boys,
fiesty-heroine,
pages-200-299,
friends-to-lovers,
full-figure-women,
humorous,
series,
own-kindle,
title-p
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

I am sorry but this book was beyond boring... Maybe, I shouldn't have rated it because I dropped it at page 100. Looked at the last 2 or 3 pages and I didn't have the strength to read the epilogue...
The story was meant to be humorous, I never - even once- smiled, let alone laugh...
By the way, how can a coward and introvert woman change in the blink of an eye and become this confident and fun girl?
How can a 30 year-old guy act so childishly? Not cute, no not cute, very annoying... There was nothi ...more
The story was meant to be humorous, I never - even once- smiled, let alone laugh...
By the way, how can a coward and introvert woman change in the blink of an eye and become this confident and fun girl?
How can a 30 year-old guy act so childishly? Not cute, no not cute, very annoying... There was nothi ...more

“If she tried to leave without him he would burn her house down, plain and simple.”

Playing for Keeps is a light hearted modern romance with an abundance of satire and a great deal of tongue and cheek humor.
For the past five years, Haley has been living next door to “the neighbor from Hell”. Haley is a "rule follower” with an abundance of “polish" and sophistication. Jason is a sporadic “free spirit”. Needless to say, the two are quite opposite.
Haley and Jason don’t get along. Haley has worked d ...more

Playing for Keeps is a light hearted modern romance with an abundance of satire and a great deal of tongue and cheek humor.
For the past five years, Haley has been living next door to “the neighbor from Hell”. Haley is a "rule follower” with an abundance of “polish" and sophistication. Jason is a sporadic “free spirit”. Needless to say, the two are quite opposite.
Haley and Jason don’t get along. Haley has worked d ...more

Re-read 14/5/2019 - Audio
4.5 Stars
After having just finished a heartbreaking read I was searching for something light and fun to read. This hit the spot perfectly! The audio was great, Fran Jewels did so well with the narration.
*********************************
Original review
4 Stars
This was a nice soft rom-com that was fun to read. I love the little grasshopper and the jibs between the leads. It was funny but not nearly as funny as some but in saying that I still enjoyed it.
4.5 Stars
After having just finished a heartbreaking read I was searching for something light and fun to read. This hit the spot perfectly! The audio was great, Fran Jewels did so well with the narration.
*********************************
Original review
4 Stars
This was a nice soft rom-com that was fun to read. I love the little grasshopper and the jibs between the leads. It was funny but not nearly as funny as some but in saying that I still enjoyed it.

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

This was so good! Loved seeing Jason and Hailey go from enemies, to friends, to more. This story made me smile and I didn't want to put the book down!
...more

Feb 16, 2012
Karla
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Karla by:
Searock and Steffi
The ideal blend of romance, humor, angst, and spice! I loved everything about this book. Jason and Haley’s first interaction, their friendship that becomes more, the falling out, the reconciling, and lordy lordy their time between the sheets was steamy and sensual. The writing is wonderful, plenty of witty dialogue, and it included a delightful array of amusing secondary characters.
It’s the perfect length; it was enough story that you’re committed to the characters, yet the plot is not overwhel ...more
It’s the perfect length; it was enough story that you’re committed to the characters, yet the plot is not overwhel ...more

“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 pla ...more
“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 pla ...more


I was very surprised when I realized how funny this book was. I had a huge smile on my face most of the time and I can't count the times I laughed out loud. It's not something that happens a lot with contemporary romance since the dark and angsty are in fashion so I'm very happy for this.
The characters and the writing reminded me very much of one of my favorite authors Shelly Laurenston. At some point I was beginning to think that they are the same person. I visited the authors page and I wasn't ...more

Apr 08, 2013
Amy | Foxy Blogs
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013-books
***3.75 Neighborly stars***
A NEIGHBOR FROM HELL is what Jason is when he moves in next door to Haley.
You won't find Mister Rogers neighborhood love between these two feuding neighbors. Until one day a bunch of Tulips change their relationship.
Enemies - Friends - Lovers!
SERIES:
No cliffhangers. Spinoffs ...more
A NEIGHBOR FROM HELL is what Jason is when he moves in next door to Haley.
"My name is Jason Bradford. I'm the neighbor from hell."
You won't find Mister Rogers neighborhood love between these two feuding neighbors. Until one day a bunch of Tulips change their relationship.
Enemies - Friends - Lovers!
SERIES:




No cliffhangers. Spinoffs ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Contemporary romance :girl is on the way to attend a wedding. [s] | 5 | 515 | Jan 23, 2019 02:00PM | |
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Which Neighbors from Hell book is this? [s] | 6 | 30 | Nov 04, 2017 03:15PM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Please Add Cover | 2 | 11 | Aug 29, 2016 03:22PM | |
looking for books similar to R.L. Mathewson and Angela Verdenius? | 7 | 304 | May 21, 2015 07:15PM |
New York Times Bestselling author, R.L. Mathewson was born in Massachusetts. She’s known for her humor, quick wit and ability to write relatable characters. She currently has several paranormal and contemporary romance series published including the Neighbor from Hell series.
Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast ...more
Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast ...more
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Neighbor from Hell
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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.”
—
443 likes
“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.”
—
399 likes
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.”