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Playing for Keeps
For every player that makes it into the ranks of professional football there are many thousands of others that don’t. Many drift into semi-professional football, but that doesn’t mean their dream of playing in the top-flight has died. For the majority, the flame still burns brightly.
Matt is one of the thousands of players who juggle the demands of playing semi-professional football with a full-time job. Playing as a goalkeeper for Reigate Athletic in the Isthmian League, his life is further complicated when he meets and falls in love with Anna, an American girl, who initially fails to understand his obsession with ‘soccer’. But as Reigate Athletic make their way through the early rounds of the FA Cup, she slowly begins to appreciate what football means not only to Matt, but also to the club, and to the town.
Despite struggling with an injury, Matt continues to impress during the cup run and out of the blue gets a call from a scout representing Premier League side Crystal Palace, inviting him for a trial. Matt is also having to deal with his relationship with Jess, the football reporter on the local paper. During the course of the season, Matt and Jess come to realise that there is a chemistry between them. Matt’s story charts the amazing highs of winning and the deep troughs of losing and dealing with injury that anyone who plays or follows sport will know only too well, set against a backdrop of an intense and complicated relationship with two women.
Matt is one of the thousands of players who juggle the demands of playing semi-professional football with a full-time job. Playing as a goalkeeper for Reigate Athletic in the Isthmian League, his life is further complicated when he meets and falls in love with Anna, an American girl, who initially fails to understand his obsession with ‘soccer’. But as Reigate Athletic make their way through the early rounds of the FA Cup, she slowly begins to appreciate what football means not only to Matt, but also to the club, and to the town.
Despite struggling with an injury, Matt continues to impress during the cup run and out of the blue gets a call from a scout representing Premier League side Crystal Palace, inviting him for a trial. Matt is also having to deal with his relationship with Jess, the football reporter on the local paper. During the course of the season, Matt and Jess come to realise that there is a chemistry between them. Matt’s story charts the amazing highs of winning and the deep troughs of losing and dealing with injury that anyone who plays or follows sport will know only too well, set against a backdrop of an intense and complicated relationship with two women.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 8, 2021
This is a difficult book to review. I REALLY wanted to love it, I was excited to read it, the synopsis of it was intriguing but the whole book just... kind of fell flat for me. Maybe it was the writing style? I almost DNF multiple times but stuck with it. It got better maybe 60% of the way through.
Initially, Anna really annoyed me as a character but she grew on me a bit. I didn't really feel their relationship had much to it though. Matt's character was developed well, as were the other characters related to the team. I felt like the author over-explained a lot of the football (soccer) terminology and aspects of the game which felt tedious to read after a while. It also seemed there were some extra dramatic things thrown in with the injuries, Anna's dad, and then the bit with Jess. The ending felt super rushed and random to me, especially with Sunderland and Crystal Palace. I wished there wouldn't have been as much back story in the beginning and it would have just taken place from the beginning of the FA cup through his trial.
Overall, it could have been much better. I'm glad I read it and I think others may enjoy it more than I did! Thanks to Matador and #NetGalley for the copy of #PlayingForKeeps!
Initially, Anna really annoyed me as a character but she grew on me a bit. I didn't really feel their relationship had much to it though. Matt's character was developed well, as were the other characters related to the team. I felt like the author over-explained a lot of the football (soccer) terminology and aspects of the game which felt tedious to read after a while. It also seemed there were some extra dramatic things thrown in with the injuries, Anna's dad, and then the bit with Jess. The ending felt super rushed and random to me, especially with Sunderland and Crystal Palace. I wished there wouldn't have been as much back story in the beginning and it would have just taken place from the beginning of the FA cup through his trial.
Overall, it could have been much better. I'm glad I read it and I think others may enjoy it more than I did! Thanks to Matador and #NetGalley for the copy of #PlayingForKeeps!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2025
Playing for the Keeps by Chris Pullen is a gripping, emotionally charged sports romance that hits every note perfectly. With a strong, relatable cast of characters and a plot filled with heart, passion, and a touch of drama, this book is impossible to put down. Pullen’s storytelling pulls you in, keeping you invested from the first page until the last.
What I Loved:
Pullen does an exceptional job of blending sports with romance. The scenes on the field are thrilling, filled with the kind of intense energy that only a true sports enthusiast can appreciate. But it’s the emotional core of the book that truly shines. The romance is sweet, slow-burning, and full of chemistry, and the character development is top-notch. Watching the protagonists navigate both their personal and professional lives is a journey that feels genuine and relatable.
The writing is sharp and filled with moments of tension, excitement, and tenderness. Pullen strikes the perfect balance between the adrenaline of sports and the quiet, heartfelt moments between the characters. It’s the kind of book where you’re rooting for the couple, while also appreciating the way the author crafts their growth as individuals.
What I Didn’t Love:
Though the pacing is mostly spot-on, there are a few moments where the plot slows down a little too much, particularly when diving into the characters’ emotional struggles. While these moments add depth, some readers might find them a bit drawn out. Additionally, a couple of secondary characters could have been fleshed out more to add further layers to the overall story.
Final Thoughts:
Playing for the Keeps is an outstanding sports romance that combines the excitement of competition with the tenderness of love and personal growth. Chris Pullen has created a story that is both thrilling and heartwarming, with a perfect balance of tension, romance, and drama. This book is a must-read for fans of sports romance and character-driven narratives, leaving you satisfied and eagerly awaiting more
❤️shaye.readss
What I Loved:
Pullen does an exceptional job of blending sports with romance. The scenes on the field are thrilling, filled with the kind of intense energy that only a true sports enthusiast can appreciate. But it’s the emotional core of the book that truly shines. The romance is sweet, slow-burning, and full of chemistry, and the character development is top-notch. Watching the protagonists navigate both their personal and professional lives is a journey that feels genuine and relatable.
The writing is sharp and filled with moments of tension, excitement, and tenderness. Pullen strikes the perfect balance between the adrenaline of sports and the quiet, heartfelt moments between the characters. It’s the kind of book where you’re rooting for the couple, while also appreciating the way the author crafts their growth as individuals.
What I Didn’t Love:
Though the pacing is mostly spot-on, there are a few moments where the plot slows down a little too much, particularly when diving into the characters’ emotional struggles. While these moments add depth, some readers might find them a bit drawn out. Additionally, a couple of secondary characters could have been fleshed out more to add further layers to the overall story.
Final Thoughts:
Playing for the Keeps is an outstanding sports romance that combines the excitement of competition with the tenderness of love and personal growth. Chris Pullen has created a story that is both thrilling and heartwarming, with a perfect balance of tension, romance, and drama. This book is a must-read for fans of sports romance and character-driven narratives, leaving you satisfied and eagerly awaiting more
❤️shaye.readss
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews