Playing for Keeps by Lainey Davis

I devoured Playing for Keeps, a wake-up-married hockey romance.

Gunnar Stag (yes, that’s his real name and yes, I’d like to say it over and over again) is the golden retriever of hockey heroes. He’s loyal, goofy, and always emotionally available. Emerson Saltzar, our girl, is all grace but trying to find herself as she runs away from her excessively sheltered and demeaning life. A classically trained musician breaking free from her overbearing, control-freak of a father, Emerson’s not just learning how to live—she’s learning how to feel.

And oh, the slow burn. It simmers. Teases. Builds. None of that “we’re married now, let’s bang nonsense. Nope—this burn makes sense. The instant connect they both felt, and which lead to the marriage, expands fully while making it believable. Gunnar gives Emerson the space to find herself without ever once trying to control or define her. His family? Pure rom-com gold. The Stags fold Emerson in like she’s always belonged. No drama, no side-eyes, just casseroles and unconditional love.

Emerson struggles through the story as she learns to stand on her own two feet, and while her father tries to bring Gunnar down.  But the Stag family sticks together and never fail to stand behind or beside her when she needs it.

If you’re a fan of family series and heroes who love out loud, this is the book. With enough snark to keep things spicy and enough heart to give you all the feels.

Final Verdict:
I laughed, I swooned. Wake up married? Nah, I woke up obsessed.

Things to Know:
POV: Dual 1st Person
3rd ACT BREAK-UP: No
TROPES: Wake Up Married, Family Series, Second Gen, Hockey; Slow Burn
SERIES: Playing
TYPE OF SERIES: Series of Standalones
RELEASE DATE: April 11, 2025
PoP: 76%

Want more Lainey Davis??

Check out this Author Spotlight Episode with Lainey
Check out this review by Amanda for Since You’ve Been Gone
Check out this Rom-Com friends Episode feature Lainey Davis