#BookReview ~ Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall (Starr's Fall, Book 2) by Kate Hewitt ~ #AgeGap #Romance @author_kate @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall

About the Book:

Spring is in the air in Starr’s Fall, and for two people, love may be just a roll of the dice away…

As the frozen earth gives way to the first spring crocuses, pushing their way into the warmer air, Maggie arrives in Starr’s Fall. She’s looking for a new start, with her lovable but painfully shy teenaged son in tow.

It feels like the odds are against her, but she’s determined to come out winning this time, and to fulfil her dream of opening up a board game café. But not everything’s a game, and when she finds herself attracted to a man who’s known as a different sort of player, she worries she’s setting herself up to lose.

Zach is funny, surprisingly geeky, and, most importantly, bonds with her son. But Zach is also drop-dead gorgeous, has a reputation around town, and is also ten years younger than her.

When he asks her out on a date, Maggie is totally thrown. She can’t deny she’s attracted to him. But is she ready to risk her heart with another roll of the dice?

A totally gorgeous, unmissable, small town romance, perfect for fans of the Gilmore Girls and Virgin River, from million-copy bestselling author, Kate Hewitt.

My Review:

Playing For Keeps in Starr's Fall is an amazing second book in the Starr's Fall series. Full of sly looks, sexy smirks, and thawing hearts, the story is also full of pain, guilt, low self-esteem, and uncertainty. I was drawn in by the synopsis but the book unravels so much more than what is described. Filled with complexities on many levels, we get more than just a small-town romance. 

Maggie and her son, Ben, are newcomers to Starr's Fall after the need for a complete change in their lives. Running from tragedies in their past, Maggie and Ben give up their well-to-do life to purchase a building with second-story living quarters. Their goal is to open the area's only board game café. As a gamer girl myself, I love this concept. As they roll into town, Maggie bumps into Zach, who turns her world upside-down.

Zach is a thirty-something bachelor with an unwanted label. He runs the family store with his sister who is less about their 50/50 partnership and more about control. When he runs into Maggie the sparks fly between them. I was rooting for them from the very beginning.

The author unravels both Maggie and Zach methodically but in a way that isn't cruel or clinical. Each character, including Ben, has demons in their past that they are running from, trying to work through, or have buried but should be dealing with sooner rather than later. Relationships, whether romantic or friendly, are hard and you can't grow into one if you're haunted by previous life events. 

I enjoyed Playing For Keeps in Starr's Fall. The author created a wonderful world, 3-dimentional characters, and a story that is realistic and shows that everyone has imperfections. I loved the author's writing style, and the pacing of the book. I was completely engaged in the book from the first sentence.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

 

Purchase Link:

Amazon

Meet the Author:

Kate Hewitt is the author of many novels of both historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels have been called 'unputdownable' and 'the most emotional book I have ever read' by readers.

An American ex-pat for many years, she now lives in New Jersey with her husband, two of her five children (the others are scattered across the globe!), and their two Golden Retrievers. Join her newsletter to receive updates and giveaways, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate's Reads, to discuss all manner of books. (Links can be found on her website.

Her latest releases are The Girl Who Risked it All, a WW2 novel based on the true story of the doomed refugee ship the St Louis, The Midnight Hour, the second in her dystopian series Lost Lake, and Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall, the second standalone in her new heartwarming series inspired by the Gilmore Girls. There's something for everyone so do check them all out, and be in touch as Kate loves to hear from readers. You can discuss Kate's books as well as others on her private Facebook group, Kate's Reads or read her thoughts on Substack.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: KateHewittAuthor

Twitter: @author_kate

Instagram: @katehewitt1

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KateHewittNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-hewitt

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