Reviews

Playing for Keeps by Jennifer Dugan

bbop14's review against another edition

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2.0

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked that Ivy and June were together for a lot of the book so there were a lot of scenes of them spending time together.

The jump from not liking each other to dating was so fast. It also felt like they didn't like each other? Like they did not want the best for and sort of resented one another.

I don't think June's father's behavior was forgivable, but it was a very brief apology and then everyone moved on??

Not for me, but I do think there were some good parts. 

icanfixhim's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

this was good. i loooove a sports romance when it’s sapphic like i will read every one it is my life’s mission. i liked the first half of this book better than the second but what can you do. i feel like the end was a little rushed and smushed but okay. bye.

maddie408's review against another edition

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2.0

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review!

i really wanted to like this one. the introduction started off well, two girls trying to break the barriers of women’s sports. i loved that!

but as the story progressed, the characters and plot were very frustrating. i have not read a YA book recently, so i feel as though i’m very picky about them. the two main characters had moments that made them very unlikeable, blaming the other or one of them blaming their mother who passed away for their hardships. that left quite a bad taste in my mouth.

along with that, the characters honestly were a little too similar in their povs that i had a hard time keeping track of which pov i was reading. they were almost too alike. the miscommunication was quite insufferable as it was the focal point of the climax of the story. i think a lot of the issues could be easily solved.

the issues june was having with her shoulder and all of the adults continuing to push her honestly felt like child abuse. i was not a fan of that especially her father being the front runner forcing her to play despite knowing she was hurting.

i think a lot of this story needs to be fleshed out with character development and a stronger climax rather than solely miscommunication and angst.

readintowonderland's review against another edition

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3.5

I loved reading an LGBTQ+ sports romance without adult themes. We need more sports romances where the sports component is actually relevant to the story. That said, the sports elements took away from the story in my opinion. The romance felt more like a subplot these girls were going through instead of the cornerstone of the story.  I kept waiting for a sparkle with this story that never came. The part of the story I struggled with most was the harping on the triggering parts of the story. There were a few times I debated DNFing it for my own well-being. I loved the representation and how it gave something different to the genre, that is the best part. Overall it wasn't my favorite story but I would totally recommend it to middle-grade or early young adult readers. 

 I received this book as an arc from net galley my review is honest and voluntary 

beranceknows's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

00leah00's review

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fast-paced

3.0

beasleysbooks's review

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

leia_litdeslivres's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Jennifer dugan has done it again !!! Another adorable wlw romcom, with complex characters and amazing writing as always !! I really felt seen reading ivy's monolgue, so there's that

sydnee_reads's review

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sayyahtobookseh's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0