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A review by laketwentytwo
Playing for Keeps by Jennifer Dugan
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Playing for Keeps!
3.75 ★
Playing for Keeps follows two ambitious and strong-willed MCs, Ivy & June, who are on paths to their own dreams that inevitably cross. Ivy is focused on becoming one of the few female umpires to officiate the major leagues & June is the star pitcher of her varsity baseball team, on track to become the first woman to play in the MLB. When Ivy officiates one of June’s games, tensions rise and love begins to blossom.
Dugan is a talented author with a plethora of YA and one adult novel under her belt; Playing for Keeps is the first time I’ve read her work and I am interested in exploring the rest of her catalogue.
With the characters being in high school and this book being YA, I had a bit of a difficult time dealing with their immaturity and commitment to miscommunication. I did have to keep reminding myself that they are kids and would eventually figure it out. The story is still enjoyable and I liked seeing their storylines play out; although I wish there was more of an enemies-to-lovers arc that Playing for Keeps appeared to start heading towards near the beginning of the novel.
A free copy of Playing for Keeps was received in exchange for my honest review.
3.75 ★
Playing for Keeps follows two ambitious and strong-willed MCs, Ivy & June, who are on paths to their own dreams that inevitably cross. Ivy is focused on becoming one of the few female umpires to officiate the major leagues & June is the star pitcher of her varsity baseball team, on track to become the first woman to play in the MLB. When Ivy officiates one of June’s games, tensions rise and love begins to blossom.
Dugan is a talented author with a plethora of YA and one adult novel under her belt; Playing for Keeps is the first time I’ve read her work and I am interested in exploring the rest of her catalogue.
With the characters being in high school and this book being YA, I had a bit of a difficult time dealing with their immaturity and commitment to miscommunication. I did have to keep reminding myself that they are kids and would eventually figure it out. The story is still enjoyable and I liked seeing their storylines play out; although I wish there was more of an enemies-to-lovers arc that Playing for Keeps appeared to start heading towards near the beginning of the novel.
A free copy of Playing for Keeps was received in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Death