Scan barcode
A review by nerdybookqueen
Playing for Keeps by Jennifer Dugan
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this from netgalley in exchange for a review
Coming from opposite sides of the the sports world, June, the player, and Ivy, a ref, find themselves falling for each other and in a forbidden relationship. While they navigate this new love, they each have to navigate the impact the death of a family member had on them and their parents, June, losing her softball-player mother, and Ivy, losing her brother.
Though the deaths are old, the pain is very fresh, and is what at first bonds them together. But, personalities, and a bit of ethics, clash, and girls find their relationship tested.
June is left facing possibly years worth of letters her mother left, for many milestones in her life, and coping with the weight of those expectations, while her father pushes her harder and harder, in spite of an injury. Ivy has to face her parents trying to form her into a mini version of her brother, to fulfill all his dreams, though all she wants to do is ref. Both girls, through each other and through work on themselves, have to find a way to stand up for themselves and grow.
I also have to say, it's a bit nice to have a forbidden sapphic romance that isn't centered around their queer identities. It was a nice change of pace that I was quite happy to have.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel, though at times I found myself very frustrated by decision making. But then again, they're women in love, hell if I'm not familiar with that feeling.
Coming from opposite sides of the the sports world, June, the player, and Ivy, a ref, find themselves falling for each other and in a forbidden relationship. While they navigate this new love, they each have to navigate the impact the death of a family member had on them and their parents, June, losing her softball-player mother, and Ivy, losing her brother.
Though the deaths are old, the pain is very fresh, and is what at first bonds them together. But, personalities, and a bit of ethics, clash, and girls find their relationship tested.
June is left facing possibly years worth of letters her mother left, for many milestones in her life, and coping with the weight of those expectations, while her father pushes her harder and harder, in spite of an injury. Ivy has to face her parents trying to form her into a mini version of her brother, to fulfill all his dreams, though all she wants to do is ref. Both girls, through each other and through work on themselves, have to find a way to stand up for themselves and grow.
I also have to say, it's a bit nice to have a forbidden sapphic romance that isn't centered around their queer identities. It was a nice change of pace that I was quite happy to have.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel, though at times I found myself very frustrated by decision making. But then again, they're women in love, hell if I'm not familiar with that feeling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Death of parent, Cancer, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Child death