When she’s fake dating the hockey star, but he was never faking it…
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes the next standalone hockey rom com in her brand new Hockey Ever After series, JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS! This spicy, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, only one bed in a room, opposites attract hockey romance releases in one week on June 3rd in all formats, and will be free to read in Kindle Unlimited. Check out the excerpt below, and one-click your copy today!
✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke narrate in duet with a full cast!
http://blkly.pub/JPFKAudible
Read the Excerpt:
Lake looms in my doorway, filling the space ominously. The afternoon sun halos his face, highlighting his strong jaw, lined with a beard that looks trimmer than usual. It’s operating at scruff-level now, and that’s unfairly hot. I try not to stare, but my mind’s going haywire, and my gaze bounces all over him. He’s wearing jeans that hug his thighs, a maroon Henley that shows off the shape of his big biceps and the outline of his strong pecs, and a glimmer in his blue eyes. He’s the portrait of the athlete post-workout, his hair slicked back, and wet.
“I just took a shower after practice. It dried a little,” he says casually, running a big hand through his wet hair, almost, almost, in slow motion. “But you can just get it a little more wet, right?”
I blink, trying to process his words. But it’s hard with the way he looks right now, all muscular and clean, and the way he sounds, too, all gravelly and flirty.
“Yes, it’s wet,” I say slowly, like I’m mesmerized. Because I am.
His lips quirk up in the hint of a grin. “It is? Wet?”
“I mean, I’m wet,” I correct, then panic shoots through me at my faux pas. “I mean, you’re wet. Your hair is wet. Your hair is plenty wet. For a haircut that is. Wet enough for a haircut.”
That grin grows wider. He cocks his head. “So everything’s wet, Remy? That’s what I’m hearing?”
I clench my thighs, even though they ache. “Yep.”
I turn around so he can’t see the heat spreading across my cheeks. Not that it matters. Pretty sure he knows it’s there, and he’s the one responsible for it.
“Come inside,” I say, but then my mind replays my words. Come inside?
I need to get it together.
“Oh I definitely will.”
About JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Coming 6/3/2026):
Ever hear the story about the dating coach who got dumped on the hockey arena’s jumbotron?
Everyone did. But I lived it. Including the moment when the team’s broody, tattooed star Lake Axelrod swooped in on skates to rescue me from public humiliation.
Even more surprising? When the famously grumpy (and ridiculously sexy) hockey player insists on being my fake boyfriend for my sister’s high-profile wedding. It’s the perfect sweet revenge plan since my ex is the best man. Bonus – I might even salvage my professional reputation.
We need rules though.
- To pull this off, everyone from his teammates to my boss has to believe we’re a real couple.
- That means swoony touches and knee-weakening kisses are required.
- When it ends, we walk away.
But the intensity in Lake’s eyes after every post-game kiss makes me wonder if he’s pretending. With each whispered secret, the line between fake and real bends. Until it shatters one night in a hotel room.
Soon, he isn’t just playing the protective boyfriend—he’s the only one who truly sees me.
If I’m not careful, I’m going to break the most important rule of all: don’t fall for your fake date.
This is Lake and Remy’s romance. Tropes include: grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, fake dating, workplace romance, best friend’s brother, obsessed hero
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke narrate in duet with a full cast!
http://blkly.pub/JPFKAudible
ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
Connect w/ Lauren:
Website: laurenblakely.com
NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks
Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks
✨EXCERPT REVEAL ✨
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒 (Clifford Brothers #1) by USA Today bestselling author Layla Hagen releases on June 5th! Check out this sneak peek!
PRE-ORDER/ ADD IT TO YOUR AMAZON WISHLIST!
https://laylahagen.com/breakinghisrules
Amazon US: https://laylahagen.com/breakinghisrulesus
Amazon UK: https://laylahagen.com/breakinghisrulesuk
Amazon CA: https://laylahagen.com/breakinghisrulesca
Amazon AU: https://laylahagen.com/breakinghisrulesau
Apple: https://laylahagen.com/breakinghisrulesapple
Nook: https://laylahagen.com/breakinghisrulesbn
Kobo: https://laylahagen.com/breakinghisruleskobo
𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐔𝐩: https://forms.gle/8KUEvZrQGShkRxRj6
What to expect:
✔️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✔️ Alpha CEO
✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ Control Freak x Free Spirit
✔️ Forced Proximity (event + security detail)
✔️ Protector Hero
✔️ Slow Burn → Obsession
✔️ Emotional Walls / Trauma-Healing
✔️ He Falls First (and HARD)
✔️ She Softens Him
✔️ Found Family
EXCERPT:
“Ruby, I need you to work with me on this,” I insisted.
“I’m doing my best, but you’re not making this easy. First, you want to put up cameras everywhere, and now a fence. The whole point of people coming back here again and again is that it’s so cozy and homey. It’s going to look anything but that. What will my guests say?”
“It’s only going to be for one day.”
She swallowed hard. “I can’t forgo lunch business for you to set up whatever you need.”
I didn’t respond, letting the silence linger between us. She’d have to do it my way in the end, or the party was going to be moved elsewhere. I knew Roger would understand, and hopefully Daphne would too.
“So, what exactly is your plan?” she asked. “When do you want to set everything up for the party? Lunch is done at two thirty, and the party starts at six. That’s plenty of time.”
“No, it’s not,” I retaliated. I was tired of this conversation and ready for it to end. I’d tell Roger this just wasn’t going to work, and they’d have to change venues. “It simply isn’t. I need the whole day.”
Ruby smiled. “Grant, please, can you relax a bit? I’m sure we can find a solution that works for both of us. Maybe you can just put up your cameras in the trees?”
Her placating me was setting me even more on edge now. No more concessions. “That’s not how I operate, Ruby.”
“Can’t you make exceptions?”
“No! And especially not for my friend’s engagement party.” Is she for real?
“It’s just that I really don’t believe anything will happen.”
Oh, she’s a psychic now? I was going to lose my sh*t in a second.
“Most things happen because people don’t take precautions.”
Ruby swallowed hard, and I watched her throat move. Damn it. She was so beautiful that I kept losing my train of thought.
“It’s just that I really, really don’t want you to put anything on this lawn. It’s going to leave marks in the grass, and it costs a lot to keep it the way it looks now.”
“Right. Then I’ll talk to Roger and Daphne—” she smiled hopefully”—and ask them to move the party somewhere else.”
Her smile completely fell. I felt like utter shit for making her feel like this. But honestly, my patience was gone, and this was the only solution to keep my friends safe.
“Why?” she asked.
“The party can’t take place here under the conditions you just laid out. I can only secure it to 90 percent, and I don’t do 90 percent.” It was all or nothing with me. Roger would understand.
She opened her mouth but didn’t say anything.
“No sense wasting more time discussing this any further,” I added.
“You’re right. Then I guess I’ll see you at the party—wherever it takes place.”
I nodded once. “Exactly.”
Blurb:
Grant
I built my global security empire from nothing. Control and discipline are the only rules I live by. Some might call me ‘intense’. I prefer ‘meticulously prepared for every disaster imaginable.’
Growing up in a group home with my two brothers taught me the only lesson that mattered: never let anyone close enough to hurt you. As a CEO, I don’t improvise. I plan. I command.
When I’m hired to provide security for an engagement party, I expect an easy job.
Instead, I meet a woman who treats my rules like optional suggestions. I’m used to being obeyed. Ruby clearly doesn’t plan on doing that. Not even a little.
She tempts me like no one else ever has. Whenever we’re together, my thoughts drift in dangerous directions. Wanting her becomes an obsession. I want to give her everything. But surrendering control means breaking my own rules. And I’ve never done that before.
Ruby
I love my restaurant, my life, and finding the bright side of just about everything. Hosting my best friend’s engagement party? Easy. Fun. Right up my alley.
What I’m not prepared for is Grant Clifford—and his many, many rules.
He’s a fine specimen of a man. Unfortunately, he also comes with a massive stick lodged firmly up his gorgeous behind. Under that perfectly tailored suit is a man who desperately needs to loosen up. Preferably with me.
The closer I get, the more clearly I see the scars beneath his rigid exterior. And I want to heal them all. But how do I reach a man who refuses to let anyone in?
Add to 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246526649-breaking-his-rules
Find more books by Layla Hagen here: laylahagen.com
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