ARC Book Review - Playing for Keeps (Playing #1), by Lainey Davis

 



Book Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐  


Emerson has lived her whole life in Manhattan, NYC, she went to Julliard for music, and has been performing her whole life to make her parents happy. Her controlling father is a conductor for the NYC Orchestra. Emerson has always played the viola and flute, small female instruments. Now, that she's an adult she wants to switch over to the cello, but, her father and mother think that is not a lady like instrument and she need to stick with what she knows, the viola. 

Gunnar Stag, is a hockey goalie, and plays NHL Hockey for the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team, along with his twin brothers. His family has a lot of professional athletes including his father who was also in the NHL. This is Gunnar's rookie season, and he wants to do the best he can. Now that he is living on his own, and away from his family, he realizes how quiet an empty apartment can be. He is use to his 3 other brother always piling on top of him and no one ever having any room. 

Emerson went to play at the train station because she wanted to hear the sounds that the station gives off, not trying to play for money or to embarrass her family. Emerson escapes that same night, and leaves NYC and heads to Las Vegas. She isn't sure what she is going to do, she wants to just get away from her controlling parents. Emerson sees a add looking for musicians to help a local Las Vegas diner. When she gets to Las Vegas she goes to the restaurant and plays the night for them. 

During the night, Gunnar and his brothers and his Uncle all go to the same restaurant. Gunnar sees Emerson and is instantly taken with her. They start talking and drinking after she's finished performing for the night. Gunnar suggests she move in with him as a roommate, as he gets lonely. They joke for a bit more and drink some more. Then they mention getting married in Sin City like Elvis did years ago. Then Emerson states that she could just move in as his wife and not a roommate, and they both agree and get married! 

When Emerson moves to Pittsburgh to be with Gunnar, they start off as just friends / roommates getting to know one another. Emerson doesn't know what to do with herself now that her father isn't around telling her what to do 24 hrs a day. Once she gets the lay of the city and what being a NHL Hockey wife means, Emerson starts to embrace being on her own, and being married to Gunnar. They start to enjoy each other, and she learns to let go of her insecurities her father pushed on her so much. 

Will Gunnar be able to hold onto Emerson? Will Emerson embrace being with Gunnar? Or will she run away to get away from him and her family's reach? 

I did receive a free ARC copy of this book. I am freely leaving an honest review. 


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