The Keeper

Playing to Win, Book 1

By: Bella Matthews

Narrated by: Cicely Meadows, Oliver Clarke

Easton Hayes has been my knight in shining hockey skates since he saved my life.

This devastatingly handsome grump may be everyone's favorite goalie, but to me, he's my strength when demons haunt my dreams. And okay—so maybe he's also the only man I've ever loved. But he doesn't need to know that.

We're friends. It works for us.

At least, it did. Until I woke up with his ring on my finger and the hangover from hell. What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas when he refuses to give me an annulment and follows me across the country instead.

Now our families are furious. Our friends are playing matchmaker. I'm getting goosebumps each time I hear the words "my wife." And I think my husband might be in love with me.

The Keeper is a spicy sports romance between a hot hockey player and an ice princess figure skater, with an angry teammate twist, plenty of banter, and a happily ever after. This is the first book in the Playing to Win series and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

©2023 Bella Matthews (P)2024 Podium Audio

I Loved this Story!!!

How do I write a review on a book I loved so much my heart almost exploded with feelings??

Well, I will start my saying this is my favorite by Bella, I could not love these characters more if they were real! Bella writes some of my favorite books, and she will always be one of my go-to authors anytime she writes something new!

I knew Easton and Lindy were endgame... And their story is beautiful in every way imaginable.

In this book, you get all the feels, Vegas Wedding, shared trauma, hockey player / Figure Skater, Teammate’s Sister, and so many more! This book will have you swooning over Easton Hayes and maybe even melt a little, too!

Lindy and Easton were meant to be together, and everyone knows it! They finally get their HEA after so much has happened, but it isn't easy, and they work for it.

This is a second-generation story, and I am so thrilled we are getting the kids' stories now.
I adore this family and found family so much, and I can't wait for what comes next in this world that was created by Bella.

This audio just became one of my favorite listens! It is done with all the emotions the characters feel and go through. You can hear it in the narrators voice while listening. Oliver Clarke has become one that I really enjoy listening to. His voice is smooth and you can tell the difference in the emotions when you listen. You could not As for a better Easton!
Cicely Meadows was great. This is my first listen of her and I really liked her voice. She was the perfect Lindy!

Super fun!

This was my first Bella Matthews book, and definitely won’t be my last! This was a super fun steamy time!!

Princess & Hockey Boy!

I loved this book. I already listened to it twice before I finally got to write my review. Lindy & Easton have known each other since Lindy was a teenager and Easton loved her even than. When Easton saved Lindy from her Mother’s stalker their bond became even stronger.
so while in Vegas with her closest friends they have fun and meet up with Easton, who now plays for a Pro Vegas hockey team. They decide to get on a Party Bus and continue the party. The next morning hung over Lindy finds out that she and Easton got married. The problem is she doesn’t remember any of it. But Easton refuses to get an annulment because he knows his Lindy will remember soon.
Definitely check this book out.

Solid Story

The plot is interesting, the writing is solid, and the romance is cute. The nicknames were interesting and the back and forth went on way too long.

Love a confident MMC!

Easton and Lindy were perfection. The narrators did a fantastic job! I like that Bella decided to do the second gen of the Kingstons and Kroydon Hills!

Great story, Good narration

I read this book and loved it so I had to listen to it. Both Cicely Meadows and Oliver Clarke were new to me narrators and I enjoyed them. Cicely was such a great narrator for Lindy and I enjoyed Oliver Clarke also.

Vegas Weddings in books are one of my favorite things to read and it’s even better if one or both parties don’t remember the wedding. Easton might have remembered every second of it but I loved when Lindy woke up and noticed her ring and freaked out.

These two have known each other since Easton and his sister Kenzie joined the family when his mom passed away when he was 16. They were bonded together when they experienced a terrible event when they were 15 and 19. They already shared a special bond. I loved watching these two come together as a couple even if Lindy was hesitant at first especially after not remembering getting married.

Easton was the best. He was so supportive of Lindy, and if she asked something of him he was all for it.

Such a great listen

This was so good that I just want to keep listening every time it starts over again from the beginning. I’m obsessed with Lindy and Easton.

Definitely a Keeper!

This is a re-listen because I started here and was so confused! The audio was great the first go around but even better the second because I knew who everyone belonged too! Love these families!

Entertaining

I’m late to game with Bella Matthews books so as time permits I’m playing catch up. The Keeper is the first book in the Playing to Win Series and its NHL player Easton Hayes and Lindy’s friends to lovers romance. I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
What happens next Vegas should stay in Vegas but when these two friends wake up with rings on their fingers and hang over like no other they have to decide to annul or make the best of the situation. Lindy is all for an annulment but Easton follows her across the country to convince her to give him a chance…..
Cicely Meadows and Oliver Clarke did a great job bringing the characters and their story to life. They were very easy to listen to to and they were spot on with the humour and the passion.

Cute and Spicy

I liked this book. It’s not on my list of rereads but it’s cute and I love the story. The biggest thing I couldn’t keep up with was the size of the family and who all is married to who and how they are related.