If you’re a fan of heartfelt storytelling, sizzling chemistry, and characters that leap off the page, then Becka Mack’s Playing for Keeps series is a treasure you don’t want to miss. As one of my top 5 favorite authors, Becka Mack has redefined the sports romance genre, blending love, banter, and personal growth into each of her stories. Let’s dive into her world and explore what makes her writing—and this series in particular—so captivating.
Who Is Becka Mack?
Becka Mack is a contemporary romance author known for crafting emotionally charged love stories with a perfect balance of humor, heat, and heart. Her novels feature relatable characters who grow and evolve, ensuring readers are as invested in their personal journeys as in their love stories. With her natural talent for storytelling, Becka Mack has quickly risen as a favorite among romance readers who crave authentic emotions and genuine connection.
Beyond her books, Becka has built a loyal fanbase by engaging with readers, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, and creating stories that resonate with anyone who loves the complexities of love and life.
About the Playing for Keeps Series
The Playing for Keeps series is a beautifully crafted sports romance saga featuring professional hockey players navigating love, friendship, and the challenges of life on and off the ice. Each book introduces a fresh couple, taking readers on a unique journey filled with a lot of laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments.
Why Readers Love This Series
- Dynamic Characters: Becka Mack’s characters are layered and relatable, with flaws, ambitions, and vulnerabilities that make their stories deeply engaging.
- Heartfelt Themes: From personal growth to tackling insecurities, these books delve into themes that feel real and meaningful.
- Sports Element: The hockey backdrop provides a thrilling and unique setting, offering a mix of team camaraderie, competition, and the sexy allure of professional athletes.
- Sizzling Chemistry: Becka excels at crafting slow-burn romances with explosive chemistry, leaving readers swooning over every stolen glance and heated moment.
- Laugh-Out-Loud Humor: Witty banter and comedic situations lighten the emotional intensity, striking the perfect balance between romance and humor.
What to Expect in the Series
The Playing for Keeps series leans heavily on beloved tropes, including:
- Friends to Lovers: Slow-burn romances where trust and familiarity blossom into undeniable passion.
- Enemies to Lovers: Tension-filled stories where sparks fly as two characters navigate from conflict to connection.
- Forced Proximity: Scenarios where characters are thrown together, intensifying their emotions and forcing them to confront their feelings.
- Sports Romance: The high-energy world of hockey, with all its rivalries, team bonds, and thrilling games.
- Strong Female Leads: Women who stand their ground, support their partners, and grow alongside them in beautiful ways.
Why I Love Becka Mack’s Books
For me, Becka Mack’s writing feels like coming home. Her characters are so vivid and real that they linger long after you’ve turned the last page. I adore the balance she strikes between humor, heartfelt emotion, and steamy romance. Her heroes are swoon-worthy, and her heroines are inspiring—what’s not to love?
If you’re new to Becka Mack, start with the Playing for Keeps series. It’s an addictive blend of sports drama, love stories, and emotional depth that will keep you hooked from the very first page. The spice is spicing and all of their stories are different and addictive to read and it really makes you believe in true love can get you in places you don’t expect.
If I have to rank them it would be:
1. Unravel Me
2. Consider Me
3. Fall with Me
4. Play with Me (funniest though!)
A Glimpse into the Series
Without spoiling too much, here’s a quick look at some of the relationships in the series:
- Adam and Rosie (Unravel Me): A hockey goalie and a kindhearted animal shelter volunteer whose story starts with a hilarious dog-walking encounter.
- Other Unforgettable Couples: Each book focuses on a unique love story, capturing different facets of romance and personal growth.
Why You Should Read Becka Mack
If you’re a romance enthusiast who cherishes well-developed characters, swoon-worthy love stories, and the thrill of sports romances, Becka Mack is your next favorite author. Her books remind us that love is messy, beautiful, and worth fighting for—and she does it all with a storytelling style that’s as captivating as it is heartwarming.
Dive into Becka Mack’s Playing for Keeps series today. Trust me—you’ll want to stay in her world forever!
Let me know if you’ve read the books and what you think about it in the comments down below!
The Books of Playing for Keeps Series:
Carter Beckett is the star hockey player and notorious playboy for the Vancouver Vipers. He’s the life of the party, the king of casual hookups, and allergic to commitment. That is, until he meets Olivia, a no-nonsense, ambitious woman who works as a high school PE teacher. Olivia is the opposite of the women Carter usually pursues—grounded, independent, and completely uninterested in his charms.
From the moment they meet, Carter is drawn to Olivia in a way he’s never experienced before. Determined to win her over, he goes to great lengths to prove he’s more than his reputation. Olivia, however, isn’t easily convinced. Burned by past relationships, she’s skeptical of Carter’s intentions and unsure if she can trust him with her heart.
As Carter chips away at her defenses with sincerity and humor, Olivia begins to see the man behind the persona. What follows is a slow-burn romance filled with heartfelt moments, witty banter, and a surprising depth of emotion as both Carter and Olivia confront their fears and insecurities.
With the backdrop of high-stakes hockey games and a tight-knit team dynamic, Consider Me is a story about redemption, trust, and discovering love in the most unexpected places.
Tropes in Consider Me
- Reformed Player: Carter transforms from a womanizing hockey star to a devoted partner.
- Grumpy/Sunshine: Olivia’s guarded, no-nonsense attitude contrasts with Carter’s playful and persistent charm.
- Slow Burn: Their romance unfolds gradually as Carter proves his worth and Olivia learns to trust again.
- Opposites Attract: Carter’s carefree, extroverted personality clashes beautifully with Olivia’s reserved and practical nature.
- Sports Romance: The high-energy world of professional hockey provides a thrilling backdrop to their love story.
Garrett Andersen, a star winger for the Vancouver Vipers, has always lived life with charm and confidence—both on and off the ice. But when Jennie Beckett, his best friend Carter’s little sister and a fiercely talented ballerina, moves into the same building as him, his carefully balanced world is shaken. Jennie, recovering from a traumatic breakup and battling a demanding dance partner who refuses to respect her boundaries, is determined to keep her heart protected and her focus on rebuilding her life.
Despite their shared proximity sparking undeniable chemistry, Jennie and Garrett agree to a friends-with-benefits arrangement. For Jennie, it’s a way to explore her desires on her terms after her painful past. For Garrett, it’s an excuse to stay close to her, even though he’s quickly realizing that his feelings run far deeper than friendship.
As they navigate their complex relationship, Jennie struggles to reconcile her love for dance with her personal healing, while Garrett fights the urge to break through the walls she’s built around her heart. Their sizzling connection and emotional vulnerability force them to confront the realities of love, trust, and the possibility of a future together.
Play with Me is a heartfelt story of finding love after trauma, navigating boundaries, and daring to take a leap of faith when it matters most.
Tropes in Play with Me
- Brother’s Best Friend: Garrett’s connection to Jennie is complicated by his friendship with Carter.
- Friends with Benefits: Their casual arrangement quickly blurs as deeper emotions surface.
- Close Proximity: Living in the same building adds both temptation and emotional closeness.
- Healing from Trauma: Jennie’s journey toward healing and reclaiming her boundaries is central to the story.
- Protective Hero: Garrett is deeply invested in Jennie’s happiness and safety, supporting her through personal and professional challenges.
Adam Lockwood, the charming star goalie of the Vancouver Vipers, is the quintessential golden retriever guy—loyal, warm, and full of optimism. After a devastating breakup with his long-time girlfriend, who betrayed his trust, Adam is ready to move forward and find someone who truly values him. Determined to embrace a fresh start, he’s looking for a meaningful connection, not just fleeting romance.
Rosie Wells, a resilient single mother, has her hands full juggling school, her young son, and her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Life has taught her to stay focused and keep her walls up, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. But when Adam and Rosie cross paths, their initial encounter—set against the backdrop of a shared love for their dogs—sets the stage for a heartwarming and complicated love story.
Adam is captivated by Rosie’s strength and warmth, and he’s determined to prove to her that she can trust again. Rosie, wary of risking her heart and her son’s stability, finds herself drawn to Adam’s unwavering kindness and patience. As their lives intertwine, Adam and Rosie must navigate their fears and insecurities, learning to trust in the promise of a love that can unravel the pain of their pasts and rebuild their hopes for the future.
Unravel Me is a story of second chances, family, and finding love when you least expect it. With Adam’s golden-hearted charm and Rosie’s fierce determination, their journey is as inspiring as it is heart-melting.
Tropes in Unravel Me
- Single Parent: Rosie’s journey as a single mom is central to her character arc.
- Second Chance at Love: Both characters find healing and hope in their growing relationship.
- Opposites Attract: Adam’s lighthearted optimism contrasts beautifully with Rosie’s pragmatic resilience.
- Dog Lovers: Their shared affection for their dogs brings them together in an authentic way.
- Found Family: The relationship extends beyond romance, blending their lives into a loving family unit.
Jaxon Riley, the newest addition to the Vancouver Vipers, is a rising hockey star known for his talent, charm, and carefree attitude. A man who keeps his emotions in check, Jaxon isn’t looking for anything serious when he crosses paths with Lennon during a vacation in Cabo. Their connection is fiery and immediate, leading to a passionate one-night stand. Both assume it’s a fleeting moment never to be revisited.
But fate has other plans. Back home, Jaxon is blindsided when Lennon shows up as the Vipers’ newly hired photographer and social media manager. Suddenly, the woman he thought he’d never see again is not only back in his life but working closely with him and his teammates.
Lennon, fiercely independent and driven, is determined to keep things professional despite the lingering sparks between them. Her career means everything to her, and the last thing she needs is to complicate it with a player like Jaxon. But resisting him proves harder than she expected, especially as Jaxon begins to show her the vulnerable, sincere side of himself hidden beneath his cocky exterior.
Fall with Me delivers a sizzling mix of workplace tension, undeniable chemistry, and emotional depth, making Jaxon and Lennon’s story unforgettable!
Tropes in Fall with Me
- One-Night Stand: Jaxon and Lennon’s initial encounter is brief but unforgettable.
- Workplace Romance: Their professional relationship brings complications and proximity.
- Second Chance at Love: Despite their initial intentions, they find themselves drawn back together.
- Grumpy x Sunshine: Jaxon’s brooding nature contrasts with Lennon’s determination and spark.
- Slow Burn: The tension builds as they navigate their undeniable chemistry and growing feelings.