Read every series in the right order
Playing For Keeps Books in Chronological Order – Complete Reading Guide
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Table of Contents
Quick Answer (TL;DR)
Read Playing For Keeps Books in Chronological Order like this:
- Consider Me → Carter (NHL superstar) × Olivia (teacher) — player-falls-hard, grovel, slow burn
- Play with Me → Garrett (teammate) × Jennie (captain’s sister) — brother’s-best-friend rule, neighbors, no-strings-to-more
- Unravel Me → Adam (goalie) × Rosie (single mom vet student) — secret identity, found family, gentle giant
- Fall with Me → Jaxon (defenseman) × Lennon (team photographer) — one-night-stand to coworkers, grumpy/sunshine
- Breathe with Me → Emmett × Cara — married/committed couple, infertility journey, “us against the world”
Publication order matches story chronology. You’ll get maximum character payoff—friend group arcs, locker-room banter, and series-wide easter eggs—by reading in this order.
Must-Have
Consider Me: A Hockey Romance Novel
Perfect for sports romance lovers
This thrilling romance follows the story of love on and off the ice. Experience the excitement of sport intertwined with heartfelt emotions.
Introduction
Some romance series are cotton candy: sweet, breezy, gone by the next chapter. Becka Mack’s Playing For Keeps is more like a post-game celebration—messy, funny, loud, and bursting with people you want to hang out with again tomorrow. It’s TikTok-viral for a reason: these books deliver extremely lovable athletes, big-hearted heroines, and a found-family vibe that makes you want to text the group chat mid-chapter.
As your resident blogger at Books in Chronological Order, I’m laying out the Playing For Keeps Books in Chronological Order with zero confusion and zero spoilers you don’t want. Below you’ll find fast buy links, trope tags (so you can pick your flavor), content notes, a series timeline, and an author spotlight. Whether you’re here for banter, spice, or that core-melting “he falls first and keeps falling,” this guide gets you reading in the smoothest sequence.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Genre | Contemporary sports romance (NHL hockey) |
| Vibe & Themes | Found family, loyalty, healing, consent-positive steam, big gestures, grumpy/sunshine dynamics |
| Reading Difficulty | Easy (page-turning, conversational voice) |
| Main Series Length | 5 full-length novels |
| Typical Page Range | ~450–650 pages each (varies by edition) |
| Estimated Read Time | ~9–12 hours per book (print) • ~12–16 hours (audio), depending on narrator pacing |
| Ideal Age Range | 18+ (explicit on-page sexual content, adult language) |
| Content Warnings (series-level) | Grief/loss; infertility (Book 5); references to past neglect (Book 3); public scrutiny/fame stress; on-ice injuries; frank sexual content |
| Media Adaptations | None officially announced at time of writing |
| Best Entry Point | Book 1, Consider Me (each romance ends in HEA, but the friend-group arc blooms in order) |
About the Playing For Keeps Book Series
At the center of Playing For Keeps is the fictional NHL team community readers actually feel they know: locker rooms, chirps, superstitions, and all. The books are gloriously character-driven—what starts out looking like a familiar trope (“hockey player meets civilian and combusts”) deepens into stories about trust, making space for someone else’s dreams, and choosing honesty when the spotlight makes hiding easier.
- Big-time pros who are soft for their people. Mack writes alpha energy without toxicity: respect, consent, and emotional intelligence are part of the seduction.
- Heroines with agency. Teachers, dancers, students, photographers, entrepreneurs—women with full lives, not props.
- Friend-group scaffolding. Teammates and chosen family weave through every novel; you’ll want their texts framed.
- Spice with purpose. Heat supports character growth and vulnerability. It’s steamy, but never empty.
If you’re a Hannah Grace or Elle Kennedy reader, you’ll feel at home—but Mack’s hallmark is how tender the big guys get when it counts. That’s the series’ secret weapon.
Playing For Keeps Books at a Glance
| # | Title | Amazon Buy Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Consider Me | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | Play with Me | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | Unravel Me | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | Fall with Me | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 | Breathe with Me | Buy on Amazon |
Playing For Keeps Chronological Reading Order
1) Consider Me (Carter × Olivia)
Carter Beckett has a reputation and the numbers to back it up—on the ice and off. Olivia Parker has zero time for another “reform me” project, least of all a famous athlete with the city at his feet. What starts as banter-meets-brick-wall becomes a carefully paced courtship where Carter learns that grand gestures aren’t half as persuasive as consistent respect. Expect shameless flirting, accountability, and a payoff that feels earned.
Why it hits: Classic reformed-player fantasy done right—humor plus emotional growth.
Content notes: Explicit sexual content; public attention/press; on-ice aggression; partying.
2) Play with Me (Garrett × Jennie)
There are team rules for a reason, and at the top is: don’t touch the captain’s sister. Garrett has every intention of complying—until proximity turns into friendship and chemistry refuses to stay on the bench. Jennie Beckett is fire and focus; she knows her worth and her boundaries. The neighbor-to-lovers setup lets the romance breathe while the “we really shouldn’t” tension coils.
Why it hits: Brother’s-best-friend energy with two adults communicating—and failing—and trying again.
Content notes: Explicit sex; secrecy; sibling confrontation; career strain.
3) Unravel Me (Adam × Rosie)
Adam Lockwood would rather be overlooked than misjudged. Rosie Wells is a single mom stitching a life together with grit and pink-haired joy. A chaotic dog incident turns into an anchor: slow, steady trust, kid-centric dates, and a quiet man taking off his armor. This one treats privacy like a love language; fame is the complication, not the prize.
Why it hits: Softest hero in the series with the fiercest heart; found family warmth.
Content notes (heavier): References to past parental loss; brief depictions tied to veterinary training; mentions of foster care; explicit sexual content.
4) Fall with Me (Jaxon × Lennon)
It was supposed to be one perfect, anonymous night. Then Lennon walks into her new job as the team’s photographer…and there he is: Jaxon Riley, inked, surly, catastrophically handsome, and apparently allergic to emotional risk. Workplace proximity plus unfinished business equals delicious tension, top-tier flirting, and a hero who learns how to stay.
Why it hits: Spiky banter meets actual vulnerability; a cat named as if he pays rent.
Content notes: Explicit sex; workplace boundaries; on-ice fights/injuries; jealousy.
5) Breathe with Me (Emmett × Cara)
They’re already “forever,” which is why this one aches. Emmett and Cara are force-of-nature partners facing an invisible opponent: infertility. The book is generous with tenderness—appointments, hope, grief, trying again, choosing “us” over and over. It’s a romance about keeping promises when the fairytale gets complicated.
Why it hits: A rare, adult story of love weathering medical and emotional storms—deeply moving, still playful.
Content notes (heavier): Infertility; medical procedures; emotional distress; explicit sexual content.
Series Timeline & Character Development
- Carter → Olivia (Book 1): From attention-chasing to partner-worthy; learns consistency and care beat spectacle.
- Garrett → Jennie (Book 2): From rule-follower to risk-taker; learns honesty isn’t betrayal when love is on the line.
- Adam → Rosie (Book 3): From protective isolation to open-handed family life; learns telling the truth is safer than disappearing.
- Jaxon → Lennon (Book 4): From detachment to devotion; learns second chances require first owning the mess.
- Emmett → Cara (Book 5): From invincible together to resilient together; learns love is action when outcomes aren’t guaranteed.
As you move through Playing For Keeps Books in Chronological Order, the friend group and team culture become your constant—birthday parties, snarky texts, road trips, and the kind of loyalty you can’t buy.
Novels Sorted in Order of In-Universe Events
- Consider Me
- Play with Me
- Unravel Me
- Fall with Me
- Breathe with Me
Note: Timelines overlap a bit (sports seasons, holidays), but the emotional arc lands best in this sequence.
Novels Sorted in Order of Publication
- Consider Me
- Play with Me
- Unravel Me
- Fall with Me
- Breathe with Me
Publication order = story order. Easy.
Companion Works & What to Read Next
There aren’t “official” novellas inside the Playing For Keeps universe listed with the five main novels, but you’ll often encounter behind-the-scenes extras in author newsletters and social posts (Q&As, playlists, mood boards). For adjacent vibes once you’re done:
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- Hockey Romance Adjacent: If you like the mix of humor + heart + consent-positive steam, try Hannah Grace’s campus + pro-crossover romances or Elle Kennedy’s classic hockey settings.
- Found Family Focus: Look for small-town series with team-like friend groups—tattoo shops, firehouses, or culinary collectives scratch the same itch.
- Emotion-Forward Couples: If Book 5 gutted you (in the best way), search for contemporary romances featuring fertility journeys or marriage-in-trouble second-chance arcs.
(We can also tailor a bonus rec list by trope if you tell me your kryptonite—grumpy/sunshine, single parent, reformed rake, etc.)
Editions & Formats (hardcover, collector, audio)
Print & Digital
Top Rated
Playing for Keeps: A Heartfelt Story
A tale of love and commitment
This engaging novel explores the trials of love and loyalty. It’s a relatable depiction of building a relationship that stands the test of time.
- Paperback editions are widely available and shelf-cohesive; perfect for annotation.
- Kindle editions drop you into the series tonight; handy for highlighting favorite chirps.
Audiobooks
- Dual or multi-POV narrations (when available) amplify banter and team dynamics. These are bingeable on commutes; heat scenes are present, so choose listening context wisely.
- Runtime varies; plan on a weekend per book.
Collector Notes
- Watch for special printings (sprayed edges, signed copies) via the author’s socials and site when announced.
- If you’re gifting, bundle Consider Me + Play with Me for an on-ramp that hooks most readers.
Why Read Playing For Keeps Books in Chronological Order?
Because this is a found-family saga disguised as five standalones. Reading Playing For Keeps Books in Chronological Order means:
- Continuity lands harder. Running jokes, team rituals, holiday chaos, proposal cameos—payoffs stack.
- Character growth compounds. Watching a side character become a lead (or vice versa) is half the joy.
- Emotional stakes escalate. By Book 5, you’re not just invested in a couple—you’re invested in a community.
Yes, every novel ends with an HEA, but the series’ heartbeat is only fully audible when you go in order.
Author Spotlight: Becka Mack
Becka Mack is a Canadian romance author, kindergarten teacher, and self-described sarcasm queen who writes high-heat books with even higher feelings. She started publishing after a personal loss and channels that emotional honesty into stories where big, tough people learn that vulnerability is the bravest play. Her trademarks: hero-worship done right, heroines with spine and dreams, and found family woven so tightly you can hear it hum.
- Website: beckamack.com
- Instagram: @beckamack.author
- TikTok: @becka.mack
- Facebook: Becka Mack Author
If you’ve ever wanted to watch an NHL-size heart melt, you’re in the right bibliography.
Media Adaptations (film/TV/radio)
As of this guide, there are no officially announced adaptations of Playing For Keeps. If that changes (and honestly, the banter begs for a streaming treatment), we’ll update with casting, production timelines, and where to watch. Until then, enjoy the books’ cinematic pacing and soundtrack-ready playlists in your head.
FAQs
Do I have to read in order?
Technically, each couple’s romance stands alone. Practically, yes—read Playing For Keeps Books in Chronological Order for maximum character payoff and zero cameo spoilers.
How spicy are these?
High heat with consent-forward, emotionally grounded scenes. If you like steam that moves the story, you’re set.
Any heavy topics I should know about?
Across the series: grief, fame stress, sports injuries. Book 3 references child neglect (not by the FMC) and loss; Book 5 centers infertility. Check the content notes above and in the front matter of your edition.
Are the heroes “alphas”?
Competent, protective, occasionally growly—yes. Controlling—no. Respect (and groveling when needed) is the brand.
Can I read this with a buddy or club?
Absolutely. Build a two-month buddy read: one book every ~2 weeks with trope bingo and “best chirp” votes.
Audiobook or print first?
If you love banter, audio sings. If you highlight lines like a gremlin (same), go Kindle or paperback.
Will we get more books in this world?
The five-book arc feels complete; any future stories would be icing. Follow Becka Mack’s socials for announcements.
Final Thoughts
You come for the hockey; you stay because these people love the hell out of each other. Read Playing For Keeps Books in Chronological Order if you want swoons with stamina: real communication, earned grovels, soft heroes who learn to be seen, and heroines whose joy takes up space. It’s the good stuff—teammates, cat dads, and a chorus of friends reminding you that love isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a season.
Ready to lace up? Start here:
| # | Title | Amazon Buy Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Consider Me | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | Play with Me | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | Unravel Me | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | Fall with Me | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 | Breathe with Me | Buy on Amazon |
