Playing for Keeps

By: Jennifer Dugan

Narrated by: Daisy Guevara, Bailey Carr

From the author of Some Girls Do comes another heartfelt YA sapphic romance—starring a baseball pitcher and a student umpire who are definitely not supposed to fall for one another.

“Sapphic sports romance perfection. Swoony and romantic, but unafraid to tackle grief, family expectations, and fighting for your dreams, this is a home run of a book.” —Rachael Lippincott, coauthor of the #1 New York Times Bestsellers Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl

June is the star pitcher of her elite club baseball team—with an ego to match—and she's a shoo-in to be recruited at the college level, like her parents have always envisioned. That is, if she can play through an overuse injury that has recently gone from bad to worse.

Ivy isn't just reffing to pay off her athletic fees or make some extra cash on the side. She wants to someday officiate at the professional level, even if her parents would rather she go to college instead.

The first time they cross paths, Ivy throws June out of a game for grandstanding. Still, they quickly grow from enemies to begrudging friends . . . and then something more. But the rules state that players and umpires are prohibited from dating.

As June's shoulder worsens, and a rival discovers the girls' secret and threatens to expose them, everything the two have worked so hard for is at risk. Now both must choose: follow their dreams . . . or follow their hearts?

Critic reviews

Praise for Playing for Keeps:

An ALA Rainbow Book List Selection

"This sweet romance is a home run." —People magazine

"Charming . . . Without sacrificing the banter or sincerity that make up this winning romance, Dugan skillfully crafts parallel story lines in which the weight of loss and pressure to succeed haunt the protagonists throughout their everyday lives as they work toward their own futures." —Publishers Weekly

"A satisfying queer sports romance, deepened by the emotional complexity of bigger topics . . . Breathtakingly real." —School Library Journal

"[A] voice-driven, absorbing dual narrative . . . Ivy’s and June’s flawed coping strategies clash with their adorable budding romance, propelling them toward gut-wrenching heartbreak and terrifying, necessary, affirming new choices . . . A page-turner that handles heavy topics with wisdom." —Kirkus Reviews

"Baseball and forbidden love—what more could you want in a YA romance novel?" —Brightly

“Playing for Keeps is sapphic sports romance perfection. Swoony and romantic, but unafraid to tackle grief, family expectations, and fighting for your dreams, this is a home run of a book.” —Rachael Lippincott, coauthor of the #1 New York Times Bestsellers Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl

Playing For Keeps

This was cute. It really highlights the pressures teens can feel when trying to live up to parents' expectations. Everything feels so big, and it all is teetering on a very fine line. June and Ivy are dealing with their own pressures about their futures when they first meet. They were in opposing positions, so it didn't make for the best first impressions. After realizing they actually have more in common than they think, they fall in love... but Ivy being an official and June being a player, they are not allowed to date. So they do it secret.

As the pressure starts to mount, things get complicated for the couple. It becomes quite a mess of things towards the end, but it was sweet how it all got sorted out. A good read for the YA crowd.

Good

Embraced the YA readers, enjoyed the narrative and would have loved to have had this as a youth. Breaking grounds with the new norms. I liked this book very much.

A Swoon-Worthy Pitch (and Home Run)

As someone who has delighted in Jennifer Dugan's exploration of young adult themes in "Some Girls Do" and the playful adult romantic comedy "Love at First Set," I stepped up to Playing for Keeps with high expectations—and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. This latest offering is a heartwarming tale of two young women, a baseball pitcher and a student umpire, whose paths cross in the most conflicting yet charming ways.

From the moment I pressed play, I was hooked. The narrative, expertly delivered by narrators Daisy Guevara and Bailey Carr, captured the perfect blend of youthful zeal and serious undertones. Both narrators have a knack for bringing Dugan's characters to life, with a warmth that feels like you're listening to old friends recount their lives. I particularly enjoyed the heartfelt portrayal of June and Ivy, whose dreams and ambitions resonate deeply with me both in women I personally know and the other glass ceiling shatterers out there.

The story itself is both light-hearted and profound, exploring themes of love, ambition, and personal growth. The banter between June and Ivy is filled with the kind of witty repartee that makes you laugh out loud, yet their struggles with family expectations and personal dreams add a layer of depth to their journey. The intersection of their careers in sports—a field where women continue to break barriers—is portrayed with honesty and admiration, reflecting Dugan's commitment to telling stories that resonate with authenticity and empowerment.

Moreover, the romance that blossoms between June and Ivy is delightfully complex. It's not just about the forbidden allure of a player-umpire relationship; it's about how two people with seemingly incompatible roles on the baseball field can find harmony and understanding off it. The development of their relationship is paced perfectly, capturing the essence of a slow-burn romance that's worth every minute of the wait.

Playing for Keeps is a home run in the world of YA sapphic romance. It balances the light-heartedness of young love with the weightier themes of personal identity and professional ambition. Jennifer Dugan continues to impress with her ability to weave captivating narratives that are as entertaining as they are meaningful.

In essence, this audiobook is a testament to the power of love and dreams. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, playing for keeps means more than just winning a game—it's about understanding and embracing who we are and whom we love. Dugan has done it again, delivering a story that not only entertains but inspires. I'm already looking forward to her next pitch!

Best of Dugan

Ill be honest that most of her books haven't 100% landed with me. However Keeps really did.

It has it's moments where you want to wring a character's neck, but they are teens, of course they are gonna make silly mistakes. I really loved seeing they way they cared for eachothers dreams. And it was refreshing to not spend too long before the MCs admit liking eachother and get together.

It was a sweet (mostly) light read molded around a unique backdrop.

What a great book!

This would be in my top 5 books when it comes to this specific book category. It had conflict, but also really hit the emotions. I loved the connection these two had from the beginning. The story line was obvious... when you read these types of books all the time, its the same old story. But this fit well! Two ladies in conflicting positions.... emotions conflicting while they grow.... blah blah blah. But it was still good! I wish some of these books would have a different layout of the story because it can be very predictable. With this, it can sorta sad because you already know whats going to happen. As long as there is a happy ending... Im all for it!