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Jax Calder
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Playing for Keeps: An MM Friends to Lovers Sports Romance (Sporting Secrets Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Jax Calder (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,394 ratings
Falling for your former best friend? Never a good idea.

Ethan Lewis is the joker of his rugby team, the guy who’s always up for a good time. The only thing that can wipe the smile from his face is any mention of his former best friend. Luke was the one bright spot in Ethan's messed up childhood and losing his friendship was the most difficult thing he's ever had to cope with. Ethan knows he broke the bro-code by hooking up with Luke’s sister, but the result was his son—and he wouldn’t change that for the world. When he hears Luke’s signed a contract to play for his team, Ethan decides he’s going to do everything he can to get his best friend back.

Luke’s returned to New Zealand from playing rugby overseas, determined to achieve his lifelong dream and make the national team. And he’s not about to let Ethan’s presence distract him. So what if one of his new teammates is the person who shredded his heart? Luke’s moved past that, and he’s happy now with his new boyfriend. There’s no way he’s falling back under Ethan’s spell.

But it turns out no matter how good you are at evading the opposition, there’s one thing you can never escape—and that’s the love of your life.
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  1. Book 3 of 3
    Sporting Secrets
  2. Print length
    350 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 6, 2022
  6. File size
    2.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09MDWJNML
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 6, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.7 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 3 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Sporting Secrets
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,394 ratings

About the author

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Jax Calder

Jax Calder

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Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,394 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers love this romance novel's story, with one review highlighting its many ups and downs. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, heartfelt content with nice amounts of angst, and well-developed characters. Customers appreciate the writing style and find the book beautiful.

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22 customers mention "Story quality"19 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with one customer noting its many ups and downs, while another mentions its suspenseful elements that keep readers engaged.

"...ups and downs, ins and outs, from start to ends- you get the full epic story— the times of anguish (with tears) to joy ( tears, too)...." Read more

"This was a nail-biter! There are so many ups and downs in this story. I really appreciate that the author had a blast with this one...." Read more

"...It’s so frustrating 😩 I loved this story so much, didn’t want to put it down. I was griped from the start and I kept getting the fuzzies...." Read more

"This book had so many of my faves, a nice amount of angst, best friends, sports romance...." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, with one customer particularly appreciating the rugby elements.

"...It’s heart warming and heart breaking all in one breath. The Rugby is also quite exciting and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story...." Read more

"...I'm not a great fan of this. Still, I enjoyed the book." Read more

"...I have enjoyed the previous books in the series and didn’t think Aiden and Tyler could be surpassed as my faves but hello Luke and Ethan!..." Read more

"This is good - I enjoyed it. An easy beach read. The ending felt a bit rushed but still enjoyable." Read more

8 customers mention "Heartfelt content"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the heartfelt content of the book, noting its nice amount of angst and emotional depth, though some find it heart breaking.

"...“hard to write” scenes of rare unusual plot made actually and emotionally believable. I get joyous and distraught tearfully...." Read more

"...It’s heart warming and heart breaking all in one breath. The Rugby is also quite exciting and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story...." Read more

"This book had so many of my faves, a nice amount of angst, best friends, sports romance...." Read more

"...I don't care if his books are MM, I love his writing. He makes me laugh and tear up. His books never disappoint me. Please keep writing Mr. Calder." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one mentioning they are emotionally connected to every character.

"...Love the set up for the characters in the next book and can't wait for Jonathan's story...." Read more

"...I think that they were a perfectly fine couple and were likeable characters...." Read more

"...dialogue was snappy, the emotions heartfelt, and side characters really helped boost the story...." Read more

"...This was the best of the three. Didn't want to put it down. Great characters, a good bit of spice and enough suspense to keep you reading...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one mentioning the well-developed characters.

"...I really appreciate that the author had a blast with this one. Not only heartwarming, but inspirational." Read more

"...Both Luke and Ethan are well written characters who have a long history together, this sets things up so well and the presence of a young man called..." Read more

"...I do still enjoy the author's writing and will look for future work from her but I hope she avoids the 11th hour break up in her next Sporting..." Read more

"...I don't care if his books are MM, I love his writing. He makes me laugh and tear up. His books never disappoint me. Please keep writing Mr. Calder." Read more

3 customers mention "Beauty"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful.

"Loved the love between MC, but my heart broke for Johnathan. He was so classy and kind. Waiting impatiently for his HEA.." Read more

"Absolutely beautiful..." Read more

"Beautiful!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • RawdRichard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespearean in modern English
    Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I need more stars for this fine work. The author gives the Full story. With ups and downs, ins and outs, from start to ends- you get the full epic story— the times of anguish (with tears) to joy ( tears, too). Writer never skips presenting the “hard to write” scenes of rare unusual plot made actually and emotionally believable. I get joyous and distraught tearfully. Going to re-read this one quite .
    Helpful
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  • Will
    4.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was a nail-biter! There are so many ups and downs in this story. I really appreciate that the author had a blast with this one. Not only heartwarming, but inspirational.
    Helpful
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  • Shellfish
    5.0 out of 5 stars So good!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Jax Calder is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I just love everything I have read of hers. Playing for keeps is the third book in the sporting secrets series.

    Ethan and Luke were the best of friends until Ethan got Luke’s twin sister char pregnant. Luke left and now he’s back trying to make the national rugby team team. They can’t seem to stop being in each other’s Sphere. These two are drawn to each other even if there’s resistance they just can’t help it.
    My heart just breaks for Ethan and Luke, they struggle so much. It’s so sad they just seem to circle each other around and around but never meet each other in the middle. It’s so frustrating 😩

    I loved this story so much, didn’t want to put it down. I was griped from the start and I kept getting the fuzzies. It’s heart warming and heart breaking all in one breath. The Rugby is also quite exciting and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. I’m so glad Ethan and Luke got their HEA. I never thought it was going to happen. I’m so happy to hear there will be a fourth book in this series. Yay 🎉🎊😀
    I have received an ARC through GRR and this is my honest opinion.
    One person found this helpful
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  • MYShioda
    5.0 out of 5 stars wasn’t sure how the HEA was gonna go
    Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This one was so angsty, I cried. I love their chemistry. i love how connected each book in the series was.

    Definitely make time to read this.

    I was promised a Jonathan book, but have not heard anything!!!
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  • ella
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book because I love a teammates romance. I skipped books 1 and 2 and went straight for 3. I was devastated when Ethan started talking about being a teacher, but thankfully, it didn't happen in the book. I didn't like Ethan as much as I liked Luke, but he is ok. I have read 3 books by this writer, and they all seem to end abruptly, then, we are treated to an epilogue . I'm not a great fan of this. Still, I enjoyed the book.
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  • Retro Cool
    5.0 out of 5 stars Angsty sports romance
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book had so many of my faves, a nice amount of angst, best friends, sports romance. I have enjoyed the previous books in the series and didn’t think Aiden and Tyler could be surpassed as my faves but hello Luke and Ethan!

    So much angst and drama that kept me on the edge for pretty much the whole book waiting for the other shoe to drop. Luke and Ethan have so many issues to work through which is set against their history as former best friends. How do you reach a point of forgiveness and coming to terms with the past to move on to a brighter future with so much hurt in the way. I couldn’t imagine a HEA more well deserved than for these two characters. Love the set up for the characters in the next book and can't wait for Jonathan's story. I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
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  • Nicole
    3.0 out of 5 stars delivered what was promised
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is good - I enjoyed it. An easy beach read. The ending felt a bit rushed but still enjoyable.
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  • Reece G
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Heartfelt love story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    So much history between Luke & Ethan that ends prematurely, but lucky for us the story resumes when Luke returns to New Zealand. The premise of the book hooked me in right away, so much so I even pre-ordered it!

    Both Luke and Ethan are well written characters who have a long history together, this sets things up so well and the presence of a young man called Theo enhances the long history even more. The dynamic between Luke and Ethan is believable and just feels 'right'.

    This is now my fourth Jax Calder story and it will not be my last. As a fellow New Zealander, it has been so cool to read stories set right here and in particular the rugby community. Playing for Keeps ranks as the best one in the series so far.

    If you are after a story that confirms everything happens for a reason, this is the one!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • sylvia mann
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Luke and Ethan......what a ride! But I agree with Char the family needs to communicate better. Theo is Char's little boy and his daddy is Luke(I think!) Anyway both guy's so want to be together but pomp and circumstance make this a hella of an obstacle. I'm not gonna lie they we're a little frustrating in the heated looks and double meanings and the Dad jokes we're just dire! It was a good story but I kind of wished the epilogue was a bit more detailed. Oh it tells you that the guy's get engaged and there's a lovely wedding thrown in which I loved but its the indecisiveness of both mc that drove me mad lol! .but we get our hea.
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  • Silvana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!!!!
    Reviewed in Spain on January 15, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I'm SO loving this series! And I'm really happy we'll get to read Jonathan and the charming Australian rugby player's love story! I felt terrible about Jonathan, poor thing.

    Anyway, I felt this story so much! From the prologue I just knew I would be super invested in this story. And that's exactly what happened. I was moved by it many times. There was a time when I did not know how the author was going to make their relationship work. But well, at the end she was able to. Just a wonderful read, beautiful too!!! 😻
    Report
  • 4Catz4me
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love and Rugby
    Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I have read the other books in Jax Calder's Sporting Secrets series and they keep getting better and better.

    This one is Ethan Lewis and Luke Hunter's story. They are two men that grew up together and always dreamed of being on the same rugby team, but life got in the way.

    Luke has always loved his friend Ethan, but was afraid to let him know. Ethan is starting to realize how much Luke means to him, but doesn't know how to process these feelings.

    The story contains drama, hurt, love, mixed feelings, lots of steam, and meddling family members. Both Ethan and Luke need to sort out their own feelings for each other before they will be happy. Everyone around them can tell how much they mean to each other, they just have to realize it.

    The book contains cameos by characters from the other two books, but it can be read as a standalone as you don't need to have read them in order to read this one.

    All in all this was a great read.
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  • Louise
    5.0 out of 5 stars Have to read this
    Reviewed in Australia on November 14, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Oh wow this was amazing. I put of reading for a while. I just wasn't sure how I was going to like the plot but it was just so beautiful. I love this series and pop back and re-read book 1 or parts of it quite often and this book is the perfect addition to the series. The balance of sweet and sexy and emotional is just right for me and I can't recommend this enough.
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  • Humberto Cadena 13
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Best friends to lovers was never less predictable!
    Complicated is an understatement but also love of a lifetime.
    Sweet and adorable.
    Report

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