Very Charming
Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt is a very charming contemporary novel. It is the second book in the Starr’s Fall series but can be read as a stand-alone.
All the characters are well drawn, believable and easy to empathise with. We see that Starrs Fall is a warm and welcoming community, where everyone knows your name – and your business! The residents help each other as they journey through life.
Starrs Fall offers a place to heal from life’s hurts. Various residents all have different stories – from the original resident of the town to the teenage boy recovering from bullying, and all those in between.
Life deals us blows. Life squashes the life out of some people – but lives can be redeemed and restored.
We learn of lives being controlled by others. “She’s let herself be changed.” Sometimes others are coercive in ways that are not recognized at the time. “Her life behind the glowing, golden bars of what had felt… like a gilded prison.” Riches do not make one happy, love and care do.
Sometimes parents place undue pressure on their children. “Letting Ben be the person he needed to be, rather than the person… anyone else thought he should be.” When expectations are too pressured, lives crumble.
A young mother and her teenage son are recovering from the loss of a husband and father. Grief cripples. Guilt goes hand in hand with grief.
There is a character who has been a people-pleaser all his life. This personal revelation enables a life to be re-evaluated and a new direction chosen.
A board game café offers new life for all the residents of Starrs Fall as they come together and discover new skills.
I thoroughly enjoyed Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall. It was such a delight, very warm and welcoming. I am sorry it is ended.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall
Spring is in the air in Starr’s Fall, and for two people, love may be just a roll of the dice away…
As the frozen earth gives way to the first spring crocuses, pushing their way into the warmer air, Maggie arrives in Starr’s Fall. She’s looking for a new start, with her lovable but painfully shy teenaged son in tow.
It feels like the odds are against her, but she’s determined to come out winning this time, and to fulfil her dream of opening up a board game café. But not everything’s a game, and when she finds herself attracted to a man who’s known as a different sort of player, she worries she’s setting herself up to lose.
Zach is funny, surprisingly geeky, and, most importantly, bonds with her son. But Zach is also drop-dead gorgeous, has a reputation around town, and is also ten years younger than her.
When he asks her out on a date, Maggie is totally thrown. She can’t deny she’s attracted to him. But is she ready to risk her heart with another roll of the dice?
A totally gorgeous, unmissable, small town romance, perfect for fans of the Gilmore Girls and Virgin River, from million-copy bestselling author, Kate Hewitt.
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/playingkeepsstarrsfall
Author Bio –
Kate Hewitt is the author of many novels of both historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels have been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers.
An American ex-pat for many years, she now lives in New Jersey with her husband, two of her five children (the others are scattered across the globe!), and their two Golden Retrievers. Join her newsletter to receive updates and giveaways, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate’s Reads, to discuss all manner of books. (Links can be found on her website.
Her latest releases are The Girl Who Risked it All, a WW2 novel based on the true story of the doomed refugee ship the St Louis, The Midnight Hour, the second in her dystopian series Lost Lake, and Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall, the second standalone in her new heartwarming series inspired by the Gilmore Girls. There’s something for everyone so do check them all out, and be in touch as Kate loves to hear from readers. You can discuss Kate’s books as well as others on her private Facebook group, Kate’s Reads or read her thoughts on Substack.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: KateHewittAuthor
Twitter: @author_kate
Instagram: @katehewitt1
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KateHewittNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-hewitt
