Playing for Keeps by Andrea Michelle Wood

Playing for Keeps is the perfect fall cozy read. With all the ideal makings for hallmark vibes, small town, substitute teacher meets football coach, and so much more. If you like a good Hallmark movie, this is the book for you. This is the first book I have read written by Andrea Michelle Wood. It is the fourth book in the Home to Heritage series,

The setting is great. Set in Heritage, MI, it is just a small town that builds on itself and characters throughout the story. The storyline was great. Titus is trying to figure out his future after the U-turn his life made when his football career came crashing down due to an injury. With the hope of recovery, he has returned home to coach the local high school football team. When another injury has taken his dreams off the table, he is trying to figure out what to do. Piper comes to town to be a substitute teacher. She is here to help, but everyone seems to see her as the bad guy. When Piper and Titus keep coming head-to-head and being put together, they soon find themselves becoming more than enemies and more than friends.

The character development was great. Titus has many layers to him. Pulling back some of his past and seeing him help his football kids really gave him some more dimension. Piper also has some issues to deal with. Seeing her work through those and truly helping the kids she is teaching was so touching. I loved getting to see her heart.

The enemies-to-lovers romance is perfection, a sweet and kisses-only romance. This meet-cute is perfect.

Andrea Michelle Wood did a good job of intertwining faith throughout the entire novel, learning to trust in Him and let go of control.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.