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Playing for Keeps Reading Order.

Quick Answer

Start Playing for Keeps by Becka Mack with "Consider Me", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the Playing for Keeps series by Becka Mack. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 4 main titles released between 2022 and 2024. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

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Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Consider Me"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The comments discuss two distinct spheres of modern fantasy authors. For the highly commercially successful author (Sanderson/Cosmere), the consensus is that the work is exceptionally accessible (due to 'Window Pane Prose') and designed so that readers can 'start anywhere' within the universe. For the second author (Kuang/presumably 'Playing for Keeps'), the consensus is highly critical, suggesting the book shares the same structural flaws as her previous works: high technical/academic proficiency but a failure to deliver an engaging or original narrative."

Key Reddit Advice

For entering a large, accessible fantasy universe like the Cosmere (which is often cited as a standard for this genre segment), the advice is explicit: 'you can start anywhere,' as the structure supports multiple entry points.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Playing for Keeps conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Playing for Keeps. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Consider Me" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Playing for Keeps" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order4 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Consider Me

Pub: 20223.84

In the sizzling hockey romance that has taken TikTok by storm, the ultimate player turns romantic to charm the woman he is desperate to win over. “Endlessly sexy and funny. Consider Me will have you fanning yourself and googling your closest hockey team hangout.” —Hannah Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Wildfire and Icebreaker The first book in the globally popular Playing for Keeps series. For a shot at love, he’ll do whatever it takes… Carter Beckett is the NHL’s best player—both on and off the ice. His career is at its peak, his friends are performing better than ever, and there’s no shortage of women to spend the night with. What more could he want? Olivia Parker isn’t new to professional hockey players, thanks to her best friend’s boyfriend, but she has no interest in dating one herself—no matter how hot he is. And anyway, she loves working as a teacher and hanging out with her best friend, drama-free. Why would she want to spend her time stroking the ego of an arrogant athlete? But once Carter meets Olivia, he can’t think of anything else. Too bad for him, Olivia is hellbent on keeping him at arm’s length, with no intention of giving into his charms. Perhaps it’s time for Carter to up his game…after all, nobody said he had to play fair. Sparks will fly as Carter does whatever it takes for Olivia to consider him.

2

Play with Me

Pub: 20224.17

Plot details hidden until you finish "Consider Me".

In the sizzling hockey romance that has taken TikTok by storm, a dedicated player struggles with the number one team rule: don’t go near the captain’s sister. “Funny, vulnerable, and relatable. Mack writes hot, steamy stories interweaved with real, raw emotions perfectly. Play With Me is a 10 out of 10.” —Hannah Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Wildfire and Icebreaker The second book in the globally popular Playing for Keeps series. He’s found the perfect person—but she’s the only one he can’t be with… Garrett Andersen knows that playing professional hockey requires absolute dedication to the rules. There’s just one rule he’s finding difficult to follow: stay away from his captain’s younger sister. As a professional dancer, Jennie Beckett knows what it takes to excel. She prides herself on being every bit as confident and bold as her brother, sassy as hell, and the only person in charge of her pleasure. No wonder Garrett can’t stay away from her—even if he forgets how to form sentences whenever she’s around. Jennie would rather avoid her brother’s teammate, especially after several embarrassing run-ins, but suddenly they’re neighbors. And as the connection between them grows, Garrett and Jennie decide to have some fun, no strings attached. Between their busy schedules and her brother’s disapproval, they know keeping things casual and low-key is the smartest play. But what if their feelings get in the way? After all, they’re only supposed to be playing with each other…

3

Unravel Me

Pub: 20214.22

Plot details hidden until you finish "Play with Me".

Juliette can kill with a touch--will she wield her power for good, or will it turn her into the monster she's always feared she truly is? Find out in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Shatter Me series--all six novels are now available in this paperback box set! One touch is all it takes. One touch, and Juliette Ferrars can bring a grown man to his knees, begging for mercy. One touch, and she can kill. No one knows why Juliette has such incredible power. It feels like a curse, like too great a burden for one person alone to bear. But The Reestablishment sees her as an opportunity. As a deadly weapon. And they'll stop at nothing to shape her into what they want. Juliette has never fought for herself before. But when she's reunited with the one person who ever cared about her, she finds a strength she never knew she had. This bestselling series from powerhouse author Tahereh Mafi showcases relentlessly thrilling action, heart stopping romance, and a war-torn world in which rebellion is the only path to freedom.

4

Fall with Me

Pub: 20244.28

Plot details hidden until you finish "Unravel Me".

From bestselling author and TikTok sensation Becka Mack comes the next book in her sizzling hockey romance series about a playboy defenseman and the team photographer who reforms him. The fourth book in the globally popular Playing for Keeps series that New York Times bestselling author Hannah Grace calls "endlessly sexy and funny." It was supposed to be a one-night stand. But what if they can't leave it in the past? Jaxon Riley is exceptional at three things: starting fights on the ice, picking up women post-game, and going home to fulfill his role as the world's best cat dad. Relationships, unfortunately, missed the list. Lennon Hayes is supposed to be on her honeymoon. Instead, she's alone and single, vacationing next door to a surly tattooed man who ran his date off the resort. When a run-in at the bar results in a night of bickering and cocktails, she finds herself tumbling into bed with the enemy next door, then sneaking out before the sun comes up. Lennon's plan to start over in a new city is going great, until she starts her new job. The job? The Vancouver Vipers' new photographer. And the defenseman scowling at her from across the room? The one-night stand she wasn't supposed to see again. Good thing neither of them is looking for anything serious. . . . Right? Jaxon may not be used to falling, but if he's going to go, he refuses to go alone. If he falls, he wants Lennon to fall with him.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Playing for Keeps series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Playing for Keeps?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Consider Me" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Becka Mack intended.

Can I read Playing for Keeps books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Playing for Keeps universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.