Book Review: Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt – Love, Loss, and New Beginnings

Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall is a heartfelt small-town romance about a widowed mother starting over, a board game café bringing a community together, and an unexpected love that challenges the odds.

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

As spring arrives in Starr’s Fall, Maggie seeks a fresh start with her shy teenage son, determined to make her dream of opening a board game cafe a reality. But when she finds herself drawn to Zach ”a charming, geeky, and unexpectedly supportive man with a reputation as a different kind of player” she worries she’s gambling with her heart. Adding to her hesitation, he’s also ten years younger. When Zach asks her out, Maggie is caught off guard by her own attraction to him. Now, she must decide if she’s willing to take a chance on love with one more roll of the dice.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed the first book in the Starr’s Fall series, so I was looking forward to this second instalment—and I wasn’t disappointed.

Maggie and her teenage son, Ben, have been through a lot in the past couple of years. After the tragic death of Maggie’s husband, Ben has struggled at school and is recovering from an event that is slowly revealed throughout the book. Hoping for a fresh start, they move to Starr’s Fall, a place full of happy memories from past summers, with the dream of opening a board game café. The story touches on some difficult topics, but in a way that feels appropriate for the genre—gentle, hopeful, and full of heart.

The small-town charm of Starr’s Fall really shines here, reminding me of Gilmore Girls with the way the community welcomes Maggie and Ben. Their café isn’t just a business venture; it’s a place for people to gather, connect, and belong. I loved seeing that vision come to life.

What Maggie wasn’t expecting, however, was romance—especially not with Zach, a man ten years younger with a bit of a reputation around town. Their relationship develops slowly, which I appreciated, especially with everything else going on in their lives. Zach’s effort to connect with Ben was particularly touching and added depth to his character.

It was also nice to revisit familiar faces from the first book, though this one can absolutely be read as a standalone. There’s even a hint at what’s coming in book three, which has me excited for more from this series.

If you enjoy small-town romance with a single-parent storyline, Playing for Keeps in Starr’s Fall is a great pick. It’s a warm, comforting read about second chances, community, and taking a chance on love.

Other Books in the Starr’s Fall Series:

Coming Home to Starr’s Fall (Book One)