Ever since they were little kids, Dana Cochran and Jacob McCoy have been attached to each other.  Their relationship has gone from friendship to lovers more than once but ‘real’ life always seemed to get in the way.  When Jacob goes over to Dana’s house and sees her with the man she is currently dating, Jacob readies to leave.  Imagine his surprise when not only is he asked to stay, but he is asked to participate in a ménage. Jacob’s heart wants to deny his capitulation but his brain is no where near as lucid.  Jacob loves Dana and is willing to have her any way he can get her.  Their love is blistering hot and soon passes the friends with benefits stage.  When an unexpected twist of fate happens, Dana and Jacob vow to keep their relationship alive, even when both are devastated.  The survival of their love depends on their willingness to become open and honest.  Will they be able to finally admit their unconditional love for each other? 

Playing for Keeps got me right in the gut.  No one warned me about the emotionally intense and gripping story I would be reading.  Tissues are a must, thank goodness I had some.  Jacob and Dana’s relationship was anything but easy but it was real. I felt their emotions, the good ones as well as the bad ones.  Wanting nothing more than to hug both of them, I continued to read this highly poignant novel.  True love is worth fighting for and I am so glad Jacob and Dana took that chance.  Shiloh Walker continues to enthrall me with her ability and ambiguity as a writer. Whether she is writing contemporary or paranormal, each novel is top notch!