How to Read the Playing for Keeps Series in Order
The Playing for Keeps series by Becka Mack centers on the players of the fictional Vancouver Vipers NHL team. While each book is written as an interconnected standalone focusing on a different couple, reading them in publication order is highly recommended. The series builds a rich, evolving web of friendships, inside jokes, and found-family dynamics that are best enjoyed sequentially. Reading the books out of order will expose you to significant spoilers regarding who ends up together and how the group dynamic changes over time.
Recommended Playing for Keeps Reading Order
To get the absolute most out of the Vancouver Vipers' tight-knit universe, you should read the books in their official publication order:
- Consider Me (2022) – Carter Beckett & Olivia Parker
- Play With Me (2022) – Garrett Andersen & Jennie Beckett
- Unravel Me (2023) – Adam Lockwood & Rosie
- Fall With Me (2024) – Jaxon Riley & Lennon Hayes
- Breathe With Me (2025) – Emmett Brodie & Cara Hunter
Detailed Breakdown of the Vancouver Vipers Books
1. Consider Me (2022)
This is the book that started it all, launching Becka Mack into TikTok stardom. Consider Me introduces Carter Beckett, the Vancouver Vipers' cocky, playboy captain who is used to getting whatever—and whoever—he wants. That is until he crosses paths with Olivia Parker, a smart, no-nonsense kindergarten teacher who has zero interest in becoming another notch on a hockey star's bedpost. The book follows Carter's determined pursuit of Olivia as he attempts to prove he is ready to change his playboy ways. Filled with intense chemistry, laugh-out-loud sarcasm, and sweet moments, this novel sets the benchmark for the rest of the series.
2. Play With Me (2022)
The second installment pivots to Garrett Andersen, a star winger for the Vipers, and Jennie Beckett, who happens to be Carter’s protective sister. This puts the characters right in the middle of the classic, high-stakes "captain's sister" and "best friend's sister" forbidden romance tropes. Garrett and Jennie share an easy, fun friendship that slowly simmer-burns into something much deeper. Reading this after Consider Me is particularly satisfying because you get to see Carter react to his best friend falling for his sister, adding a layer of hilarious tension and protective brotherly antics to the plot.
3. Unravel Me (2023)
Often considered the emotional heart of the series by fans, Unravel Me focuses on Adam Lockwood, the Vipers' golden-boy goalie. Adam is a sweet, supportive giant who falls head over heels for Rosie, a hardworking single mother who is hesitant to let another man into her and her young son's lives. This book beautifully explores themes of vulnerability, trust, and the struggles of single parenthood, balanced perfectly with Mack’s trademark humor. The relationship between Adam and Rosie’s son is a major highlight that will melt the hearts of contemporary romance readers.
4. Fall With Me (2024)
In Fall With Me, we dive into Jaxon Riley's journey. Jaxon is a defensive player known for his rough exterior and chaotic past who is looking for a path to redemption. He enters a complicated dynamic with Lennon Hayes, the Vipers' newly hired team photographer, following a memorable one-night stand. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is sizzling, and the book dives into deeper themes of overcoming personal insecurities, learning to accept love, and navigating professional boundaries within the sports organization.
5. Breathe With Me (2025)
Serving as the emotional finale to the primary series, Breathe With Me focuses on Emmett Brodie and Cara Hunter. Unlike the other couples who meet and fall in love during their respective books, Emmett and Cara have already been together as a established power couple since before the events of the first book. However, their relationship faces its hardest test yet when they decide to start a family and encounter the painful reality of infertility. The narrative utilizes dual timelines, jumping back to show the magic of their early relationship while keeping a grounded, emotional focus on their present-day struggles, healing, and path to parenthood through fostering.
Chronological Timeline Nuances
While the chronological order of the present-day events aligns perfectly with the publication order, Breathe With Me introduces a unique chronological twist. Because it features extensive flashbacks showing how Emmett and Cara originally met and fell in love years before Carter and Olivia's story in Consider Me, technically some scenes occur first. However, attempting to read Breathe With Me first is not recommended. The emotional weight of their journey—and their role as the parental figures of the found-family Viper group—only makes sense once you have grown to love them through their supporting roles in books one through four.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive headfirst into the ice rink with the Vancouver Vipers, here are a few helpful guideposts to keep in mind:
- Standalone Feasibility: You can technically read any of these books on their own, as each couple gets a complete happily-ever-after (HEA). However, the massive crossover of the core friend group makes reading them in order far more rewarding.
- Trope Checklist: Expect to find classic romance tropes handled with modern sensibilities, including playboy-redemption, friends-to-lovers, single parent, forced proximity, and established relationship struggles.
- Tone and Heat Level: Becka Mack is celebrated for her high heat levels ("spice") mixed with genuine, deep emotional conflicts. The books also feature a heavy dose of banter, sarcasm, and strong female friendships.
- Content Warnings: The series deals with some heavy themes, including grief (reflecting the author's own life experiences), parental abandonment, single parenting struggles, and infertility. It is always wise to check specific trigger warnings before reading.