The Playing Hard Series Guide
“Fun, fast, toe-curling romance featuring athletic banter, loyal heroes, and heartwarming happily-ever-afters.”
The short answer: No! Every single book in the Playing Hard series is an independent, full-length standalone novel. You will get a complete love story, unique main characters, and a satisfying happily-ever-after with zero cliffhangers.
However, if you love meeting characters and watching the world expand chronologically, reading in publication order is a wonderful journey! Below is the recommended reading sequence.
Publication Reading Sequence
Running from Love
Couple: Cooper Tucker & Clara Weaver
Clara Weaver swore she would never return to her hometown—and she especially swore she would never risk her heart again. But when her brother's wedding demands her presence, she finds herself face-to-face with Cooper Tucker, the boy who used to tease her mercilessly and has somehow transformed into an impossibly handsome, broad-shouldered man.
Love on the Rebound
Couple: Baylor Griffin & Betty Davenport
Betty Davenport has poured every ounce of her savings and soul into building her online fashion boutique. She doesn't have time for heartbreak—even if her ex-fiancé just proved to be the biggest mistake of her life. When her best friends convince her that the quickest cure for a bruised heart is a low-stakes rebound, Betty laughs it off.
Love on Par
Couple: Ezra Vance & Emma Blackwood
Emma Blackwood appears to have the flawless, by-the-book life: a thriving career, a prestigious family reputation, and a fiancé who checks every single box on paper. Emma has always convinced herself that 'comfortable' and 'fine' are the ingredients of a lasting marriage.
Why Readers Love the Playing Hard World
From high-society country club golf fairways to recreation basketball gym sidelines and hometown weddings, Cassandra Cavanaugh crafts authentic, athletic romance that celebrates strong women and heroes who fall hard.