Review: Playing for Keeps

I’ve been a fan of Alexandria Bellefleur ever since I read Written in the Stars back in 2020 (review here). I tell every romance reader I meet that they should read her books and I’m always super excited when she has a new title coming out. Playing for Keeps was published in early January and is perfect for romance readers who are super tuned into pop culture and who like their love stories sapphic and spicy.

Here’s the book’s description:

Poppy Peterson’s life is finally back on track and she’s thriving as the publicist of the NFL’s most promising quarterback (and her childhood best friend), Cash Curran. So, she doesn’t appreciate when he makes an impulsive and public pass at America’s popstar darling, Lyric Adair. When Lyric’s notorious publicist Rosaline Sinclair reaches out, Poppy is ready to face her wrath, but instead learns that Lyric is equally interested.

As Cash and Lyric embark on their ill-advised whirlwind romance, Poppy and Rosaline are forced together, each determined to protect their own client from the other. Poppy is frustrated by Rosaline’s cool demeanor, while at the same time, as a legend in the industry, she’s determined to impress her. But, no matter what she does, she can’t shake the feeling that Rosaline doesn’t like her.

That is until one steamy night, when the two women contend with their unexpected feelings and begin a messy romance of their own. But with paparazzi, tabloids, and stalker fans nipping at their heels, Poppy and Rosaline’s loyalties will be tested in ways they could never expect.

I know some people will cringe at the book’s not-at-all subtle nods to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. I struggled myself, just a wee bit, but I ultimately found it fun that Bellefleur was inspired by such a seemingly outrageous love story and turned it into a new story for her readers to enjoy. Lyric is not Taylor and Cash is not Travis. Bellefleur made sure her story was diverse in a way that the sparkly celebrity world doesn’t seem to be. Lyric is Black and Cash is bi. And, of course, the main characters, Poppy and Rosaline, are also queer.

The story would have been eyeroll city if Bellefleur had made Cash and Lyric the main characters but since she flipped the love story around and instead focused on Poppy and Rosaline, it wasn’t quite so cheesy. (But it’s a romance novel so it’s going to have the best kind of cheese!) The pair are still very much involved in the glittery celebrity world but they have their own things happening outside of their jobs. Even though said jobs totally take over their lives. I liked that they were publicists (I work in communications myself so I get it, to a certain extent.). There was a time when every heroine of a romance or romcom was working in magazines or PR but this felt real and fresh.

I was gifted an ALC (advanced listening copy) from the publisher via NetGalley buuuut I had to borrow an eBook from my local library because I was not a fan of the narrator. A narrator can make or break a story and, unfortunately, she broke Playing for Keeps for me and I’m glad I was able to find another way to read the book. I don’t think it was helped by the fact that there are many texts, social media posts, and gossip magazine articles peppered throughout the book. I usually enjoy those additions to stories like these but on audio? Oof, it did not work for me.

Bellefleur tells the story from Poppy’s point of view and, boy, does this girl go through a lot. Cash was really her only support system and, while she loves her friend deeply, she also works for him and she really didn’t want to feel like she owed him any more than she already did. I felt all the feels right alongside her and was so wrapped up in her own sadness and anxiety and hurt whenever she talked to or spent time with her family. I hate when families don’t support their own and Bellefleur made sure I was along for the emotional journey Poppy was going on. I both love and hate her for that! I love it because it shows how good she is at putting those emotions on the page so I’m feeling them too, but I also hate it because I didn’t want to be sad with Poppy! I wanted her to fall in love and be happy! Ah, reading. What a hobby we have.

Playing for Keeps is a great book to pick up if you love spicy scenes alongside deeply emotional ones and main characters you cannot help but fall in love with. Alexandria Bellefleur has written another enjoyable romance that I think many readers will really enjoy.

*An advanced listening copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Avon, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*