Queen B’s Decree: While Playing for Keeps is very Taylor/Travis coded, I didn’t really notice it. Cash is the star quarterback but he’s honestly such a puppy. He loves and supports his best friend Poppy, and was her soft space to land after she had some issues at her previous job, so while she works as his publicist—their relationship is more (and I adore it). Same kind of goes for Rosaline and Lyric—their relationship transcends the professional and it made the characters feel more real to me.
The spicy scenes between Poppy and Rosaline were top tier, honestly so well done. I felt like the emotional development was lacking a bit, and then “oh of course I love you” came out of nowhere, but by that point, I was so in love with the story I didn’t care.
Then the third act break-up happened. And even though I am writing this review over two weeks later, I am still mad about it. It was such a senseless reason (that really, anyone who uses social media AS THEIR JOB should have seen through) and the apology-slash-grovel was seriously lacking.
So. Playing for Keeps was a five star read for me for about 80% of the story….and then it was ruined and I can’t come back from that.
Book: Playing for Keeps by Alexandria Bellefleur
Series: standalone
Genre: contemporary
Plot Devices/Tropes: sapphic