Playing At Love

Rogue #2

by Lara Ward Cosio

(ASIN: B017C0G1OE) ALTERNATE COVER VERSION

Conor Quinn and Gavin McManus are mired deep in the wreckage of a betrayal that has damaged their friendship, ended Gavin’s marriage, and threatens to break up their band.

Conor’s shaken by the mess he’s made and no longer trusts his heart. Book smart but love dumb, he decides acting with more calculation in matters of the heart is the key to moving forward. He starts by wooing back his ex, Colette, and quickly ends up engaged—and in over his head.

When Conor’s old schoolmate, Felicity, unexpectedly returns to his world, he gravitates with increasing frequency toward their renewed friendship. Harmless flirting soon turns into real temptation and suddenly Conor’s questioning whether his impetuous reunion with Colette means he’s missed his chance with the right woman.

Felicity is still stinging from a brutal divorce and wary of her old friend’s rock star ways. She wants stability, not the boy who ran off to join the rock circus and never had a proper job or responsibilities. But that doesn’t mean she’s immune to his charms.

At the same time, wounded, passionate singer Gavin has a song-writing epiphany that convinces him he can't stay stuck in the past. And he knows what matters most is his wife, since he refuses to believe their love story is over.

As Conor’s wedding rapidly approaches and Gavin attempts to reunite with his wife, both men must also find a way to keep their band together as they strive and stumble toward something resembling redemption—with each other and with the women they’re meant to be with.

Order of the Rogue Series:
Tangled Up In You
Playing At Love
Hitting That Sweet Spot (coming soon!)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance, Musicians, Contemporary

412 pages, ebook

First published October 29, 2015

About the author

Lara Ward Cosio is the author of contemporary romances that are raw, realistic, sometimes funny, and always feature swoon-worthy men and strong-willed women.

Hula Girl: A Standalone Romance with a HEA is now available.

The Rogue Series, an angsty rock star romance saga with interconnected stories, is now complete and all books are available with KindleUnlimited.

The Rogue Series is:
★ Tangled Up In You
★ Playing At Love
★ Hitting That Sweet Spot
★ Finding Rhythm
The Rogue Series continues with these "Extras":
★ Looking For Trouble
★ Felicity Found
★ Rogue Christmas Story
★ Problematic Love
★ Rock Star on the Verge

For more information, visit larawardcosio.com
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Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life of a rockstar, glamor, glitz, celebrity, and the world at your fingertips, at least while the spotlight shines. Behind the band Rogue, when the lights go down and the last cheer has faded is the human turmoil that is played out in a million ways around the world. Come backstage and enter the reality of the lives of the band Rogue in Lara Ward Cosio’s Playing at Love where flawed and damaged people stumble through the intricacies of love, betrayal and raw human emotions.

Conor and Gavin have been best friends since childhood, but one brutally selfish act of betrayal on Conor’s part will bring their relationship crashing to the ground in brittle shards of grief, drug abuse and divorce, while the band’s very existence hangs in the balance.

Hoping to mend fences and prove he is a changed man, Conor returns to his relationship with an immature and self-centered drama queen, whose beauty is her biggest asset. While Gavin follows his ex-wife to the ends of the earth to beg her to return, that her transgression is part of the past and he may have been equally to blame. Will this be the beginning of the healing for the band, as well as Gavin and Conor? Or has Conor just made another huge mistake in settling for Colette in another poorly thought-out act of immaturity on his part?

When an old friend returns, once again, Conor finds his heart wandering and no longer trusts in his own feelings. Is he doomed to be the eternal Peter Pan who never seems to grow up and find a mature relationship?

Lara Ward Cosio has penned a rockstar romance far from the typical over-the-top frenzy of life on the road, free sex and wild times. Playing at Love is a raw look at human frailty, a failure to mature and the cost of one moment of selfish gratification and betrayal. Follow these characters, the hell they have become part of and witness the new paths that are forged, some for the sake of the band and some for the sake of the heart. Well written, intense and so very true to life, warts and all, these characters will intrigue you, repel you and have you rooting for an encore from this talented author.

I received this copy from Lara Ward Cosio in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: October 28, 2015
Publisher: Lara Ward Cosio
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 412 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always judged books by how fast I want to read them, most that I love I devour as fast asI can to get to the end. Not so with this book. I fell in love with this one, that I took my time savoring it, I did not want it to end and was in no rush to get there. The concept was in my opinion so different that I was in awe how topics that can be eye rollers and cliched were handled by this author. Gavin, Conor, Sofie - wow. I can not wait for more from Lara Ward Cosio. I read this on Kindle Unlimited and I can assure you that I will be purchasing it as this one for me is a keeper.

[Whit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, well-written story about the band, Rogue, and the various trials and tribulations the members endure. Gavin and Conor are best friends until Conor betrays Gavin in the worst possible way. There is plenty of love, jealousy and betrayal to go around! Sophie, Felicity and even Collette are all well-developed characters that keep the story moving along.

[Paula White · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

[Heather Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book to this rockin series Rogue. This is not a stand alone. You need to read the first book Tangled up in you because if you don't you will be totally lost. This book continues from the last book. Only a few months go by and everything changes. This author grabbed me on the first page. It only took me one day to read this beautiful story.

This story is about the lead guitarist of the band Rogue Conor Quinn. He and his best friend Gavin grew up together and they also started this band. Conor is a fun loving guy but he has a bad boy side to him. He betrayed his best friend Gavin which ruins his new marriage to Sophie. This betrayal also is threatening to break up the band for good. Conor is scared of what is happening with Gavin and he is now trying to make it up to him. He is now with his on and off ex Colette. He feels this is the right thing to do and next thing he knows he is engaged to be married. Conor feels like everything is now how it should be until his old classmate Felicity comes back into to town. Will his heart tell him to stay with Colette the perfect woman or will it want something completely different?

Felicity has know Rogue when they were just teens. After high school they went their separate ways. She is now back in her hometown after a horrible divorce. She quickly feels like she never left her good friends. She always had a very close relationship with Conor. She now wants a stable life and she knows that Conor can not give that to her. Then she finds out that Conor is engaged to the wrong woman. She knows deep in her heart that she is not the one for him. They fall back into their friendship really quickly but they start to flirt with one another. When she finds out she got a job with the band things start turning into something else. What is a girl to do? To make matters worse her past comes back to shake things up as well. Will she follow her heart or do what is right?

Gavin and Sophie has some up and downs of their own. Gavin finally realized that he messed up the best thing in his life his girl. He now wants his wife back at home. The hard part is getting her back. Sophie has a new life now. She was really hurt by Gavin and she doesn't trust him like she used to. Will her heart forgive him or is there just too much hurt to forgive?

This series is one of my all time favorite rockstar romances of all time. These characters feel real with her writing. You will go through ups and downs with all of them. I fell in love with Felicity. She was not into the glitz and glamour but she was truly happy for her friends. She was a very strong and beautiful woman. Conor was a very hot and typical rockstar bad boy until you really got to know him. He has really big heart. This story had not one but two love stories. It was mostly about Conor but you also get to read about Gavin and Sophie and how they built their relationship back like it used to be. This series is a must read. I hope there is more of this hot rock band to come. I would love to continue this journey with this band and their women.

[TDCbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing at Love
By Lara Ward Cosio

Conor Quinn is the hottie guitarist for the Irish rock band- Rogue. Trying to right the wrongs of the affair between him and his best friend (and band mates)'s wife, he rushes into an engagement with his supermodel ex-girlfriend, Colette. When a girl he shares a past with, Felicity, returns to town an old flame is quickly reignited causing him to second guess everything. Will he make the right choice or destroy everyone's lives again?

Gavin McManus, lead vocal for Rogue and THE best friend, struggles to forgive his wife. Sophie is the only woman he has ever truly loved. Channeling his emotions into his new found sobriety and writing the band's newest CD, he is forced to relive some of the darkest days of his life. Will he be able to work through his feelings and truly forgive? Or will it be his turn to destroy everything?

An amazing read! Once I started I couldn't put it down and had it read within twenty-four hours! A multi-narrative story based (mostly) in Ireland, it is a true look at the complexities of love and life... Not everything always turns out how we imagine it, a lesson sometimes learned the hard way. I, obviously, loved it and was excited to find out it is a part of a series!

Five out five stars!

[Jaenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an enjoyable read, with interesting characters that kept my attention. The book involves the world of a renowned rock band but the author let's you in on the real people they actually are and the trouble and struggles they have in their love lives. The characters are likable and complex and I found myself thinking about the book between reads and wondering what would happen next! I loved Lara Cosio's writing style and her ability to portray the emotion, and conflict that the characters struggle with. She shows a deep of knowledge of the human condition, of love and friendship that is commendable.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine Wine. You know how you want to take your time to make sure you get everything that it has to offer and then some. That’s what this book was for me. Being a rock romance fanatic this book is ranking up there with being one of the top reads. I haven’t read this author before so I had set this book on the back burner for a bit and now realize what a mistake that was. This author knows how to write so that you are actually feeling that you are on the same journey as the books characters. She gives you the “bad” as in Collette, the good as in Felicity and Sophie, Gavin’s wife, who played a significant part in both Gavin and Connor’s life. The center of these three women was the bad boy rock star from Dublin. Connor had it all as in killer guitar skills, the bad boy persona which he lived up to and a lifelong friendship with Gavin who was the lead singer of Rouge and whose friendship he more than destroyed. Would there ever be coming back from the choices he made?

He and Gavin had grown up together and Felicity was the hometown girl that had been a friend and a backer of the band from the day they started. She and Connor had friends with benefits relationship but when the band hit the road Felicity found her own road to take as in going to college and getting married to the man she thought was for her. Of course that man turned out to be a jack*ss and she ended up back home in Dublin years later. As for Sophie that is a tragic story in itself. Gavin had turned on Sophie in their marriage and Sophie turned to Connor who had a love for Sophie for years and thought she was “the” girl for him….just that she was married to his best friend. As the Sophie/Gavin/Connor issue worked itself out Collette came back in to the picture as the self-centered, publicity seeking b*tch she was and the future she wanted as Mrs. Connor Rockstar…oh, I mean as Connor’s wife. Connor settled with Collette bound on making the relationship work the second time around now that Sophie was definitely out of the picture in Connor’s future. After Connor met up with Felicity again and all the old friends were back together he started to have thoughts of her again as something more than friends. Felicity knew that Connor was good at “playing at love” he was a huge flirt and had a beautiful model as his fiancé so she couldn’t see anything working out with Connor.

Following the band and the turmoil that Connor is going through was one of the best storylines I’ve read for a while. It’s intense and has you wondering if and when he was going to wake up to what was important to him. It had me hating him for not having the balls to follow through with some things and loving him and his giving himself totally to the various situations. It was following a bad boy rock star that you hoped would stop playing at love and wake up before he lost everything. Felicity was a woman who deserved to have more in her life than the husband who left her blindsided but was Connor that man? Be ready to sit back and savor one of the best rock romances that will have you hoping that there is a lot more to come from the boys of Rouge.

[Terri (N.J.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!!!! This is book 2 in the Rogue series, Playing at Love. This is Conor and Felicity’s book but Gavin and Sophie are still a huge part. The Rock and Roll drama continues and I can’t get enough of this band. Once again the writing is incredible and very descriptive and the characters well developed. Ugh, I did want to smack Conor up side the head half the time and say ”what are you thinking Your not a door mat”!!( hated that witch he was with), but oh I love him so. I admit in this book I’m not a felicity fan, I just didn’t feel the connection. But I do love the connection Conor has with Sophie. I love how the author played out their past and recognized it for what it was . It wasn’t down played to the extent that it didn’t mean anything or forgotten. So well done and something you don’t get often in books. I look forward to continuing with Shays book next.

[LaDonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 Electrified Guitars for Playing at Love

Another stunning success for Lara Ward Cosio! Book 2 of the Rogue series crossed even deeper emotional topography for me (yeah, there were tears involved. KA - you are going to owe me at least a case of tissue one of these days!) and was absolutely nothing like I expected from having read the summary, a few reviews and a teaser or excerpt or two. I say that with not a bit of disappointment - this sophomore effort showed growth after an absolutely amazing debut and solidified my desire for MORE! MORE! MORE! from this relatively new author. Her characters are fantastically flawed humans that have a very real and endearing edge that many authors haven't mastered even with dozens more books under their belts. Lara Ward Cosio not only creates amazing people to inhabit the wonderful world she has created, but has impeccable timing when it comes to storytelling, and weaving the lives of these characters - from the leads to the bit players, from the ones who capture little pieces of the soul, to those you love to hate, from ones you see pieces of yourself in, to those who are a complete mystery, or at least their motives are - together, and knowing the perfect times to segue from one storyline to the next. I dare say if she wrote for daytime, we would still have many more soap operas to fill out the tedium of being stuck at home all day. I love that I was able to binge on these first two offerings of hers, but it makes me all the more impatient for the next book to be released. I have seen mentioned that you could read these 2 in any order, but I would personally highly suggest reading Tangled Up In You first, and then this, and add #3 to your preorder list as soon as humanly possible. The author includes links to her website, social media accounts and email list in the book, and I am looking forward to prowling these haunts in the near future.
I always find it difficult to review books after the first one in a series for fear of inadvertently including spoilers from the previous book(s.) That is certainly true in this second book of the Rogue series as well. It was mesmerizing throughout, and as much of an emotional rollercoaster as Tangled Up In You, though, thankfully, the drug abuse does not directly appear here, and the cheating by married couples is eliminated as well for those who avoided the first book because of those warnings. By no means does this make this chapter of Rogue all butterflies and rainbows. (Not that there is anything wrong with those kinds of ideals, but sometimes they can be tedious to downright boring and/or depressing to read.) With each page of both books, I found myself more invested in the characters, which certainly helps keep my interest in everything to come (in a need like I need air to breathe kind of way....sorry, fangirl moment refused to stay beneath the surface.) Anyway, again, my highest recommendations for any romance fan, and a must read series for those inclined toward the ones starring rockstars.

[Vanessa Tomason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story line that is perfect for those who want to read more than just YA novel; a desire for well written, clearly developed characters with a can't-put-the-book-down storyline. Lara Ward Cosio's "Playing At Love: A Rogue Series Novel" created a world that made me fall in love with the characters and their lives that molded them. From the longtime loves and married couple (Gavin and Sophie) encountering struggles along the way, to the wild to tame Conor, who is simply trying to figure out what he truly wants in life...or rather, who. This author gave great depth to each character in the novel, something you often don't see. This was a wonderfully enticing novel and I'm looking forward to the next installment! It's definitely a great read.

[KellySue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author has a way of making the characters feel realistic, down to earth and relatable even though many of the characters are members of a famous rock band and super models. The dialogue is is excellent, conveying emotion quite well. Cosio has a great eye to details that create the luscious atmosphere throughout the book. It's a book that takes you on worldly adventures and gives good insight on what it's like to be in a famous rock band while nurturing both friend and love relationships . It's an easy read, a page turner that I often found myself thinking about when not reading it. I really look forward to the next installment.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast-moving romp through the glamorous world of rock musicians and high fashion, and the hearts and minds of the 30-somethings who inhabit it. It's a story about love and loss, friendship damaged by betrayal and ultimately redemption. The author has created in-depth characters that you'll come to love and want to follow through other books in the series. I read it once, then sat right down and read it again!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series so far!

[Sasha Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous 2nd book in the Rogue Series!

It takes a lot for a book to resonate with me. I found this book to be so realistic and heart breaking. It really shows the pitfalls if the music industry and how tortured artists can fall down the rabbit hole. I was really rooting for Connor in this book, but Ms. Cosio brought back another character and had me second guessing everything I thought I wanted for these characters. Bravo on this book. I'm waiting for Shays book!

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT! An excellent and dynamic follow-up to the first book (Tangled Up In You), this follows Conor Quinn on his journey to his HEA.

On his way Conor becomes engaged, for the second time, to the model Colette. He is trying to move on after Sophie. He isn't very happy though and feels lackadaisical about her. Colette is a very shallow woman and craves public adoration which takes its toll on their relationship.

Felicity, his high school lover, is back in Dublin after her 10 year marriage ends. Conor and Felicity pick up their easygoing relationship.

No more on the storyline for now. Just know that once again we get our money and times worth from Lara's writing. BUY IT...you'll love it too.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot damn, WOW! Playing at Love, where do I begin? Everyone in this book felt so real I felt their flawed yet beautiful heart beats. Conor's story is exquisitely told by the author and I got emotion sickness from the amazing rollercoaster ride of feelings I experienced for not just this sexy rock star, but every one in this book. I loved the steamy interludes and romance, they literally left me breathless. I wish this review could be more coherent but I am swooning over Lara's words. I feel like reading this book I just boarded a first class flight to rock star romance land, and damn it Lara, you've made it difficult to want to fly economy ever again.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

Books in Rogue series should be read in order:
Book 1: Tangled Up In You
Book 2: Playing At Love
Book 3: Hitting That Sweet Spot

[Lara Cosio · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing at Love is one audio I have been waiting for. After the ending of Tangled Up in You, I was waiting to see where the love triangle of Conor, Sophie and Gavin would end up! This book took us through it all, but was mostly Conor's story. This poor man can't seem to get his life on track. After his trist with Sophie, he damaged the relationships with his two best friends, and now is set to marry a woman he thinks will be good for him! I love Lara Ward's Cosio's way of writing. It's deeply emotional and evokes many different feelings in the listener. I felt sadness and happiness for Conor, at times major frustration and throughout, I felt hope that he would eventually find his happiness. With the whole band interspersed in the story, we catch up with Shay, Gavin, Sophie and Felicity and get to have Rogue together. I am looking forward to Shay's story to finish out the trilogy and tie up all the loose ends this band has together.

I can't say enough good things about Lee Brophy. He is amazing, his pace is great and the story just flows. He has distinct voices for each character, and the inflections he uses makes you feel the emotions as you listen. He truly does the story justice,

[Kim Brewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one was a slow burn for me, but this one was combustible! There was so much happening with Rogue. They were back working on a new album and best friends Gavin and Conor were trying to get past what had happened in the first book. Shay was finding himself more mediator then ever. Will Gavin be able to win Sophie back? Does Sophie want to return? Will Gavin and Collette go all the way or will Fee being back in town throw a wrench in their plans? Throw on your pj's, grab a cuppa and sit back and enjoy the concert

I will say I am enjoying Lara's writing style. It flows smoothly and the lyrics are well written into the story line.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed this book.
Playing At Love is the second book in the Rogue series and continues the story of Gavin, Sophie and Connor as they deal with the impact of the events of Book 1. Now sometimes with a series book 2 never quite lives up to expectations but not this one. I was right there with them as Gavin and Sophie try to rebuild their marriage and still maintain the relationships needed for the band to succeed. We get Connors love story in this book but has he found his HEA? Book 3 coming up!

[Amanda Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! I really felt for Conor, he previously damaged his relationships with his two best friends and you can see the effect it's had. I like that we get to see Gavin and Sophie try to repair themselves as well. Conor grows a lot throughout the story and I couldn't help but root for him.

Lee Brophy was absolutely fantastic. He speaks very clearly and I love his accent. He really brought the story to life.

[BlueBug · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing the first book in the series, I was dying to know what happened next for Gavin and Sophia. That's why I bought the box set.

But oh, how much I wanted Conor's love story. I knew he had a recovery to make after all that went down in the first book. And I knew he'd continue to make mistake after mistake because some people are just destined to go through the ringer before finding any kind of real happiness. But this was such an explosive love story from so many different angles, and the part that Felicity played in it made all of the difference.

I can hardly wait to read the next one in the set.

[Margo]

DNF

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit

I am completely in love with this series. This us one heck of a story. I couldn’t put it down and am diving right into the next one!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great continuation of these amazing characters. It was such a pleasure to see Gavin and Conor mend fences as well as Gavin and Sophie find their way back to each other. Conor grew up emotionally in this book and it was micr to see the choice he made in the end. I don’t think he could have made one any better. I am excited to see what comes next with this group.

[SandraBarg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

This was a continuation of Tangled Up In You, it finished the story in a fascinating and satisfactory way. The writing was extremely good and the characters are very likable,even the ones you hate! The book had a fast pace,good flow and I recommend it to anyone who loves Rock Star Romance!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in The Rogue Series picks up right where Book 1 ends. But this story focuses on Conor, Colette and Felicity . Gavin and Sofie's story continues in this book. The soap opera continues ....

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]