What do you think?
Rate this book
Playing for Keeps
Love, Life, and a Whole Lotta Handbags
Having papered over the cracks in her relationship with artist boyfriend Anthony, Magenta Bright is fully focused on opening her first shop on the King’s Road – and on coaching her best friend – vodka-swilling, catty supermodel Anya – through her unexpected pregnancy.
But with Anthony away in Italy on a lucrative commission, the distance between them is more than metaphoric. And then Magenta’s ex, Hugo, shows up, the man she once lost her heart to. At one time there was nothing more important to Magenta than fashion and fun, and throwing herself into every drama that passes her way. But now Magenta’s world is rocked by questions of life and death, and how she would cope if the people closest to her were gone for good.
At work, she can’t seem to put a foot wrong, but in her personal life she’s her own worst enemy. And the stakes have never been higher…
Having papered over the cracks in her relationship with artist boyfriend Anthony, Magenta Bright is fully focused on opening her first shop on the King’s Road – and on coaching her best friend – vodka-swilling, catty supermodel Anya – through her unexpected pregnancy.
But with Anthony away in Italy on a lucrative commission, the distance between them is more than metaphoric. And then Magenta’s ex, Hugo, shows up, the man she once lost her heart to. At one time there was nothing more important to Magenta than fashion and fun, and throwing herself into every drama that passes her way. But now Magenta’s world is rocked by questions of life and death, and how she would cope if the people closest to her were gone for good.
At work, she can’t seem to put a foot wrong, but in her personal life she’s her own worst enemy. And the stakes have never been higher…
- GenresRomance
ebook
Published February 12, 2018
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Rosa Temple
14 books29 followersRosa Temple began writing romantic comedies and chick lit as a ghost writer. In her notebooks, she constantly jotted down story ideas of her own and she eventually self published her first novella Sleeping With Your Best Friend. Rosa went on to self publish the following novels: Natalie's Getting Married, Single By Christmas and Dear..Anybody?
HQ Digital published three of her ebooks: Playing By The Rules, Playing Her Cards Right and Playing for Keeps.
On 26th May 2022 Simon & Schuster published The Slow Lane Walkers Club in 3 formats.
Rosa Temple is a Londoner and is married with two sons. She recently escaped to the Herefordshire countryside.
Visit her website https://www.rosatemple.co.uk/ for more!
HQ Digital published three of her ebooks: Playing By The Rules, Playing Her Cards Right and Playing for Keeps.
On 26th May 2022 Simon & Schuster published The Slow Lane Walkers Club in 3 formats.
Rosa Temple is a Londoner and is married with two sons. She recently escaped to the Herefordshire countryside.
Visit her website https://www.rosatemple.co.uk/ for more!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 27, 2018
Playing for Keeps was a good closure for Magenta's glorious deeds.
It was a little more serious and dramatic than the previous books but it still is an enjoyable read.
In this third installment our Magenta is all grown up,she is a responsible business woman but she will definitely find some ways to create friction in her personal relationships.
I loved these characters,I grew so fond of them that the epilogue made me really happy.
April 3, 2018
Hey ForeverBookers,
Sorry that I’ve been away for so long! I’ve been busy. Anyway, I’ve just finished “Playing For Keeps” by Rosa Temple and I didn’t love it, really. It went by slowly for me personally, but we’re all different.
Playing For Keeps was released on 12th February 2018, so is available now!
2 Stars!
“Playing For Keeps” is a contemporary story that tells the story of Magenta, a young woman who owns a clothing/handbag company. She has a best friend, Anya an eccentric Russian model, and a boyfriend, Anthony. Magenta and Anthony start realising there are problems in their relationship at the start of the novel, however. Magenta’s ex, Hugo comes into the story, with issues. Who does Magenta choose to be with? Does she choose either of the men? You’ll have to read to find out...
I got this as an arc through NetGalley, so thanks to them for letting me read it.
NOTE: This story has someone who suffers from cancer in it. I won’t say what happens, due to spoilers but if you’re sensitive to cancer stories maybe don’t read this one...
I’m not going to write a spoiler section because I didn’t really like the book, unfortunately, so it would be boring to read, I feel.
What did I like about “Playing For Keeps”?
* I liked how in the beginning Anya, Magenta’s best friend seemed really funny. Unfortunately, this fizzled out by the end.
* This must be the second time only, where I’ve actually liked a love triangle! I didn’t love it but it wasn’t horrible. That’s probably because I hated the guy Magenta was with at the start, though.
What didn’t I like about “Playing For Keeps”?
* I didn’t like how the main relationship came across. The man came across as very manipulative and controlling to me.
* I didn’t like how the one thing I actually liked about the book ended.
* I didn’t think most of the story, the parts to do with Magenta’s shop were interesting.
* I didn’t like how romance wasn’t a main theme. Yes, Magenta has a boyfriend but he didn’t act like her boyfriend for the majority of the story. He was just an annoying, controlling figure, to me, as I said above.
Overall, as I just said above, I didn’t love “Playing For Keeps”. The only thing that kept me reading, honestly was the drama with Hugo. That was the only interesting thing for me. Anthony really annoyed me throughout as well. He had rules for Magenta but it was like she wasn’t allowed to have any rules for him. This made their relationship super unhealthy, I thought. I liked Anya but by the end she wasn’t a stand out character, either. That’s why I’m giving “Playing For Keeps” 2 Stars!
Have you read Playing For Keeps? What did you think if you have?
Sorry that I’ve been away for so long! I’ve been busy. Anyway, I’ve just finished “Playing For Keeps” by Rosa Temple and I didn’t love it, really. It went by slowly for me personally, but we’re all different.
Playing For Keeps was released on 12th February 2018, so is available now!
2 Stars!
“Playing For Keeps” is a contemporary story that tells the story of Magenta, a young woman who owns a clothing/handbag company. She has a best friend, Anya an eccentric Russian model, and a boyfriend, Anthony. Magenta and Anthony start realising there are problems in their relationship at the start of the novel, however. Magenta’s ex, Hugo comes into the story, with issues. Who does Magenta choose to be with? Does she choose either of the men? You’ll have to read to find out...
I got this as an arc through NetGalley, so thanks to them for letting me read it.
NOTE: This story has someone who suffers from cancer in it. I won’t say what happens, due to spoilers but if you’re sensitive to cancer stories maybe don’t read this one...
I’m not going to write a spoiler section because I didn’t really like the book, unfortunately, so it would be boring to read, I feel.
What did I like about “Playing For Keeps”?
* I liked how in the beginning Anya, Magenta’s best friend seemed really funny. Unfortunately, this fizzled out by the end.
* This must be the second time only, where I’ve actually liked a love triangle! I didn’t love it but it wasn’t horrible. That’s probably because I hated the guy Magenta was with at the start, though.
What didn’t I like about “Playing For Keeps”?
* I didn’t like how the main relationship came across. The man came across as very manipulative and controlling to me.
* I didn’t like how the one thing I actually liked about the book ended.
* I didn’t think most of the story, the parts to do with Magenta’s shop were interesting.
* I didn’t like how romance wasn’t a main theme. Yes, Magenta has a boyfriend but he didn’t act like her boyfriend for the majority of the story. He was just an annoying, controlling figure, to me, as I said above.
Overall, as I just said above, I didn’t love “Playing For Keeps”. The only thing that kept me reading, honestly was the drama with Hugo. That was the only interesting thing for me. Anthony really annoyed me throughout as well. He had rules for Magenta but it was like she wasn’t allowed to have any rules for him. This made their relationship super unhealthy, I thought. I liked Anya but by the end she wasn’t a stand out character, either. That’s why I’m giving “Playing For Keeps” 2 Stars!
Have you read Playing For Keeps? What did you think if you have?
February 12, 2018
Magenta's growing up. I enjoyed the first book but thought Magenta was selfish and immature. BTW, you don't need to have read that to enjoy this because she feels like a more fully rounded character this time around. She's got a business (pretty impressive) and good friends like Anya. Her boyfriend Anthony is also a pretty decent man. Why on earth would she take even a second look at Hugo, her ex? Well, the romantic tension is nice and the dialogue snappy. There are some more serious things at issue in this generally light and comedic read (no spoilers). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Recommend this if you're in the mood for a good chick lit read.
March 20, 2018
A light hearted read which continues the love triangle between Magenta, Anthony and Hugo. Not essential to have read Playing by The Rules but it does provide the back story.
Although I loved Magenta’s grit in the previous book, she didn’t seem to have the same strength in this book. She seemed to avoid the big questions and let life push her rather than the other way around. This left me less engaged in the book ...
However the supporting characters made it all worthwhile. Supermodel Anya - what a brilliant best friend - and the wonderful Jaime and Zac, who were caricatured but hilarious, made the book engaging and readable.
An enjoyable read 3*
Although I loved Magenta’s grit in the previous book, she didn’t seem to have the same strength in this book. She seemed to avoid the big questions and let life push her rather than the other way around. This left me less engaged in the book ...
However the supporting characters made it all worthwhile. Supermodel Anya - what a brilliant best friend - and the wonderful Jaime and Zac, who were caricatured but hilarious, made the book engaging and readable.
An enjoyable read 3*
February 22, 2018
This was a fun, easy and very romantic read. It was definitely a good, strong chicklit book and a good book to read on a summer day. The characters were well rounded and flawed which I think is important and added a more believable edge to it. I recommend this book.
I was sent this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was sent this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2019
Nice story and everybody is happy!
April 12, 2020
Uff... well the main character so selfish and lucky...
January 23, 2018
Gorgeously romantic, fabulously fun, an absolute delight. This book will have chicklit and romance fans smiling from ear to ear. The best book for those glorious summer days. Fab.
Want to read
February 25, 2018A very well written book and a total joy with a mixture of drama. I only wish that I read the other books before reading this one.
June 6, 2018
This was an okay read for me I found it to be really slow at times but when it did pick up it was decent read I enjoyed the previous book and if you did too you will want to give this a try
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews