Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
Poppy Peterson is the publicist of the NFL’s most promising quarterback (and her childhood best friend), Cash Curran. He makes an impulsive and public pass at America’s popstar darling, Lyric Adair, which Poppy would’ve at least liked a heads up about first. “Call Me Maybe” is Poppy’s ringtone and it’s first mentioned on the page when Lyric’s notorious publicist Rosaline Sinclair calls Poppy about said public pass. Poppy is ready to face Rosaline’s wrath but instead learns that Lyric is equally interested. It’s such a fun, upbeat song that really captures Poppy’s personality and adds a moment of levity and humor to a scene where she’s dealing with a massive case of nerves. It also hints at the romance between Poppy and Rosaline.
Mastermind by Taylor Swift
This is such a fitting song for Rosaline! She’s a publicist at the top of her game, responsible for shaping the public perception surrounding her client and sort of surrogate little sister, Lyric. Publicity is an art form to Rosaline, and she makes crafting a narrative look effortless, even though she puts a lot of effort in. All of her behind-the-scenes machinations come from a place of caring deeply about Lyric and wanting to protect her.
Hot and Stupid by Beth McCarthy
Poppy and Rosaline embark on a friends/coworker’s-with-benefits arrangement that Poppy knows could blow up in her face both personally and professionally if she doesn’t tread carefully. Is it a smart decision? Maybe not. Is she going to do it anyway? Absolutely. These lyrics really say it all:
your bedroom mirrors laughing at me
cause she knows that i like the way i look in your sheets.. oops
you’re hot and i’m stupid
i know what’s good for me and you’re not but i’ll do it
cause it’s so pretty
i didn’t wear this underwear for no one to see it so
take me home
get me off
cause baby we’re hot
and stupid
The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
Poppy struggles with imposter syndrome and general feelings of inadequacy in both her personal and professional life. This is a song and a reminder that she needs to hear, that she shouldn’t write herself off and everything’s going to turn out fine.
I Can Do It With a Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
Even when Poppy and Rosaline are going through it emotionally, they have to set their feelings aside to get the job done for their clients. It’s not always easy to put on a brave face, to grin and bear it, but show business requires that of everyone, even if they’re working behind the scenes.
A Novel
Lambda Literary Award winner and national bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur returns with a steamy Sapphic rom-com about two rival publicists who are forced to work together when their mega-famous clients—a popstar and a quarterback—begin to date.
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.
A high energy, Sapphic, and deeply sexy romance, Playing for Keeps has everything readers expect from Alexandria Bellefleur and more!
Tropes:
- workplace romance
- forced proximity
- secret relationship
- found family
- hurt/comfort
Romance Comedy | Romance LGBTQ [ Avon, On Sale: January 6, 2026, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780063258570 / eISBN: 9780063258587 ]
Alexandria Bellefleur is a bestselling and award-winning author of swoony contemporary romance often featuring loveable grumps and the sunshine characters who bring them to their knees. Her debut novel, Written in the Stars, was a 2021 Lambda Literary Award winner and a 2020 winner of The Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction.
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