Although this is part of a series, I hadn't read the others and found it easy to read as a stand alone book. Easy to read but a bit slow in places.

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.

I haven't read any of Rosa's books before and didn't realise this was a second in a series. You can read as a standalone book but I didn't enjoy the storyline at all. I felt quite bored reading it and didn't warm to Magenta at all, I thought she was selfish expecting Anthony to come home for her shop opening, going on and on about it and when he did come home she rushed off because her best friend was giving birth! I don't think she deserved Anthony at all. The book kept jumping days too, one minute you were reading about something then randomly it was a couple of days or a week later. I'm afraid I didn't enjoy this book at all, but thank you for accepting my request to review this book and give an honest review.

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.

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*

I was pulled in right away it felt slow in places but the overall storyline was good. However, it was so sad and heartbreaking. But at the same time heartwarming.

A 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.

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.

This is a great Sunday afternoon read curled up on the sofa - or if you are lucky lying on a beach.

Good writing, good story and likeable characters.

There was nothing particular wrong with the story, but I never connected with it or the characters. At times the characters were so frustrating that I couldn't get into the story.

Thanks NetGalley for the chance to read this book. Whilst i found this to be a nice quick read, I felt that there were a few too many different strands to the story and, as such, none of them were explored well enough.

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.

Although I did enjoy reading this book, I didn't find the main characters very likeable.