Playing for Keeps by Alexandria Bellefleur

Playing for Keeps

A Novel

Alexandria Bellefleur, Lauren Sweet, Avon

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · January 6, 2026

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.

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Genres
Lesbian Romance, Sports Romance, Romantic Comedy
Published
HarperCollins, January 6, 2026

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About this book

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.

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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

Quiet Chemistry

Come here for

  • friends-to-lovers charge
  • queer romance with a polished, serious edge

Expect

  • Bisexual and lesbian romance
  • Immersion over melodrama

Where it sits

Lesbian Romance93%
Romantic Comedy62%
Sports Romance51%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Romantic Comedy
  • LGBTQ+ Romance
  • Sports Fiction
Show all 5 publisher categories
  • Bisexual Fiction
Authors
Alexandria Bellefleur, Lauren Sweet, Avon
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
January 6, 2026
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Contemporary Romance