“Not your ordinary rock n’ roll read! Although Rogue is a world famous rock band, the characters have depth, are well developed, and their celebrity takes a back seat to a thoughtful, sweet, and interesting story line. It’s a really lovely book about relationships and the human spirit, and it moves along at such a pace that keeps the reader enthralled. Lara Ward Cosio is a seriously promising … promising writer, and I’m definitely looking forward to more in this series.”
– Miriam (reader review)
Playing At Love is a glam, globetrotting exploration of the complications of friend and love relationships that will leave you rooting for the rogue(ish) heroes.
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.
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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,
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.
I have not immersed myself so deeply in the characters of a story in a long time. I felt like I was right there with them as part of the group watching and feeling the heartbreak and redemption. And there was redemption with forgiveness although the struggle to trust remained an honest part of the healing process.
I love that love conquered all, but so did friendship. True friendship and a brotherhood that can’t be lost even after the greatest of betrayals. The punishing lyrics were brutal, but so true to the core. They could “still a moment” in time even if it hurt to be there. They did find a way to not “stay” there. That was healing.
The writing is truly is excellent and brings you right into the scene. Lara Ward Cosio has a unique way to bring you into the hearts of these beloved characters, as flawed as they are; they are true, real, and honest.
Loved it!!
After falling in love with Sophie and Gavin in book 1, I anxiously blew through book 2. I was dying during the first several chapters to get to Sophie and Gavin as a heavier focus was in Conner and his shenanigans but what happened is I got wrapped in in both stories; Sophie and Gavin and Conners! Good job Lara! I happily then bounced back and forth between the 2 stories as they entertained. I love Gavin and Conner! Now, looks like I’m onto Shay in book 3. I hope Sophie and Gavin along with Conner and Felicity continue to be present throughout the series!
Untangling Gavin, Sophie & Conor! Fantastic Story
Playing at Love
Rogue Rockstar Series, Book 2
By: Lara Ward Cosio
Narrated by: Lee Brophy
This is a great follow-up to “Tangled Up in You”, Gavin, Sophie and Conor’s story. Lara Ward Cosio created interesting storylines and a wonderful web of love and friendship. In this book they are trying to pick up the pieces after the lines were crossed and the betrayals. In book one we saw Gavin spiral out of control, Sophie had not luck getting him out of his funk, he just strayed further away. She turns to Conor for comfort. Conor had been busy with Collette and had not realized the severity of Gavin’s issue with drugs. He tried to intervene but Gavin resisted any help. In “Playing for Love” Gavin works on getting his act together, Sophie has left him and is off living her life without him. She does not come back into the story until Gavin reaches out to her. Gavin and Conor try to mend their friendship, they’ve been friends since they were 7 years old, but can their bromance be re-kindled. A lot of soul searching happens in this book, Gavin comes in to himself, deals with his demons of the past and comes face to face with one of them. Conor and Collette is a disaster in the making, I do not think she is good for him, IMO the only person Collette is good for is herself. It was nice to see Felicity return to the group, she was their friend from HS. I loved how Gavin, Sophie and Conor’s story played out and what it lead to, how they grew as people. I was proud of Conor and what he learned of himself. I highly recommend this series, starting with the first book, there is never a dull moment and you will experience all sort of emotions as their stories unfold. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, I hope it comes out on Audible soon. Lara Ward, thank you for another great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Lee Brophy is a wonderful narrator and voice performer. He continues to bring these character to life, gives each their own voice and personality. You can hear the emotions of the characters and the drama of the story in his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen too. Thank you for another great listen
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