Having read and very much enjoyed The
Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl (and of course, adored the
TV adaptation!) I was delighted when Playing the Game hit the
shelves. Admittedly, I hadn't read Belle's second book (Further
Adventures of a London Call Girl), but couldn't wait and so decided
to read anyway.
Those familiar with Belle and her sexy day-to-day adventures would probably know that the books stemmed from her highly popular blog about working as a call girl in the city. Belle's witty writing attracted readers across the globe. Cue the published diaries – and a successful TV series based on Belle and her life.
However, Playing the Game is not a collection of Belle's diaries, but a novel. In which Belle and her friends lead lives that, well, just might have been.
The book, in the same daily-diary format as the previous offerings, details the life of Belle de Jour and her choice to give up the call girl business and settle for a 'normal' nine till five job. Of course, giving up the money and a designer shoe collection is hard going, but initially mixing her two jobs becomes difficult when she's spotted heading out to meet a client by boss (and admirer) Giles.
Trying to keep her 'other' life a secret from colleagues is not easy, and so Belle decides to give up escorting for good, especially seeing as The Boy has decided that he's moving in. And wants a kitten. But is she really ready?
I'm trying not to give too much away here, but I can say that this book is very addictive. Granted, it's not true, and acts, as Belle puts it, 'as a parallel universe for Belle and her mates', in which she takes a look at her life and finally realises a lot about herself, but not failing to share anecdotes about her past in the call girl business that made the first blog, and books, so successful.
For those who have yet to read Belle's previous books, Playing the Game isn't exactly a follow-up so reading them all is not necessary, as Belle explains each of the characters.
Despite Playing the Game being a work of fiction, Belle's wit is still there in all its glory, and her hilarious diary entries (sometimes personal; sometimes short and funny) kept me reading until I'd finished the book completely. It's a definite – DEFINITE! - must-read.
Rating: 5/5
Like this? Try Girl With a One Track Mind by Abby Lee, or Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham.
