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Playing the Field
Jean Bennett, aspiring jewellery designer, knows as much about football as she does astrophysics. But when she moves to the bright lights of Sydney and falls in love with star footballer Josh Fox, she has to learn – fast.
Thrown eyelashes first into the world of WAGs, Jean is way out of her league. She navigates her way through semi-finals, a gruelling social calendar and salacious scandals on Josh's arm, safe in the knowledge he belongs to her – or so she thinks. But as her hair gets blonder, her heels higher and her tops lower, Jean begins to wonder who she's become . . .
Thrown eyelashes first into the world of WAGs, Jean is way out of her league. She navigates her way through semi-finals, a gruelling social calendar and salacious scandals on Josh's arm, safe in the knowledge he belongs to her – or so she thinks. But as her hair gets blonder, her heels higher and her tops lower, Jean begins to wonder who she's become . . .
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
25 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Zoë Foster Blake
24 books652 followersZoë Foster Blake is an Australian author and the founder of Go-To skin care. Yes, she is writing this in third person.
Zoë writes mostly for young women, because she thinks they're wonderful and deserve nice books.
Zoë has published five fiction titles, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON, AIR KISSES, PLAYING THE FIELD, THE YOUNGER MAN and THE WRONG GIRL (made into a network TV series in Australia).
Zoë has also written four non-fiction titles: a dating and relationship guide called TEXTBOOK ROMANCE, (written with Hamish Blake), AMAZINGER FACE, a compilation of beauty tips and tricks, BREAK-UP BOSS, (also an app) and LOVE!, essays from a decade spent writing relationship advice. She published CLEAN SLATE, an Audible Original about infidelity in a seemingly perfect marriage in 2020.
She also writes picture books: NO ONE LIKES A FART, which won the ABIA Children’s Picture Book of the Year in 2018 because farts are where it’s AT, BACK TO SLEEP, FART AND BURP ARE SUPERSTINKERS (titled NO ONE LIKES A BURP in the US), SCAREDY BATH, BATTLE MUM, HAPPY FARTER’S DAY, and BEST PRESENT EVER.
When she's not updating her goodreads bio she's writing her new novel, out Oct 2026.
Zoë writes mostly for young women, because she thinks they're wonderful and deserve nice books.
Zoë has published five fiction titles, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON, AIR KISSES, PLAYING THE FIELD, THE YOUNGER MAN and THE WRONG GIRL (made into a network TV series in Australia).
Zoë has also written four non-fiction titles: a dating and relationship guide called TEXTBOOK ROMANCE, (written with Hamish Blake), AMAZINGER FACE, a compilation of beauty tips and tricks, BREAK-UP BOSS, (also an app) and LOVE!, essays from a decade spent writing relationship advice. She published CLEAN SLATE, an Audible Original about infidelity in a seemingly perfect marriage in 2020.
She also writes picture books: NO ONE LIKES A FART, which won the ABIA Children’s Picture Book of the Year in 2018 because farts are where it’s AT, BACK TO SLEEP, FART AND BURP ARE SUPERSTINKERS (titled NO ONE LIKES A BURP in the US), SCAREDY BATH, BATTLE MUM, HAPPY FARTER’S DAY, and BEST PRESENT EVER.
When she's not updating her goodreads bio she's writing her new novel, out Oct 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 5, 2014
I love 90% of this book...until it just ended. So abrupt, so many questions left unanswered. I felt like the author was sick of it, so just stopped.
January 22, 2011
Zoë Foster is sort of Australia’s real-life Carrie Bradshaw. She was Cosmopolitan magazine’s Beauty & Lifestyle editor, before becoming Beauty Director of Harper’s BAZAAR magazine. Now she writes a monthly personal column for Cosmopolitan magazine.
‘Playing the Field’ is all about footballer WAG’s (wives and girlfriends), something Ms. Foster actually knows a fair bit about. For a few years she dated NRL (national rugby league) player, Chris Wing. They featured sporadically in the Sydney society pages and had an on again/off again relationship. They also had a few bumpy patches, most notably Chris’s rumored infidelity with model/waste-of-space Lara Bingle.
So you know that Ms. Foster is writing from life. It lends a fair bit of credibility to her story… and a touch of cringe. Especially when some bitchy WAGs closely resemble the real-life Ms. Bingle…
You do feel sorry for Jean. She admits early on to having ‘daddy issues’ since her father abandoned her family to run-off with her mother’s ditzy hairdresser cousin. Plus there’s the fact that Jean is living with her older sister, Collette, who is nursing her own heartbreak after discovering her fiancée was cheating on her with an ex. There aren’t a lot of stable relationship role models in Jean’s life, and even fewer trustworthy men. And you do wonder why she is setting herself up for heartache with footy legend, Josh Fox. Especially when she does an Internet search on him that points to promiscuity and a ‘ladies man’ reputation.
Add the fact that when she first meets him (and he hits on her) he is actually in a relationship with one Tess Clifton. Ms. Clifton is a blonde-bombshell, aspiring TV talk-show-host and the daughter to one co-owner of Josh’s rugby team.
Warning bells should be exploding for Jean when, after their second date, Josh and a few teammates get caught on CCTV being kicked out of a brothel. He claims innocence, and Jean basks in the glow of his affection because he’s so relieved to have a laidback, understanding girlfriend.
Jean’s life is further warped by the WAG dictate. She bemoans having to dress to the nines for all occasions – footy games, airport runs, luncheons – all requiring full make-up, heels and the latest over-sized tote bag. Then there’s the jealousy – football groupies openly ogle Josh and hotter, younger women drape themselves over his body when taking the obligatory fan camera-phone-pose. Even worse, Josh (and his teammates) take it all as a given. They’re treated like Gods – women want them, grown men want to be them and kids idolize them. Jean has to suffer through countless, hair-raising WAG stories about standing next to their footy paramours when groupies offer them blowjobs, handjobs and toilet-stall romps.
Jean becomes increasingly frazzled by other Glamazon WAGs and a feeling that she is competing against them. She pretends to be ‘okay’ when groupies flirt and Josh laps it up – all in the name of being his understanding, ‘low-maintenance’ girlfriend. But it’s eating her up. She’s turning into someone she doesn’t like very much.
On a very basic level, Jean hates that she now dresses to impress men – Josh, and his teammates. She hates that she feels self-worth when one of Josh’s friends comments on her good looks, as though she is earning her keep and having a legitimate reason for being on Josh’s arm…
Zoë Foster has such a great, distinct voice in Jean. At the beginning she’s an innocent bystander, taking in ridiculous WAG shenanigans and offering up witty commentary;
From their incy-wincy bums and lusty-busty cleavage, it seemed impossible that some of them had actually grown small humans inside. Maybe they knew the doctor who delivered Victoria Beckham’s babies. Via her ear.
Ms. Foster has a very dry, sarcastic humor. And it’s all whittled down by precise metaphors and analogies, like this gem of a sentence, describing one of the few friendly WAGs;
A rose between the thorns; a suntan amongst the sprays.
Jean’s humor is especially sharp when describing Tess Clifton, Josh’s crazy ex-
She was one nuclear accident off being a super villain.
Foster really utilizes voice to communicate her characters transition to ‘the dark side’. In the beginning Jean is very realistic about the vapid world of WAGs, and she offers up scathing commentary to prove it. But as the book progresses and Jean becomes more and more caught up in the lifestyle, her voice becomes noticeably more asinine. At one point she muses on the difference between ‘Whatever WAGs’, UltraWAGs’ and ‘High-school Sweetheart’s’ - I was rolling my eyes and pursing my lips at the gossipy rubbish sprouting from Jean's once witty voice.
Halfway through this book I was all ready to give it 5-stars. Because I thought I knew where it was going… Jean was losing herself to highlights and mini-skirts, while Josh continued to act like a privileged sports star… I was really looking forward to reading some empowering feminism sprout forth from Jean’s glossed lips, and I could just hear the opening lines of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Respect’… R-E-S-P-E-C-T….
But then it all goes horribly wrong. The ending is a rush-job – Foster throws a curve ball that sends the plot into a tailspin I never saw coming. And despite feeding Jean’s (and readers) distrust of Josh, he comes out inexplicably smelling like roses… and then the ending comes too close to resembling Ms. Foster’s own life… it just all goes so, so wrong. And it’s a shame, because until the last 2 chapters I was all set to proclaim what a 5-star winner this book was. But the ending completely fizzles. The whole book feels like it’s leading to one giant empowering finale for Jean, in which she realizes how toxic, angst-ridden and just plain ‘high school’ the whole footy/WAG world is. But Foster completely misses her chance – thereby making the entire book irrelevant because the ending is so conventional, unbelievable and downright clumsy.
Read this book to get a reality-check about the peroxide world of WAGs. It will shock, disgust and intrigue you – even more so since you know that Zoë Foster is writing from life. But prepare to be bitterly disappointed by a ‘WTF?’ ending that overshadows a great premise and wonderful writing.
2/5
‘Playing the Field’ is all about footballer WAG’s (wives and girlfriends), something Ms. Foster actually knows a fair bit about. For a few years she dated NRL (national rugby league) player, Chris Wing. They featured sporadically in the Sydney society pages and had an on again/off again relationship. They also had a few bumpy patches, most notably Chris’s rumored infidelity with model/waste-of-space Lara Bingle.
So you know that Ms. Foster is writing from life. It lends a fair bit of credibility to her story… and a touch of cringe. Especially when some bitchy WAGs closely resemble the real-life Ms. Bingle…
You do feel sorry for Jean. She admits early on to having ‘daddy issues’ since her father abandoned her family to run-off with her mother’s ditzy hairdresser cousin. Plus there’s the fact that Jean is living with her older sister, Collette, who is nursing her own heartbreak after discovering her fiancée was cheating on her with an ex. There aren’t a lot of stable relationship role models in Jean’s life, and even fewer trustworthy men. And you do wonder why she is setting herself up for heartache with footy legend, Josh Fox. Especially when she does an Internet search on him that points to promiscuity and a ‘ladies man’ reputation.
Add the fact that when she first meets him (and he hits on her) he is actually in a relationship with one Tess Clifton. Ms. Clifton is a blonde-bombshell, aspiring TV talk-show-host and the daughter to one co-owner of Josh’s rugby team.
Warning bells should be exploding for Jean when, after their second date, Josh and a few teammates get caught on CCTV being kicked out of a brothel. He claims innocence, and Jean basks in the glow of his affection because he’s so relieved to have a laidback, understanding girlfriend.
Jean’s life is further warped by the WAG dictate. She bemoans having to dress to the nines for all occasions – footy games, airport runs, luncheons – all requiring full make-up, heels and the latest over-sized tote bag. Then there’s the jealousy – football groupies openly ogle Josh and hotter, younger women drape themselves over his body when taking the obligatory fan camera-phone-pose. Even worse, Josh (and his teammates) take it all as a given. They’re treated like Gods – women want them, grown men want to be them and kids idolize them. Jean has to suffer through countless, hair-raising WAG stories about standing next to their footy paramours when groupies offer them blowjobs, handjobs and toilet-stall romps.
Jean becomes increasingly frazzled by other Glamazon WAGs and a feeling that she is competing against them. She pretends to be ‘okay’ when groupies flirt and Josh laps it up – all in the name of being his understanding, ‘low-maintenance’ girlfriend. But it’s eating her up. She’s turning into someone she doesn’t like very much.
On a very basic level, Jean hates that she now dresses to impress men – Josh, and his teammates. She hates that she feels self-worth when one of Josh’s friends comments on her good looks, as though she is earning her keep and having a legitimate reason for being on Josh’s arm…
Zoë Foster has such a great, distinct voice in Jean. At the beginning she’s an innocent bystander, taking in ridiculous WAG shenanigans and offering up witty commentary;
From their incy-wincy bums and lusty-busty cleavage, it seemed impossible that some of them had actually grown small humans inside. Maybe they knew the doctor who delivered Victoria Beckham’s babies. Via her ear.
Ms. Foster has a very dry, sarcastic humor. And it’s all whittled down by precise metaphors and analogies, like this gem of a sentence, describing one of the few friendly WAGs;
A rose between the thorns; a suntan amongst the sprays.
Jean’s humor is especially sharp when describing Tess Clifton, Josh’s crazy ex-
She was one nuclear accident off being a super villain.
Foster really utilizes voice to communicate her characters transition to ‘the dark side’. In the beginning Jean is very realistic about the vapid world of WAGs, and she offers up scathing commentary to prove it. But as the book progresses and Jean becomes more and more caught up in the lifestyle, her voice becomes noticeably more asinine. At one point she muses on the difference between ‘Whatever WAGs’, UltraWAGs’ and ‘High-school Sweetheart’s’ - I was rolling my eyes and pursing my lips at the gossipy rubbish sprouting from Jean's once witty voice.
Halfway through this book I was all ready to give it 5-stars. Because I thought I knew where it was going… Jean was losing herself to highlights and mini-skirts, while Josh continued to act like a privileged sports star… I was really looking forward to reading some empowering feminism sprout forth from Jean’s glossed lips, and I could just hear the opening lines of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Respect’… R-E-S-P-E-C-T….
But then it all goes horribly wrong. The ending is a rush-job – Foster throws a curve ball that sends the plot into a tailspin I never saw coming. And despite feeding Jean’s (and readers) distrust of Josh, he comes out inexplicably smelling like roses… and then the ending comes too close to resembling Ms. Foster’s own life… it just all goes so, so wrong. And it’s a shame, because until the last 2 chapters I was all set to proclaim what a 5-star winner this book was. But the ending completely fizzles. The whole book feels like it’s leading to one giant empowering finale for Jean, in which she realizes how toxic, angst-ridden and just plain ‘high school’ the whole footy/WAG world is. But Foster completely misses her chance – thereby making the entire book irrelevant because the ending is so conventional, unbelievable and downright clumsy.
Read this book to get a reality-check about the peroxide world of WAGs. It will shock, disgust and intrigue you – even more so since you know that Zoë Foster is writing from life. But prepare to be bitterly disappointed by a ‘WTF?’ ending that overshadows a great premise and wonderful writing.
2/5
June 25, 2010
I want to like Zoe Foster's writing but it just really, really annoys me. All the cutesy similes and hyperboles that are meant to be clever are just irritating.
September 2, 2016
No feminist should read this novel.
Read
January 14, 2023this was a really quick and easy read and i enjoyed it!!! but the ending was just kinda disappointing and i felt like it definitely needed an epilogue or something
December 28, 2022
super slow, dull with a shite ending
January 17, 2022
I picked this up as light summer read but I had to check when this was published (2010) as I was shocked at the sexist, homophobic and enablist language throughout.
Plot was thin and did not really develop, the storyline ended abruptly.
Plot was thin and did not really develop, the storyline ended abruptly.
December 30, 2020
It started off promising but quickly lost steam. There was something I definitely struggled with that made it difficult to like the ‘love interest’.
May 24, 2020
Really enjoyed this book! I wish there was a second book! The ending really left me on the edge of my seat and still don’t know what to think of the ending! Overall enjoyed the book and will definitely read again!
July 29, 2018
Read half the book and then got soooo bored with jeans love interest and just the overall story line! What a waste!
September 30, 2023
i cried because if the emotional turmoil this put me through. i’m not over this. it has taken me over 48hrs to gather any thoughts and feelings but it ended me. i am so in love with the characters, they aren’t annoying and bad!!!! it isn’t boring and doesn’t move slow, but not too fast either. i’m just shocked.
i’ve also already reread this.
i’ve also already reread this.
November 20, 2016
After watching some of The Wrong Girl I decided to try out some of Zoe Foster's work. I refused to read The Wrong Girl - I just knew I wasn't going to like it.
So I gave Playing the Field a go instead - and I really didn't mind it.
I mostly enjoyed the writing style, even though at times it was littered with cliches and the occasional text abbreviations. The plot was pretty basic as well: girl meets boy, boy is superstar football player, bitchiness, drama, happy ending. But I still enjoyed it as a fluff read. The characters were also a highlight. While Jean may not have been everyone's cup of tea, I liked her. However, her sister: Colette, was by far my favourite with her snide remarks and pure sarcasm. And it I was to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't mind my own Josh. So well done Foster!
In conclusion, there were feels, but nothing overpowering. It was all very enjoyable. I probably won't reach for another Foster book any time soon - but I would definitely read this one again just for the perfect banter.
So I gave Playing the Field a go instead - and I really didn't mind it.
I mostly enjoyed the writing style, even though at times it was littered with cliches and the occasional text abbreviations. The plot was pretty basic as well: girl meets boy, boy is superstar football player, bitchiness, drama, happy ending. But I still enjoyed it as a fluff read. The characters were also a highlight. While Jean may not have been everyone's cup of tea, I liked her. However, her sister: Colette, was by far my favourite with her snide remarks and pure sarcasm. And it I was to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't mind my own Josh. So well done Foster!
In conclusion, there were feels, but nothing overpowering. It was all very enjoyable. I probably won't reach for another Foster book any time soon - but I would definitely read this one again just for the perfect banter.
February 12, 2017
Starts out kind of frustrating, with stereotypes all over the place, but when you continue to read you figure out that the stereotypes was just setting the scene.
Jean has met a footballer (NRL...RUGBY actually), and knowing about as much about 'football' as a rubber duck, she begins to work her way into the Wives and Girlfriends (WAG) scene. Initially she is intimidated but then finds people who are kind to her. Unfortunately her boyfriend has a crazy ex-girlfriend who will do anything to get him back, will she succeed?
This book gets kind of relatable at times and the characters aren't perfect, which I liked. It deals with friendship; sisters; relationships; infidelity and how not to judge a book by its cover. A good fluffy read!
Jean has met a footballer (NRL...RUGBY actually), and knowing about as much about 'football' as a rubber duck, she begins to work her way into the Wives and Girlfriends (WAG) scene. Initially she is intimidated but then finds people who are kind to her. Unfortunately her boyfriend has a crazy ex-girlfriend who will do anything to get him back, will she succeed?
This book gets kind of relatable at times and the characters aren't perfect, which I liked. It deals with friendship; sisters; relationships; infidelity and how not to judge a book by its cover. A good fluffy read!
September 20, 2012
I liked the writing but there were a couple of things that bugged me. Firstly, I hated with a passion that the characters kept saying things were 'retarded' - I am not uber PC but that was off. There are better words, no excuses.
Also, the book was okay, but the world of WAGs and football just did my head in. I'm not sure why I kept reading to be honest, the subject matter was painful! Again, I liked the writing, but those things really detracted for me.
Also, the book was okay, but the world of WAGs and football just did my head in. I'm not sure why I kept reading to be honest, the subject matter was painful! Again, I liked the writing, but those things really detracted for me.
October 28, 2010
No real substance - sorry! - and the cutesy writing really annoyed me. Thought I was missing the last few chapters, so abrupt was the ending... I still love you though Zoe!!
January 20, 2013
Being honest I only read this book because she's going out with Hamish. It was good though.
March 13, 2014
Last line of the book does not make for a HEA.
September 12, 2018
The books actually wasn't too bad. But then the ending! Oh, the ending... it was freaking terrible! Like, what the actual hell just happened. I got to the last page and thought, 'No, this can't be right. Surely, my pretty paperback is missing a few pages?' But, nope, there were no pages missing. So then, I went to check online to see if there was possibly a second book... yeah, no, *shaking head* there is no second book.
The ending IS the ending.
Oh, I'm really not happy *shaking head in disgust and annoyance*
I knew I should have checked the reviews before buying the book! But, even if I had of, I'm sure I still would have bought it because it's written by one of those Aussie chicks that's popular because she married someone famous.
Argh! Anyway, I can't waste anymore time on this.
Two stars: the book actually wasn't too bad (3.5-4 stars), but then it ended... terrible ending.
The ending IS the ending.
Oh, I'm really not happy *shaking head in disgust and annoyance*
I knew I should have checked the reviews before buying the book! But, even if I had of, I'm sure I still would have bought it because it's written by one of those Aussie chicks that's popular because she married someone famous.
Argh! Anyway, I can't waste anymore time on this.
Two stars: the book actually wasn't too bad (3.5-4 stars), but then it ended... terrible ending.
August 10, 2021
I’m a huge fan of Zoe Foster Blake for many reasons and I will always follow her work, fictional and otherwise. Unfortunately this book just didn’t deliver it for me. It was very repetitive, and I found all the characters frustrating. I would have liked more dialog. Although, having said all of this I think that’s the point of the whole story. To recount (as it would seem) a life of being the girlfriend of a sports star and all the terms that come with it. The make up, fake fans, hair styles, expensive clothes, relationship competition, lies, truths and shallowness. There is also a nod to a character in another of Zoe’s books which was pretty cool.
August 8, 2017
sahhh gooooood!!! such a good book!
love reading about WAGs and what it's like to date a footballer and become immersed totally in the football world
so glad Josh was able to get out of the Bulls (the team which TESS had a connection to) heck he got out of AUSTRALIA ummm amazing too bad that'll never happen when i date faz b/c he's AFL 4 lyf (maybe if i date tim because one day he'll switch codes to play for manchester united)
anyway so glad josh and jean basically got back together in the end idk did they? depends what jean's answer is but it's gotta be yes.
love reading about WAGs and what it's like to date a footballer and become immersed totally in the football world
so glad Josh was able to get out of the Bulls (the team which TESS had a connection to) heck he got out of AUSTRALIA ummm amazing too bad that'll never happen when i date faz b/c he's AFL 4 lyf (maybe if i date tim because one day he'll switch codes to play for manchester united)
anyway so glad josh and jean basically got back together in the end idk did they? depends what jean's answer is but it's gotta be yes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2024
I was so excited for this book. It started out really great, and then it went kind of downhill. The story never really went anywhere, I did really really like Jean, however her sister was a straight up beeyotch to her. I did really like how they met and the lead up to everything, but then it fizzled out.
Also, I think the other thing that turned me off was the text that were sent in the book, I can tell you now no grown adult texts like that and it turned me off so much.
Also, I think the other thing that turned me off was the text that were sent in the book, I can tell you now no grown adult texts like that and it turned me off so much.
April 28, 2018
Wasn’t expecting anything of this and it achieved expectations- something cheap to pass the time while I waited for a car service. I can’t explain how disappointed I was that the characters were so shallow in their values, that somehow it is ok for peoples lives to be wrapped up in such vapid concerns as hair colour and dress, sex and drinking. I wasn’t expecting much, and it was just awful.
April 10, 2022
A light read that loses significant points for the amount of times characters called situations or each other ‘retarded’. I agree with the comments saying the cutesy writing style was hard to read at times. Finished it but wouldn’t recommend it and have no desire to read anything else she’s written.
August 2, 2022
I liked some of the characters, and the humour. I hated how everyone kind of sucks. The book was fine, but it just perfectly fit the boring romcom blueprint of fake problem fake reconciliation x3. Lots of named characters with seemingly no arc or reason for them being there, I could barely keep track of all of them. Wouldn't re-read, but glad I read once.
May 8, 2018
An easy to read chick lit with a bit of a twist at the end. Not as interesting as her others, but not bad either.
As the main character gets pulled further into the world of WAGs, not enough of her is described to really connect and picture her.
As the main character gets pulled further into the world of WAGs, not enough of her is described to really connect and picture her.
September 13, 2019
The main character judges women for having fake tans or being a size 14, and yet she thinks that these other women are bitches? Jean is so shallow and judgemental; she's a weak character and doesn't really grow.
And the ending just feels like a bit of a joke.
And the ending just feels like a bit of a joke.
March 30, 2024
Got what I was looking for, an easy, mindless read. Heavy on the mindless. Who edited this rubbish? I can move past cliches. I can't get past errors. "Payed"! "Uncomfortableness"! And occasionally Josh became Joel. Utterly forgettable.
dnf
August 6, 2017DNF at 24%
August 29, 2017
I loved this book so much! It did take me a while to read it though which is why I'm giving it 4 stars, but it was funny, charming and lovely!
July 15, 2018
Just keep coming back and reading it again and again! Love it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews