I found this novel very refreshing. Despite the fact that it has characteristics of New Adult novels (ex. at least one protagonist has a tragic past which results in their inability to trust and love others) it also puts its own spin on the genre. The whole premise of the game was very Shakespearian (in theory) which I love; especially when you add in the supporting characters.

I also love the fact that Maddie and Braden don’t have an “insta-love” connection (a major turn-off for my reading) and I appreciate that this is talked about in the book as well. It made it very realistic and believable. Another plus is that you actually watch them fall in love with each other and you can see why they do. I find that some novels fail to provide the backbone to a relationship and just focus on the “physical connection” between two characters.

Maddie is great at telling Braden to calm the “caveman” act down. I think a lot of New Adult novels promote the idea that a man who claims you as “his” at every turn is sexy when it is not always the case (this isn’t to say that they present an abusive relationship in anyway–because they don’t–I just think it can border on an unhealthy relationship in the real world and I fear it will give girls the wrong impression). And this isn’t to say that Braden is always caveman like that, he does have really cute moments throughout and is genuinely a nice guy.

My only negatives about are more pet-peeves of mine. Sometimes when Maddie talked it was a little too metaphor-y for me. Given the fact that she is 18 it just was a little “too deep” for me at times (especially the whole comparison to various board games at one point in the last few chapters) but I guess I see how she might be a little wiser beyond her years considering her backstory. Still, she’s only 18!

But to end on a bright note: the story of Maddie and Braden concludes within this book. So yay for not dragging on a story! From what I can see the second book is about two different characters we meet in this book and there are enough hints throughout that I am excited to see what happens next!

(More series reviews on my blog: http://seriesousbookreviews.wordpress.com/) ( )

When the game begins I couldn't pick a side but I knew they both were gonna get hurt and I also knew it would be only one of them that got stung first. There were so many scenarios I had in my mind on how it was gonna go down and I was secretly hoping they would get drunk and hitched in Vegas before the game got out but no such luck. At the end I couldn't figure out why maddie was fighting it so much but I guess Braydon wasn't saying the right words. Hot steamy make out scenes and even hotter sex scenes. Great ending. The epilogue sets us up for the next book "playing for keeps" due out June 28th.

Quotes:

"Braden Carter has got more charm than the Irish leprechauns-"

"Maddie Stevens, biting me? Yes. Fucking. Please."

"Did he play with the bait while he went fishing?"

"I'm focusing on the way Maddie's lips are around that pen. I'm jealous of that pen. Really fuckin' jealous."

"I've been so busy play the game. I didn't notice when the game played me."
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