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The Flirting #1
The Flirting Games
Could she out-play the player? Chess champ she may be, but a nervous nerd? No way.
When heart-breaker Nate targets her cousin as his next conquest, Ellie is determined to foil his schemes. Getting Nate to switch his attention to her seemed like a good plan, but she didn't count on having to protect her own heart too.
Midnight meetings, fighting or kissing, it's all part of the fun of flirting. Ellie soon discovers that boys are more complicated than classes, and you have to play the game well or you might just get played!
Fun and flirty young adult romantic comedy set in a British boarding school. Book one of eight.
When heart-breaker Nate targets her cousin as his next conquest, Ellie is determined to foil his schemes. Getting Nate to switch his attention to her seemed like a good plan, but she didn't count on having to protect her own heart too.
Midnight meetings, fighting or kissing, it's all part of the fun of flirting. Ellie soon discovers that boys are more complicated than classes, and you have to play the game well or you might just get played!
Fun and flirty young adult romantic comedy set in a British boarding school. Book one of eight.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
March 20, 2015
Downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk
This was an okay YA contemporary romance story, but there did seem to be a lot of characters in it considering that it was so short.
There was a bit of flirting in this, but it was mainly Ellie and Nate playing games with each other. One would pretend they weren’t interested, then the other would try to find a way for them to spend more time together etc.
Things did seem to work out in the end though, and this ended fairly happily.
6 out of 10
This was an okay YA contemporary romance story, but there did seem to be a lot of characters in it considering that it was so short.
There was a bit of flirting in this, but it was mainly Ellie and Nate playing games with each other. One would pretend they weren’t interested, then the other would try to find a way for them to spend more time together etc.
Things did seem to work out in the end though, and this ended fairly happily.
6 out of 10
March 19, 2015
Honestly this book was better than I expected. And yes, I know I only rated it two stars. But there were things I liked about it. The writing was actually rather enjoyable. At times I liked the characters, when we got glimpses of who they really are.
The main things I didn't like about this was the fact that it completely focussed on flirting and the two main characters were rather irritating trying to be players. I didn't understand why Nate was the way he was or why he throught he was so fantastic. Ellie was even more of a pain for me because she knew what he was like and continued her games. And they were just way too young. She was fourteen at the beginning!
I think with some more character developement and more time on other relationships besides those flirting, this book would be much improved.
The main things I didn't like about this was the fact that it completely focussed on flirting and the two main characters were rather irritating trying to be players. I didn't understand why Nate was the way he was or why he throught he was so fantastic. Ellie was even more of a pain for me because she knew what he was like and continued her games. And they were just way too young. She was fourteen at the beginning!
I think with some more character developement and more time on other relationships besides those flirting, this book would be much improved.
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March 19, 2020Celebrating romance week. Detailed review to be published soon.
April 8, 2015
For two brief nights I was 16 all over again!
Even though this cool little book is about school years and teenagers, I loved every bit of it. The writing was effortless, which is why I literally swallowed it! Made me feel like I was 16 all over again. I think I even finally figured out why that boy in high school dumped me fifteen years ago. Lol! Seriously, light and fun read. :)
Even though this cool little book is about school years and teenagers, I loved every bit of it. The writing was effortless, which is why I literally swallowed it! Made me feel like I was 16 all over again. I think I even finally figured out why that boy in high school dumped me fifteen years ago. Lol! Seriously, light and fun read. :)
March 20, 2015
Actual rating - 2.5
The amount of characters mentioned in this was confusing, as there was far to many in such a short book. I can't say I really liked any of them either.
This wasn't an awful read, but I didn't love it. I just couldn't get interested in what was going on.
Overall, Okay short story.
The amount of characters mentioned in this was confusing, as there was far to many in such a short book. I can't say I really liked any of them either.
This wasn't an awful read, but I didn't love it. I just couldn't get interested in what was going on.
Overall, Okay short story.
June 8, 2013
Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
*ACTUALLY 3.5 STARS*
Flirting Games was just your average YA contemporary, but shrunk down to novella size. I found myself wishing that it had been longer, because I was really enjoying the sweet/not-sweet love that was forming between Nate and Ellie. My only problem with this book was that it was just a tad too short-- that, and there were some random grammar mistakes. But I'm not very worried about them, because seriously, grammar isn't one of my strong points. ;)
Nathaniel was a jerk at first, and I didn't like the way that he played with girl's emotions, but as the story went on I began to appreciate the complete 180 that he was doing over Ellie. I love it when guys like that fall in love-- it's always ridiculously intense! Their love came a little too fast, but I'm willing to overlook that because of the novella status of THE FLIRTING GAMES.
I liked Ellie. She cares for her friends, and I enjoyed the ridiculous lengths that she was willing to go through to stop Nathaniel from playing her friend Rose. I loved that she was willing to stand up for herself when she needed to, and that she wasn't so easily impressed by Nate. I liked their banter, especially the P&P references!
I also liked the interconnected love stories that hint at the next books-- they were sweet. My only problem with that is that I wanted to just focus on the main couple.
All in all, THE FLIRTING GAMES was a very sweet, cute read. I really enjoyed it. (:
December 28, 2019
> Short love story with a 15 y/o girl and 16 y/o boy
> Boy is a player, girl wants to distract him from chasing a friend, and then it goes.. the predictable way, I guess.
> I wasn't really okay with the way Nate talked about girls / women - like at all. Disrespectful, making it seem "normal" that flirting and tempting a girl / woman then dumping them. I just couldn't.
> No character depth, although the author did try but it was lacking, in my opinion.
> The random POV's of other characters weren't always necessary to the story.
All in all an okay read, but that's it.
> Boy is a player, girl wants to distract him from chasing a friend, and then it goes.. the predictable way, I guess.
> I wasn't really okay with the way Nate talked about girls / women - like at all. Disrespectful, making it seem "normal" that flirting and tempting a girl / woman then dumping them. I just couldn't.
> No character depth, although the author did try but it was lacking, in my opinion.
> The random POV's of other characters weren't always necessary to the story.
All in all an okay read, but that's it.
October 28, 2017
I mainly read this book for a bit of lightheartedness and because it was short. All in all, it was okay but the side characters were a bit unnecessary, I didn't grow attached to them at all. It felt as if they were just added in to give the story some substance. Like, Sophie and Jack? You could totally cut them out.
It was probably a bit young for me but even so, it was quite fast paced. Also a wee bit unnatural but that's my opinion.
It was probably a bit young for me but even so, it was quite fast paced. Also a wee bit unnatural but that's my opinion.
September 17, 2015
Does not pass the Bechdel test.
Amazon freebie—I don't have a Kindle but just discovered the Kindle cloud reader, which I'm probably going to regret. In any case, this particular piece was full of characters who talk and think about literally nothing other than the opposite sex. Almost no characterisation, and anytime there's even a hint of a non-relationship plot point, the characters run screaming into the arms of a love triangle. (Or square. Or nonagon.)
But...it's short. And it has a lively cover. And boarding school. And I have no self-control with books. So there's that.
Amazon freebie—I don't have a Kindle but just discovered the Kindle cloud reader, which I'm probably going to regret. In any case, this particular piece was full of characters who talk and think about literally nothing other than the opposite sex. Almost no characterisation, and anytime there's even a hint of a non-relationship plot point, the characters run screaming into the arms of a love triangle. (Or square. Or nonagon.)
But...it's short. And it has a lively cover. And boarding school. And I have no self-control with books. So there's that.
August 4, 2016
This was a cute read, though I would liked it to be longer. I didn't like the cursing (especially the religious ones), and all the innuendos. The main character almost seemed too old for her age, but then also immature in other areas - very confusing. There were also a lot of secondary characters mentioned, which was a little confusing at first. All in all, this was a good read for Kindle freebie and I'm glad I read it.
did-not-finish-or-not-for-me
January 16, 2014I'm not going to finish this one. I made it about 1/3 of the way through and find the characters likable but it has a feel that the 2 characters who barely know each other are going to sleep together and that that would be perfectly normal and acceptable even though the main character is only 14 or 15. If that's the way it's headed this is not for me. Lots of innuendo and crude comments, etc.
August 21, 2015
This was a really cute book!! cliche at times, but really adorable <3 I especially loved how it resembled so many of the wattpad stories i read, which makes it a great read in my eyes. Can't wait to start the second book!!
September 24, 2014
Cute little novella. I don't like it when teenagers talk about and have sex. Other then that I liked the short story
March 2, 2015
Delightfully cute.
February 16, 2016
A clichéd teen romance.
More like 2 stars but since I shamelessly enjoyed it anyway, it gets 3.
More like 2 stars but since I shamelessly enjoyed it anyway, it gets 3.
October 27, 2016
Quite a relatable story
I'm not quite sure what to say about this book
But it was a good read
A bit of spice , romance , sexy and fun
I'm not quite sure what to say about this book
But it was a good read
A bit of spice , romance , sexy and fun
December 18, 2015
Let’s travel to a British boarding school, where the live-in students are learning their lessons in maths and language, but also lessons of life. Stella Wilkinson pens a solidly ‘teen’ read, with voices and attitudes most appropriate for the 13 – 18 year olds that are the focus of this story.
Eleanor, or Ellie is the self-appointed friend protector, wanting to keep her friends safe from the hurts that are so easily handed out like candy floss at the carnival by boys like Nate. And Nate appears to have Rose in his sights, until Ellie steps in.
Ellie is the friend you want to have: smart, determined and utterly unimpressed by the lines and approaches of the heartthrob boys. She cares about her friends, has a sharp tongue and sharper wit, and is not afraid to speak her mind.
Nathan is the “it man” on campus, with a bad reputation and a seeming enjoyment of playing the girls along. He really is an insensitive jerk, until he comes face to face with Ellie, the ONE girl not impressed by his carefully cultivated demeanor and attitude.
And here is where things get fun: Nate and Ellie have a love-hate relationship that doesn’t change Ellie that much, but shows Nate there is a different way to behave, and he does so. He and Ellie are soon attached, with no loss of their banter, and things are changing dramatically.
With lovely secondary characters all setting up for their own school-time romances, this is a quick, light and fun read that is honest and refreshing, sure to appeal to readers of high school age.
I purchased a copy of this title for my own personal library. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Eleanor, or Ellie is the self-appointed friend protector, wanting to keep her friends safe from the hurts that are so easily handed out like candy floss at the carnival by boys like Nate. And Nate appears to have Rose in his sights, until Ellie steps in.
Ellie is the friend you want to have: smart, determined and utterly unimpressed by the lines and approaches of the heartthrob boys. She cares about her friends, has a sharp tongue and sharper wit, and is not afraid to speak her mind.
Nathan is the “it man” on campus, with a bad reputation and a seeming enjoyment of playing the girls along. He really is an insensitive jerk, until he comes face to face with Ellie, the ONE girl not impressed by his carefully cultivated demeanor and attitude.
And here is where things get fun: Nate and Ellie have a love-hate relationship that doesn’t change Ellie that much, but shows Nate there is a different way to behave, and he does so. He and Ellie are soon attached, with no loss of their banter, and things are changing dramatically.
With lovely secondary characters all setting up for their own school-time romances, this is a quick, light and fun read that is honest and refreshing, sure to appeal to readers of high school age.
I purchased a copy of this title for my own personal library. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
December 24, 2014
Yang ini bacaan yang jauh lebih ringan lagi buat ngejar setoran wkwk....
I found this book in Google Play and I didn't expect much from this book. Apa yang bisa saya harapkan, sih, dari sebuah buku gratisan? Meski sebenarnya tidak buruk-buruk amat, tetapi terlihat sekali bahwa ini ditulis dengan kurang baik, seperti narasi yang tersendat-sendat. It reminded me A LOT of my writing style when I was in elementary school. Not that I have improved anyway, but you got the point
I found this book in Google Play and I didn't expect much from this book. Apa yang bisa saya harapkan, sih, dari sebuah buku gratisan? Meski sebenarnya tidak buruk-buruk amat, tetapi terlihat sekali bahwa ini ditulis dengan kurang baik, seperti narasi yang tersendat-sendat. It reminded me A LOT of my writing style when I was in elementary school. Not that I have improved anyway, but you got the point
January 21, 2016
Flirting and banter go hand in hand, and I liked the banter.
Likening the dating game to moves on a chess board, genius.
I found this as a free ebook on Google Books. I wasn't expecting much, but I actually enjoyed this book. I didn't think this had to be situated at a boarding school, first year college/uni living in a dorm would also work, maybe even better. 14-16 year olds already going to pubs?
Likening the dating game to moves on a chess board, genius.
I found this as a free ebook on Google Books. I wasn't expecting much, but I actually enjoyed this book. I didn't think this had to be situated at a boarding school, first year college/uni living in a dorm would also work, maybe even better. 14-16 year olds already going to pubs?
July 1, 2013
The pace moves quickly and the book is over too soon. Moved straight onto book 2 and cant wait for book 3! Ellie is a good character and Nate is at first a doosh and then changes for her. I liked all the back stories that continue in book 2 as well. I love Flora and Sophie, I hope it works out for them both in the end. I suspect it will :)
October 1, 2014
The flirting series was a book about teenage flirting and expectations. This book was an easy read and I believe that students in highschool will enjoy reading this book. My favorite character was Ellie, with her wild child connotations and her sassy characteristics.
December 4, 2014
After I read the reviews of this book I was a little skeptical about reading, but it turns out it wasn't that bad... She's no Gayle Forman or anything but if you are looking for a fun fast and quick read this might be for you!
April 28, 2015
Read this book in under two hours on my Kindle. I got it for free and it succeeded in being a super light, not at all realistic read. The characters went from hate to love in just a few pages, and the writing didn't impress. Overall 1.5/5 stars; I won't be reading the rest of the series.
August 15, 2015
I could not finish this book.
January 3, 2021
This book was a very quick read: a novella at a little over 24,000 words. As you might expect from the title, it’s a romance story. It is clearly aimed at a YA audience, and set in a traditional British boarding school. It’s the first of a series, each of which explore the lives and loves of different characters at the school.
After a brief introduction from an American character, presumably to help make the book a bit more approachable for a US reader, this first book concentrates on Eleanor (Ellie) Parkhurst and her back-and-forth relationship with the school Casanova, Nate Naverly. It all starts when Ellie decides to stop Nate from winning then dumping her naïve cousin Rose. We then get to watch as their attraction grows, under cover of a flirting battle to see which one can “play” the other.
The book has the regular romance story structure - they meet, they initially dislike each other but realise that there is something stronger, even though neither wants to admit it. Just when they are both ready to admit their attraction, something goes wrong and it seems as if they will never be able to be happy. Of course, it’s a romance story, so we all know what will happen in the end!
There were, however, a few odd things about this book. The first was the “head hopping”. At different times in the book we read from the viewpoint of Ellie, Nate, Ellie's room mate Flora, Rose, Ellie’s cousin Jack and even a completely different girl, Sophie. I would have preferred the story if it had stuck to just Ellie, or at least Ellie and Nate. Adding in all these other characters might make sense as a lead-in to the rest of the series, but I found it distracting to read. The other problem I found was with the ending. The story didn’t seem to have a proper ending at all. We just about find that Ellie and Nate do love each other, after all, but we never get any chance to enjoy it before we are off again in someone else’s head watching the start of their story. Even just a few hundred words more showing a bit of Ellie and Nate’s “Happy Ever After” would have felt a lot more satisfying.
After a brief introduction from an American character, presumably to help make the book a bit more approachable for a US reader, this first book concentrates on Eleanor (Ellie) Parkhurst and her back-and-forth relationship with the school Casanova, Nate Naverly. It all starts when Ellie decides to stop Nate from winning then dumping her naïve cousin Rose. We then get to watch as their attraction grows, under cover of a flirting battle to see which one can “play” the other.
The book has the regular romance story structure - they meet, they initially dislike each other but realise that there is something stronger, even though neither wants to admit it. Just when they are both ready to admit their attraction, something goes wrong and it seems as if they will never be able to be happy. Of course, it’s a romance story, so we all know what will happen in the end!
There were, however, a few odd things about this book. The first was the “head hopping”. At different times in the book we read from the viewpoint of Ellie, Nate, Ellie's room mate Flora, Rose, Ellie’s cousin Jack and even a completely different girl, Sophie. I would have preferred the story if it had stuck to just Ellie, or at least Ellie and Nate. Adding in all these other characters might make sense as a lead-in to the rest of the series, but I found it distracting to read. The other problem I found was with the ending. The story didn’t seem to have a proper ending at all. We just about find that Ellie and Nate do love each other, after all, but we never get any chance to enjoy it before we are off again in someone else’s head watching the start of their story. Even just a few hundred words more showing a bit of Ellie and Nate’s “Happy Ever After” would have felt a lot more satisfying.
June 9, 2017
I was surprised at how much I liked this book. To begin with I thought it was going to be dull and nothing like anything I'd normally read.
Ellie and her brother attend Compass Court boarding school along with two cousins and a young American girl called Flora. Being written about a group of fifteen to seventeen year olds at a boarding school put me off initially but as I read further I started to warm to the main characters. Ellie tries to distract the attention of Nate who has his sights set on her cousin Rose. Rose is sweet and innocent and Ellie vows not to let Nate use her like he has so many other girls at the school.
Nate himself is well aware of Ellie's intentions and decides to play her at her own game. However, somewhere in all the moves and counter moves the pair start to have real feelings for each other and a love blossoms between them.
Stella Wilkinson has created a complex and believable set of characters in The Flirting Games and it's easy to empathise with how they're feeling. Throw in a healthy dose of humour and a bit of kissing and you've got a nice little read.
Ellie and her brother attend Compass Court boarding school along with two cousins and a young American girl called Flora. Being written about a group of fifteen to seventeen year olds at a boarding school put me off initially but as I read further I started to warm to the main characters. Ellie tries to distract the attention of Nate who has his sights set on her cousin Rose. Rose is sweet and innocent and Ellie vows not to let Nate use her like he has so many other girls at the school.
Nate himself is well aware of Ellie's intentions and decides to play her at her own game. However, somewhere in all the moves and counter moves the pair start to have real feelings for each other and a love blossoms between them.
Stella Wilkinson has created a complex and believable set of characters in The Flirting Games and it's easy to empathise with how they're feeling. Throw in a healthy dose of humour and a bit of kissing and you've got a nice little read.
February 24, 2020
Maybe my 2 stars is not entirely fair, since I wasn't usually into young adults/teenage romance.
The good: fluffy, lighthearted story of a bunch of teenagers in a boarding school. Somehow it kind of gave me this "Harry Potter"-ish vibe (well, the blame's on me because I haven't read many boarding school themed books). However, it's easy to read, and there are many characters that would left you curious as to what their backstories are. A sweet teenage love story.
The bad: too many characters but not enough focus on the main characters. I mean, maybe 100-150 pages would be enough for the main pairing. I understand that the author intended to provide teaser for next installments but it was just too distracting.
The good: fluffy, lighthearted story of a bunch of teenagers in a boarding school. Somehow it kind of gave me this "Harry Potter"-ish vibe (well, the blame's on me because I haven't read many boarding school themed books). However, it's easy to read, and there are many characters that would left you curious as to what their backstories are. A sweet teenage love story.
The bad: too many characters but not enough focus on the main characters. I mean, maybe 100-150 pages would be enough for the main pairing. I understand that the author intended to provide teaser for next installments but it was just too distracting.
January 25, 2024
I did not realize this was a young adult book. I was expecting it to be a silly book but it was anything but that. It is a quick read.
Ellie is at boarding school with her cousins and brothers. Nate is a player and is interested in her cousin Rose. Ellie does not want her to be taken advantage of so she sets out to make Nate turn his attentions to her.
Ellie did not plan to actually fall for Nate along the way. She wanted to teach the player a lesson by turning the tables but instead she fell for him. Nate thought playing his normal games with Ellie would work but he didn't expect her to play back nor to have feelings for her.
Ellie is at boarding school with her cousins and brothers. Nate is a player and is interested in her cousin Rose. Ellie does not want her to be taken advantage of so she sets out to make Nate turn his attentions to her.
Ellie did not plan to actually fall for Nate along the way. She wanted to teach the player a lesson by turning the tables but instead she fell for him. Nate thought playing his normal games with Ellie would work but he didn't expect her to play back nor to have feelings for her.
February 29, 2024
“The Flirting Game” by Stella Wilkinson pgs. may vary read on iPhone 207 Romance. Young Adults and Up. A cute little story about the art of flirting and protecting family when our main character Ellie Parkhurst and Nate Naverly began a battle of wills of the opposite sex. It all started when Nate wanted to add yet another “notch” to his rakish belt only the girl in question happens to be Ellie’s cousin Rose. Ellie believes in taking care of family and knows Rose is not up to the games which Nate is playing, but Ellie is. As Ellie stated in the story, fliting is like a game of chess. All I can say is “check mate” to Ms. Wilkinson and a great story all ages will enjoy.
June 28, 2020
This feels like it is aiming for the madcap, battle of wits and wills, to-and-fro of a Katharine Hepburn/Cary Grant film, except set at an English boarding school. Unfortunately, the writing is not really up to the challenge. We're constantly told how the characters are feeling, but their emotions never held much weight to me. Much of the rest of the book is in this "tell rather than actually show" vein. Perhaps as the author hones her craft she will capture the sparkle of the story she is trying to tell, but this one doesn't get there, and is merely inoffensive and a bit bland.
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