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Meet Riley. She’s a fifteen-year-old introverted gamer that’s been given a once in a lifetime chance to win fifty thousand dollars at Area 55 Con! Winning could change her and her mom’s life forever.
Riley’s life seems to be as simple and dull as any other gamers but that quickly changes when a new virtual love interest catches her eye, and a close friend betrays her. Secrets spill at Area 55 Con and the close friend has been closer to Riley than she ever imagined.
Riley also finds out a special attendee will be competing too. This may not be good for hopeless romantic Riley Jones. Does she flake the competition for a chance at love?
Riley’s life seems to be as simple and dull as any other gamers but that quickly changes when a new virtual love interest catches her eye, and a close friend betrays her. Secrets spill at Area 55 Con and the close friend has been closer to Riley than she ever imagined.
Riley also finds out a special attendee will be competing too. This may not be good for hopeless romantic Riley Jones. Does she flake the competition for a chance at love?
160 pages, Paperback
Published August 15, 2023
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 12, 2023
First of all, this cover is what grabbed me and it.is.so.good. It put me right there in the room with Riley gaming.
Second of all, representation matters and this book hit girls in stem, girls in gaming and lgbtqia+ and I was here for it.
As far as the story, this is more Novella than novel and at times felt a bit rushed. The story becomes a bit repetitive towards the middle and it breaks up the flow some. However, I loved Riley’s story and goals and honestly wish we “met” more side characters like her coworker.
The writing fit well with the story being told and flowed well, except when there were typos. I hope those get caught in the final edit.
Overall, I would read more from this author as I feel they have more to say.
Content warning: profanity
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Second of all, representation matters and this book hit girls in stem, girls in gaming and lgbtqia+ and I was here for it.
As far as the story, this is more Novella than novel and at times felt a bit rushed. The story becomes a bit repetitive towards the middle and it breaks up the flow some. However, I loved Riley’s story and goals and honestly wish we “met” more side characters like her coworker.
The writing fit well with the story being told and flowed well, except when there were typos. I hope those get caught in the final edit.
Overall, I would read more from this author as I feel they have more to say.
Content warning: profanity
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2023
This was a quick and fun read and I really enjoyed the main characters inner dialogue and thought process. One thing I will say is that some of it was confusing and kind of felt like I was reading a different character’s thoughts instead of the MC which threw me off. Another thing that was a little confusing was the huge switch up with her friends about halfway through the book, while I did enjoy it it caught me really off guard and really just felt out of character and sketchy with the story.
What I did enjoy was the lesbian representation and the black gamer girl representation it was well done and pretty fun.
What I did enjoy was the lesbian representation and the black gamer girl representation it was well done and pretty fun.
February 23, 2025
What a delightful book! I appreciated the engaging narrative and found the storyline very easy to follow. I particularly enjoyed the gaming aspects, as I am a gamer myself—though not as avid as Riley.
I enjoyed the development of friendships, the elements of betrayal, the gaming elements, the twist, and all the highs and lows within the story. It was a quick and easy read, and I definitely recommend it.
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥 - Kiss only (Young Adult book)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the development of friendships, the elements of betrayal, the gaming elements, the twist, and all the highs and lows within the story. It was a quick and easy read, and I definitely recommend it.
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥 - Kiss only (Young Adult book)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
August 2, 2023
Ebook thanks to BookSirens.
Even though I'm part of BookSirens I kind of forget about it a lot thanks to my mild long TBR list but I still get emails and this jumped out at me.
Riley is a 15 year old gamer taking part in a massive competition but distractions arise when she starts having issues with her best friend and then develops a crush on a new player.
This was cute but it was only a novella, 100-something pages, so there were character development issues. Everything was a little bit rushed. Things were mentioned and abandoned because there wasn't the page space to dedicate to it. I would have much preferred it to have been longer and more detailed. There were a couple of editing and spelling issues as well.
Even though I'm part of BookSirens I kind of forget about it a lot thanks to my mild long TBR list but I still get emails and this jumped out at me.
Riley is a 15 year old gamer taking part in a massive competition but distractions arise when she starts having issues with her best friend and then develops a crush on a new player.
This was cute but it was only a novella, 100-something pages, so there were character development issues. Everything was a little bit rushed. Things were mentioned and abandoned because there wasn't the page space to dedicate to it. I would have much preferred it to have been longer and more detailed. There were a couple of editing and spelling issues as well.
June 16, 2025
I received this advanced reader copy for free through Book Sirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved Riley right away! She’s a sweet and loveable character with depth and a whole lot of personality! And the amount of representation in this novella was great, too. Nothing was forced which is important. I do wish some of the side characters like Juju, Carter, and even Riley’s mums, were more fleshed out as parts of their stories felt really rushed.
As someone who is diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I felt struck in the worst way by the line, “She has OCD about the way the pantry is organized, so I don’t even bother.” If you’re referencing a debilitating mental illness, please use a sensitivity reader. You don’t have OCD about things… you either have OCD, or you don’t. none of that “we’re all a little OCD” or “I like things organised so i’m OCD”.
Overall an easy to read young adult LGBTQ+ novella with a great MC and a fun plot. I believe it could have been longer to allow for less of a rushed ending. And the mental health “representation” could have been better.
I loved Riley right away! She’s a sweet and loveable character with depth and a whole lot of personality! And the amount of representation in this novella was great, too. Nothing was forced which is important. I do wish some of the side characters like Juju, Carter, and even Riley’s mums, were more fleshed out as parts of their stories felt really rushed.
As someone who is diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I felt struck in the worst way by the line, “She has OCD about the way the pantry is organized, so I don’t even bother.” If you’re referencing a debilitating mental illness, please use a sensitivity reader. You don’t have OCD about things… you either have OCD, or you don’t. none of that “we’re all a little OCD” or “I like things organised so i’m OCD”.
Overall an easy to read young adult LGBTQ+ novella with a great MC and a fun plot. I believe it could have been longer to allow for less of a rushed ending. And the mental health “representation” could have been better.
December 24, 2024
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
A short quick read that would be a good companion at the beach or maybe a flight. I enjoyed the story but for me the book was too short to develop motivations or characters and I look forward to this author writing a dull length novel as I feel this format would enable the author to showcase her talents to their beat advantage.
Recommended for anyone looking for a short sweet FF read
A short quick read that would be a good companion at the beach or maybe a flight. I enjoyed the story but for me the book was too short to develop motivations or characters and I look forward to this author writing a dull length novel as I feel this format would enable the author to showcase her talents to their beat advantage.
Recommended for anyone looking for a short sweet FF read
September 7, 2023
This book is kind of in between a 4 and a 5 for me mostly because it mostly accurately expresses the feeling of being 15. Your emotions are everywhere, drama between friend, dating, and jealousy. I could relate to some of the MC’s feelings but reading the book was hard to read at times and I would find myself re-reading the same line 2-3 times. Overall I did like the book and would probably recommend it to my niece when she gets older. I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2023
After finishing (and loving) In Real Life, I wanted another professional esports book. But how many of those are there? Turns out I had another on my Kindle already!
The man who wrote In Real Life knew what he was talking about -- his son was an esports professional. Unfortunately I don't believe Williams ever played even a most casual video game. Nothing at all about the gaming part of the story was believable, but most of the story was about a preteen girl's social life, so there's that, I guess? Just a big disappointment all the way around, sadly.
DNF
The man who wrote In Real Life knew what he was talking about -- his son was an esports professional. Unfortunately I don't believe Williams ever played even a most casual video game. Nothing at all about the gaming part of the story was believable, but most of the story was about a preteen girl's social life, so there's that, I guess? Just a big disappointment all the way around, sadly.
DNF
August 10, 2023
OMG!!!! I’ve never written a book review but man oh man this was great from beginning to end. It had me laughing and fangirling rooting for love. Just amazing, i wish i could give more stars😍😍 this book was everything she promoted it as and more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 23, 2023
The book was surprising, it isn't in the genre that I normally read, but I could kind of relate to the main character as I am also an aquarius and don't really do confrontations. There was some real world truths shown in the book that are worth taking note of for everyone out there.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 1, 2023
I absolutely love this book! This is the type of book I wish I had growing up. When my daughter gets a little older, I definitely will be adding this to our list of books to read. I can't wait to read more of M.L. Williams works!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 19, 2023
A light easy read for fans of gaming with a bit of romance thrown in.
Riley is a 15yr old gamer who takes part in a huge competition to win 50 thousand dollars.
Loved the cover picture.
Needs a bit more editing as a few mistakes throughout.
Thanks to Book Sirens for my ARC
Riley is a 15yr old gamer who takes part in a huge competition to win 50 thousand dollars.
Loved the cover picture.
Needs a bit more editing as a few mistakes throughout.
Thanks to Book Sirens for my ARC
August 23, 2023
Thanks BookSirens for this ARC - normally LGBTQ+ YA novels are my bag, but this felt like an unbelievable story built around Fortnite fanfic. I didn't feel connected to the characters at all, and I thought that despite one twist, this was too predictable to be exciting.
August 21, 2023
Great young teen story . I wasn’t expecting much if I’m honest but it’s a brilliant read. Good characters , descriptions and story. I read an arc and my review is my words voluntary
March 25, 2025
So I knew going into this book that it was going to be a quick, fun, and pleasantly cute read ... And that was definitely delivered!
I loved Riley's voice from the start and I loved her sense of humour. I especially loved that she acted exactly like any normal 15-year-old would. There was no making her act like an adult or anything like that and I appreciated that. I'm getting so used to seeing teenagers in YA novels sort of "aged up" to be older than they are and I really dislike that. I also loved how open about her sexuality Riley is from the START.
All in all, I'm glad I picked this up. I finished it in one sitting, so it's definitely a quick, fun read. I loved the entire thing. Sad that it was so short, though, and I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending because it felt really abrupt, but still! Definitely a good book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved Riley's voice from the start and I loved her sense of humour. I especially loved that she acted exactly like any normal 15-year-old would. There was no making her act like an adult or anything like that and I appreciated that. I'm getting so used to seeing teenagers in YA novels sort of "aged up" to be older than they are and I really dislike that. I also loved how open about her sexuality Riley is from the START.
All in all, I'm glad I picked this up. I finished it in one sitting, so it's definitely a quick, fun read. I loved the entire thing. Sad that it was so short, though, and I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending because it felt really abrupt, but still! Definitely a good book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews