Forbidden Game

The System #2

by Madison Fox

She's off-limits, but he doesn't care...

Sydney Lake can’t decide if she wants to strangle or kiss Parker Covington.

Considering she works for the famous video game streamer, both options seem like a seriously bad choice.

Until she is forced to share a hotel room with him.

And one bed is not big enough to resist the his pull.

Sydney knows this flirty billionaire's game, and she’ll be fine so long as she doesn’t kiss him...again. She knows what it is like to lose someone you love, and the last thing she wants is to suffer that pain a second time.

But Parker doesn’t like to lose, and he will do anything to win—even if it means playing dirty.


**


FORBIDDEN GAME is the second standalone romance in The System series, which follows three rich and famous video game streamers as they fall in love. Happily ever after is guaranteed & no cheating. You can read this book without reading the others in the series.


TROPES: forced proximity, forbidden romance, billionaire hero, workplace romance, grumpy x sunshine, only one bed, "I'll take care of you."

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance, Workplace Romance, Workplace, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2024

About the author

Madison Fox was born and raised in Australia but has been living in the United States for the past decade. While she still watches Australian football every Sunday, she currently lives in Nevada as a cat mum to Zelda (yes, based on the video game).

When Madison isn’t reading or writing a new book, she can be found drowning in one of her other obsessions, such as k-dramas, manga, anime, video games, and espresso martinis.

GOOD GAME is her debut romance novel.

Reviews

[Noa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sydney Lake is the biggest distraction known to man."

Parker Covington.
British Billionaire and one of the top streamers in the world.
And he knows it.
He has everything he could ever want.
Well, except for one thing.
Sydney Lake.
His Publicist.
The one woman who is off-limits.
The one woman who seems immune to his charms.
And the one woman he could never get his mind off of…

"My professionalism is my armor, and I need to keep it on at all times, otherwise I'll be vulnerable to his attacks."

Sydney Lake.
Publicist for The System.
Every second there is another fire that needs to be put out.
No one said working for 3 of the biggest gamers would be easy.
But Sydney Lake has been doing this for 5 years and she can handle them.
She can even handle Parker Covington.
Even if she doesn't know whether she wants to burn him or melt for him.
But he is off limits.
The lines cannot blur.
But Parker doesn't lose. And he will do everything and anything to win.

"Sydney might like to think she is an iron castle, that she doesn't let anyone see what's past the gates unless she wants them to, but she forgets that I own the kingdom."

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Brick by brick. I'll break down those walls.

"The System" series is slowly becoming one of my all-time favorites and it isn't even over! Madison Fox brings us back into the gamer world with "Forbidden Game." This time with Parker and Sydney. OMFG I ABSOLUTELY ADORE the Golden Retriever x Black Cat trope. So underrated but so elite. And Parker Covington would definitely agree 😏😏😏

"Mmm, cherries. Just like I expected."

We have our black cat - Sydney Lake - publicist for "The System" (3 of the top streamers in the game). I love a gamer romance! The whole world and the correlation to their relationships - FERAL PEOPLE ABSOLUTELY FERAL. Sydney is in charge of the three streamers - including one Parker Covington (yes rich british BLONDE boy). And Parker is a gentleman but he can get dirty don't worry.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I might just eat you for breakfast."

Anyways the obsession is real, it is here, and it definitely in the room with Parker and Sydney and we love to see it.
I eat it up from the first chapter.
In this book we have a golden retriever blond rich British boy who also happens to be a gamer and his black cat obsession. But will they keep things strictly professional? And what happens when the lines begin to blur? (P.S. love writing this trailer-esque review because I could literally imagine this being played out and it was so much fun!!)

"I know that there is a piece of her that craves me just as much as I crave her.

Madison Fox blessed us with another elite playlist so these are the songs that I added that fit the british gamer boy black cat forbidden romance vibes ✨✨

(Link - https://spotify.link/49iAbYJLxJb )

🎶 "London Boy" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "Sue Me" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "GOSSIP" - Maneskin, Tom Morello
🎶 "Godzilla" - Eminem, Juice WRLD
🎶 "Drinking With Cupid" - VOILA
🎶 "La Di Da" - Victorian Halls
🎶 "MONEY" - LISA
🎶 "Candy" - Doja Cat
🎶 "7 Rings" - Our Last Night, Derek DiScanio
🎶 "Speed Drive" - Charli XCX
🎶 "Espresso" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "Feeling Good" - Muse
🎶 "Colors" - Halsey
🎶 "FUNKED UP" - xxanteria, isq
🎶 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎶 "Break My Heart" - Dua Lipa
🎶 "Too Sweet" - Ryan Mitchell
🎶 "Stick Around" - ENYYOU
🎶 "butterflies" - GAYLE
🎶 "Her Eyes (Remix)" - Fame on Fire
🎶 "WET DREAM" - SNOW WIFE
🎶 "On My Mind - Remix" - Ellie Goulding, Jax Jones
🎶 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
🎶 "Legends Never Die" - Halocene
🎶 "Playground - Remix" - Baby Tate, Bea Miller, Arcane
🎶 "MACHINE" - Neoni
🎶 "Classic" - MKTO
🎶 "I Want It" - Two Feet
🎶 "Movement" - Hozier
🎶 "Champagne & Sunshine (Slowed + Reverb)" - PLVTINUM
🎶 "Cherry Wine - Live" - Hozier
🎶 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Consume" - Chase Atlantic, GOON DES GARCONS
🎶 "Desperado" - Rihanna
🎶 "Taste" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "Friday" - Riton, Nightcrawlers, Mufasa & Hypeman, Dopamine
🎶 "Fire Up The Night" - New Medicine
🎶 "Paralyzer" - Finger Eleven
🎶 "Cherry" - FLETCHER, Hayley Kiyoko
🎶 "Into You" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "One More Night" - Maroon 5
🎶 "Eve" - Precious Pepala
🎶 "One Kiss" - Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa
🎶 "How You Get The Girl (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "Snow On The Beach" - Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey
🎶 "Dazed & Confused" - Ruel
🎶 "Small Doses" - Bebe Rexha
🎶 "Mind Over Matter" - Young the Giant
🎶 "Sinners" - Ari Abdul, Thomas LaRosa
🎶 "salvation" - Christabelle Marbun
🎶 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎶 "I Think He Knows" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "If Walls Could Talk" - 5 Seconds of Summer
🎶 "telepatia" - Kali Uchis
🎶 "Control" - Zoe Wees
🎶 "Hell Won't Take Me" - NEFFEX
🎶 "Level Up" - Slushii
🎶 "Eat Your Young" - Hozier
🎶 "Soaked - Sped Up" - Shy Smith
🎶 "NFWMB" - Hozier
🎶 "Never Say Never" - The Fray
🎶 "You Found Me" - The Fray
🎶 "All I Need" - Within Temptation
🎶 "I Want You To Want Me" - Chase Holfelder
🎶 "She Looks So Perfect" - 5 Seconds of Summer
🎶 "Coffee In The Morning" - Jeremy Jordan
🎶 "greedy" - Tate McRae
🎶 "don't worry babe" - Ex Habit
🎶 "Monsters in My Mind" - Cloudy June
🎶 "Fake Happy" - Paramore
🎶 "Haunted" - Laura Les
🎶 "No Time To Die" - Billie Eilish
🎶 "Drag Me Down" - Loveless
🎶 "All Eyes On You" - Smash Into Pieces
🎶 "Beg" - Aryia
🎶 "That's My Girl" - Russ
🎶 "Wonderland" - Natalia Kills
🎶 "Halloweenie IV: Innards" - Ashnikko
🎶 "Shatter Me" - Lindsey Stirling, Lzzy Hale
🎶 "Shadow" - Livingston
🎶 "Warrior" - Livingston
🎶 "Hold On" - Chord Overstreet
🎶 "Half Life" - Livingston
🎶 "Train Wreck" - James Arthur
🎶 "Until I Found You" - Stephen Sanchez, Em Beihold
🎶 "Always Been You" - Shawn Mendes
🎶 "Flawless" - The Neighbourhood
🎶 "Imagine - Remix" - Ben Platt, Tiesto
🎶 "To The Moon" - Meghan Trainor
🎶 "Perfect" - One Direction

And don't forget what I said about Parker… 😏😏😏

"Does my greedy girl want more?"

"That's it. That's my girl. Take all you want."

"Now sit on my face and ride me. I want to drown in your taste. Fucking suffocate me."

🎮 Tropes 🎮

💙 British Billionaire
💙 Forbidden Romance
💙 Workplace Romance
💙 Golden Retriever x Black Cat
💙 Masked Video Gamer MMC
💙 Slow Burn 🔥🔥

Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C64GKXDrY...

[zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

ughhhhh why do i have to wait 🥲🥲
the world needs more gamer/streamer romances PLEASE i’m begging 🙏🙏🙏

——————-

4☆

i actually NEED the next book now 🙂‍↕️

i said this for the first book and i’ll say it again because it still stands and was honestly just solidified for me in this book: parker, aleks, and jackson really give logan, colin, and finn from gilmore girls (but better).

i really love all the dynamics in this series, the found family is so comforting. and i ADORE that neither of the books in this series had a third-act breakup (thank you madison fox).

the only thing i felt this book was missing was a tiny bit more drama (this is crazy coming from me but the potential was there and i think it kinda just fell flat at some points). some things could have totally become more dramatic and i think i would’ve been more invested but tbh i was invested regardless

parker’s speedruns literally had me at the edge of my seat like i was ROOTING for this man. i fear that i will once again go through a stage where i forget that they are in fact not real streamers that i can go watch 😭😭😭

anyways read this series 🎀

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta Read

Heck yes! This was so much fun! Ya'll are going to squeal over Parker and Sydney!!

[The Love Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Forbidden Game is the second book in the author's debut series surrounding a group of masked video gamers that go by "The System". In the first book, the guys revealed their identities, so we go into this book with the world now knowing who Parker is behind his gamer name. Masked or not, that has not stopped Parker from crushing on their PR agent, Sydney.

Parker and Sydney have spent several years pretending to not be attracted to each other. Well they'll be spending more time together since Parker's gaming career currently has him under the review of his family's board of directors. With his inheritance at risk, Parker has to step it up and show he's the best in what he does. Of course, it doesn't take long for Sydney and Parker to break through the wall of "we shouldn't date", and they finally take a chance on love outside of the private eye.

I wanted to enjoy this more than I did, given that I really liked both these characters in the first book, Good Game. However, something about the writing in this one felt rushed and underdeveloped. The chemistry between Parker and Sydney was meh, and I truly didn't understand what they really had in common outside of physical attraction from when they first met. The best parts happened towards the end for me, but the beginning and middle dragged because there just wasn't much substance to work with here. I think the first book worked better for me because the author understood her characters a bit more. Her heroine was essentially a carbon copy of the author herself, which I thought was fine. However, it felt like the author was trying to figure out what to do with two new characters that would have to stand apart as a couple on their own, and I'm not sure if the execution was there.

Overall, I'll definitely continue on with the series because I'd like to see what the conflict will be for the third gamer, but this definitely wasn't a favorite read of mine.

[casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! BLACK CAT X GOLDEN RETRIEVER SUPREMACY!! this series has been such a nice surprise to read, and i just adore this book & parkersydney so much <3

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sydney has worked as publicist for all 3 video game streamers that make up The System for five years. One of those streamers is Parker Covington. Parker and his 2 friends (that are featured in the series) were faceless video steamers for years and wore matching LED masks to hide their identities. Sydney and Parker have been pulled towards one another since they first met and in this book we get to see them give in!

“… But I don’t want to wait anymore. I’m tired of ignoring this thing between us, of playing this forbidden game.”

I really love this group of characters, the bro friendship we get with the 3 heroes in the series is so fun. This has a lot of forced proximity since Sydney is such a big part of their everyday life and runs their schedules. She lives in the same building as them and travels with Parker a lot in this book, we even get some only one bed time. He’s a billionaire from a super wealthy English family and we see him try and navigate his family’s business ideas as well as his gaming career in this story. I did like seeing him spoil Sydney and take care of her a ton! This one was a fun, low angst time. I loved the couple of the first book more and their story, but this was still a solid addition to this series!

I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.

[kase · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first one was okay this one was also. But I think the first had more that kept me on edge and this one was a bit boring.

Way too on the nose for gamer/online/tiktok cliche trends which made it cringey for me. And I’m sorry but I’m not getting golden retriever cute billionaire energy from Parker as much as it was trying to be forced. He bought her a pair of designer heels and flew in a chef to cook when she was sick… I’m not swooning. Poor billionaire has to become a multimillionaire to do what he loves ):

Fell a little flat but wasn’t horrible. I’ll probably still read the third book if I remember in 6 months.

[A. V · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ohh really excited for this one! There is just something about Madison Fox writing that is getting me excited for all her future books! 🫶

UPDATE!!:

Unfortunately this is not even near the first book. There is just no chemistry between them,they feel like brother and sister more than anything else…I struggled with this one because it was just meh 🫤…to bad because because I really wanted to like it.

[anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was super fun and such an easy read and i really enjoyed the first half but once they got together it got kinda boring so the second half of the book dragged on i think 😭😭

[Trine Moeldrup · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Lauren | Laurens.littlelibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think words will ever describe how I feel about this book or about these two characters. I first fell in love with these two and book one. I love how strong willed and determined/hard-working. Sydney is and knowing how well she pairs with Parker and his suave cocky attitude is just edible.

I was not expecting to cry to this book and yet my eyes were wet on multiple occasions. The love and adoration that Parker has for Sydney is unmatched, from the sweet nose kisses to calling her love any chance he gets to the “simple” acts of flying a chef out to make her soup when she’s sick. OK maybe not that simple but he goes out of his way to make sure her needs are met and all I can do is read with awe. There were so many raw emotions between these two. There were so many many uncontrollables and yet both of them were each each other’s anchors

Sydney is a force to be reckoned with. I was not anticipating her backstory, which just shattered me to bits. The abandoned highway scene truly had me bawling. I absolutely cannot wait to see what this new contract has in store for her and the system.

Thank you so much Madison for the Earc. This book was truly a work of art and Stevie would be proud.

[ceci · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25⭐

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole, I think I enjoyed this book way more than the first in the series. I felt like the plot was more interesting, there was a better focus on character development and storytelling, and there were way less out-of-pocket steamy scenes (that had me cringing in the first book, in particular). However, this book did feel a little flat to me. Overall I just wanted more stakes and more ties to Sydney’s backstory - I oftentimes felt like there wasn’t anything really urgent or needed by either of the characters. Even the threat of Sydney losing her job over her breach of contract was solved in literally a paragraph.

Anyway.

Maybe I just don’t like billionaire romances and that’s what this boils down to? Otherwise, 3.5 stars.

[Lisa Grønsund · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad for saying this, but honestly? I was just very bored through (mostly) the whole thing. The fact that it took me a week to get through it, is kind of indicative of that. There were a few cute/funny scenes, but after reading The Good Game, I was expecting something more that this book, sadly, didn't quite live up to.


Full Review to come soon.

[dreamingofbookss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4,5 stars ⭐️

Tropes:
forbidden 🚫 
workplace 🎮
billionaire 💵
boy obsessed 💙
one bed 🛏️

Thank you so much Madison for accepting me in your ARC team!🫶🏻

I LOVED this book and the found family trope so much!!! 💙

Parker Covington is a British billionaire, heir to the Covington Hotels imperium and online known as EnglishCoffee. He and his friends called ‘The System’ are one of the most successful video game streamers of this generation but couldn’t do it without their publicist Sydney Lake. Parker wanted to be more then her client from the moment they met but she always wanted to keep their relationship strictly professional, especially after that one kiss years ago…

When Parker gets notice from the board that wants to disinherit him, he strikes a deal with his grandfather to win a Championship…

Thanks once again to Madison Fox for providing me with this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a minute, and then I couldn’t put it down.

Surprisingly it was a rocky start. The writing, the dialogue it all sent alarm bells that I wasn’t going to love or even like this book as much as I expected too after EnglishCoffees appearances in Good Game.

That however only lasted thirty pages or so, the rest especially from the quartet-midway point was brilliant and delightfully humours. Even sparked some teary emotions at the end there.

Not as spicy as I expected, but Forbidden Game’s MMC might be the only Golden Retriever I ever fall for. This series is also the pinnacle for multiple amazing FMC’s…. Can I join their Crime Nights.

[amari · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Neris G · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
I mean….
As cringy as the first but not as fun. Leaned towards boring which I hate to say because Parker is so sweet

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

I was super, super pumped for this once I had read the snippet from the previous book. Forbidden, friends-to-lovers romances are top-tier. But this was just okay for me.

I think what I missed with this one was more of a build-up, more of a push-and-pull, will-they-won’t-they. I was expecting these things to happen with this book based on the relationship featured, but it turned out to be mostly mutual pining, turned lusting after one another. We didn’t get too many romantic scenes with Sydney and Parker, so I was not fully invested. Plus, the gaming world was such a huge focal point in this particular story - compared to the last one - which really was not my thing.

I still liked this story - especially because no real third-act breakup occurred - but there were just components missing for me.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Just Love Sydney. She is a mixture of Sabrina Carpenter and Fiona Renes character Reenie in the Show Tracker. 😍🩵🍒

[Sarah | asunshinebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!!

Getting an ARC of this book was probably the highlight of my May and quite possibly of my year. I have been counting down the days to this book's release from the second I finished "Good Game" earlier this year, and I was so excited to get a sneak peek. The second I heard that Sydney and Parker were the next couple I was so psyched!! Parker is just the definition of golden retriever and I was looking forward to him using that energy and charisma to break through Sydney's walls and steal her heart like he had mine.

And man did he (and Ms. Madison Fox) deliver. From the opening pages, watching him talk about how he had liked her for years and was just patiently biding his time. EEK! Can you say man-obsessed? The spice was SUPERB and very on-brand for both of the characters. I felt like I needed a little fan while reading cause it was getting HOTTTT. I loved all the little tropes woven in throughout this story and I felt like they all just fit so well with each of the characters. Watching Sydney learn slowly how not to work so hard and to slow down and really enjoy life, hit me a little harder than I anticipated. Sydney and Parker balance each other out so well in my opinion and I feel like Madison does the most superb job of giving us believable, fleshed-out characters that you just cannot help but to root for and love, all along the way.

I flew through the first book and the same can be said about the second. I adore The System and the world in which they were created and I cannot wait to continue on with it. I LOVED all the Stevie and Aleks cameos and I can't wait to get the Sydney and Parker ones in the next book. It's time for my main man Jackson to get his love story I just know its going to be FIREEE!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

- British billionaire MMC
- Publicist FMC
- He falls first
- Black cat x golden retriever

I literally loved Parker and Sydney SO much. Their banter and the way they take care of each other is everything. I love a boy obsessed and Parker was OBSESSED with Sydney. And like, I can see why because I was also obsessed with her. She knew how to keep the three guys from The System in line, and she was so witty and funny. Their banter was great. The side characters were great. I loved everything about this book.

Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review 🩵

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

FORBIDDEN GAME continues THE SYSTEM series and while I didn't like it as much as the first book it was still really good. I enjoyed Parker and Sydney's relationship development but I think I found the overall plot surrounding Parker's inheritance to be a bit boring; that said this was still a super engaging read with great spice and fun characters. The beginning felt a little slow to get into the meat of the story but I think the second half was quite a bit better than the first so that really hooked me.

Parker was flirty, had the confidence of 10 men, spent money left and right, but most of all he worshipped the ground Sydney walked on (even when she didn't realize he was). With an easy going attitude and a jokesters' personality Parker was a lot of fun to read about and I liked how he balanced out Sydney's more serious nature. While he spent most of the book comfortable and upbeat I did like the moments of vulnerability we saw and that made him feel more well rounded. Sydney was also a great character who was devoted to her job (sometimes to her detriment), independent with a go-getter, fix-it personality and a secret sweet side hiding under her sky high walls.

The romance was fairly low-angst with a friends-to-lovers vibe even though Sydney was Parker's publicist. Sprinkled through with romantic moments and some dirty talking spice I would say this relationship was a little softer and sweeter than Aleks and Stevie in book 1, but equally enjoyable.

Just like the previous book the side characters played a big role as the guys of The System spent a lot of time together. I loved their brotherly banter and teasing and the way they supported each other and got serious when they needed to. We also saw a lot more of Lee and Deer, both female gamers, and it was nice to see some great female friendships and not have the focus be completely on the guys.

Content Warning: past death of a sibling with brief flashback; anxiety and panic attacks

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love this series so much — it has a little bit of everything: spice, banter, enjoyable characters and just a ton of fun!

This book picks up after Book 1 — we sort of get to see the ramification of The System deciding to take their masks off and reveal their real identities. The main one to see this impact is Parker because he is the heir to his families Hotels. This leads him to making a deal with his grandfather related to his gaming career that could lead him to NOT being disinherited.

On top of this, we find out that years ago Parker and Sydney shared a passionate moment before she started working for The System as their PR lead. They have been able to keep things professional but recently they have been thinking of each other more and they are struggling to fight their attraction to each other 😏

The burn may be a slow to ignite but trust me the tension is amazing and when they finally give in it is worth the wait!

Parker and Sydney are just so great — they TRULY care for each other and you can feel it throughout the entire story. Parker did everything he could so Sydney was taken care of, for years… even when she didn’t even notice it. The way this man was there for her when she needed his caretaking when she needed it most 🥹

𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
- found family
- forbidden romance
- one bed
- boy obsessed
- billionaire
- caretaking


Huge thank you to Madison for the ARC of Forbidden Game! 💙

[Bárbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The solid 3 is because despite other things, I really enjoy this universe and knew Parker would be my favorite System Boy.
But at the moment I still see the issues with glossed over major plot points, or scenes that would have been important to read but didn't - in the end, this romance focused more on Parker maturing as a person (and Sydney helping in it) than on how this was supposedly a 'forbidden relationship'. It's a nice story - just has a different premise.

The key point for the story's kick-start is that Sydney has been stopping herself for 5 years from pursuing a relationship, only for this to be solved in half a page of text in the last chapter, where we find out that this whole time, she could have been internally hired by the boys instead of by their external managing firm (thus being able to pursue their relationship).
We also learn of her protective dad, who has already lost a child, but never witness him meeting Parker, or realising 'his last baby' is now in a relationship - with a boy that by the time she wakes up, he already approves of.
Nonetheless, her accident showing Parker that she is more important than his career and his inheritance, was the classical romantic shock-value moment I did want from the book, and I enjoyed it. It was just the scenes we get to read post-accident that were a little amiss (like not witnessing Parker making the decision of not attending the competition).

But I am still enjoying this universe, everyone is properly horny as they should, and will finish it and keep up with the author's growth as a writer.

[Yasmine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes!
Pace of this book is perfect. They won’t just instantly fall in love they take their time.
The fact he fell in love with her essentially five years ago, and just fought his way to be in her heart.
Their push and pull! Amazing!
Why did the author have to throw in her getting into a car accident before his biggest competition? But we finally get a piece of her that we don’t get explained throughout the book as to why she has these dark inner thoughts and why she doesn’t drink.
He practically misses the entire competition (which he only goes because she forces him to) except for the final day and he technically doesn’t win, but he does beat the record.
I love how he went around his grandfather/the board and gave his sister the head position of the family.

Again I love that we get like a gamer dictionary at the beginning for people who don’t know all things related to gaming or only know a few things.

[Gabby (bookishandballgowns) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The addicting quality has yet to wear off. I mean this with so much respect because I’m having the time of my life, but these are hilariously corny. These goofy guys have me giggling like a school girl and burying myself in blankets with each terrible joke.

Parker in particular is a complete cheese ball, so the dialogue was extra cringey this time around, but I’m completely hooked. I beg you to read it, purely so we can compare notes. I can’t stop binging them!!!

This book felt especially exciting because of the very intentional placement of all the extra characters. It felt very realistic, and had me fully believing in this world Madison has created. I have my suspicions that some of these were sneaky cameos from future characters, and that we’ll see them again. I cannot wait to see how their own story develops.

Overall, I’m having a great time reading these. They’re a good way to get out of my head after a long week of work.

[Kay Doss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modest 3.5

Not as good as the first. The chemistry was meh and the romance was alittle lackluster especially in comparison to Aleks and Stevie. Smut definitely didn’t hit as hard which was alittle upsetting. The gaming world took way more of a front seat in this story which I get but wasn’t really the biggest fan of. We didn’t get alot of romance scenes from the couple either so kinda made it more of a background story line even though this is a romance book. I’m still gonna read the next one

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad I carried on with this series as I enjoyed this book so much more than the second one. There was more tension and I liked the characters a lot more. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t incredible but it was a nice fun and easy read making it enjoyable.

I liked the plot line of the forbidden work romance and felt that the tension was well written. I liked how there was issues with Parker and his family (his grandfather) and how it was all sorted perfectly. I really liked how his grandfather was the one to show Parker that he just needed a little push and that he should be proud of himself. It was really cute.

[LuvKayKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If I could take over the world, I’d hand it over to you. Because you rule every breath I take, every thought I think.”

This book was so good. This is my favorite out of the trilogy so far. Sydney and Parker are perfect for eachother oh my god. I felt for them so much and the fact Parker cares for her by making sure the food she receives has no meat. The man he is taking care of her when she was sick. Love him so much. With this book I had so many teary eyed moments this book was just amazing. I need more gaming romances as a gamer myself. I can’t wait to start book 3.