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The Game #1
The Game-Kirsten Backhard
Kirsten Backhard is a highly respected senior negotiating executive who plays with some of the most powerful men in her field.
She is confident, sexy and hell on heels. She fights with a straight face, doesn’t back down easily and she has no scruples about using her ASSets to get the deal done her way.
Kirsten loves the thrill of toying with the game in a man’s world. She is in control of both her professional and personal life, until one heartbreaking night changes everything and for the first time she starts losing.
Can Kirsten negotiate the game of love as well as she does at work? Can she play a love-em and leave-em game as well as a man does?
Or did she already lose when her heart was dealt to the one man who broke it?
She is confident, sexy and hell on heels. She fights with a straight face, doesn’t back down easily and she has no scruples about using her ASSets to get the deal done her way.
Kirsten loves the thrill of toying with the game in a man’s world. She is in control of both her professional and personal life, until one heartbreaking night changes everything and for the first time she starts losing.
Can Kirsten negotiate the game of love as well as she does at work? Can she play a love-em and leave-em game as well as a man does?
Or did she already lose when her heart was dealt to the one man who broke it?
- GenresRomance
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Shawnte Borris
10 books251 followersAbout the Author
Shawnté Borris has been writing since 2012. It all started when her
youngest started school full time and she went through empty nest
syndrome. This is when her first novella, With Love began. It took 12
weeks to write, edit and publish. It debuted January 5th of the following year and opened #33 of the top 100. Shortly after, it became a top ten sensation of that year. She will always say, writing found her,
she didn't find it.
Currently Shawnté holds many International Bestselling records and
awards over the years. Yet after a signing you'll still find her eating in
pajamas, usually with her beloved best friend and assistant Lacy .
www.facebook.com/shawnteborrisauthor
author.shawnteborris@gmail.com
Shawnté Borris has been writing since 2012. It all started when her
youngest started school full time and she went through empty nest
syndrome. This is when her first novella, With Love began. It took 12
weeks to write, edit and publish. It debuted January 5th of the following year and opened #33 of the top 100. Shortly after, it became a top ten sensation of that year. She will always say, writing found her,
she didn't find it.
Currently Shawnté holds many International Bestselling records and
awards over the years. Yet after a signing you'll still find her eating in
pajamas, usually with her beloved best friend and assistant Lacy .
www.facebook.com/shawnteborrisauthor
author.shawnteborris@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 14, 2013
What can I say!!! I was totally blown away with this book!! Not what I expected!!! I freckin loved this book!!! It is even better than what I expected!!! I laughed, I cried, & I laughed some more!!! I can not wait for book 2!!! I promise u will love this series!!!
October 3, 2013
Shawnt Borris allowed me to beta read this amazing book and im privileged to have been apart of it.
wow !!! I really enjoyed this story if you have ever let fear or past heart break rule your heart then the game will help you realise that there is love out there for everyone. This story is full of humor I found myself a times having a right old giggle and also there were times I felt like kicking some characters in the butt lol.
Also a great life story wouldn't be without kleenex and yes you do need a packet but as soon as you blow your nose your right back up there enjoying the humor with in this great book I've really enjoyed helping beta read for THE GAME !!!!
wow !!! I really enjoyed this story if you have ever let fear or past heart break rule your heart then the game will help you realise that there is love out there for everyone. This story is full of humor I found myself a times having a right old giggle and also there were times I felt like kicking some characters in the butt lol.
Also a great life story wouldn't be without kleenex and yes you do need a packet but as soon as you blow your nose your right back up there enjoying the humor with in this great book I've really enjoyed helping beta read for THE GAME !!!!
October 1, 2013
I really loved this book. I laughed, I cried, and I got a little angry at times. I really enjoyed all of the characters. I loved the close relationships within the story and I think they made the story even better. Liz's brother and his husband constantly made me smile. And let me just say that I adore DREW!!!! :-) Also, I was very sad at one point, but happy with the turnout in the end. Derek is an awesome person and hopefully these last few month of 2013 go by fast so I can read his story!!!! Very exited!
September 28, 2013
I was given a ARC copy of The Game, for my honest opinion. I love The Game, the female lead character Kristen is strong, sexy and very determined woman who recently has been hurt in a relationship. Because of this she decides to live her life not as a woman who men walk over but as take not crap force to be reckoned with, and that's exactly what she is.
This is when the book takes you on a ride that you don't want to get off of.
Along the way we get to experience the world of Kristen with her best friend Liz, everyone needs a friend like Liz.
But everything may not be as Kristen thinks it is. I went through every emotion in this book, laughed because there are parts that are just funny as hell, I cried, was shocked and swooned. The male characters will not disappoint you!
There's a dedication in this book that says this is for the sex goddess who lives inside you!! I love that,
This is when the book takes you on a ride that you don't want to get off of.
Along the way we get to experience the world of Kristen with her best friend Liz, everyone needs a friend like Liz.
But everything may not be as Kristen thinks it is. I went through every emotion in this book, laughed because there are parts that are just funny as hell, I cried, was shocked and swooned. The male characters will not disappoint you!
There's a dedication in this book that says this is for the sex goddess who lives inside you!! I love that,
October 5, 2013
This was a great book! In my opinion Shawnte's writing just keeps getting better. I hope she writes many more books.
October 3, 2013
OMG...... This book is brilliant, i loved every chapter of it.
Kirsten is a no-nonsense shit taker, shes hot,sexy and in control of her life in and out of the bedroom. Her best friend
Liz is a fantastic secondary character and cant wait to hear more of her. Kirsten is a twin Derek being her twin brother
And he's very funny and I'm so glad we get his book next, i hope Shawnte keeps all the characters from this book in her next one, as i feel like i know all these people and want to see whats next in stall for all of them..
If you want a book with which you can fall in love with this is it, you will laugh,cry and be left wanting more..
Kirsten is a no-nonsense shit taker, shes hot,sexy and in control of her life in and out of the bedroom. Her best friend
Liz is a fantastic secondary character and cant wait to hear more of her. Kirsten is a twin Derek being her twin brother
And he's very funny and I'm so glad we get his book next, i hope Shawnte keeps all the characters from this book in her next one, as i feel like i know all these people and want to see whats next in stall for all of them..
If you want a book with which you can fall in love with this is it, you will laugh,cry and be left wanting more..
November 14, 2013
The Game – Kirsten Backhard starts off with Kirsten telling her BFF about her relationship with Drew, one of her brother Derek’s best friends.
I have to be honest, the first couple of pages had me wondering if I was going to continue on with the rest of the book. We have Kirsten telling Liz about the demise of her relationship with Drew and then on to a bar scene. Some of the dialogue had me texting my own best friend saying have we ever talked like this as 30-somethings? Did we even talk like this in our 20’s with each other when we were a bit more crude and obnoxious? Maybe back when we were 17 or 18 we had some friends who would talk like that, but we still wouldn’t have said those things. We are definitely not prudes (if you follow my reviews, you know the kind of books I read) and have been known to have mouths like sailors in our lifetimes. It was a little too much obnoxious crudeness for women that are living in the same decade as I am (30’s).
What do you know though? It pays to keep on going because I ended up loving the book.
Why do I share that? Because it is such a good book, if you opened it and felt as I did, and then did shut the book, you would miss out on an beautiful, sexy, sometimes heart wrenching love story.
I seriously went from I don’t think I am going to be able to finish this to OMG I need the next book.
That is honestly the only thing that really bothered me.
Once I got into the story, got deeper into Kirsten’s fears, reasons for closing herself off, away from her friends who always had to be crude and obnoxious, like they were trying to show off for every guy in the room and into relationships with other characters, I was entranced. I loved the character Drew. I have to say I actually like most of the guy characters in the book over the females, minus one male role, they felt more mature than most of the ladies in The Game. I even liked Kirsten a lot when she was away from most of the ladies, when she didn’t act like she needed to be showing off. There were some very tender moments between her and best friend Liz that I adored. There was one thing I hoped would happen that didn’t. I was hoping that there would be some explanation as to why Liz and Kirsten had the relationship they did. Why if you got one you got the pair. Was there something tragic in one of their pasts that had them clinging to each other like they did? I wanted to know more about their relationship.
All in all, it was an excellent story once I got past my initial issue, well written, I was hooked after the first couple of scenes and I read it straight through.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I have to be honest, the first couple of pages had me wondering if I was going to continue on with the rest of the book. We have Kirsten telling Liz about the demise of her relationship with Drew and then on to a bar scene. Some of the dialogue had me texting my own best friend saying have we ever talked like this as 30-somethings? Did we even talk like this in our 20’s with each other when we were a bit more crude and obnoxious? Maybe back when we were 17 or 18 we had some friends who would talk like that, but we still wouldn’t have said those things. We are definitely not prudes (if you follow my reviews, you know the kind of books I read) and have been known to have mouths like sailors in our lifetimes. It was a little too much obnoxious crudeness for women that are living in the same decade as I am (30’s).
What do you know though? It pays to keep on going because I ended up loving the book.
Why do I share that? Because it is such a good book, if you opened it and felt as I did, and then did shut the book, you would miss out on an beautiful, sexy, sometimes heart wrenching love story.
I seriously went from I don’t think I am going to be able to finish this to OMG I need the next book.
That is honestly the only thing that really bothered me.
Once I got into the story, got deeper into Kirsten’s fears, reasons for closing herself off, away from her friends who always had to be crude and obnoxious, like they were trying to show off for every guy in the room and into relationships with other characters, I was entranced. I loved the character Drew. I have to say I actually like most of the guy characters in the book over the females, minus one male role, they felt more mature than most of the ladies in The Game. I even liked Kirsten a lot when she was away from most of the ladies, when she didn’t act like she needed to be showing off. There were some very tender moments between her and best friend Liz that I adored. There was one thing I hoped would happen that didn’t. I was hoping that there would be some explanation as to why Liz and Kirsten had the relationship they did. Why if you got one you got the pair. Was there something tragic in one of their pasts that had them clinging to each other like they did? I wanted to know more about their relationship.
All in all, it was an excellent story once I got past my initial issue, well written, I was hooked after the first couple of scenes and I read it straight through.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
December 14, 2013
Kirsten is a woman in a high-powered position at a job she is incredibly good at. She has been pretty recently devastated by someone she was very much in love with, and is trying to move on with her life in a way that will minimize the chances of her being hurt like that again. She has a strong relationship with her best friend Liz, and a very close relationship with her twin brother Derek. Kirsten dives into her work, accepting a partnership at a firm that has her commuting between Toronto and Chicago weekly. While she continues to excel in her career, she is finding it impossible to stop loving the man who broke her heart.
I found Kirsten's character very interesting and fun to go through the story with. We do get some other perspectives throughout the story, but we experience the most with Kirsten. It is gratifying watch her succeed in her job, but hard to experience her emptiness and desires with regard to finding someone to share her life with. I loved the support she and Derek showed for one another through all of their witty banter and regularly giving each other a hard time. I also loved watching Kirsten and Liz as they found their way through separating their lives as they each moved forward, but working to maintain the close friendship that was so crucial to them both.
I was a little back and forth about Drew. Mostly I liked him, but even after the truth was revealed about a certain situation, I still didn't always like how he responded to any challenging situation that arose. I also thought he could be a little controlling at times. Overall, I really did want Drew and Kirsten to figure out how to be together in a way that gave them both what they needed.
There are some really challenging moments in this book, and watching all of the characters rally around and support each other in their times of need was really great and helped ease the pain of some of the situation they had to work through. The characters are crass, but it is who they are and they make it work. I'm giving this 3.5 stars.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
I found Kirsten's character very interesting and fun to go through the story with. We do get some other perspectives throughout the story, but we experience the most with Kirsten. It is gratifying watch her succeed in her job, but hard to experience her emptiness and desires with regard to finding someone to share her life with. I loved the support she and Derek showed for one another through all of their witty banter and regularly giving each other a hard time. I also loved watching Kirsten and Liz as they found their way through separating their lives as they each moved forward, but working to maintain the close friendship that was so crucial to them both.
I was a little back and forth about Drew. Mostly I liked him, but even after the truth was revealed about a certain situation, I still didn't always like how he responded to any challenging situation that arose. I also thought he could be a little controlling at times. Overall, I really did want Drew and Kirsten to figure out how to be together in a way that gave them both what they needed.
There are some really challenging moments in this book, and watching all of the characters rally around and support each other in their times of need was really great and helped ease the pain of some of the situation they had to work through. The characters are crass, but it is who they are and they make it work. I'm giving this 3.5 stars.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
February 17, 2014
This book was good, although there were more sex scenes than I like in my romance books, but the story was very good. It centers on Kirsten a negotiator for a well known company out of Canada and Chicago. She travels to both offices quit often. Then there is Drew he plays for a well known Canadian hockey team as well as Kirsten's twin brother, Derek. Also involved in this story is Liz and Brad. Liz is Kirsten's bestfriend and they are like sisters. They are very close. Liz is getting things together for her upcoming wedding to Brad. Kirsten is seeing Drew on the side trying to hide it from everyone especially her brother who is on the same team. They have been seeing each other for about a year having their own ups and downs along the way. While Kirsten is in Chicago she stays at a local hotel. She texes Liz and they are laughing about the couple in the next roon having wild sex all night and she can't get any sleep. They keep banging the wall in the room. In the morning as Kirsten is leaving and getting on the elevator she sees the door to the room open and out comes Drew. He sees her as the elevator door closes and see how devasted she is. Drew got drunk and a girl took him to her room but he past out and doesn't know anything except her kept falling off the bed and breaking things in the room because she wouldn't let him leave. He knows nothing happened but how is he going to convince Kirsten. That is the first part of the story. As Kirsten struggles with her own issues so does Drew as well as everyone finding out they were seeeing each other. Now her brother is really mad at Drew because of his twin. The story will hold your interest, so if you have the time read this one you won't be disappointed. This is a good read for all you romance readers.
November 19, 2013
Synopsis: Kirsten Backhard is a highly respected senior negotiating executive based in Toronto. She plays with some of the most powerful men in her field. Kirsten is confident, sexy, and hell on heels. She fights with a straight face, doesn’t back down easily, and believes in using her ASSets to get the deal done her way. Kirsten loves toying with the game in a man’s world.
But is every angle of her life this easy to play? One night can easily change everything. What she thinks is all love and fairy tales quickly becomes highly overrated. Will Kirsten be able to overcome? Or will she remain the cool poker player?
Contains crude language, sexual intercourse, and really bad jokes.
Get your one-click finger ready for this HOT HOT HOT book!! Anticipated release early fall, 2013
Excerpt: I couldn't believe what had just happened. I hadn't thought Kirsten would take it that hard. I set down my bowl of ice cream and walked over to Brad's. When I opened the door, I heard Kirsten yelling. I took a hard swallow and loosened the T-shirt collar around my neck. Dammit, I think my plan just blew up in my face.
"Damn Kirsten, your ass is hot in those teeny-tiny panties," roared Adam. "shut up, Adam!" everyone yelled at once. I smacked him hard on the back of his head. He looked at me while rubbing the spot. "what the hell"? I didn't answer him. I didn't think there was a need for it. Thank god Steve had muscle on him because I was sure it was taking all his strength to hold her tightly. Kirsten stopped struggling and took a look around the yard.
Derek stood up and calmly walked over to her. "Whats your problem?" "What is my problem?" she seethed. Kirsten waved the contract. "This is my fucking problem!"
Without another breath, she threw the contract on the table and grabbed Adam's car key's out of his hand before storming out of the backyard. "Hey those are my keys!" I just stared at her, not knowing what to think or do. I've seen Kirsten pissed before, but never this pissed. Derek and Liz went after her.
Review: I was given a copy of The Game by Ashley’s Reading Bliss for an honest review. I started this book this morning and read it straight through in about 2.5 hours. I really enjoyed this book. I laughed, I cried and I got angry with this story. Kirsten is a highly respected senior negotiating executive and is confident and sexy and gets what she wants. Her best friend Liz is getting married and Kirsten just broke up with her boyfriend. Her whole world is able to change. She still loves Drew but can she forgive him for hurting her? This story was full of all the things I like, love, passion, heartbreak and happiness. I loved this book. I highly recommend it! I give it 5 out of 5 stars!!!
But is every angle of her life this easy to play? One night can easily change everything. What she thinks is all love and fairy tales quickly becomes highly overrated. Will Kirsten be able to overcome? Or will she remain the cool poker player?
Contains crude language, sexual intercourse, and really bad jokes.
Get your one-click finger ready for this HOT HOT HOT book!! Anticipated release early fall, 2013
Excerpt: I couldn't believe what had just happened. I hadn't thought Kirsten would take it that hard. I set down my bowl of ice cream and walked over to Brad's. When I opened the door, I heard Kirsten yelling. I took a hard swallow and loosened the T-shirt collar around my neck. Dammit, I think my plan just blew up in my face.
"Damn Kirsten, your ass is hot in those teeny-tiny panties," roared Adam. "shut up, Adam!" everyone yelled at once. I smacked him hard on the back of his head. He looked at me while rubbing the spot. "what the hell"? I didn't answer him. I didn't think there was a need for it. Thank god Steve had muscle on him because I was sure it was taking all his strength to hold her tightly. Kirsten stopped struggling and took a look around the yard.
Derek stood up and calmly walked over to her. "Whats your problem?" "What is my problem?" she seethed. Kirsten waved the contract. "This is my fucking problem!"
Without another breath, she threw the contract on the table and grabbed Adam's car key's out of his hand before storming out of the backyard. "Hey those are my keys!" I just stared at her, not knowing what to think or do. I've seen Kirsten pissed before, but never this pissed. Derek and Liz went after her.
Review: I was given a copy of The Game by Ashley’s Reading Bliss for an honest review. I started this book this morning and read it straight through in about 2.5 hours. I really enjoyed this book. I laughed, I cried and I got angry with this story. Kirsten is a highly respected senior negotiating executive and is confident and sexy and gets what she wants. Her best friend Liz is getting married and Kirsten just broke up with her boyfriend. Her whole world is able to change. She still loves Drew but can she forgive him for hurting her? This story was full of all the things I like, love, passion, heartbreak and happiness. I loved this book. I highly recommend it! I give it 5 out of 5 stars!!!
December 18, 2013
The Game by Shawnte Borris
Review by Mary Beth
4.75 Stars
“This is a man’s world.”
Well no one told that to Kristen Backhard. She is a sexy beautiful woman with a take no prisoner attitude which suit her just fine, especially since she is a Senior Negotiating Executive. She isn’t afraid to be herself and is thankfully a strong yet vulnerable woman who is comfortable in her own skin. This book follows Kristen and her group of family and friends through what seems like a lifetime but in reality is a short blip of time.
During this time we have Betrayal and heart break, Family issues (her mom is nuts), love and romance, life and death, forgiveness, some more love and romance, hot steamy sex, and endless possibilities. I found myself laughing so hard my sides hurt, envious of the love and friendship these characters have, wanting to knock some sense into her mother, wanting a twin so I could have that bond, covering my mouth in shock while saying “Oh my god!” and crying because something beautiful and terrible happened at the same time (thanks for that *sniffle sniffle*). I was emotionally exhausted by the end of this story.
The only thing that I was disappointed I didn’t see in this story was a conflict resolution between Kristen with the misunderstanding, I also would have liked to have known what happened to the plane. There were also some typos and grammatical errors but it wasn’t enough to take away from the story.
I am very excited to find a new author that I will be following especially since there is going to be another story that follows the same group of friends. Hopefully it will be in the same style of the multiple POV’s throughout the book.
Review by Mary Beth
4.75 Stars
“This is a man’s world.”
Well no one told that to Kristen Backhard. She is a sexy beautiful woman with a take no prisoner attitude which suit her just fine, especially since she is a Senior Negotiating Executive. She isn’t afraid to be herself and is thankfully a strong yet vulnerable woman who is comfortable in her own skin. This book follows Kristen and her group of family and friends through what seems like a lifetime but in reality is a short blip of time.
During this time we have Betrayal and heart break, Family issues (her mom is nuts), love and romance, life and death, forgiveness, some more love and romance, hot steamy sex, and endless possibilities. I found myself laughing so hard my sides hurt, envious of the love and friendship these characters have, wanting to knock some sense into her mother, wanting a twin so I could have that bond, covering my mouth in shock while saying “Oh my god!” and crying because something beautiful and terrible happened at the same time (thanks for that *sniffle sniffle*). I was emotionally exhausted by the end of this story.
The only thing that I was disappointed I didn’t see in this story was a conflict resolution between Kristen with the misunderstanding, I also would have liked to have known what happened to the plane. There were also some typos and grammatical errors but it wasn’t enough to take away from the story.
I am very excited to find a new author that I will be following especially since there is going to be another story that follows the same group of friends. Hopefully it will be in the same style of the multiple POV’s throughout the book.
January 5, 2014
“Love is most weak when there is more doubt that there is trust, but love is most strong when you learn to trust even with all the doubts.”
~Shawnte Borris - The Game~
This book is filled with tons of emotions. While I was reading this I laughed, cried, and occasionally wanted to toss my Kindle across the room. Kirsten is a highly respected senior negotiating executive who doesn’t take any shit from anyone. Drew is Kirsten’s brother, Derek’s, friend and he and Kirsten have been having a secret relationship. As the story begins Kirsten is confiding in Liz, her best friend, that she just caught Drew cheating. Kirsten decides that she is not going to let a man hurt her ever again; from now on she will use them for sex and that is all she needs. Then Kirsten’s world begins to crumble even more when she learns that her best friend, Liz, is getting married. Kirsten is happy for Liz but she knows that things will never be the same for them again. Eventually Drew redeems himself when the truth finally comes out about what happened the night that Kirsten saw him with the other woman. As you learn more about Kirsten you can begin to understand why she is so protective of her heart and tried to close herself off from love. This is one of those books that not only draws you in with the main characters but makes you fall in love with the secondary characters as well. The style of writing was a little hard for me to really get into at the beginning of this book because I am a very visual person and I tend to like a little more descriptions in books. However, the more I read and got to know the characters in this story I was hooked! I am really looking forward to Shawnte Borris continuing this series so that I can find out what happens with Liz and Derek.
~Shawnte Borris - The Game~
This book is filled with tons of emotions. While I was reading this I laughed, cried, and occasionally wanted to toss my Kindle across the room. Kirsten is a highly respected senior negotiating executive who doesn’t take any shit from anyone. Drew is Kirsten’s brother, Derek’s, friend and he and Kirsten have been having a secret relationship. As the story begins Kirsten is confiding in Liz, her best friend, that she just caught Drew cheating. Kirsten decides that she is not going to let a man hurt her ever again; from now on she will use them for sex and that is all she needs. Then Kirsten’s world begins to crumble even more when she learns that her best friend, Liz, is getting married. Kirsten is happy for Liz but she knows that things will never be the same for them again. Eventually Drew redeems himself when the truth finally comes out about what happened the night that Kirsten saw him with the other woman. As you learn more about Kirsten you can begin to understand why she is so protective of her heart and tried to close herself off from love. This is one of those books that not only draws you in with the main characters but makes you fall in love with the secondary characters as well. The style of writing was a little hard for me to really get into at the beginning of this book because I am a very visual person and I tend to like a little more descriptions in books. However, the more I read and got to know the characters in this story I was hooked! I am really looking forward to Shawnte Borris continuing this series so that I can find out what happens with Liz and Derek.
November 7, 2013
I was given an ARC of this book to give an honest review. I must say that I loved it!
Kristen is a strong, independent, smart, sassy woman who is making her way in a "mans" world! She is good at what she does and doesn't back down from anyone! We get to see her make her way through her personal and professional life and she certainly has a lot of obstacles in both along the way!
I found myself laughing, crying and loving each character. Kristen is surrounded by wonderful friends and family. She has a twin brother Derek who plays hockey for the NHL and yes he's hot and has hot friends. Her best friend Liz is wonderful and supportive. Kristen has a love interest which is Drew and he is adorable and lovable. Make sure you have your tissues ready, it can be a tear jerker at some points. It was great to see each character grow with life's lessons. I can't wait to read the next book to see where they all go !
Kristen is a strong, independent, smart, sassy woman who is making her way in a "mans" world! She is good at what she does and doesn't back down from anyone! We get to see her make her way through her personal and professional life and she certainly has a lot of obstacles in both along the way!
I found myself laughing, crying and loving each character. Kristen is surrounded by wonderful friends and family. She has a twin brother Derek who plays hockey for the NHL and yes he's hot and has hot friends. Her best friend Liz is wonderful and supportive. Kristen has a love interest which is Drew and he is adorable and lovable. Make sure you have your tissues ready, it can be a tear jerker at some points. It was great to see each character grow with life's lessons. I can't wait to read the next book to see where they all go !
October 22, 2013
I loved the first book written by this author so i knew I'd love this one. I just never knew I'd love it so much! A story of friendship, love, family and life. I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I swooned, and then I cried some more. The characters were well developed and the interaction between some of them had me in stitches. I loved the story of Kirsten and Drew. I cannot wait to see what else is in store for them and their friends/family.
April 4, 2016
I grabbed this book up because I have this need to read series in order, lol! I was interested in the second book coming out soon. This is a new to me author and I was very happy with the whole story. Kirsten and Drew have some major issues to work out between them. Deep down, love will help heal the broken heart. Great humor, sexy loving, and the right mix of tension and angst, make this a great read. Looking forward to Derek and Liz next!
June 6, 2018
Sweet
This was such a good book to read. I loved the characters and their chemistry and storyline. It had sweet and sad moments. I hope to read more from this author.
This was such a good book to read. I loved the characters and their chemistry and storyline. It had sweet and sad moments. I hope to read more from this author.
May 25, 2020
The introduction to the book and its characters, that I grew to love, to laugh with and to cry with
February 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this book .This is my first Shawnte Borris book. When I was reading this book, I think I had a smile on my face throughout most of the book J
The story is about Kristen who is sexy, strong women. Kristen was involved in a secret relationship with Drew for a year before things go wrong. Kristen makes a decision to make sure that no man never ever walks over her again and she decided that from now on she is in control. The book then takes you on one hell of a journey. Kristen faces a lot of obstacles throughout the book in both her personal life and her professional life. Kristen has lot of great friends and family which are fully intertwined into Kristen’s Story. I loved Kristen’s relationship with her twin brother Derek and brother/ sister banter between them was great. All of Kristen’s friends were great and I loved all the scenes where they were all hanging out. I must admit when Drew was first introduced I was sitting on the fence a little about him but he won me over by the end of the book.
This story is full of humour and there were many times when I was laughing along what has happening. The mention of the Katy Perry song Peacock had the song stuck in my head for hours. Despite all the humour there were some very emotional parts towards the end of the book where tissues will required when reading. There were also some very touching moments between Kristen and Liz and also with her brother Derek.
Majority of the story is told from Kristen’s POV but you also get POV from other characters throughout the book. The only thing I felt was that the story slowed down a little in the middle. Only briefly and the last 25% of the book is one hell of an emotional rollercoaster.
Overall a great book, those made me laugh and cry. I’m looking forward the next book in the series which I believe will be Derek’s story but will follow the same group of friends. I look forward to where the story goes next.
*** I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review***
November 5, 2014
~Arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review~
Kirsten Backhard is a confident, strong, no nonsense kind of woman. She is a highly respected senior executive based in Toronto. She is not intimidated by a man and has no problem going toe to toe with him in the workplace. She is in control of every aspect in her life until her heart is ripped to shreds. After such an awful experience she tries to play the exact same game men tend to play.
At first I found the book hard to get into, but after several pages in, I did not want to put the book down! I was completely in awe of Kirsten. She is so strong, so confident, so independent and someone that honestly I would find very intimidating. Kirsten is the type of woman a lot of us could take an example from! I felt like I knew and understood who Kirsten was. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the characters and I honestly felt like I knew all of them personally. I love the friendship between Kirsten and Liz. I think we have all have had a friendship like this in our lives and if you haven’t you are clearly missing out! Kirsten’s brother Derek was by far my favorite male though they were all likeable and at times more loveable than the women in the story. I can honestly say I think Derek is a dreamboat! This book had me going through every single emotion, I laughed, cringed, and cried! This was the first novel I have read by Shawnte Borris and I cannot wait to read more, especially the next in the series. She did such a fantastic job!
April 18, 2016
4 Stars
Oh my gosh! I don't think that I've laughed so much while reading a book before! Kirsten and Liz are hilarious! Let's be honest, the whole group of friends are a horney bunch of crack ups! Lol. I loved everyone! I loved the friendship that these characters had, and I loved the close relationship between Kirsten and Derek. Not only are they siblings, but they truly are best friends. Derek makes me wish I had a twin brother! He's one of the sweetest brothers that I have come across!
I also enjoyed the relationship between Liz and Brad, as well as, Kirsten and Drew. Brad was so sweet to Liz. He loved her so much that I felt the love through the book! When I think of them, the quote that comes to mind is; Live, Laugh, Love. I feel that that quote explains their relationship perfectly. Drew and Kirsten had a cute relationship too, but poor Drew had to work a little harder for his H.E.A. At times, Kirsten made me mad because of her mixed emotions and fears, but I know that it's not easy for everyone to open their hearts.
The ending??? I can't believe it! I feel like I'm Kirsten now with the mixed emotion! I just couldn't believe it and the words... oh my gosh, don't even go there came out of my mouth. I'm speechless. And now, I'm going to dive into book 2 because I can't wait to see what's next. I'm already a Derek fan, and I just know I'm about to fall in love with him.
-Juls
Oh my gosh! I don't think that I've laughed so much while reading a book before! Kirsten and Liz are hilarious! Let's be honest, the whole group of friends are a horney bunch of crack ups! Lol. I loved everyone! I loved the friendship that these characters had, and I loved the close relationship between Kirsten and Derek. Not only are they siblings, but they truly are best friends. Derek makes me wish I had a twin brother! He's one of the sweetest brothers that I have come across!
I also enjoyed the relationship between Liz and Brad, as well as, Kirsten and Drew. Brad was so sweet to Liz. He loved her so much that I felt the love through the book! When I think of them, the quote that comes to mind is; Live, Laugh, Love. I feel that that quote explains their relationship perfectly. Drew and Kirsten had a cute relationship too, but poor Drew had to work a little harder for his H.E.A. At times, Kirsten made me mad because of her mixed emotions and fears, but I know that it's not easy for everyone to open their hearts.
The ending??? I can't believe it! I feel like I'm Kirsten now with the mixed emotion! I just couldn't believe it and the words... oh my gosh, don't even go there came out of my mouth. I'm speechless. And now, I'm going to dive into book 2 because I can't wait to see what's next. I'm already a Derek fan, and I just know I'm about to fall in love with him.
-Juls
February 5, 2017
3 - 3.5 stars. This book was the introduction of characters ( Caroline, Adam, Meg, Kennedy, Brad) to the series but centered around Liz, Kirsten and Drew mostly. Liz and Kirsten being BFF's for life and Drew Kirsten's boyfriend turned Fiancee'. The story was good but Kirsten bugged the shit out of me. For someone being so strong willed she was really at times this whiny, woe-is-me, needy, sappy chick. I would have liked to have seen a little more angst between Derek / Liz because it seemed as if Derek just plopped into Liz's life out of the blue, from the second book where they end up together raising Ryder there was a lot of knowledge that came out from him pining over Liz most of his life. When Liz ended up in the hospital waiting on Brad and Derek ended up there out of the blue it was strange to me how that all tied in all of a sudden here he was. Not too much consistency there so it was hard to get through some of these last i few chapters. Overall if I had read this book first I would have dreaded the second book altogether, I just wasn't very impressed with this one. The second one as far as I am concerned could stand on it's own, It was simply amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2013
The Game by Shawte Borris is an excellent story of a heartbroken woman who has been cheated on by the man she loves. Kirsten is a strong independent woman, she is an excellent negotiator and is determined to be the best woman in a man's world. Kirsten started to date her twin brother, Derek's, friend Drew. During the course of their relationship they fell in love. After one night Kirsten caught Drew coming out of another woman's hotel room. Her heart was torn into pieces, and on top of it all her best friend, Liz's life was falling into place. All pushing Kirsten out of all of their plans they made together. So Kirsten decided she would play the heartbreak "game" the way a man world. By being stubborn and relieving all of her sexual tension with different partners. Until Drew tells her the truth about what she saw that night at the hotel room. Kirsten wants to run from all of her feelings, but the declaration of love Drew keeps repeating to her is making her very confused. Shawnte Norris writes an inspiratinal story about a woman scorned who has the guts to take control of her own future. Kirsten is the inner goddess most woman wish can come out occasionally. Excellent read!
March 2, 2015
Amazing Read!
This book took me all over the chart and I loved every second. Kirsten knew what she wanted from life and set out to make sure she got it on her own terms. With her twin brother at her side and a best friend as crazy as she is nothing can stop her. Drew needed Kirsten in his life. She completed him. Being complete doesn't mean we don't make mistakes though. Can these two people get past everything and have the future they deserve? Families, friends, and careers take these two through life's daily struggles, but home is always calling. Kirsten is a strong character that knows her worth and doesn't need others to build her up. She still knows how to have fun and enjoy life to it's fullest with her partner in crime by her side. Drew is just as strong and loves hard with everything he does. With Derek, Liz, and an amazing supporting cast of characters this story makes you part of the family and made it such an amazing read for me. There is lots of laughs, ugly cries, and some pretty hot scenes too! Come discover the Crew and I hope you love them as much as I do now.
This book took me all over the chart and I loved every second. Kirsten knew what she wanted from life and set out to make sure she got it on her own terms. With her twin brother at her side and a best friend as crazy as she is nothing can stop her. Drew needed Kirsten in his life. She completed him. Being complete doesn't mean we don't make mistakes though. Can these two people get past everything and have the future they deserve? Families, friends, and careers take these two through life's daily struggles, but home is always calling. Kirsten is a strong character that knows her worth and doesn't need others to build her up. She still knows how to have fun and enjoy life to it's fullest with her partner in crime by her side. Drew is just as strong and loves hard with everything he does. With Derek, Liz, and an amazing supporting cast of characters this story makes you part of the family and made it such an amazing read for me. There is lots of laughs, ugly cries, and some pretty hot scenes too! Come discover the Crew and I hope you love them as much as I do now.
February 18, 2014
What do you do when what you think happens, was not what actually happened? How long will you punish yourself and the one you love over a misunderstanding?
When Kirsten believes she hears her boyfriend, Drew, cheating on her on the other side of the wall of her hotel room, she decides to focus on herself and her career. After a couple of one nightstands, Kirsten decides this is how she is going to live her life, no attachments. Their best friends’ Liz and Brad are getting married, so they have to confront their feelings for each other and decide how to move forward. Her friends and family decide to hatch a plan to bring her back home to the man and town where she belongs.
This book will have you laughing with her sorority sisters, wanting to physically harm some of his hockey teammates, cry with them over all of the heartache, and smile when they finally get their HEA. It did have some twists and turns that I was not expecting. I wanted to yell at Kirsten many times to finally talk to Drew to uncover the misunderstand so that they could finally get back together.
When Kirsten believes she hears her boyfriend, Drew, cheating on her on the other side of the wall of her hotel room, she decides to focus on herself and her career. After a couple of one nightstands, Kirsten decides this is how she is going to live her life, no attachments. Their best friends’ Liz and Brad are getting married, so they have to confront their feelings for each other and decide how to move forward. Her friends and family decide to hatch a plan to bring her back home to the man and town where she belongs.
This book will have you laughing with her sorority sisters, wanting to physically harm some of his hockey teammates, cry with them over all of the heartache, and smile when they finally get their HEA. It did have some twists and turns that I was not expecting. I wanted to yell at Kirsten many times to finally talk to Drew to uncover the misunderstand so that they could finally get back together.
February 2, 2022
This book allows you to experience every single emotion possible!! At one part I was so mad, another I was laughing so hard and then there was the part that brought out the ugly cry.
Shawnte has delivered an amazing book that takes the reader through so much. At the beginning one of the lines that I shared with every person I saw the next day was "I like my coffee extra hot and your tongue down my throat". I laughed so hard but am writing this feeling like I am emotionally spent from such a journey.
I find it hard to express how much I truly loved this book but know that it is a book that should be read! I read so many of the lines out loud to my hubby as I laughed out loud at so many parts.
I loved how the book was written from so many different character's points of view so you could see how everyone felt and what they were going through. The characters were so real and I was so very emotionally invested in them.
The hard part is waiting for the sequel to come out!!
Absolutely loved this laugh out loud tear-jerker book!!
Shawnte has delivered an amazing book that takes the reader through so much. At the beginning one of the lines that I shared with every person I saw the next day was "I like my coffee extra hot and your tongue down my throat". I laughed so hard but am writing this feeling like I am emotionally spent from such a journey.
I find it hard to express how much I truly loved this book but know that it is a book that should be read! I read so many of the lines out loud to my hubby as I laughed out loud at so many parts.
I loved how the book was written from so many different character's points of view so you could see how everyone felt and what they were going through. The characters were so real and I was so very emotionally invested in them.
The hard part is waiting for the sequel to come out!!
Absolutely loved this laugh out loud tear-jerker book!!
February 11, 2014
This book is a bit of a role reversal, you've got Kirsten who acts more like a man, and Drew who's more of the romantic. Kirsten is very career orientated much to her mothers disgust, she's a hard nosed negotiator who can more than hold her own in the boardroom, and likes to relax at the bar drinking beer and watching a game with the guys. She's got a really close relationship with her best friend Liz, but Liz has a man in her life and Kirsten feels they're drifting apart just at the time her own love life hits the toilet.
It's a book about thirty something aged college friends and where they've ended up in life, it covers the full gamut of life, love and death, and everything in between, and just when you think things are calming down again, wham, you're thrown another spanner in the works!
It's an entertaining read, with some lovely characters, and a great female lead.
It's a book about thirty something aged college friends and where they've ended up in life, it covers the full gamut of life, love and death, and everything in between, and just when you think things are calming down again, wham, you're thrown another spanner in the works!
It's an entertaining read, with some lovely characters, and a great female lead.
April 5, 2016
This is the 1st book I've read of Shawnte Borris & it won't be my last! I absolutely loved this book! I finished it & went straight to book #2, Derek's story! It had be captivated from beginning to end!
Kirstin's life was going good with Drew until they hit a huge bump in the road! Life as she knew ift changed! They worked extra hard & lucky things worked out for the best! Her twin, Derek & BFF Liz were always there for Kirstin! This book is mainly about Kirstin but Liz & Derek are a HUGE part of the book too! Things were going great when all hell broke loose! My heart was shattered into a million & one pieces!! Why oh why must life be so cruel?!!
As heart broken as I was, I thought Mrs. Borris did a great job with the end! I'm on to book #2 because I have to see where Derek's story will go!
Kirstin's life was going good with Drew until they hit a huge bump in the road! Life as she knew ift changed! They worked extra hard & lucky things worked out for the best! Her twin, Derek & BFF Liz were always there for Kirstin! This book is mainly about Kirstin but Liz & Derek are a HUGE part of the book too! Things were going great when all hell broke loose! My heart was shattered into a million & one pieces!! Why oh why must life be so cruel?!!
As heart broken as I was, I thought Mrs. Borris did a great job with the end! I'm on to book #2 because I have to see where Derek's story will go!
Read
May 15, 2016I DNF'd this book at 60%. This has all the makings of a great story. BUT, there are problems that i couldn't overcome. There are WAY too many points of view in this book, heroine, hero, heroine's brother, heroine's best friend. There are so many supporting characters that it's confusing. And it was driving me bonkers that I'd read a chapter and the next chapter would be the same part of the story from a different point of view. It could be half the length that it is. The heroine is supposed to be independent, strong, worldly, intelligent and self assured. To me, she seemed crass, childish, insecure. I just couldn't like her very much. Final problem? Derek (Kirsten's brother) is way too involved in this book. He overshadows the actual male lead, Drew. I'm definitely in the minority on my review of this book, so maybe it's just not the book for me.
June 22, 2015
Kristen has finally fallen deeply in love with Drew. Everything is perfect in Kristen's life she has her perfect job, perfect boyfriend that she sees as much as possible with her traveling for her job. When Kristen comes home from one of her business trips and is too tired to drive home she decides to get a hotel room for the night to rest up to drive home. Until the bed thumpers in the next read starting going at it... She starts missing Drew because she hasn't seen him in a while so she decides to go see him. Once she gets to the elevator she gets a eye full of who is in the room next to hers. Who does Kristen see coming out of that hotel room? What is she going to do with this new information she just learned!
February 10, 2014
When I first started this book I was certain I wasn't going to like it. The author's lighthearted style turned me off at first, but the characters quickly drew me into the amazing story, and by the end the style that had been difficult early on was part of what made me like the book even more.
The story follows Kirsten and Cole, but we get to know her best friend Liz and twin brother Derek as well as many of their other friends. The book that seems lighthearted on the surface is actually packed with emotion, laughter, and tenderness.
The story follows Kirsten and Cole, but we get to know her best friend Liz and twin brother Derek as well as many of their other friends. The book that seems lighthearted on the surface is actually packed with emotion, laughter, and tenderness.
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