The Ex Games 2

The Ex Games #2

by J.S. Cooper

Seven years ago, Brandon Hastings and Katie Raymond had a relationship that other couples envied. They loved each other more than anything, but one lie ruined their relationship forever. Now, Brandon is the CEO of the company that Katie works for and she is finding it hard to be around him without wanting to touch him and be touched by him. Katie gives in to one moment of weakness with Brandon, and he reveals a secret that breaks her heart once again. Katie is determined that she will not let Brandon break her again and they go back in forth in a mouse and cat game that has them both wondering what's really going on. Just when Katie thinks she can take no more, one more secret is revealed that will make her question everything she ever thought she knew about Brandon Hastings.

Genres: Romance, Erotica, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult, New Adult, Erotic Romance

60 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2013

Reviews

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★ 1/2! The Ex Games, part 2 of 4. The plot thickens with unexpected twists & turns; more lies & deception for both Brandon & Katie!

“I can’t believe you were staring at her breasts.” “What?” He looked at me with a bemused expression. “You can’t be serious. You brought me to a strip club and now you’re upset when I check out another ladies’ tits.”

The Ex Games is a novella series that should be read in order:
Part 1: The Ex Games I
Part 2: The Ex Games II
Part 3: The Ex Games III
Part 4: After the Ex Games

In The Ex Games, Part I recent MBA graduate, Katie Raymond dreaded having to fly to San Francisco to attend company orientation after learning that her ex, billionaire Brandon Hastings, purchased her company. They had had bad break-up seven years prior, details revealed as Katie travels to meeting while reminiscing about their relationship followed by their reunion and some shocking events and news….

The Ex Games II continues with their explosive interactions and bantering in and outside of meetings offering some public sex and hot-cold displays of affection with yet another shocker taking them back to New York as the plot thickens and there are hints of huge deceptions following their break-up and right before their reunion.

I see potential for some interesting plot developments. I need to keep on reading to see if I am right and to make sure Brandon and Katie are OK…



BRANDON HASTINGS:
35-42 years/heir/Hedge fund/CEO of Marathon Corporation/$$$$/black hair/blue eye/boss.

Brandon Hastings’ anger and hot-cold attitude was both plausible and exciting. Five words to describe Brandon: Honest, charming, noble, nurturing, protective jaded and vengeful.



KATIE RAYMOND:
18-25 years/recent MBA graduate from NYU/executive manager at Marathon Corporation/brown hair/brown eyes/employee.

Unfortunately Katie Raymond did not endear herself to be in part II either; on the contrary her lying seems to be a default in her personality. Six words to describe Katie: Naïve, immature, selfish, uncharismatic, thoughtless and deceitful.

I have deducted from my overall rating for the dialogue still feeling off including during sex; the unrealistic public sex and unprofessional dialogue in front of business associates plus an un-compelling heroine.

The Ex Games, part II moved along at a fast pace with very promising developments only to come to a shocking cliffy that I had not anticipated. I am already opening up part 3, The Ex Games III for the semi-conclusion to Brandon and Katie’s story.

Interesting and thickening plot! Fast-paced story! Promising hero! I need to see this to the end! 3.5 stars!

“Good. As long as we are honest with each other, nothing can break us up. And I will always be honest with you, Katie.”

***
Hero rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 2 stars
Sex scenes rating: 3.5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 3.5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 4 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 3 stars
Story ending rating: N/A
************************************************
Overall rating: 3.5 stars

Would I recommend this series: Maybe.
Would I re-read this series: Probably not.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

[Vaso · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

[Kristy Mills · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK so after such a promising start to a series I am so disappointed that the book took a real nose dive. Basically Brandon and Katie are in a power struggle. Brandon acts like he loves Katie one second and then throws her a curve ball and acts like he hates her the next. Katie Is an idiot who has no self control or brain power, apparently, when Brandon touches her. He humiliates her and breaks her heart and she decides that she can't take anymore and the second he touches her with his pinky, she falling into him setting herself up for more heartache.



I can't decide if there is anything about Brandon that I like. I keep telling myself, he is the love interest, I'm supposed to want them together, but I can't stand him. He's a butthole!

And Katie is really ticking me off. She decides she has had enough and I'm like YES, finally! She has finally had enough of his crap. Then she turns around and does it all over again.



It also took a turn down corny street. The warrior princess flashback...



PUH-LEEEZZZ. SO cheesy.

[Writer · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOT QUITE AS TAKEN!


As short as this is, I had to do a lot of skimming for it got to be just like the first series, where pages of reminiscing of the past was done. Which I really did not mind in the first book, it needed it to bring us to what and where they are. The transitioning wasn't even done smoothly, I catch myself having to go back and re-read to figure out when the 'then and now" ended and begun. But that's not really what grated on me. The heroine, Katie, was portrayed to look so cheap, from being a young, naive, sweet and innocent 18 yr.old to now 25 yr.old, ( 7 years later from the last time they were together ) an accomplished beautiful young woman with a masters degree, still naive but is so incredibly low self esteemed and downright stupid! How many times would she have to be humiliated and degraded to wake up and take charge? Another very annoying that didn't make sense at all, is the complete turn around of the hero's character, Brandon. From being so loving, gentle and very decent man to a complete jerk and an a**hole! What he's done to Katie and what she's allowed him to do to her repeatedly is disgusting!When you read this, you'll know what I mean. Brandon and Katie's age gap is 17 yrs apart, and boy, did he take advantage of that by being manipulative and calling all the shots.

I hated the fact that I looked so forward to this book so much, only to find it had no characters substance. I know this is just fiction, and as we all know very well that all will be well in the end and will have an HEA. Having said that, I'm not quite as taken as I was in the first series. Katie was demeaned in a most cruelest, degrading way any man can treat a woman, and she let Brandon do it, repeatedly. No self respecting woman would allow herself to be shamed, humiliated and reduced to less than dirt the way Brandon had treated her. Again, I'm reminding my own self this is just pure fiction, but still, can't help being somewhat annoyed.

[Mariℓina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 Stars!
WOO The plot thickens! Now that we have more of Brandon..


What was that? He was supposed to be the mature man! Right???
Oh Brandon don't act like a child.. What else are you going to do to her???


Katie had her own agenda and she fell into the trap.. Couldn't he just call her and ask for a second try? NOOOOO! He had to scheme!! Blair Waldorf would be so proud!!!


Katie still makes some bad decisions but eventually she gets a hold of herself and the situation.. After humiliating moments with him that leave her in a horrible state she wants to leave everything behind..


And the last minute...




THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- Meg is a supportive and carring friend..
- The sex is hot.
- Flashbacks..
- We get it Brandon.. You weren't a monk...ok..

[Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Molly!!!!!She has done it to me again!!! I just finished reading Part 2 and have no nails or cuticles left!!

I don't know what I am feeling. Let me see if I can write it down and purge these feelings...

I hate Brandon and all the games he is playing with Katie. He can be so good, and yet he is so cruel with these games he is playing.

I want to slap Katie for still being so naive as far as Brandon is concerned. She needs to stand up for herself... but she is so much in love with him! He was her first love and she is still hooked on him.

What is going on with Matt? Has he been double crossing Katie? What game is he playing?

You getting my drift? I am consumed by this story and now I have to wait for the conclusion... Can I possibly wait until January 9th without having a heart attack or a stroke? I don't think so!

For real, this is the best story I have read in a while. If you want a thrilling, erotic ride... don't wait! RUN those fingers over your keyboard and get to reading this story. Parts 1 and 2 are now available everywhere and then you can commiserate with me!

[KatLynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars!

The second novella picks up seven years later. Secrets are revealed feeding my need to know how this relationship will play out. Again, there was lots of hot smexing.

[Jeddidiah Namiah Parico · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay. I didn't quite took this well. Um, why did I continue reading it anyway? Well, I have it, I want to torture myself more. Because I like hurting myself more and murmuring to myself. I grew to dislike the characters more and more. It must be getting a little awkward and irritating.

The revelations, I wasn't expecting them and they were quite shocking, BUT it was just too much. Too much, like, in between the bad and the good way. It was weakening. I mean, who wouldn't be shocked if you knew the one you were fucking has a kid? Ohmygod! Like, come on! But anyway, that's just a matter of acceptance.

I was really still feeling the same about the characters you know. Katie grew up dumber and dumber. I don't know why is that. And Brandon was still a jerk. A user he is, yes. I think he just hurt my ego. I dislike it when all of a sudden I felt like a guy uses a girl and things like that. She treated her like shit. Like about something like using Katie and then telling her he never stopped loving her but he didn't even put on some effort by contacting her and all the shit? That was very disturbing. He was pulling some strings that now falls into space. I know, I know. Why do I continue anyway? I'm in search of an ending. I don't want to leave my mind thinking things that would never even happen. I need closure and shit like that. At least. And I wish they'd grow up in the next installment.

[Jessica *The Lovely Books* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finally been able to get my hands on the second book of the Ex Games. My my my...I love these books and JS. Brandon and Katie...all the emotions...the angst...the love scenes...everything was perfect!!

[Maureen · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this installment continues with Brandon calling Kate "dear" and "poppet". Brandon also wants us to know he's definitely "not a monk", or so he says two or a thousand times. He has lots of sex, you guys, and he wants to make that clear.

I skimmed through most of this one out of idle curiosity after reading the first. There's no point on me going much further considering I hated it just as much, if not more. Kate barely has a personality, but any indication of what kind of woman she could be is quite sad. After the gruesome way Brandon dumped her seven years before, she lets Brandon use her when he feels like it.

The sex was still blah. I actually started thinking, "But don't they have work to do...?"

Again we have the archetype of the alpha male who is fiercely possessive, demanding and controlling. Not sure why this is still considered to be attractive, but okay. Clearly there is a market for this.

Exhibit A:

“You’re not wearing a bra?”
“I didn’t feel like it.”
“You didn’t go out like this, did you?” He pulled away from me, and this time it was he who had the jealous expression.
“What if I did?”
“I don’t want other men seeing you.”
“I had on a top, Brandon.” I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t naked.”
“But still,” his eyes glazed over as he looked at my chest. “Men know.”

This is right after Kate confronts him about a woman calling saying he's cheating (an ex, he clarifies). He again points out that he's not a monk, that he's had a lot of sex yadda, yadda, her fears are unfounded. Okay.
But if the poor girl dares not wear a bra, whew.

And by the way, men know we have stuff under our shirts? I always thought they figured they were baby unicorns.

Needless to say, I won't be reading the next installment. I have better things to do, like clip my toenails.

[Rhea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some might ask, if you didn't like the first book, why'd you go and read the second installment'
Well, I had already bought it, so i thought why not go and put myself thought a little more torture..?

This book only managed to make my dislike of the characters even stronger.
I mean how stupid can you be and how many times do you have to be humiliated and degraded in order to grow some backbone? Katie is a spineless wimp, a crybaby with no self respect.
Out of all the doormat heroins that I have found in the books I've read this is by far the most annoying and disturbing one. And the situation doesn't become any better for Brandon either.

In the second installment she's a bigger idiot and he's an even bigger asshole. So yeah, I guess that after all it was a match made in heaven. Who would have thought?


The book ends in another cliffhanger and I have to say that even if there is a major revelation at the the end of the book, it didn't help improve my opinion of Katie.

[Nikki ღ Navareus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Brandon was a total asshole in this book, I'm still left wanting to know what is coming in book 3. I had a thing for assholes back in my dating days, and I still love stories about assholes that will redeem themselves by the ending of a story, unlike in real life lol. Fingers crossed book 3 brings it together and he becomes the nice guy we saw in book 1.

[Saunders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brandon - UGH!

[Rnia · Rating 1 out of 5]

worst hero and heroine everr!!

[Elisabeth Cole · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were SOOO many things that didn't make sense in this story that I don't think I could fit them all into this review so I'll just highlight the biggest ones.

Katie's best friend is a lawyer but is let go from her company because they can't afford her and they don't give her any severence or references. Huh? Wouldn't that mean she was fired because of poor performance or something? So she's a lawyer but now she's scrambling to hopefully get a part-time job as a bartender?

Brandon is the owner of the company Katie works for and sees her for the first time in 7 years in a big company meeting. He's running the meeting while he's got his hand up her skirt at the table? Then she goes with him into the bathroom for a quickie during the break? Of course right after he totally blows her off and makes her feel like crap. (which she should, in my opinion) So what doe she do?

After she finds out he's engaged, Katie goes out to dinner with Brandon and wears her sexiest dress! He tells her she's not going to get lucky but she goes with him back to his apartment and what do they do? Fall into bed! Of course he abandons her immediately afterward because his son is in the hospital. (she doesn't ask if the son is okay, is just upset that she was used once again.)

Katie knows she needs to keep her job (she's the manager over a bunch of people in the New England region) since her roommate isn't working. So as soon as she gets back from the disastrous weekend meeting, she decides she's going to take a few days off work. Doesn't call in to tell them, just stays home and eats ice cream. After 3 days her company calls to find out where she is. Professional!!!!

So she goes back to work for the last few days and the next week, Brandon shows up and calls her into his office. Guess what they do? Start to have sex on his desk but his son interrupts so she scrambles to hide under the desk! Of course, she feels used and abused but that doesn't stop her.


Even though this book was less than 60 pages long I really struggled to finish it because it was so unbelievable and the characters were so idiotic. Even though it ended on a cliffhanger I don't think I can take anymore...

[Catarina Magalhães · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uma vez que isto é um livro dividido em três partes, a review será uma só.

Escrever sobre esta história revelou-se complicado. Por um lado, porque queria sinceramente ter gostado. Por outro, porquê se torna difícil gostar verdadeiramente do que tem pouco ou nenhum sentido.

Temos aqui uma história que tinha tudo para dar certo, dentro do género em que se insere. Não seria nenhuma novidade, não seria fantástica, mas funcionaria. Iria entreter o leitor, que é para isso mesmo que estes livros servem.

Mas embora pareça ter agradado a muita gente, a mim não me convenceu. Acho que foi uma história mal explorada, onde uma falha de comunicação levou a anos de separação, sem motivo algum. E o “segredo” final? Todos sabemos como são as crianças, a sério que é esperado que um miúdo de 6 anos reaja daquela forma quando lhe dizem que aquela pessoa que acabou de conhecer é a mãe biológica dele?

E o que dizer de Brandon, sempre tão correcto, que querem passar enquanto ideal de homem perfeito, que aceitou uma grande falha da mulher que ama e que “esperou” durante sete anos até ela “crescer” o suficiente para estar numa relação saudável?

Que dizer de uma pessoa que aceita uma mulher debilitada mentalmente em sua casa, crendo que isso é a forma de a ajudar? E que a deixa conviver e cuidar do filho dele, sabendo que não se pode confiar nela? Ou é inteligente ou não é, burro para umas coisas e esperto para outras é que não faz sentido!

E quanto a Katie, é talvez a personagem feminina com menos confiança e vontade própria de sempre!

Gostei que ficassem juntos no final (embora não da facilidade com que isso se deu, claro), mas apenas porque significa (ou pensava eu, na altura) que era o fim desta história sem pés nem cabeça. Afinal ainda saiu uma quarta parte, o “After the Ex-Games”. Não lerei essa parte, porque as três primeiras claramente não me chegaram ao coração, com pena minha.

Se este livro fosse apenas erótico teria até mais sentido do que o que na verdade tem. Misturarem tudo sem explicarem nada convenientemente, não funciona para mim. Não foi um desperdício de tempo, ler autores novos é sempre salutar, mas não foram autoras que me convencessem para mais leituras.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first, but still good. The back and forth stuff between time was a bit annoying. I don't like how Brandon treats Katie and she just takes it.. She says she will be tough and stop but she never does..

I won't buy the next one.. 3 dollars for your information miss author is a RIP off when the book is 86 pages. So I will wait until it goes down.. But by then I might have forgotten this series and I could settle for someone's spoiler review.

Not trying to sound catty just drives me crazy.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book all 3 part were the best of Helen and JS Cooper. I loved that it was in both Brandon and Katie's POV. I sobbed, I screamed, I wanted to shake Katie and slap Brandon once or twice and I yelled "I KNEW IT!!!" and "OMG" A lot. It was hot and sexy too. JS Cooper has outdone herself with this. PERFECTION!!! FANFREAKINTASTIC!!!! AWESOME!! INCREDIBLE!! I hope we get to see more of Katie and Brandon in Meg's story .

[Aishwarya · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this second part plot becomes so twisted and complicated. So many lies and deceptions.
Brandon and Katie moving forward but not also.
They are lying to each other so much.
But the story is sooooo interesting to read ,you are stick on your spot to just complete it. There is so many drama and lies and twisted plot and dark secrets.
It's a page turner. It's really addicting and at the same time irritating.But I love it!!!

[Jessica A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Surreal! (parte 2)

Socorro! Que mocinha é essa?! O cara humilhou e desprezou e o que a mocinha pensa sobre isso?!

Amor! Pelo amor de deuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus!

Ai depois de 7 anos, vc espera que a mocinha não dê nada além do que uma boa bofetada na cara do sujeito e a criatura se entrega pro cara de cabeça! Não consigooooo! Não dá!!!

Que livros péssimos!

Se recomendo? NÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃOOO

Nota: 1

[Raj · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars!

Aww!! Poor Katie!! He's engaged to Maria!! Toughen up girl!! Don't give in to his advances and fight back! Like fight real hard and not give in every.single.damn.time!

I peeked and saw something I shouldn't have in book 3!!!! Gawwd! That just totally spoiled everything, I so hate me now.

[Keri]

I don't want to wait for #3...I need it now!!

This series is fantastic. I have no idea what is about to happen. My head is spinning with ideas of what's coming and I'm sure none of them are right. I don't know what to do for 5 more days. I want to read it now!!!!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better. I did skim a lot of the sex.

Oh and just an FYI to the authors...never do butt sex and then vajay-jay sex without washing "Mr Happy" up all nice and good like! That totally pulled me out of that sex scene...Just saying.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow up to the first book!

The Ex Games had me laughing and rolling on the floor with all of Katie's shenanigans!

This follow up, The Ex Games 2, had more angst as Katie tries to win Brandon back. The cliffhanger at the end has me excited to read the next installment!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG....these endings!!!!

[Mary-jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, in part 2, the h is a little stupid and ...more precisely naive. He kept hurting her but she keeps fucking him...

[Kathleen Johnstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmmm interesting cliff hanger

[Janey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review at the end of the series..

PS..Brandon is an asshole!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a meak mouse, definitely! B**ch has tooth like a shark but not so sharp!!!! DD

[Sohinee Reads & Reviews (Bookarlo) · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first book in the series was a bit bearable. This straight up too a dive in the gutter.

I always try to be constructive in my feedback. I always talk about both positives and negatives but this book right here, I just wanted to BURN down my Kindle.

I wish I never read this series. All the while, I was hoping that perhaps it would get better. I kept giving chances but nope, it went downhill. I just hope I never come across characters like Brandon and Katie ever in my f*cking life.