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Match Game
Lydia Goh always lives day to day as if she has something to prove. As her alma mater’s Director of Esports Gaming, she’s trying to get a new team on the map in an industry that hasn’t shown much love to women taking charge.
To unwind from the stresses of proving herself, she goes to play a popular co-op game. Her go to partner isn’t available, so she settles for a stranger that goes by PianoPuck18 online. Striking up an easy conversation with him, she wants to spend more time talking to him, even if she knows nothing more about him.
After a rather heartbreaking rejection, Lydia is surprised when the voice of her mystery man reappears at a hockey game and she realizes PianoPuck18 is none other than professional hockey player, Griffin Markey. He explains that he ghosted Lydia because he doesn’t want anyone to endure the fame he can’t escape but now Lydia has something to prove fake date Griffin to show she can handle the whirlwind of a “famous person romance.” But those feelings never really went away, and Lydia and Griffin are left to figure out if “fake” is truly the way they want to go on.
To unwind from the stresses of proving herself, she goes to play a popular co-op game. Her go to partner isn’t available, so she settles for a stranger that goes by PianoPuck18 online. Striking up an easy conversation with him, she wants to spend more time talking to him, even if she knows nothing more about him.
After a rather heartbreaking rejection, Lydia is surprised when the voice of her mystery man reappears at a hockey game and she realizes PianoPuck18 is none other than professional hockey player, Griffin Markey. He explains that he ghosted Lydia because he doesn’t want anyone to endure the fame he can’t escape but now Lydia has something to prove fake date Griffin to show she can handle the whirlwind of a “famous person romance.” But those feelings never really went away, and Lydia and Griffin are left to figure out if “fake” is truly the way they want to go on.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2024
76 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Brittany Arreguin
4 books27 followersBrittany Arreguin is a mixed-Asian romance author based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a full time Events Coordinator & reads a copious amounts of romance novels over the course of the year. She lives with her husband and cats, Princess Peach & Boo, and loves to frequent breweries and play video games when she's not reading or writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
June 18, 2024
It was so fun to see Asian characters, especially with Griffin being a hockey player and Lydia as an eSports director. I loved Lydia's journey in her male-dominated field, and Griffin's bromance with his teammates was adorable!
However, some parts felt a bit rushed, and the third-act breakup didn’t quite make sense. Griffin’s protective moment was portrayed too negatively, and I wanted more closure with Lydia’s colleagues. Also, the reason for their fake dating felt a bit unrealistic.
Still, it was a fast-paced, light read that kept me hooked. Despite the flaws, I enjoyed following both characters.
However, some parts felt a bit rushed, and the third-act breakup didn’t quite make sense. Griffin’s protective moment was portrayed too negatively, and I wanted more closure with Lydia’s colleagues. Also, the reason for their fake dating felt a bit unrealistic.
Still, it was a fast-paced, light read that kept me hooked. Despite the flaws, I enjoyed following both characters.
June 10, 2024
I see the vision! I totally see where the author was going with this. I am so disappointed because I really wanted to love the book. It’s hockey romance, it has POC representation, woman in charge and from the bay!
I’ll start with what I did like with this book: I liked that Lydia was portrayed as someone who wanted to make a change in a male-dominant world of esports. And, I love even more that she became a director for the sport at the same college she attended. I loved her brother Landon’s overprotectiveness despite being younger than her. And, lastly, I like that Griffin had black cat energy and yet was a golden retriever for her.
Sadly though, I think my biggest criticism for this book is the pacing of the book. Some parts felt WAY too fast like the FMC and MMC figuring out that they know each other and then basically falling in love just like that. And then some parts felt a little dragged on. And, IDK if it’s because of the pacing but, I found I didn’t really much like Lydia after reading her inner monologues. She’s supposed to be in her 30s leading college students and yet it feels like her emotional intelligence is that of a teenager…or worse, middle schooler. Griffin on the other hand felt too unrealistic BUT I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt that this is in fact a romance and…anything goes! However, I felt like Griffin was judged a little too harshly. Like…why’d it seem like he loved being told what to do by Lydia and yet painted as someone with anger management issues when there was never really any indication of that…outside of the fact that he’s a hockey player. What he did felt like he was protecting Lydia and yet…he had anger management issues? That was so disappointing to read!
Anyway, despite my grievances with this particular book, I do still want to read another book by this author. Just because this book was not it for ME doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy this book and doesn’t mean her other books are the same. Like I said in the beginning, I totally get the vision of her book. I just think the pacing needed to be reworked and it could have turned out so much better!
I’ll start with what I did like with this book: I liked that Lydia was portrayed as someone who wanted to make a change in a male-dominant world of esports. And, I love even more that she became a director for the sport at the same college she attended. I loved her brother Landon’s overprotectiveness despite being younger than her. And, lastly, I like that Griffin had black cat energy and yet was a golden retriever for her.
Sadly though, I think my biggest criticism for this book is the pacing of the book. Some parts felt WAY too fast like the FMC and MMC figuring out that they know each other and then basically falling in love just like that. And then some parts felt a little dragged on. And, IDK if it’s because of the pacing but, I found I didn’t really much like Lydia after reading her inner monologues. She’s supposed to be in her 30s leading college students and yet it feels like her emotional intelligence is that of a teenager…or worse, middle schooler. Griffin on the other hand felt too unrealistic BUT I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt that this is in fact a romance and…anything goes! However, I felt like Griffin was judged a little too harshly. Like…why’d it seem like he loved being told what to do by Lydia and yet painted as someone with anger management issues when there was never really any indication of that…outside of the fact that he’s a hockey player. What he did felt like he was protecting Lydia and yet…he had anger management issues? That was so disappointing to read!
Anyway, despite my grievances with this particular book, I do still want to read another book by this author. Just because this book was not it for ME doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy this book and doesn’t mean her other books are the same. Like I said in the beginning, I totally get the vision of her book. I just think the pacing needed to be reworked and it could have turned out so much better!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2024
ARC Review
I really enjoyed Match Game. I am a bit of a gamer and Discord user so seeing the two main characters doing things that love brought me so much joy.
Lydia and Griffin’s story is so cute. It was great seeing Asian American representation in both gaming and NHL. I also love how Lydia was part of a male dominated role and was able to break the glass ceiling and be a very successful director of esports.
Overall I rate this a 4.5/5. It’s a cute love story that also discussed underlying topics in diversity.
I really enjoyed Match Game. I am a bit of a gamer and Discord user so seeing the two main characters doing things that love brought me so much joy.
Lydia and Griffin’s story is so cute. It was great seeing Asian American representation in both gaming and NHL. I also love how Lydia was part of a male dominated role and was able to break the glass ceiling and be a very successful director of esports.
Overall I rate this a 4.5/5. It’s a cute love story that also discussed underlying topics in diversity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2024
This story was absolutely delightful. Griffin and Lydia, each grappling with their own obstacles and anxieties, found a heartwarming connection that brought them together. Watching Griffin fall in love with Lydia was truly endearing and filled me with joy. Moreover, Griffin’s relationships with his friends added an extra layer of charm to the story.
June 3, 2024
I enjoyed reading Griffin and Lydia’s love story! It was great to see to Asian MCs. Griffin, our MMC, is a hockey player and Lydia is an eSports director!! Each MC was fun and unique, different from what I usually see in romance novels.
I did dock some stars due to the fact that the pacing felt a bit too rushed in some parts and the third-act breakup was a bit of a stretch for me, in that he’s a hockey player who gets into fights on the ice and had one instance of protecting his girlfriend, but was painted so negatively. I also wish we got more closure from Lydia’s boss and the coach to her eSports team. There wasn’t much resolution and I wish that loose end was tied up.
I did dock some stars due to the fact that the pacing felt a bit too rushed in some parts and the third-act breakup was a bit of a stretch for me, in that he’s a hockey player who gets into fights on the ice and had one instance of protecting his girlfriend, but was painted so negatively. I also wish we got more closure from Lydia’s boss and the coach to her eSports team. There wasn’t much resolution and I wish that loose end was tied up.
February 27, 2025
Match Game by @brittanyarreguinwrites is the juxtaposition of hockey romance and gaming nerds I never knew I needed, but always wanted. As as Asian author, she gives us Asian influenced contemporary romances, with Asian MCs. Wins all around, as far as I'm concerned.
📑 Lydia Goh, the new Director of Escorts as Los Gatos University - the first person to hold that position at LGU. Under mounting pressure and as a person with anxiety, she decides to boot up a co-op video game to unwind one night. The game matches her up with PianoPuck18 and they quickly become friends. Events occur leaving Lydia feeling rejected and heartbroken. In an attempt to distract her and help her move forward, her hockey loving brother invites her to watch a pro hockey (go Stingrays!) game with her. When she hears the star player, Griffin Markey, of the local pro team, the Stingrays, speaking to a fan after the game, Lydia realizes she recognizes that voice - it's none other than PianoPuck18. Together, Griffin & Lydia hatch a mutually beneficial plan to fake date - no feelings included. Can they keep things platonic as they spend more and more time together and the line between real and fake becomes more and more blurred?
📖 I enjoyed their meet cute. It's fun and different. As a fellow female gamer, I love seeing more rep in lit. I've read a number of hockey romances so I appreciated this alternate take on it.
Not a gamer? Don't stress - no gaming knowledge or experience needed to enjoy Match Game.
✍🏼 Written in a clear and concise way, without skimping on descriptions, it makes for a fun, quick read.
Dialogue read as natural and fit the characters.
⌛Pacing is great, with various types of action keeping the story progressing.
👥 The characters are well developed and dimensional. They have personality and nuance.
✨ There's a section that initially felt blown out of proportion (to me), as to me it was really not that big of a deal. I thought one of them was reacting much stronger than I felt was warranted. After mulling it over, I realized my reaction to their reaction(s) likely says a lot more about me (yikes lol) than it does the MCs. We all have our boundaries, and just because someone else's are different from yours doesn't make anyone's boundaries "wrong." I needed that reminder. Just because I would handle something a certain way doesn't mean that's the "right" way, or even that there's only one way. Ironically, I thought their reaction was too strong and then had my own strong reaction to what I felt was their "overreaction." 😂
💞 The romance is sweet & spicy, and a lot of fun.
🌶️ 2.5 🌶️ is probably more accurate. The spice is well done, well time and placed.
There's one scene in particular - not something I've read about. 🥵 MMC has a pretty good way with words, I think many will enjoy that aspect.
📚
I received a copy of Match Game from the author via @goodgirls pr - thank you all for the book!
Thank you to @brittanyarreguinwrites and @goodgirls PR for the book. All opinions/thoughts expressed are my own.
📑 Lydia Goh, the new Director of Escorts as Los Gatos University - the first person to hold that position at LGU. Under mounting pressure and as a person with anxiety, she decides to boot up a co-op video game to unwind one night. The game matches her up with PianoPuck18 and they quickly become friends. Events occur leaving Lydia feeling rejected and heartbroken. In an attempt to distract her and help her move forward, her hockey loving brother invites her to watch a pro hockey (go Stingrays!) game with her. When she hears the star player, Griffin Markey, of the local pro team, the Stingrays, speaking to a fan after the game, Lydia realizes she recognizes that voice - it's none other than PianoPuck18. Together, Griffin & Lydia hatch a mutually beneficial plan to fake date - no feelings included. Can they keep things platonic as they spend more and more time together and the line between real and fake becomes more and more blurred?
📖 I enjoyed their meet cute. It's fun and different. As a fellow female gamer, I love seeing more rep in lit. I've read a number of hockey romances so I appreciated this alternate take on it.
Not a gamer? Don't stress - no gaming knowledge or experience needed to enjoy Match Game.
✍🏼 Written in a clear and concise way, without skimping on descriptions, it makes for a fun, quick read.
Dialogue read as natural and fit the characters.
⌛Pacing is great, with various types of action keeping the story progressing.
👥 The characters are well developed and dimensional. They have personality and nuance.
✨ There's a section that initially felt blown out of proportion (to me), as to me it was really not that big of a deal. I thought one of them was reacting much stronger than I felt was warranted. After mulling it over, I realized my reaction to their reaction(s) likely says a lot more about me (yikes lol) than it does the MCs. We all have our boundaries, and just because someone else's are different from yours doesn't make anyone's boundaries "wrong." I needed that reminder. Just because I would handle something a certain way doesn't mean that's the "right" way, or even that there's only one way. Ironically, I thought their reaction was too strong and then had my own strong reaction to what I felt was their "overreaction." 😂
💞 The romance is sweet & spicy, and a lot of fun.
🌶️ 2.5 🌶️ is probably more accurate. The spice is well done, well time and placed.
There's one scene in particular - not something I've read about. 🥵 MMC has a pretty good way with words, I think many will enjoy that aspect.
📚
I received a copy of Match Game from the author via @goodgirls pr - thank you all for the book!
Thank you to @brittanyarreguinwrites and @goodgirls PR for the book. All opinions/thoughts expressed are my own.
June 11, 2024
3.5 stars ⭐️
overall i enjoyed this book, it was a fun, fast paced and light read! it was refreshing to read a romance with asian MCs and the female main character being an esports director with the talks on topics regarding video games and how they’re perceived in the world. i really liked seeing her growth in her confidence at her job being in a male dominated field. her relationship with her students was so cute! & i loved griffin’s relationship with his teammates 🥰 lydia and griffin were adorable and i loved seeing him go weak for her! i gave it 3.5 stars because some parts were just a little too unbelievable for me; they’re reason for fake dating on his part, without spoilers some reactions to things were a bit much, and the third act breakup felt forced. by the end though i was totally invested in both teams and their seasons and ultimately liked it 🤗
•dual pov
•esports director/hockey player
•fake dating
•mixed asian MCs
thank you to good girls pr for the arc! 🩷✨
overall i enjoyed this book, it was a fun, fast paced and light read! it was refreshing to read a romance with asian MCs and the female main character being an esports director with the talks on topics regarding video games and how they’re perceived in the world. i really liked seeing her growth in her confidence at her job being in a male dominated field. her relationship with her students was so cute! & i loved griffin’s relationship with his teammates 🥰 lydia and griffin were adorable and i loved seeing him go weak for her! i gave it 3.5 stars because some parts were just a little too unbelievable for me; they’re reason for fake dating on his part, without spoilers some reactions to things were a bit much, and the third act breakup felt forced. by the end though i was totally invested in both teams and their seasons and ultimately liked it 🤗
•dual pov
•esports director/hockey player
•fake dating
•mixed asian MCs
thank you to good girls pr for the arc! 🩷✨
June 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Fake dating & a gaming meet cute… consider me sold! With a fast paced timeline & a fun group of characters, I had a great time reading this gaming/hockey romance! Lydia was such a bad ass working in a male-dominated field, I really loved that aspect & learning a bit of that community. Griffin & Lydia were sweet together throughout, though I do think even for “insta love” there were missing bits that could’ve helped impact their story. Griffin’s bond with a couple of his teammates was another special aspect I adored.
I felt like there could’ve been more character development & relationship development overall. The conflict felt very “wrapped in a bow”, there are resolutions to certain issues but not to others. There was something missing, I can’t explain but it’s like just a little something could’ve helped the story that much more ya know. Ultimately, I still enjoyed this story & am hyped for more of the San Jose Stingrays crew!
Fake dating & a gaming meet cute… consider me sold! With a fast paced timeline & a fun group of characters, I had a great time reading this gaming/hockey romance! Lydia was such a bad ass working in a male-dominated field, I really loved that aspect & learning a bit of that community. Griffin & Lydia were sweet together throughout, though I do think even for “insta love” there were missing bits that could’ve helped impact their story. Griffin’s bond with a couple of his teammates was another special aspect I adored.
I felt like there could’ve been more character development & relationship development overall. The conflict felt very “wrapped in a bow”, there are resolutions to certain issues but not to others. There was something missing, I can’t explain but it’s like just a little something could’ve helped the story that much more ya know. Ultimately, I still enjoyed this story & am hyped for more of the San Jose Stingrays crew!
June 5, 2024
This book was so refreshingly different from anything I’ve read! I absolutely loved the gamer/hockey player dynamic! It was such a fast paced and quick read.
Add in the fact it had fake dating and for me that’s always a win. I love the diversity of the characters, and how well rounded they are. For example Lydia (the gamer) works in esports and she doesn’t let the “male dominated” field hold her back, she’s herself unapologetically! And I LOVE HER!
As a gamers wife it was super easy for me to pick up on the lingo used in the book, and let me say this author KNOWS what she’s talking about! Hockey and gaming lingo were ON point!
Fake dating
Hockey/gamer
Secret identity
Add in the fact it had fake dating and for me that’s always a win. I love the diversity of the characters, and how well rounded they are. For example Lydia (the gamer) works in esports and she doesn’t let the “male dominated” field hold her back, she’s herself unapologetically! And I LOVE HER!
As a gamers wife it was super easy for me to pick up on the lingo used in the book, and let me say this author KNOWS what she’s talking about! Hockey and gaming lingo were ON point!
Fake dating
Hockey/gamer
Secret identity
June 17, 2024
I applied for this ARC because I love that it’s written by an Asian woman, and featured Asian MCs. I also loved that it was based around gaming because that’s not a common romance book theme.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but I did find the pacing to be off for me. I’m not a fan of “insta love/attachment” in most cases, and it felt like Griffin & Lydia were too emotionally involved after seemingly one game play together (Lydia referring to the supposed rejection by Griffin before they met IRL as a “heartbreak” seemed too intense for the situation).
Still, I enjoyed it and will read books by this author in the future!
Overall I enjoyed the book, but I did find the pacing to be off for me. I’m not a fan of “insta love/attachment” in most cases, and it felt like Griffin & Lydia were too emotionally involved after seemingly one game play together (Lydia referring to the supposed rejection by Griffin before they met IRL as a “heartbreak” seemed too intense for the situation).
Still, I enjoyed it and will read books by this author in the future!
June 16, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, book friends, and it had a lot of promise. But, unfortunately the parts that I liked couldn't outweigh the parts I struggled with.
I thought the premise and the beginning was really fun and cute. Griffin is a hockey player that really struggles with his fame and his fans sexualizing him. He just wants to be able to play and enjoy what he does. You learn he's kind of nerdy and loves playing board games and video games. After a rough night, he decides to hop on one of his most favorite video games that is wanting him to endorse. He gets paired up with Lydia and they hit it off. Lydia is the director of the esports group at one of the local universities.
They end up meeting in real life after Griffin has turned her down for meeting (he doesn't really date to protect others from the media and to not gain even more attention). Lydia is pretty hard on him and when he tries to make it up to her, she decides they can fake date so she can use his fame to try and keep the esports group at the university, and she helps him to interact with the media and be more comfortable with them. He's a goner for her. And it's all really cute. But then things start to go downhill for me.
My issues: Griffin and Lydia literally only talk a few times over Discord while they play and she's super heartbroken and crying a bunch over getting turned down by Griffin. She's so upset that when they actually meet she won't really give him a real chance? Luckily they make it real pretty quick.
She takes a group of the students of the esports group to a conference and it's written like these students are middle school/high school age instead of college age, and Lydia acts more like a high schooler/college age student instead of someone in their 30s.
Lydia very unfairly villainizes Griffin. They end up playing together and he gets upset when they don't win when he feels like they could have, and you would have thought that he threw and broke things, yelled, and acted out of control with how Lydia reacts to it.
Griffin is made out to have anger management issues and that it's emotionally abusive. I just feel like Griffin was done incredibly dirty and a really great character was written in a way that makes no sense.
I think this book could be really great if it was reworked. I think a lot of people have similar issues that I do with the story.
Thank you, Brittany and Good Girls PR for sending this ARC.
I thought the premise and the beginning was really fun and cute. Griffin is a hockey player that really struggles with his fame and his fans sexualizing him. He just wants to be able to play and enjoy what he does. You learn he's kind of nerdy and loves playing board games and video games. After a rough night, he decides to hop on one of his most favorite video games that is wanting him to endorse. He gets paired up with Lydia and they hit it off. Lydia is the director of the esports group at one of the local universities.
They end up meeting in real life after Griffin has turned her down for meeting (he doesn't really date to protect others from the media and to not gain even more attention). Lydia is pretty hard on him and when he tries to make it up to her, she decides they can fake date so she can use his fame to try and keep the esports group at the university, and she helps him to interact with the media and be more comfortable with them. He's a goner for her. And it's all really cute. But then things start to go downhill for me.
My issues: Griffin and Lydia literally only talk a few times over Discord while they play and she's super heartbroken and crying a bunch over getting turned down by Griffin. She's so upset that when they actually meet she won't really give him a real chance? Luckily they make it real pretty quick.
She takes a group of the students of the esports group to a conference and it's written like these students are middle school/high school age instead of college age, and Lydia acts more like a high schooler/college age student instead of someone in their 30s.
Lydia very unfairly villainizes Griffin. They end up playing together and he gets upset when they don't win when he feels like they could have, and you would have thought that he threw and broke things, yelled, and acted out of control with how Lydia reacts to it.
Griffin is made out to have anger management issues and that it's emotionally abusive. I just feel like Griffin was done incredibly dirty and a really great character was written in a way that makes no sense.
I think this book could be really great if it was reworked. I think a lot of people have similar issues that I do with the story.
Thank you, Brittany and Good Girls PR for sending this ARC.
June 17, 2024
When I started this book, I was thrown for a loop. In my head, even though I like forgot this was a hockey romance, fake dating trope book I was like Oh! It’s about video games and LITERALLY thought it was gonna solely be that. And then I got to chapter 2 and was like WOAH WOAH WOAH why are we talking about hockey!?
I kept reading and I enjoyed the story. Lydia and Griffin were a very cute couple but I really hated, I want to say like 75% through the book. It felt like they had a third act break up and I was like “oh my god. I’m not here for it!”
I do have a favorite quote though. It’s when Landon says “but daddy I love him!” and is quoting the little mermaid but me being the Swiftie I am can only now picture the Taylor Swift song of the same name.
Thank you Brittany Arreguin for the opportunity to read this book.
I kept reading and I enjoyed the story. Lydia and Griffin were a very cute couple but I really hated, I want to say like 75% through the book. It felt like they had a third act break up and I was like “oh my god. I’m not here for it!”
I do have a favorite quote though. It’s when Landon says “but daddy I love him!” and is quoting the little mermaid but me being the Swiftie I am can only now picture the Taylor Swift song of the same name.
Thank you Brittany Arreguin for the opportunity to read this book.
July 1, 2024
"Match Game" ended up being the perfect blend of everything I enjoy! Fake dating trope, video games, a couple meeting in a video game, a diverse cast, hockey romance, and more!
Such a fun read—the banter and rom-com vibes were spot on. I really enjoyed the fake dating aspect; even though it was a bit predictable, it was super cute and believable.
Even though I read this as an ARC, I genuinely loved the story and was thrilled to add another multi star read to my shelf!
Thank you, Good Girls PR & Brittany Arreguin, for letting me read this early! 💜 This review and all my reviews are my own opinions and aren't influenced by the author, PR, ARC access, social media, etc.
Such a fun read—the banter and rom-com vibes were spot on. I really enjoyed the fake dating aspect; even though it was a bit predictable, it was super cute and believable.
Even though I read this as an ARC, I genuinely loved the story and was thrilled to add another multi star read to my shelf!
Thank you, Good Girls PR & Brittany Arreguin, for letting me read this early! 💜 This review and all my reviews are my own opinions and aren't influenced by the author, PR, ARC access, social media, etc.
November 10, 2024
It’s started as a 3 star for me and it just was a bit boring. It just is a little basic with not much depth. The concept is cute but I wish the dialogue was more fun. Someone else had a great review that the vision was great but execution lacked.
I’m wrote this note while I was on page 207 and the romance is kind of cringe. There’s no romance build up or feelings that are felt by the reader. 2 stars for me at this point.
I’m glad I finished this book. Sadly the writing was just not for me. I thought it was predicable, the dialogue not really believable, and not very steamy. I say 2 stars since it was easy to read and was compelling enough for me to keep going in 2 days.
I’m wrote this note while I was on page 207 and the romance is kind of cringe. There’s no romance build up or feelings that are felt by the reader. 2 stars for me at this point.
I’m glad I finished this book. Sadly the writing was just not for me. I thought it was predicable, the dialogue not really believable, and not very steamy. I say 2 stars since it was easy to read and was compelling enough for me to keep going in 2 days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2024
I’ve never read an esports or ice hockey book before this, but I found it so enjoyable. It was such a quick and adorable read- I found myself reaching back for it right after setting it down multiple times (which is the best feeling)! I loved the Asian rep and gaming culture- it felt like home to me lolol
Griffin is the biggest simp, and it’s so cute. He and Lydia make an adorable couple. 🎮🏒🩷
(Also I loved the book designs and aesthetics. It’s sooo cute!)
Griffin is the biggest simp, and it’s so cute. He and Lydia make an adorable couple. 🎮🏒🩷
(Also I loved the book designs and aesthetics. It’s sooo cute!)
did-not-finish
January 20, 2025There is another review on here that says how this book tried to be every trope under the sun and I can definitely see it. At times it was fast paced, then it became slow. Some of the dialogue seemed very elemental so I was unable to get into the story. The premise is cute but the plot seemed all over the place (sort of like this review).
June 12, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an e-arc of this book and I wanted to love this book so much.
There was so much going for the book, ice hockey, fake dating, POC but there was also a lot that ruined the book too.
The writing felt almost childish and the smut scenes was embarrassing to read.
I disliked the fact that Griffin was destroyed for having “anger management” issues all because he pushed the paparazzi and gets into a fight with a rival all because they made comments about Lydia. And then, him being gaslit to believe it.
I did like the main character and the way she wanted to change the gaming industry in a male-dominated industry.
I liked the MC’s meet-cute
Overall a cute book.
There was so much going for the book, ice hockey, fake dating, POC but there was also a lot that ruined the book too.
The writing felt almost childish and the smut scenes was embarrassing to read.
I disliked the fact that Griffin was destroyed for having “anger management” issues all because he pushed the paparazzi and gets into a fight with a rival all because they made comments about Lydia. And then, him being gaslit to believe it.
I did like the main character and the way she wanted to change the gaming industry in a male-dominated industry.
I liked the MC’s meet-cute
Overall a cute book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2024
2.5/5 The story itself is cute, I love the idea that they met gaming and including esports etc. However, the spicy content is just CRINGE. I grimaced a few times and it definitely took away from the cute story.
August 18, 2024
Arc Review:
I’d like to thank the author Brittany Arreguin and Good Girls Pr for allowing me to be apart of the arc team for this book. I really enjoyed reading it.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 3 🔥🔥🔥
Cover Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
- Fake Dating
- Hockey Romance
- Pro Athlete x College E-Sports Director
- ”Love is Blind” But They Meet in a Video Game
- Insta Crush
- He Falls First (& Hard)
- There’s a Hot Tub Scene
- Asian Main Characters + A Whole Lotta Asian Food
- Mental Health Rep
- Video Game Nerds In Love
- Found Family
I love the fake dating trope and I love a hockey romance so I thought that this book had a nice twist on that with the two main characters having a geeky nerdy side for video games, I just absolutely loved how they met in a video game, talk about a meet-cute.
This book was pretty fast paced and just overall a quick read if you wanted it to be.
I loved Lydia and Griffins story and I think you’ll love it aswell, so highly recommend you read this book.
I’d like to thank the author Brittany Arreguin and Good Girls Pr for allowing me to be apart of the arc team for this book. I really enjoyed reading it.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 3 🔥🔥🔥
Cover Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
- Fake Dating
- Hockey Romance
- Pro Athlete x College E-Sports Director
- ”Love is Blind” But They Meet in a Video Game
- Insta Crush
- He Falls First (& Hard)
- There’s a Hot Tub Scene
- Asian Main Characters + A Whole Lotta Asian Food
- Mental Health Rep
- Video Game Nerds In Love
- Found Family
I love the fake dating trope and I love a hockey romance so I thought that this book had a nice twist on that with the two main characters having a geeky nerdy side for video games, I just absolutely loved how they met in a video game, talk about a meet-cute.
This book was pretty fast paced and just overall a quick read if you wanted it to be.
I loved Lydia and Griffins story and I think you’ll love it aswell, so highly recommend you read this book.
June 1, 2024
First I'd like to say thank you to Brittany Arreguin and Good Girls PR for the opportunity to read Match Game as an ARC!
Lydia is the first Director of Esports Gaming at her alma mater.
Griffin is a seasoned pro hockey player.
Both have a love for video games and when they are randomly matched in game the sparks start flying between the two strangers.
After a rejection to meet IRL, learning that her mystery gamer boy is NHL star, Griffin Markey, they start a "mutually beneficial" fake relationship... Or so they thought.
I don't even know where to begin describing how much I enjoyed this book. I pretty much had a big ole smile plastered on my face the whole book. Once I picked it up I could not put it down, it was such a fun read.
I absolutely loved the characters! I related a lot with Lydia and her struggles in a male dominated profession. I really enjoyed that she had such a great relationship with her brother, Landon, who was protective but very supportive of her. Griffin, Micah, and Ross were the cutest, nerdy friend group and I loved their weekly game night tradition.
My biggest pet peeve in books is when an author doesn't do their research but there was genuine hockey and Esports/video game knowledge that made reading Match Game so much better!
If you enjoy romance, hockey, and video games then this book is for you!
Lydia is the first Director of Esports Gaming at her alma mater.
Griffin is a seasoned pro hockey player.
Both have a love for video games and when they are randomly matched in game the sparks start flying between the two strangers.
After a rejection to meet IRL, learning that her mystery gamer boy is NHL star, Griffin Markey, they start a "mutually beneficial" fake relationship... Or so they thought.
I don't even know where to begin describing how much I enjoyed this book. I pretty much had a big ole smile plastered on my face the whole book. Once I picked it up I could not put it down, it was such a fun read.
I absolutely loved the characters! I related a lot with Lydia and her struggles in a male dominated profession. I really enjoyed that she had such a great relationship with her brother, Landon, who was protective but very supportive of her. Griffin, Micah, and Ross were the cutest, nerdy friend group and I loved their weekly game night tradition.
My biggest pet peeve in books is when an author doesn't do their research but there was genuine hockey and Esports/video game knowledge that made reading Match Game so much better!
If you enjoy romance, hockey, and video games then this book is for you!
June 30, 2024
I enjoyed this hockey romance. I love that it has diverse characters and themes. I especially love how the author has meshed together the nerdy side of the world and the world of sports.
This romance was sweet. This beautiful, chiseled man just wants to spoil his girl, and be nerds together. They both have anxieties related to work and deal with mental health in different ways. The 3rd act breakup makes you want to wrong their necks, but seeing the growth that they achieve by the end is all worth it. Definitely recommend for any nerd out there.
This romance was sweet. This beautiful, chiseled man just wants to spoil his girl, and be nerds together. They both have anxieties related to work and deal with mental health in different ways. The 3rd act breakup makes you want to wrong their necks, but seeing the growth that they achieve by the end is all worth it. Definitely recommend for any nerd out there.
October 24, 2024
This book was bad. I wanted to like it, I really did. But there were so many tropes! Like the author threw in everything they had just in case this was the only book they wrote? And they fell in love after barely knowing each other. The book could have been about them knowing each other online and not discovering who each other was until halfway through, or it could have been about dealing with the press, or it could have been about his (alleged) anger issues, or it could have been about her trying to find her way in her career, but not ALL of that.
June 26, 2024
Book Review: "Match Game" by @brittanyarreguinwrites
Thank you @good.girls.pr for the ARC and for giving me the opportunity to be apart of their world.
Tropes:
- Dual Perspectives (PianoPuck + DiddyLiddy)
- Enemies to Lovers (Were they?)
- Underestimated Protagonist
- Fake Dating
- Secret Identity
Genres:
- Contemporary Fiction
- Romance
- Sports Fiction (E-sports and Traditional Sports)
- Young Adult/New Adult
Themes:
- Ambition and Career
- Identity and Self-Discovery
- Friendship and Loyalty
- Mental Health Awareness
- Overcoming Racism
- The Impact of Fame
Trigger Warnings:
- Racism
- Mental Illness (including discussions of anxiety and depression)
- Public Scrutiny and Invasion of Privacy
"Match Game" by Brittany Arreguin is an enthralling narrative that delves into the worlds of e-sports and professional hockey through the perspectives of Lydia and Griffin. Lydia's determination to become the first e-sports director is rooted in her university experiences and childhood passion for gaming. Her journey into the e-sports club at university is a pivotal point where she hones her skills, forms lasting friendships, and faces the challenges of a male-dominated field.
Griffin, a professional hockey player, grapples with the pressures of fame and public scrutiny. His reluctance to embrace his celebrity status adds complexity to his character. Through his interactions with Lydia via Hero Seek, a connection develops that transcends the virtual world. Their shared interest in gaming and gradual emotional development intertwine their paths, despite Griffin's internal conflict about maintaining privacy and dealing with his feelings for Lydia.
Arreguin's narrative balances introspective moments with thrilling sequences, making "Match Game" a captivating exploration of ambition, resilience, and modern relationships within the realm of e-sports. The story offers readers a thought-provoking journey, addressing contemporary issues such as identity, mental health, and overcoming societal challenges. Brittany Arreguin's novel is a testament to her skill as a storyteller and promises a memorable journey into the world of competitive gaming and personal discovery.
Thank you @good.girls.pr for the ARC and for giving me the opportunity to be apart of their world.
Tropes:
- Dual Perspectives (PianoPuck + DiddyLiddy)
- Enemies to Lovers (Were they?)
- Underestimated Protagonist
- Fake Dating
- Secret Identity
Genres:
- Contemporary Fiction
- Romance
- Sports Fiction (E-sports and Traditional Sports)
- Young Adult/New Adult
Themes:
- Ambition and Career
- Identity and Self-Discovery
- Friendship and Loyalty
- Mental Health Awareness
- Overcoming Racism
- The Impact of Fame
Trigger Warnings:
- Racism
- Mental Illness (including discussions of anxiety and depression)
- Public Scrutiny and Invasion of Privacy
"Match Game" by Brittany Arreguin is an enthralling narrative that delves into the worlds of e-sports and professional hockey through the perspectives of Lydia and Griffin. Lydia's determination to become the first e-sports director is rooted in her university experiences and childhood passion for gaming. Her journey into the e-sports club at university is a pivotal point where she hones her skills, forms lasting friendships, and faces the challenges of a male-dominated field.
Griffin, a professional hockey player, grapples with the pressures of fame and public scrutiny. His reluctance to embrace his celebrity status adds complexity to his character. Through his interactions with Lydia via Hero Seek, a connection develops that transcends the virtual world. Their shared interest in gaming and gradual emotional development intertwine their paths, despite Griffin's internal conflict about maintaining privacy and dealing with his feelings for Lydia.
Arreguin's narrative balances introspective moments with thrilling sequences, making "Match Game" a captivating exploration of ambition, resilience, and modern relationships within the realm of e-sports. The story offers readers a thought-provoking journey, addressing contemporary issues such as identity, mental health, and overcoming societal challenges. Brittany Arreguin's novel is a testament to her skill as a storyteller and promises a memorable journey into the world of competitive gaming and personal discovery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2024
Rating: 3.5/5
Spice: 3/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
What a cute story! Match Game by Brittany Arreguin is a fun, light-hearted read that entertained me from start to finish. I love a good ‘fake dating’ situation, and bonus points for it being a hockey romance too. Not to mention, the representation in this book was perfect!
Lydia Goh, Director of Esports Gaming at her alma mater, is determined to gain well-deserved respect in this male-dominated industry. To unwind, she plays a popular co-op game and befriends a stranger online, PianoPuck18, who turns out to be professional hockey player Griffin Markey. Griffin ghosted Lydia to protect her from his overwhelming fame, but Lydia decides to prove she can handle the spotlight by fake dating him. As they navigate their arrangement, genuine feelings surface, making them question if they want their relationship to be more than just pretend.
I loved the representation in ‘Match Game’! Pan-Asian representation in professional sports is huge and the female representation in the esports world made my heart happy! As with any rom-com, I adored their banter. Lydia made me laugh quite a few times in this book, but Griffin – I just wanted to give him a shake, then a hug, and let him know everything is going to be ok. Major topics were covered, and I appreciated the mental health representation as well.
While I love fake dating and hockey romances, I’m not a fan of the ‘instant-love’ trope. Lydia and Griffin move fast, making the latter half of the book feel rushed. A few scenes needed more resolution (like Lydia’s job situation), and some reactions (Lydia at the hockey game, paparazzi incident) felt over the top. Everything escalates quickly and wraps up without much depth or closure.
Overall, Match Game was fun to read. I devoured it in a day and loved the diversity and representation. And who doesn’t love a good hockey romance? At under 500 pages, it’s bingeable to say the least. There are three on-page scenes, please check content warnings and age limits.
Thank you to Good Girls PR and Brittany Arreguin for sending me a copy of Match Game!
IG: @melissareadseverything
Spice: 3/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
What a cute story! Match Game by Brittany Arreguin is a fun, light-hearted read that entertained me from start to finish. I love a good ‘fake dating’ situation, and bonus points for it being a hockey romance too. Not to mention, the representation in this book was perfect!
Lydia Goh, Director of Esports Gaming at her alma mater, is determined to gain well-deserved respect in this male-dominated industry. To unwind, she plays a popular co-op game and befriends a stranger online, PianoPuck18, who turns out to be professional hockey player Griffin Markey. Griffin ghosted Lydia to protect her from his overwhelming fame, but Lydia decides to prove she can handle the spotlight by fake dating him. As they navigate their arrangement, genuine feelings surface, making them question if they want their relationship to be more than just pretend.
I loved the representation in ‘Match Game’! Pan-Asian representation in professional sports is huge and the female representation in the esports world made my heart happy! As with any rom-com, I adored their banter. Lydia made me laugh quite a few times in this book, but Griffin – I just wanted to give him a shake, then a hug, and let him know everything is going to be ok. Major topics were covered, and I appreciated the mental health representation as well.
While I love fake dating and hockey romances, I’m not a fan of the ‘instant-love’ trope. Lydia and Griffin move fast, making the latter half of the book feel rushed. A few scenes needed more resolution (like Lydia’s job situation), and some reactions (Lydia at the hockey game, paparazzi incident) felt over the top. Everything escalates quickly and wraps up without much depth or closure.
Overall, Match Game was fun to read. I devoured it in a day and loved the diversity and representation. And who doesn’t love a good hockey romance? At under 500 pages, it’s bingeable to say the least. There are three on-page scenes, please check content warnings and age limits.
Thank you to Good Girls PR and Brittany Arreguin for sending me a copy of Match Game!
IG: @melissareadseverything
June 7, 2024
🎮ARC REVIEW🎮
Am I the only one who thinks Griffin was gaslighted into thinking he was an abusive person and needed therapy??? Like that whole thing is so messed up. He was literally protecting Lydia after some paparazzi got in her space. What is wrong with that? And he is literally a hockey player who got in a fight on the ice. Hockey is literally a fighting sport. There is absolutely nothing wrong with him getting in a fight with another player bc it happens all the time. But everyone is going to paint him as an abusive person and try and make it sound like he is going to abuse his girlfriend too? How is that ok at all. He was literally gaslighted by everyone to think that he is an abusive person who needs serious help when that isn’t the case at all. This book honestly was so good in the beginning, but once this whole abusive situation came about it lost me. I could rant all day about how that was so messed up bc it was. In no way would that happen in the real world like it did. I really with that the third act breakup didn’t have to be developed with this abusive situation bc I really liked this book before all that. Griffin was absolutely so adorable and was so cute to Lydia. Their meetcute was also the most adorable thing EVER!! Like meeting in a game like they did was so fun and new. It was so refreshing and made me so giddy seeing them flirt and joke around with eachother. I can’t get over the fact that everyone made griffins out to be this abusive person, which was not the case at all.
Am I the only one who thinks Griffin was gaslighted into thinking he was an abusive person and needed therapy??? Like that whole thing is so messed up. He was literally protecting Lydia after some paparazzi got in her space. What is wrong with that? And he is literally a hockey player who got in a fight on the ice. Hockey is literally a fighting sport. There is absolutely nothing wrong with him getting in a fight with another player bc it happens all the time. But everyone is going to paint him as an abusive person and try and make it sound like he is going to abuse his girlfriend too? How is that ok at all. He was literally gaslighted by everyone to think that he is an abusive person who needs serious help when that isn’t the case at all. This book honestly was so good in the beginning, but once this whole abusive situation came about it lost me. I could rant all day about how that was so messed up bc it was. In no way would that happen in the real world like it did. I really with that the third act breakup didn’t have to be developed with this abusive situation bc I really liked this book before all that. Griffin was absolutely so adorable and was so cute to Lydia. Their meetcute was also the most adorable thing EVER!! Like meeting in a game like they did was so fun and new. It was so refreshing and made me so giddy seeing them flirt and joke around with eachother. I can’t get over the fact that everyone made griffins out to be this abusive person, which was not the case at all.
June 11, 2024
Dang it, I really wanted to like this one, but it just didn’t do it for me. The pacing was a bit all over the place and honestly the characters spoke and acted like college kids rather than adults in their 30s.
I thought the whole “online meet cute” was adorable, but the way Lydia reacted after “getting rejected” seemed a bit dramatic. Like girl, you played one video game with him and had a couple online conversations…chill. And don’t even get me started on Landon (Lydia’s brother)’s reaction. Fast forward to after they meet IRL, they decide to fake date in order to benefit Lydia with her job and benefit Griffin with his aversion to the spotlight. This whole concept didn’t make sense to me…Griffin didn’t like to be the center of attention, but he was willing to go to these events and be the center of attention to bring in donations for Lydias job? And Lydia wanted everyones respect for being a women in the eSport community, but she needed a man to help her gain that respect? Idk, I might be overthinking it.
**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**
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.
.
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The reasoning behind the third act break up pissed me off. Griffin is labeled as an abuser with anger issues because he pushed and threatened paparazzi who were making negative comments about Lydia and then he gets into a fight on the ice against a rival player. The entire situation was blown out of proportion with everyone thinking that Griffin is going to go on to abuse Lydia and him being gaslit into believing he is the issue and I just did not like it.
I thought the whole “online meet cute” was adorable, but the way Lydia reacted after “getting rejected” seemed a bit dramatic. Like girl, you played one video game with him and had a couple online conversations…chill. And don’t even get me started on Landon (Lydia’s brother)’s reaction. Fast forward to after they meet IRL, they decide to fake date in order to benefit Lydia with her job and benefit Griffin with his aversion to the spotlight. This whole concept didn’t make sense to me…Griffin didn’t like to be the center of attention, but he was willing to go to these events and be the center of attention to bring in donations for Lydias job? And Lydia wanted everyones respect for being a women in the eSport community, but she needed a man to help her gain that respect? Idk, I might be overthinking it.
**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers**
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.
.
.
The reasoning behind the third act break up pissed me off. Griffin is labeled as an abuser with anger issues because he pushed and threatened paparazzi who were making negative comments about Lydia and then he gets into a fight on the ice against a rival player. The entire situation was blown out of proportion with everyone thinking that Griffin is going to go on to abuse Lydia and him being gaslit into believing he is the issue and I just did not like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2024
You know it’ll be a great book when it has a “dicktionary”
Fake dating at its finest! This was an amazing hockey romance, with an esports FMC league as well and is just amazing!
I love Griffin and Lydia!
Like I said this has the fake dating trope which I just loved! These two are so cute together and watching them “fake” date was entertaining because they have a lot of similarities and both of them want it to be real, when it finally becomes real it was amazing!
Griffin has a negative view on the press and public relationships and Lydia needs the experience being in the public eye and engaging more with press and people.
There is a 3rd act breakup but honestly it was perfect for Griffin to pull his head out his a$$ and realize some things.
This was such a fun read though! I’m looking forward to Micah’s story next!
—————*—————
It’s funny because I’m a HUGE sports fan and my husband is a HUGE gamer, has even gone to see an esports championship in person and has the TSM jersey to go with it so I had a better understanding of the esports aspect of this book and while it is a college esports league that still translated over! I got so excited I’m sure you can imagine my husbands eye roll 🤣 at my excitement.
So not only did I get the hockey romance aspect which holds my love of hockey and romance books I kept smacking my husband in the chest while reading because it was esports as well which is so his thing!
—————*—————
I got an eARC from Good Girls PR
Fake dating at its finest! This was an amazing hockey romance, with an esports FMC league as well and is just amazing!
I love Griffin and Lydia!
Like I said this has the fake dating trope which I just loved! These two are so cute together and watching them “fake” date was entertaining because they have a lot of similarities and both of them want it to be real, when it finally becomes real it was amazing!
Griffin has a negative view on the press and public relationships and Lydia needs the experience being in the public eye and engaging more with press and people.
There is a 3rd act breakup but honestly it was perfect for Griffin to pull his head out his a$$ and realize some things.
This was such a fun read though! I’m looking forward to Micah’s story next!
—————*—————
It’s funny because I’m a HUGE sports fan and my husband is a HUGE gamer, has even gone to see an esports championship in person and has the TSM jersey to go with it so I had a better understanding of the esports aspect of this book and while it is a college esports league that still translated over! I got so excited I’m sure you can imagine my husbands eye roll 🤣 at my excitement.
So not only did I get the hockey romance aspect which holds my love of hockey and romance books I kept smacking my husband in the chest while reading because it was esports as well which is so his thing!
—————*—————
I got an eARC from Good Girls PR
June 26, 2024
I would be lying if I said a fake dating, sports/gaming romance didn’t intrigue me from the start. While I wish I loved this book a little bit more, I still had SO MUCH fun with it.
This was a super fun book about a professional hockey player and a director of esports meeting online in a video game and snowballing into a fake dating scenario.
As a former athlete, I loved the concept of Liddy working in a male dominated space and learning to stand up for herself and be confident in her work. I also loved the connection she and Griff had, despite the insta-love timing of everything.
While I knew this was going to be a lighter read and enjoyed the fast paced-ness of the book, I definitely wanted a little more insight into our characters.
Without diving deeper into Griff and Liddy, I didn’t care if they got together or not because everything happened so quickly between them. Again, I wasn’t going into this expecting a 600 page monologue of love, but I would’ve loved a little more substance to make me root for them.
I also thought it was a bit dramatic that after 2 relatively small fights, Griff believed he had an anger management problem?? Maybe I’m reading too much dark romance but it seemed wildly blown out of proportion.
While the plot was definitely there, it ultimately landed as an ok read. Fun and fluffy (little to no spice) and I would absolutely recommend this as good palette cleanser in between books.
Book Rating: 3/5
Spice Rating: 2/5
This was a super fun book about a professional hockey player and a director of esports meeting online in a video game and snowballing into a fake dating scenario.
As a former athlete, I loved the concept of Liddy working in a male dominated space and learning to stand up for herself and be confident in her work. I also loved the connection she and Griff had, despite the insta-love timing of everything.
While I knew this was going to be a lighter read and enjoyed the fast paced-ness of the book, I definitely wanted a little more insight into our characters.
Without diving deeper into Griff and Liddy, I didn’t care if they got together or not because everything happened so quickly between them. Again, I wasn’t going into this expecting a 600 page monologue of love, but I would’ve loved a little more substance to make me root for them.
I also thought it was a bit dramatic that after 2 relatively small fights, Griff believed he had an anger management problem?? Maybe I’m reading too much dark romance but it seemed wildly blown out of proportion.
While the plot was definitely there, it ultimately landed as an ok read. Fun and fluffy (little to no spice) and I would absolutely recommend this as good palette cleanser in between books.
Book Rating: 3/5
Spice Rating: 2/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2024
I was so excited to be chosen to read this ARC by Brittany Arreguin. Let me start by saying that I definitely saw the author's vision for this book. It has really great potential.
Hockey romance-check
POC representation-check
Location-check.
This book has a FMC that was a strong lead both in her career and esports. Although Lydia is stated to be in her 30's she acts a lot younger. It was very unique to read a book that was so relatable to the time period we are currently in.
My dislikes of the book? Well, there aren't many, except it felt way too rushed. There are gaps in the book that aren't really explained. The main part that felt super rushed was when Liddy and Griffin figure out who the other is and then fall in love. It felt like I was reading about them playing online for the very first time to all of a sudden them meeting and being in love. There was no in between, no evolving of the relationship, no mention of them playing online often, nothing leading up them being in love.
The other thing that bothered me a bit was how badly Griffin was painted in the book over protecting his girlfriend. Prior to meeting Lydia, Griffin is a pretty low key guy. Never any issues on his team or outside of the arena but the treatment he receives after some of his actions is something I would expect of a bad boy character, not someone like Griffin.
Overall, I gave the book 3 stars but enjoyed it. There is definitely potential and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Hockey romance-check
POC representation-check
Location-check.
This book has a FMC that was a strong lead both in her career and esports. Although Lydia is stated to be in her 30's she acts a lot younger. It was very unique to read a book that was so relatable to the time period we are currently in.
My dislikes of the book? Well, there aren't many, except it felt way too rushed. There are gaps in the book that aren't really explained. The main part that felt super rushed was when Liddy and Griffin figure out who the other is and then fall in love. It felt like I was reading about them playing online for the very first time to all of a sudden them meeting and being in love. There was no in between, no evolving of the relationship, no mention of them playing online often, nothing leading up them being in love.
The other thing that bothered me a bit was how badly Griffin was painted in the book over protecting his girlfriend. Prior to meeting Lydia, Griffin is a pretty low key guy. Never any issues on his team or outside of the arena but the treatment he receives after some of his actions is something I would expect of a bad boy character, not someone like Griffin.
Overall, I gave the book 3 stars but enjoyed it. There is definitely potential and I look forward to reading more by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
This book started with a bang but left me with some mixed feelings.
The beginning of the book is delightful. The way Lydia and Griffin meet is super cute and it had me giggling non-stop. Their chemistry is undeniable, and you can't help but root for them.
Griffin is great, and I loved how Lydia, as an esports director, breaks all the stereotypes.
The first half of "Match Game" is fantastic. The development of their feelings seemed natural and engaging. I was completely hooked.
However, the second half of the book is where things get a bit shaky. A lot happens very quickly. Griffin is harshly judged for his actions, which seemed a bit unfair to me. This tension strains their relationship in a way that didn't sit well with me.
Moreover, while Griffin's actions are justified in the story, Lydia forgives him way too quickly. After everything that happens, the resolution feels rushed.
Despite all these, "Match Game" is still an enjoyable read, especially for fans of sports romance. The characters are lovable and wonderful. And If you can get past a few things, you'll find a charming love story worth reading.
This book started with a bang but left me with some mixed feelings.
The beginning of the book is delightful. The way Lydia and Griffin meet is super cute and it had me giggling non-stop. Their chemistry is undeniable, and you can't help but root for them.
Griffin is great, and I loved how Lydia, as an esports director, breaks all the stereotypes.
The first half of "Match Game" is fantastic. The development of their feelings seemed natural and engaging. I was completely hooked.
However, the second half of the book is where things get a bit shaky. A lot happens very quickly. Griffin is harshly judged for his actions, which seemed a bit unfair to me. This tension strains their relationship in a way that didn't sit well with me.
Moreover, while Griffin's actions are justified in the story, Lydia forgives him way too quickly. After everything that happens, the resolution feels rushed.
Despite all these, "Match Game" is still an enjoyable read, especially for fans of sports romance. The characters are lovable and wonderful. And If you can get past a few things, you'll find a charming love story worth reading.
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