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Single Gamers Society #4
Redraw Your Hand
Returning to my hometown should mean starting fresh. Instead, I’m drawn back to my preteen crush, Natie Shiba―the same dude who can’t stand me.
Moving back to Newlantic is my fresh restart. I’ve got a new production business, a sister who’s getting married, and years of regrets to close the door on. The only complication is my job and my sister’s wedding both putting me in close quarters with the one and only Natie Shiba.
This dude was my first crush as a preteen, but somewhere along the line he grew to despise me. But I’m not that giant, stuttering teenager anymore, and Natie is all man.
I can ignore these stupid unrequited feelings as we work together. But over time, this town becomes a place I can call home again. After clearing the air, Natie genuinely becomes my friend. Between our meaningful messages and private walks on the beach, I find myself peeling back the layers that make Natie who he is. With the way he looks at me, I’m hopeless to resist opening up as well.
We have a decade of miscommunication and crossed signals to fix. With all the old wounds we need to patch up, it won’t be easy to forge this relationship. But winning Natie Shiba’s heart after all these years might be worth it.
In the game of love, it’s not always about playing your cards right. Sometimes, it’s about starting fresh and choosing to redraw your hand.
“Redraw Your Hand” is a male/male adult romantic comedy featuring stuttering teenagers, beachside weddings, romance book chats, and yes, second chances at first crushes while playing board games. Roll the dice with book four of the Single Gamer’s Society. Each book can be read as a stand-alone with a HEA. These queer nerds are looking for love, and bluff or fold, they play to win.
Moving back to Newlantic is my fresh restart. I’ve got a new production business, a sister who’s getting married, and years of regrets to close the door on. The only complication is my job and my sister’s wedding both putting me in close quarters with the one and only Natie Shiba.
This dude was my first crush as a preteen, but somewhere along the line he grew to despise me. But I’m not that giant, stuttering teenager anymore, and Natie is all man.
I can ignore these stupid unrequited feelings as we work together. But over time, this town becomes a place I can call home again. After clearing the air, Natie genuinely becomes my friend. Between our meaningful messages and private walks on the beach, I find myself peeling back the layers that make Natie who he is. With the way he looks at me, I’m hopeless to resist opening up as well.
We have a decade of miscommunication and crossed signals to fix. With all the old wounds we need to patch up, it won’t be easy to forge this relationship. But winning Natie Shiba’s heart after all these years might be worth it.
In the game of love, it’s not always about playing your cards right. Sometimes, it’s about starting fresh and choosing to redraw your hand.
“Redraw Your Hand” is a male/male adult romantic comedy featuring stuttering teenagers, beachside weddings, romance book chats, and yes, second chances at first crushes while playing board games. Roll the dice with book four of the Single Gamer’s Society. Each book can be read as a stand-alone with a HEA. These queer nerds are looking for love, and bluff or fold, they play to win.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2024
14 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
C.D. Rachels
22 books114 followersCD Rachels has been coming up with stories since he was little. At first it was all about superheroes and pocket monsters, but his genre of choice has expanded since puberty.
He’s been consuming young adult gay fiction since he was a teen, but within the past five years moved up to the big leagues of gay adult romance. In 2020 during quarantine, he burned through more male/male romance books than he ever had in the previous 29 years combined.
He lives in New York City with the love of his life and is a nurse by trade. When he’s not reading and writing, he’s playing board games and practicing music. He is honored to become a self-published author, and if you’re reading this, your support means so much to him that it’s giving him a tingly feeling (in a good way).
He’s been consuming young adult gay fiction since he was a teen, but within the past five years moved up to the big leagues of gay adult romance. In 2020 during quarantine, he burned through more male/male romance books than he ever had in the previous 29 years combined.
He lives in New York City with the love of his life and is a nurse by trade. When he’s not reading and writing, he’s playing board games and practicing music. He is honored to become a self-published author, and if you’re reading this, your support means so much to him that it’s giving him a tingly feeling (in a good way).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 9, 2025
Overall, I enjoyed this quite a bit! It was my first in the series, and I definitely plan to go back and read the others. It seems like such a cozy, wonderful, found family. The story was well done and kept me interested.
The narrator did a great job with the main characters, but unfortunately, two of the secondary characters had horrible voices (Dylan and Hamardi). Thankfully, their speaking roles weren’t huge parts of the story. So one star off for that, but like I said the rest of the narration was great!
The narrator did a great job with the main characters, but unfortunately, two of the secondary characters had horrible voices (Dylan and Hamardi). Thankfully, their speaking roles weren’t huge parts of the story. So one star off for that, but like I said the rest of the narration was great!
July 29, 2024
I've been waiting for Natie's story (didn't we all?) and this was the perfect way to complete the series, although it feels sad to leave this group of friends.
I loved Santos so much, he was absolutely adorable, both his personality and look (this must be the first time I read of a bald MC after reading almost 1000 MM romance and finally!!!) His statter didn't help with the misunderstanding happening with Natie when they were young but luckily in the present, Natie is a much mature person and I loved how he immediately clarifies things, and how both Natie and Santos were completely enamored with each other.
I absolutely recommend this series if you would like to read nerd, board games players, adorable characters, BIPOC rep, not the typical white-fit-confident MCs, low angst and humor. I loved it so much 😍❤️
I loved Santos so much, he was absolutely adorable, both his personality and look (this must be the first time I read of a bald MC after reading almost 1000 MM romance and finally!!!) His statter didn't help with the misunderstanding happening with Natie when they were young but luckily in the present, Natie is a much mature person and I loved how he immediately clarifies things, and how both Natie and Santos were completely enamored with each other.
I absolutely recommend this series if you would like to read nerd, board games players, adorable characters, BIPOC rep, not the typical white-fit-confident MCs, low angst and humor. I loved it so much 😍❤️
July 16, 2024
A goodbye to the SGS.
They’re all in the LUGS (Loved-up Gamers’ Society) now, and we stan their forevers being happy ones!
Yes, thanks, I will take my bow. I know, I know! I’m highly entertaining. (This is where we all roll our eyeballs to the sky, mmkay?)
Anyhow! In this last installment, you finally get to see Natie doing his thing and getting his own romance with Santos. They have gone all the way through it since middle school, but they get their HEA in the end after some hard lessons are learned and lots of heavy feelings are felt.
As this was an ARC, I’m not going to talk mechanics, as usual, but I’m going to be honest about my personal feelings, and I know I’m going to be everyone’s least favourite again. And that’s really what took me so long to write this review after I hit that last page.
I didn’t know how, to be perfectly transparent. Because while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this story, it just was not for me. I’m sure a good therapist would be able to specifically point out why, but all I can do is say that their dynamic was pretty triggering for me for some reason, and I struggled throughout the entire book to finish because of that. My own personal issues get in my way all the time, so this is not new business. I really didn’t want to harsh the vibe when it’s nothing against the book or the writing, it’s genuinely all on me.
Again, there isn’t an issue with the book, but I have a laundry list—with side lists and notes—of them. I recommend it, especially if you’ve been with the group since the first book. It was a nice ending and goodbye to the series and the group, which I loved with my whole heart.
4/5. I’m super sad to wish these guys the best and farewell, but I can’t wait for another OV, diverse, BIPOC MC world from this author! Oh, and I am forever #teamSantos, because I would 💀 for him, precious sweet bear that he is.
**[I received an ARC directly from the author. All opinions, ratings, and reviews are my own.]**
OG Text: Rating and review pending. I have some thinking to do that requires my serious hat.
They’re all in the LUGS (Loved-up Gamers’ Society) now, and we stan their forevers being happy ones!
Yes, thanks, I will take my bow. I know, I know! I’m highly entertaining. (This is where we all roll our eyeballs to the sky, mmkay?)
Anyhow! In this last installment, you finally get to see Natie doing his thing and getting his own romance with Santos. They have gone all the way through it since middle school, but they get their HEA in the end after some hard lessons are learned and lots of heavy feelings are felt.
As this was an ARC, I’m not going to talk mechanics, as usual, but I’m going to be honest about my personal feelings, and I know I’m going to be everyone’s least favourite again. And that’s really what took me so long to write this review after I hit that last page.
I didn’t know how, to be perfectly transparent. Because while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this story, it just was not for me. I’m sure a good therapist would be able to specifically point out why, but all I can do is say that their dynamic was pretty triggering for me for some reason, and I struggled throughout the entire book to finish because of that. My own personal issues get in my way all the time, so this is not new business. I really didn’t want to harsh the vibe when it’s nothing against the book or the writing, it’s genuinely all on me.
Again, there isn’t an issue with the book, but I have a laundry list—with side lists and notes—of them. I recommend it, especially if you’ve been with the group since the first book. It was a nice ending and goodbye to the series and the group, which I loved with my whole heart.
4/5. I’m super sad to wish these guys the best and farewell, but I can’t wait for another OV, diverse, BIPOC MC world from this author! Oh, and I am forever #teamSantos, because I would 💀 for him, precious sweet bear that he is.
**[I received an ARC directly from the author. All opinions, ratings, and reviews are my own.]**
OG Text: Rating and review pending. I have some thinking to do that requires my serious hat.
July 8, 2024
The conclusion to the Single Gamers Society series, with Natie (younger brother of Johnny & best friend to Firass, from book 1) getting his happy ending eventually.
I really enjoyed this, and it was great to book-end the series with the 2 brothers.
I especially enjoyed that this was a real twist on the high-school bully to lovers trope. The actual bullying wasn't from the jock character, and there's introspection and re-evaluation of past judgements
It did feel like the last 12% was a series of epilogues though, as the story jumped further and then further into the future with their happy ending. While it can be nice to see more of characters, I could have done without some of the later chapters. I kept thinking "this is the end" and then it carried on.
As always with CD Rachels books, the diversity and representation is notable, with bisexual and gay main characters, Latino and Japanese-American main characters, AND a main character with a stammer.
✨️MM contemporary romance
✨️Bisexual, Japanese-American gamer nerd
✨️Gay, Latino high-school jock with a stutter
✨️Second chance romance
✨️Childhood crush
✨️High school & Middle school flashbacks
✨️High school bully
✨️Past abuse by father
✨️Past death of mother
✨️Found Family
✨️A HEA
I really enjoyed this, and it was great to book-end the series with the 2 brothers.
I especially enjoyed that this was a real twist on the high-school bully to lovers trope. The actual bullying wasn't from the jock character, and there's introspection and re-evaluation of past judgements
It did feel like the last 12% was a series of epilogues though, as the story jumped further and then further into the future with their happy ending. While it can be nice to see more of characters, I could have done without some of the later chapters. I kept thinking "this is the end" and then it carried on.
As always with CD Rachels books, the diversity and representation is notable, with bisexual and gay main characters, Latino and Japanese-American main characters, AND a main character with a stammer.
✨️MM contemporary romance
✨️Bisexual, Japanese-American gamer nerd
✨️Gay, Latino high-school jock with a stutter
✨️Second chance romance
✨️Childhood crush
✨️High school & Middle school flashbacks
✨️High school bully
✨️Past abuse by father
✨️Past death of mother
✨️Found Family
✨️A HEA
July 22, 2024
Natie and Santo met in high school. At first, they had a sort of friendship over their shared love of books. Santos was a jock with a stutter, but was a very good writer. Natie was out and proud. But Natie felt like Santos was a bully. Santos had a crush on Natie but was too shy to ask Natie out. Fast forward a decade, Natie works with his friend Firass and at his parents resort. Santos is back in town with his best friend, Keisha, and they have started a company that is working with Firass's company. And his sister is getting married at Natie's parents resort.
Natie and Santos start talking about books again and slowly start forming a friendship. This story was sweet and funny and spicy. It's the 4th book in the author's Single Gamers Society as Natie is the last single gamer. I reallyfell in love with these two characters.
Natie and Santos start talking about books again and slowly start forming a friendship. This story was sweet and funny and spicy. It's the 4th book in the author's Single Gamers Society as Natie is the last single gamer. I reallyfell in love with these two characters.
October 24, 2024
🫠😍 Natie and Santos…
While I’m sad to finish SGS, I’m more sad that my first read through is over. Ok back to this book… I personally am typically not a fan of the miscommunication trope but in this case CD Rachels dealt with it well. Have to say that Natie honestly has been a difficult character for me since the start of the series but I’m certain that’s a reflection of myself 😂 honestly loved Santos’ stuttering and how it highlighted Natie’s opinion of him. Once they got the miscommunication figured out, these two are magic just like every other paring. Super happy we get not just one epilogue but two! Definitely loved each story and want these in my library. If you haven’t read anything by the author, not only do I recommend him but each story is a comfort read IMHO and cannot highly recommend CD Rachels enough 💜
While I’m sad to finish SGS, I’m more sad that my first read through is over. Ok back to this book… I personally am typically not a fan of the miscommunication trope but in this case CD Rachels dealt with it well. Have to say that Natie honestly has been a difficult character for me since the start of the series but I’m certain that’s a reflection of myself 😂 honestly loved Santos’ stuttering and how it highlighted Natie’s opinion of him. Once they got the miscommunication figured out, these two are magic just like every other paring. Super happy we get not just one epilogue but two! Definitely loved each story and want these in my library. If you haven’t read anything by the author, not only do I recommend him but each story is a comfort read IMHO and cannot highly recommend CD Rachels enough 💜
July 10, 2024
This is the finale of the Single Gamers Society and it’s time for the younger Shiba brother to get his man. Like all of CD Rachels’ books, there is wonderful BiPOC representation as well as bi and disability rep. This is a nerd/jock, bullies-to-lovers story with a twist that was pleasantly surprising, as it really causes you to wonder for a second about your own personal interactions with bullies. I loved Santos and his complete devotion to Natie, even when Natie had no idea what was going on. We also get plenty of laughs and sweetness, as well as time with the rest of the guys from the SGS, finalizing their stories and a beautiful series epilogue that I absolutely adore. A few mentions of previous works and even Easter Eggs for what is coming was a delight.
August 2, 2024
The conclusion of the Single Gamers Society series, which revolves around the story of Natie Shiba and Santos Hand, is truly heartwarming. It's incredibly touching to witness the deep trust and friendship among a diverse group of guys with different backgrounds and sexual orientations who always support each other.
The bond between Natie and his older brother Johnny is especially poignant. It's really thought-provoking to imagine how things might have turned out if Natie and Santos had worked through their past conflict instead of jumping to conclusions. Unfortunately, life doesn't always unfold according to our wishes.
C.D. Rachel's writing never fails to captivate me, and this book is brimming with warmth and love.
The bond between Natie and his older brother Johnny is especially poignant. It's really thought-provoking to imagine how things might have turned out if Natie and Santos had worked through their past conflict instead of jumping to conclusions. Unfortunately, life doesn't always unfold according to our wishes.
C.D. Rachel's writing never fails to captivate me, and this book is brimming with warmth and love.
June 27, 2025
That was a lovely book!
The characters were great.
I especially loved Santos. I have a soft spot in my heart for big, shy, pining guys with a stutter!! He was so freaking adorable, I wanted to hug him constantly, especially in the flashback scenes.
Natie was nice too, I didn't vibe as much with him but they made an incredibly sweet couple!
It felt like they made all these memories, at the beginning of their relationship, that they would have made as a teenage couple and it was so so cute!
Santo's vocabulary reminded me that I'm not a native English speaker and I especially appreciated the translation function on my Kindle, lol.
I didn't read the first three books in this series but it didn't matter, I enjoyed it even without prior knowledge.
The characters were great.
I especially loved Santos. I have a soft spot in my heart for big, shy, pining guys with a stutter!! He was so freaking adorable, I wanted to hug him constantly, especially in the flashback scenes.
Natie was nice too, I didn't vibe as much with him but they made an incredibly sweet couple!
It felt like they made all these memories, at the beginning of their relationship, that they would have made as a teenage couple and it was so so cute!
Santo's vocabulary reminded me that I'm not a native English speaker and I especially appreciated the translation function on my Kindle, lol.
I didn't read the first three books in this series but it didn't matter, I enjoyed it even without prior knowledge.
July 19, 2024
Board games and finding love. What's not to like?? CD Rachels does it again with this fantastic story about Natie and Santos.
It seems that both Natie and Santos remember high school much the same, being bullied by their crush....wait....but...they were each other's crush. Could they be remembering incorrectly? What about now that they're adults?
Once Natie realizes how wrong he was, and then keeps getting put together with Santos for work and his sister's wedding, things start to make a lot more sense. As Natie and Santos realize that their friendship is so, so much more than they ever thought it could be, they realize how good they are together.
This was so sweet, and so, so hot!
It seems that both Natie and Santos remember high school much the same, being bullied by their crush....wait....but...they were each other's crush. Could they be remembering incorrectly? What about now that they're adults?
Once Natie realizes how wrong he was, and then keeps getting put together with Santos for work and his sister's wedding, things start to make a lot more sense. As Natie and Santos realize that their friendship is so, so much more than they ever thought it could be, they realize how good they are together.
This was so sweet, and so, so hot!
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August 3, 2024I love when a book lets a character take a look at their version of history against an alternate possibility, and what that means for the character's memories and outlook.... Redraw Your Hand not only gives us a chance for Natie to do that, but also to find love with a man who's been crushing on him since High School!
I love how Natie's self image and worldview change and how how much Santos is willing to fight for what he wants! This book is both about finding love and also about claiming your place and both Santos and Natie do this well.
I also love how the Author brings the SGS full circle and where Natie ends up once he embraces his HEA and the life he wants.
I love how Natie's self image and worldview change and how how much Santos is willing to fight for what he wants! This book is both about finding love and also about claiming your place and both Santos and Natie do this well.
I also love how the Author brings the SGS full circle and where Natie ends up once he embraces his HEA and the life he wants.
September 19, 2024
Loved!
Awe, this was a fitting end to the series. Natie gets his turn at finding love when his high school bully returns to their hometown. But all is not as it seems. Once the air is clear, Natie and Santo become fast friends. I loved that they bonded over books. Santo's backstory is heartbreaking but he and his sister grew up stronger because of it. I liked how Natie and Santo's relationship developed throughout the story. Such a wonderful series. I loved that we got a series epilogue.
Awe, this was a fitting end to the series. Natie gets his turn at finding love when his high school bully returns to their hometown. But all is not as it seems. Once the air is clear, Natie and Santo become fast friends. I loved that they bonded over books. Santo's backstory is heartbreaking but he and his sister grew up stronger because of it. I liked how Natie and Santo's relationship developed throughout the story. Such a wonderful series. I loved that we got a series epilogue.
February 15, 2025
My favourite book of the four! Like the one before it, I just couldn't put it down. There's few unexpected plot points here and there, and it added to my enjoyment of this story. I love all the characters, and I'm glad the boys got to have their stories told. I'm sad there's no more, but it was a fitting conclusion to the series. Great Ending.
August 7, 2025
This was fun but I'm taking a star off for the casual fatphobia
August 3, 2024
Y'all already know that I have read many books by C.D. Rachels and am partial to this series of nerdy board game lovers! Redraw Your Hand is the fourth and final book in the Single Gamers Society series. It can be read as a standalone, but it does give away some of the other relationships and what happens. I have been waiting for Nattie to get his book, and I was not disappointed. I loved every second of Natties story, and this was a wonderful ending to the series! I highly recommend picking up this book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews