Fractured Games

Arranged Games #5

by Simran .

He thinks he’s unworthy of love. But I’m going to prove him wrong.”

Arya
I’ve been a good girl my entire life.
What did it get me?
Getting ditched at the altar and becoming a laughingstock in front of the world.
After stitching my broken heart together in hiding for months,
I bravely take a step back into reality,
Walking straight into another nightmare.
Until my white knight in shining armor struts in.
Nathan Singhania.
Beautifully broken. Insanely gorgeous. Lethally powerful.
The heartbreak in his eyes mirrored mine.
Our attraction burned hotter than lava.
When he swoops in as my knight again,
I give myself to him for one night.
No strings. No feelings.
The moment it’s over, his true colors come out.
Making me realize his charming act was a sinful trap.
Swearing off men forever, I pour myself into work.
But Karma isn’t done with me because when I step into the conference room,
The man sitting across the desk is none other than him.
Looking for a publicist to protect him from the scandal that disrupted his house of lies.

Nathan
The world has crowned me as the perfect gentleman.
It’s all false.
Because they don’t hear the hollow heart that beats inside my chest.
The chaos that lives in my head.
The lies on my tongue.
When the truth about my engagement is revealed that it was nothing but a sordid deal,
It causes the first crack in my perfect image.
Giving my enemies the opening they need.
Forced to hire a publicist, I don’t expect her to walk into the room.
Arya Chopra.
Elegant. Sexy. Sharp-tongued.
The woman who stirs my blood with a single glance,
Even when she throws daggers at me with her eyes.
Hiring her would be a test of my restraint. A distraction I cannot afford.
But when she turns the tables on me and says no in a bratty tone,
I take it as a challenge and show her who’s the boss.
Little do I know that I hired my own downfall.

Tropes:
Billionaire x Publicist
One Night Stand
Misunderstood Characters
Good Girl x Bad Boy
Fast Burn
Secret Hookups

Note: This is the fifth and final installment in the Arranged Games series. It features a morally grey billionaire and his sassy Publicist who goes toe to toe with him at every turn. Although it can be read as a standalone, it is recommended to read the series in order for better enjoyment and to avoid little spoilers.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Billionaire Romance, Fiction, Dark, Audiobook

610 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2026

About the author

Writer of forbidden and super steamy romance

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left at the altar, Arya Chopra spends two months wallowing in self pity before her friends force her out of seclusion. Still struggling under the weight of the embarrassment and her family’s disappointment, Arya’s need for a moment’s reprieve inadvertently lands her in a bad situation.

A white knight cloaked in the shadows, Nathan Singhania comes to her rescue just in time. And continues to do so as fate keeps putting her in his path.

Good gravy. The trauma for both of these two ran so deep. It was painfully obvious that Nathan’s stony façade was just that, a façade. With all he suffered, it was understandable why he was emotionally unavailable. Still, with every setback, my heart shattered right alongside theirs.

While this one was a little more painful than I typically read, it was worth every tear. This is only my third Simran read, but she’s quickly becoming a must-read author for me.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Mystery/Suspense, New Adult

Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 🫠🥺🥵😳😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, Forced Proximity, Jilted Bride, One Night Stand, Secret Relationship, Workplace
 
💫 Microtropes: Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, Caveman/Bridal Carry, Friends w/ Benefits, “Good Girl”, Hand Necklace, Interracial/POC, Panty Thief, Pet Name, Scarred, Secrets & Lies, Tragic Past, Trauma Bonding, Who Hurt You?

🔆 Character: Publicist, White Collar

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Biting/Marking, Cum Jammer, Degradation, Dirty Talk, Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Finger Licking Good, Power Exchange, Praise, Public Play, Rimming, Spitting

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Domination, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, Makes Her Ex Watch, MINE!, Touch-Her-and-💀, Unhinged MMC

⛔️ Safety Squad: Assault (Not by MMC), Child Abuse, OW/OM Drama (Mild), Suicidal Ideations (by MMC), Substance Abuse, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page, and in the past and present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📍 Setting: City, India 🇮🇳

⚠️ Warning: This smutty read will have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.

📣 Type: Fractured Games is part of the Arranged Games series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Nari · Rating 1 out of 5]

why are you begging for this man’s love…
should have dnfed 😭

[Niry 🪽 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah I hated him.

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5🌟, 3🌶️

This finale delivered the kind of angst, healing, and love that makes a story impossible to forget.

Arya and Nathan are both carrying deep emotional scars, shaped by betrayal, loss, and the quiet belief that they were never meant to be chosen. Arya’s humiliation and heartbreak left her rebuilding herself from the ground up, while Nathan hides behind control and distance, convinced he is unworthy of anything real. Watching them recognize each other’s pain and still choose to stay felt incredibly raw and deeply moving.

Their connection is immediate but layered with tension, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry. When Arya steps into his world as his publicist, their forced closeness breaks down the walls they both fought to keep intact. Nathan is intense, protective, and emotionally fragile beneath his composed exterior, while Arya meets him with strength and quiet defiance. Their banter, emotional push and pull, and slow growth toward trust made their relationship feel authentic and earned.

What made this story truly stand out was its emotional weight and the healing woven into every moment. Seeing Nathan slowly believe he deserved love, and Arya reclaim her worth, was both heartbreaking and beautiful. With familiar faces returning and everything coming full circle, this felt like a meaningful and satisfying ending to the series.

A deeply emotional and unforgettable ending that felt truly earned.

~~~~

Special thanks to Simran and Valentine PR for providing this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. ✨

[Kayla Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can finish 600–700 page books in less than 24 hours, and I have read every book in the Arranged Games series within 24 hours as well. However, this was really hard — it took me 2 days to finish. I love all the characters in the series, and I am having a hard time saying goodbye to them, especially when this fifth and final book was the saddest. Arya and Nathan were so broken. I had such a hard time with them both feeling that they wanted more than a casual hookup but believing they didn’t deserve love. Every book in this series has made me cry, but this one definitely made me cry the most. Nathan and Arya deserved better childhoods and better parents. As a parent, I couldn’t imagine treating my child the way their parents treated them. But seeing them heal each other’s broken hearts truly was so special. I couldn’t have thought of a more perfect ending for these amazing characters. I am so grateful to Simran for allowing me to be a part of her content team and allowing me to have an ARC of Fractured Games.

[Becca Haggitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me HOOKED from the very first chapter 😭🖤 The tension, the emotions, and the twists kept me turning pages nonstop. The chemistry between the characters was EVERYTHING and the angst?? Absolutely painful in the best way possible 🥹🔥

I loved how the story balanced darker emotional moments with romance and suspense. Some parts felt a little rushed for me, which is why it’s a 4 star instead of 5, but overall I was completely invested.

✨ Tropes:
🖤 Dark romance
🎭 Emotional trauma/healing
🔥 Slow burn tension
💔 Angst
🎮 Mind games & secrets
👀 Touch her and die vibes

If you love emotional romances with messy characters, intense chemistry, and drama that keeps you stressed the entire time… definitely add this one to your TBR 📚✨

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Dates Read: March 10, 2027 - April 11, 2026

[Leandra Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review-
I was not prepared for Nathan’s dirty mouth🤭 some of the things this man said had my jaw on the floor. I absolutely loved this book! Simran has taken off with my emotions again! These two are such a complicated but uncomplicated pair at the same time, I love that Nathan calls her angel and you see his complicated feeling and spirals. Rose was an absolute badass just being her and Iris was like the middle person trying to help the tension which truly made me laugh at some parts. I love that Arya finally stood up to her family and got out of that situation. If I have a dollar for every time I wanted to punch a parent during reading books I’d probably be rich.

[LaDolceVita40 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not the target audience for this book. Started off real strong but the back and forth forth was exhausting after 300 pages. This book did not need to be 597 pages.
I don’t like messy writing. If Nathan crawled to Arya how could he part her thighs with his feet? Why would she be taking a bath in a hot tub? Why was she on the bus when she had a car? Why would a successful person that worked inside a glass office have a car that breaks down this was such a random turn of events in the story causing incessant trauma to the FMC. Using the word molested was aggravating. Scums like him - wtf. First and last book I will ever read by this author.

[juli ୨ৎ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Si junto todas las escenas de sexo que leí en toda mi vida y las tripilico no llegan ni a la mitad de las que hay en este libro, fue un suplicio desde la mitad hasta el final.

[KayBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an opening! Arya is a jilted bride, she was embarrassed by her spineless ex fiancé. And Nathan is licking his wounds after what happened with Iris. These two have a chance encounter while out one night and then again during lunch one day. And both times Nathan is Arya’s dark knight in shining armor. Nathan is a menace when he wants to be and Arya is a sweetie and doesn’t let him walk all over her. Their banter is top tier and the “tension” between them is hot! Nathan is a very dominant man and Arya loves it. Now I don’t give spoilers but I have to say this Aryan( the ex) has problems. He made our girl feel bad about receiving pleasure from his mouth. I mean he went as far as gargling his mouth out. In my mind what I pictured was Ian from Shameless scrubbing his mouth out after he did same thing. But for those who watched Ian was gay, so that tracked. Now I’m not saying Aryan is but you never know. Now Nathan he has no problem with and he very much showed it! These two are hot hot hot 🥵! The spice marvelous! Nathan is naassssstttyyy, I like it. These two don’t how to keep their hand to themselves. They have electrifying chemistry. They are truly meant for each other. They have such great banter it’s a joy to read. I also want to say both their parents suck. This the first time a Simran book has made me cry. They all invoked emotion from me but this one legit brought tears to my eyes. It was beautiful. Darn you Nathan for making me not like you when you are the sweetest person ever. Arya is an amazing woman and deserves all the love and happiness( I always liked her even with what went Bianca, IYKYK). Fractured Games was everything and more.

[shanelle maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝒂 𝒖 𝒅 𝒊 𝒐 𝒓 𝒆 𝒄 & 𝒓 𝒆 𝒗 𝒊 𝒆 𝒘

🌟:4 🌶️:3.5 🎧:5

Narrated by: Luna Rai & Shahjehan Khan in dual

•–•Some tropes I think you’ll love•–•
▪️ billionaire mmc x publicist fmc
▪️ dislike to love
▪️ good girl x bad boy
▪️ ons turned to secret hookups

An explosive end to the Arranged Games series!! 🔥🔥

This follows publicist Arya, a "good girl" who was abandoned at the altar and left to deal with the fallout of her toxic family's disappointment, and Nathan— who’s a brooding billionaire hiding deep-rooted trauma behind a seemingly flawless public facade. They have an explosive, no-strings-attached ONS but then part ways. Nathan's public image takes a hit, forcing him to hire a publicist. This is where they reunite. He hires Arya as his publicist to help clean up his image. As they work together to manage his disaster, what follows then between them is a delicious mix of forced proximity, forbidden romance, enemies with benefits with banter and secret hookups, and a possessive and protective brooding mmc, even though he claims he “doesn’t do feelings”.

The audiobook for this was so good! It featured two narrators, Luna and Shahjehan, that I hadn’t experienced before listening to this series, and they were both incredible! They performed in dual narration and I think they absolutely killed it. Luna balanced the vulnerability of a woman who’s rebuilding her shattered confidence after what happened to her with the sharp-tongued, "bratty" defiance when going toe-to-toe with Nathan’s character. Shahjehan was absolute perfection as the dark and brooding Nathan. His tone perfectly embodied the stony-faced, feel no feelings, billionaire and he really excelled at conveying Nathan’s "hollow heart" with the internal chaos inside his mind that was driving a lot of his actions that came across as cold or harsh.

I loved Arya and Nathan’s messy, yet beautiful love story, and I highly recommend it for those that love forbidden workplace billionaire romances. 💖✨

[Inge Mosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I’ve read the other books in the series, and in those I really didn’t like Nathan. I really wanted to understand him and his actions better.

At the beginning of this book, I was afraid I wouldn’t like him here either, the push and pull between him and Arya was, at times, almost unbearable. However, as the story progressed, we got to see more of who he is and the reasoning behind his actions. By the end of the book, everything made sense. While I still didn’t approve of his past actions, I could finally understand why he did what he did. And at last, we were able to see the lovable Nathan. I loved Arya, she transformed from a broken girl to a strong woman, they really were great together! Their HEA felt so well deserved!

I loved the character development, the plot twists, the writing style of Simran and the storyline. The spice was really spicy! I loved how all the loose ends came together at the end of the book, and it truly felt like the story was complete. Just the best ending of an amazing series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Crex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will give it to the author, the spicy scenes were never the same, Always something different. And yes I liked just Ari, her two best friends and Nathan.

I didn't read other books but they are hypocrites, talking about Nathan should have called because he almost died, is it only one way a phone works? Or is it Bianca talking about she's sorry for making Ari thinks she hates her, Now girllll!! Please spare me that..

I quite have a love hate for Nathan but I also understand his stupid self, As for Nathan being stupid, what in world was he thinking inviting his pops to his home? Don't piss me off..

I had a time, Tho it was so long I almost entered a slump😭,
Byeeee..

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review Fractured Games by Simran

This one HURT in the best way. 😮‍💨💔

Arya is trying to rebuild herself after public breakup in walks Nathan emotionally closed off, controlled, and carrying his own damage.

The emotional tension is just as strong as the chemistry, and the healing journey feels real instead of rushed.

And NATHAN Sir. The hold this man had on me i will get on my knees for you and I will do anything UNWELL.

A messy, intense love story where both characters have to fight their own demons before they can fight for each other. 🖤

⭐ 4.5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice Level

Thank you Simran for the ARC ❤️

[thevelvetthorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fractured Games showcases genuinely solid writing — the prose is smooth, the emotional beats are easy to sink into, and the chemistry between the leads is the strongest element of the story. Simran handles attraction, tension, and those intimate moments with skill, creating a flow that keeps you turning the pages.

Where the book stumbles is the plot itself. Certain story choices feel unexpected or slightly out of place, almost as if the narrative is trying to fit several tropes at once. Some twists don’t fully align with the characters’ established arcs, making the overall progression feel a bit strange or uneven at times.

That said, it’s still an enjoyable, engaging read with memorable moments and heartfelt writing. Readers who love high-emotion romance, dramatic tension, and character-driven storytelling will find plenty to appreciate here.

arc review thank you valentine for providing me with this arc

[Kalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an audio!!!!!! This was absolutely incredible and I wanted more! When it ended I was kinda sad because I was really into this story it kept me listening and wanting more of it! I can't wait to read more by Simran!!!! This was an amazing first read

[FireSerene Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delivered that push-and-pull dynamic perfectly. The trauma, the way they truly see each other, and how they protect one another, that’s where the real beauty lies. Painful, tender, and deeply emotional, their connection felt raw and earned, making the story hit even harder.

[Laighla · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOOO GOOD

[CrystalRose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this so much more than I did.


The Title
Pretty accurate if you think about how both are broken souls that gravitated towards each other

But I can't be the wound and the balm

The Story as a Whole
The plot was SO blatantly there to take and explore. It started off really nice but by the mid point it became a snooze fest because at this point I could not care enough for the characters mundane events and going round and round in circles

BUT, Simran really surprised me with the ending. Honestly, I thought the big reveal that he was keeping from her was Sonya and he wanted to reveal his father's infidelity (now that I look back, would not have been a solid enough bomb to make him loose his footing) but who knew that all the parents (minus Iris's) are just self-loving pricks who somehow build fortune but leave no one to take care of it or benefit from them. What sad immortality they seek

I have no idea what Simran's going through, because how does she write the first two stories with over the top, princess-y HEA, but the ones who deserve the HEA the most cough cough Iris and Kian, they and Nathan and Arya get the most broken and bittersweet.

"Hello, Miss. Arya," he greets, then flicks his gaze to Nathan. "Mrs. Singhania didn't tell me you were bringing a friend."

I have been noticing in her books the errors here and there and usually I'm not someone who's bothered by it as long as it doesn't happen TOO often or destroy the reading experience and thankfully neither has happened. Now this scene is Arya and Nathan going to meet her family, the family name being KAPOOR, and here the maid refers to Mrs. Kapoor as Mrs. Singhania (Nathan's surname). Not only did I had to take a double take, but I couldn't help laughing at such an innocent mistake.



Arya

"Stop staring, Nathan."
"Stop being so beautiful."

She was a breath of fresh air, she was able to pick her pieces up BY HERSELF and focus on her career like the girl boss she was.

I do like that although, at times she was quite literally throwing herself at Nathan, she also knew how to self-persevere and knew when to get him to do the chasing

I love how she is unapologetically herself, how she doesn't let the idea that she is a relationship girl deter her from seeking only what she is comfortable in finding

When he walks past me I hear him mutter under his breath, "worthless."
All I can think is that karma has finally struck. After all, what kind of woman deserve a a fairy tale after nearly destroying her sister'

I do feel like her guilt was a little exaggerated as Bianca ended up finding happiness. But I guess it also had to do with the effect that she chose to cut her off for her family's sake. What good that did, cause her father is an A grade ass who thinks everyone even his daughters are the dirt beneath his shoes.



Nathan

I dare not blink,, afraid one tear will slip out.
It escapes anyway.
A softness cracks through his cold facade, revealing an empathetic soul lies within

How poor you! Honestly I thought the extent of his suffering and sadness was only from breaking things off with Iris and the shock that his brother wasn't the bad guy he was manipulated into thinking. But poor guy had been struggling from a young age

It makes sense that he has a twisted sense of self-worth and I like how Simran-albeit shockingly-portrayed his suffering more than alcoholism and how he, with everything that he had, wanted to end his life because how lonely he was.

"Oh angel," he drawls in a husky timbre. "I'm the perfect gentleman. Don't you remember?"

Well, underneath all the hurt and sadness, Nathan is naturally a good guy, he has a softness for everyone and he just gives me golden retriever energy from his book and the previous ones. It was also a nice touch to see his him be an absolute gentleman for the first half of the book and coming to her rescue repeatedly and for her to be his angel in the second half when she saves him.

""Boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend. Partner. Future husband. Future baby daddy. Your man." He shrugs. "Whichever you prefer."

Arya wasn't the only who got whiplash from how quickly Nathan switched up and went all lover boy on her after blatantly shrugging her off. I was pissed off at how easily she gave in to him, but it was sweet.



Nathan x Arya
The basis of their relationship seemed just a tad bit more than just plain lust. And yes they had moments of romance and understanding each other, but the scale was heavily tilted. It also didn't help the repeated snu scenes that did nothing to help deeper their chemistry but inly to bring to light how broken they both were in their own ways.

I decided right here and now hat I will fix him and give him all the happiness in the world that he deserves.
I'm going to tear down your walls until I see all your scars and heal you, Nathan

Nathan by a mile was struggling FAR more and I loved to see Arya care for him, and how they formed this tight-knit caring situation.

"I don't want him to be alone."
"Done."
"Thank you."
"You shouldn't be alone either."

Loved BOTH Nova and Arya in this scene. It just highlights Arya's character as a woman. How despite her own heartbrokenness and anger towards Nathan's secrecy and mistrust (which I feel like were so unnecessary to keep) she still worries of him and makes sure he doesn't spiral

And lo behold, it is THIS caring attitude that saves Nathan's life, not once but TWICE!

"When do I get to meet the client?"
"Right now."
My eyes widen
"He's waiting for us in the conference room."

I found it enticing and a little nostalgic to see how Arya and Nathan's love story had SO many overlaps between that of the others, especially Bianca and Dane's. Because even she meets him again unexpectedly as a client on the SAME day in the conference room.

"You saved me that night, angel."

The FACT that there was a REASON that he calls her his "angel", I had NO IDEA. This



Other
What was the point of Aryan?

"Me leaning on you during the toughest years of my life was clingy to you?" I hate the hitch in my tone. "If I can't elan on the man I love, who else am I supposed to lean on? I can't believe my sadness was such a burden to you."

First of all, she clocked it! Second of all, he served NO point, there was no proper or realistic explanation? Like are you telling me this guy got cold feet and Ms. Arya with her rose coloured glasses didn't see the signs? And apparently his rose was only for a few times and that's it.

I also feel like Arya got over him way too easily. And why the hell is the difference between their names only a letter difference? It was super annoying to read.

"Spit it out," I bark at him.
"Firstly, I feel honored you decided to grace me with your presence your highness. I'm your childhood bestfriend, in case you forgot," he drawls dramatically, and rounds to stand infront of me. "Secondly, have you lost your mind? Bianca's little sister better not be your rebound."

Nova is such a boss to stand by his friend despite Nathan being on his wife's hit list. I love how he cares for him and trusts him to come around.

"You're never getting off Rose's red list. "Arya isn't her sister."
"Who do you think Bianca's going to send to kill you?"
"I figured it would be Dash," I reply dryly.
"He and i are going to be burying your body and covering up your murder."
"So, you won't bring your best friend justice?" I retort aghast.
He shoots me a glare of pure disbelief. "My wife isn't going to prison because you were foolish enough to touch Arya."

This whole exchange had me chuckling. Nova was fr being unseriously VERY serious.

Multiple pairs of shoes enter the room and walk past me. I turn my head in time to catch Kian's first flying in his bloodied and bruised father's face. It takes two police inspectors and Dash to pull him off.
...
"He attempted to kill him again," I say in a broken voice. "i walked in on him suffocating Nathan with a pillow."
In a flash, a rage possessed Nova lands a solid right hook to Rakesh and knocks him out cold before anyone can stop him

First of all, what the hell happened to the mother, did I miss it or the mother was there and then not there. And Second and most importantly of all, I love the care that is so evidently present among his friend group how much he is loved!

"I do love you, Iris. But it isn't romantic." My angel's stunning face flashes before my eyes. "Arya is the woman I am in love with."

I could see this from a mile away, the way he reacted to the loss of Iris way too meekly as compared to Arya. Also, was so glad to see them patch up, I love their friendship



Ranking for the COUPLE:
1. Kian x Iris [My cute little stalker and her grump giant deserve only the best]
2. Nova x Rosalie [May not like their book, but they ARE a power couple]
3. Bianca x Dash/ Nathan x Arya [Hey, I kept the sisters together]

Ranking for the FEMALE LEADS:
1. Iris [I want to now go and read more books where the female lead isn't shy enough to seduce and conquer, all cause of Kian's little siren]
2. Arya [She has a backbone and a fight in her body to protect those that she loves]
3. Bianca [She may be a hurricane of conflicting emotions but atleast she's kind to those that love her]
4. Rosalie [She is a lucky little Rose to get an A grade husband who puts up with her, I do love her fire tho]

Ranking for the MALE LEADS:
1. Kian [Communication. Check. Handsome. Check. Dangerous enough to kill. Check. Words of affirmation and can't stay mad at his girl for more than a few hours. Check. Check]
2. Nova [He knows what he wants and MAKES sure he gets]
3. Nathan [My slowly healing boy with so much softness and insecurity]
4. Dash [Sorry, what was his personality except being in love with Bianca?]

[Lucero Miranda Aguirre · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[the endless tbr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I was anxiously waiting for this book, but I didn’t expect to love it this much. Nathan's redemption arc is one of the best I’ve read.
I devoured this book in one sitting.

Nathan Nathan Nathan, I did not expect to fall head over heels for you, but I did! His cold exterior is his shield, this man is passionate, protective, and absolutely swoony. I can say with absolute certainty that he is my favorite MMC Simran wrote.

Arya was another pleasant surprise for me. I really thought there was no way I would love her, but Simran proved me wrong again. She is fierce, independent, knows what she wants, and she is so relatable. The more you read about her past, the more you understand why she was manipulated into believing marriage was her only choice at the time.

Nathan & Arya are explosive, their chemistry is scorching and it will leave you gasping and screaming. These two burned the pages on my Kindle.

This book, in my opinion, is endless stars. The way Simran writes can only be described as magical. If you've never read one of her books, you are missing out on something out of this world. The plot, the characters, and the twists are just absolute perfection and it was so beautifully written.

[Leya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nathan and Arya,

He’s a billionaire and she’s a publicist who was left at the altar. After a one-night stand, they unexpectedly end up working together when Arya is hired to fix Nathan’s public image. What starts as constant arguing and secret hookups slowly turns into something deeper as they both confront the trauma and insecurities they’ve been hiding.

[Sumitra Porla · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
Having loved the author’s previous books, I went into Fractured Games with high expectations—and it delivered the same emotional intensity while pushing the romance into darker, more addictive territory. Her signature style of flawed characters, slow-burning tension, and emotionally charged power dynamics is very much present here
The romance is edgy, emotionally messy, and deeply compelling. As a long-time reader of this author, I loved seeing how her writing has grown more confident and bold while still staying true to what made me fall in love with her stories in the first place.
If you’ve enjoyed her earlier books, Fractured Games will absolutely work its way under your skin—and stay there

[Andreea · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Fractured Games by Simian was an incredibly pleasant surprise. It was my first time reading this author and I truly hope it won’t be the last.

“The heart is often strong, but extremely hopeless when it’s at war with the mind.”

I loved seeing how the female character, Arya, transforms once she leaves her broken heart behind. From the timid girl we meet in the first chapters, she grows into a confident and strong woman. I liked how firm she is when facing Nathan, never hesitating to tell him exactly what’s on her mind. Betrayal doesn’t take away her kindness and I truly appreciated that about her.

“And an even bigger truth is… no one has control over their heart. It follows its own rules. Every warning fails against it.”

Nathan was an enigma at the beginning. Even though we get chapters from his perspective, it wasn’t easy for me to form a clear opinion about him. I knew part of his truth, but he kept doing complete 180s, which only added more emotion to the story. He remains a mysterious character, one who wears a mask.

“Perhaps a little bit of a gentleman does exist inside him. No matter how hard he tries to bury that side with barbed wire and cutting taunts.”

The intensity of their attraction is palpable from the very first moment. And oh, the tension! I loved the touch of jealousy woven into the story, combined with the characters’ assumptions and their fears rooted in past events. I even liked the moments when Nathan tries to make Ari hate him, driven by the belief that he’s not good enough for her and by the fact that he doesn’t want a relationship. I kept wanting to know why, and what other secrets he was hiding. It’s the kind of story that makes your heart clench and I love that.

“We’re a scandal waiting to happen.”

And the ending? OMG! The emotional rollercoaster it put me through! I went from fear to streams of tears and from tears to pure shock. It truly was a book that managed to surprise me. I was so focused on certain things that not even for a second would I have imagined what was about to happen. It’s a story that stays with you.

★★★★★

Thanks @valentine_pr_ for the ARC of this book!

[Vaishnavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was an okayish read for me. The first part of the book is did feel very good and attracted too, to the concept, but as the story progressed, it didn't click much, everything felt as if forced and not clicked into place. And the main twist or the plot loop in the story was also not that special.
Romance Rating : out of 5 🩷
Emotional Depth : 🩷🩷a little Depth present, but didn't feel that Emotional connection
Relationship Growth : 🩷🩷there was more of a sexual growth than relationship growth
Centrality :🩷🩷🩷🩷 Romance is the main plot
Chemistry :🩷🩷🩷 there is Chemistry, sizzling I must say
Themes :🩷🩷 the main theme was dark romance
Overall : 🩷🩷 not a romantic or sweet romance kind of, its dark romance

Spicy meter : out of 5🌶
Build-up of tension : 🌶🌶🌶there is a lot of tension there, like almost all the scenes in the later part have the tension itself.
Connectivity : 🌶🌶🌶there is Connectivity between the partners, Emotional too, but the emotional part didn't feel that strong
Graphic content and imagery : 🌶🌶🌶🌶a helluva lot i must say
Taboo elements and Kinks:🌶🌶 not that much
Consent and boundaries : 🌶🌶🌶properly set
Consistency and Frequency : 🌶🌶🌶🌶too frequent, at few places it even felt a bit irrelevant, the story would have moved unaffected even without that scene.
Overall : 🌶🌶🌶can't say, it is a spicy read, but felt something lacking.

Coming to my rating : out of 5 ⭐️
Title : ⭐️⭐️⭐️interesting title
Cover : ⭐️⭐️⭐️nice cover
Character development :⭐️⭐️⭐️ the characters developed, but not to their fullest
Writing style :⭐️⭐️⭐️ good style, everything was so easy to imagine, and that what made the read good
Originality and Plot : ⭐️⭐️the plot was good in the starting, but as the story moved further there was something lacking
Emotional Impact : ⭐️⭐️im a bit divided
Overall : 2.5 stars, so im rounding off to ⭐️⭐️⭐️overall, it is a good book, but not my cup of tea.

[Lana Dawood · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This book hurt in the best way possible. Nathan and Arya were both so broken, so convinced they didn’t deserve love or happiness, and it was heartbreaking watching them work through that.

The spice was spicing 🔥🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ “Good boy”

I didn’t like Nathan much in the previous books, so I was really excited for his story — and finally seeing behind his closed-off exterior completely changed my perspective. Simran did not disappoint. She gave us something raw, emotional, and beautifully painful.

And honestly? I need a dozen epilogues about all these couples because I’m not ready to say goodbye. I’ve grown so attached to them, and letting them go feels harder than it should. 😭😭

[Kajal Patel · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

It started out really well and I was interested in the story line. There were then too many third act breakups for no reason at all. The story just became flat for no reason. Like what the hell was the part where his dad tried to kill him???? Like that came out of literally no where and kinda wasn’t relevant at all. What was the point If them hiding their relationship the whole time either. There was so much potential but it really just fell flat after 50% of the way through. I would give it a 2.5-.75 if I could.

[constancinha · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.20

[darkreadswithnalieee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dedication alone told me this book was going to ruin me in the best way.
“To the girlies who crave to be praised, rewarded with orgasms while being called a good girl… and the ones who enjoy taming an irredeemable morally grey man into being their good boy.”
Simran said: praise kink? morally grey billionaire? broken engagements? revenge? dirty mouth?
Yes.
And she DELIVERED.
Arya’s humiliation was brutal.
The prologue physically hurt.
Arya running through a palace in her pink bridal lehenga, mirrors reflecting a future that no longer exists… only to find out her fiancé didn’t just get cold feet — he left for New York that morning.
He planned it.
The humiliation.
The headlines.
The reputation damage.
Her father calling her worthless.
Blaming her.
Locking her away for seven months like she’s a scandal that needs hiding.
And the worst part?
She still loves him.
That emotional foundation makes everything that happens after hit harder.
Then Nathan enters.
Not as a hero.
As a morally grey, emotionally wrecked, self-destructive billionaire who is just as fractured as she is.
Nathan Singhania — whose fiancée left him for his estranged older brother.
The fake engagement.
The revenge plot.
The fact that it became real for him.
The spiraling.
The drinking.
The “I don’t want to be saved.”
He is not soft.
He is not healed.
He is not ready for love.
And that’s exactly why the tension works.
The rooftop scene???
When he twists the creep’s wrist.
When he carries her down the stairs.
When he gets angry that her ex made her believe she’s “too heavy.”
That moment?
“He was too weak to pick you up and admit it, so he put it on you.”
Sir.
SIR.
That wasn’t just protective.
That was psychological warfare against her insecurities.
The sexual tension is VIOLENT.
The almost-kiss.
The rejection.
The “I don’t want to get addicted to a savior complex.”
The party confrontation where he pulls her into his arms and tells her ex:
“Unlike you, I won’t be an idiot to let her go.”
Even though it’s fake.
Even though he claims it’s nothing.
Even though he refuses to love.
And then…
That corner scene.
His filthy mouth.
The nipple line.
The finger-fuck threat.
The “I caused the ache and only I will make you come.”
The dominance.
The control.
The praise kink undertone.
The ownership language.
He doesn’t seduce her gently.
He overwhelms her.
And she wants it.
But here’s what makes it more than spice.
They both admit something devastating:
“A relationship can be over, but it doesn’t mean you stop loving them.”
That line shattered me.
Because this isn’t two single, healed people.
This is two people still grieving.
Still in love with ghosts.
Trying to use each other to feel alive again.
And then the deal:
One time.
No strings.
No love.
He owns her orgasms.
She obeys.
He refuses emotional intimacy.
It’s transactional.
It’s dangerous.
It’s doomed.
Which makes it addictive.
The power dynamic when she becomes his publicist???
UNMATCHED.
The tension when she’s handling his scandal.
The controlled businessman energy.
The cold politeness.
The “You better know what you’re doing.”
The jealousy when his brother is mentioned.
And then on the phone:
“I’ll be a perfect gentleman… or a good boy. Whichever you prefer.”
THE PRAISE KINK CALLBACK.
The trench coat scene?
Her stripping.
Challenging him to resist.
Begging to be ruined.
Him finally snapping.
The wall.
The throat grip.
The command.
The “You come when I allow it.”
It’s not just sex.
It’s power.
It’s control.
It’s two broken people trying to feel something stronger than their heartbreak.
And Nathan?
He refuses happiness.
Even when he clearly cares.
Even when he rescues her again.
Even when he finds the man who hurt her and handles it without hesitation.
He protects her in ways her ex never did.
He sees her.
He defends her.
He wants her.
But he will not allow himself to love.
That’s the fracture.
Final Thoughts
Fractured Games is:
• Broken engagement x broken engagement
• Billionaire x disgraced socialite
• Fake engagement revenge fallout
• Praise kink
• Possessive morally grey MMC
• Publicist x client tension
• “I own your orgasms” dynamic
• Savior complex
• Emotional repression
• Dirty mouth that should be illegal
The spice is filthy.
The tension is relentless.
But what makes it hit is the emotional damage underneath it all.
This isn’t just about taming a morally grey man.
It’s about whether two people who believe they’re unworthy of love can stop sabotaging themselves long enough to choose it.
And I ate. It. Up.
If you crave praise, possession, and a man who says “good girl” like it’s a promise and a threat?
Nathan Singhania is waiting.
And he is not gentle.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon

Arya's just now deciding to get back into life and dating after her douche ex jilted her at the altar, when she has the hottest night of her life with Nathan. It's not supposed to mean anything, nor is it to be repeated, but he keeps coming to her rescue, until he doesn't, until his cruelty comes out. Until he becomes her newest client because he demands it. Now these two broken people will have to figure out how to work together, and keep their hearts intact at the same time.



Nathan is ruthless and cold, but has his reasons, ones he doesn't share with anyone. But now that he's fallen in love with Arya, perhaps it's the one time he should share, before it's too late - for them both.



Whew! Nathan is next level. Arya was the only one who could have brought him to his knees, though. Their banter is top notch, their chemistry is 5 alarm hot, but their emotional connection is the true standout. Though there were many times I wanted to slap Nathan for his cruel treatment of Arya, by the end I understood, not condoned, but understood, why he did the things he did. I may not have fallen in love with Nathan the way she did, but I do love their story, and as usual, love the author's storytelling. It's all the spice you can ask for, with even more heart.



ARC provided by Valentine PR for an honest review.

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