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Doesn't Play Well With Others
Disclaimer: This book is going to be for mature audiences (18+) ONLY due to seriously excessive foul language and minor sex and violence.
Selene Warren has it rough. After her mom passes when she's little, she gets stuck with her aunt (a crack-whore.) Life with Selene’s aunt lacks any type of love or support. Selene constantly struggles and when she turns fifteen her aunt is diagnosed with H.I.V. It soon becomes apparent that her aunt expects her to take over the family business and Selene runs for dear life.
She manages pretty well for a couple years. One day she saves a scruffy looking kid from a window. Before she knows it she adopts a stray of her own. Life seems a bit better until Selene gets stabbed trying to protect the kid.
Selene makes it, but discovers the kid is no normal runaway--he's the only son of a VERY rich and prominent family. A new friend comes forward to clear Selene of possible kidnapping charges, but for the life of her Selene can't figure out why the hell a rich kid would rather live on the streets than on a ritzy estate.
Alex wants to break down the walls around Selene so badly. Selene’s life leaves her with no room to trust anyone. For as long as she can remember she’s had to rely on herself. Will Selene be able to escape her degenerate world? Because she doesn't play well with others.
Selene Warren has it rough. After her mom passes when she's little, she gets stuck with her aunt (a crack-whore.) Life with Selene’s aunt lacks any type of love or support. Selene constantly struggles and when she turns fifteen her aunt is diagnosed with H.I.V. It soon becomes apparent that her aunt expects her to take over the family business and Selene runs for dear life.
She manages pretty well for a couple years. One day she saves a scruffy looking kid from a window. Before she knows it she adopts a stray of her own. Life seems a bit better until Selene gets stabbed trying to protect the kid.
Selene makes it, but discovers the kid is no normal runaway--he's the only son of a VERY rich and prominent family. A new friend comes forward to clear Selene of possible kidnapping charges, but for the life of her Selene can't figure out why the hell a rich kid would rather live on the streets than on a ritzy estate.
Alex wants to break down the walls around Selene so badly. Selene’s life leaves her with no room to trust anyone. For as long as she can remember she’s had to rely on herself. Will Selene be able to escape her degenerate world? Because she doesn't play well with others.
425 pages, Unknown Binding
First published August 24, 2014
1 person is currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Casey Harvell
33 books274 followersMom, USA Today Recommended Author, reader, zombie lover, music enthusiast, gamer & sporadic asshole.
Oh, and I have a website http://caseyharvell.com
Oh, and I have a website http://caseyharvell.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 10, 2015
***** 4 Cranky Stars *****
"I am not going to get by. Fuck that. I am going to love and I am going to live."
This is such a captivating tale with strong characters that live to love and love to live. From the disclaimer Casey puts at the beginning of the book I was hooked. This book pulled at my heartstrings and drew me under its spell.
To say that Selene has had a hard life would be putting it mildly. Her mother was a crack whore and when she died, Selene was left in the care of her aunt. At 15, Selene’s aunt decides it’s time for her to join the family business and become a whore to support her aunt’s habit. Selene runs away, hoping to never look back.
You would think that being a homeless teen is the worst that could happen to Selene, but she goes through so much more. One day she saves a scruffy looking kid from a window and before she knows it, she adopts a stray of her own, Henry.
Through Henry, Selene meets Alex who wants to break down the walls around her so badly, but her past leaves no room for her to trust anyone. Alex, however, has secrets of his own and the two of them will have to learn to trust one another. Something that Selene finds difficult because she does not play well with others.
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a strong storyline with a difficult heroine that you can’t help but cheer for. The only reason this wasn’t a five star read is that there are some minor editing issues, which detracted from the overall work.
"I am not going to get by. Fuck that. I am going to love and I am going to live."
This is such a captivating tale with strong characters that live to love and love to live. From the disclaimer Casey puts at the beginning of the book I was hooked. This book pulled at my heartstrings and drew me under its spell.
To say that Selene has had a hard life would be putting it mildly. Her mother was a crack whore and when she died, Selene was left in the care of her aunt. At 15, Selene’s aunt decides it’s time for her to join the family business and become a whore to support her aunt’s habit. Selene runs away, hoping to never look back.
You would think that being a homeless teen is the worst that could happen to Selene, but she goes through so much more. One day she saves a scruffy looking kid from a window and before she knows it, she adopts a stray of her own, Henry.
Through Henry, Selene meets Alex who wants to break down the walls around her so badly, but her past leaves no room for her to trust anyone. Alex, however, has secrets of his own and the two of them will have to learn to trust one another. Something that Selene finds difficult because she does not play well with others.
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a strong storyline with a difficult heroine that you can’t help but cheer for. The only reason this wasn’t a five star read is that there are some minor editing issues, which detracted from the overall work.
August 26, 2014
#DPWWO is the twisted tale of Selene and her determination to turn her life around. Selene is a teenager who has never had a solid person to rely on and never thought she would want someone to care for. Raised by a junkie, Selene was forced to take care of herself and trust no one. Life threw her a curveball on the fateful day she met a little boy named Henry. Who could've guessed that he would be the catalyst in her giant life change. Finding Alex just ended up being the icing on her cake.
Nobody is going to ruin today for me. I have a high school diploma! Bitches can eat me!
Selene is a firecracker! She is one girl I would not want to start a fight with. She is feisty and independent. I loved rooting for her throughout all of her struggles. She was never one to be doubted for she WILL find a way. I instantly fell in love with Henry and my heart constantly broke for him. These characters pulled me in from the get go. This story played on all of my emotions and didn't disappoint in the end. I highly suggest this book to anyone who feels they have lived a hard life. The underdog always has a fighting chance!
August 26, 2014
I so loved this book. Selene has been dealt a crap life and handles it better than most teenagers ever could. Stumbling across a little something or someone(I won't give out spoilers) unravels a whole new turn of events for her. Hell bent on not playing well with other's ;) Selene continues to move through life. Enter Alex. An unexpected spice of life. With Alex, the new turn of events, Selene enters a whole new world. Playing with others is something she learns to do, and love.
You will love this book. I did!
You will love this book. I did!
October 19, 2014
Doesn't Play Well With Others (DPWWO) is the first book I read by Casey Harvell and I loved it. I had a suspicion with the disclaimer and dedication, that this book was going to be good. The disclaimer is "If you have a problem with swear words (particularly the word F***) please return now for a full refund." The F bomb is used a lot in the book but when it's used it fits into the storyline and it's not used just for shock value. The dedication is "For anyone who's walked a rough path and been better for it." That is a wonderful dedication and pretty much describes Selene.
Selene has had a lot of tough things to deal with. Her mother has passed away and she was being raised by her aunt. At fifteen thing with her Aunt are not good and she runs away. At seventeen she is independent and strong willed. She doesn't like many people. She meets a kid named Henry, who she takes under her wing. With henry she meets Alex. Alex's family owes a restaurant and he gives Henry and Selene some food.
Henry turns out to be a kid from a very rich family. Selene gets found with him and Henry's family gives her a lot of money for finding him. Alex's family become Selene's foster family. Things start to look up her Selene. Alex is great. He is understanding and has a big heart. He and Selene like each other and have a relationship. I love Alex and Selene together. Alex's parents are pretty cool too.
Henry has something going on his family that he is hiding. Selene has figured out what's going on and she want to help him. There is some surprising twists involving Henry's family.
DPWWO is an interesting story. I was hooked right from the beginning and didn't want to put it down until I finished. This is one you definitely want to check out.
Selene has had a lot of tough things to deal with. Her mother has passed away and she was being raised by her aunt. At fifteen thing with her Aunt are not good and she runs away. At seventeen she is independent and strong willed. She doesn't like many people. She meets a kid named Henry, who she takes under her wing. With henry she meets Alex. Alex's family owes a restaurant and he gives Henry and Selene some food.
Henry turns out to be a kid from a very rich family. Selene gets found with him and Henry's family gives her a lot of money for finding him. Alex's family become Selene's foster family. Things start to look up her Selene. Alex is great. He is understanding and has a big heart. He and Selene like each other and have a relationship. I love Alex and Selene together. Alex's parents are pretty cool too.
Henry has something going on his family that he is hiding. Selene has figured out what's going on and she want to help him. There is some surprising twists involving Henry's family.
DPWWO is an interesting story. I was hooked right from the beginning and didn't want to put it down until I finished. This is one you definitely want to check out.
October 20, 2014
This book was provided by the author to Nerd Girl Official for an honest review.
Wow! This left me speechless. First, I must say that I just love the dedication. <3
Second, this really pulled at my heart strings. Third, I could not put this down.
Selene has led a very rough life and life continues to keep her ducking and weaving. Selene is 17 and is homeless. She is roughing it on the street and she happens upon a 10 year old Henry who is homeless as well. She feels a strange pull to him and needs to protect him. Little does she know that Henry is going to change her world. Something awful happens and they are caught. She is placed in foster care and has a hard time adjusting. She is feisty, independent, and quite the badass due to the hand life has dealt her. She also learns that others need her help as well as she needs theirs. The synopsis is very gritty and so is the story. It will pull you through all of Selene’s emotions and she is very easy to connect with. The story starts off with a bang and ends the same way, it doesn’t stop.
“Because sometimes life just sucks.”
“Anyone who uses the word **** in our first conversation is probably my type of person.”
“I see you for who you are, imperfectly perfect, flawed to perfection.”
“You don’t have to be tough all the time. You’re allowed to be scared.”
It really shows how someone who is put in the worst of situations can still come out on top. “The perfect life is within my reach…I only have to slay a monster to grasp hold of it.” This is definitely for mature readers as there is strong language, sex, and violence. But the story…the story is amazing!
Note: Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. See www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG or www.NerdGirlOfficial.com for more information.
Wow! This left me speechless. First, I must say that I just love the dedication. <3
Second, this really pulled at my heart strings. Third, I could not put this down.
Selene has led a very rough life and life continues to keep her ducking and weaving. Selene is 17 and is homeless. She is roughing it on the street and she happens upon a 10 year old Henry who is homeless as well. She feels a strange pull to him and needs to protect him. Little does she know that Henry is going to change her world. Something awful happens and they are caught. She is placed in foster care and has a hard time adjusting. She is feisty, independent, and quite the badass due to the hand life has dealt her. She also learns that others need her help as well as she needs theirs. The synopsis is very gritty and so is the story. It will pull you through all of Selene’s emotions and she is very easy to connect with. The story starts off with a bang and ends the same way, it doesn’t stop.
“Because sometimes life just sucks.”
“Anyone who uses the word **** in our first conversation is probably my type of person.”
“I see you for who you are, imperfectly perfect, flawed to perfection.”
“You don’t have to be tough all the time. You’re allowed to be scared.”
It really shows how someone who is put in the worst of situations can still come out on top. “The perfect life is within my reach…I only have to slay a monster to grasp hold of it.” This is definitely for mature readers as there is strong language, sex, and violence. But the story…the story is amazing!
Note: Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. See www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG or www.NerdGirlOfficial.com for more information.
October 31, 2014
Firstly, I'll say I don't like to give spoilers away. That being said I leave a lot of things out of my review.
Secondly, I will say that I absolutely loved this book.
It isn't for someone who doesn't like graphic language, if you're not a fan then of swear words then please, move along.
Selene is fiercely independent, relying on no one. She's been given a pretty hard life and deals with it, learning as she goes. There are curveballs.
I loved Henry and Alex.
Selene's story tugs on your heart, you feel the emotions as you do.
Personally, the greatest comedian to have ever graced the world was George Carlin. The man said it like it was, all truth, no excuses. He gave no f...s. I admired him for it, its what made me a fan in the first place.
Casey Harvell writes as well as George Carlin spoke. I looked up to him as inspiration, I wanted to be like that one day, not caring what anyone else had to say but myself. Holding my own self-esteem in the palm of my hands.
Casey does just that. Her words hit you, dead shot in the center of your soul. She had me hooked with her disclaimer, and then the first page. I was drowning in this story, and I didn't want to be saved.
5+ Stars!
I suggest when you go to read this to make sure you have drink and food next to you before you sit down on your comfortable reading nook, you will not want to get up until you've read the last page. And even then, you'll sit there with your reading device in your hands and wonder about the story, wonder about Casey and what else she has written that you've not read.
This is the first book I've read by Casey Harvell, but I can tell you it will not be the last.
Secondly, I will say that I absolutely loved this book.
It isn't for someone who doesn't like graphic language, if you're not a fan then of swear words then please, move along.
Selene is fiercely independent, relying on no one. She's been given a pretty hard life and deals with it, learning as she goes. There are curveballs.
I loved Henry and Alex.
Selene's story tugs on your heart, you feel the emotions as you do.
Personally, the greatest comedian to have ever graced the world was George Carlin. The man said it like it was, all truth, no excuses. He gave no f...s. I admired him for it, its what made me a fan in the first place.
Casey Harvell writes as well as George Carlin spoke. I looked up to him as inspiration, I wanted to be like that one day, not caring what anyone else had to say but myself. Holding my own self-esteem in the palm of my hands.
Casey does just that. Her words hit you, dead shot in the center of your soul. She had me hooked with her disclaimer, and then the first page. I was drowning in this story, and I didn't want to be saved.
5+ Stars!
I suggest when you go to read this to make sure you have drink and food next to you before you sit down on your comfortable reading nook, you will not want to get up until you've read the last page. And even then, you'll sit there with your reading device in your hands and wonder about the story, wonder about Casey and what else she has written that you've not read.
This is the first book I've read by Casey Harvell, but I can tell you it will not be the last.
August 30, 2014
Doesn’t Play well with others- 5 superb stars.
I don’t normally read anything dark, not even slightly dark. I feel like the world has enough without it documented on pages, however I read this book because the concept intrigued me. I found in doing so that not only did I read it but I enjoyed it. This book isn’t the kind of dark that shreds your soul, well it does, but it quickly mends it. I was scared of Selene’s story at first but now I am so glad I read it, she is a mouthy teen who grows into a spectacular (foul) woman. She’s real, she imperfectly perfect. Selene’s story is a homeless tale, where she finds love in more than one way and learns to give it in return. She finds someone worth trusting and shows she is trustworthy. My heart broke repeatedly for Selene (& Henry) then it mended. Stronger. More durable. There is a part that leaves a few dead bodies on the floor and all I could scream during this part was “Revenge is bitch, buttercup.” It’s been very hard for books to get any emotion out of me lately, but this one done it. From one author to another, Casey you done an amazing job and I can’t wait for the Sequel.
Doesn’t play well with others, is an amazing read. It’s a timeless tale of betrayal, love, lust, endearment, & devotion. Bravo Harvell. Job well done!
I don’t normally read anything dark, not even slightly dark. I feel like the world has enough without it documented on pages, however I read this book because the concept intrigued me. I found in doing so that not only did I read it but I enjoyed it. This book isn’t the kind of dark that shreds your soul, well it does, but it quickly mends it. I was scared of Selene’s story at first but now I am so glad I read it, she is a mouthy teen who grows into a spectacular (foul) woman. She’s real, she imperfectly perfect. Selene’s story is a homeless tale, where she finds love in more than one way and learns to give it in return. She finds someone worth trusting and shows she is trustworthy. My heart broke repeatedly for Selene (& Henry) then it mended. Stronger. More durable. There is a part that leaves a few dead bodies on the floor and all I could scream during this part was “Revenge is bitch, buttercup.” It’s been very hard for books to get any emotion out of me lately, but this one done it. From one author to another, Casey you done an amazing job and I can’t wait for the Sequel.
Doesn’t play well with others, is an amazing read. It’s a timeless tale of betrayal, love, lust, endearment, & devotion. Bravo Harvell. Job well done!
October 20, 2014
Man.. Where do I start.. I LOVED the characters, and the story. Selene has been dealt a shit hand in life and finds out all too often that.. well.. People SUCK!! Finding herself on the streets after her mom passes and her crack-whore aunt wants her to join the family business.. She is struggling to survive. One day she sees a little boy dangling out of a window.. and going against her wanting to not be around people she helps him down and winds up with a stray. Henry is not very old and clings to Selene right away. He takes her to get some food from a guy named Alex at a restaurant that he frequents. Some stuff goes down and Selene figures out things about Henry that she feels the need to intervene with. While in search of a way to help Henry she learns more about herself as well.. I want to say so much more but can't because you need to check it out for yourself, But I can tell you there is danger, excitement, along with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.. or in my case give you a book hangover because finding out what was going to happen next apparently trumps sleep .. LOL Casey did a phenomenal job with this story-line and if you don't mind some foul language I think you will love it too...
January 13, 2015
Oh My Wow! I'm almost speechless. I was introduced to this author by a friend during a takeover and I happened to win this book. It was soooo good. I read it from start to finish in one sitting because I could not put it down. It is different then other books and that's what makes it so special. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, Amazing!! I will definitely be reading more from Casey Harvell in the future!
October 26, 2014
Casey Harvell, has an amazing original voice with a keen sense of character development. I could really relate to Selene and the emotions she was going through lending to a sense of realism throughout the story. Casey Harvell is definitely some one to watch, as I believe she will one day be world renown for her writing skills, original voice, and stunning imagination!
October 23, 2014
I absolutely loved this book..Doesn't Play Well With Others is a story of finding hope where there is none. Selene and Henry pulled at my heartstrings all the way through this book and the ending was superb..I was so pleased to see that there will be more from Henry in 2015! ....5 f*****g awesome stars!
November 30, 2014
Most beautiful, touching story of trying to survive and learning to trust and love.
October 25, 2021
I love it !
I enjoyed getting to know Selene , Henry , Julie , Cassie , Alice , Alex , Hawke , Chloe and Al ! Very good storyline and characters . The only problem I have is that I can't find Proceed with Caution , Henry's grown up story !
I enjoyed getting to know Selene , Henry , Julie , Cassie , Alice , Alex , Hawke , Chloe and Al ! Very good storyline and characters . The only problem I have is that I can't find Proceed with Caution , Henry's grown up story !
Want to read
September 15, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (9/15/2020)! 🎁
June 23, 2022
Doesn't Play well With Others
I've just found a New favorite Author!
This story was incredibly well done, I cannot wait to move on to the next book
I've just found a New favorite Author!
This story was incredibly well done, I cannot wait to move on to the next book
September 20, 2014
3.5 stars
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