Gratuitous Games

Disaster Bi Design #2

by Darby Quinn

All’s fair in love and war…especially when you’re playing for both sides.

Isaac Carson never meant to fall for his best friend’s girlfriend…or his best friend.

Imagine his surprise when Haley—the stubborn, full-figured vixen who turned his world upside down—also happens to be the sweet, spontaneous, spark of a woman Tyler hasn’t shut up about. To be fair, he was technically dating her first.

Isaac and Tyler have always been competitive. It’s what makes them great business partners, better best friends, and absolute menaces when there’s a bet on the table. So, instead of tearing each other apart, they do what any normal, rational, mature adult would do…they turn it into a game and Haley is the prize.

The rules are no sabotage, no hurt feelings, and Haley makes the final call.

As the lines between friendship, love, and lust blur, Isaac must sever the ties that bind him to one of his favorite people, or embrace a love like he’s never imagined…one that just might include them both.

Book Two in the Disaster Bi Design series, Gratuitous Games, is an MMF why choose novella filled with sexual awakening, pining for your best friend, and an FMC that's playing a game of her own.

Genres: Why Choose, Romance, Novella, M M Romance, M M F, Spicy, Friends To Lovers

161 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2025

About the author

Darby Quinn writes spicy romances with heart, humor, and heat...emphasis on the heat. With a soft spot for morally gray characters, obsessive MMCs, and villains who get the girl, she crafts stories that will leave you breathless and begging for more.

When she's not writing, Darby is likely drinking a crisp Dr. Pepper, playing cozy video games, and wondering if the new story idea she just had is too wild.

Follow her for more stories that will make you laugh, swoon, blush, and rethink reading in public.

Reviews

[Taylor Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slutty little book…loved it.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a spicy little novella with a gay awakening.

[Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

All’s fair in love and war…especially when you’re playing for both sides.

Darby Quinn has done it again by giving me a book that is precisely what I need right now. This is an excellent, short, smutty novella (173 pages). The dynamics between these characters are amazing, and I love watching them interact. I actually find them all incredibly cute together, and I love how their relationship develops. I also adore Haley; she is so fun and sassy, and she perfectly helps to balance Isaac and Tyler. Again, the dynamics are just perfect, and the relationships between all of the characters are so important in a character-driven MMF romance. The pacing in this book is fantastic, and I quickly fell in love with these characters. I look forward to more in this series and more from Darby generally.

💛MMF
💛Why Choose
💛Bi Awakening For His Best Friend
💛Grumpy x Sunshine x Brat
💛Accidental DVP
💛Hard Dom/Soft Dom
💛Hurt/Comfort

[Olga Kamińska · Rating 5 out of 5]

surprisingly angsty!

I was so hyped up about this book! And it live up for it.
Love the banter and the suppress feeling they have for each other.
I would love to read maybe just one little more chapter when they finally are together, and openly admitting the hots for one another’s. But still.. 5⭐️read for me

Darby you are my Queen of smut. Can’t wait for another one.

[Ash K · Rating 3 out of 5]

—• 3.5 •—

Short and low stakes smut. I didn’t really like how Isaac was a dick to Haley at several points and faced no consequences for it so that bumped down my rating from a 4 to a 3.5. but overall it was an enjoyable read. i love when the boyfriends are also boyfriends 🫶🏻

[C.J. Blaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because I truly think it’s deserved. Idk what it is about MMF romances that I love, but this scratched every itch! Her writing style is so smooth and easy to read. Loved it!

[Gabriela Farias · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️

[Filipa Correia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a fun little smutty book, and it was a wild ride, had a great time!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darby Quinn has done it again! The relationship between Tyler, Isaac, and Haley is 🔥! Tyler is sunshine, and Isaac is grumpy, and Haley is exactly what they both need, and they’re what she needs.
Fans of Harmonious Hearts will also appreciate a cute little Easter Egg in Grautitous Games. 😉
I loved it and can’t wait to read everything Darby writes!

[Meagan Grauel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy unrequited feelings, Batman! The sexual tension was through the roof with the two MMC's in this book and I'm really not sure how neither of them realized there were feelings on BOTH sides for so long. The spice is so good in the entire book though and I love a sexually adventurous queen, which you definitely have in the FMC. There was an argument the FMC had with her brother than felt very unresolved at the end of the book, but I suppose you can make up your own sort of ending for that if you'd like. The whole storyline revolves around sex and it's a great smutty read to enjoy. The build up between the MMC's is definitely worth the wait. And it was a fairly quick read to boot.

[Emily Doll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darby Quinn does it again with their second quick and steamy love triangle that you can't help but fall in love with! I really enjoyed the fun spicy dynamic they created within their first books plot, so reading this as soon as I heard it dropped was a no-brainer as my next read.

We have another interesting dynamic between three characters as we start out with Haley pitching a job to a handsome and dominating powerhouse client, Isaac. It's not long before business turns to pleasure with these two, and professional lines start blurring right along with personal ones. Haley is a sweet and honest FMC. She struggles with the guilt of misplaced morality along with finding herself through the intimacy she craves as she is navigating her footing in life and in healing her past traumas. Isaac being her boss makes the connection she's trying to ignore when he asks to her a final business dinner feel taboo, but Haley is struggling with denying the wants and desires his dominating energy is pulling from her. Before long, these two find themselves in a steamy coat closet scene that will have you pushing your own thighs together!

But wait! There's more! TYLER ENTERS THE CHAT! *and my favorite. Well I guess he crashes into the chat when he collides with Haley, or should I say "Rose" in a parking lot leaving the gym and not long after our leading lady finds herself on yet another date, and in yet another small space steamy scene that makes your face as hot as their interaction in that jeep!

As our story continues, like a freight train down the tracks, our girl juggles not one but two new love interests that seem to be both wildly different in personalities yet both heavily needed for her full satisfactory. The thing I loved most about her juggling this situation was how honest she was with both the guys. Especially Tyler that first time. Her transparency throughout this book was really refreshing. She never tries to hide anything. Even when it finally comes out that both of our leading fellas happen to know each other... well.

The confrontation with the three of them when it all comes out is wild. Isaac's behavior was shocking! His nasty nature coming out to mask his fear felt tangible and made me want to fight him for her honor since Tyler sure didn't. *Not that he doesn't make up for it well and good later wink wink lol.
Once our boys learn the truth, the gauntlet for Haleys heart is set. The problem? Not all players are being honest in what they are playing for, and not all players know they are playing. Let the peacocking begin as Issac and Tyler try to win over Haley individually by openly sharing her between them both, giving her the right to choose who she prefers organically. Well... Haley has a trick up her own sleeve they will never see coming. And boy, is there a lot to come within these pages, lol.

This book was simple, fast, spicy, funny, and a little dramatic at times. There was no big dramatic drop out or heavy miscommunication trope that breaks everyone up before coming back together, but the way it navigated the complexity of not just them figuring out how to be with her, but the challenges they face within Isaac and Tylers "friendship" really had you on edge for a bit. It has very likable characters that hit different personality traits and their own originality. There were some conversations and dialog moments that really hit hard in different ways. The spice was epic. Darby Quinn knows how to write spice, let me tell you! And it always flows so well within the story. I love their spice dialog because that is usually where I tend to cringe, and that never happens in their books. It's a quick read but it feels like there is so much more to it with its small sprinkles of mentions of past stories that deepen our characters indenties in ways you never really get to learn about but feel like you did in a way. Like Haley's Ex, or more about her and her brothers' past which sounded wild. There was what felt like such backage to unpack, but we kept that suitcase zipped up tight, lol. I would happily keep reading, lol.

I loved it! It was exactly what I would have wanted for book two after experiencing book one. I think it was its own story, but kept so close to the same feel of book one I felt very taken care of, lol.

Thank you, Darby!!!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point I am firmly committed to reading the rest of this series, the spice is spicy, the writing style is engaging, I'm invested. I will say there were a few things about this book that I struggled with, if I'm honest. Firstly, the length. This is not strictly speaking an issue with this book, I find novellas challenging because if they're well written (which this book is), I want more. In this particular case, give me a flash forward, an epilogue, something more. If this series ends (with however many books the author intends to add to it) with a full-length catch-up of all our main characters, living their best lives and crossing paths, for example, at the holidays, I would be delighted. I just need more than what I got, which is a sign of how much I enjoyed this book.

I have to say that in this book I had a favourite MMC, and I'm not sure if you're supposed to in a Why Choose… but boy were there so many times that I wanted to jump into the book and give Isaac a piece of my mind. Maybe it's a sign of personal growth that guys like that set off warnings now, but some of the things he said just rubbed me the wrong way. Also, he and Haley are banned for life from that restaurant right? (If you know you know) Tyler on the other hand was a darling and a dream, he is who we all deserve and I was 100% here for it. Maybe that's something I would have liked to see, Isaac redeeming himself a bit because by the end I still wasn't wholly impressed with him.

Haley for her part needed a best friend, I would happily apply. She needed a best girlfriend to build her up, cheer her on, and help her see herself as the bombshell that she is. Again, this is a challenge with novellas, because they are inherently short you don't always get the wider supporting ensemble. We did see a bit of that for Haley but she needed a best girlfriend and I'll die on that hill.

I know it sounds like I'm complaining a lot, but I did genuinely really enjoy this book, mostly I just wanted to insert myself into it as a supporting character. I liked the spicy moments, and I liked the moments of vulnerability, in my opinion the author does both very well. I am eager and curious to see what comes next in the series and what else Darby Quinn might give us going forward. This book was a good choice for me when I was struggling to give reading my attention, it's a sweet reminder that reading should feel fun, not like a chore.

[Sofie · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️ Spice with Heart ❤️

This book was both intriguing and so well written with so much heart and care for the characters wrapped up in one spicy MMF novella!

The premise of the book is that two best friends run a company together and, unbeknownst to all three people, end up dating the same woman.
And what a woman she is! 😍 Haley, a confident curvy woman with a past that has scarred her in different ways, but that she refuses to let that stop her from going after what she wants. She is sassy and with a bit of a brat, that she ends up using for good cause.

Our first MMC Isaac is your CEO type with suit and a dangerous sexy vibe! He had a lot more depth to him as the story progresses. He is a bit of a OTT guy who practices some light stalking of our FMC and likes to control everything in the bedroom -and beyond.

The second MMC Tyler is a hot and nerdy tech guy with piercings and tattoos, while also having a bit of a golden retriever personality -and it is just so darn irresistible. He meets Haley in a pretty untraditional way and he is instantly attracted. However, he has also been in love with Isaac for more than a decade, so how and what to choose?

The story is so well written, full of love, between the characters and for the characters, and I ended up finishing it in one sitting.

This story in multiple POV, where the first book in the series is single POV. I really felt it added a lot to the story in terms of insight into all three characters-and it makes the spice hotter than Dante’s Inferno having access to all three POV!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow this book had some of everything! Perfect length for this type of book. Definitely more of a focus on the spicy parts vs actual plot but that’s what I was looking for. It is MMF and the action is absolutely there, sometimes pushing the boundaries but the MCs are always asking and giving consent which definitely helps to feel “safe”.

From the book…
"Make yourself useful and set the table," Isaac commands, breaking the tension. "Yes, Daddy," I tease, setting my bag on the kitchen island and turning toward the cabinet to grab three white porcelain plates. When I turn back around, Rose’s eyebrows are raised high, and she’s staring slack-jawed in Isaac's direction. I follow her gaze to find Isaac frozen, his hands gripping the kitchen island with white knuckles. His eyes unfocused. "I think you broke him," Rose whispers, her lips twitching with amusement.

Some fun interactions between all 3 MCs. As for spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Katilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is basically all smut and no plot, the spice was really good but the plot was so all over the place, I do like the polyamory in the end, the angst and pining was really good! When Issac finally realizes what he wants with Tyler and Haley in the bookstore with the poly couple and their PDA was adorable, plus the fight between Ty and Issac after the incident was wonderful and the vulnerability with them, I did not however like that there was no backstory about Haley except only before the ending it was just bits and pieces of her childhood, maybe it’s cause I didn’t read the first book but I’m not sure if they’re interconnected 🤷🏻‍♀️ either way I want two boyfriends that are also boyfriends. Happy reading babes 🫶🏻

[Zera · Rating 4 out of 5]

lord

This definitely scratched an itch I had… this was like 69% smut. Loved it. I ve been needing a mmf romance with swords crossing for a while. Issac and Tyler are interesting to say the least. Tyler’s character surprised me a little. Idk why but I liked his demeanor. Nice change from there always being two dominants. A nice “switch.”
Haley was cute, I loved her being covered in tattoos. Really did something to me
Bisexual heart. Cute smutty read. I wish it was longer and that the readers got to read the chasing scene that apparently happened on her birthday.. we were definitely robbed of that.

[Jennifer Ervine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books so much! Another perfectly written blend of emotions and smut! The focus of this book is more the decades long angst and longing between Isaac and Tyler. Haley saw through them and future possibilities, but the guys realizing what they mean to each other and finally taking a leap of faith is the real focus of the story. Isaac saying don’t make me feel and Tyler saying please feel something. My heart! Again this book was just a tease because I turned the page and just wanted more!!

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what winning feels like!

So much long standing tension between Isaac and Tyler - makes it so worth it! Haley plays her part perfectly but understandably has some hang-ups and concerns. They both take their time to make sure she's still in control & cared for. I think this might be the first book I've read where a safe word is actually used at all and that's great! Short novella, but well developed and super hot. Absolutely fantastic story. Can't wait to read more!

[Kate Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was spicy in all the right ways (while maintaining body positivity and realism), and also very sweet. I saw an Instagram reel with a short quote from the book (from the character Tyler), and I was hooked. Instant download, and fast read where I didn't want to put it down. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer, and that certain very interesting storylines (like an alluded bloody history between the FMC and her brother) were left vague.

[Baxygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

holy heckers!

Just as gorgeous as book one, this leaves you reeling in feelings.

I think I liked this better. The characters were all developed, brining a more rounded and emotion story to life.

I can see how book 1 and 2 have similar threads. Like Darby wasn't quite certain which path they were going to take us on, therefore wrote them both out. Bringing two stories to life with one concept and multiple options. Nice work

[Nikky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devoured this book! The chemistry between the characters was off the charts, and the tension, banter, and emotional depth made it impossible to put down. I loved the dynamic between Isaac, Tyler, and Haley—it felt fun, intense, and surprisingly heartfelt. A perfect mix of spice and emotion, and such an addictive quick read - This is 100% my favourite in the series for Issac and Tyler <3

[BookNova69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved book 1 and I loved this book just as much, for a spicy novella series they have the perfect mix of plot and spice for me.

I loved the characters and the way we get to know their personalities and insecurities throughout the book alongside absolute filth! Although I did spend a lot of the book screaming internally at Isaac.

Will definitely be adding the physical books to my trophy shelf!!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!! Book 1 was so good, so I was excited to read this one! Haley, Tyler and Issac had such great chemistry. The banter and tension was good, even in this short book. The spice was sooooo HOT! I had to fan myself a few times. I absolutely devoured this book in a few hours and Darby Quinn is quickly becoming a favorite author.

[KindledWithRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Gratuitous Games
In a nutshell: Two best friends compete to win the girl (and each other!)
My favorite quotes: "Why the fuck did I say 'sometimes' like I'm some kind of part-time bisexual."
"You slutted too close to the sun and now you’re going to have to nurse third-degree burns in the unemployment line."
Pros: 🌶️ in a coat check room. Groveling. A mouthy fmc. Light stalking (in a romantic way).
Cons: uhhh...hmmm...I'm not sure there are any?

Business partners Isaac and Tyler discover they've both been on a date with the same girl and turn winning her heart into a competition...but when she finds out, she decides on a game of her own. Spoiler: everybody wins.

This is all glorious smut. There's enough plot to understand how the characters got here, but it's used as a vehicle to get to more smut. And beep beep, I'm here for the joyride!

[Vibes.before.TBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

The mouths on these damn men 🥵
A short and spicy read with some great banter.
The combo of bratty Haley, dominant Isaac, and sweet Tyler is perfection.
The .5 is for the story length - there are some backstory elements that could have been explored and a chapter or epilogue after they all get together would have sweetened the deal on a fun read.

[Kaitlyn Leclerc · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the right feels!!!

I saw this book on instagram, and decided to try it out, I’ve been in a book slump for a bit, and oh my gosh this did not disappoint. It had me laughing, crying, kicking my feet, it was amazing! It makes me wish I could read it for the first time again. If you are thinking of reading this book, do it, you will not regret it!

[Justina Bascombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

love!

Such a cute story. I love the yearning from the best friends and the crazy way they end up pining for the same girl. But they personal growth through all of the games and competing was amazing. It’s not easy being vulnerable with others and being able to learn to do that as an adult is huge.

[Megan Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 devoured this book

Okay I didn't know how the story was going to go at first. The different name thing for her confused me at first. I love how both men finally opened up and gave in. I love the dynamic of a real poly relationship displayed. I adore this couple so much. Great for a quick read and better laughs.

[Orsi Vajai · Rating 5 out of 5]

*feral screeching sounds*

Damn, Darby did it again. Another masterpiece!
It’s short, dirty, but with so many emotions and character growth is it. I’m obsessed and need more of their story. Loved the cameo.

[Tiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

💜why choose(mmf)
💜client fmc
💜business partners mmc’s
💜decade long secret pining(mmc’s)
💜emotionally unavailable mmc
💜initial separate situationships(they are after the same girl)
💜mild angst
💜hurt/comfort(kinda)
💜accidental dvp
💜dom mmc
💜brat fmc
💜praise
💜degradation