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Gaming the System #6.5
It Was Always You
Michaela
Timing has never been on our side. I've carried a torch for Jeremy since junior high school days. Whenever we grew closer, something happened to pull us apart again. If I had one wish this Christmas, it would be for a chance with Jeremy.
Jeremy
She's my best friend's little sister and I've wanted to taste those sweet lips since we were in high school. Just when I thought I might have the chance I discovered she was dating another guy.
But what happens when, during one magical Christmas getaway, we finally decide to take that chance?
This is a stand-alone holiday novella with a happy ending. The characters exist in the same world as Brenna Aubrey's USA Today Bestselling Gaming The System series, but you don't need to have read any of those books to enjoy this story.
Timing has never been on our side. I've carried a torch for Jeremy since junior high school days. Whenever we grew closer, something happened to pull us apart again. If I had one wish this Christmas, it would be for a chance with Jeremy.
Jeremy
She's my best friend's little sister and I've wanted to taste those sweet lips since we were in high school. Just when I thought I might have the chance I discovered she was dating another guy.
But what happens when, during one magical Christmas getaway, we finally decide to take that chance?
This is a stand-alone holiday novella with a happy ending. The characters exist in the same world as Brenna Aubrey's USA Today Bestselling Gaming The System series, but you don't need to have read any of those books to enjoy this story.
91 pages, ebook
First published May 22, 2015
158 people are currently reading
982 people want to read
About the author
Brenna Aubrey
46 books2,105 followers
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Smart is Sexy
Brenna Aubrey is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary romance stories. Her debut novel, At Any Price, is currently free on all platforms. Her books are on over a million e-readers worldwide. They've also been translated into German, French, Italian, Dutch and adapted into an interactive app game!
She has always sought comfort in good books and the long, involved stories she weaves in her head. Brenna is a city girl with a nature-lover’s heart. She therefore finds herself out in green open spaces any chance she can get. She currently resides on the west coast of the US with her husband and children (both human and furry).
Reading Order
THE POINT OF NO RETURN SERIES available now!
High Risk
High Reward
THE GAMING THE SYSTEM SERIES: available now!
At Any Price
At Any Turn
At Any Moment
For the Win
For the One
Worth Any Cost
It Was Always You
For The Taking
For The Holidays
Take Any Chance
The Gaming The System series is complete
Smart is Sexy
Brenna Aubrey is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary romance stories. Her debut novel, At Any Price, is currently free on all platforms. Her books are on over a million e-readers worldwide. They've also been translated into German, French, Italian, Dutch and adapted into an interactive app game!
She has always sought comfort in good books and the long, involved stories she weaves in her head. Brenna is a city girl with a nature-lover’s heart. She therefore finds herself out in green open spaces any chance she can get. She currently resides on the west coast of the US with her husband and children (both human and furry).
Reading Order
THE POINT OF NO RETURN SERIES available now!
High Risk
High Reward
THE GAMING THE SYSTEM SERIES: available now!
At Any Price
At Any Turn
At Any Moment
For the Win
For the One
Worth Any Cost
It Was Always You
For The Taking
For The Holidays
Take Any Chance
The Gaming The System series is complete
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 31, 2015
It’s been so long since I read the Gaming System series that I almost forgot how good Brenna’s writing is… this great little novella was a pure delight to read, you don’t have to have read the rest of the series to enjoy it as there’s no reference to it at all other than mentioning the Draco company where they all work…
I loved the characters and hope to see them in the rest of the series… I would have liked it to be longer, but it’s a great little teaser for the coming release of book 4 next month…
If you like short, sweet, well written and emotionally charged stories then I would definitely recommend this…
I loved the characters and hope to see them in the rest of the series… I would have liked it to be longer, but it’s a great little teaser for the coming release of book 4 next month…
If you like short, sweet, well written and emotionally charged stories then I would definitely recommend this…
July 17, 2016
I have absolutely loved The Gaming Series. This was a short novella based on that series but the characters are unknown.
It was a bit to quick for me. I would have loved for it to have a few more chapters and a little more depth but that's just me being greedy for Brenna's words!
It's a sweet novella and brilliant writing that is accustomed with her writing.
Jeremy and Michaela have secretly longed for each other but timing always seemed to be in the way but the weekend in the cabin changes it all! They finally admit their feelings after bouts of jealousy.
A good read if you just want a top up on Brenna's work.
It was a bit to quick for me. I would have loved for it to have a few more chapters and a little more depth but that's just me being greedy for Brenna's words!
It's a sweet novella and brilliant writing that is accustomed with her writing.
Jeremy and Michaela have secretly longed for each other but timing always seemed to be in the way but the weekend in the cabin changes it all! They finally admit their feelings after bouts of jealousy.
A good read if you just want a top up on Brenna's work.
January 25, 2016
It Was Always You by Breanna Aubrey was a great story. This was a quick read that you won't want to put down. I loved reading about Michaela and Jeremy and how they can love each other and have for a long time. I loved reading this and recommend it for everyone.
December 28, 2019
As with all of Brenna Aubrey’s books, this one is really well written. It’s full of likable characters who you can’t help but root for. This is a quick read, and includes some crossover from her other series. Don’t we all have that fantasy of that childhood crush becoming real? This is the story or two childhood friends, struggling with feelings they have never voiced to one another. Sweet, fun and romantic. Worth the read!
June 3, 2015
Loved this. Even though it is a standalone, it definitely has ties to the Gaming the System series. This is a short novella, but it is also filled to the brim with emotions of all kinds. After all of those "lost" years, will Jeremy and Michaela finally get together? The plot is well thought out and executed. The characters are well rounded and give the story a depth that can't be ignored. Great read.
January 4, 2016
It Was Always You
Wow, sweet, romantic, short story, Jeremy and Michaela knew each other growing up, he was her brothers best friend. They were allows attracted to each other, but felt they couldn't act on it, then when they were a little older, when one wasn't in a relationship, the other would be. It was getting harder and harder to hide their feelings, where might it lead, will they finally give into their feelings, love this short story.❤️.
Wow, sweet, romantic, short story, Jeremy and Michaela knew each other growing up, he was her brothers best friend. They were allows attracted to each other, but felt they couldn't act on it, then when they were a little older, when one wasn't in a relationship, the other would be. It was getting harder and harder to hide their feelings, where might it lead, will they finally give into their feelings, love this short story.❤️.
March 21, 2016
Too short to be worth reading. I don't know these characters and I am not emotionally invested in them.
And, for the love of god, if you don't want to be with someone anymore and/or would rather be with someone else, break up. Don't be disrespectful. Don't cheat.
And, for the love of god, if you don't want to be with someone anymore and/or would rather be with someone else, break up. Don't be disrespectful. Don't cheat.
November 14, 2021
Voto libro: 3.5
Per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui:
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
Per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui:
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
December 28, 2019
This book was way too short but I LOVED IT!!!
December 26, 2015
"His eyes returned to mine. All his features, his coloring looked like shades of deep blue in the faint light of this mountain evening. 'That it was always you.' Those words seemed to trail out between his lips, mix with that phantom breath, coalesce into something otherworldly between us. My throat tightened and I swallowed."
Mind you this. I love romance books but the way this book played out, it had me rolling my eyes. When you learned the whole story, you kind of look between Jeremy and Michaela with that WTF look. Can you blame me?
You just can't connect with them because it only shows little snips of how they first encountered each other and I like the full feel of it.
Mind you this. I love romance books but the way this book played out, it had me rolling my eyes. When you learned the whole story, you kind of look between Jeremy and Michaela with that WTF look. Can you blame me?
You just can't connect with them because it only shows little snips of how they first encountered each other and I like the full feel of it.
September 3, 2024
I was surprised myself, but I didn't like this novella.
Novellas are interesting in the first place because they revolve around people you already know. So it is easy to develop a story in the short pages you have to tell the story. We haven't met any of the characters in this book and just the fact that they work in Draco doesn't simultaneously makes them part of the "gaming the system" gang. I mean even a story about Cari could be more interesting than that. I think the most annoying about the story was the connection to the series. I might have given it 3 stars if it wasn’t claimed to be part of the series but just a short story about some random persons.
Despite of the above, it was - as expected from the author- a well written story that’s why it deserves it’s 2 stars instead of just 1.
Novellas are interesting in the first place because they revolve around people you already know. So it is easy to develop a story in the short pages you have to tell the story. We haven't met any of the characters in this book and just the fact that they work in Draco doesn't simultaneously makes them part of the "gaming the system" gang. I mean even a story about Cari could be more interesting than that. I think the most annoying about the story was the connection to the series. I might have given it 3 stars if it wasn’t claimed to be part of the series but just a short story about some random persons.
Despite of the above, it was - as expected from the author- a well written story that’s why it deserves it’s 2 stars instead of just 1.
October 7, 2020
Really enjoyed rereading this story again, after it got revamped! And having read a bit of For the Taking already, well, it was so fun to read about the cactus!
*First Read July 28th, 2015*
Such a great story connected to the Gaming the System series, and yeah, so fantastic! I enjoyed it so much!
*First Read July 28th, 2015*
Such a great story connected to the Gaming the System series, and yeah, so fantastic! I enjoyed it so much!
January 24, 2016
I've always loved Brenna's writing, and this short didn't let me down.
Her Gaming the System Series brings out my inner nerd. The relationships we get to accompany in this series are always fun and light.
But I absolutely loved this small slice of Jeremy. His emotions being on the line made it all the more...
Her Gaming the System Series brings out my inner nerd. The relationships we get to accompany in this series are always fun and light.
But I absolutely loved this small slice of Jeremy. His emotions being on the line made it all the more...
December 6, 2015
4 maybe 5 always you stars
this book I think gets the 5 from me. it was sweet and funny and what a fun Bachelorette and bachelor party combo!! it had something for everyone
and I have got to play sardine now hahaha
this book I think gets the 5 from me. it was sweet and funny and what a fun Bachelorette and bachelor party combo!! it had something for everyone
and I have got to play sardine now hahaha
March 24, 2018
Beautifully written, and a subject that is probably more common than people know about or want to admit and it's hard to put down. Working through feelings is hard and I know reading this it had me tearing up at a few points. Brenna, you certainty have a gift
December 16, 2015
Good Short Story
This is a good short story. It was short and sweet. This could have been a good long story, but being short it was good.
This is a good short story. It was short and sweet. This could have been a good long story, but being short it was good.
December 20, 2015
Great book
Great quick little story. Loved the hide and seek scene. Want a quick read that will make you smile this is the book for you.
Great quick little story. Loved the hide and seek scene. Want a quick read that will make you smile this is the book for you.
December 26, 2015
Sweet short story
I really enjoyed this short story about Jeremy and Michaela. I love a good friends to lovers story. It was a nice quick read
I really enjoyed this short story about Jeremy and Michaela. I love a good friends to lovers story. It was a nice quick read
Read
August 30, 2016I loved it
Smoking hot I love love love these books. Get get so upset when I have to wait for the next
Smoking hot I love love love these books. Get get so upset when I have to wait for the next
April 24, 2021
Si tratta di una novella che appartiene alla serie Contemporary Romance Manipolare il Sistema e andrebbe letta prima del romanzo Prendere o Lasciare (se siete interessati a vedere qualche battibecco tra Lucas e Katya) ma può essere letta anche singolarmente visto che i protagonisti principali sono Michaela e Jeremy (quest’ultimo sta concorrendo per la stessa promozione di Lucas).
Ammetto di avere qualche difficoltà con le novelle che raccontano di una coppia senza un romanzo a loro dedicato perché a causa della brevità tutto avviene molto velocemente e non è facile lasciarsi coinvolgere pienamente dalla loro storia d’amore.
Però capisco che forse i due personaggi erano troppo marginali e con un background abbastanza normale rispetto ai protagonisti dei romanzi della serie.
Le vicende sono raccontate attraverso i due punti di vista dei due protagonisti. La storia è molto semplice e lineare: Michaela e Jeremy si conoscono dall’infanzia, lei è la sorella del suo migliore amico. Sono sempre stati inseparabili e a un certo punto entrambi iniziano a provare qualcosa l’uno per l’altra. Purtroppo non hanno mai potuto esplorare davvero i loro sentimenti perché succedeva sempre qualcosa a tenerli separati fino a quando non si ritrovano a partecipare a una vacanza in montagna durante il periodo natalizio con altri dipendenti della Draco.
L’idea di due amici da sempre innamorati ma senza mai dichiararsi non è particolarmente originale ma nonostante tutto non mi è dispiaciuta la scelta, peccato però per la caratterizzazione dei due protagonisti perché si presuppone che siano adulti ma dai comportamenti sembrano due adolescenti.
Lettura carina, leggera e piacevole ma preferisco i romanzi.
Ammetto di avere qualche difficoltà con le novelle che raccontano di una coppia senza un romanzo a loro dedicato perché a causa della brevità tutto avviene molto velocemente e non è facile lasciarsi coinvolgere pienamente dalla loro storia d’amore.
Però capisco che forse i due personaggi erano troppo marginali e con un background abbastanza normale rispetto ai protagonisti dei romanzi della serie.
Le vicende sono raccontate attraverso i due punti di vista dei due protagonisti. La storia è molto semplice e lineare: Michaela e Jeremy si conoscono dall’infanzia, lei è la sorella del suo migliore amico. Sono sempre stati inseparabili e a un certo punto entrambi iniziano a provare qualcosa l’uno per l’altra. Purtroppo non hanno mai potuto esplorare davvero i loro sentimenti perché succedeva sempre qualcosa a tenerli separati fino a quando non si ritrovano a partecipare a una vacanza in montagna durante il periodo natalizio con altri dipendenti della Draco.
L’idea di due amici da sempre innamorati ma senza mai dichiararsi non è particolarmente originale ma nonostante tutto non mi è dispiaciuta la scelta, peccato però per la caratterizzazione dei due protagonisti perché si presuppone che siano adulti ma dai comportamenti sembrano due adolescenti.
Lettura carina, leggera e piacevole ma preferisco i romanzi.
December 17, 2022
This was a one to two star for me. It is a very short story. The characters are in their early twenties. It has blurred lines of cheating. The MC is giving a trial run of a past relationship, but kisses his long time crush during that weekend time period. So he is and isn’t in a current committed relationship. This really depends on your lines or definition of cheating. It’s kinda like Ross/Rachel on Friends “we were on a break.”
That said, I didn’t care about these characters and didn’t really enjoy the story. It was blah/meh. I found the roommate/ex-girlfriend? to be annoying.
I would be more interested in reading Luke and the redheads story, I can’t remember her name, sorry. But I won’t because once again I pay for KU and this isn’t part of KU. I can’t afford paying for books on top of KU. So it is what it is and is on my wish list to read.
But this one I would tell others to pass on.
That said, I didn’t care about these characters and didn’t really enjoy the story. It was blah/meh. I found the roommate/ex-girlfriend? to be annoying.
I would be more interested in reading Luke and the redheads story, I can’t remember her name, sorry. But I won’t because once again I pay for KU and this isn’t part of KU. I can’t afford paying for books on top of KU. So it is what it is and is on my wish list to read.
But this one I would tell others to pass on.
December 3, 2022
Short and Sweet 💙❄️⛄️♥️
Jeremy and Michaela have known each other for years, but the timing was never right. I could feel their yearning fur each other as they hoped for more from each other. They’re a cute couple.
What I didn’t like about it is he dated her best friend. Awkward. Who wants to be with someone who has been intimate with her best friend? Jeremy was right. He should have waited and not been with someone he’s now going to be around constantly. Weird.
The writing is good, and the next book sounds like one I’d like to read.
Jeremy and Michaela have known each other for years, but the timing was never right. I could feel their yearning fur each other as they hoped for more from each other. They’re a cute couple.
What I didn’t like about it is he dated her best friend. Awkward. Who wants to be with someone who has been intimate with her best friend? Jeremy was right. He should have waited and not been with someone he’s now going to be around constantly. Weird.
The writing is good, and the next book sounds like one I’d like to read.
December 17, 2023
This was a bit short, so you don't get to know the characters as well as in the previous parts of this series. The characters were also entirely new to me. The guy is a Draco employee so he is mentioned in other parts, but he doesn't play a prominent role. I don't think the girl was mentioned in any other book. You could easily skip this book and not feel like you've missed anything. It's not bad, but it's also not important for the ongoing storyline.
Read
February 3, 2020Love this series!
I've read each book in the series more than once! It's not just Mia and Adam's story (whew, and what a story they have)... it's all the stories about the special people in their lives. This time it was Jeremy and Michaela... Will it finally be their time? Definitely looking forward to reading Kat and Lucas' story next!
I've read each book in the series more than once! It's not just Mia and Adam's story (whew, and what a story they have)... it's all the stories about the special people in their lives. This time it was Jeremy and Michaela... Will it finally be their time? Definitely looking forward to reading Kat and Lucas' story next!
September 15, 2020
Tinsel All the Way
Christmas stories are my favorite even if they are a fairytale. Michaela and Jeremy's story was sweet and perfect for Christmas even if one reads it in September. So glad they finally are together after all the years they've waited and the many obstacles that got in the way. This Christmas short story is just right!
Christmas stories are my favorite even if they are a fairytale. Michaela and Jeremy's story was sweet and perfect for Christmas even if one reads it in September. So glad they finally are together after all the years they've waited and the many obstacles that got in the way. This Christmas short story is just right!
December 5, 2020
Friends to Dating
Jeremy and Michaeli have been friend since childhood because Jeremy was Michaeli brother’s best friend. After he goes off to college Michaeli finds a boyfriend so when Jeremy come back after college he begins dating Michaeli’s roommate. How things develop from there makes for an interesting story. Loved it
Jeremy and Michaeli have been friend since childhood because Jeremy was Michaeli brother’s best friend. After he goes off to college Michaeli finds a boyfriend so when Jeremy come back after college he begins dating Michaeli’s roommate. How things develop from there makes for an interesting story. Loved it
January 17, 2025
Such a short story
Short and sweet. No time to get in any drama of deep emotion. These two were hardly worth a mention let alone a novel. However it takes a lot to sit down and not only come up with a story, but to write it. Hence 3 stars for the effort. I must say at this point, I have thoroughly enjoyed the first 7 books.
Short and sweet. No time to get in any drama of deep emotion. These two were hardly worth a mention let alone a novel. However it takes a lot to sit down and not only come up with a story, but to write it. Hence 3 stars for the effort. I must say at this point, I have thoroughly enjoyed the first 7 books.
October 7, 2020
It Was Always You
This was a great short read about two people that have had a crush on each other for years but the timing wasn't good. Until it was and they both admitted it however they still had complications.
This was a great short read about two people that have had a crush on each other for years but the timing wasn't good. Until it was and they both admitted it however they still had complications.
September 23, 2021
Okay Read
I would call this a NA sweet romance novella, no sex, but it does have risque conversations that might bother some. It kept my attention fairly well, but I just couldn't connect with the maincharacters. .
I would call this a NA sweet romance novella, no sex, but it does have risque conversations that might bother some. It kept my attention fairly well, but I just couldn't connect with the maincharacters. .
October 11, 2020
Loved it
Loved this book. Knowing each other from r. Finally finding their way to be together. Took some time but it all worked out. Great book
Loved this book. Knowing each other from r. Finally finding their way to be together. Took some time but it all worked out. Great book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews