Graphically Novel

Love Games #3

by Allyson Lindt

Her best friend owns his own comic shop, respects her fandom, and offers to add a with benefits clause to their relationship, to distract her from the stresses of work. What more could a geek-girl ask for?

Tori thought being the head designer and co-owner of a cosplay-themed lingerie company meant a chance to create. Instead of coming up with new ideas of her own, she spends all her time drawing others' concepts, and managing her half the corporation.

The pressure pushes her past the edge of frustration. Her best friend and Sunday afternoon movie buddy, Archer, offers her an outlet—sex, minus the emotional attachment. When getting off takes a graphically novel turn, Tori realizes dirty talk is a massive turn-on.

The rush of speaking her mind bleeds into the workplace, and the backlash leaves Tori staggering. On top of that, she hasn't protected her heart from Archer as well as she intended. Now the novelty of saying what she thinks threatens to screw Tori out of her job and her closest friend.

Publisher's Note: This book was previously released as Learning New Tricks (Bits & Bytes book 3) and has been revised and edited for this re-release.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers, Amazon

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2013

About the author

Thanks for stopping by! I am not currently accepting any friend requests.

Allyson Lindt has been telling stories since before she could put the words on paper. She was lucky enough to marry her muse and soul mate. Their cats are their children, and when they’re not spending way too much time gaming, they’re building new worlds together. She loves a sexy happily-ever-after and helping deserving couples find their futures together.

Reviews

[Heather book whore & shifter slut extrordinaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I think its fairly evident from my reading and posting and twitter history that I am a fan of Allyson Lindt as well as lucky enough to consider her an amazing friend. I met her over the last year on Goodreads and twitter and she was one of the first authors to trust me with a copy of a book in exchange for an honest review. What a thrill that was - and still is - to have an author ask for my opinion on their work. Still amazes me that what I have to say is important to them as they write. Anyways, back to the book.

This is Archer's book. Archer has been around since the beginning of the series - he was Riley's on-again, off-again he proposed and she run away former boyfriend. He and Riley and Zach (they were book #3 ). Anyways, in this book Archer is trying to figure out how he turned into such a douchebag idiot. Really, he did. I did not like him in any of the previous books and I was actually quite dubious when Allyson told me that he was the "hero" of this story. I did not think that even she could redeem this guy. Well I was wrong. She has redeemed him enough - just enough and he needs a lot of work but Tori is up to the task - that he is no longer a hopeless idiot. He is now a guy, in love, who realizes he does not deserve this woman who loves him and will spend the rest of his life becoming a man worthy of this amazing woman.

Tori has also been around in a couple of books. She is a seamstress and more importantly, a costume designer and a fantastic one. She is also an overworked, seriously stressed, hopelessly bullied, talented IT person who works with and for some of the rudest and stupidest people I have ever read. Really Allyson outdid herself in creating a workplace so toxic. Quite impressive.

Archer and Tori come together first in curiosity, then in an experiment (of sorts) to see if they can be in a pleasurable sexual relationship and still maintain their friendship without creating any further emotional attachments. Archer is terrified of a relationship because he doesn't understand what he did wrong with Riley so he feels he is doomed to repeat that dead-end romance. Tori has never enjoyed any of the sexual encounters she has had in previous relationships, even when she has waited until she had "feelings" for the person so it would "be special". Archer sets out to prove to Tori that you can enjoy a sexual relationship in a non-emotional context and to try and find some self-confidence in his relationship skills so that when the "right woman" comes along he is prepared for whatever it is he has to do.

As we watch Tori and Archer stumble through, sometimes quite painfully, this landmine laden "relationship" they have embarked on we are treated to the usual wit and unusual pass times enjoyed in these books. Some of the previous characters pop up to provide distractions and there are new and interesting people that we meet that we hope stick around till further books.

All in all this was another successful "geek romance" - the hero is not a handsome billionaire and the heroine is not his secretary or driver or the bank teller he meets one day. These are two relatively normal adults trying to make it in their crazy world and hoping it is better together.

[Jamies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a re-edited version of "Learning New Tricks", and I got it as a freebie from InstaFreebie.

Loved the story and want to hear more from this author. Hopefully go back and read Zane and Riley's story.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archer is trying to getting over his ex, who is now engaged to someone else. Not that he misses her or anything. He just can't figure out what went wrong--what he did wrong. Good thing he has a swell friend in Tori.

Tori has a stressful management job at a lingerie company that she co-owns with her brother. That be cool and all, except that her employees don't respect her and take advantage of her good nature. She's just not good at telling people what to do, and she has this one employee that likes to do things at the last minute, which prompts Tori to do the work for her and be on-call 24/7. I mean, working on a Sunday? Really?

With all the stresses in the life, is it any wonder that the two find comfort and solace in each other? So what if that includes amazing sex? So they agree to no strings and no complications. Just sex between friends. But can they really accomplish this, especially with Archer on the rebound and Tori not wanting to push. After all, she's never believed in sex without love.

Story is full of relatable characters and sexy scenes. The chemistry between Archer and Tori is off the charts.

A sexy and fun romp!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though Graphically Novel by Allyson Lindt is easy to read in one sitting (205), I would have preferred a longer book with less "bedroom scenes". In this third book in The Love Hashtagged series, Tori and Archer go from friends without benefits to friends with benefits. Neither of them are happy in love or in their jobs. Predictably, their new relationship isn't smooth sailing. Tori and Archer are likable characters and Gwen and Brad and Drea make an appearance. I was entertained by the plot.

[JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!

[Malinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This was a very good story. I liked Tori and Archer and liked seeing them get together.

Tori is the head designer and co-owner (with her brother) of a cosplay-themed lingerie company.She thought that it would be an opportunity to design interesting items but she finds herself more bogged down in the management involved in the job than doing any designing. Tori makes costumes in her spare time, getting most of her commissions through her friend Archer's comic book store.

Archer is the owner of a comic book store he built in the downstairs of a home he inherited from his grandmother. Archer loves his shop but sales are down right now and Archer is stressing over possibly loosing his business. Archer is currently getting over his on-again-off-again relationship with Riley being completely off due to her engagement to Zane (which took place in Toeing The Line). Archer's not in love with her anymore but he struggles with what he did wrong, not wanting to make the same mistakes in the future.

Tori and Archer have been friends for a couple years, meeting through a cosplay costuming group that meets in the back room of Archer's comic book store. She's been there to see what happened between Riley, Zane and Archer and she thinks that Archer is still in love with Riley. While Tori and Archer are talking at a party, they kiss as part of an experiment...it goes no further that night but it does spark an attraction between them that neither noticed until then. Archer finds himself interested in exploring things with Tori but more as "friends with benefits" that anything more serious.

Tori doesn't have sex with men she's not dating but she's also had a rather unexciting love-life up until now. Tori's not interested in getting involved with Archer if he's still caught up on Riley but she's attracted to him enough that she's able to convince herself to try "friends with benefits" with Archer while trying to keep her heart out of it. Tori's not very successful in suppressing her feelings but it's ok because Archer soon realizes that he wants more than just friendly romps as well. Of course they have to straighten out that fact that Tori believes that Archer is still in love with Riley...which does happen but not without a bit of angst. There's some work issues too (Tori is not a good fit for management) but those get worked out so that Tori's happier in her career. Once everything is figured out, the story ends with Archer and Tori happily heading towards a HEA together.

This was a very enjoyable story. I liked Tori and was happy with how things worked out for her. Although she made some mistakes, I didn't see anything she did as annoying and I liked how she worked things out in the end. Archer was a good guy and while he aimed for "friends with benefits" at first, I really liked that once he realized he had feelings for Tori, he didn't deny them and instead, embraced them. Overall, this was a very enjoyable (and engaging) friends-to-lovers story that I'd recommend. :)

[Marianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read more reviews at A Lust For Reading. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

We were first introduced to the hero, Archer, in the previous books in this series. Although I wasn't all the crazy about him, I did feel bad that he lost his girl to his best friend. However as this book starts off, the little bit of sympathy I had for him went flying out the window as I am reminded of what giant douche he really is. His explanation of meaningless sex to his best friend Tori just rubbed me the wrong way and made me want to throat punch him.

Tori is stuck in a job that is slowly driving her crazy as she lets them walk all over her. She is also designs costumes that Archer displays in his comic store. She wishes she knew how to separate love and sex like he does. So when he offers her some hands on lessons, she just can't refuse. However, right from the beginning it is pretty clear that these two have deeper feeling for each other than either of them realize.

Archer and Tori have this great chemistry together both in and out of the bedroom, but each also has something from their past holding them back from "more." He still seems hung up on his ex and Tori refuses to be anyone's second choice.

I have to say I wasn't sure if Archer could redeem himself in my eyes. Every time he would mention his ex or compare Tori to her I wanted to scream. Eventually though, you start to see that he isn't hung up on his ex at all, just feeling vulnerable and insecure, wondering what he did wrong so he doesn't make the same mistakes again. Now he just needs to prove to Tori that she is his #1 before it is too late.

And if I am being totally honest, things like this definitely helped Archer's case as well:

"I want to bury my dick inside you and then pound you until you forget anyone exists besides us. Until I have to swallow your cries as you come to keep you from screaming in pleasure."

This was another sexy, geeky read from Allyson Lindt, and she succeeded in getting me to like Archer by the end. I will continue to look forward to more books from her in the future.

[Bambi Fogleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Book 3 of this series Ms. Lindt has out done herself. I am completely in love with her writing from computer geek, roll playing games, comic nerd, Hacker to cosplay she hits all the best things in this world. I adore the story lines and how they deal with with issues and have to work through self doubt and learning things aren't always what they seem. I have become a dedicated follower of her work and wait impatiently to read the next coming out. Her books take me back to the life i loved being a teen and young adult and it is a extreme joy to read.

“I’m game.”
It was as if those two words broke some kind of rein. The gentle touch was gone, and his low growl rolled through her. He tangled his fingers in her hair, tugged her head back, and crushed his lips to hers. She whimpered at the sudden hunger. She wanted to be closer, to feel more, to taste him completely.

Archer runs the local Comic book store and after watching his 2 best friends one being his ex fall in love he has nothing but doubt as to what his life has become. Tori had been there for years but when the take it to the next level in to what was suppose to be no strings, it winds up being heartstrings that attached. How can he get past why didn't his relationship before work? What did he do wrong?

Tori is a workaholic and has no back bone to stand up for herself. Archer and her hang out when ever they can but when things go to the next level can she handle the fall out that doubt causes. Will Tori get her back bone and fight for the man she wants? Or will the past consume it all?

Can Archer and Tori find a way to make things work by Learning New Tricks?

It’ll be fine.”
“I don’t want fine.” He nipped her earlobe, breath hot and demanding on her skin. “I want every moan and gasp to be sincere.” He shoved her shirt higher, thumb running along her stomach. “Tell me what I have to do to make you scream.”

[Erica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fell apart so fast

I was kinda feeling this book in the beginning. So there were a few weird, uncomfortable relationships (the book opens with Asher throwing his ex-fiancé and her new fiancé an engagement party during which he spends his time mooning over her). And Tori is a people pleaser to the point of being incapable of being around confrontation. But that was ok because she wasn't annoying and whiny about it and she didn't break down, you just get to watch her stumble through growing a backbone. The no-strings was fun, but it seems like the whole time Asher was just really really hung up on his ex. There were way too many unresolved questions and emotions from that relationship to make me feel like anything he actually felt for Tori was genuine. Plus, the writing seemed to fall apart the last quarter of the book. There were unclear thoughts, conversations that were completely unfollow-able, and the entire end seemed rushed, like everything was thrown into place without much thought or editing just so there was a HEA. I was set on giving this book at least two more stars until it just fell right out from under me. I don't know if this was a series, it definitely read like the reader was supposed to be familiar with the other couples in the book, but I would not read any other books that go with this one.

[Whispers From · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori works with her brother at a lingerie company. But what she really wants is to design her own costumes. Her best friend Archer owns a comic book store. She sometimes is commissioned to make costumes for his customers.
Archer finally broke up with his on again/off again girlfriend. Now she's engaged to his best friend. He and Tori decide to add benefits along with their friendship but with no strings. What neither expect is to fall in love.
Can Archer get over his ex and will Tori forgive him when he totally screws up?
I love Ms. Lindt's books. Have not read a bad one. They are entertaining, sexy, and very hot. At times you want to smack Archer but you also root for him. He just needs to let go of the past.
*RECEIVED A COPY FROM AUTHOR FOR HONEST REVIEW*

[Jo Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Allyson. This story focuses on Tori and Archer. Friends who decide to test the waters of no strings sex. Archer has an ex who chose his best friend over him, which leads to complications. Tori doesn't stand up for herself & let's everyone and advantage. This story comes from both angles and returns to some of the characters we met in the 1st two books of the series. Normally a 5* for Allyson, except that in this book the positioning during the passionate moments made it complicated - did she have her back against the door or was it him, then she nudges him this way that - when they got down dirty they could have been ducking upside down

[Charity Chimni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archer and Tori take their friendship a little further with no strings. But the thing about no strings is the no strings aspect doesn't last long. Archer is struggling with his shop and Tori is struggling with the stress of her work. They both struggle with things from their past. But no one can deny the passion between them. As things escalate the passion and emotions take over. As they follow their dreams and surrender to their emotions their paths are righted. A great addition to the series.

[Adrianna Widick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different from my typical read, but I got it free so I gave it a try. I found this book to be a cute friends to lovers kind of book, that had realistic hiccups within a relationship. Definitely something that was enjoyed throughout the entire book, as well as my interest piqued. It's definitely something I would recommend to anyone willing to get a bit teary eyed, and laughing along as you read. That being said this book also use some editing, just the typical common overlooked errors.
Overall, a very satisfying read.

[Danielle Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allyson Lindt's "Graphically Novel" is the third tale in the Love Hashtagged series, although it can be read as a standalone. When Tori tests Archer's kissing skills...mmmmm!!!! So much hawt, hawt sexah! I love the characters and how it actually takes them time to process their issues...so much depth for a shorter novel. I love Allyson and I can't wait to read whatever she's writing next. I've already gifted this series to a friend.

[Teresa Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erotic and steamy

Tori and Archer are friends. She designs lingerie and he owns a comic book store. Tori doesn't know how to let go of work. Archer tries to convince her there are other things than work including sex with nothing more than friendship. Is there such a thing? Seriously though the scenes are hot and erotic. The plot is great. The characters have issues. When you put all that together it is a great book.

[Tonia Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geek love is sweet love

I enjoyed this story. Tori and Archer are a very hot couple. He runs a comic shop and she creates cow play costumes. Together they are a strong, dynamic, and sexy couple. Well rounded storyline and characters that don't make you want to constantly throat punch them... Yeah a good combination. You get a sharp grasp on the thinkings behind most of the characters and what makes them tick. It pulls you in and takes you along for the ride. Good read.

[Danielle Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allyson Lindt's "Graphically Novel" is the third tale in the Love Hashtagged series, although it can be read as a standalone. When Tori tests Archer's kissing skills...mmmmm!!!! So much hawt, hawt sexah! I love the characters and how it actually takes them time to process their issues...so much depth for a shorter novel. I love Allyson and I can't wait to read whatever she's writing next. I've already gifted this series to a frien

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoing a series that is more toward geeks and nerds. The speech is a bit odd at times for me but only because I'm not a computer geek lol. The storyline is amazing though and so much fun to read. I have laughed so much while reading this and fallen in love with the characters. Amazing and im so glad i got to review it

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story. Neither one of these characters had it all together. She hated her job, he loved his but was going under made it a little more real. I haven't read any of the other books and while you can read this as a standalone there were a couple of spots where i felt a little left out. Overall a cute story about Geeky love!

[Ruby McDemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story that portrays the geek/nerd in the true way. I love showing the true sides to all of this instead of just what society wants to see. You can't forget all the sexy steaminess and the sweet romantic parts either. Amazing story altogether and you couldn't ask for more, I could gush about the amazingness about each of the books in this series all day but I believe that's enough for now.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is complicated! Especially when you have ex partners you haven't gotten over and new relationships which know of your previous attachments.
This is a book outlining how one relationship can be distorted by past histories. It was intriguing and emotional, with the two main characters etching themselves into my soul. A good read!

[Esther Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hookup

Interesting dynamics at play with the two main characters. The romantic struggles for a developing relationship turning into trust and love follow these two throughout the read. Enjoyed their struggles on the personal and professional levels.

[N. Nieto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!

I loved this geeky quirky love story! I couldn't stop turning the pages fast enough! Tori and Archer's story was one I will read again and again! This is my first book to read by Allyson but it will not be my last!

[Dax · Rating 4 out of 5]

An example of when 'friends with benefits' turns into more. I rather enjoy the nice head nod to geek fandoms in this as well as the emotional turmoil the two protagonists had to overcome.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book to read forever and ever since of drama, passion, heartache, and love

[Ashley Lovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

A cute and light read. I would recommend this book to others. It can be read as a standalone .

[Andrea L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

A fun and warm hearted read. Loved that the characters were geeky and quirky. Human and flawed. Worth it to stop and enjoy.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was fun and really sweet.