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Game Night #1
Game Night
Small town Kiwi lad Callum Bradshaw is terrified of stepping outside of his comfort zone and taking risks. He is struggling to move on with life after his fiancée Misty abruptly ended their engagement, breaking his heart and bank balance in one go. Meanwhile, he is left with the stress of running his fledgling café business and is haunted every night by a nightmare poisoning his dreams.
An energising remedy in his life though, is his friendship with cocky womanizer Garrick Masters. Every Thursday Garrick holds game night at his swanky apartment where the two men gamble and booze it up. One evening things take a sexy detour when Callum loses a bet and has to clean Garrick's apartment... naked.
An entirely unexpected passion explodes between the two friends and leaves Callum questioning his sexuality and aching heart. Callum soon realises that if he wants to explore these forbidden feelings then he must tackle his biggest fear... taking a risk.
Genre: Dark, steamy romance.
Length: 60,000 words with a HFN ending.
WARNING: Game Night contains coarse language, sex scenes, d/s dynamics and morally ambiguous behaviour. Please do not proceed if this bothers you.
* This is the second edition of GAME NIGHT.
An energising remedy in his life though, is his friendship with cocky womanizer Garrick Masters. Every Thursday Garrick holds game night at his swanky apartment where the two men gamble and booze it up. One evening things take a sexy detour when Callum loses a bet and has to clean Garrick's apartment... naked.
An entirely unexpected passion explodes between the two friends and leaves Callum questioning his sexuality and aching heart. Callum soon realises that if he wants to explore these forbidden feelings then he must tackle his biggest fear... taking a risk.
Genre: Dark, steamy romance.
Length: 60,000 words with a HFN ending.
WARNING: Game Night contains coarse language, sex scenes, d/s dynamics and morally ambiguous behaviour. Please do not proceed if this bothers you.
* This is the second edition of GAME NIGHT.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2017
232 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Zane Menzy
42 books103 followersZane lives way down under on the west coast of New Zealand; the wet side. He is a fan of ghost stories, sport, ducklings and nights out that usually lead to his head hanging in a bucket the next morning.
He enjoys creating characters who have flaws, crazy thoughts and a tendency to make bad decisions. Zane’s stories are emotionally-charged and don’t shy away from darker themes. After all, they do say there is no light without the dark.
He enjoys creating characters who have flaws, crazy thoughts and a tendency to make bad decisions. Zane’s stories are emotionally-charged and don’t shy away from darker themes. After all, they do say there is no light without the dark.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 24, 2017
Garrick is a manipulative douchecanoe
Whose egotistical, jealous behavior is consistent with narcissistic personality disorder and who enjoys taking photos of ex-lovers without their consent. Callum needs to run far, FAR away - but he's already been brainwashed into loving him despite the red flags (which Garrick keeps brushing off as "kink") so that's not likely to happen.
I only gave the book 2 stars because I finished it, and that happened because I hoped Garrick would get a grip in the end.
Nope.
I enjoyed the Crashing Hearts series, but I will not be reading any more books in this one.
Whose egotistical, jealous behavior is consistent with narcissistic personality disorder and who enjoys taking photos of ex-lovers without their consent. Callum needs to run far, FAR away - but he's already been brainwashed into loving him despite the red flags (which Garrick keeps brushing off as "kink") so that's not likely to happen.
I only gave the book 2 stars because I finished it, and that happened because I hoped Garrick would get a grip in the end.
Nope.
I enjoyed the Crashing Hearts series, but I will not be reading any more books in this one.
March 25, 2021
This was such a fun, fun book to read; I know that word is a bit vague but I truly enjoyed it. I loved how it was putting me in a sort of mischievous mood while reading it and I couldn't wait to go back to it. Sometimes MM/erotica books might be trying too hard or focusing on the sex or the angst 0r the spitting - I'm looking at you, Thomas Carver! - that they forget how to make the readers have fun reading them. If they can also make the readers hard while reading them, then that's a big win in my books - see what I did there?
The MCs are a great match for each other and despite Garrick being indeed a bit of a sadistic prick, he gives Callum exactly what he had no idea he needed. I can see how unlikeable he might come across to some readers but I found his sweet, caring side really hard not to fall for. Callum might just be the sweetest, nicest character I've read in a long time and I genuinely felt bad for the way he was treated in order to get his reward. I thought the realisation of his true self, needs and desires was given in a believable way and I could feel the struggle of a straight man coming to terms with his feelings for another man.
Two more things: it was so refreshing reading about a non-US setting and I appreciated the quirks of the local dialect. Coming from the high school kids of Carver, it was also a very welcome change reading about men having fun with men in an "unmistakably manly" way.
Highly enjoyable and recommended, will be reading more from Mr Manzy and looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
The MCs are a great match for each other and despite Garrick being indeed a bit of a sadistic prick, he gives Callum exactly what he had no idea he needed. I can see how unlikeable he might come across to some readers but I found his sweet, caring side really hard not to fall for. Callum might just be the sweetest, nicest character I've read in a long time and I genuinely felt bad for the way he was treated in order to get his reward. I thought the realisation of his true self, needs and desires was given in a believable way and I could feel the struggle of a straight man coming to terms with his feelings for another man.
Two more things: it was so refreshing reading about a non-US setting and I appreciated the quirks of the local dialect. Coming from the high school kids of Carver, it was also a very welcome change reading about men having fun with men in an "unmistakably manly" way.
Highly enjoyable and recommended, will be reading more from Mr Manzy and looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
February 20, 2019
Addictive and hot
Well it's 3am and I just finished this. It has a lot of "problematic" elements, but I loved them all. Even the addition of a non-romantic third toward the end, which usually puts me off. The D/s (undernegotiated, but this doesn't bother me) was beyond hot. There was a little emotional sadism there that I have pretty much never seen done well and just, wow. It was great. I didn't even mind the GFY elements! Those who don't like reading about internalized homophobia and queer slurs might want to skip this, but the characterization and emotional journey was so authentic this didn't bother me either. Hot, hot, hot! I'll definitely be checking out other books by this author.
Well it's 3am and I just finished this. It has a lot of "problematic" elements, but I loved them all. Even the addition of a non-romantic third toward the end, which usually puts me off. The D/s (undernegotiated, but this doesn't bother me) was beyond hot. There was a little emotional sadism there that I have pretty much never seen done well and just, wow. It was great. I didn't even mind the GFY elements! Those who don't like reading about internalized homophobia and queer slurs might want to skip this, but the characterization and emotional journey was so authentic this didn't bother me either. Hot, hot, hot! I'll definitely be checking out other books by this author.
October 9, 2018
This is definitely not for everyone, even if you like D/s... Garrick is a manipulative fuck that I could barely stand for much of the book, yet he redeems himself and Callum's journey is really well described. Despite some problematic things like lack of negotiation I did enjoy this book a lot! Well worth a ready if you're not easily put off
February 12, 2024
Hated the main love interest with a passion.
January 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. This is my second book by Zane Menzy. Zane doesn’t write your typical m/m romance. Both of the books I’ve read had an edge to them.
Many reviewers hated this book because Garrick was so manipulative. I felt he was only giving Callum what he needed to find himself. I think Garrick’s jealousy of Tim as Callum’s best mate had a lot to do with his behavior.
Reading one of Zane’s books can be a challenge because of the dynamics between the main characters, but it’s well worth the effort.
Many reviewers hated this book because Garrick was so manipulative. I felt he was only giving Callum what he needed to find himself. I think Garrick’s jealousy of Tim as Callum’s best mate had a lot to do with his behavior.
Reading one of Zane’s books can be a challenge because of the dynamics between the main characters, but it’s well worth the effort.
March 17, 2019
Not for me - Garrick is basically just a manipulative dick. There’s kinky and then there’s being a forceful asshole.
Blurghh - and the whole taking photos of girls he’s been with to add to his PC folder collection without them knowing? Gross.
Blurghh - and the whole taking photos of girls he’s been with to add to his PC folder collection without them knowing? Gross.
March 12, 2018
So glad I discovered this author. After a few too many pages of M/F discussions at the beginning of the book, the M/M sizzle kicks in and begins to heat up until the 3 way with Tim, which gets blistering hot. This is a buildup that's worth the time and effort it takes to get to. I love this author's detailed accounting of everything that's happening and Menzy is now my favorite author. If his other books are nearly as good as this one, I'll be back for more. Only a few grammatical errors keep this from being a 5 star review.
October 7, 2018
This didn't read kinky to me just degrading.
September 7, 2018
Confusing
The first part of the book was intriguing but boring, the middle of the book was hot, especially if you're into D/s books, the ending was sweet but it was not meant for this type of book and didn't fit to the overall story.
*sigh*, he almost had it.
The first part of the book was intriguing but boring, the middle of the book was hot, especially if you're into D/s books, the ending was sweet but it was not meant for this type of book and didn't fit to the overall story.
*sigh*, he almost had it.
June 18, 2023
If this book had the proper warnings, I could see how it could be a pleasant read. However, with out them, I wasn’t mentally prepared for the dub-con + humiliation and it immediately became a DNF for me.
March 12, 2020
Oh no... this was so bad. Serious, serious, serious dub-con (dubious consent) right on the verge of non-con (no consent). Maybe the author didn't intend for it to come off this way, but because it's written so poorly - not spelling or grammatically, just the actual story itself was awfully done- that is the only way for the readers to take it.
I tried to give the book the benefit of the doubt, but after 29%, it was honestly uncomfortable. I stopped around 63% or so, and they were still having some very basic issues that should have 100000000% been solved by then, so I skipped to the epilogue.
The word 'homo' was used in a semi derogatory fashion which... just no, not for the main character of an mm book. He would spew it as if he was disgusted by the thought. Words and phrases of this nature were used way too often in just 29%. It was not beneficial to the book (we get it, the character starts out straight and really doesn't want to be seen as gay), it did more harm than good, and it made me not like Menzy as an author.
I never want to bash a person's hard work like this, and only do it when it is EXTREMELY justified.
Cait’s Rating & Review System:
Basics
a. Main Characters (1-5 x2) - Garrick = 0 , Callum = 0
b. Side Characters (1-5) — 1
c. Plot (1-5) - 1
d. Writing * (1-5) - 1
e. Angst (None - Can’t Read Again) -
f. HEA or HFN?
g.Would I recommend? -
Overall Basics Score - 3/25
Cait’s Score for Game Night : 3/25, 12%
I tried to give the book the benefit of the doubt, but after 29%, it was honestly uncomfortable. I stopped around 63% or so, and they were still having some very basic issues that should have 100000000% been solved by then, so I skipped to the epilogue.
The word 'homo' was used in a semi derogatory fashion which... just no, not for the main character of an mm book. He would spew it as if he was disgusted by the thought. Words and phrases of this nature were used way too often in just 29%. It was not beneficial to the book (we get it, the character starts out straight and really doesn't want to be seen as gay), it did more harm than good, and it made me not like Menzy as an author.
I never want to bash a person's hard work like this, and only do it when it is EXTREMELY justified.
Cait’s Rating & Review System:
Basics
a. Main Characters (1-5 x2) - Garrick = 0 , Callum = 0
b. Side Characters (1-5) — 1
c. Plot (1-5) - 1
d. Writing * (1-5) - 1
e. Angst (None - Can’t Read Again) -
f. HEA or HFN?
g.Would I recommend? -
Overall Basics Score - 3/25
Cait’s Score for Game Night : 3/25, 12%
March 29, 2021
Poorly written and unbelievable
The sex scenes, which comprise a large portion of the book, are the only semi interesting part of the story. But I imagine that’s why people buy books by the author in the first place. Admittedly a lot of them are not very appealing unless you’re into a mild M/S vibe. The last part of the book, involving a humiliating three-way, is pathetic.
The main characters themselves were at turns irritating, unlikable and downright unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand but after reading this book I’m having serious second thoughts. Give this mess a miss.
The sex scenes, which comprise a large portion of the book, are the only semi interesting part of the story. But I imagine that’s why people buy books by the author in the first place. Admittedly a lot of them are not very appealing unless you’re into a mild M/S vibe. The last part of the book, involving a humiliating three-way, is pathetic.
The main characters themselves were at turns irritating, unlikable and downright unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand but after reading this book I’m having serious second thoughts. Give this mess a miss.
December 2, 2021
It's fine for books to have characters in them who are horrible people, but it becomes pretty ick when the author displays it as if it is something hot, kinky, and not problematic at all. I was into the start of the book but it devolved into something horrible ultimately culminating in a rape scene I am pretty sure the author doesn't even recognise as rape.
It fails as both a hot, smutty story and as a story about an abusive relationship.
It fails as both a hot, smutty story and as a story about an abusive relationship.
June 29, 2017
Really bad. The worst i've read in a while. Super depressing. Literally had to put it down and think about if it was putting my mental health in jeopardy.
I kept plowing through and thought maybe...but no it didn't.
I kept plowing through and thought maybe...but no it didn't.
January 27, 2020
A slow burn but pretty damn hot. I thought the ending was a bit unrealistic, but loved seeing the manipulative character Garrick work his magic on two different guys. Yes, Garrick is an asshole, but he seems to know what Callum needs and provides that to him.
June 25, 2017
Twisted
Loved it, each and every page.
The miracle of writing made cocky endearing and forever.
Will definitely read this writer again and again.
Loved it, each and every page.
The miracle of writing made cocky endearing and forever.
Will definitely read this writer again and again.
June 23, 2020
*sigh* I don't know what this was supposed to be. Garrik is a narcissist perv who takes pictures of sleeping women and keeps them in a computer file. I didn't want to read about him. DNF.
March 28, 2021
Heaps fun, a little bit wrong and very hot.
September 29, 2024
I think this was Zane's debut work. And boy, it does show a bit. While I love Callum as a character because him, his motivations and life story feels so real, Garrick on the other hand... falls a little short in comparison. All he feels like is a douche, a really sexy douche but still douche nonetheless. At times he's like Super Ultra Dom Asshole or whatever but then he instantly switches off into a sweet loving boyfriend type. Which really just kinda comes off as even more douchey and manipulative since he knows Callum is just a fool that's yearning for affection from anything.
Aside from all that, Zane can really write some hot sex! The scenes where Garrick really works his magic and makes Callum reckon with his sexuality and overall headspace is a sight to behold. I would buy this book just for that alone if you're a fan of some """"problematique"""" dubious consent but not too dubious consent Dom/Sub relations. And you WILL want to buy this because the sequel? Yeah that takes ALL of this up to eleven! And Garrick is less douchey!
Aside from all that, Zane can really write some hot sex! The scenes where Garrick really works his magic and makes Callum reckon with his sexuality and overall headspace is a sight to behold. I would buy this book just for that alone if you're a fan of some """"problematique"""" dubious consent but not too dubious consent Dom/Sub relations. And you WILL want to buy this because the sequel? Yeah that takes ALL of this up to eleven! And Garrick is less douchey!
February 14, 2022
I don't know whether to reduce stars because of my emotional response, or to increase stars for my emotional response to the story. I've left them smack in the middle coz 🤷♀️ it was seriously disturbing. I found Garrick to be a manipulative, narcissistic bully. He thrived on dishing out pain - both emotional and mental, degradation and humiliation. He is an insecure, egotistical jerk. And Callum - seriously? Where is his self respect? And his spine? I'm glad the blerb mentioned 'dark' because I struggled with Garrick - he couldn't care less who he hurts so long as his bruised and fragile ego gets stroked. OMG, he is one disturbed nut bag. What was that with Tim (Callum's best mate)? I've gotta come clean and say I'm reading book 2, because I really want to see some redemption here..... payback, retribution, something.....
October 13, 2019
Very steamy
I'm mixed about this book. On the one hand, Callum and Garrick were super hot together, and I really felt that there was chemistry between these two characters. On the other hand, Garrick was so manipulative and spiteful that I have a very hard time believing Callum's faith in his HFN. Pretty much the only good thing that I can see is that Garrick doesn't seem to go back four seconds after he's made a conquest.
I will definitely read Game Night 2, when it comes out, to see if the author can redeem Garrick for me.
I'm mixed about this book. On the one hand, Callum and Garrick were super hot together, and I really felt that there was chemistry between these two characters. On the other hand, Garrick was so manipulative and spiteful that I have a very hard time believing Callum's faith in his HFN. Pretty much the only good thing that I can see is that Garrick doesn't seem to go back four seconds after he's made a conquest.
I will definitely read Game Night 2, when it comes out, to see if the author can redeem Garrick for me.
January 11, 2021
Definite dubious consent
So I read the warning provided by the author and decided to read the book anyway and I enjoyed it for what it was. I have some triggers with consent so the last sex scene did trigger that for me a bit but I recognize that this book is firmly in the erotica rather than romance genre. It was well written and even though I wanted to punch Garrick a few times I enjoyed it overall. I think you kind of have to like a**hole characters as a trope to be able to enjoy Garrick though.
So I read the warning provided by the author and decided to read the book anyway and I enjoyed it for what it was. I have some triggers with consent so the last sex scene did trigger that for me a bit but I recognize that this book is firmly in the erotica rather than romance genre. It was well written and even though I wanted to punch Garrick a few times I enjoyed it overall. I think you kind of have to like a**hole characters as a trope to be able to enjoy Garrick though.
July 24, 2019
A very good read
I'm very bad about writing reviews but with the authors comments at the end of this book made me realize I really need to. I loved this book!! The main characters were deliciously wonderful and wicked, which made the book a page turner I couldn't put down. I so recommend this book and I can't wait for book 2.
I'm very bad about writing reviews but with the authors comments at the end of this book made me realize I really need to. I loved this book!! The main characters were deliciously wonderful and wicked, which made the book a page turner I couldn't put down. I so recommend this book and I can't wait for book 2.
August 13, 2019
Wow!!
To be honest I didn't care for Garrett much for most of the book. By the end he kind of grew on me. I will say the author did a fantastic job of adding realism to the story. He balances out Callum perfectly. Did anyone else catch the tease about a book 2? I would really love there to be another one. And am I the only one who thought of 5SOS? Lol
To be honest I didn't care for Garrett much for most of the book. By the end he kind of grew on me. I will say the author did a fantastic job of adding realism to the story. He balances out Callum perfectly. Did anyone else catch the tease about a book 2? I would really love there to be another one. And am I the only one who thought of 5SOS? Lol
December 20, 2020
This book in my opinion is not romance whatsoeve, just pure eroctica done well enough. However, I hated HATED the ending:
May 28, 2018
Steamy and dark
Uhmmmm, Zane warned that this story was steamy AND dark. I really don’t think I was ready but was pleasantly surprised when I pushed myself to really give this story a chance. All I can say is I’m glad Callum got a happy ending (pun intended).
Uhmmmm, Zane warned that this story was steamy AND dark. I really don’t think I was ready but was pleasantly surprised when I pushed myself to really give this story a chance. All I can say is I’m glad Callum got a happy ending (pun intended).
October 2, 2019
Fantastic surprise!
I loved this book! It could have been longer, I felt like the story was about a third of the way through, and then ended, leaving me wanting much more! Zane's on my list of preferred writers now! I need more Garrick & Callum!
I loved this book! It could have been longer, I felt like the story was about a third of the way through, and then ended, leaving me wanting much more! Zane's on my list of preferred writers now! I need more Garrick & Callum!
December 2, 2019
Loved this one
Like a wreck u can’t look away from, you don’t wanna put this one down. The MC was so hung up on his ex girlfriend he stopped living his own life. It took his womanizer best friend to make him see the light.
Like a wreck u can’t look away from, you don’t wanna put this one down. The MC was so hung up on his ex girlfriend he stopped living his own life. It took his womanizer best friend to make him see the light.
July 17, 2023
Callum is pathetic for allowing Garrick to treat him the way he did. Garrick was just a manipulative POS that needed to be knocked down a couple pegs, but unfortunately he steamrolled over everyone in the novel...only people in the novel that we ok was the lesbians
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews