The Game

Rebels of Ridgecrest High #3

by Belle Harper

Hunter

I have a secret. One that will change everything. I made a deal, one I wont back out of. Only time has run out, and they will all know soon enough.

Jace

She forgave me…but it’s not a simple as “I’m sorry.” I’m used to saying those words and all is forgiven. But this is Mila Hart… nothing's ever gonna be easy with her. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Roman

I made a mess of my life before she came back, and it follows me still. Only now. I’m not alone fighting my demons and I have something worth fighting for.

Mila

Freaking butterflies…

Genres: Romance, Why Choose, High School, Sports, Sports Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2023

About the author

Belle has an addiction to reading, notebooks, coloured pens and mint chocolate. She lives in the beautiful Australian bush, surrounded by wildlife and the smell of eucalyptus trees. She also has a strong love for all 60’s music, believes she was born in the wrong era and should have been at Woodstock.
If you would like to find out more about Belle, please come like and follow her
Facebook Page or join her facebook group "Author Belle Harper Reading Group"

Reviews

[Lizzie 🥀 · Rating 2 out of 5]

good characters don’t save bad grammar

I really wanted to like this more than I did. I enjoyed the first two books, despite the underdeveloped plots, but this one was just riddled with spelling and grammar errors to the point it was difficult to read. The structure of this book and the lack of editing is very frustrating. I’ll probably still read the next book when it is released because I’m invested in the characters at this point, but I sure hope Harper invests in an editor first.

[Angel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I WAS going to mark this as a two star because of the HORRIBLE grammar and missing words as well as missing capitals but that ending knocked it down to a less than one star.
It corresponded ZERO sense.
Like, no sense at all.
There WAS zero build up. No lead. Nothing.
NO FRIGGIN REASON either.
Totally ruined the book for me.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

UGH!! I hate this cliff hanger. There is enough drama started with Asher and the Alessandro Amato (both additions that I appreciate), her mother did not need to be brought back into it. Hell, I'd be happy if Jace wasn't in the book anymore. I feel like Roman, I'm possessive over the main boys (Hunter, Roman, and Asher) and I don't need any other characters!
I'm also annoyed that this book didn't pick up right where the last cliffhanger left us. How time passes in this book just doesn't make sense. Just when situations start getting interesting, the book skips several days.
This plot line is so unbelievable but I need the next book to come out ASAP. I'm invested in the characters, but not the plot.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

These characters, I love them. I have to admit I am holding out for Roman, how can you not love a damaged bad boy.

[Books A-Brewin' · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mila has two boys in her corner who she trusts implicitly. But there are two other boys who know nothing of the lies and stories that the three of them have concocted in order to survive. But if she is to keep pursuing the boys who give her butterflies she is going to have to let Asher and Jace in on the secrets. Roman is being blackmailed by a mafia boss and the cover-up of Roman's father's death. If the boys care for Mila as much as they say will they be able to keep their secret?

Add to that the fact that Jace and Asher have made it their mission to become one of Mila's boyfriends. Jace knows he messed up by torturing Mila the way he did when he was angry with her. Using her arch-nemesis to hurt her was the worst thing he could have done. And now, while he is forgiven, he has to earn her trust back. He will forever be an outside until she decides to give him a kiss to signal that he is one of her boys. Asher steps up to help Mila in a very tough situation and in turn ended up defending and protecting her other boys as well. He proved to Mila that he was not just out to keep her safe but also to guard all those who have pieces of her heart. Will Mila finally let Jace and Archer in?

This book was so unbelievably choppy. The issues that had been plaguing them throughout the series just get solved in a matter of a few chapters. The characters and their actions start to not make any sense at all. Like Mila's dad finding out about her multiple boyfriends and grounding her only to un-ground her a little later for no reason what-so-ever. Or even the fact that the father who wanted to have a place in his daughter's life so badly when she returned but then spent so much time away with his girlfriend that they had ZERO time together. I know the parental characters just got in the way of the romance but at least make his reason for disappearing plausible.

Add to that the copious spelling, grammatical and just sentence structure issues and it was very hard to keep my focus. In one scene there was an entirely different word in place of another during a sex scene which just completely killed the whole mood of the scene for me. I just rolled my eyes, set the book aside and went back to it when I had more patience.

I didn't like how little this book progressed the story. It literally just threw out all the old antagonistic events and characters and created a whole new one that we don't even discover until the last page because... of course, there has to be a cliffhanger. Probably wise because if there hadn't been I probably would have stopped at this book and not carried on to the next one as I plan to.

In summary, this could have been better by a lot if the author had put a little more effort into the story or gave it a cursory once over.

[Lisbeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Demasiado apresurado, sucedieron tantas cosas diferentes y nada se explicó bien.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have been waiting for this release. Devoured it. But hate the cliff hanger. Things were just getting better for them and now this new problem across the country...??!! 😡 And I have to wait....again.

[Cassy Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please fire your editor! Or hire one?! The first 2 books were great and had lots of character building and decent conversation. This one felt like a major departure from the author’s voice in the way it was structured. We didn’t get a lot of new character development but what felt like a lot of rehashing/recapping. Not counting the numerous grammatical and editing errors it felt like she totally rushed this one and phoned it in. I will read the next book because I love these characters but I really hope we go back to the way the other books were written.

[Tania J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series is still so much fun but this installment felt kind of weird. It went from a harem of 3 to 4 with hints of a 5th and possibly 6th. I feel like it's not believable and I only really care about Hunter and Roman. The ending was super unexpected so I will for sure read the next one, I just hope it's good.

[Lissa Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series started out great, but now I have lost. The plot to smut ratio has gone way too far in the wrong direction for my tastes (3.5 chapters and 3 POVs for 1 scene? That's a lot of pages skipped)

Also, it feels like they're throwing every trope in the book into this story. Even the ridiculous cliffhanger at the end doesn't have me wanting to read the next one.

[tattooedbooknerdgirl35 (Amanda Lynn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for all three out of four books in this series. This is my first time reading Belle Harper books, and I have to say, her books don't disappoint. For a why chose/enimes to lovers/ friends to lovers kind of book.


(This book talks about a lot of everyday things that can happen, trigger warning: child abuse, talks about gangs/mob, profanity, sexual content, mfm scenes.)


Mila is back in town after four years away. Her mom made her move with her when she left her father. Her mother has always kind of ignored her and been mean to her.

Her besties (Jace, Hunter, and Roman) are still mad at her for not keeping in touch. They have dealt with it in their own ways.

These series go in depth the relationships between friends (Mila & the besties) and how they figure out how to all together. How she learns her dad is dating and she meets her future stepbrother Asher.

A lot of drama unfolds with Roman's dad, and then Roman has to deal like he's always had it (dad's a druggie).

It's definitely a series you don't wanna miss out on! Book three does end on a cliffhanger, but book four comes out February 28th!


Overall rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series! I’m so glad Asher is finally part of the relationship 🙈🫠

I look forward to seeing how this series ends!

[Nikkole M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worst editing ever

This book was okay. The amount of spelling and grammatical errors in this book gave me pause. PLEASE find a new editor!!!

[Belisa Sherrer]

DNF 20%

[Jade Sampson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was slightly more boring than the other two.
I'm really starting to get a bit bored of the fact that Mila can't choose which boy she wants to be with. Therefore, she just keeps adding them her relationship.
I still feel the same way about the characters as I did in the past 2 books. However, I do feel really sorry for hunter. The poor boy was first and has now got to share mila with three other lads.
But I ve said it before, and I ll say it again, this writer knows how to do a cliffhanger.

[WhyChoose Book Boyfriend Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wait..... Wait..... Wait.... Wahhhhh?.....

WHAT..... IN..... THE..... DOUBLE..... FUDGE..... HOCKEY STICKS just happened....

First I want to say that I'm so happy that Mila is adding Asher to her harem. I just love them together. Kind of wish she'd also add Walker, but as long as they stay friends that's alright also.

I'm glad the drama with Jace seems to be over. But I think he still has a long, long, lonnnngggg way to go before I'll even start to like him.

Now I just want to say what in the fudgy double hockey sticks was with that ending? I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it. I feel like it just came out of nowhere & Mrs. Harper was like wham, take this instead. I mean haven't Mila and her guy's been through enough? Not sure if 4 books in this series will be enough after that ending.

Anyways I'm giving this book 4 Stars out of 5 & need book 4 ASAP!!!

[Moenisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,3⭐️

[Annee Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

No one can convince me that a bunch of 16 year olds are dealing with this shit.

And sooooo many typos and missing words/incomplete sentences, but fuck it. Only one left so might as well finish this fuckass series lol

[Kristin Susnik · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve sat here for like five minutes trying to figure out what to write for a review. Like what did I just read? I really wanted to DNF this, but now I am somewhat invested in the characters and want to see what happens.

The only good part of this entire book is the introduction of Alessandro. He is the best. I’d read a book about him.

The story is choppy, the grammar and writing is a miss in this one as well. Overall, this one is a hot mess. I mean they all are, but this one is worse.

And the cliffhanger? C’mon. I’m already over the next book and I haven’t even read it. I mean I will, cause I want to see what the hell happens in this disaster of a series, but man.

[Harmony Griffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay so over the past 2 days I’ve been reading this series and this was a let down. There were grammar mistakes and the plot is scattered all over the place. I mean that cliff hanger? Really? That doesn’t make sense. Also even though I like the relationships between the Mila and the boys, the one between her and her dad is a big letdown. Even so, I will read the next in hopes it ties the many loose ends up.

[LitLush · Rating 2 out of 5]

What just happened with that ending....

I can't rationalise that ending! This story just got weirder and weirder, and the ending was the icing on the cake. I am not entertained. It just feels like the author is putting a lot of things together to make the story, but its not necessary. Unimpressed with this book.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible

These books are way too drawn out. The amount of grammatical errors make my head hurt. The entire story line is childish and I assumed was written by an actual teenager. I could see it being decent, if written by a better author. But after 3 books, this one being the worst to get through, I cant keep reading. This will officially be my first DNF.

[laineybug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whoever rated this book above a one is seriously mentally disturbed. This series just continuously got worse and the ending just really confirmed my regret for every second I spent reading this book. Like why is everyone in love with this girl she is so selfish????

[novel_m0m · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF---I can't finish. The drama is just...so much...and the angst....I'm sure 18yo me would've LOVED this, but I just can't.
The author worked hard and I'm not trying to say they're a bad writer, it's just not for me

And the butterflies....and the step bro.....I just can't

[Morgana · Rating 2 out of 5]

não esperava que ela fosse mesmo ficar com todos

wtf was that ending this girl can’t catch a break

[Soph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying hard not to be a hater but with the multiple grammer/spelling mistakes and the word 'babe' being used 3 times on half a page, this book is getting hard to read

[Dik Verhoef · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Game" is again better than de second book.
It's interesting. You know it’s not the best book and series you have read, but you just can’t stop reading.

Book rating overall: 4 ⭐️
Story/writing: 4 ⭐️
Characters: 4 ⭐️
Enjoyment: 4 ⭐️
Spice and enjoyment of the spice: 2🌶️/3 🌋
Main characters: Mila, Jace, Hunter, and Roman.

Tropes: NA, childhood friends to lovers, friends to lovers, second chance, sports, low angst, coming of age, why choose and light bully.

This book was slightly better than the other two. It focused more on the relationship with Hunter and Roman and the redemption of Jace and adding Asher in to their gang.

I'm really starting to get a bit bored of the fact that Mila can't choose which boy she wants to be with. She just keeps adding them in her relationship.
I feel sorry for hunter. He was first and has now got to share mila with three other boyfriends.
Jace did redeem himself in this book, but I am not feeling it.
She should kick his ass and focus on the rest of her boyfriends (Hunter, Roman, and Asher).

I felt more for Mila this time around and loved how she dealt with Romans dad and the problems he had with the mafia. She took her time with Roman and didn't rush him in to anything!
Mila, Roman and Hunter made rules and discussed boundaries for the intimate scenes in their relationship. I really loved this! Everybody needs to feel happy and save in the things that they want and don't want to do in a relationship.

Are there any positive things to say about this book? Sure.
- This serie would be a good introduction in to why choose.
- The things happening to the main characters are not too angsty to read.
- The sex is there, and better this time. But it's on the lighter side compared to others.
- I liked all side characters and they brought the fun in this book.
- There is a lot of inclusion in this book and the author did a great job with this!

Tips for the author:
- An editor could cut out some repetitive scenes and make the timeline more believable.
- This serie would be better as a tree book series. A faster pacing and tighter storyline would make this story more enjoyable to read.

Would I recommend? Maybe
Would I reread this book? No
Would I read something else from this author? Yes, because I liked her "New Moon" series.

Hopefully my review will help you decide whether you want to read this book.

Disclaimer:
This review is based on my own reading experience, thoughts, reading style and likes.
So always check en read more reviews, too make a fair decision.

[Kathy Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok

I only gave 3 starts cause I'm sorry but I think she is a biatch. I know she is punishing Jase as she should he has been a real royal pain but this has been going on for awhile and she got with Archer 1st when she's loved Jace since they were kids. I dont know. I'm not even sure I will read the final book. I think she is rude disrespectful to throw the relationship like that in his face every chance she can get. He apologized and been working it out with her. I'm all for this step brother stuff because believe it or not it was foreseen in the last book that is was going to happen. But I dont like her attitude apart from all that. She is a major brat. She is strong but she is bullheaded.. to me she isn't any different then Jase. But because he wants her he has to be the one to beg it ridiculous I gave 3 stars cause it isn't to bad. I got through it quickly. I know Jase was an ass but I still felt bad for him. It's like in all books they have a blood bond that isn't suppose to break you apart and yet a girl still breaks you apart. Ruled by the kitty. It's really stereotyping women. That kitty's are magically and destroy people and I guess they do.

[Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

27/03/2026 - 28/03/2026
Empieza interesante, Asher quiere arreglar las cosas con Mila. Como me gustan los comentarios rápidos y elocuentes que se tiran entre ellos, entre irónicos y coquetos, sobre todo los de doble sentido.
Uy por twist, parece que lo de la Mafia Amato o como se diga no era tan real, son unos niñeros de poca monta la que han montado esa treta.

El Alessandro este me cae bien. Bueno dado que hay un cuarto libro me da que pensar que igual lo de Carlos y el otro no me acuerdo de su nombre bueno los que estorsionaban a Román y le obligaban a pelear, que no van a desaparecer tan fácilmente. Además ya lo han dicho volverán a por ella. También te digo menudos huevos tiene la Mila para presentarse allí, mi ídola.

Este tercer libro siento que se me ha echo muy corto, ns estoy muy enganchada a esta historia la verdad jajjs.
Ya solo me queda el cuarto, me está dando mucha pena acabar está serie.🥺🥹
Bueno está claro que las cosas se complican cada vez más, desde que pillaron a Asher y Mila hasta lo del supuesto asesinato. Esperemos que todo se resuelva bien.

[Lorraine Brattin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wondered how this could possibly get better. It did!

Wow. This foursome of best friends that grew up together are now dealing with real heavy stuff. Mila and Hunter are now a couple, but her love for Roman cannot be denied either. Roman is now on his own since his father was killed. But the Amato family is still forcing him to fight and throw football games to pay his abusive dad's debt.

Now Mila was moved in with her dad's fiancée and her family. Which includes a very hot Asher. He's also made it clear that he also wants Mila. Then there is also Jace, from the original four. He doesn't know if he can do the sharing thing, but says he would do anything to love Mila.

This story is fast moving and totally brings the reader in. I am extremely eager for book 4. Hate cliffhangers because now I have to wait. Seriously, the next book can't get here soon enough! Enjoy