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The Games We Play
Roman Danvers.
Collegiate athlete.
Notorious playboy.
And my arch nemesis since birth.
Our parents’ friendship meant we had to co-exist. But it didn’t mean we had to like it. He purposely did things to get under my skin. Like spreading rumors about me in junior high so no boys wanted to go out with me. Or sleeping with several of my high school friends, just to prove he could. And let’s not forget about him conveniently choosing to attend my first choice college, even though he had dozens of other schools desperate for him to play ball for them, just to spite me.
His life mission has been to make me miserable. But when I decide to give him a taste of his own medicine, he doesn’t respond well to the shoe being on the other foot. The further I push, the harder he pushes back.
I know it’s only a matter of time before one of us breaks. I just never dreamt it would be him who would crack first. And we he does, things take a turn I never saw coming.
I thought we were just playing games.
I was wrong…
Collegiate athlete.
Notorious playboy.
And my arch nemesis since birth.
Our parents’ friendship meant we had to co-exist. But it didn’t mean we had to like it. He purposely did things to get under my skin. Like spreading rumors about me in junior high so no boys wanted to go out with me. Or sleeping with several of my high school friends, just to prove he could. And let’s not forget about him conveniently choosing to attend my first choice college, even though he had dozens of other schools desperate for him to play ball for them, just to spite me.
His life mission has been to make me miserable. But when I decide to give him a taste of his own medicine, he doesn’t respond well to the shoe being on the other foot. The further I push, the harder he pushes back.
I know it’s only a matter of time before one of us breaks. I just never dreamt it would be him who would crack first. And we he does, things take a turn I never saw coming.
I thought we were just playing games.
I was wrong…
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2022
593 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Toppen
55 books1,815 followersMelissa Toppen is a USA Today Bestselling Author who specializes in New Adult and Contemporary Romance. She is a lover of books and enjoys nothing more than losing herself in a good novel. She has a soft spot for romance and focuses her writing in that direction; writing what she loves to read.
For more information on Melissa and her books, visit www.melissatoppen.com
For more information on Melissa and her books, visit www.melissatoppen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
December 17, 2022
EVERY ABUSER BLAMES THEIR MENTAL HEALTH. EVERY ABUSER.
So genuinely didn't get any "love" out of this.
She submits to him immediately over and over.
Literally, SHE gives him a BLOWJOB.
Clearly the author doesn't understand how bullied people take TIME to feel safe.
Then he mustn't have been dark or a bully.
What inconsistent, middle class buffered classism.
And he didn't have to behave differently ONCE.
What I got is a heroine forced by the people around her, his Flying Monkeys and Enablers, to think his expression of his own self loathing as loving.
Nice Patriarchial Parable where she must accept his mental health even thoher mental health is clearly damaged.
As always Chronic Illness used to abuse people and justify.
That's what we exist to the Gentrified, their angst stories.
Love is abour feeling SAFE.
Women like men who are KIND, not good looking.
Nice gentrified story that is untealistic about her having to accept thw pain he will routinely deal and ignore her own health.
Bad Parents!
Love is an Experience, Not Just an Expression.
His dad was right.
He never held himself up.
And she gets to deny every selfcare need for him.
Completely stigmatises the mentally ill who are not violent and then infantilised them by used it as an excuse rather than something to overcome.
So genuinely didn't get any "love" out of this.
She submits to him immediately over and over.
Literally, SHE gives him a BLOWJOB.
Clearly the author doesn't understand how bullied people take TIME to feel safe.
Then he mustn't have been dark or a bully.
What inconsistent, middle class buffered classism.
And he didn't have to behave differently ONCE.
What I got is a heroine forced by the people around her, his Flying Monkeys and Enablers, to think his expression of his own self loathing as loving.
Nice Patriarchial Parable where she must accept his mental health even thoher mental health is clearly damaged.
As always Chronic Illness used to abuse people and justify.
That's what we exist to the Gentrified, their angst stories.
Love is abour feeling SAFE.
Women like men who are KIND, not good looking.
Nice gentrified story that is untealistic about her having to accept thw pain he will routinely deal and ignore her own health.
Bad Parents!
Love is an Experience, Not Just an Expression.
His dad was right.
He never held himself up.
And she gets to deny every selfcare need for him.
Completely stigmatises the mentally ill who are not violent and then infantilised them by used it as an excuse rather than something to overcome.
November 7, 2022
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! Enemies to lover. An ok read.
January 23, 2023
Barely 2 Stars.
Rushed. The whole plot was rushed. It was dissatisfying.
In the beginning, her best friend and even the “other dude” kept asking her “do you think he acts like this because he loves you?” She says no. Welp low and behold, he does. But we don’t see any of that. We are told that: by her friends, by him, and in the end, even by her. But, we don’t get to come to the conclusion, we are just told to accept it because it is. And I didn’t feel that from them. So I couldn’t believe it. I don’t want to be told he fell, I want to “watch” them fall in love.
It would have been nice to either have a few flashbacks or have the book start in the past for a few memories as a prologue or something and then fast forward to college. Beginning in college, with two characters that have such an intertwined history with no glimpse into that backstory is jarring and leaves the reader on the outside looking in without a connection to the emotion of the story. Wasteful.
She gave in way to fast. For someone who apparently has tortured you for years and someone you actively avoid, you gave in to him with one sweet line faster than a hungry bear coming out from hibernation to find a honey hole outside his den. It was embarrassing. But more than that, it made me question whether he was really that bad all those years or does she just not have self worth to know that she deserves more than a sweet line and attention.
Also, I wish the author would have done more groundwork to explore the male lead’s bipolar tendencies and disorder. It seems to be used here as an escapist for the lack of character development rather than using the opportunity to bring some depth and dimensions to the character. Everything about his disorder felt surface level and that’s a shame because he could have been more than this. She could have done more with this. And deciding that a character has this depth to him and not exploring it beyond mere surface level emotions is disheartening, lackluster and lazy.
Bleh.
Rushed. The whole plot was rushed. It was dissatisfying.
In the beginning, her best friend and even the “other dude” kept asking her “do you think he acts like this because he loves you?” She says no. Welp low and behold, he does. But we don’t see any of that. We are told that: by her friends, by him, and in the end, even by her. But, we don’t get to come to the conclusion, we are just told to accept it because it is. And I didn’t feel that from them. So I couldn’t believe it. I don’t want to be told he fell, I want to “watch” them fall in love.
It would have been nice to either have a few flashbacks or have the book start in the past for a few memories as a prologue or something and then fast forward to college. Beginning in college, with two characters that have such an intertwined history with no glimpse into that backstory is jarring and leaves the reader on the outside looking in without a connection to the emotion of the story. Wasteful.
She gave in way to fast. For someone who apparently has tortured you for years and someone you actively avoid, you gave in to him with one sweet line faster than a hungry bear coming out from hibernation to find a honey hole outside his den. It was embarrassing. But more than that, it made me question whether he was really that bad all those years or does she just not have self worth to know that she deserves more than a sweet line and attention.
Also, I wish the author would have done more groundwork to explore the male lead’s bipolar tendencies and disorder. It seems to be used here as an escapist for the lack of character development rather than using the opportunity to bring some depth and dimensions to the character. Everything about his disorder felt surface level and that’s a shame because he could have been more than this. She could have done more with this. And deciding that a character has this depth to him and not exploring it beyond mere surface level emotions is disheartening, lackluster and lazy.
Bleh.
October 30, 2022
Melissa Toppen hit it out of the park with this one! I was completely intrigued with this relationship, serious topic of discussion, and their back-and-forth antics. I think Melissa Toppen did a wonderful job tackling a “taboo” subject and I give her kudos for going there.
Rome and Bexley were thrown together growing up because their parents were best friends. If you think this is a friend to lover’s trope based off that description, you’d be wrong. Rome and Bexley became enemies in a sense and only got worse the older they grew. Bexley, who I could relate to, was only nice to him when it came to being around their parents because she is a people pleaser. Rome made her life very difficult throughout high school and even so far as following her to college.
I couldn’t put this book down. It was beautifully written, had palpable chemistry, and that happily ever after we all know and love.
#avidreaderbookblog #readingislife #bookblogger #bookworm #bookbloggersofinstagram #bookbloggersofinsta #booklover #bookaddict #bookaddiction #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookreview #chemistry #youngadult #enemytolovers #angst #romance #romancebooks #romancebookstagram #bookbloggers #melissatoppen #melissatoppenbooks #melissatoppenauthor
Rome and Bexley were thrown together growing up because their parents were best friends. If you think this is a friend to lover’s trope based off that description, you’d be wrong. Rome and Bexley became enemies in a sense and only got worse the older they grew. Bexley, who I could relate to, was only nice to him when it came to being around their parents because she is a people pleaser. Rome made her life very difficult throughout high school and even so far as following her to college.
I couldn’t put this book down. It was beautifully written, had palpable chemistry, and that happily ever after we all know and love.
#avidreaderbookblog #readingislife #bookblogger #bookworm #bookbloggersofinstagram #bookbloggersofinsta #booklover #bookaddict #bookaddiction #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookreview #chemistry #youngadult #enemytolovers #angst #romance #romancebooks #romancebookstagram #bookbloggers #melissatoppen #melissatoppenbooks #melissatoppenauthor
dnf
January 1, 2023Already a dnf… starting 2023 on a good note
February 24, 2024
An okay story but how they talked about mental health was kind of ridiculous.
November 21, 2022
I just loved Rome and Bexley the emotions are high in this one with sensitive subjects that are so real. The chemistry these to have is beautiful.
When secrets come out you will feel it all down to your very soul and love these characters hard.
When secrets come out you will feel it all down to your very soul and love these characters hard.
November 4, 2022
Roman & Bexley's parents are best friends, so the two of them pretty much grew up together, but you really classify them as friends. See, Roman has made her life a living hell throughout school, and just when she thinks she'll get a break from him by going to college, he ends up at the same college with her. I have to admit that I wasn't his biggest fan since he was truly awful to Bexley, but there's more going on than meets the eye when it comes to his reasoning. She's doing whatever she can to stay far away from him until she decides to fight fire with fire. Things take another turn in a unexpected direction when they go home for Christmas as Roman is determined to show how he really feels about her, but it's not easy since she sure as hell doesn't trust him. The Games We Play is another amazing story by the talented Melissa Toppen, as it shines with her heart & soul as well as a big kicker of emotion plus a twist or two. You don't want to sleep on this story as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
October 31, 2022
Roman Danvers.
Collegiate athlete.
Notorious playboy.
And my arch nemesis since birth.
Our parents’ friendship meant we had to co-exist. But it didn’t mean we had to like it. He purposely did things to get under my skin. Like spreading rumors about me in junior high so no boys wanted to go out with me. Or sleeping with several of my high school friends, just to prove he could. And let’s not forget about him conveniently choosing to attend my first choice college, even though he had dozens of other schools desperate for him to play ball for them, just to spite me.
His life mission has been to make me miserable. But when I decide to give him a taste of his own medicine, he doesn’t respond well to the shoe being on the other foot. The further I push, the harder he pushes back.
I know it’s only a matter of time before one of us breaks. I just never dreamt it would be him who would crack first. And we he does, things take a turn I never saw coming.
I thought we were just playing games.
I was wrong…
Loved Roman & Bexley's story. Their journey wasn't the least bit easy. Lots of chemistry between these two. Their story was beautifully written with lots of strong emotions! Highly recommend.
Collegiate athlete.
Notorious playboy.
And my arch nemesis since birth.
Our parents’ friendship meant we had to co-exist. But it didn’t mean we had to like it. He purposely did things to get under my skin. Like spreading rumors about me in junior high so no boys wanted to go out with me. Or sleeping with several of my high school friends, just to prove he could. And let’s not forget about him conveniently choosing to attend my first choice college, even though he had dozens of other schools desperate for him to play ball for them, just to spite me.
His life mission has been to make me miserable. But when I decide to give him a taste of his own medicine, he doesn’t respond well to the shoe being on the other foot. The further I push, the harder he pushes back.
I know it’s only a matter of time before one of us breaks. I just never dreamt it would be him who would crack first. And we he does, things take a turn I never saw coming.
I thought we were just playing games.
I was wrong…
Loved Roman & Bexley's story. Their journey wasn't the least bit easy. Lots of chemistry between these two. Their story was beautifully written with lots of strong emotions! Highly recommend.
October 31, 2022
The Games We Play
This story caught my interest in the first chapter. We’re introduced to Bexley who prefers to not have a social life and concentrate on her studies. She is dealing with roommate who wants her to go out for night and join the social world. While she’s enjoying herself at the club , Rome makes his appearance at the club and as usual chases the guy she’s dancing with away. Rome continued to make Bexley’s life difficult. It’s not until they’re back in their hometown for the holidays that things begin thaw between them. He continues to give little hints on his feelings for her. But something is always holding him back.
Their story takes them from enemies to lovers. But it’s not an easy journey. Rome has a secret and doesn’t want Bexley to know. As always Melissa tells this story dealing with a difficult subject and how they navigate through it. I couldn’t put this book once I started reading.
This story caught my interest in the first chapter. We’re introduced to Bexley who prefers to not have a social life and concentrate on her studies. She is dealing with roommate who wants her to go out for night and join the social world. While she’s enjoying herself at the club , Rome makes his appearance at the club and as usual chases the guy she’s dancing with away. Rome continued to make Bexley’s life difficult. It’s not until they’re back in their hometown for the holidays that things begin thaw between them. He continues to give little hints on his feelings for her. But something is always holding him back.
Their story takes them from enemies to lovers. But it’s not an easy journey. Rome has a secret and doesn’t want Bexley to know. As always Melissa tells this story dealing with a difficult subject and how they navigate through it. I couldn’t put this book once I started reading.
May 8, 2023
The Games We Play is an Enemies to Lover romance that could have been better than it was. Without giving away too much, It’s about a girl who is bullied by boy who has a bipolar disorder.
My biggest problem with Melissa Toppen story is that the ideas are great, but they are poorly executed. The characters always seem to be missing a depth to them. She does a lot of telling, but doesn’t really show us how the main characters come to love each other. We get a condensed version of a long period of experiences with no flashbacks from the past.
I would have like to see more of the disorder in more scenes to give the audience a better feel of what it feels like to be bipolar. It would have been better for readers and Bexley to have discovered it later on in the book as a shocking surprise instead of author having Rome talk about it.
There were moments that made me tear up, but overall it needed more of those moments to pull you in. The story definitely fell short for me which is sad because i thought it had the potential to be an amazing story.
My biggest problem with Melissa Toppen story is that the ideas are great, but they are poorly executed. The characters always seem to be missing a depth to them. She does a lot of telling, but doesn’t really show us how the main characters come to love each other. We get a condensed version of a long period of experiences with no flashbacks from the past.
I would have like to see more of the disorder in more scenes to give the audience a better feel of what it feels like to be bipolar. It would have been better for readers and Bexley to have discovered it later on in the book as a shocking surprise instead of author having Rome talk about it.
There were moments that made me tear up, but overall it needed more of those moments to pull you in. The story definitely fell short for me which is sad because i thought it had the potential to be an amazing story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2023
2.5 stars. I know it will be a disaster when there are so many red flags you hope the main characters *won’t* end up together. There were numerous things that infuriated me while reading this book. I could not get past Bex jumping so quickly from Max to Rome; it felt like cheating (and her behavior was childish when she broke up with him via text). The whiplash of how quickly she went from hating Rome to jumping into a relationship to sleeping with him floored me; there was no transition or groveling whatsoever. His secret bipolar diagnosis really rubbed me the wrong way; not only in how his dad manipulated him but how Bex snooped/photographed his meds then held it against him. I applaud the author for wanting to incorporate it, but felt it was handled so poorly. I marked this as DNF even though I read through to the end as I was so disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2023
i had to dnf this book it was so bad. the concept was really good when i saw eneimes to lovers i was like #countme in and then i found out it was childhood friends to enemies to lovers i was like definitely count me in and then they smooched in chapter 2 ! i really thought this would be a bully 2.0 but as we know ms penelope will always be #1 and this piece of shit proved that ! to say the least i was quite upset and sadden by this monstrosity of a book. it could have been really good but it was obviously not ! it was very wattpad but like the really really really bad wattpads. she was very annoying i wanted to throw the iphone xr product red. never again !
January 6, 2023
eh not so great, fmc has no sense of boundaries
I finished it is about the only good thing to say about the book.
One point to make…… fmc accidentally sees his bipolar meds under bathroom counter. She asks about meds, he refuses to explain (totally his right to do so!!!) but he does say “I’m ok” when she says “I only want to know if your ok”….
Well her question was a lie because when she sees the bottles gone from under the counter in her next trip over what did she do????? Totally invaded his privacy to the point of even searching his roommates area to find the bottles, takes pictures of them then goes home tells her roommate all about it ( wow why would you out him/illness to your roommate!!!!!!) and even after her roommate tells her not to go down the rabbit hole…. She googled all his meds to find out what they are and to figure out why he’d take them.
If I were him I’d dump dump dump her. What an invasion of privacy!!!! No respect and no trust to a partner who would go to those lengths after acting like they were ok not knowing about what the meds were about.
Anyone’s and I mean anyone’s medical history and current medical issues are their own privileged information and (as long as they are adults) there are NO circumstances where they should be required to share that information with anyone else including family or friends unless they CHOOSE to!!!!!! Never!!!!
Not to mention that their first argument after she finds out what does she do?????? Says “it’s no wonder you lost control your sick!!!!” Wow ….. one of few rare circumstances I actually hated the fmc. To throw his illness in his face basically confirming what he feared she would think of him and it is all glossed over…..
Oh and the writing was formulaic basic and seemed like a fill in the blanks kind of romance.
Boring but has to review so anyone reading this book would realize you shouldn’t treat mental illness or confidential medical information in this manner. Fmc was the worst…
I finished it is about the only good thing to say about the book.
One point to make…… fmc accidentally sees his bipolar meds under bathroom counter. She asks about meds, he refuses to explain (totally his right to do so!!!) but he does say “I’m ok” when she says “I only want to know if your ok”….
Well her question was a lie because when she sees the bottles gone from under the counter in her next trip over what did she do????? Totally invaded his privacy to the point of even searching his roommates area to find the bottles, takes pictures of them then goes home tells her roommate all about it ( wow why would you out him/illness to your roommate!!!!!!) and even after her roommate tells her not to go down the rabbit hole…. She googled all his meds to find out what they are and to figure out why he’d take them.
If I were him I’d dump dump dump her. What an invasion of privacy!!!! No respect and no trust to a partner who would go to those lengths after acting like they were ok not knowing about what the meds were about.
Anyone’s and I mean anyone’s medical history and current medical issues are their own privileged information and (as long as they are adults) there are NO circumstances where they should be required to share that information with anyone else including family or friends unless they CHOOSE to!!!!!! Never!!!!
Not to mention that their first argument after she finds out what does she do?????? Says “it’s no wonder you lost control your sick!!!!” Wow ….. one of few rare circumstances I actually hated the fmc. To throw his illness in his face basically confirming what he feared she would think of him and it is all glossed over…..
Oh and the writing was formulaic basic and seemed like a fill in the blanks kind of romance.
Boring but has to review so anyone reading this book would realize you shouldn’t treat mental illness or confidential medical information in this manner. Fmc was the worst…
January 1, 2023
The book starts off with Bex and Roman in college at the age of twenty-one. Their fathers are best friends, so they’ve grown up together and do my family events together and only play nice in front of their parents. Roman has not been the kindest to Bex and has pretty much guaranteed for her to never have a boyfriend or any type of male companionship throughout their teen and early adult years but that all changes when Max shows up and doesn’t care for Roman’s warning to stay away from Bex. Cue the beginning of a love story but how will Bex react when she finds out the BIG secret Roman has been living with since his teens? Well, you’ll have to read this book to find out.
I really enjoyed the unfolding of this story and normally I'm not fond of books where the male lead is borderline abusive to the female character. Which, in this book, was tamed compared to some other books I have read with the same type of story line and it’s usually some dumb excuse as to why he behaved the way he did but the reasoning behind Roman’s behavior towards Bex was a pretty valid one (don’t come at me). I loved it! Read it!
I really enjoyed the unfolding of this story and normally I'm not fond of books where the male lead is borderline abusive to the female character. Which, in this book, was tamed compared to some other books I have read with the same type of story line and it’s usually some dumb excuse as to why he behaved the way he did but the reasoning behind Roman’s behavior towards Bex was a pretty valid one (don’t come at me). I loved it! Read it!
February 14, 2023
This story features some serious issues regarding mental health so sensitive readers should beware.
Rome and Bexley’s parents are best friends so you would think they would be friends too. Nope. Rome has always been mean to Bexley and she doesn’t know why. He slept with all her friends. He ran off guys who were interested in her. He taunted her. He even followed her to college and she thinks it’s to make her miserable. Little does she know that Rome is hiding a secret from her - the fact that he’s bipolar and his dad has told him not to date Bexley because of it. But then Bexley starts dating one of Rome’s teammates and he can’t stop himself from pursuing her romantically.
Bexley is confused and doesn’t believe it so he has to work a bit at convincing her it’s not another trick to humiliate her. I say, “a bit” because I think he should have worked a little harder to convince her and been a little more remorseful about being such a jerk to her all those years. I thought she got over the years of hurt he caused awfully fast.
Overall I thought the story was decent but I would have liked Rome to work a little harder to win Bexley.
Rome and Bexley’s parents are best friends so you would think they would be friends too. Nope. Rome has always been mean to Bexley and she doesn’t know why. He slept with all her friends. He ran off guys who were interested in her. He taunted her. He even followed her to college and she thinks it’s to make her miserable. Little does she know that Rome is hiding a secret from her - the fact that he’s bipolar and his dad has told him not to date Bexley because of it. But then Bexley starts dating one of Rome’s teammates and he can’t stop himself from pursuing her romantically.
Bexley is confused and doesn’t believe it so he has to work a bit at convincing her it’s not another trick to humiliate her. I say, “a bit” because I think he should have worked a little harder to convince her and been a little more remorseful about being such a jerk to her all those years. I thought she got over the years of hurt he caused awfully fast.
Overall I thought the story was decent but I would have liked Rome to work a little harder to win Bexley.
November 14, 2022
I love a good enemies to lover story that has all the feels and goosebumps. This read was that and so much more. I believe Melissa challenges herself through her craft and digs into the good the bad and the ugly parts of a relationship.
This story and journey was so much more..It tackles a very important topic. One that is sometimes hidden in a box. One that some families are afraid and ashamed to discuss. However. This topic just doesnt target one individual. It can tackle an entire household and sometimes breath darkness.
I want to stress that this story is not just its topic. Its also the stength and love that knows no bounds. It touches you in places that have been numb for many years. This story also shows the amount of devotion, love, bravery and genuiness that is only heard and not seen.
Rome and Bex defy the past and the odds to tackle something that cannot be fixed with a band-aid. They thoroughly challenge themselves and each other and shine brighter than ever before!
Another 10 STAR READ 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story and journey was so much more..It tackles a very important topic. One that is sometimes hidden in a box. One that some families are afraid and ashamed to discuss. However. This topic just doesnt target one individual. It can tackle an entire household and sometimes breath darkness.
I want to stress that this story is not just its topic. Its also the stength and love that knows no bounds. It touches you in places that have been numb for many years. This story also shows the amount of devotion, love, bravery and genuiness that is only heard and not seen.
Rome and Bex defy the past and the odds to tackle something that cannot be fixed with a band-aid. They thoroughly challenge themselves and each other and shine brighter than ever before!
Another 10 STAR READ 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
December 13, 2022
Definitely a fave this year
I honestly don’t have much to say about this book other than, I adored it.
There’s something about Rome’s character and his vulnerabilities that make my heart sing 🥹
I can’t say I loved the things he did to Bex while they were growing up, but I personally felt like he made up for it once he decided he was all in.
Jumping into the all in. The one thing I didn’t like during the duration of this book was Bex’s inability or rather decision to not openly express her love to Rome, at least not the way he did it. And I found it slightly toxic - in the way we don’t enjoy - that she felt the emotions but often didn’t want to tell him because she feared things like “his head getting big” and “inflating his ego further”.
I personally feel like when we love people, we should tell them, and tell them often.
This was further necessary considering Rome’s condition and his desire and need to be loved by Bex.
Anyway, overall I adored every word. Definitely will be reading more from this author.
I honestly don’t have much to say about this book other than, I adored it.
There’s something about Rome’s character and his vulnerabilities that make my heart sing 🥹
I can’t say I loved the things he did to Bex while they were growing up, but I personally felt like he made up for it once he decided he was all in.
Jumping into the all in. The one thing I didn’t like during the duration of this book was Bex’s inability or rather decision to not openly express her love to Rome, at least not the way he did it. And I found it slightly toxic - in the way we don’t enjoy - that she felt the emotions but often didn’t want to tell him because she feared things like “his head getting big” and “inflating his ego further”.
I personally feel like when we love people, we should tell them, and tell them often.
This was further necessary considering Rome’s condition and his desire and need to be loved by Bex.
Anyway, overall I adored every word. Definitely will be reading more from this author.
December 11, 2022
The Games We Play by Melissa Toppen is an enemies to lovers college romance. Bexley and Rome grew up with each other, always having to hang out because their parents are best friends. Rome knew he could never have Bexley, so he became her bully and was mean to her growing up but he also couldn't not be a part of her life, so when it came time to going away to college, he followed her to Texas. When Bexley finally starts seeing a guy, Rome can't take seeing them together and decides he isn't going to stay away from her anymore. It does take some time for Bexley to believe that Rome isn't just playing another game and he really wants her, especially when he is still keeping a big secret from her. This book was good, I mean I am always a sucker for a guy who is possessive and jealous, and Rome was definitely that.
Tropes:
*Enemies to Lovers*
*College Romance*
*Sports Romance*
*Jealous Hero*
*Mental Health Twist*
Tropes:
*Enemies to Lovers*
*College Romance*
*Sports Romance*
*Jealous Hero*
*Mental Health Twist*
January 8, 2023
sweet read
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enemies to lovers
Grown up together
College age
Mental health
This was a really sweet read after reading dark reads lately this was just what my heart needed.
The H has bipolar and as a wife to a husband with bipolar this was actually lovely to read.
Rome has been pushing bexley away since he was young by tormenting her after his dad warns him from a young age to stay away from his best friends daughter due to his condition Rome does until he can hide his feeling anymore.
Love the epilogue at the end
Felt like the author touched most bases with bipolar but mostly that although it’s hard to live with the condition it’s also easy to love someone with it.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enemies to lovers
Grown up together
College age
Mental health
This was a really sweet read after reading dark reads lately this was just what my heart needed.
The H has bipolar and as a wife to a husband with bipolar this was actually lovely to read.
Rome has been pushing bexley away since he was young by tormenting her after his dad warns him from a young age to stay away from his best friends daughter due to his condition Rome does until he can hide his feeling anymore.
Love the epilogue at the end
Felt like the author touched most bases with bipolar but mostly that although it’s hard to live with the condition it’s also easy to love someone with it.
November 4, 2022
The Games We Play by Melissa Toppen.
Oh my this book took me by surprise for sure. This is Roman and Bex’s journey and I hope you are prepared for it. I must warn you there is the subject of mental health discussed so if you think you can’t handle that this is your warning. These two have been around each other since they were kids due to their parents being best friends. It is an emotional but very well written story of two people navigating lots of emotions, a huge secret which is the reason for Roman being the way he is towards Bex. It’s a book you won’t want to miss out on. Highly recommend.
Oh my this book took me by surprise for sure. This is Roman and Bex’s journey and I hope you are prepared for it. I must warn you there is the subject of mental health discussed so if you think you can’t handle that this is your warning. These two have been around each other since they were kids due to their parents being best friends. It is an emotional but very well written story of two people navigating lots of emotions, a huge secret which is the reason for Roman being the way he is towards Bex. It’s a book you won’t want to miss out on. Highly recommend.
February 24, 2023
An okay read, definitely has some enemies but honestly, i want ENEMIES. reality is its one sided, he loves her, she hates him. not really enemies.
it sheds light on BPD, cant tell you how accurate it is since i personally dont have BPD, but seems legit.
its nothing special, kind of boring, and prolly not one id recommend if someone is asking for a good book.
she made me so mad. i get that shes mad he was keeping something from her, but still. she shouldnt have went snooping, boundaries exist.
it sheds light on BPD, cant tell you how accurate it is since i personally dont have BPD, but seems legit.
its nothing special, kind of boring, and prolly not one id recommend if someone is asking for a good book.
she made me so mad. i get that shes mad he was keeping something from her, but still. she shouldnt have went snooping, boundaries exist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2023
I'm not a fan of this trope at all. The "I love her but I'm not good enough for her so I'm going to make her life a living hell and I'm going to sleep with a million girls to forget her even though I can't never forget her". No! Just no! Regardless of what mental disorder he has he systematically made the conscious decision to treat the h like that.
Then the guy just suddenly decides that he needs the girl and will do anything to have her regardless of how much of a jerk he used to be. Like everything should be forgiven
Then the guy just suddenly decides that he needs the girl and will do anything to have her regardless of how much of a jerk he used to be. Like everything should be forgiven
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2023
“𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑟.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
♡college sports romance ⚾️
♡childhood enemies to lovers
♡he’s always wanted her
♡”she’s mine” vibes
You would think that because Roman and Bexley’s parents’ are best friends and the fact that they basically grew up together, they would be as well. That could not be further from the truth. Rome loves getting under Bex’s skin and ruining all her relationships with other guys. He’s always wanted to pursue her but something has always been holding him back so he’s always kept her at arm’s length. Loved the sexual tension between these two and how Bex gives him a taste of his own medicine. My heart broke for Rome 🥺 but I’m so glad they got their hea. The epilogue was so cute.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
♡college sports romance ⚾️
♡childhood enemies to lovers
♡he’s always wanted her
♡”she’s mine” vibes
You would think that because Roman and Bexley’s parents’ are best friends and the fact that they basically grew up together, they would be as well. That could not be further from the truth. Rome loves getting under Bex’s skin and ruining all her relationships with other guys. He’s always wanted to pursue her but something has always been holding him back so he’s always kept her at arm’s length. Loved the sexual tension between these two and how Bex gives him a taste of his own medicine. My heart broke for Rome 🥺 but I’m so glad they got their hea. The epilogue was so cute.
December 5, 2022
just wow
It’s 2022. How about we don’t invalidate women’s justified anger by silencing her valid rage with a kiss and having her give into it. Like can we leave that disgusting trope in the past where it belongs.
The MMC is just an all around garbage human. I DNF’d this book pretty early, but just remember folks, a tragic backstory doesn’t negate the trauma or the abuse someone puts another through.
It’s 2022. How about we don’t invalidate women’s justified anger by silencing her valid rage with a kiss and having her give into it. Like can we leave that disgusting trope in the past where it belongs.
The MMC is just an all around garbage human. I DNF’d this book pretty early, but just remember folks, a tragic backstory doesn’t negate the trauma or the abuse someone puts another through.
December 5, 2022
Based on the synopsis, I was excited to read this book, I enjoy a good frenemies/enemies-to-lovers book, and given the history between Bexley and Roman, I couldn't wait to jump in. I did like the fact that while the parents are all friends, those same feelings don't exist between Bex and Rome. I do wish the reveal about true emotions and feelings had been handled in a more adult way, but it is what it is.
February 14, 2023
This story was pretty good, I really liked the elements of mental health and dealing with a lifelong disorder while trying to live a “normal” life. Bexley and Rome were a great match and had fantastic chemistry and the book started off SO well (so much drama and jealousy), but then it kinda fell off about halfway through for me. It lacked that bit of drama I was looking for. Overall, good story with great writing!
February 16, 2023
I loved this book so much and I love how the author put effort into writing bipolar disorder accurately. The struggles Rome faced like feeling that he can’t be loved because his condition is unpredictable and feeling crazy really hit home for me so I was able to connect to the story/understand it very well. Basically what I’ll trying to say is thank you author for writing such a beautiful story 🤍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2022
The hero is not wrapped up in perfect little book boyfriend package. This is the greatest compliment I can give to the author. A hero that flawed will keep me coming back again and again. Roman finds himself unworthy, and the temptation to keep away from Bexley is too much.
Read this flawed hero book with no regrets!
Happy📘 Reading!
Read this flawed hero book with no regrets!
Happy📘 Reading!
November 5, 2022
Bexley and Roman
This is a young adult story of Bexley and Roman growing up together since their parents are best friends yet Roman is constantly fighting with Bex. After going to the same college the truth of why Roman is so mean to Bex comes out. Goes to show we really don't know someone until we open our hearts and listen. I recommend this book!
This is a young adult story of Bexley and Roman growing up together since their parents are best friends yet Roman is constantly fighting with Bex. After going to the same college the truth of why Roman is so mean to Bex comes out. Goes to show we really don't know someone until we open our hearts and listen. I recommend this book!
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