Here’s another book I finished a while back and reviewed on Goodreads and Netgalley. I think I read this around Decemeber last year and just somehow forgot to post it here so viola!!! Better super duper late than never.
Published: September 30th 2018
Genre(s): Romance
Format: Paperback, Ebook
Adulting is a foreign concept to a man who spends all of his money on designer underwear and body waxing.
Giovanni’s life is funded by the women who pay top dollar for his company.
Being wanted isn’t the same as being loved.And being desired doesn’t mean you’re needed.
When his best friend’s ex shows up in the middle of the night begging for a shoulder to cry on; Gio isn’t prepared for what happens next. Not in his bed and certainly not in his heart.
A sexy and fun quick read that you can devour in one sitting
Side Game by Nicole Loufas was a nice little treat – a sexy fun quick read that you can devour in one sitting.
The beginning seemed really promising, so I was expecting endless of swoons and spice. There were plenty for sure, but I have to admit… I wasn’t crazy about everything. I thought the storyline was good, the characters were interesting, and the drama was quite intense. It was just missing that “it” factor for me. Maybe I need to read the first book or maybe I just wasn’t particularly fond of how the story was set up. That being said, even though I wasn’t ridiculously hooked, I was still intrigued enough to keep going and I’m really glad I did because the ending was satisfyingly delicious and so heartwarming. I also really enjoyed the humor and there were some really outrageous moments that made me laugh out loud. By the end, I definitely felt like I had gotten what I needed from this book – a sexy, relaxing, and entertaining few hours.
The romance wasn’t what I thought it would be, so I actually didn’t know how to feel about it…at least not at first. I was into it in the beginning, then I wasn’t and then I was and then not. I don’t know why, but for more than half of the story, I just didn’t like Gio and Leeyan together that much. I didn’t feel the sparks right away and even when they were in the friend zone, I couldn’t understand how they were just okay with each other. But, just as the story got really spicy towards the end, so did the chemistry between Gio and Leeyan. So yes, they won me over and as cheesy as it was, I liked the way their relationship turned out. Not perfect, still complicated, but full of love, laughter, and hope.
The characters were all relatable in their owns ways. I really liked Leeyan from the start and thought she was uniquely interesting. I liked that she wasn’t afraid to admit her flaws and insecurities. I admired her opinion on things and her determination to right her wrongs. I wouldn’t say I was instantly drawn to Gio, but he had this charming sex appeal and personality that kept me interested. I did want to slap him a few times, but in the end, I was totally swooning over him. Without a doubt, my favorite character was Lulu. She’s just too smart, spunky and so cute.
Overall, I wasn’t head over heels in love, but I felt the swoons, got a few laughs and had a a really fun time reading this book. Oh and the Twilight references were just the best!! So if you’re looking for a quick romance story to read, then pick this up!
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, and feels are my own.
Nicole was born and raised in California. She claims to be a San Francisco native, however she’s lived in both Northern and Southern California. She credits her creativity to the fact that she attended 12 schools between kindergarten and her senior year in high school. Her nomadic childhood allowed her to reinvent herself often. Some might call her a liar. While others see the stories she told as a coping mechanism. Twelve schools, six cities, in thirteen years – give her a break. Today she channels her storytelling ability into writing novels.
Long story short – kids that lie become writers.
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As always, thanks for reading and have a fantastic day loves!
Jessica Pennington is no stranger to the combination of love and drama. She’s a wedding planner, after all. A writer since the age of ten—when she sought publication for her poem about a tree—Jessica likes the challenge of finding the humor in a sad situation or highlighting the awkwardness in a romantic one. She lives in a Michigan beach town suspiciously similar to the one in her novel, with her husband Josh and their son, Rory. She is the author of Love Songs & Other Lies, and When Summer Ends (April 2019). Find Jessica on twitter at @jessnpennington and IG @jessicapennington
Sincerely Karen Jo 