This book was so difficult to get through. I have nothing against YA books and will occasionally read them still, but this just had so many issues. The characters were unlikeable and very inconsistent in their actions, there were a number of ridiculous things that didn't make sense, and the writing and storytelling were awkward and stilted.

So I didn't quite realize I had let this expire. (I know, I'm an idiot) And, it's really hard to find a copy of when you have let your download expire. Well, find it I finally did! And I am sorry to say, there was more true angst in me trying to find a copy to review then there was in the book. This is a short, wholesome (I guess), feel good (I suppose) sort of book. It was a little unbelievable at times, the main character was a tad on the whiny side, and it was a tiny smidgen unrealistic. It wasn't totally bad, and I won't slam it, but I am not sure it was worth the search that I put in for it.

Found it very hard to connect with main character. Didn’t love the story line or any of the characters really. It was just ok.

This was a fun read!! I loved the characters and the plot was a lot of fun too!! I thought the writing was easy to read and I will be recommending this to my friends!

This was a fun quick read that didn't require too much attention to understand the plot. Fun characters and a sper sweet plot. I liked the character development of Samantha and Parker!

I found it very hard to connect with the main character Samantha. The story is narrated in the first person and Samantha kept implying what a bad-ass she was. If the story is going to keep making these claims you need to give your reader something concrete to prove it. There was no alcohol, drugs or sex. Yes, they were mentioned but no-one actually partook on any of them.
Samantha was whingey, whinny and wanted all the attention and sulked if she didn’t get it. She was eighteen and in her last year at school but came across as much younger.
The plot and writing was simplistic and I think if the main character was younger it might have felt more realistic.
2.5 stars.

Samantha Valentine’s life turns upside down when she finds out her family is returning to her old town, Scottsdale. It took her a while to make the city her home, and now all of that is for naught, as she has to learn to settle in a quiet town again.
Parker Brady is perfectly happy to make a mess of his life after his best friend, Samantha, left him. He felt betrayed by his most trusted friend, and now he doesn’t care about anyone anymore. The only thing that matters to him is getting girls.
The two are not so thrilled when they meet after years of being away. Old grudges resurface from the past.
Will Samantha and Parker restore their broken friendship? Or will something else rise from its ruins?

Quick and easy read.

Player's Game
by Desirae Clark

Player’s Game is a cute story. A great light read about friendship and facing the past.

Unfortunately I didn't finish this book, as I couldn't get into it - nothing against the author or book, just not to my personal taste. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

Great easy to read story by Desirae Clark. Really easy to read, enjoyable and fun. What more could you want!!

There were so many plot holes that this story just didn't make much sense.

Several of the characters were pointless and there was little to no character development for anyone.

I received a copy of this book for free from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Will no longer be reading or reviewing this book due to lack of interest in the title, and the fact that the title has been archived.

Rating: 3/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: from friends to enemies to friends to lovers--YUM!; all the teenage angst; some rather unnecessary girl-on-girl hate; cutesy, though a bit flat overall; serious case of "change the bad boy" happening in this read

HUGE thanks to Desirae Clark, BLVNP Incorporated Publishing, and Netgalley for sending a free egalley my way in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this title.

As so seems to be my "niche" lately, I have ANOTHER teenage angst-riddled title to bring you all today! (I think I need to step away from the contemporaries a little in the future, don't you all?...wait, who am I kidding?! I LOVE love butterflies!) This time, though.... THIS is more of a "we used to be friends, then became enemies and worked our way back to friends and....well, maybe more than friends." Yummmmmmm! There was also a bit of focus on "saving the bad boy"--or at least, that's how I read into it. I'm not sure if it bothered me, necessarily, though I do always find myself wondering how things turn out AFTER the last page has turned.

"So, we're a couple, huh?" Parker asked and smirked at me. "Do we get a cool ship name as well?"

"Sparker." I laughed.

"Sounds like a stripper name," he blurted, and I laughed.


This did fall a bit flat for me, overall, unfortunately. The characters--as entertaining as they are!--didn't have much dimension. There was also a LOT of unnecessary girl-on-girl hate going on that didn't add much to the story as a whole. At times, I felt like this story was more about the social hierarchy power struggle than about much else--which can be fine, though I think this might have been done better.

I'd recommend this to lovers of contemporary romances with a bit more tension and a lot of sparks lurking just beneath the surface! The characters are vibrant, though the story falls a bit flat in places. Still, this was an entertaining and quick read. Are YOU willing to play the game, Penguins?

This is a Y.A. novel with very simple language and basic story. The story itself is a little jumpy so could do with a little more fluffing out with a more information. Mum seems to dip in and out of the story with a less than satisfactory explanation as to who the younger twin daughters are staying with.
'I could be gone for 3 days or 3 months', statement just doesn't cut it really.
As a mum I would want to know more myself before I even considered going anywhere and have more solid arrangements for my children and definite timeline.
The two relationships that Samantha had were more than strange. As her ex-boyfriend was continually messaging and phoning her, I can't believe he would be so careless with his phone and that the other girl hadn't said he had received a call. The reasons why Samantha and Parker had fallen out was something that was nothing, especially as they were now grown ups.
I haven't posted this review on either my blog, Amazon or Goodreads but felt that I should give some feed back to you.
Sorry just not one I can recommend

I voluntarily reviewed an Reader Copy of this book which I received through
Netgalley. This was a really fun, cute and quick story. I liked it very much

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A good summer read. It only took a couple of days to finish because it flowed nicely and was interesting.

This is a sweet romance where two childhood sweethearts become enemies. It's a light and entertaining read with a great overview of school life.

Samantha has settled in her private school in Manhattan. She has made friends and has a long term boyfriend. Her mother is promoted and they have to move back to Scottsdale. She isn't thrilled about being uprooted from the life that she has come to love.

Parker is the popular guy of Scottsdale school. All the girls swarm around him only to have their hearts broken. He doesn't seem to care either!

When Samantha returns, she no longer sees Parker as her best friend. They have to spend time together for various reasons and just about put up with each other. When she accidentally discovers that her ex, Trevor is a lying cheating so and so, Parker subtly tries to protect her. Parker's attraction to her is pretty obvious, but she doesn't trust him due to his reputation. They decide to stay friends, until Trevor and her previous friends come to Scottsdale on exchange. Her nemesis Erica takes every opportunity to sully her name and finds an ally in Trevor. Samantha puts up an act with Parker, but is it really an act?

I rather enjoyed this young adult romance where childhood bonds and memories prevail. The relationship between Parker and Samantha is remarkable. I love their trips down memory lane and the conclusion is so ramantic. Great concept.

I received an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

I’m not to into the story description as the description tells you for the most part what the story is about. While I don’t think the story is negative, there is not much good about it. Perhaps it is my fault as I don’t think it’s not as well written as it could have been. I would like the author to rewrite the story and perhaps make it a bit longer. However, it is a quick read. I did like the idea of the story. I am only giving it three stars as I wanted more from the story than I got.

This is another one of those books where I have to say it’s too young for me. . I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and all the drama seemed really petty and superficial.
There wasn’t any character development and everything was clichéd.
Overall, it was an okay read, it just fell too flat and wasn’t very memorable