This was an interesting thriller that I did enjoy, but it was a bit slower of a read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the arc.

Siena Sterling's "The Game She Plays" has all the essential elements of a gripping psychological thriller: an American protagonist grappling with heartbreak while abroad, a charming yet enigmatic British socialite offering solace, and the chilling presence of a charismatic psychopath tied to the socialite's past. However, while the premise held promise, the execution left something to be desired. Rather than being engrossed in the story from start to finish, I struggled a bit with the somewhat cumbersome writing style and found myself rereading passages in an attempt to piece together a coherent storyline.

The story would have benefitted from more robust character development and deeper exploration of the characters' backgrounds and motivations. The introduction of Nic's twin connection felt intriguing in theory, yet its integration into the plot was disjointed and lacked finesse, and left me wishing for either a more seamless incorporation or the omission of this element altogether.

The conclusion felt rushed and contrived and I found myself longing for richer character arcs and expanded backstories to lend weight to the finale, rendering it more compelling and satisfying.

"The Game She Plays" is a captivating tale of love, betrayal, and deception set amidst the opulent backdrop of an English aristocratic circle. Siena Sterling crafts a riveting narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

American protagonist Nicola Harris finds herself drawn into the exclusive world of her English lover, James Shuttleworth, as she attends a weekend house party with his posh friends. As Nicola navigates the intricate social dynamics and attempts to fit into this close-knit group, she becomes increasingly aware of the presence of Juliet, James' enigmatic first love.

Juliet's arrival sparks a series of events that unravel secrets and ignite tensions within the group. With her magnetic charisma and ability to manipulate those around her, Juliet becomes a central figure in a deadly game where everyone is a suspect. As Nicola delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Juliet, she discovers layers of deception, jealousy, and betrayal that threaten to tear apart the fragile veneer of their privileged world.

The strength of "The Game She Plays" lies in its richly drawn characters and intricately woven plot. From the charming James to the beguiling Juliet, each character is complex and multi-dimensional, adding depth to the story's unfolding drama. The novel skillfully explores themes of power, privilege, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.

Throughout the novel, the author masterfully builds suspense, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The tension is palpable as the intricate web of lies and deceit unravels, leading to a shocking conclusion that will leave readers breathless.

"The Game She Plays" is a gripping psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of suspenseful and intricately plotted novels. With its compelling storyline, richly developed characters, and twisty plot twists, it's a book that will keep readers guessing long after they've turned the final page.

3.5 stars Set against the backdrop of a quintessential English weekend house party, the narrative follows the American protagonist, Nicola Harris, as she navigates the intricate social dynamics of her aristocratic lover James Shuttleworth's inner circle.

What initially appears as a glamorous retreat, replete with pheasant shoots and aristocratic banter, soon unravels into a web of secrets and hidden agendas. Nicola, eager to find her place among James's elite friends, finds herself ensnared in a game where the stakes are far higher than she could have imagined. The arrival of Juliet, James's enigmatic first love, adds an electrifying tension to the narrative, casting shadows of doubt and suspicion over the seemingly idyllic gathering.

This book was an entertaining read, where nothing is quite as it seems. The Game She Plays proves to be a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful dramas alike. Prepare to be drawn into a world where nothing is as it seems, and trust is the most elusive commodity of all.

4.5/5

Well, it looks like I just found me a new favorite author guys! The Game She Plays by Siena Sterling was a TRIP, and I always love the rich people behaving badly trope. This is the author's sophomore novel, so I'm a little disappointed I don't have more of a backlist to read, but I will definitely be making sure I go back to her debut Tell Us No Secrets and watching for future books. This did leave me with a couple of questions which made it not quite a 5 ⭐ read for me, but besides that, I loved everything else about it including the open-endedness of the conclusion.

The pacing was a touch on the slower side but still moved quickly enough, and I didn't really notice anyway since I was listening to the audio. I think Caitlin Kelly did an excellent job narrating, especially considering there is more than one viewpoint. The end itself might have been my favorite twist of the entire book and it left me with my jaw on the floor and chills! I didn't really like any of the characters in the book, and Juliet was definitely the worst of them all. She's such a little b*tch and I felt bad for Trez who was supposed to be her best friend. If you enjoy devious characters, mean girls, and psychological suspense I would highly recommend reading (or listening!) to The Game She Plays.

This was an extremely slow burn. I am nit into romance and this seemed more romance based Tham thriller in my opinion

A young American woman is thrust into the closed social circle of English aristocrats, but beneath their charm and glamor lay secrets and dark betrayals that follow them—and her—around every corner. This wasn't quite as twisty as described...in fact it was rather slow and the characters were not very compelling. The plot dragged in places and while it wasn't the worst story, I had to make myself finish it. Very predictable ending.

Juliet, the "she" in the book is a young upper crust British woman (or one in disguise, anyway) who enjoys playing with other people's lives. A group of young people, including Juliet, goes to a an impressive mansion in the British countryside, and the plot thickens. The only non-Brit is Nicola, who is American. She has serendipitously met James, on his way back to England, on a flight over to London. Eventually, James falls in love with Nicola and proposes. Later in the book, she and James go to America to meet Nicola's hippie parents who apparently spend most of their time under the influence of marijuana.

Also included are Badger and Trez, who eventually becomes pregnant. The activities of the group include hunting and fishing, and there is some question as to whether or not Juliet accidentally or on purpose shoots a young boy helping to fan the prey for the hunters into the open.

The interactions of the people in the group are not terribly exciting, and the ultimate death of one of them is rather surprising but not quite shocking. I found the plot and conversations to be somewhat dull on occasion, and there was excitement lacking in the book.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

Meeting your boyfriend's friends is tough when the friends are super rich, posh and out of your league. Nicola travels to the english countryside and immediately feels like a fish out of water.

To add to her discomfort, her boyfriend's first love arrives for the weekend. Nicola doesn't like her on principle but in addition senses a more evil presence in her.

The Game She Plays…

We’ll that one just sit with you for a bit…

I instantly gravitated toward this title. I was curious for sure and the cover didn’t give anything away.

I just could never have anticipated all this book was going to be.

This was my second book by Sterling and quite frankly I have become a fan. Sterling has easily turned into an auto buy author for me.

You will catch yourself “thinking” you have this book all figured out but I promise you, you’re DEAD wrong. Jam packed with twists and turns, there’s no way you’ll be able to anticipate what’s next.

Don’t believe me, check out this teaser:

To everyone else it was “just” a weekend house party—complete with a pheasant shoot, inside jokes, and after-dinner games. But for American Nicola Harris, swept off her feet by aristocratic Englishman James Shuttleworth, the weekend is her first chance to penetrate his close-knit circle of posh friends—people with names like Badger and Trez, people who will soon have the titles of Earl and Countess. Nicola is eager to fit in, but she can’t seem to navigate this insular world, where everyone speaks a private language and secrets are hinted at behind the jolly jokes and witty barbs.

Just as Nicola begins to feel welcome, Juliet arrives. Mysterious, stunning, charismatic Juliet is also James’ first love—the one who left him heartbroken ten years before. Juliet holds the men in thrall and the women under her spell. And although it seems she can do no wrong, outsider Nicola senses something poisonous in her presence, something that sparks insecurity, jealousy, betrayal, and violence. Because Juliet is a champion game-player, able to lure you into her circle by finding your most vulnerable spot....and when the game she plays turns deadly, everyone is a suspect.

The Game She Plays was alright, didn't adore it, but found it interesting enough. I wasn't hooked and found myself easily getting distracted when trying to read this one.

This was my first book by Siena Sterling. I am officially a fan. This book had fantastic characters and a plot that kept me guessing.

From my blog: Always With a Book

I recently read Siena Sterling’s debut thriller, Tell Us No Secrets, which I really liked, so I was excited to get my hands on her next book.

This book, while a bit of a slow-burn, was so twisty and addicting that I found myself completely engaged from start to finish. I love locked-room mysteries, so I was all in! And I loved how atmospheric it was, set in the English countryside. I wasn’t sure about the whole hunting aspect, but luckily that wasn’t really the main focus of the story. The real plot was the toxic friendships and I loved how the author played on the differences between the classes. You really saw that and even felt that at times.

I loved how there was a sense of that something was going to happen but you didn’t know what. The friends have gathered for a weekend getaway, but these friends don’t all seem to be on the same page. There’s secrets, jealousy, greed, gaslighting, manipulation and envy going on and while I liked some of the characters, there were definitely some that I couldn’t stand, which I love in a good thriller!

This was a really fun, escapism-type read, perfect for the summer. I will definitely be keeping this author on my watch-for list as I have enjoyed both her books so far.



Audio thoughts: This was the perfect book to listen to and the narrator, Caitlin Kelly, did an amazing job bringing the story to life. I found myself completely engaged in the audiobook and really enjoyed it!

I envisioned the world of Bridgerton but with a more modern-day twist. With themes of British "royalty" and a "commoner" who is trying to fit into high society, I was already hooked. But when the hot ex-girlfriend arrives, all hell breaks loose. It's just a recipe for disaster - and I'm absolutely here for it! I love thrillers that I can turn into a movie in my head. These characters had such distinct personalities that I could envision them clearly. I feel like the setting or the basic plot has been done so many times, but Siena Sterling adds her twist and it works well.

Anyone enjoying thrillers will also enjoy reading about this villain and the power she wields to disrupt everything.

This one was a slow burner for me. I did not hate it but I found myself looking for an excuse to do something else while reading it a couple of times. I thought the prose was nice and the characters were intriguing. It was fun when it was fun and boring otherwise.

The Game She Plays by Siena Sterling
Release Date June 06, 2023
Publisher William Morrow

A house party… but not just any house party though. One where those invited will have titles that will regale those around them. There is an American woman there. Nicola Harris. She is working hard to work her way through the crowd. Getting to know those of importance. Enter James Shuttleworth, a very handsome aristocrat. Nicola is having trouble though with the way the people at the party converse. Yet there are many things said that hint at secrets that are yet to really be fully told. Now we meet James’s ex. The one who broke his heart and left him alone. Her name is Juliette. She has taken the men in the room by surprise with her wiley ways. Nicola is not fond of her and senses something is not right. Now the game is changing. Juliette has her sights set and she has managed to keep Nicola at bay by working her insecurities. What will Juliette do to finish the game? It seems she has more than death on her mind and everyone of them will be a suspect. Unless someone can figure out he next move first.

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

This book is very incorrectly billed as a thriller/mystery. In fact, it is a romance novel full of unpleasant people. The cast is a group of entitled and manipulative Brits, with one American thrown into the fray. Some are more manipulative than others, some are more entitled, and all are unpleasant in one way or another. The American woman is so insecure that she allows herself to be drawn into the games played by the most manipulative British woman. Each of the characters is a "type" of one sort or another, rather than a fully developed character. Even the "hero" manages to, by the end, engage in the same nastiness as the others. There was no one to like in this book.

It was not a mystery nor a thriller but rather filled with relationship issues and the characters' bad behavior. There is a murder, yes, but it's only at the very end of the book and the reader knows the details within the next few pages.

I really disliked this book and wondered why I stuck with it to the end. Part of that is wanting to know where the supposed thriller aspect that was touted by the marketers was. And part of it was for the location. A private sort of British castle, where one of the couples lives while waiting to inherit (did I say "entitled" yet?) and a Scottish lodge provide most of the background. Sterling does a good job of placing the reader into the setting.

I have no doubt that many will love this book but it was not my cup of tea and, for me at least, the publicity did it a disservice through misrepresentation.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

This book was just okay for me. Not great but not bad.

I definitely enjoyed this book, although it didn't compare to the normal "thrillers" I read. It was still an entertaining and engaging read. I definitely think it had a nice flow and built up the suspense for what was going to happen. Overall, it was a good page turner, I was invested the whole way through and would definitely recommend it to others!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Nicola Harris's life has crumbled down around her. After losing her job for punching her boss in the face after he'd made one too many sexist comments and losing her long term live-in boyfriend when he left her for an older divorcee, she makes the decision to do something borderline outside of her comfort zone for the first time in her life. She buys a ticket to Paris, aiming to take a short vacation to find herself and, while she's at it, to see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. She even thinks she might be lucky enough to get two seats to herself on the plane, but when a handsome British man comes aboard at the last minute and sits beside her, all her plans are suddenly changed. In the span of one conversation on that long flight, James sweeps her off her feet, convincing her to derail her vacation and to go with him instead to his parent's vacation home in France, and later from there to London. It's a whirlwind romance, and before she knows it, she's been staying with him for two weeks, and suddenly he's taking her to meet The Club--a group of his old friends from his Cambridge days that have remained his best friends up to now.

What Nicola doesn't expect is to end up in a mansion owned by a future Earl and Countess, surrounded by people who, for the most part, treat her like an outsider. And worse than that, Juliet comes sweeping into the room with the last of the arrivals--James' ex-girlfriend who'd left them all behind years ago to move to Hong Kong. But are all the supposed slights Juliet seems to send her way over the next few days real attempts to get under her skin and get James back, or is it all in Nic's head?

Tensions continue to rise over the slow burn plot of the book until coming to a somewhat expected head and teetering off suddenly from there. Going in, I'll admit that I expected the time covered in the story to be far shorter and for far more to happen, especially on the death and murder front, but up until the ending, I enjoyed it for what it was.

I will say that I wasn't a big fan of the ending at all. For most of the book, I hated most of the characters and wanted them to get what was coming to them, but the whole time, Nicola was a great character and person who ended up in the wrong places at all sorts of wrong times, and she just didn't deserve the creepy, predatory, ambiguous ending that she got. It's a three star read for me because I did love the author's ability to create so many characters I genuinely hated and then others who I adored, but that ending really dragged it down for me in terms of whether I would reread or recommend to others.