This psychological thriller is set against the eerie backdrop of the moors and centers around three childhood friends—Scratch, Becca, and Finn—who reunite at Old Man Byrde’s farmhouse for Finn’s stag do. The farmhouse, once a place of childhood ghost stories, becomes a site of real terror as the past resurfaces in unexpected ways.

One of the aspects I appreciated most was the atmospheric tension Day creates. The creepy, contemporary-gothic feel of the novel is palpable, and the setting is richly described, enhancing the sense of unease. The dynamic between the three friends adds depth to the narrative, especially as old secrets and past traumas come to light.

However, while the premise is intriguing, I found some parts of the plot predictable. The characters, though well-developed, sometimes acted in ways that felt more in service of the plot than true to their established personalities. Despite these minor issues, the book kept me engaged with its pacing and suspense.

Overall, Game is a compelling read that blends domestic noir with gothic elements, making it a great choice for fans of psychological thrillers. If you enjoy a mix of eerie settings, complex friendships, and dark secrets, this book is worth checking out.

Overall this was an interesting read, with lots of twists and turns, some of which felt unneeded and used as filler, but I appreciate the focus on mental heath and the plot twist at the end was insane, and I definitely didn’t see coming. overall, I enjoyed this book, there were some me issues with continuity and overall flow of the book, but it was a fun read and I would recommend. '

It was ok... like just ok!! I don't think this book was for me personally I felt as it was just dragging too much

Thank you Net Galley for providing this book and allowing me to read it in advance. I was unable to personally get into this book but that is the power of reading. There’s books for everyone. I know someone else will adore it!

this was okay, but read a little juvenile and i didn't feel connected to the characters or what happens to them at all. i can see other reader enjoying this a lot tho!

— thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free digital ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Game is the story of Becca, Scratch, and Finn--three friends who grew up together from childhood in a small town, determined from a very young age to escape their less than stellar families and home lives in search of happier, fuller lives for themselves. Our story begins properly years later when, having done just that, they reunite. Returning to their hometown--Becca and Scratch married with a brood of children and Finn having become a financial success--to celebrate Finn's engagement and upcoming wedding, Becca is surprised to find that they are staying in the newly renovated house up atop the escarpment where they used to play and terrorize Old Man Byrde when they were children by playing games of Knock Down Ginger (ringing the doorbell and waiting to run until just before being caught). The oddest thing to Becca in this decision, of course, is that the memories of this house aren't all good ones, and even those that were are tainted now by Old Man's Byrde's death by falling from the cliff.

Throughout the story. Becca is dragged back into her memories of their lives as children and teenagers in this town, sneaking around this house and terrorizing the man who lived inside as he scribbled in a little leather book they'd come to call the Devil's Book (just another of Scratch's many stories mentioned throughout the book), and as the story unfolds, the mystery untangles itself to reveal not only what happened that fateful night, but what chaos had continued to dig deeper into their lives in the years that followed up to the present.

I enjoyed most of this book quite a lot. The setting was spooky and mysterious, the relationships between the three friends, separately and together, were fun to learn more about, Becca was an interesting character and an unreliable narrator thanks to her own lack of a full understanding of everything that had happened, and the plot twists definitely took my by surprise. I think my only complaint would be that by the end, things had gone a little too unhinged for me, making it hard to keep up with where all of the craziness had occurred throughout the entirety of their lives despite the well written explanations, and in the end, multiple characters deserved much better endings than what the got, which is more a personal gripe than any real complaint about the story, because really, it was entertaining, and I genuinely think I'd read it again just to ride that crazy roller coaster of a reveal again.
And though not all goes to plan, as in any story real or written, they do all make it out.

Loved the cover and synopsis, sounded fantastic.

However, this was not the story I was expecting to read. I think the premise really draws the reader in, so I was left disappointed in the type of story/characters/ending that I actually got.

There were some thrilling aspects, but over it was kind of slow and honestly boring at times.

Becca, as a character, was flat/dull and not the narrator I would have wanted.

Thank you to the author, Victory Editing, & NetGalley for a copy.

I just couldn't get into this book. It's a little slow, and I struggled to finish it. Maybe others will like it though. The writing is great.

Scratch, Becca, and Finn were childhood friends who grew up loving to scare themselves by visiting an old creepy farmhouse on the escarpment. The farmhouse was owned by 'Old Man Byrde', a man who sat in the window writing in an old book which Scratch said had belonged to the devil. The friends wanted to know what he wrote, but contented themselves with playing 'Knock Down Ginger' (we called it 'Knock-a-door-run' which is much more succinct I think) until the night Byrde ended up dead. Years later, Becca & Scratch have been married for over 20 years & have 5 kids, whilst Finn has never married...up until now. Finn invites his two oldest friends on a stag weekend & Becca is disturbed to find out that it will take place at Byrde's old farmhouse.

The narrative is from Becca's point of view & the reader gradually learns about the true dynamics of the friendship. I really enjoyed 'Reap What You Sow' written by the author, but this book was unfortunately rather repetitive & meandering in places, where Scratch & Finn would disappear off out & Becca would be left on her own, feeling vulnerable in the old house. I also felt that the paranormal horror aspect of it was underutilised & it could have been a much scarier read. Becca was also rather passive & I just wanted her to actually DO something instead of just existing. It did start to pick up towards the end though & although I guessed where it was going to go, my rating has been bumped up based on the last few chapters. Verdict: a bit of a missed opportunity but the ending just about saved it. 3.5 stars (rounded down).

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I really wanted to love this one. It seemed so good in theory but I found it rather lacking. I need more. I need the characters to be better defined. I needed to connect. It missed the mark for me.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of game by shirley day. i see where this was supposed to be a gothic thriller or modern gothic. i feel as though it missed the mark a bit, i thought it wasnt as thrilling as i had hoped but it was still ok for a quick read.

I thought this book was going to be something it wasn’t. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t work. It was a little on the slow side and didn’t really hit any of the thriller notes it promised.

A wonderful modern day gothic thriller! I highly enjoyed this one! It was the perfect amounts of creepy and pulse pounding. I would recommend this to thriller lovers specifically. Such a fun ride!

The description of this sounds like it will be an edge of the seat thriller but unfortunately it wasn’t that for me. The plot was good it was just very slow burning and there didn’t seem to be a lot happening to hold my interest. The ending was a little silly to me as well. It was a fun read but more recommended for those that love slow burns.

"Scratch, Becca, and Finn grew up roaming the moors, scaring themselves silly with ghost stories. One place they loved to 'haunt' was Old Man Byrde's - a creepy farmhouse high on the escarpment. The old guy was always in his window scribbling away in a tattered old book. Scratch said it was the Devil's book and that the thing could grant wishes. Only there was a catch; once the last page was written, the Devil would come banging at the door for your soul.

Years later, the three friends hire Byrde's old house. Scratch soon discovers that Finn has Byrde's book, only now it's practically full, and the past is all too eager to come knocking."

But will the Devil come knocking on the moors?

Game, a supposed psychological thriller by Shirley Day, was like a never ending board of games. Game centers on three friends, two of whom are married to each other. They go on a vacation for the weekend, Becca is haunted by their joint past. All of this is further stirred up by a book that the old owner used to write in.

The synopsis of the novel makes it sound like it will be intense horror. The writing was good but plot doesn't play out like the promises that it makes. There was some slow-burn build up, but at best it was a bit of psychological horror, as Becca has emotional problems and takes lots of pills.
While the longer they stay there the more of their past comes back to Becca and dark secrets about what really happened to Old Man Byrde and to the trio as kids, but not really in any scary or thrilling way. Ultimately, this really was just a drama about the three friends and the secrets they all have. I can only say this book was OK, but did not live up to expectations.

Where is the book we were promised? This is a totally different book. Very disappointing. I feel like I was lied to.

Weekend getaway without kid bringing tower moment to Becca life. Becca, Scratch her husband and Finn their bestfriend rent Old Man Byrde’s farmhouse back in their childhood town. The house always give spooky vibe, when they are kid, they always play knock-out-ginger on the old barn. Becca doesnt want go there, she still haunted with the secret, secret that wrap the three of them in chaos. Oh god this book give me bad feeling, what Scratch did was evil and bad he didnt even feel sorry, then all of this wouldnt happend if Becca and Finn clear the air.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#Game #ShirleyDay #ARCProvidedbyVictoryEditing #VictoryEditing #NetGalley #NetGalleyCoop #PublishedwithPassion #ARC

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish this book, from the blurb, it sounded like it was going to be a different stye of book. There wasn't enough suspense int he story and it was slow, too slow for me. I think for me the problem was there was a good plot but it got bogged down too much.
I struggled to find the suspense and horror that the book promised.
I think maybe changing the categories of the book might help manage readers expectations and get readers who will enjoy the story a lot more.
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC.