I liked this book about the same as I liked the last one. Excellent to read a black woman that is a gamer as the main character. I feel like that rarely pops up for women in general in books especially romance but even less for black women. A nice very specific representation!

I loved this book. I loved the fact that the main character is a black woman who is in to gaming, while also having that be separate from her professional life. It shows readers that you dont necessarily need to be put in a box and can have multiple different passions.

I have to say, I was sad that I didn't love this the way I did the first book in the series! For some reason, I feel like the writing was a lot choppier and the tone shifted a lot. That said, the characters and plot were still charming and I definitely was rooting for the h/h to work through everything to be together.
So would recommend, but not as good as the last one IMO

I loved this book! Just like the first of her nerdy romances, I love the characters and the world the writer is building here. I really enjoyed the plot, which while it does skew serious, makes a lot of sense to me. If you're going to talk about being a Black content creator, or even just a Black person online, it's realistic and honest to address the harassment and racism that they deal with. You could leave it out, but this author has chosen to address it and I think she does it well. I really admire the character writing in these books, you can really feel the person on the page and see into their mind. I also really enjoy Glass' writing, I think she has a great grasp of her craft and is doing great things.

I do have two small criticisms of this book, which is why it is four instead of five stars. I didn't see this in The Love Con, but in this book, the dialogue can get a bit wordy and bogged down. Normally, the words flow so well in this book, so when it does slow down like that I lost some of the flow of the story and it took me out of my rhythm. My other critique is that, while it is great that Aron has a strong relationship with his autistic brother, I wanted more understanding of his own mental health stuff. We get hints throughout the book that Aron's got some neuro-atypical things going on, but it's never unwrapped fully and I think that's to the detriment of the story.

Closer to a 3.5 rounded up for me, for the most part. I'll be the first to admit that I loved <i>The Love Con</i>, but struggled a little more with this one in terms of the evolution of the love story and how it progressed through the book. It felt very externally focused regarding the obstacles that Aron and Samara have to go through and the sequence of events leading up to them actually deciding to become a couple, and there were some continuity issues in terms of dialogue repetition that I noticed (which may have just been part of the ARC before final tweaks). In more than one instance, there were scenes that were built up to in the narrative and then skipped or fast-forwarded over, and the difference between Aron and Samara's light and easy humor contrasted a little too sharply at times with the darker turn the story takes with regard to trolling and online harassment. It's rare that a romance novel tackles these kinds of issues, but I couldn't help feeling like there would have been a neater way to weave that all together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Game On" is a heartwarming and relevant romance novel that will resonate with gamers and romance enthusiasts alike. This novel takes readers on a delightful journey into the world of video games, equality advocacy, and an unexpected romance that unfolds in the most unexpected of ways. Seressia Glass brilliantly captures the essence of the gaming community, highlighting the passion and dedication of gamers while shedding light on the important issue of representation within the industry.

"Game On" by Seressia Glass takes readers on a journey into the world of gaming and romance, combining passion and purpose in a captivating way. As I delved into this novel, I found myself immersed in the compelling story of Samara and Aron.

Samara Reynolds, a talented gamer and a devoted advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the gaming industry, is a character who instantly grabs your attention. Her anonymous online persona allows her to use her platform to fight for equal representation in video games. Little did she know that her critique of the popular game Legendsfall would lead her to a surprising job offer from Aron Galanis, the CEO of Artemis Games.

What truly sets this book apart is its commitment to diversity and representation. "Game On" sheds light on the challenges faced by female gamers, especially women of color, who often endure discrimination and prejudice in the gaming world. Glass skillfully weaves these experiences into the narrative, making it a powerful and relevant aspect of the story.

The book explores the complexities of making gaming more inclusive, emphasizing the importance of representation and accessibility. Samara and Aron's journey from initial adversaries to friends and eventually to something deeper is a testament to the authenticity of their connection. Their relationship is heartwarming, and readers will undoubtedly find themselves rooting for them throughout their evolving journey.

However, what struck me most was the honest portrayal of the public backlash Samara and Aron faced when their relationship became public knowledge. This aspect of the story adds a layer of realism, highlighting the challenges that individuals in the public eye endure, especially when advocating for change. Glass's portrayal of these challenges is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

"Game On" serves as a poignant reminder of the gaming industry's need for change and the importance of creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all players. It encourages readers to reflect on these issues and consider how they can contribute to a more equitable gaming community.

As I followed Samara's journey, I felt like I was right there beside her, cheering her on and experiencing the highs and lows of her life. "Game On" is a compelling read that seamlessly blends romance with social commentary.

I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Berkley for providing me with the opportunity to read the digital ARC of this remarkable book. "Game On" is a story that will stay with me for a long time, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging and thought-provoking read. Seressia Glass has crafted a story that is both entertaining and impactful, making "Game On" a must-read for those ready to embark on a journey of love, gaming, and change.

DNF@17%. I wanted to love this book and be excited about it because of the diversity representation within it. The writing itself was extremely exposition heavy, repetitive, and I found myself really bored. In the first 10% of the book, all that happened was a scandal (which technically happened before the book even started) and our MCs (dual POV so no mystery either) talking about how they’re going to call each other out at a Gaming conference. Then they do.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Across the board fun and engaging! The representation of different people, communities, skills, and backgrounds is so interesting and relatable. I love romance that focuses on a modern and realistic aspect of nerd/blerd culture! Inclusion of neurodivergence is aces as well!

It's impossible not to ship the main pair from the beginning! The things keeping them back from each other are so frustrating, but also so important to overcome. Extremely well done and fun! Fantastic for romance readers who want something new and relatable

This is a largely "it's not you, its me" situation because I could not get over multiple elements of this book that I'm sure many people would overlook. For context, I am a Black Femme who has dealt with more than one incident on the internet but the way that was portrayed in this book was very scary and such a jarring tonal shift from the snarky and soft romance between Aron Galanis and Samara Reynolds. While I deeply respect this author for her attempts to incorporate very real issues into her romance, I do feel as if there a discrepancy between scenes at some points.

That being said Samara and Aron were quite cute. Aron's attentiveness was by far his most attractive trait and I adored his and Samara's families characterization a lot. The tight knit group Samara had was also great. I love solid support systems in books, it makes the characters feel more like real people.

Unfortunately I also found this book to be a little corny which is something I noticed with the first book and found gently charming but in reading this book I found myself cringing at Aron being a "woke white boy" or naming her coochie.

Overall if you are into gaming, Black women being protected by their loved ones, or romances with deeper themes, I would recommend this book! It just wasn't the perfect fit for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Seressia Glass impressed me with her first romance, The Love Con, and Game On continues her pattern of writing wonderful love stories in which modern people find true love through hard work on themselves and on the world around them.

Samara Reynolds knows all too well what it’s like to face harassment from all sides, being a Black woman who plays video games. By night, she’s @ReyofSun, and she plays games on a Twitchlike service for her audience. By night, she’s a DEIA consultant who tries to make the gaming world a friendlier place for non-white people. Her comments about the Anti-Blackness of the game Legendsfall end up changing her life, causing an earthquake among MMORP players. A groundswell to get Samara a job at Artemis Games, the parent company of Legendsfall, begins when the hashtag #LegendsFoul starts trending.

Aron Galanis, head of Artemis Games, is fascinated by Samara’s moxie. He’s been trying to get better disability representation into his games, and Samara’s comments cause him to realize he’s falling short in other areas as well. He decides to approach Samara at GamerCon, an upcoming convention where they’re both going to be in attendance.

After Samara’s panel, Aron tracks her down and offers her the job with Artemis. Samara is surprised by the offer – and to find herself instantly attracted to Aron, a man she ought to loathe.

Now colleagues, Samara tries to battle her attraction to Aaron while helping the company. But can two people in their situation manage to be lovers and co-workers?

Game On is fun, sprightly and lively, even if you’re worried that the subject matter will be too heavy for the romance. A lot of that has to do with the wonder of Samara, a smart and tough woman who knows what she wants but also likes having fun.

Aron is a technically-minded man with a warm, gooey, marshmallow center. The love they make together is one of two geeks meeting at the body, mind and heart. It’s beautiful and it’s complex, and easy to sink into as a favorite comfy chair.

It’s the details that make this one great, along with the wonderful romance. Samara arrives with two friends, and the entire friendship group feels properly fleshed out as a set of complex adults. The geekiness, as always, is perfectly accurate in a Glass novel. I have lived the Con life, and this is just fun and spot on from top to bottom.

Overall, Game On is a beautiful love story with a touch of geeky joy and a perfect quest for justice. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of Game On in exchange for my honest review!

I really loved this, not only was it fun as someone who loves video games but it was a really sweet romance too! I definitely recommend checking this one out!

I'm not really a gamer but this book is relatable and so many levels, even if you're not a gamer.

Samara is a woman of color on the internet having to deal with the trolls who don't like her both for her gender and the color of her skin. She makes a comment about a video game not having enough representation in it.

Aron, the CEO of the company producing the game takes the comet seriously and brings her on board to help diversify the game.

The more time the two of them spend together, the more they learn about. The others lives and the struggles that they have had to deal with.

I enjoyed every second of this book. The relationship between the two is really great. It was a very healthy relationship. They had open and honest conversations and the end of the book really had some amazing conversations that a lot of relationships deal with and that people need to have.

The way it was shown in this book is a great example of healthy communication and trust in a relationship.

I absolutely love her writing and cannot wait to read more from her.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG a gamer romance!! SO FUN! SO CUTE! I REALLY ENJOYED THIS! Friends to loves is the best! I really liked the connection that grew between Samara and Aron! This was funny and just filled with gamer nerd energy!

Aron Galanis, game developer and CEO of Artemis Games, has a dilemma on his hands. His company's flagship game, Legendsfall, has stirred up a lot of chatter on social media -- for the wrong reason. Popular gamer @ReyofSun posted a video review of the game, calling out the game and the company for negative depictions of Black women, and the hashtag #LegendsFoul has gone viral. Aron's confused: he has always wanted his games to be a safe space for everyone, and he's determined to track down the problem and make it right before the upcoming GamerCon.

Samara Reynolds plans to attend GamerCon with her besties Max and Quinn, all in cosplay as their online avatars, though she also has a seat on a panel discussing diversity in video gaming. She's already taken a lot of flak from online trolls for her advocacy, but she's determined to make a change, and her friends joke that she should get a job at Artemis and make changes from within. When a gamer guy approaches her after her panel and asks to discuss her viewpoint, expressing sincere interest in wanting to understand her experience, Sam finds herself caught up in the conversation (as well as his good looks and earnest desire to learn). What she doesn't expect is to attend the Artemis Games showcase a short time later and to discover that gamer guy is actually Aron -- and that he's ready to back up his public commitment to revamping the game with more diverse representation by offering Sam a job.

I'm not a gamer, but I do know the pitfalls of being a woman online, having to deal with trolls, and I have seen how much worse that vitriol gets when aimed at Black women, so I was really interested to see how Glass would handle this issue. As a feminist romance, it excels in showing how our current online environment impacts women much more negatively than it does men, in so many ways. Sam is a wonderful character, determined to pursue her love of gaming despite the blowback, and she's aware of the hazards of being an online advocate for more representation and diversity in gaming, taking precautions such as never going alone to a con and always guarding her anonymity. Beyond that, though, she's also a professional in how she handles her work with Aron (despite temptation!), and she has a solid support system in her friends and family. Aron, who reads as neurodivergent (though only his brother is labeled as autistic), is a superb hero: instead of reacting defensively to the critique of his game and company, he makes every effort to uncover the problem, enact real consequences, and continue to learn from Sam. And on a personal level, he knows he's not great at communicating or reading others, but he tries very hard to express his thoughts and feelings, to examine miscommunications, and to do better. (The man could give a master class in apologies!)

Well-crafted story, a romance I was invested in from the jump, characters I loved, and a well-earned happy ending -- this book gets a full 5 stars.

Thank you, Berkley Romance and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

i had to dnf this book, i feel bad about dnf’ing it but i’m not much of a gamer and the beginning of the book was just so hard for me to read.