Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for the arc of this book!

If you are a self-proclaimed nerd, a lover of Lord of the Rings, or a gamer (of either video games and/or board games), then you will likely LOVE this book!

A few things to note:
* the banter is top notch and the tension is HIGH
* the times when things would get spicy are fade to black, which usually isn’t my thing, but it really worked in this book and the yearning was so good that I didn’t even care
* this book does contain a workplace harassment subplot (take care while reading)
* the side characters are some of the most amazing and supportive friends ever, and I love them!

Overall, this was a super fun read. I loved the first 75% of the book but felt like the last 25% was a bit rushed and slightly over the top in my opinion. However, the banter and my love of the characters kept me invested! 4⭐️

Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel is a cute rom-com with a playfulness I didn’t expect.

William and Rose take center stage, but their romance takes a while to evolve. There’s a lot of gaming, board games, best friends, laugh-out-loud moments, and some steam, too. There’s also a lot of goal setting, plans, dreams, and details that add layers to the story and the characters but they don’t always gel.

Rose is best friends with Shaun, a coworker she shares an office with, and Neema, her roommate. Rose introduces them, and the rest is history. William is Shaun’s half-brother, and that has its own issues. William and Rose can often be found sniping at each other, but does it cover up other feelings? Their group of friends meets weekly for game night, a central theme, and they are definitely nerds.

Multiple stories were told, and some were addressed better than others. There are a few surprises along the way and lots of doubts and misunderstandings. Communication is key and was sometimes nonexistent. There is also some workplace harassment. The epilogue gives a lot of closure, but I wish it had been a little longer. There are several happily ever afters that were nicely portrayed.

Playing Flirty is a rom-com with friends who are there for each other, whether playing games or dealing with more serious situations. Sit back with your game controller or a board game and enjoy the fun.

The review is posted on NovelsAlive.

This was my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more! I loved the banter and tension in this enemies to lovers with a twist rom-com! This also definitely had the trope/s of he-falls-first/he-falls-harder, which is always a reader fave! "Playing Flirty" uses the theme of gaming to bring the FMC and MMC to work together on a novel board game idea. And although these two characters are absolutely delightful (100% cheering them on!) all of the beautiful adult friendships that surround these two are phenomenal. The author does such an incredible job of blending real-life with fiction in this one. Easy 4-star read!!! *I received a complimentary audio copy from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

This was such a fun and cute book. I really loved the game design and play aspect of the story. Rose and William had such fun and flirty banter. This was relatively low on the spice front but still had a lot of longing and chemistry. I loved all of the side characters too. While this was fun there were still some serious aspects involving workplace harassment involving Rose and her boss. This appears to be a debut novel by the author Shameez Patel. It was so enjoyable that I will be keeping an eye out for what she does next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ALC in exchange for the honest review.

3.5 stars. A fun, nerdy rivals to lovers story.

Rose Marie Jones has her Life Goals, with her whole future all mapped out. She ends up entering a contest with the board games she's been secretly working on her years. Her best friend's half-brother, William Ashdern, brings out her hyper-competitive side, but he's also the best person to help her perfect the game. As they spend more time "Playing Nice" and working together, their feelings start to change. Will Rose risk it all?

The concept of this book is so strong. I love that we get to read about a board game nerd, since so often nerdy gamers are into video games (although we also get that side with William). Their friend group is also very strong, and I enjoy all the secondary characters. Rose grows a lot during this book, which also helps readers connect to her.

I think to me the pacing is the biggest struggle. Rose and William start having feelings very early (this is not really enemies-to-lovers, despite how it's pitched) and the conflicts feel a bit contrived. I wish we got to see a bit more of them bantering and working on Rose's game, which also ends up a secondary plot in the story.

Overall, I did really enjoy the story and I would be very interested to see more of their world and read other books by this author. I recommend this book to anyone who loves nerdy characters and fun romances; it's a great vacation read as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks Forever for the ARC and to LIbro FM for the ALC of this one! This one really surprised me and I enjoyed it so much! All of the nerdy details were a delight and the romance was oh so sweet! I think I was expecting something super duper lighthearted but there was a surprising amount of depth and emotional detail included in the story. I read the whole thing in a few days and will definitely be looking for others by Shameez Patel in the future! If you are looking for a quick romance, this one is it!

This was such a good read! This is a new to me author that will not be adding to my list.

The banter was so good! I loved the gaming reference but some things did go over my head.

I really loved this!

This was a fun and enjoyable read. It was cosy, nerdy and romantic. This follows the story of Rose and her ‘sutuationship’ with her best friend’s brother, William.

I love the ‘multicultural’ aspect of it even though I was expecting way more than the book delivered on that aspect.

I also loved the fact that it celebrates gaming, board games and the fact that anyone can be a gamer.

I loved the found family trope and the relationship between all of the friends and the idea of games night.

It deals with some sensitive topics such as harassment at work, sexual harassment.

But I felt it lacked something that can take it up a notch. The pacing was off. It was first, slow and then fast again. Then there was so much going on with Rose and her life.

Also, the issue with William’s parentage should have been settled way earlier than it did.

If you like nerdy characters and serious gamers, then you will enjoy

3.5 stars

My first read of 2025 and what a sweet way to start the new year! I had a good time reading this book. I thought the chemistry and back and forth between the main characters was really fun. I loved the little forbidden aspect of their relationship., it brought out something really cool in their relationship. I also adored the friend group. The fmc's bestfriends are so cute and I love how they care about her.

However, I have two main issues with this story. First is the pacing. I thought the main characters started fooling around a too early in my opinion. I would have preferred to see the tension last longer. To me, it would have been more genuine and made more sense to the characters. My other issue is that the story stayed a bit surface level. Different topics would be brought up and quickly resolved or not talked about enough. It that would have been interesting to see developped more.

I still recommend this book for a sweet read!

4.25 stars

There was a lot to love in this story especially if you are a nerd and/or gamer! A little rivals to lovers and best friend's brother romance between two gamers full of tension and secrets. I loved their quick moments alone and the game they played with each other behind the scenes. I wasn't a huge fan of the FMC already being in a relationship at the beginning but I think it ended up working for the story more than I expected. However the return of the ex...wasn't my favorite. Otherwise though, I had a great time and found the story to be fun and well written!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I liked a number of things about this book, including the Comic Con meet-cute, the competitive flirty banter between the FMC and MMC, and the fun secondary characters, especially the representation of supportive female friendships.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect for a long time as Rose willfully ignored the fact that she was being sexually harassed at work and stuck with Patrick when William was right there - just for the sake of her “Life Goals,” when it seemed like it would be more in character to look for an alternate win condition. Also, the board game references seemed very surface and didn’t hit for me as a player.
Overall, I thought this book was fine, but there are others in the genre I have enjoyed more.

Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel is a sweet contemporary romance about two frenemies who forge a bond over board games. Rose Marie Jones may not have her dream job and her relationship status is best described as lukewarm acquaintances, but she has big dreams if she’s only willing to take the risks. William Ashdern is Rose’s best friend’s half-brother, her favorite nemesis, and a game designer. When an opportunity arises for Rose to develop the board game she’s spent most of her life building, she decides to risk it all, but she’ll need William’s help if she’s going to succeed.

I really enjoyed this story. Rose is a fun, relatable character. She’s working at a job she hates because it is stable, something she never had growing up. She had plenty of love, but never a home. Her parents lived their life chasing the wind, never really settling down in one place long. So Rose measures success by stability. She has a spreadsheet of her life goals, ready to meet each one: promotion at her job, complete her MBA (which she again hates), marry her longtime boyfriend, and have 2.5 kids. You get the gist. With her best friends newly engaged and her own engagement nowhere in sight, Rose is having a crisis of the heart. Are her life goals attainable, AND are they what she really wants?

Enter William. William and Rose have a mutual dislike for each other. At least that’s what Rose believes. They bring out the competitive side in each other. With game night each week at his brother’s apartment, William reluctantly joins when they need an extra player. The banter between Rose and William is great. They truly make each other work for the win. William brings out feelings in Rose that she’d forgotten she had, like butterflies and attraction for starters.

Overall, I really enjoyed Playing Flirty. While the story focuses on Rose finding what she really wants in her life, it also deals with some heavier topics including workplace harassment. The author handles these delicately, and I feel depicted a true to life scenario. I loved the banter between Rose and William, but also their friends. If you are looking for a sweet romance, I highly recommend this one.

I enjoyed this book! The characters were really relatable, and had some real world issues. I enjoyed how serious this book was, while also lighthearted. I will definitely suggest we carry it at my bookstore, and will look out for more titles from this author.

More nerd romances in 2025 and 2026. Please. PLEASE!!! I had so much fun reading this and quite literally couldn’t put my arc down! Speaking of, thank you sooo much to the folks at Forever for sending me this copy through Netgalley!

Rose has her life all planned out in a spreadsheet. Promotion. Proposal. 1.75 kids and some pets. Her job isn’t one she’d have chosen for herself, but it pays the bills, and she gets to work with her friend Shaun, so it’s not too bad, right? When Shaun proposes to Rose’s best friend Neema, all of her plans fall to a halt. Her boyfriend was supposed to propose first.

To top off her own love life falling flat, there’s a board game competition, and Rose’s lifelong project is something she’s debating on entering. After playing it at their weekly game night, Shaun’s brother William, Rose’s arch nemesis in all gaming, offers to help her improve her board game concept: and to play a game between them of their own.

Playing Flirty is equal parts funny, dramatic, and flirtatious! Full of pop culture references my fellow nerds are bound to enjoy.

Haven’t posted review on socials yet but will update with links!

Really great debut rom com!

I truly enjoyed this book. It is a workplace romance but they work in the game industry. Electronic, board games, etc, it was cool to hear those conversations, its still a little difficult to explain what they do exactly. I think that there were times the author maybe assumed us readers know what this industry is, so better setting description and building were skipped. I could have used more help in that because they are so dependent on that proximity.

I may be unique in the sense that i dont mind cheating when they couple is meant to be together. Very a la Olivia Pope and Fitz. Plus the FMC's boyfriend is wack!

I am still sitting with the feelings of the SH at work though. I do know and feel the realistic approach and apprehension, it felt like reactions and decisions many of us would make. So there is understanding there. I am not sure if I needed more aggressive outlook on it. Still sitting with that.

But the banter is great, side characters are nice and lively too! Great steam!

I absolutely LOVED Playing Flirty. I couldn’t resist binging this book. It was quite simply fun. I loved everything from the characters to the focus on games to the sizzling chemistry. The FMC, Rose, was so relatable between her love of games/all things nerdy and struggles when her life goals weren’t aligning with reality. I also adored the friend group that Rose surrounded herself with. Patel wrote this in such a way that you can easily image sitting down with the group and hopping right into a game with good food and friends. I also really want to play Rose’s board game after all of this. I appreciated the level of detail and accuracy that Patel put into the various games that were mentioned in the story. The tension and banter between Rose and William was incredible. I could not get enough of these two. The way they tried to one up each other in their game was absolutely perfect. I am obsessed with great banter, and Patel could write the book on banter. I also appreciate how William always had Rose’s back. Also, I was obsessed with the call back moment (IYKYK). This book was everything I never knew I needed, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I love a good nerdy romcom so I was so excited when I heard about this book and overall, I really enjoyed the story. The romance was very sweet and I liked how the board/video games were incorporated into the story and Rose's and William's obvious passion for games. The friend was also very cute and I liked the different personalities, they all felt like very different people which I appreciated.

Rose in the beginning of the book drove me crazy a little bit (which I understand is kind of the point) in that she was such a doormat and for what reason? She wasn't happy with any part of her life except for game night but she went along with whatever she was told to do. However, that did make her character development in the latter half so much more satisfying. I do wonder why her friends did not say more about her being so obviously unhappy.

I do find certain parts of her romance with William a bit...unbelievable. I feel like things switched from rivals to lovers very quickly and I doubt that she wouldn't realize for years who he was (which was easy to guess on the readers end) and then suddenly just a couple of words made her remember. That could definitely be me being nitpicky though. Though I didn't find William that likable in the beginning, by the end, I'd warmed up to him and he was very sweet. I loved his support of Rose and going way above and beyond to try to make her dreams come true.

I did feel like there were a lot of different storylines going and the book had to go on a bit to get everything kind of wrapped up but it didn't drag so much that I was bored by any means.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed the latter half of the book more than the first half but had a great time overall and would highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars
I was really hoping to love this one so much more than I did. I initially picked it up because of the board game and geeky/nerdy themes. And while those are here, I had some issues with the book that didn't allow me to enjoy it as much.
The writing when you first get into the book is not that great. It is full of adjectives to an annoying degree and many instances of people 'hopping' and 'skipping' around. Now, I don't know if I got used to the writing (or if it actually got better), but after the first 20% or so, I didn't notice it being annoying anymore.
In addition, we have some parts that I just didn't like being included. Our main character, Rose, was in a relationship with another man (who she thought she was going to get engaged to) up until about 29% of the way through the book. I do not like a romance to start with the main character in a doomed relationship. It feels icky.
For a book that is supposed to be about our main character creating a new unique board game and entering it in a competition, all the game nights that are attended had games like Clue(do) and Monopoly. I sort of wished for some more recent board games since that was more in line with what Rose was making.
We also have some casual fatphobia at one point, and a sexual harassment storyline. Just FYI.
That being said, by the end, I did root for the real relationship. I really liked William and actually wanted more development for him. He was the best part, but the ending felt a bit rushed.
I do think I will give this author another try in the future.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars!

This was SO ADORABLE. I enjoyed this book so much. I loved the friend group and the dynamic. I'm glad that Patrick didn't end up being a total villain, that was a refreshing bit for me. That even though he wanted Rosie, he respected her and left when she asked, and was always respectful of her wishes and body. I immediately knew who Gandalf was, I was sort of bummed that it wasn't that well disguised. Maybe it wasn't meant to be? I adored how unapologetically nerdy Rosie was and in turn, her friend group. Who supported her and never shamed her. Though I could have poked Shaun in the eye for telling Rosie not to go to HR. Girl should have RUN the first time, but I also understand why she didn't.

I liked how much William supported Rosie and in turn, Rosie doing the same. Though I don't understand why he kept telling Rosie to wait. Even when he explained it, I didn't get it? Overall, GREAT book. I couldn't put it down. I started it in the evening and when I realized it was midnight and my Kindle said I only had an hour left, well, sleep sacrifices were made. Well worth it.

I took off half a quarter star because of the "spice". I creeped on the author before reading and fully understood that this was a not quite closed door, but more of a beaded curtain book. I can see where the analogy is coming from. You know what is happening and how, but you don't see it. The flowery words were.... confusing so I didn't actually know what was happening. The kitchen syrup scene, I actually had no clue anything happened. It was really poorly executed and worded. I had to re-read it twice to fully grasp that they were doing anything.. I felt like the scenes with Patrick were more explicit than the William scenes. It left me confused. I'm not saying it needed to be on the page, but it could have been done MUCH better. The other quarter star is the timeline. "A few weeks went by" and then it was only one? They had a month and a half before the game submission, SIX WEEKS. But a few weeks kept going by and at that point it felt if you added up the few weeks we were looking at more like three months.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4 stars

I am a SUCKER for nerdy romances, and even the board game competition was a bit less present than I'd wanted, the characters themselves were very nerdy and very game-oriented, which made up for it. Some of the plot points felt like they didn't lead into the story as a whole, and other bits felt resolved quickly. The writing could also feel a bit weak/repetitive at times.

None of this took from my enjoyment of the book, though. It's cute, it's nerdy, and I liked the characters. I wanted to fight some peeps when they hurt/upset Rose or William. I also like that William is just one big fluff bunny. Rose also had this big thing about life goals and excel and stuff, and I loved that even though she grew, these aspects weren't tossed away for being restrictive but instead evolved. It was nice seeing that because so many others would have their character give up things that are seen as lame and over the top.

Overall, a really fun nerdy rom-com that I'd definitely recommend to people who like that type of stuff. There is a content warning of workplace harassment, and if that bothers you, please take the warning seriously, because there's definitely some uncomfy moments.