Thank you so much for the ARC. This book was adorable. I loved the characters. I really enjoyed that it was not the typical quarterback/cheerleader romance.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7404974615

2.5/5

Thank you St. Martin's Press for sending me this ARC! Game on is a very easy read, and a great book for those entering romance genre. The chemistry between Hudson and Ella was cute!!

This book is very heavy on dialogue & I felt like a lot could have been cut as it didn't add to the story in my opinion. I also kept forgetting Ella was British. With this book being so dialogue heavy, there really wasn't any phrases/slang that she would that were British.

This book mainly dragged for me, but I honestly don't think I was the best target audience to read it. While this book wasn't for me, I still think younger readers will LOVE this!

ARC REVIEW!!!
3.75⭐️

I really really enjoyed this book it was such a fun read. I was a little hesitant at the beginning but once the plot picked up I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the growing friendships and communication at the end of the book i think it was written very well. I definitely recommend this to a sports romance book lover!!!!

This book was such an easy read but also very predictable and cliché. I hated Ash getting injured for the development of Ella and Hudson's relationship ☹️

i'm forever unwell because of this one. oh how much i adored it. NOW REVIEW TIME!

game on by ki stephens follows ella, an english cheerleader spending a year in nashville, and hudson, the star quarterback who’s sworn off distractions. from the moment they meet, the tension between them is undeniable, and they agree to one night together only. but when they’re forced to spend more time together, their “just one night” pact completely falls apart and the lines begin to blur.

ella and hudson are just perfect for each other. their connection felt so real and effortless, and i loved every moment of their story. hudson was so caring and gentle with ella. he never made her feel like she was too much, never treated her struggles like a problem to fix. he showed up for her, again and again and i nearly cried at one point when he stepped in.

the ocd representation was also handled with so much care and thought and you can tell how much effort went into making it authentic, and it meant so much to see that on the page. i really loved how ella showed that trauma responses aren’t a burden, that love doesn’t mean having to be “easy” all the time, and that hudson deserves someone who meets him where he is. their relationship was everything, and i truly couldn’t get enough of them and wanted forty more chapters.

also, no third-act breakup??? PERFECTION CHEFS KISS A+ ALL THE STARS!!!!! i love when a story focuses on growth and love without unnecessary annoying drama, and this book did that so well.

this book is truly just everything i wanted and more. from the very first page, i was hooked and could not put it down. ki absolutely nailed it with this book, and i cannot wait for everyone to read her first traditionally published novel because she absolutely exceeded any expectations that could have been made (,: i am just so proud of her and ahhhh i'll shush now.

overall this book is fun, emotional, swoony, and just so well written. if you love sports romance with lovable black cat characters this is a must-read!!! and i have a feeling we'll be getting a certain couples story next 👀

This is a first by this author for me and I loved the characters and the growth that they showed throughout the book.

Ella is such an independent and truly amazing character. I loved that she could hold her own and how she went after what she wanted. Hudson is an anamoly because as a football player he isn’t your usual jock that you see in books and I loved that about him.

A very fun read and I loved all the hilarious but sweet moments. These two grew so much and didn’t hold back when it came to discussing how they felt!

2.5 ⭐️
1.5 🌶️

This was okay- a fluff piece with immediate spice and little buildup. I may have read this at the wrong time so maybe my book hangover from my previous read is clouding my judgement but honestly, it’s not very good.

Thanks NetGalley and SMP for an ARC!

4 stars- I thought this book was super cute and I love the cover! I wasn't expecting the "twist" of Hudson also having a background in cheerleading so I enjoyed that different take on the football player/cheerleader narrative. I liked how Ella and Hudson grew together as friends and then into more. I hope we get more books in this world in the future- specifically Claire and Levi next!

I really enjoy this author and her storytelling, and her newest book is no exception! I loved this sports romance that wasn’t your ‘typical’ male sport only romance!

I loved this book a nice quick read didn’t take long to get into and found the characters interesting. Thanks NetGalley for the arc.

I enjoyed it so much! Fwb to lovers is one of my guilty pleasures. I really like that the fmc was strong and stood up for herself. The mmc was frustrating at the beginning but I warmed up to him. They were so cute and I'm glad they would talk instead of letting things fester.

Arc Review
4.75 ⭐

First off i would like to thank netgalley for the opportunity to read & review this gifted E-Arc.

Ella & Hudson
I loved these two. I loved watching Ella find her self and and going after what she wanted for herself. I loved seeing her stand up for her self and take charge of her life for herself. Hudson is an absolute sweetheart. I absolutely adore him and the way he fights to take care of his people and all the way he shows his emotions and isn't afraid to let Ella see him for who he is. Watching these two become friends and build a solid foundation for a relationship is so beautiful. I loved how they came together and help each other come out of their shell and just grow.

5/5 Recommend this book. Ki did really well with this book. Its a little fast pace but not so where you miss anything. This book is very fun and kinda light hearted. Also if your a fan of any of the Bring it on movies definitely read this.

Such a great cover but a predictable story. I was entertained while reading this but it isn't something I'm likely to remember. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Maybe I’m in a book slump, but Game On had me feeling like I walked into a party already in full swing—drinks poured, music blaring, and people making out in the corner—while I was still trying to figure out whose house I was in.

The story kicks off at a sprint, and by chapter two, we’re already in very intimate territory. No slow burn, no buildup—just straight into the action. While I usually love a fast-paced romance, I struggled to connect with the characters because I felt like I missed their introductions. Who are they? Why should I root for them? Give me some tension, some flirty banter, a little emotional groundwork before we dive straight into the spice!

That said, if you love books that skip the slow burn and jump straight to the heat, Game On might be your perfect match. But for me, I needed a bit more lead-up to fully invest in the romance. Maybe it’s just my book slump talking, but this one didn’t quite hit the mark.

Lighthearted with some emotional moments. With the length of the book,I feel like the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more. Their inner dialogues felt somewhat repetitive at times, and unfortunately I think the plot was just not that interesting, and sometimes predictable. Relied on cliches that are seen in every other sports romance book released in the past few years. It’s a shame since the author’s previous works, all independently published, had a touch of vulnerability and the characters conflicts were more complex and interesting. They all have some layers and a kind of softness specific to the author that differentiated them from other sports romance stories, for me. This one lacked some depth compared to those previous books. Their relationships with their parents for example, I kept being told what they were like, but never shown. The main characters could have used some more interactions with their friends and teammates just to see their personalities and their growth throughout the story, but again, not as developed as they could have been with the length of the book. I’m trying to think of standout moments from Game On, but overall I think the most memorable parts were in relation to other characters that may or may not get their stories, based on how their issues kept being brought up but ultimately not really explained. The ending was good, albeit predictable, but still satisfying enough that made me not hate it completely. It succeeded in making their makeup and ending well deserved, since before that, their relationship felt sort of surface level to me. I ended up believing in their connection a bit more towards that third act and last chapters. Would recommend to sports romance readers who don’t really pick their reads for the plot, but for the tropes and specific moments. I’m sure I would have liked this book more had it been published a year ago or so, but the amount of stories and characters that could be interchangeable with Ella and Hudson by now made me not enjoy it much. A couple spelling mistakes here and there that hopefully will not make the final book, fingers crossed.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Sweet college romance that kept me engaged to the story the whole time. It felt realistic and with the times especially at the emotionally charged ages these characters are. There were some dialogue and interactions between the main characters that felt off to me but overall they were charismatic and their chemistry was great. This author did a good job unraveling their story until the end, which did feel complete but not completely satisfying. The writing was good too and I enjoyed the way Stephens writing ebbed and flowed with the plot. I loved the male lead and his story, much different than what you'd expect from a college football hero. As they both struggle with personal insecurities they come together and find that they are better together which is a trope I adore reading and Ki Stephens does not disappoint.

Game On is such a classic fluffy sports romance. Hudson and Ella’s story, while not new to the world of romance reads, is so beautifully written. The classic unknown of falling for someone but being insecure in yourself and your worth is a common problem when dating and Hudson and Ella are not the exception.
They both struggle with their own past and identities of themselves that through each other they find who they’re meant to be.

The author clearly knows what she’s talking about when she writes about the cheer aspect of the story with realistic visual details that make you feel like you’re the one flying in the air. Her descriptive details on both the cheer and football plotlines are well written. If you yourself are in a sport or have an understanding of the concept of what it means to work hard for what you want you’ll love this book.

The plot wasn’t anything I haven’t read before and there were no surprising plot developments I didn’t see coming. Yet, despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is something I’d recommend reading on vacation or introducing into a book club. It’s light, fluffy, and heartfelt. Hudson makes you yearn for a lover that pines for just a glance of you while Ella makes you wish for someone to love you no matter your faults. I’d be willing to read more from this author and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I loved Ki Stephen’s Coastal University Series, so I was excited to read this one. Game On follows Ella, a cheerleader, and Hudson, a quarterback, who meet at a bar and end up spending the night together. What started as a one-night stand became more than either one had ever anticipated. This was a fast, fun, and easy read. The banter and chemistry were enjoyable, and the conflict wasn’t too overly drawn out or dramatic. An exciting and promising start to new characters and a new world.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The cover got me on this one. But the story truly did not work for me. I did not enjoy the beginning but I pushed through, the middle was okay and the ending just didn't work. It truly made for a mediocre read. Not my favorite.