Role Playing
Ratings44
Average rating4.1
Discovered this on a whim with my Kindle Unlimited subscription. You can get the audiobook with your membership too and read along with the voices!
Overall I liked the story and the concept. The characters were nuanced and not perfect, but also believable and relatable at times.
I had issues with the latter half of the book when we find more about Aiden. I felt like certain things were rushed when they necessarily shouldn't be, especially given the circumstances. I think I would have liked to see Aiden and Maggie get together sooner but have more time in the story to let their relationship grow.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this one. It did drag just a little in the middle. The issues with Aidan's family genuinely made me angry, but the MCs' reactions (especially Maggie) aligned with what I would have liked to say in the situations, which almost never happens. (I do wish Sheryl had been punched honestly. It would have been cathartic.) I also wish we'd gotten at least a hint about his family situation in the epilogue, even if he no longer has a relationship with any of them; it's such a big plot point, and it's left feeling slightly unresolved. Other than that, my complaints are nitpicky.
This was so good!!
I love that this just diverted from the conventional stereotypes - characters nearing their 50s, introverts, in the gaming community. It was just so refreshing to read and well written.
I'll definitely be looking for more from this author if she's this good.
As an older gamer I loved this book. Fun, a break from normal reads and enjoyable.
This was the definition of a cosy read and I'm happy I've picked it up.
I loved that this is about an older and geek couple falling in love (50s), that they are both introverts and that the story included much more issues than the romance.
I have a preference for friends to lovers because of how much more real everything feels, and in this case it was specially relevant as the MMC is demi.
I've found it a bit slow paced, and I would probably have excluded some of the final issues that felt unfinished. However, not everything in life has a solution, and this way it mimics more what would be the reality.
Overall, it was a beautiful love story, full of kindness, acceptance and companionship. I absolutely recommend it to all romance readers.
3.5 stars rounded up
3.5 ⭐️
grumpy fmc and cinnamon roll mmc with some really lovely demi rep! and they're gamers! the writing left a little to be desired at times but the characters were great and i loved the rep. heads up for some tough topics as well (aging parents, queerphobia, toxic relationships).
Okay, I loved this. Like absolutely with all my heart adored this couple and the journey they went on to loving each other. Definitely plan on re-reading this in the future.
This was soo sweet and satisfying and funny! I loved these characters figuring each other out and also helping each other figure themselves out–especially Maggie telling Aiden she learned about demisexuality from reading romance novels. Meta representational win!
And I LOVED that it's a romance novel set in a small town where these 2 misfits who don't belong in the small town...fuck off and move to Seattle at the end! Hell yeah
Cozy, feel good, friends-to-lovers romance that centers around identifying and demanding the love and acceptance you deserve.
Online gaming is part of the plot but it's definitely approachable for readers who aren't familiar with that. There's gaming references throughout but it's much more focused on the relationships between the characters.
I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, slow burn romance. Also for people who daydream of having the perfect comeback in an argument because this book is full of those kind of satisfying moments.
Read if you like:
- MCs over the age of 40
- Gamers
- Introverts
- Slow Burn
- Family Focused
- Single Parent
- Friends to Lovers
- LGBTQ+ Rep
A rare thing of beauty - an engaging contemporary romance featuring two middle-aged MCs. Maggie and Aidan start out as online RPG pals, and then progress to IRL friends and finally lovers. Throughout the novel they talk to each other about their issues and concerns, and there is scarcely an argument, much less a Third Act Breakup to be found. Maggie is a grumpy introvert who cares deeply for her college-aged son but DGAF about what anyone else thinks about her. Aiden is a sweet bi/demisexual introvert whose only flaw is his willingness to tolerate unwarranted hostility from his mother and sister-in-law.
Two caveats that might affect your enjoyment of the book: 1) the MCs don't meet in person until the 40% mark, although they start interacting online much earlier; and 2) Aiden's mother is a toxic narcissist who constantly berates, threatens and manipulates him. I was extremely triggered during their scenes together, although Aiden does stand up for himself (with Maggie's help) by the novel's conclusion.
Although I can't call this a thoroughly “feel good” novel due to the family dynamics, it was a lovely, mature romance. I will definitely re-read it, skipping over any chapters that feature Aiden's pathological mother. More romances with MCs who qualify for AARP cards, please!
Not sure. This was a slow story about a show burn romance. It was cute but I had to push thru for sure. The last 25% was much better. I'm not really a gamer so maybe it just didn't speak to me?