Games We Play: One Night Series, Book 1

This was just what I needed! 😍💥 Something different, refreshing and novella length to take me out of my book slump! This is very instalovey, which usually isn’t quite my thing because I need to feel more of a deeper connection to the book characters that I read about, but I was so intrigued by the concept of the H, that I overlooked my usual hangups with IL and pressed on. I’m so glad I did! This is a snapshot in the life of two people who fall for each other in a short time span with lots of heat 🌶 .This story is about an anonymous gamer, Jack, who hides his identity when streaming and he has this uniquely, distinctive voice and the h, Quinnlann signs an NDA and her job is to interview him for an article she’s working on. After first meeting each other, they have an immediate attraction to one another, and they both agree she will stay with him for one night only.I think if you enjoyed the erotic novella, The Dare by Harley Laroux, you will enjoy this hot, gamer novella immensely! The only thing I struggled a bit with personally was that I knew H had felt strong feelings for the h, you get his POV the entire book, so I felt how much he cared about her safety, satisfaction and the overall happiness he felt having her by his side, but I didn’t feel it as strongly from h, this could be because there was not really a POV from the h, or it could just be my own interpretation while reading, because of the instalove connection and shorter length of the story. I just felt a bit of a disconnect there, but nothing too crazy that would take me out of the book or anything.I also like that the author wrote the h as being a bit sassy, bratty, and she’s actually not a stick figure. I do kinda wish there was more of a glimpse into the interview she was assigned for. Maybe like a little snippet or something at the end, but essentially we never find out what happens with the article after it’s all over. I just wanted to know how that aspect all worked out but I realize this wasn’t supposed to be too focused on that part after they fell for each other, the story is more or less about them. But I would totally read a bonus scene, outtake of their interview or article the h wrote about him in the future or extended story if that ever came to fruition. 💗😍The Hero, Jack aka “Joker”, is just such a goner for her. His inner monologuing is so sweet, filthy, and claimy! I really enjoyed his character. The mysterious, mask-wearing, gamer Hero is definitely a trope I need more of! I’ve been looking for more film fan/gamer Hero romances and this was just really refreshing to read! I just wish it were longer! 🔥 Also, I should note that this is not a dark romance, even though the cover may make you think that, it’s not heavy or dark. There is some kinky elements, but nothing too crazy. I really enjoyed this story, it’s a hot bite to sink your teeth into if you’re in between reads or if you just need something short but steamy to divert your attention in the middle of a reading slump. 4/5 **** I’ll definitely be reading more of this new to me-author! ☺️Breakdown:POV (Hero’s only. 1 chapter dedicated to a friend of his, Wes’ POV)H is a gamer, unique voiceH wears a maskGamer RomanceJournalism romanceCelebrity romanceSocial media/Streamer HHero has Heterochromiah is a journalist/writer but wants to become an authorh is curvyLight BDSM/collaring/degradation/filthy talking Hh isn’t a virgin, but hasn’t been satisfied by her past relationships (H fixes this)H has never had a long-term relationship (h fixes this 😅 too)H owns different clubsH had a unique set of friends (who I hope all get books too!) 💗Jealous/possessive HKinky/Steamy novella 🔥Erotic/gamer novellaThis isn’t a dark romance. H is very conscientious of h’s safety/consent at all times.Triggers: mention of suicide attempt (past)No cheating/sharingLinear storyline (no past/present jumps)Epilogue (time jump a year later after ending)HEA/Standalone

4/5 ⭐5/5🌶Games We Play is my first read by Dana Isaly. It was a great introduction to her and how steamy the sexy scenes she car write get.I'm telling you it's off the Scoville scale.When sween Quin comes to interview the Internationally recognized and wildly popular Faceless Gamer she's there to do a job. Get the interview and give her boss's a amazing article. She never expected to fall in lust at first sight.Jack has everything really, he's successfully done just about everything he set out to. He Streams and has a huge following. He's living the life he's worked forever for. Hes a lone wolf though and he has cravings for the exotic and taboo. Hes a dominant force and loves control. He brings women to their knees and they beg him for more. His followers beg him to talk some of the wildest an sexiest things over the mic and he gets paid to bring them pleasure without having to even be around them.His uncontrollable attraction to Miss Quin is so strong he can't fight it. They are explosive. They are wild. They are the definition of erotic.This short story will have you so hot and bothered your gonna need to ice yourself down.There are trigger warnings on subjects like attempted suicide, degradation play and mental health issues. Please check your trigger warnings before reading.I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will definitely be looking for more of Dana's books.

Aww, this was honestly such a cute, quick read. I love me a good HEA. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

This book is definitely smut with a touch of story. Short sweet and to the point. A fun read about Joker and Quinlan. I did enjoy it and love the cover art.

This book was spicy as heck!! It was written so well!! I have no words to express how incredible of a read this was!!

This book is a must read 📚... the spice leve is 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶hot ....the plot is great 👍 👌 👏 she did it again Ms Isaly can't write a bad book... as we say in the Antigua 🇦🇬 "big up ya self"

I love a happy ending. Oh my God I’m so in love with this book the spicy scenes where everything oh my God I love it. I love it. I love it.

If you’re looking for something dark, mysterious, crazy hot, and a little taboo… you’ve come to the right place. Check your pearls at the door and enter this world for a night of pleasure and maybe even a little pain.Jack “The Joker” is an online voice actor, a streamer, and a man of many secrets. One of which is his face. Hiding behind a mask allows him to not only keep his identity a secret, but also gives his dark side a chance to roam free. It’s a side of him he doesn’t show too many, but when he does they often come back begging for more.Quinn is given the task of interviewing “The Joker” and does her research very thoroughly. When she finds out that people pay him to say certain things online, she becomes curious and will do whatever it takes to know more about his world. Even if that means surrendering to a stranger. For an entire night.Thoroughly entertaining, the book is written entirely from the male point of view, which is pretty different in the spicy book world. Seeing the character development from his side and how she reacts to it is actually kind of heartwarming. Another unique feature to this book!I listened to the audiobook while following along on Kindle and let me tell you - the narrator did not disappoint! This is his first audiobook so I wouldn’t say it’s the greatest quality, but for a short and spicy novella it was pretty good. Definitely worth a listen.

The plot line in one line: Jack, aka ‘Joker’, introduces Quin to the world of sexual degradation, bedroom toys and getting off on hurting others.The good and the bad: The type of kinks in Games We Play is not my bag, but I do appreciate that the author dared to explore some of the much more ‘taboo’ fantasies than other authors dare to. (One of the kinks crossed the line though, in my opinion - more on that later).In general the writing was alright, which you don’t generally find with more niche books, which tend to be littered with spelling and grammar mistakes, and inconsistencies.So why the one star?Three reasons:Quin does something really dangerous by agreeing to a kinky night with a stranger. She and Jack do not discuss boundaries and limits - she just allows this person she’s known only 45 minutes to tie her up! I get that this book is meant to provide escapism, but I personally feel romance writers should also be a bit responsible in their writing, especially where readers might be “inspired” by the story.I also disliked that Quin and Jack did not practice safe sex. They had no discussion about whether they were clear of sexual infections before Jack went raw dog (without Quin’s permission!). The topic of contraception only comes up after Jack has already come inside Quin.Lastly, and possibly the thing I disliked the most, was the sexualisation of non-consensual violence toward others.***SPOILER START*** Jack and Quin get off on Jack badly hurting someone else. ***SPOILER END***I can’t condone that in a romance book.Even putting those gripes aside, my verdict is that this is not a clever short story. It’s just about (sometimes dodgy) kinky sex from almost page one until the end.

Oh my god I’m obsessed! I so wish this book was longer I need more jack and Quinlan! I knew we would get the spice early on as it’s a novella but this was hot from the get go!!! The chemistry between these 2 oh my god talk about hot as hell! I loved getting an introduction to jacks friends who we will see more of! Even tho it was a few hours in a club with jack and his friends quinlan just fit perfectly into the group it was so enjoyable to see the boys fall in love with having her around! And that office scene… damn that was hot! I’ve been dying to read this since it’s release because everyone is raving about this book and it honestly didn’t disappoint! I just wanted more and more! READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!

This author was on Tiktok and this book sounded intriguing, so I thought I'd give it a go. I enjoyed the chemistry between Jack and quinlan, she seemed like a fun character, but as you get further into the story, you discover her life has taken her to some dark places. The blurb I saw online made me believe this was a bbw book, which I guess her weight issues were reflected, but I didn't get that vibe from quin. I loved Jack's friend's. They really are the best to have your back and I can't wait to read their stories too. The only thing I would have preferred is if the book was longer and we got to see more of Jack's kinky side and how he could lead win further into that side of life. Great short read.

I enjoyed reading this story, however I felt there was something missing. It was quite a short story, the characters were good, both Quinlan and Jack, the storyline was okay but there it just seemed to lack something. Jack’s character was supposed to have this dark, deviant side but it didn’t really come across like that. There was no epic dark, sexy scene that was expected. We had some sexy scenes, some fun and games a bit of drama. I didn’t want to give it 3 stars as there was nothing wrong with the writing, but I just feel a bit disappointed.

4.5 starsThis Novella....DAMN! Can I have a guy like Jack please?This pair are amazing! The sexual tension and spicy scenes just make them that much better.I love that Quin is shown to bee a curvier woman. we see so few of these and I think that's what I loved the most. Plus the way she came out of herself the more confident she became.Jack's possessiveness is just DAMN! I just wish their story was longer! I could have happily reads a 300 page book about them!