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stephxsu's review
4.0
Ian Striker desperately wants to join the FBI, an ultrasecret group of the coolest, most popular guys in and out of Cross High School. To do so, he and the other “recruits” must complete some tests. For Ian, he has to make a random girl, Kylie Winship, agree to sleep with him within three weeks.
At first Ian thinks his test is a royal pain. Kylie isn’t even that good-looking, and she was definitely not the kind of girl Ian wanted his friends to see him with. But as he grudgingly hangs out with Kylie in order to make her fall for him, he begins—much to his horror—to have feelings for her as well.
Kylie knows very well the type of player Ian has always been. But every time they kiss and every time he looks into her eyes, she is pretty sure she sees something in him, an emotion that’s pure and real.
What will become of the two young people when Ian’s task is revealed and Kylie is humiliated?
Once again Dana Davidson writes an easy-to-read, easy to relate to novel about young people nowadays. She is without a doubt one of the most accessible African American writers for young adults, and her books should not be missed especially by romantics!
At first Ian thinks his test is a royal pain. Kylie isn’t even that good-looking, and she was definitely not the kind of girl Ian wanted his friends to see him with. But as he grudgingly hangs out with Kylie in order to make her fall for him, he begins—much to his horror—to have feelings for her as well.
Kylie knows very well the type of player Ian has always been. But every time they kiss and every time he looks into her eyes, she is pretty sure she sees something in him, an emotion that’s pure and real.
What will become of the two young people when Ian’s task is revealed and Kylie is humiliated?
Once again Dana Davidson writes an easy-to-read, easy to relate to novel about young people nowadays. She is without a doubt one of the most accessible African American writers for young adults, and her books should not be missed especially by romantics!
sophilozophy's review
2.0
A part of me likes this book and another, really hates it. It's not that I hate the book itself or how it's written, but what Ian does. The worst thing is that I can actually imagine something like this happening in reality.
Usually, I'm the kind of person that wants the everybody's friends again, kiss and make up, sun is shining, birds are singing ending. Not this time. If I was Kylie, I don't think I could forgive Ian for the things he did, even if he was sorry.
A lot of people understand and have dealt with peer pressure, but that's never an excuse to be cruel.
Usually, I'm the kind of person that wants the everybody's friends again, kiss and make up, sun is shining, birds are singing ending. Not this time. If I was Kylie, I don't think I could forgive Ian for the things he did, even if he was sorry.
A lot of people understand and have dealt with peer pressure, but that's never an excuse to be cruel.
izzy_1004_'s review
2.0
Great story, although not that oringinal. The ending was expected, also I thought it was lacking something. Overall, a good book.
toffishay's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A sweet enough YA romance. I read it initially in high school and then read it again and found it lacking. Characters do have to overcome their preconceived notions and be who they want to be without the expectations of others, which is always a good message for kids. It's just a bit forgettable.
somanybooksineedmoretime's review
3.0
Method: hardback
Rating: 3/5 stars
H rating: 3/5 - Ian
h rating: 4/5 - Kylie
Drama: 3/5
Thoughts: Not a fan of the H..but like another reviewer said..it almost felt that the author didn't want us to really like him..
chibereading's review
2.0
I had very high expectations for Played after reading Dana Davidson's incredible book Jason and Kyra. After waiting over 4 months for this book to finally become available on paperback swap, I was really disappointed with the outcome.
In this book Ian is one of the finest more popular guys in Kylie's school. And he suddenly finds interest in her. Little does she know that it is only because of a bet. A bet that consists of Ian getting Kylie to fall for him, and sleep with him, in order to be initiated into some sort of popular fraternity. If you are anything like me, you are cringing at the mere thought of a guy willing to stoop so cruelly and so low in order to be a part of a crowd.
The plot went on like any other contemporary romance, except for the opposing thoughts of the two main characters. Kylie thinking that this guy who seems so ashamed of her at school is slowing falling in love with her, and Ian thinking that he only has a limited amount of time to STEAL Kylie's virginity in order to be part of the innermost in crowd. I could never get into the romance in this book because of how cruel and fake it seemed from my perspective, but I kind of feel like that may have been the author's objective when writing this book.
Ian is a creep. He can embellish all of his feelings and motives as much as he wants, but it takes a truly cruel person to be capable of such a thing. I actually admired Kylie in the beginning of the book. She takes care of her brother and sister, is in charge of a lot of things within her household, and barely utters a complaint. But by the end of the book, I felt she was acting a little bit naive. Emotions get in the way of logic I assume.
Overall, I did not really enjoy this book. But for some reason, I think that Dana Davidson expected this to be a book that will not be welcomed as well as others since this romance didn't spring as true as the others. It may have been meant to teach a lesson, and I have to say: Message Received!
http://blackandblueink.blogspot.com/
In this book Ian is one of the finest more popular guys in Kylie's school. And he suddenly finds interest in her. Little does she know that it is only because of a bet. A bet that consists of Ian getting Kylie to fall for him, and sleep with him, in order to be initiated into some sort of popular fraternity. If you are anything like me, you are cringing at the mere thought of a guy willing to stoop so cruelly and so low in order to be a part of a crowd.
The plot went on like any other contemporary romance, except for the opposing thoughts of the two main characters. Kylie thinking that this guy who seems so ashamed of her at school is slowing falling in love with her, and Ian thinking that he only has a limited amount of time to STEAL Kylie's virginity in order to be part of the innermost in crowd. I could never get into the romance in this book because of how cruel and fake it seemed from my perspective, but I kind of feel like that may have been the author's objective when writing this book.
Ian is a creep. He can embellish all of his feelings and motives as much as he wants, but it takes a truly cruel person to be capable of such a thing. I actually admired Kylie in the beginning of the book. She takes care of her brother and sister, is in charge of a lot of things within her household, and barely utters a complaint. But by the end of the book, I felt she was acting a little bit naive. Emotions get in the way of logic I assume.
Overall, I did not really enjoy this book. But for some reason, I think that Dana Davidson expected this to be a book that will not be welcomed as well as others since this romance didn't spring as true as the others. It may have been meant to teach a lesson, and I have to say: Message Received!
http://blackandblueink.blogspot.com/
thisgrrlreads's review
2.0
Suburban kids in a place like Detroit learning about relationships and the difference between respecting someone and acting a fool. Sometimes stilted but the plot hooks you from the start. The high school in the book is based on the school the author teaches at and it comes across as authentic.
justkeyreads's review
4.0
Davidson has done it again, and I just thought this was so good. It's amazing how one girl can make a guy change everything about himself to be with her.
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