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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Anything Kandi writes, I’ll read! I’m currently working my way through her entire back catalog. I dove into The Right Player before this book, so a few plot points were spoiled for me (facepalm). Lesson learned!
Characters
Zach: I absolutely loved him. Strong, caring, and the perfect hero for this story. He had a few questionable moments, but by the end, he had completely won me over.
Gemma: I struggled to connect with her. I understand why she clung to control and didn’t want to be seen as “the bad person” in her marriage, but she ended up sacrificing more than anyone should—for someone who hurt her. Her constant need to affirm her control felt excessive, but I get where she was coming from.
Pacing & Dialogue
The pacing was spot-on! It kept me turning pages, making this a quick and engaging read! Some of the dialogue felt cheesy, but considering it was published in 2018, that kind of tone fits the era. I cringed a few times, but overall it added a nostalgic charm.
🎧 Audiobook Impressions
- Format: Dual Narration
- Narrators: Nelson Hobbs & Virginia Rose
- Length: 10 hrs 47 mins
This was my first experience with both narrators, and they truly brought Gemma and Zach to life. Their performances elevated the story and made listening a delight.
📚 Rerelease Edition (Edit: 6/23/25)
I recently reread this as part of the rerelease and it reminded myself just how fun the banter was! Witty, lightning‑fast dialogue that made me laugh. I’m now even more excited to get the paperback version for the additional epilogue.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
Thank you @ArndellBooks and @KandiSteiner for the eARC!
HOW did I sleep on this one?! I’ve been a Kandi Steiner fangirl forever, but The Wrong Game for some reason slipped through the cracks.
Gemma’s breakup glow-up plan? Chef’s kiss. Two season tickets, one date per game, zero strings. What could go wrong? So much. Soooooo much.
Enter Zach Bowen. The bartender with biceps, banter, and the audacity to think he can be more than just a “practice round.” He’s swoony, smug, and absolutely refuses to let Gemma stick to her “rules.” The tension? Electric. The banter? Delightful.
This book is equal parts steamy, sweet, and surprisingly emotional. Kandi does what she always does, sneaks in the feels when you least expect it.
And Zach?? Officially joining the Kandi Steiner Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame.
Definitely grab The Wrong Game if you love:
♥️Slow burns with heat
♥️Dating “plans” that totally unravel
♥️Sports romance with actual sports
♥️Bartenders with boundary issues (in the best way)
♥️Characters with real baggage and even realer chemistry
HOW did I sleep on this one?! I’ve been a Kandi Steiner fangirl forever, but The Wrong Game for some reason slipped through the cracks.
Gemma’s breakup glow-up plan? Chef’s kiss. Two season tickets, one date per game, zero strings. What could go wrong? So much. Soooooo much.
Enter Zach Bowen. The bartender with biceps, banter, and the audacity to think he can be more than just a “practice round.” He’s swoony, smug, and absolutely refuses to let Gemma stick to her “rules.” The tension? Electric. The banter? Delightful.
This book is equal parts steamy, sweet, and surprisingly emotional. Kandi does what she always does, sneaks in the feels when you least expect it.
And Zach?? Officially joining the Kandi Steiner Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame.
Definitely grab The Wrong Game if you love:
♥️Slow burns with heat
♥️Dating “plans” that totally unravel
♥️Sports romance with actual sports
♥️Bartenders with boundary issues (in the best way)
♥️Characters with real baggage and even realer chemistry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had its highs and lows.
We'll start with the high. Zach. He's the brightest shade of green flags and I absolutely adore him. He's down bad from the second he meets Gemma and his infatuation only grows as the book goes on. Does he go to some crazy lengths and engage in some childish games? Yes. But, Gemma is just as willing a participant so I can't hold it against him. He knew that Gemma was his person and he wasn't going to let her go without a fight. Add onto how this man was so sweet with his family and dreamed of nothing less than the happily ever after his parents have and you can't help but swoon constantly over him.
But Gemma. She's the low. I understand how hurt she was but she couldn't remove her ex from Zach and it was infuriating. She was very rightfully hurt from what happened with her husband but the fact that she was so unwilling to talk about it only made matters worse. This girl needed a therapist more than she needed someone to take her spare season ticket. I'm glad she came around in the end but the fact that it took so much back and forth really drove me crazy.
Otherwise the book is fine. If you don't mind a little insta-lust and a football field of angst, this might be the book for you. Plus, it's free to listen to with an Audible subscription!
We'll start with the high. Zach. He's the brightest shade of green flags and I absolutely adore him. He's down bad from the second he meets Gemma and his infatuation only grows as the book goes on. Does he go to some crazy lengths and engage in some childish games? Yes. But, Gemma is just as willing a participant so I can't hold it against him. He knew that Gemma was his person and he wasn't going to let her go without a fight. Add onto how this man was so sweet with his family and dreamed of nothing less than the happily ever after his parents have and you can't help but swoon constantly over him.
But Gemma. She's the low. I understand how hurt she was but she couldn't remove her ex from Zach and it was infuriating. She was very rightfully hurt from what happened with her husband but the fact that she was so unwilling to talk about it only made matters worse. This girl needed a therapist more than she needed someone to take her spare season ticket. I'm glad she came around in the end but the fact that it took so much back and forth really drove me crazy.
Otherwise the book is fine. If you don't mind a little insta-lust and a football field of angst, this might be the book for you. Plus, it's free to listen to with an Audible subscription!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief