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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
I want to thank the Arndell publishing house for granting me the chance to read yet another gem from one of my all time favorite authors ❤ This book tugged at my heartstrings in such a way, it was simply impossible for me to read it with a straight face 😭 but it was absolutely worth every second, just like I knew it would be!!
Zach was like a panda. His cuteness levels went through the roof ❤ he was such a romantic, and even though I'm not used to soft MMCs like him, he had my heart from the beginning. I am almost certain that, had he been written by anybody else, I probably wouldn't have liked his character as much as I did, but Kandi always has a way of making me fall for every male character, and every story or trope she writes, even when they're not ones I'd usually go for 😭 this man was love and loyalty personified, and I absolutely LOVED him to pieces ❤
I've never been married, and yet Gemma's feelings of betrayal, loneliness, and dismissal all felt too familiar for some reason 💔 I ached for her and empathized with her pain to the point where it felt like my own. Her personality itself was a reflection of mine, and I saw myself in her shoes. How awkward she must've felt getting back to the dating scene after so many years, how scared she probably was of being heartbroken once again, and how, while still mourning not only her dead husband, but the love she believed they shared, she started developing feelings for a man she'd just met.
Both Zach and Gemma internally bled from different wounds, although Gemma's was pretty fresh. It felt like a warm hug to see how patient Zach had been with her, because not many guys would've done the same, especially not for a woman they barely knew, but he went all in and got the girl in the end ❤
Zach was like a panda. His cuteness levels went through the roof ❤ he was such a romantic, and even though I'm not used to soft MMCs like him, he had my heart from the beginning. I am almost certain that, had he been written by anybody else, I probably wouldn't have liked his character as much as I did, but Kandi always has a way of making me fall for every male character, and every story or trope she writes, even when they're not ones I'd usually go for 😭 this man was love and loyalty personified, and I absolutely LOVED him to pieces ❤
I've never been married, and yet Gemma's feelings of betrayal, loneliness, and dismissal all felt too familiar for some reason 💔 I ached for her and empathized with her pain to the point where it felt like my own. Her personality itself was a reflection of mine, and I saw myself in her shoes. How awkward she must've felt getting back to the dating scene after so many years, how scared she probably was of being heartbroken once again, and how, while still mourning not only her dead husband, but the love she believed they shared, she started developing feelings for a man she'd just met.
Both Zach and Gemma internally bled from different wounds, although Gemma's was pretty fresh. It felt like a warm hug to see how patient Zach had been with her, because not many guys would've done the same, especially not for a woman they barely knew, but he went all in and got the girl in the end ❤
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Death, Infidelity
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I love a football romance (or any sports romance, really) where the FMC is super into the sport!
Gemma is trying to heal from watching her husband die from cancer knowing he had been cheating on her. Shes struggled to trust ever since, but wants to get back out there with the encouragement of her friend. But no falling in love. She’ll take out a new guy to each Bears game with the season ticket that was meant for her husband. She’s nervous though, and while she’s expressing those feelings to her friend, the bartender, Zach, encourages her to take him to the first game as “practice”. And they hit it off.
I adored Zach’s character. He’s not afraid to express his feelings, and he does everything he can to be what Gemma needs without knowing what she’s been through. Both of their stories are heartbreaking in different ways. There’s a part where Gemma gets to show Zach she’ll be there for him as well, and it’s probably one of my favorite scenes. I loved how everything turned out in the end.
🌶️🌶️.5
Thank you, Kandi, for sending me a copy of this book!
Gemma is trying to heal from watching her husband die from cancer knowing he had been cheating on her. Shes struggled to trust ever since, but wants to get back out there with the encouragement of her friend. But no falling in love. She’ll take out a new guy to each Bears game with the season ticket that was meant for her husband. She’s nervous though, and while she’s expressing those feelings to her friend, the bartender, Zach, encourages her to take him to the first game as “practice”. And they hit it off.
I adored Zach’s character. He’s not afraid to express his feelings, and he does everything he can to be what Gemma needs without knowing what she’s been through. Both of their stories are heartbreaking in different ways. There’s a part where Gemma gets to show Zach she’ll be there for him as well, and it’s probably one of my favorite scenes. I loved how everything turned out in the end.
🌶️🌶️.5
Thank you, Kandi, for sending me a copy of this book!
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so fun! I love the Bears/Chicago culture. The banter and his yearning were fun.
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I just wanted to give Gemma a hug 🥺
I devoured this book! I love Gemma she been thru it and i just wanted to hug her I felt so bad for her 🥺 Zach is such a sweetheart their chemistry is amazing but how he cares and listens to her was what won me over 😍 they are so cute together and in a way they both healed each other 💕
4.5⭐️
I devoured this book! I love Gemma she been thru it and i just wanted to hug her I felt so bad for her 🥺 Zach is such a sweetheart their chemistry is amazing but how he cares and listens to her was what won me over 😍 they are so cute together and in a way they both healed each other 💕
4.5⭐️
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gemma bought season tickets for her ex husband. Her plan to move on is to take a new guy to each home game throughout the season. Zach overhears her plan and volunteers to go to the first game with her. Afterwards they hook up and she is determined to keep it as a one night stand, but he won't stop until he makes her his!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Our past has a funny way of becoming part of who we are in the future, and I think that's the way it's meant to be.
Without the scars, without the pain, we wouldn't be able to appreciate the times when everything is magical - the days when life is absolute bliss. And trust me when I say that every day l've spent with you has been just that - magic." First of all, Kandi I'm so proud of you for the hard work you and your team have put in to make it to the big bookstores!
And I'm so grateful to be part of your ARC team and celebrate with you in your journey ❤️ Kandi was one of the
first indie authors I read and I remember saying "her books should be in bookstores everywhere". This was in 2022 when I first found her through her Red Zone Rivals series. I haven't picked up much of her back list yet (because I'm scared of the pain and angst), but I am a forever fan!
Anyway, enough gushing 😂 The Wrong Game has been on my TBR since I finished RZR, so I'm thankful that the trad publish has given me a reason to dive in! I absolutely loved the plot!! As someone who has been with her partner since high school, I could not imagine getting into the dating pool as an adult in the time of dating apps. What a neat concept of a story, and what a touching journey of healing for Gemma and Zach. It got me so hyped for football season already!
Thank you so much to Kandi for the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team and for the ARC copy!
✨biggest thanks to @arndellbooks and @kandisteiner for the gifted copy. i am truly grateful✨
MY FIRST KANDI STEINER BOOK AND DEFINITELY WON’T BE THE LAST!!! 🥹
i knew within the first few pages that i was going to be hooked. the storyline was amazing and i wasn’t expecting to feel so many emotions but Kandi Steiner managed to pull every single one out of me with her brilliant writing.
Zach was the sweetest mmc— patient, kind, and supportive. he treated Gemma with a level of love and protectiveness that made my heart burst with happiness.
and, Gemma.. well, i’m not gonna lie. she really annoyed me at one point cause she kept pushing away everyone who actully cared for her. however, as the story progressed i could definitely feel her pain and understand her. i mean, if the situation was reversed i would never believe in love, either🥺
while their attraction has been instantaneous, i felt the love and chemistry between the main characters was genuine. the way they learned about each other and slowly began to heal together was so adorable. their banter also kept me hooked. i found myself deeply invested in their journeys, rooting for them every step of the way.
overall, this was a wonderful story with well-developed characters that felt real and relatable. i had such a fantastic time reading this book, and i am pleased to know that the second book, The Right Player is being re-released next month. i can’t wait to read it! 🫶🏻
MY FIRST KANDI STEINER BOOK AND DEFINITELY WON’T BE THE LAST!!! 🥹
i knew within the first few pages that i was going to be hooked. the storyline was amazing and i wasn’t expecting to feel so many emotions but Kandi Steiner managed to pull every single one out of me with her brilliant writing.
Zach was the sweetest mmc— patient, kind, and supportive. he treated Gemma with a level of love and protectiveness that made my heart burst with happiness.
and, Gemma.. well, i’m not gonna lie. she really annoyed me at one point cause she kept pushing away everyone who actully cared for her. however, as the story progressed i could definitely feel her pain and understand her. i mean, if the situation was reversed i would never believe in love, either🥺
while their attraction has been instantaneous, i felt the love and chemistry between the main characters was genuine. the way they learned about each other and slowly began to heal together was so adorable. their banter also kept me hooked. i found myself deeply invested in their journeys, rooting for them every step of the way.
overall, this was a wonderful story with well-developed characters that felt real and relatable. i had such a fantastic time reading this book, and i am pleased to know that the second book, The Right Player is being re-released next month. i can’t wait to read it! 🫶🏻