Scan barcode
theboricuabookworm's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I really liked this one but I was hoping I'd looooove it. The premise is such a good one and I really liked how it explored societal expectations in the gaming world and the role of romance there too. There was just enough side characters that I was able to keep up and get attached but not too many that it took away. The game bros got their comeuppance and being queer was just a fact of life (as it is!!). The romance was solid but it could have been stronger with some resolutions needing to be flushed out a bit more on both sides.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Transphobia, Stalking, and Gaslighting
justineyouth's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
C’était sympa mais j’ai l’impression qu’il y avait pas vraiment de plot ??
Cat rejoint l’entreprise de ses rêves pour travailler sur un jeu vidéo, elle est passionné de jeu de romance et elle est embauché pour travailler sur cet aspect dans Hollow Compass. Elle rencontre Andi qui a travaillé sur un jeu qu’elle adore et elle déchante très vite, parfois il ne faut pas rencontrer ses idoles.
On commence donc avec un ennemies to lovers avec une romance boss et employé, Andi qui utilise les pronoms she/they et une bonne dose de féminisme car ce jeu est principalement créé par des femmes, ce qui est rare dans l’industrie apporte un plus au récit.
Cependant les événements dans ce livre sont assez banal, Cat rencontre Sally sauf qu’elle n’arrive pas à garder une relation plus de quelques mois donc elles décident de passer un accord (fake dating) car Sally veut rendre jalouse Andi, qui est son ex et Cat a besoin d’une petite amie pour Thanksgiving car ses parents veulent la caser. Cet aspect là du récit rend les choses plus compliqué quand Cat et Andi se rapprochent mais à part ça on est assez focus sur le jeu qu’elles créent.
C’était donc mignon mais sans plus, j’ai trouvé ça très plat mais l’originalité de la romance dans une entreprise de jeux vidéos était cool et la romance n’est pas non plus transcendante
Cat rejoint l’entreprise de ses rêves pour travailler sur un jeu vidéo, elle est passionné de jeu de romance et elle est embauché pour travailler sur cet aspect dans Hollow Compass. Elle rencontre Andi qui a travaillé sur un jeu qu’elle adore et elle déchante très vite, parfois il ne faut pas rencontrer ses idoles.
On commence donc avec un ennemies to lovers avec une romance boss et employé, Andi qui utilise les pronoms she/they et une bonne dose de féminisme car ce jeu est principalement créé par des femmes, ce qui est rare dans l’industrie apporte un plus au récit.
Cependant les événements dans ce livre sont assez banal, Cat rencontre Sally sauf qu’elle n’arrive pas à garder une relation plus de quelques mois donc elles décident de passer un accord (fake dating) car Sally veut rendre jalouse Andi, qui est son ex et Cat a besoin d’une petite amie pour Thanksgiving car ses parents veulent la caser. Cet aspect là du récit rend les choses plus compliqué quand Cat et Andi se rapprochent mais à part ça on est assez focus sur le jeu qu’elles créent.
C’était donc mignon mais sans plus, j’ai trouvé ça très plat mais l’originalité de la romance dans une entreprise de jeux vidéos était cool et la romance n’est pas non plus transcendante
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Outing
grace_b_3's review against another edition
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? No
3.0
This grew on me as I read it. Some lines were still a little cringe, but it’s overall a fun read for someone who enjoys video games and sapphic romances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Transphobia
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I listened to the audiobook on Libro FM and thought this was a lovely, cozy romcom that spoke to my experience being an Asian woman in a cishet white male-dominated space, albeit a different industry. I am not a gamer (well, I want to stop saying this actually, because Tara Tai said anyone who plays any games is a gamer), but this was so fun and I feel like it paid homage to gamers, video games, and marginalized folks in these spaces really well. It actually really made me want to play more games!!
I loved the grumpy x sunshine dynamic between Cat (she/her) and Andi (she/they) as they developed a romance for the game Compass Hollow (and obviously one offline between themselves lol). The corny puns that used gamer-themed language felt sweet and goofy, and though I'm sure others will hate them or cringe, I thought they were fun! For example, "it was like mana was being regenerated," or something along those lines lol. I recognize it sounds cheesy, but you're reading a romcom. Accept the cheese!!!!
I related to Cat's awkwardness and treating every interaction like a video game dialogue option hahah. She was so hopeless, yet adorable and learned to speak up for herself and advocate for romance in the video game industry. Andi's commitment and reverence of video games prevented her from recognizing the value of adding romance to Compass Hollow's story and of Cat too. However, I appreciated their arc of getting out of their own way, and expanding their perspective.
The villainous characters in this story were as awful as you'd imagine privileged dudes in a video game company to be, but the ending was really satisfying heheheheehehe.
I think Tara Tai's extensive exposition (which was more in the beginning of the book) will lessen as they write more, but I'm really looking forward to what she writes next!
steam scale: 2 out of 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Stalking, and Gaslighting
christinefitz's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved this one; light spice, lots of hate-yearning, very slow burn, workplace romance. Great enby she/they rep, I could relate to their dysphoria so much at points. Gaming references galore, and some TTG references too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia, Stalking, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Vomit, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
felishacb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
amarreth's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
timetotalkbeauty's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
‘Single Player’ is a heartwarming and witty romance set against the backdrop of the video game industry, and it's an absolute joy to read. The novel, a delightful blend of workplace drama, geek culture, and an enemies-to-lovers romance, follows Cat Li, an enthusiastic, hopelessly romantic writer, and Andi Zhang, her no-nonsense, grumpy boss. The chemistry between these two is electric, and their dynamic — grumpy versus sunshine — forms the emotional core of the story.
Cat, with her infectious optimism, humour, and unshakeable belief in the power of love, is an instantly lovable character. Her passion for both romance and gaming makes her relatable to a wide audience, and her witty remarks had me laughing out loud more than once. On the flip side, Andi is a more complex and guarded character, shaped by both personal traumas and the challenges of being a non-binary person in a male-dominated profession. The unraveling of Andi’s layers as they slowly warm to Cat’s charm and creativity is deeply satisfying, and the alternating POV chapters provide a full picture of the growing tension and connection between them.
While the plot doesn’t break new ground in terms of surprises — this is a rom-com, after all — what ‘Single Player’ excels at is vivid, well-rounded characters and its authentic depiction of the gaming world. The book takes readers behind the scenes of game development, showing the challenges and pressures that come with creating a major project like ‘Compass Hollow’. Andi's struggles, particularly with their professional credibility and past trauma, feel grounded and relevant, adding weight to what could otherwise be a lighter, fluffier story.
The supporting characters, particularly Andi’s friend Val and Cat’s bestie Rosalie, are crucial in fleshing out the main couple. Their relationships with Cat and Andi help humanise both protagonists and offer delightful moments of levity. The interactions between Cat and Rosalie, in particular, provide a refreshing and genuine portrayal of friendship that complements the romantic arc.
The pacing of the book is solid, with a nice balance between character development, humour, and emotional depth. There are several memorable moments, such as the bathroom argument scene (which I won’t spoil!), that cleverly play on familiar romantic tropes while still feeling fresh and fun. While the outcome is predictable for rom-com fans, the journey to get there is what makes this story so enjoyable.
The audiobook version, narrated by Natalie Naudus, is a real standout. Naudus perfectly captures the distinct personalities of both Cat and Andi, making it easy to differentiate between the characters even during moments of intense dialogue. Her narration adds an extra layer of charm to an already engaging story, and I highly recommend the audiobook for anyone who enjoys romance with a touch of geeky humour.
In summary, ‘Single Player’ is an entertaining, heartfelt romance that’s as much about personal growth as it is about love. If you're a fan of workplace romance, gaming culture, or just enjoy a well-executed enemies-to-lovers story, this book will definitely hit the mark. It’s a delightful read that balances humour with emotional depth, and it’s a perfect way to kick off your 2025 reading journey.
With thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the alc of this novel.
Cat, with her infectious optimism, humour, and unshakeable belief in the power of love, is an instantly lovable character. Her passion for both romance and gaming makes her relatable to a wide audience, and her witty remarks had me laughing out loud more than once. On the flip side, Andi is a more complex and guarded character, shaped by both personal traumas and the challenges of being a non-binary person in a male-dominated profession. The unraveling of Andi’s layers as they slowly warm to Cat’s charm and creativity is deeply satisfying, and the alternating POV chapters provide a full picture of the growing tension and connection between them.
While the plot doesn’t break new ground in terms of surprises — this is a rom-com, after all — what ‘Single Player’ excels at is vivid, well-rounded characters and its authentic depiction of the gaming world. The book takes readers behind the scenes of game development, showing the challenges and pressures that come with creating a major project like ‘Compass Hollow’. Andi's struggles, particularly with their professional credibility and past trauma, feel grounded and relevant, adding weight to what could otherwise be a lighter, fluffier story.
The supporting characters, particularly Andi’s friend Val and Cat’s bestie Rosalie, are crucial in fleshing out the main couple. Their relationships with Cat and Andi help humanise both protagonists and offer delightful moments of levity. The interactions between Cat and Rosalie, in particular, provide a refreshing and genuine portrayal of friendship that complements the romantic arc.
The pacing of the book is solid, with a nice balance between character development, humour, and emotional depth. There are several memorable moments, such as the bathroom argument scene (which I won’t spoil!), that cleverly play on familiar romantic tropes while still feeling fresh and fun. While the outcome is predictable for rom-com fans, the journey to get there is what makes this story so enjoyable.
The audiobook version, narrated by Natalie Naudus, is a real standout. Naudus perfectly captures the distinct personalities of both Cat and Andi, making it easy to differentiate between the characters even during moments of intense dialogue. Her narration adds an extra layer of charm to an already engaging story, and I highly recommend the audiobook for anyone who enjoys romance with a touch of geeky humour.
In summary, ‘Single Player’ is an entertaining, heartfelt romance that’s as much about personal growth as it is about love. If you're a fan of workplace romance, gaming culture, or just enjoy a well-executed enemies-to-lovers story, this book will definitely hit the mark. It’s a delightful read that balances humour with emotional depth, and it’s a perfect way to kick off your 2025 reading journey.
With thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the alc of this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
I started and finished Single Player in one day. Between the hate to love tension between Cat and Andi and Natalie Naudus' narration, it was impossible for me to put it down! The tension between these two was off the charts from their disastrous meet cute to their first kiss. I actually got why they didn't like each other, and overcoming that dislike fit their separate character development. This is super slow burn!!! But the wait was so worth it for me. I just enjoyed these two together so much. Also, and it might be the bare minimum, I loved that Cat was constantly going to bat for Andi when they didn't like each other. Cat didn't take any of the transphobic, sexist, rhetoric from the higher ups.
I was really wrapped up in the gaming culture setting of this book. I've always been a casual gamer, but this made me want to play so many more games. I loved all the commentary on the gaming industry: how it doesn't prioritize diverse voices and how much the limited representation affects what different communities buy and play. I wish the game they were writing for was real so I could romance all the different characters. The game is obviously a huge part of the plot, but it never felt like it bogged down the romance (I would argue it moved it along because of their arguments).
Over all, Single Player is a stunning debut from Tara Tai (she/they)! I will definitely pick up anything they write from here on out. Pick this up if you like hate to love, work place romance, queer and trans representation (lesbian x enby), fat representation, navigating friends and family in your twenties, and video games of course!!!
This is me begging for a group of queer friends who will teach me how to play dnd!!!
I started and finished Single Player in one day. Between the hate to love tension between Cat and Andi and Natalie Naudus' narration, it was impossible for me to put it down! The tension between these two was off the charts from their disastrous meet cute to their first kiss. I actually got why they didn't like each other, and overcoming that dislike fit their separate character development. This is super slow burn!!! But the wait was so worth it for me. I just enjoyed these two together so much. Also, and it might be the bare minimum, I loved that Cat was constantly going to bat for Andi when they didn't like each other. Cat didn't take any of the transphobic, sexist, rhetoric from the higher ups.
I was really wrapped up in the gaming culture setting of this book. I've always been a casual gamer, but this made me want to play so many more games. I loved all the commentary on the gaming industry: how it doesn't prioritize diverse voices and how much the limited representation affects what different communities buy and play. I wish the game they were writing for was real so I could romance all the different characters. The game is obviously a huge part of the plot, but it never felt like it bogged down the romance (I would argue it moved it along because of their arguments).
Over all, Single Player is a stunning debut from Tara Tai (she/they)! I will definitely pick up anything they write from here on out. Pick this up if you like hate to love, work place romance, queer and trans representation (lesbian x enby), fat representation, navigating friends and family in your twenties, and video games of course!!!
This is me begging for a group of queer friends who will teach me how to play dnd!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, Stalking, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying
melissa_monte's review against another edition
4.0
It’s the slow burn of slow burns but I really enjoyed this read. Delightful dialogue and descriptions (bonus points for including the word “shmoopy” twice). It’s a heartfelt story romcom that took me on several emotional turns. As a non-gamer I felt still completely immersed in this story and never once felt out of place. Natalie Naudus is the perfect narration choice for this story. And it’s got fat rep (and fat Asian American rep which is rarely seen) and non-binary rep too.
Thanks Netgalley for the copy!!
Thanks Netgalley for the copy!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Transphobia