A review by teereader
Playing Games by Riley Hart

4.0

Brax

He works hard to get through school. He had a rough childhood being raised by a father who insists that he join him on his illegal escapades and he is now in prison and Brax refuses to end up there too. Everything is stacked against him but he is determined to make something of his life. He works hard at his job to put himself through School. He make sure to visit his grandma who was the only person to ever believe in him and believed he could be better. Brax can’t stand the attitude that comes with privilege…..enter Tyson Langley, he has everything and more, he is the biggest pain in the arse and Brax cannot stand his cocky attitude. But when Ty gets a job working at Shenanigans Brax sees a different side to him, there more to him than money and the facade he put on… he’s hiding pain and Brax finds himself wanting to take that away for Ty. 

Ty

His whole life has been a lie, his father, a man he has always looked up to and idolised turned out to be a two-faced, cheating liar, finding out that he has siblings that were fathered outside of his parents marriage was a betrayal that knocked him sideways. Struggling with the new revelations and the break down of his family his only highlight is verbally sparing with the broodiest bear to have ever graced the earth, Braxton Walker. This game is the only thing that gets Ty through his day sometimes, in an effort to be more independent from his lying father Ty gets a job at the same bar as Brax works….Their growing relationship blossoms there are so many layers to Braxton, most of all underneath all his brooding and snark is man with big heart and he is more caring than he lets on. But Ty just wants to take care of Brax for once as he’s always taking care of others, he will show Brax what it is like to rely on someone else and have them come through for you. 

I adore that Ty shows Brax how to open up, that’s it’s okay to have fun and out yourself first sometimes. I love that Brax shows Ty how to stick up for himself, how to go after what he truly wants in life. My favourite side character had to be the spitfire that was Brax’s grandmother, this older lady was hilarious, and had a zest for life what was beautiful to witness, the fact that she saw the amazing person Brax is underneath all the snark elevated the story more.