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Game of Love
Gemma Lennon has spent nearly all of her 21 years focused on one thing: Winning a Grand Slam.
After a disastrous and very public scandal and subsequent loss at the Australian Open, Gemma is now laser-focused on winning the French Open. Nothing and no one will derail her shot at winning – until a heated chance encounter with brilliant and sexy Andre Reyes threatens to throw her off her game.
Breaking her own rules, Gemma begins a whirlwind romance with Andre who shows her that love and a life off the court might be the real prize. With him, she learns to trust and love…at precisely the worst time in her career. The pressure from her home country, fans, and even the Prime Minister to be the first British woman to win in nearly four decades weighs heavily.
As Wimbledon begins, fabricated and sensationalized news about them spreads, fueling the paparazzi, and hurting her performance. Now, she must reconsider everything, because in the high-stakes game of love, anyone can be the enemy within…even lovers and even friends. In the Game of Love, winner takes all.
After a disastrous and very public scandal and subsequent loss at the Australian Open, Gemma is now laser-focused on winning the French Open. Nothing and no one will derail her shot at winning – until a heated chance encounter with brilliant and sexy Andre Reyes threatens to throw her off her game.
Breaking her own rules, Gemma begins a whirlwind romance with Andre who shows her that love and a life off the court might be the real prize. With him, she learns to trust and love…at precisely the worst time in her career. The pressure from her home country, fans, and even the Prime Minister to be the first British woman to win in nearly four decades weighs heavily.
As Wimbledon begins, fabricated and sensationalized news about them spreads, fueling the paparazzi, and hurting her performance. Now, she must reconsider everything, because in the high-stakes game of love, anyone can be the enemy within…even lovers and even friends. In the Game of Love, winner takes all.
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First published May 4, 2015
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About the author
Ara Grigorian
7 books118 followersAra Grigorian is the international award-winning author of GAME OF LOVE, his debut novel. He is a technology executive in the entertainment industry. He earned his Masters in Business Administration from University of Southern California where he specialized in marketing and entrepreneurship. True to the Hollywood life, Ara wrote for a children's television pilot that could have made him rich (but didn't) and nearly sold a video game to a major publisher (who closed shop days later). Fascinated by the human species, Ara writes about choices, relationships, and second chances. Always a sucker for a hopeful ending, he writes contemporary romance stories targeted to adult and new adult readers.
Ara is committed to helping writers tell better stories. He is the co-founder of the popular Novel Intensive seminar. Also, he is a workshop leader for the Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, and the Southern California Writers' Conference (both Irvine, CA and San Diego, CA). Ara is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and its Los Angeles chapter.
He is represented by Stacey Donaghy of the Donaghy Literary Group.
Ara is committed to helping writers tell better stories. He is the co-founder of the popular Novel Intensive seminar. Also, he is a workshop leader for the Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, and the Southern California Writers' Conference (both Irvine, CA and San Diego, CA). Ara is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and its Los Angeles chapter.
He is represented by Stacey Donaghy of the Donaghy Literary Group.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 29, 2015
Game of Love is the perfect combination of romance and suspense. As someone with little interest in tennis, I found myself turning the pages late into the nights, dying to find out what is next. What a beautifully written, classy love story. Congratulations, Ara, on this beautiful debut novel.
June 27, 2025
Ogólnie nie było źle, ale w drugiej połowie zaczęłam się trochę męczyć, bo ile można wałkować w kółko to samo? Nie rozumiałam trochę Andre, z jednej strony nie chciał, żeby jego szef dowiedział się o Gemmie, ale z drugiej przekonywał ją, że nie ma co się ukrywać przed paparazzi i ogólnie przed prasą i najchętniej wydałby oświadczenie, że są razem, gdzie jest logika? xD Z drugiej strony przekonanie Gemmy, że nie da się być sportowcem i być w związku, kiedy jest tylu sportowców, którzy mają mężów/żony i dzieci... No trochę rozumiem skąd to się u niej wzieło, ale jednak było to głupie. A trzecia sprawa- to się wszystko działo w ciągu miesiąca... No już naprawdę można było to trochę rozciągnąć, bo tak wielka miłość od pierwszego wejrzenia jest dla mnie po prostu niewiarygodna. W sumie wymieniłam same minusy, ale czytało się dość dobrze, język mi się podobał i poznałam trochę fajnych cytatów, które były na początu każdego rozdziału. Na pewno nie jestem zła, że przeczytałam tę książkę. 3,5⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2015
Game of Love by Ara Grigorian is a 2015 Curiosity Quills publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When I noticed this book was listed in both Contemporary romance and New Adult, I almost passed on it because, for too many reasons to list here, I am really burned out on New Adult at the moment. However, I have reviewed books for Curiosity Quills in the past and have been impressed with their quality of books, so I decided to give this one the benefit of the doubt.
Well, as it turns out not all New Adult books are created equal....
Gemma is a star Tennis pro struggling with life in the fast lane of fame and fortune. She is determined to make her late father proud and reach her ultimate personal goal of winning a grand slam at Wimbledon. But, some personal and embarrassing setbacks is making it hard for Gemma to focus, especially when everyone wants a piece of her.
The tabloids can't get enough, always speculating on her love life, her manager only sees her as a cash cow, and her best friend and assistant often gets pressured by both sides. Her life is lived out in front of the camera's eye, but it's all staged. No one seems to know the real Gemma, nor do they seem to care.
“It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved.” ( W. Somerset Maugham)
But, when Gemma has a chance meeting with whiz kid, Andre, a young man on the verge of financial security once he completes his current project, the two realize they have a lot in common. The difference is, Andre doesn't have to live his life in the public eye and Gemma does. That doesn't mean he is under any less pressure to do things he is uncomfortable doing, or that he doesn't have people surrounding him who only have their own best interest at heart, because he is.
However, Andre can't wrap his head around Gemma's lifestyle and her intense need to keep their relationship a secret. But, Andre is beginning to lose patience with Gemma and before it's all said and done, she will have to make a choice. Will she chose tennis, endorsements, movie deals, with all the trappings of fame and money? or will she chose love and a slower paced lifestyle with Andre?
The author did a fantastic job of depicting the life of a young tennis star. Not only is there pressure to win, but, shady and seedy people surround them often putting them into adult situations they are too young to handle or turning them into a celebrity instead of letting them focus on being an athlete. Gemma was pulled in all sorts of directions and no one ever came to her rescue or really cared what was best for her personally, until Andre came into her life. But, by that time, Gemma was so jaded and paranoid, she couldn't stop living in the loop she was so accustomed to.
Andre was my kind of book hero. He too had money, success, and was driven, he was pressured and overworked, taken advantage of, just like Gemma, but he did have a stabilizing influence in his life once, who taught him that not everything worthwhile in life can be bought and paid for. So, Andre is able to see things in a way Gemma is not. I loved how Andre was a super intelligent guy, not some muscle bound alpha male, but sexy in his own way. Yet, he pulls out all the stops, isn't shy with the grand gestures, which makes him the perfect leading man.
Gemma admires Andre for who he is on the inside as he becomes the only rock she has to lean on, the only person she can put all her trust in. The battle is not an easily fought one, especially for Gemma, who still has a lot of growing up to do before she realizes how important Andre is to her and can begin to put things in their proper perspective.
The characters are well drawn, the pace is even, and the author kept me interested and engaged in the story. Even though the characters are young and they do act their age, which will make them relatable to the NA audience, they are not the self absorbed, extremely immature characters I see so often in this genre, but they are very easy to care for, to become angry on their behalf, worry about, and at times become frustrated with. Also, the dialogue is believable, and thankfully free of too many “colorful metaphors” , and the sexual content is handled very tastefully, which is a refreshing change of pace.
As a big fan of quotes, I enjoyed the ones the author used to kick off each chapter. The book is very classy, well written, thought provoking and entertaining. Very well done!
When I noticed this book was listed in both Contemporary romance and New Adult, I almost passed on it because, for too many reasons to list here, I am really burned out on New Adult at the moment. However, I have reviewed books for Curiosity Quills in the past and have been impressed with their quality of books, so I decided to give this one the benefit of the doubt.
Well, as it turns out not all New Adult books are created equal....
Gemma is a star Tennis pro struggling with life in the fast lane of fame and fortune. She is determined to make her late father proud and reach her ultimate personal goal of winning a grand slam at Wimbledon. But, some personal and embarrassing setbacks is making it hard for Gemma to focus, especially when everyone wants a piece of her.
The tabloids can't get enough, always speculating on her love life, her manager only sees her as a cash cow, and her best friend and assistant often gets pressured by both sides. Her life is lived out in front of the camera's eye, but it's all staged. No one seems to know the real Gemma, nor do they seem to care.
“It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved.” ( W. Somerset Maugham)
But, when Gemma has a chance meeting with whiz kid, Andre, a young man on the verge of financial security once he completes his current project, the two realize they have a lot in common. The difference is, Andre doesn't have to live his life in the public eye and Gemma does. That doesn't mean he is under any less pressure to do things he is uncomfortable doing, or that he doesn't have people surrounding him who only have their own best interest at heart, because he is.
However, Andre can't wrap his head around Gemma's lifestyle and her intense need to keep their relationship a secret. But, Andre is beginning to lose patience with Gemma and before it's all said and done, she will have to make a choice. Will she chose tennis, endorsements, movie deals, with all the trappings of fame and money? or will she chose love and a slower paced lifestyle with Andre?
The author did a fantastic job of depicting the life of a young tennis star. Not only is there pressure to win, but, shady and seedy people surround them often putting them into adult situations they are too young to handle or turning them into a celebrity instead of letting them focus on being an athlete. Gemma was pulled in all sorts of directions and no one ever came to her rescue or really cared what was best for her personally, until Andre came into her life. But, by that time, Gemma was so jaded and paranoid, she couldn't stop living in the loop she was so accustomed to.
Andre was my kind of book hero. He too had money, success, and was driven, he was pressured and overworked, taken advantage of, just like Gemma, but he did have a stabilizing influence in his life once, who taught him that not everything worthwhile in life can be bought and paid for. So, Andre is able to see things in a way Gemma is not. I loved how Andre was a super intelligent guy, not some muscle bound alpha male, but sexy in his own way. Yet, he pulls out all the stops, isn't shy with the grand gestures, which makes him the perfect leading man.
Gemma admires Andre for who he is on the inside as he becomes the only rock she has to lean on, the only person she can put all her trust in. The battle is not an easily fought one, especially for Gemma, who still has a lot of growing up to do before she realizes how important Andre is to her and can begin to put things in their proper perspective.
The characters are well drawn, the pace is even, and the author kept me interested and engaged in the story. Even though the characters are young and they do act their age, which will make them relatable to the NA audience, they are not the self absorbed, extremely immature characters I see so often in this genre, but they are very easy to care for, to become angry on their behalf, worry about, and at times become frustrated with. Also, the dialogue is believable, and thankfully free of too many “colorful metaphors” , and the sexual content is handled very tastefully, which is a refreshing change of pace.
As a big fan of quotes, I enjoyed the ones the author used to kick off each chapter. The book is very classy, well written, thought provoking and entertaining. Very well done!
May 12, 2015
After a tragic accident that left Gemma reeling and not knowing who to trust , she took some time out from her tennis career and now she is back and this time she is ready to win the French Open and this time she is adamant she won't have a repeat performance of the scandal that rocked her career at the Australian Open. This time she is ready and nothing will stand in her way of her career. That is until in the hotel resturant she meets Andre who is here for business from America. The pair connect and then go their separate ways but both of them cannot get the other out of their headspace and eventually they find themselves reconnecting and sparks fly , can Gemma finally open up and let someone into her inner circle - someone whose intentions she knows are true and genuine -not fake. Read as Gemma and Andre start to fall in love, but can someone like Gemma afford to fall in love and have her emotions held close to her sleeve ? Game of Love was not only a New Adult romance novel but also a novel which shows that no matter what happens if two people love each other they can be together and that they can overcome any obstacles including fake partners, stalkers and blackmail.
Game of Love is the perfect read for any fan of Tennis and Sports Romances.
April 9, 2015
Ara Girgorian’s novel, Game of Love, is full of romance and wit, twists and touching moments of heartache. With each turn, the lives of Gemma and Andre become more entwined as a chance meeting turns into a full-on love story. I see reviewers complain about insta-love so much, but this is the perfect book for doubters to read. It proves that a chance encounter between two people who are in no way ready for love, can turn into the romance of a lifetime and change their lives forever.
The strength in Gemma – who is a star tennis player – is so well-done, and Girgorian gives the reader a front-row seat as she tries to overcome countless obstacles to achieve her dream: winning a Grand Slam. Meeting Andre wasn’t in her plans, but the when after a chance encounter Gemma can’t deny her attraction to him. The chemistry between the two is there right from the beginning, and Girgorian does a fantastic job of drawing the relationship out and developing their characters. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say that if you’re a fan of New Adult romance, this is the book for you!!
The strength in Gemma – who is a star tennis player – is so well-done, and Girgorian gives the reader a front-row seat as she tries to overcome countless obstacles to achieve her dream: winning a Grand Slam. Meeting Andre wasn’t in her plans, but the when after a chance encounter Gemma can’t deny her attraction to him. The chemistry between the two is there right from the beginning, and Girgorian does a fantastic job of drawing the relationship out and developing their characters. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say that if you’re a fan of New Adult romance, this is the book for you!!
May 1, 2015
Guys! Guys! I was blown away by this book. The writing is gorgeous. (So gorgeous, I'm a little bit jealous - in a friendly, "Way to go, Ara!" way!) Ara has an amazing way of developing the characters without info-dumping. It's a natural progression of the story. The banter is amazing. The humor draws you in. You want to be friends with the characters in this story.
You get to know international tennis star, Gemma Lennon, and she feels SO REAL! I love sports romance, sports fiction, hell, even sports non-fiction. Imagine what it's really like for someone in the public eye. Someone worth millions. Someone whose career can make or break the hearts of an entire country? Imagine that pressure. That stress. Can't imagine it? Read GAME OF LOVE. It's so authentic. And I love it. There is no fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants in Gemma's world. Everything is calculated. And Ara does an amazing job of making you FEEL everything that goes into being an international celebrity. Which makes me wonder if Ara was/is a celebrity under a pen name. Hmmmm
Except, whoa! Insert Andre Reyes. (I almost made a dirty comment, but I won't).
Yes, Andre. And he's not even the tennis player in this story - even though a tennis book with that name immediately takes my mind to Andre freakin' Agassi, the tennis god of my childhood. :) But seriously, Andre the character is nothing like Andre Agassi. Not in looks or profession. Andre - oh Andre. He's my new book boyfriend. (Well, one of them, I get around with my book boyfriends). Gorgeous and muscular and SMART! Not just smart. Dude's mind in amazing. You'll want to marry his brain. (Especially since it's housed in such a beautiful body).
GAME OF LOVE is not your average, predictable sport romance. The story is engaging and has twists that you don't expect. 1 Click NOW. Or run to your local bookstore on May 4th. You want to read this.
Extra (fun) Notes:
In the book, Andre mentions having a family recipe for paella. This recipe better be real (not fiction) and Ara better share it, because I was salivating when I read that line. I love paella. And I want to make it myself.
The song! Empty Space! Oh, my heart! I need to hear this song. NEED TO HEAR IT. :)
I think Ara - and a few author friends Ara and I have in common - would be upset if I didn't mention the balls. Get your minds out of the gutter, my fellow romance readers!!!
I read GAME OF LOVE on my e-reader and a gorgeous tennis ball appears at the start of each chapter. Like the ball on the front, the colors swirl and pop on the screen. Amazing artwork. Props to the Curiosity Quills Press team.
You get to know international tennis star, Gemma Lennon, and she feels SO REAL! I love sports romance, sports fiction, hell, even sports non-fiction. Imagine what it's really like for someone in the public eye. Someone worth millions. Someone whose career can make or break the hearts of an entire country? Imagine that pressure. That stress. Can't imagine it? Read GAME OF LOVE. It's so authentic. And I love it. There is no fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants in Gemma's world. Everything is calculated. And Ara does an amazing job of making you FEEL everything that goes into being an international celebrity. Which makes me wonder if Ara was/is a celebrity under a pen name. Hmmmm
Except, whoa! Insert Andre Reyes. (I almost made a dirty comment, but I won't).
Yes, Andre. And he's not even the tennis player in this story - even though a tennis book with that name immediately takes my mind to Andre freakin' Agassi, the tennis god of my childhood. :) But seriously, Andre the character is nothing like Andre Agassi. Not in looks or profession. Andre - oh Andre. He's my new book boyfriend. (Well, one of them, I get around with my book boyfriends). Gorgeous and muscular and SMART! Not just smart. Dude's mind in amazing. You'll want to marry his brain. (Especially since it's housed in such a beautiful body).
GAME OF LOVE is not your average, predictable sport romance. The story is engaging and has twists that you don't expect. 1 Click NOW. Or run to your local bookstore on May 4th. You want to read this.
Extra (fun) Notes:
In the book, Andre mentions having a family recipe for paella. This recipe better be real (not fiction) and Ara better share it, because I was salivating when I read that line. I love paella. And I want to make it myself.
The song! Empty Space! Oh, my heart! I need to hear this song. NEED TO HEAR IT. :)
I think Ara - and a few author friends Ara and I have in common - would be upset if I didn't mention the balls. Get your minds out of the gutter, my fellow romance readers!!!
I read GAME OF LOVE on my e-reader and a gorgeous tennis ball appears at the start of each chapter. Like the ball on the front, the colors swirl and pop on the screen. Amazing artwork. Props to the Curiosity Quills Press team.
March 29, 2015
Ara Grigorian's story is one full of humor, heartbreak, and victory both on and off the tennis courts. Gemma is a sassy tennis competitor with trust issues from bad experiences that only a celebrity could experience but that Ara skillfully takes the reader along for. Her goal to win a Grand Slam is both worthy and challenging...and one of those challenges is Andre, a genius who solves problems for a living but seems to create them for Gemma by making her doubt everything she's known.
Ara's writing is a combination of hilarious, serious and relatable. Considering most of us aren't tennis champions or geniuses, both characters are ones whose figurative tennis shoes are easy to step into while reading. The way Andre and Gemma interact is charming and full of natural chemistry, like when you watch a movie and you know the stars work well together. The alternating third-person also provides great insight into the mindsets of both characters. Even a few chapters in, they felt like friends.
I'd recommend this story to anyone who loves a great sports story and loves romance. Neither the romance or the tennis overtakes the other in an overwhelming way--instead, they tie together and flow, feeding off each other. It was a fun read, the various locations (London, France, Malibu, to name a few!) are escapist and realistically described, and I closed the book feeling incredibly satisfied with how I'd just spent the last few hours
Ara's writing is a combination of hilarious, serious and relatable. Considering most of us aren't tennis champions or geniuses, both characters are ones whose figurative tennis shoes are easy to step into while reading. The way Andre and Gemma interact is charming and full of natural chemistry, like when you watch a movie and you know the stars work well together. The alternating third-person also provides great insight into the mindsets of both characters. Even a few chapters in, they felt like friends.
I'd recommend this story to anyone who loves a great sports story and loves romance. Neither the romance or the tennis overtakes the other in an overwhelming way--instead, they tie together and flow, feeding off each other. It was a fun read, the various locations (London, France, Malibu, to name a few!) are escapist and realistically described, and I closed the book feeling incredibly satisfied with how I'd just spent the last few hours
April 7, 2015
What happens when two highly driven, career-oriented individuals—one a world class tennis star, one a genius business consultant—meet? An electrifying love story unfolds, and you won't be able to stop turning pages until you find out how it turns out.
The tension is piled on from the very first page with Gemma's haunting past, constant press scrutiny and the pressures of their respective careers—and the fact they live on different continents. But they can't ignore their sizzling chemistry, and in a romance story that's full of roadblocks and challenges, they simply can't forget each other.
My favourite part of this awesome novel is the character building. I adore tennis, so Gemma was so fascinating for me—a powerhouse player, a complex woman, a fierce competitor and a kind-hearted friend. She had me hooked from the very first page. And Andre was so intelligent, so compassionate and so dynamic that I just couldn't wait to see how it turned out between them.
If you're looking for an intricately written, passion-filled sports romance, I'd heartily recommend GAME OF LOVE!
The tension is piled on from the very first page with Gemma's haunting past, constant press scrutiny and the pressures of their respective careers—and the fact they live on different continents. But they can't ignore their sizzling chemistry, and in a romance story that's full of roadblocks and challenges, they simply can't forget each other.
My favourite part of this awesome novel is the character building. I adore tennis, so Gemma was so fascinating for me—a powerhouse player, a complex woman, a fierce competitor and a kind-hearted friend. She had me hooked from the very first page. And Andre was so intelligent, so compassionate and so dynamic that I just couldn't wait to see how it turned out between them.
If you're looking for an intricately written, passion-filled sports romance, I'd heartily recommend GAME OF LOVE!
April 12, 2015
I don't care for tennis.
This book made me want to watch Wimbledon. No, strike that.
This book made me want to play in Wimbledon, win a grand slam, and run away to the beaches of Spain after.
A hundred and one obstacles stand between Gemma, Andre, and their happily ever after. Ara Grigorian makes them fight for their love, and by the last pages, it's a war well won. Overall, a lovely story that will make your heart pound just enough and leave you with an overwhelming case of the happy sighs. Also, you'll probably want to eat a spoonful (or two) of Nutella.
Highly recommend. (Both the book and the Nutella.)
*ETA: I'm probably supposed to say I received a free copy of the book to write an honest review. I did. It's awesome regardless.*
This book made me want to watch Wimbledon. No, strike that.
This book made me want to play in Wimbledon, win a grand slam, and run away to the beaches of Spain after.
A hundred and one obstacles stand between Gemma, Andre, and their happily ever after. Ara Grigorian makes them fight for their love, and by the last pages, it's a war well won. Overall, a lovely story that will make your heart pound just enough and leave you with an overwhelming case of the happy sighs. Also, you'll probably want to eat a spoonful (or two) of Nutella.
Highly recommend. (Both the book and the Nutella.)
*ETA: I'm probably supposed to say I received a free copy of the book to write an honest review. I did. It's awesome regardless.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2015
I highly recommend this book.
A fun, uplifting tale of love and accomplishment, this book gives credit to people who have natural talent and work hard to push that talent to the next level.
Ara Grigorian does a wonderful job of captivating the reader and unleashing a story that will keep you curled on the couch, reading each word. The characters: Andre who is intelligent, compassionate, driven, and easy to love will steal the hearts of readers; Gemma who is passionate, a little dramatic, talented and aggressive will keep your heart beating with every swing of her racket.
This New Adult romance is tasteful, suspenseful and inviting. A perfect mix of sophistication and romance.
A fun, uplifting tale of love and accomplishment, this book gives credit to people who have natural talent and work hard to push that talent to the next level.
Ara Grigorian does a wonderful job of captivating the reader and unleashing a story that will keep you curled on the couch, reading each word. The characters: Andre who is intelligent, compassionate, driven, and easy to love will steal the hearts of readers; Gemma who is passionate, a little dramatic, talented and aggressive will keep your heart beating with every swing of her racket.
This New Adult romance is tasteful, suspenseful and inviting. A perfect mix of sophistication and romance.
November 26, 2015
***I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review***
This book. It's not just the characters...though, they are fabulous. Gemma is so strong as she rebuilds after a huge career and life setback. It's wonderful, and so well-drawn. The way Grigorian depicts her struggles both on and off the court feels so authentic. And Andre? Holy sexy genius. He was smart and witty. Together the romance between these two was magic.
But it wasn't just the characters. Grigorian is a master storyteller. The way he weaves this story together is mesmerizing. If you love NA romance and you love sports romance, this book isn't to be missed!
This book. It's not just the characters...though, they are fabulous. Gemma is so strong as she rebuilds after a huge career and life setback. It's wonderful, and so well-drawn. The way Grigorian depicts her struggles both on and off the court feels so authentic. And Andre? Holy sexy genius. He was smart and witty. Together the romance between these two was magic.
But it wasn't just the characters. Grigorian is a master storyteller. The way he weaves this story together is mesmerizing. If you love NA romance and you love sports romance, this book isn't to be missed!
May 10, 2015
What a breathtaking, earth shattering debut by Ara Grigorian!
I have so many things to say, but first I’d like make a personal note to the author, who is also very charming in real life!
Ara, I read in your bio that you are coming from an entirely different background. We are quite similar in this; you have an Engineering degree and I have a Computer Science, but our love for writing has surpassed these details. So, as a person who understands your place and as a reader/reviewer, I can honestly say that you were born to do this. Writing is your path and I feel honoured having been able to see you from your beginning.
Now, that being said, let’s go to the novel itself.
I have read so many books, some good, some great, some really amazing. So, nowadays I crave for something more; for something that will capture my heart and my mind, something truly and irrevocably worth reading.
Game of Love is out of this world. It’s a beautiful story, with original, extraordinary characters that will make everything and everyone else fade away in the background.
The author and his team could have made it sexier, with more steamy scenes and I LOVE that they didn’t. I loved the fact that the story was what mattered, and nothing more. I loved their approach and their successful work at making this a quality book.
Everything about this novel is original and it sets it apart from any other novel. I had read only one other novel about tennis, and I loved that one, too. It seems that so far, the tennis novels are really good - EXTRAORDINARILY GOOD-. So, after that other novel, I decided I wanted to read some more and here it is; Game of Love.
It has so many details about tennis that even I learnt a couple of things! I loved that the author wanted to be accurate and hence, gave a fascinating story revolving around tennis.
One other thing I loved -yes, I am aware I have been using that word repeatedly, but i can’t help it- is the characters themselves. Gemma & Andre, oh I love you so much! They are both so strong, so determined, so beautiful people...But, besides them, I felt that every other character fit perfectly in the story and everyone contributed something special to it. The ‘cast’ seemed so effortless, that it just added to this already remarkable novel.
There are so many books and so many authors out there, and you may not know what to buy etc..
Game of Love is extraordinary!
I ADORED THIS NOVEL!!
It is a fantastic book with a captivating story and amazing characters.
It is worth every penny.
If you love books, this is a MUST READ.
Game of Love receives 5 Amazing Stars!!!
I have so many things to say, but first I’d like make a personal note to the author, who is also very charming in real life!
Ara, I read in your bio that you are coming from an entirely different background. We are quite similar in this; you have an Engineering degree and I have a Computer Science, but our love for writing has surpassed these details. So, as a person who understands your place and as a reader/reviewer, I can honestly say that you were born to do this. Writing is your path and I feel honoured having been able to see you from your beginning.
Now, that being said, let’s go to the novel itself.
I have read so many books, some good, some great, some really amazing. So, nowadays I crave for something more; for something that will capture my heart and my mind, something truly and irrevocably worth reading.
Game of Love is out of this world. It’s a beautiful story, with original, extraordinary characters that will make everything and everyone else fade away in the background.
The author and his team could have made it sexier, with more steamy scenes and I LOVE that they didn’t. I loved the fact that the story was what mattered, and nothing more. I loved their approach and their successful work at making this a quality book.
Everything about this novel is original and it sets it apart from any other novel. I had read only one other novel about tennis, and I loved that one, too. It seems that so far, the tennis novels are really good - EXTRAORDINARILY GOOD-. So, after that other novel, I decided I wanted to read some more and here it is; Game of Love.
It has so many details about tennis that even I learnt a couple of things! I loved that the author wanted to be accurate and hence, gave a fascinating story revolving around tennis.
One other thing I loved -yes, I am aware I have been using that word repeatedly, but i can’t help it- is the characters themselves. Gemma & Andre, oh I love you so much! They are both so strong, so determined, so beautiful people...But, besides them, I felt that every other character fit perfectly in the story and everyone contributed something special to it. The ‘cast’ seemed so effortless, that it just added to this already remarkable novel.
There are so many books and so many authors out there, and you may not know what to buy etc..
Game of Love is extraordinary!
I ADORED THIS NOVEL!!
It is a fantastic book with a captivating story and amazing characters.
It is worth every penny.
If you love books, this is a MUST READ.
Game of Love receives 5 Amazing Stars!!!
October 3, 2016
I devoured this book. It's amazing, I loved it! Right from the very beginning the story just pulled me in and I simply couldn't get enough of it. It reminded me of Jane Austen's work. Don't get me wrong though, this story is in no way resembles any of hers. I'm only comparing in terms of how much I enjoyed it. There are many things I liked. First of all I loved how some of my favourite quotes found their way into it and some how became an integral part of the story. I loved its steady pace, nothing was rushed or dragged out. Every part, every chapter, every sentence seemed to matter. In my book that's the best thing, very few authors can pull it off this perfectly. Then there are the characters, each and everyone of them is well-developed, even supporting characters are good. Both main characters are given great background stories. It's very important because it helps reader to connect with them. And I connected with both Gemma and Andre.
Gemma is a celebrity, she is always in public's eye. There is no part of her life she can hide or keep quiet. Apparently that's necessary if she wants to be a good tennis player, it comes with the territory. It doesn't mean that she likes it or craves the fame in anyway. She just wants to win Grand Slam, for her as well as for her father. The only problem is that no matter how hard she tries she still manages screwing things up.... Until she meets Andre and the game becomes even more interesting, stakes are higher than ever, winning or losing may mean everything.
Andre is a problem solver. He doesn't play games, not his style. But for Gemma he is willing to go along. Because she is worth it. But what happens when things get a little more messy than they would've anticipated? Would they be able to fight against all odds and come up victorious or would this be the end of their budding love?
Be ready for a thrilling story, this book has it all, mystery, romance, politics, betrayal, loyalty, and most importantly players who know how to win. All in all this has been a perfect read for me. I enjoyed reading it a lot and would definitely recommend to all romance lovers. In fact even if romance isn't your preferred genre you should still give it a try, you might change your mind. ;)
P.S. I can't thank the author enough for providing me an opportunity to read it. It has been such a pleasure!
Gemma is a celebrity, she is always in public's eye. There is no part of her life she can hide or keep quiet. Apparently that's necessary if she wants to be a good tennis player, it comes with the territory. It doesn't mean that she likes it or craves the fame in anyway. She just wants to win Grand Slam, for her as well as for her father. The only problem is that no matter how hard she tries she still manages screwing things up.... Until she meets Andre and the game becomes even more interesting, stakes are higher than ever, winning or losing may mean everything.
Andre is a problem solver. He doesn't play games, not his style. But for Gemma he is willing to go along. Because she is worth it. But what happens when things get a little more messy than they would've anticipated? Would they be able to fight against all odds and come up victorious or would this be the end of their budding love?
Be ready for a thrilling story, this book has it all, mystery, romance, politics, betrayal, loyalty, and most importantly players who know how to win. All in all this has been a perfect read for me. I enjoyed reading it a lot and would definitely recommend to all romance lovers. In fact even if romance isn't your preferred genre you should still give it a try, you might change your mind. ;)
P.S. I can't thank the author enough for providing me an opportunity to read it. It has been such a pleasure!
April 8, 2015
***Received an arc in exchange for and honest review.***
I love this story! GAME OF LOVE is a delightful read. Ara Grigorian's writing style is beautiful and captivating. Grigorian's smart and witty prose lights up the page, bringing his characters to life.
Gemma Lennon, Britain's tennis darling, isn't about to let anything or anyone get in the way of the one thing that's eluded her, the one thing she wants more than anything else: to win a Grand Slam.
After a potential career-ending accident four months earlier, Gemma is determined to focus on tennis and nothing else. But, being in the spotlight 24/7 doesn't make for an easy task. With paparazzi stalking her every move, Gemma's game is under the utmost scrutiny. To win, she has to be the best on and off the court. For Gemma, there's no room for failure, and certainly no room for a love life. Tennis is her love. Period.
Enter Andre Reyes, the handsome American, who's not only a problem solver by trade, but off-the-charts brilliant. After a scorching meet-cute, Andre is captivated by Gemma, drawn in by her hypnotizing eyes. The best part, Andre has no idea she's a famous athlete; he's fascinated by her, not the public's ideal of her.
Gemma is just as fascinated by Andre as he is of her. As their interactions become more frequent, the tension between them builds. Gemma struggles to keep her mind on tennis and the tabloids are speculating whether or not she's ready for Wimbledon. For Gemma, it will take a lot more than just the love of the game to achieve what her heart desires, because when she finally figures out she wants tennis and Andre, it might be too late.
In the end, both Gemma and Andre learn that when it comes to matters of the heart, it's best to keep the score love-love, because that's when the real magic happens!
This is a fantastic book. I'm still in awe of Ara Grigorian's ability to weave the game of tennis into Gemma and Andre's whirlwind romance. It's beautiful. It takes an accomplished wordsmith to write such a layered, smart, and witty story. Well done! I look forward to more books by Ara Grigorian, his stories don't disappoint!
I love this story! GAME OF LOVE is a delightful read. Ara Grigorian's writing style is beautiful and captivating. Grigorian's smart and witty prose lights up the page, bringing his characters to life.
Gemma Lennon, Britain's tennis darling, isn't about to let anything or anyone get in the way of the one thing that's eluded her, the one thing she wants more than anything else: to win a Grand Slam.
After a potential career-ending accident four months earlier, Gemma is determined to focus on tennis and nothing else. But, being in the spotlight 24/7 doesn't make for an easy task. With paparazzi stalking her every move, Gemma's game is under the utmost scrutiny. To win, she has to be the best on and off the court. For Gemma, there's no room for failure, and certainly no room for a love life. Tennis is her love. Period.
Enter Andre Reyes, the handsome American, who's not only a problem solver by trade, but off-the-charts brilliant. After a scorching meet-cute, Andre is captivated by Gemma, drawn in by her hypnotizing eyes. The best part, Andre has no idea she's a famous athlete; he's fascinated by her, not the public's ideal of her.
Gemma is just as fascinated by Andre as he is of her. As their interactions become more frequent, the tension between them builds. Gemma struggles to keep her mind on tennis and the tabloids are speculating whether or not she's ready for Wimbledon. For Gemma, it will take a lot more than just the love of the game to achieve what her heart desires, because when she finally figures out she wants tennis and Andre, it might be too late.
In the end, both Gemma and Andre learn that when it comes to matters of the heart, it's best to keep the score love-love, because that's when the real magic happens!
This is a fantastic book. I'm still in awe of Ara Grigorian's ability to weave the game of tennis into Gemma and Andre's whirlwind romance. It's beautiful. It takes an accomplished wordsmith to write such a layered, smart, and witty story. Well done! I look forward to more books by Ara Grigorian, his stories don't disappoint!
March 29, 2015
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
This book. I loved this book. I went into it having no idea what to expect. I have generally held the opinion that I am not a fan of sports books, or books told in third person; Ara Grigorian has proven me wrong.
Gemma Lennon has spent her whole life playing tennis, with the hopes of someday winning the Grand Slam. Andre Reyes is a genius who graduated college at 14 and now works in a prestigious firm, essentially as a high-powered consultant. They are both career-driven individuals, who were essentially thrust into these roles as children as never given the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships.
When the two meet completely by chance, they can't deny the striking chemistry between them. Despite the obvious obstacles in their way - living on separate continents, Gemma's paparazzi stalkers desperate to latch onto any minute detail of her personal life, Andre's upcoming career commitment that will take him away for months, and Gemma's distrust of others due to past relationships - they can't seem to forget each other.
One thing that immediately drew me to this book was that the woman was the star athlete, and Gemma kicks some major butt on the tennis court. This book had moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments that wrenched my heart. I loved the two main characters - who were both so interesting and well-developed - and found myself eagerly turning pages to see what would happen. There are several twists in this book as well, that will keep the reader guessing. Don't let the sports-romance genre fool you; while this book has a sweet love story at its core, and an awesome tennis star main character, neither aspect felt overwhelming to me. It's a beautifully written page turner, and I would highly recommend it to anyone, including people who shy away from sports romance.
Ara is a masterful storyteller, and I can't wait for his future books!
This book. I loved this book. I went into it having no idea what to expect. I have generally held the opinion that I am not a fan of sports books, or books told in third person; Ara Grigorian has proven me wrong.
Gemma Lennon has spent her whole life playing tennis, with the hopes of someday winning the Grand Slam. Andre Reyes is a genius who graduated college at 14 and now works in a prestigious firm, essentially as a high-powered consultant. They are both career-driven individuals, who were essentially thrust into these roles as children as never given the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships.
When the two meet completely by chance, they can't deny the striking chemistry between them. Despite the obvious obstacles in their way - living on separate continents, Gemma's paparazzi stalkers desperate to latch onto any minute detail of her personal life, Andre's upcoming career commitment that will take him away for months, and Gemma's distrust of others due to past relationships - they can't seem to forget each other.
One thing that immediately drew me to this book was that the woman was the star athlete, and Gemma kicks some major butt on the tennis court. This book had moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments that wrenched my heart. I loved the two main characters - who were both so interesting and well-developed - and found myself eagerly turning pages to see what would happen. There are several twists in this book as well, that will keep the reader guessing. Don't let the sports-romance genre fool you; while this book has a sweet love story at its core, and an awesome tennis star main character, neither aspect felt overwhelming to me. It's a beautifully written page turner, and I would highly recommend it to anyone, including people who shy away from sports romance.
Ara is a masterful storyteller, and I can't wait for his future books!
May 3, 2015
Romance and Sports Great Combo!
I have to say I'm not a huge sports fan, well I guess that's not exactly true I love football, but I haven't enjoyed the few books I've read about sports. Today all that changed. First we have our heroine, Gemma, she is kick ass on the tennis court, and very focused on her tennis career, wanting to be the best. unfortunately off court she is just trying to live her life as best as she can, while staying off of paparazzi shots and out of the headlines. She's been famous for quite awhile despite being only 21. She doesn't know who to trust, who wants to be close to her because of her status, and who wants to be close to her because of who she is as a person. It's all a lot of stress and pressure for someone so young, it made me think about what stars actually go through. Then we have Andre I really liked him, he is super sweet, yet a real alpha, and he is super smart, a genius. He finished high school at 14 and went on to an amazing college career, putting several degrees under his proverbial belt. He is also very driven in his career. For me there is just something amazingly sexy about smart guys. When Gemma and Andreas meet it's kind of love immediately which I often find tedious and overdone in romance novels but in this case it really worked. There is so much more I could say, but I don't want to spoil. Let's just say there is turmoil, and these two go through dome things that can break a relationship. The question is will it? This story was so well written, the plot real and intriguing, offering up some twists and then we have the characters, they are so well created, you just have to care about them. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance even if you don't like sports. I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say I'm not a huge sports fan, well I guess that's not exactly true I love football, but I haven't enjoyed the few books I've read about sports. Today all that changed. First we have our heroine, Gemma, she is kick ass on the tennis court, and very focused on her tennis career, wanting to be the best. unfortunately off court she is just trying to live her life as best as she can, while staying off of paparazzi shots and out of the headlines. She's been famous for quite awhile despite being only 21. She doesn't know who to trust, who wants to be close to her because of her status, and who wants to be close to her because of who she is as a person. It's all a lot of stress and pressure for someone so young, it made me think about what stars actually go through. Then we have Andre I really liked him, he is super sweet, yet a real alpha, and he is super smart, a genius. He finished high school at 14 and went on to an amazing college career, putting several degrees under his proverbial belt. He is also very driven in his career. For me there is just something amazingly sexy about smart guys. When Gemma and Andreas meet it's kind of love immediately which I often find tedious and overdone in romance novels but in this case it really worked. There is so much more I could say, but I don't want to spoil. Let's just say there is turmoil, and these two go through dome things that can break a relationship. The question is will it? This story was so well written, the plot real and intriguing, offering up some twists and then we have the characters, they are so well created, you just have to care about them. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance even if you don't like sports. I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2015
Game of Love is one of my best reads so far in 2015! I absolutely loved it! Knowing I was going to be reading about a star tennis player, I thought I'd enjoy the book but never expected I would love it.
Gemma is focused on winning a Grand Slam when she meets Andre. The attraction is immediate and the chemistry, palpable. Grigorian has you feeling all the feels with his characters. Andre was exactly what Gemma needed in her life. He knew her when she couldn't imagine anyone knowing her, the real her. The pages kept turning, I needed to know what was going to happen next. There are a few twists that had me guessing but kept me locked in the story until the very end.
Ara Grigorian's debut novel showcases high caliber storytelling and wonderfully complex characters. I'm looking forward to his next novel.
Gemma is focused on winning a Grand Slam when she meets Andre. The attraction is immediate and the chemistry, palpable. Grigorian has you feeling all the feels with his characters. Andre was exactly what Gemma needed in her life. He knew her when she couldn't imagine anyone knowing her, the real her. The pages kept turning, I needed to know what was going to happen next. There are a few twists that had me guessing but kept me locked in the story until the very end.
Ara Grigorian's debut novel showcases high caliber storytelling and wonderfully complex characters. I'm looking forward to his next novel.
June 7, 2015
Grigorian's debut romance GAME OF LOVE is more than a well crafted romance. It is a well told story, including all the tasty ingredients inherent in compelling reads: well rendered, three dimensional characters caught up in the unfortunate consequences of their own decisions. Rather than relying on gimmicks to rescue his characters, though, Grigorian forces them to make tough decisions as the plot pulses along. The end result is a summer romance that pulls the reader to an ending that remains uncertain until the final chapters but remains enjoyable throughout.
May 1, 2015
A joy to read! The story flows beautifully. To me, it just kept moving, ever-quickening and never plateaued. It was truly a page turner. I really cared for both characters. Her struggle to love was beautiful. It reminded me of how we fight to shape, mold, and sometimes distort love in our every day lives. Mr. Grigorian's writing style is extremely comfortable. This book is interesting, funny, beautifully paced and effortless to read.
May 1, 2015
I received a copy in exchange for honest review, this does not influence my opinion in any shape or form.
Imagine at five years old you discover that you have a real talent for playing tennis. You dream of becoming the best. You dream of fame and fortune. You dream of winning it all especially a Grand Slam or at least a couple Grand Slams. You dream of going down as one of the best players in the history of tennis. So at five years old, you begin working on your dream, you sacrifice your childhood, your adolescence to live your dream.
Fast forward a couple years, you proved your great but you haven't achieved a championship. The fame surrounding you has caused a dozen different headlines claiming this or that. You don't know who to trust or who really has your best interest at hand. If that's not enough, you tried to have a relationship with someone who was a celebrity just like you. He'd understand the pressure, the schedules, the headlines etc. but one thing lead to another and disaster happened. Now they say you aren't focused, you can't win, everything distracts you. You're all hype. You've built a wall so high that you may not be able to climb over it. This is the story of Gemma Lennon.
Now, lets imagine again but this time you are eleven years old, you show a real knack for solving problems. You are wise before your years. You graduate high school early, you're working on your bachelors at the age of fourteen and by age 23 you already have a Ph.D.. You sacrificed your childhood and adolescence to achieve a great paying job. But the pressure, the time away from your family is finally getting to you. The constant headaches. The tension radiating your body. It's just getting to be to much. Six months. That's all that's left on your contract with your current employer M&T and then you are free to enjoy life, who knows maybe you'll find love, maybe you'll finally have a real day off. The possibilities are endless. This is the story of Andres Reyes.
The Story
Game of Love is told in altering POVs including third person to really give you the sense of the story. I was hesitant when it came to reading Game of Love because I don't know anything about tennis. I am a sports fan but tennis is not something I watch let alone know anything about. I was worried I wouldn't be able to connect to the story but Ara did an excellent job of including basic information of tennis for those of us who don't understand the game. He also started the story strong. Seriously, that beginning had me wondering just what happened and how that chain of events would play out in the book. Not to mention the cover really won me over. It is beautiful right?
Gemma and Andres meet by luck and hit it off right away. They share a similar childhood in the respect that they both gave it up to achieve their dreams instead of enjoying their life. It is what formed their bond and developed their love.
When the story begins, Andres is working on an important meeting that could help secure his well earned bonus and Gemma is about to redeem herself after a very public scandal had everyone doubting she could win a Grand Slam. There is no time for dating or even relationship for both of them. They have busy schedules, one is in the public spotlight the other works hard to solve problems for government agencies. There's no way this could work. But if they both tried could it?
The Characters
"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul"-Marilyn Monroe
Gemma is one of our main characters who has been in the spotlight for a long time even though she's only 21. She's had to learn the hard way about learning who to trust, who has your back, to always try and hide because who knows what the paparazzi will print in the headlines the next morning. So, she constantly overthinks, overanalyzes, doesn't trust, always listens to her team and most importantly is focused on her career and proving to herself and others she can win a Grand Slam. She was a hard character to like sometimes. She really couldn't trust anyone. She always second guessed their intentions. I especially hated how she treated Andres half the time, because you could tell the guy was really nice and unlike those in her circle. But in a way, Ara did an excellent job of developing Gemma, she really did seem to act like most celebrities trying to gain privacy at whatever cost. It was sad to think that this is what most celebrities may be going through.
Andres is really smart, at the age of fourteen he graduated high school. He had multiple degrees by the age of 23. He's worked hard really hard but a devastating family tragedy has him questioning just what is life about. He is counting down six months that's all that's left of his contract and he'll be able to finally enjoy a family vacation and sometime to himself without the pressures of work. He is really a likable character, he isn't a total dominating Alpha but he's protective and understanding of Gemma.
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I want to be near you. I need to be with you. When we're apart, I feel empty. Like something important is missing. I realize we've just started, but I know what I feel. And I know what I want. I want you in my life."
Gemma and Andres do fall insta-love but really I think it worked out well. It wasn't an over the top insta-love like most books these days. It was well played out. It not only showed how hard it is to be a celebrity and have a relationship but also a long distant relationship. I really loved the connection between Gemma and Andres. I liked who they were when they were around each other, both would let their guards down and show who they really were. You couldn't help but root for them because you wanted them to work it out at all costs. I loved their relationship because it wasn't focused on sex [thank God! I've been searching for a book like this for a while]. It was focused on trust, respect and being understanding.
I also loved how Andres was a real support system for Gemma. He really tried to motivate her even when he wasn't around. It was really sweet to read how he was always cheering her on and how he believed in her even though she didn't always believe in herself. I love those type of relationships, they seem real.
Overall
I really enjoyed this story. I couldn't stop reading it from beginning to end. My heart dropped to my stomach a couple times because of certain events. I also loved the cover, the quotes at the beginning of every chapter and the tennis ball that was at the beginning of every chapter.
Even though I don't much about tennis, there was enough information that you understand what's going on. I thought it was also excellent how Ara had incorporated not just the relationship into the story but also issue of trusting those around you, discovering who are before and after you achieve your dream.
Overall, this book gets four stars. I would recommend it. So check it out!
Imagine at five years old you discover that you have a real talent for playing tennis. You dream of becoming the best. You dream of fame and fortune. You dream of winning it all especially a Grand Slam or at least a couple Grand Slams. You dream of going down as one of the best players in the history of tennis. So at five years old, you begin working on your dream, you sacrifice your childhood, your adolescence to live your dream.
Fast forward a couple years, you proved your great but you haven't achieved a championship. The fame surrounding you has caused a dozen different headlines claiming this or that. You don't know who to trust or who really has your best interest at hand. If that's not enough, you tried to have a relationship with someone who was a celebrity just like you. He'd understand the pressure, the schedules, the headlines etc. but one thing lead to another and disaster happened. Now they say you aren't focused, you can't win, everything distracts you. You're all hype. You've built a wall so high that you may not be able to climb over it. This is the story of Gemma Lennon.
Now, lets imagine again but this time you are eleven years old, you show a real knack for solving problems. You are wise before your years. You graduate high school early, you're working on your bachelors at the age of fourteen and by age 23 you already have a Ph.D.. You sacrificed your childhood and adolescence to achieve a great paying job. But the pressure, the time away from your family is finally getting to you. The constant headaches. The tension radiating your body. It's just getting to be to much. Six months. That's all that's left on your contract with your current employer M&T and then you are free to enjoy life, who knows maybe you'll find love, maybe you'll finally have a real day off. The possibilities are endless. This is the story of Andres Reyes.
The Story
Game of Love is told in altering POVs including third person to really give you the sense of the story. I was hesitant when it came to reading Game of Love because I don't know anything about tennis. I am a sports fan but tennis is not something I watch let alone know anything about. I was worried I wouldn't be able to connect to the story but Ara did an excellent job of including basic information of tennis for those of us who don't understand the game. He also started the story strong. Seriously, that beginning had me wondering just what happened and how that chain of events would play out in the book. Not to mention the cover really won me over. It is beautiful right?
Gemma and Andres meet by luck and hit it off right away. They share a similar childhood in the respect that they both gave it up to achieve their dreams instead of enjoying their life. It is what formed their bond and developed their love.
When the story begins, Andres is working on an important meeting that could help secure his well earned bonus and Gemma is about to redeem herself after a very public scandal had everyone doubting she could win a Grand Slam. There is no time for dating or even relationship for both of them. They have busy schedules, one is in the public spotlight the other works hard to solve problems for government agencies. There's no way this could work. But if they both tried could it?
The Characters
"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul"-Marilyn Monroe
Gemma is one of our main characters who has been in the spotlight for a long time even though she's only 21. She's had to learn the hard way about learning who to trust, who has your back, to always try and hide because who knows what the paparazzi will print in the headlines the next morning. So, she constantly overthinks, overanalyzes, doesn't trust, always listens to her team and most importantly is focused on her career and proving to herself and others she can win a Grand Slam. She was a hard character to like sometimes. She really couldn't trust anyone. She always second guessed their intentions. I especially hated how she treated Andres half the time, because you could tell the guy was really nice and unlike those in her circle. But in a way, Ara did an excellent job of developing Gemma, she really did seem to act like most celebrities trying to gain privacy at whatever cost. It was sad to think that this is what most celebrities may be going through.
Andres is really smart, at the age of fourteen he graduated high school. He had multiple degrees by the age of 23. He's worked hard really hard but a devastating family tragedy has him questioning just what is life about. He is counting down six months that's all that's left of his contract and he'll be able to finally enjoy a family vacation and sometime to himself without the pressures of work. He is really a likable character, he isn't a total dominating Alpha but he's protective and understanding of Gemma.
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I want to be near you. I need to be with you. When we're apart, I feel empty. Like something important is missing. I realize we've just started, but I know what I feel. And I know what I want. I want you in my life."
Gemma and Andres do fall insta-love but really I think it worked out well. It wasn't an over the top insta-love like most books these days. It was well played out. It not only showed how hard it is to be a celebrity and have a relationship but also a long distant relationship. I really loved the connection between Gemma and Andres. I liked who they were when they were around each other, both would let their guards down and show who they really were. You couldn't help but root for them because you wanted them to work it out at all costs. I loved their relationship because it wasn't focused on sex [thank God! I've been searching for a book like this for a while]. It was focused on trust, respect and being understanding.
I also loved how Andres was a real support system for Gemma. He really tried to motivate her even when he wasn't around. It was really sweet to read how he was always cheering her on and how he believed in her even though she didn't always believe in herself. I love those type of relationships, they seem real.
Overall
I really enjoyed this story. I couldn't stop reading it from beginning to end. My heart dropped to my stomach a couple times because of certain events. I also loved the cover, the quotes at the beginning of every chapter and the tennis ball that was at the beginning of every chapter.
Even though I don't much about tennis, there was enough information that you understand what's going on. I thought it was also excellent how Ara had incorporated not just the relationship into the story but also issue of trusting those around you, discovering who are before and after you achieve your dream.
Overall, this book gets four stars. I would recommend it. So check it out!
April 2, 2016
Tennis is a sport that runs all year, unlike a lot of other professional sports out there that are specific to seasons (baseball in summer, hockey in winter for example). It’s played all over the world and on different surfaces (hard court, grass, clay), making it a challenge for one player to master them all. While there are many smaller tournaments, to be considered an accomplished tennis player you have to play and win at least one (if not all!) of the four Grand Slam tournaments. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Just as the major tennis season starts in January with the Australian Open, so too does this story.
Gemma is a 21 year old tennis pro. She’s just had a disastrous Australian Open, coinciding with an equally disastrous relationship breakup. As a celebrity, she’s under the increasingly watchful (and sometimes hazardous) eye of the paparazzi, every move she makes both professionally and personally under scrutiny. When she meets Andre at a hotel where they both are staying she assumes at first that it’s a setup, something he’s engineered to get close to her as this is the sort of situation with which she’s unfortunately used to dealing. As it turns out though, Andre is in fact unaware of her status as a sports celebrity. He’s simply taken in by her – her eyes, her smile, her everything. When it so happens that they are on the same flight a few days later, he takes the opportunity to get to know her better. In turn, she discovers that he’s a mathematical genius, one of those teen whiz kids who aced college at a very young age and has gone on to use his talents for some of the best companies in the world, as well as governments and their agencies. In fact, in his world, he’s a celebrity too, though not one the paparazzi generally look at, more the unsavory types who would like to lessen his interference in their business. Still, he understands her drive to succeed and her feelings of what it’s like to be under the spotlight. The difference is that he’s still able to live the life he wants (most of the time) while her every moment is planned and scheduled. They are two kindred spirits, but ones who live completely different lives, with homes thousands of miles from each other. Is there a way for them to have their careers and a lasting relationship too?
This story really hit all the high points for me. At its core it’s a romance of course, two people drawn to each other by sexual attraction and an undefined something that links them together emotionally from the first time they meet. It’s not love at first sight. but it’s definitely a connection that they feel with each other that isn’t going to be denied, no matter the inherent difficulties in trying to pursue a relationship. When we do get to some intimate scenes, they are not overly detailed but make it clear that these two have the right stuff together, in bed and out. The problem therefore is one of trust. Because Gemma has grown up fast, a tennis star since a very young age and in the public eyes for years, she’s learned that there are very few people worth her trust. Even the ones who have it don’t always have her best interests at heart. This makes her wary of taking Andre at his word until he’s able to prove to her that he’s really just the nice guy he appears to be (who just happens to be super smart too). I loved how he was able to take her into his circle of friends and make her feel warm and protected from the outside world, a place where she could just be herself and not a tennis celebrity. But make no mistake, Gemma is no weakling. She’s tough, she’s strong, and she’s one of the best tennis players there is. She’s able to deal with the pressure of being under the spotlight, especially when it comes to the high stakes matches she plays. As the pressure increases to win a grand slam though, it’s taking its toll on her. Andre is able to make her see what she needs to do to cope with the stress and find that higher level of play.
While Gemma is focusing on her career, Andre has his own job issues. He’s worked very hard at the company he’s currently with, aiming to complete some special projects so that he can get his bonus payout for time served and get out, moving on to something he wants instead of things for which people want to use him and his intellect. He’s got friends in powerful places – but he’s also got enemies. As Gemma and Andre move forward in their relationship, things start to happen around them, giving the story an edge of suspense that I didn’t expect but that made the story an exciting, page turning read. Being a sports romance there is of course plenty of tennis in the story, descriptions of what goes on behind the scenes in the locker room and practice sessions as well as on court action. Since I love tennis I enjoyed those scenes very much, and felt like it was really quite a timely story, especially when one looks at celebrity newsmakers in the sport today (women such as Serena and Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova). But even if you aren’t a tennis follower, there’s a lot to enjoy in this story as ultimately Gemma and Andre have to make choices and sacrifices if they are going to be together for the long haul. It was a really entertaining, well written and exciting romance. 5 stars.
Note: this book was purchased for review
This review appears as a blog post at: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-gam...
Gemma is a 21 year old tennis pro. She’s just had a disastrous Australian Open, coinciding with an equally disastrous relationship breakup. As a celebrity, she’s under the increasingly watchful (and sometimes hazardous) eye of the paparazzi, every move she makes both professionally and personally under scrutiny. When she meets Andre at a hotel where they both are staying she assumes at first that it’s a setup, something he’s engineered to get close to her as this is the sort of situation with which she’s unfortunately used to dealing. As it turns out though, Andre is in fact unaware of her status as a sports celebrity. He’s simply taken in by her – her eyes, her smile, her everything. When it so happens that they are on the same flight a few days later, he takes the opportunity to get to know her better. In turn, she discovers that he’s a mathematical genius, one of those teen whiz kids who aced college at a very young age and has gone on to use his talents for some of the best companies in the world, as well as governments and their agencies. In fact, in his world, he’s a celebrity too, though not one the paparazzi generally look at, more the unsavory types who would like to lessen his interference in their business. Still, he understands her drive to succeed and her feelings of what it’s like to be under the spotlight. The difference is that he’s still able to live the life he wants (most of the time) while her every moment is planned and scheduled. They are two kindred spirits, but ones who live completely different lives, with homes thousands of miles from each other. Is there a way for them to have their careers and a lasting relationship too?
This story really hit all the high points for me. At its core it’s a romance of course, two people drawn to each other by sexual attraction and an undefined something that links them together emotionally from the first time they meet. It’s not love at first sight. but it’s definitely a connection that they feel with each other that isn’t going to be denied, no matter the inherent difficulties in trying to pursue a relationship. When we do get to some intimate scenes, they are not overly detailed but make it clear that these two have the right stuff together, in bed and out. The problem therefore is one of trust. Because Gemma has grown up fast, a tennis star since a very young age and in the public eyes for years, she’s learned that there are very few people worth her trust. Even the ones who have it don’t always have her best interests at heart. This makes her wary of taking Andre at his word until he’s able to prove to her that he’s really just the nice guy he appears to be (who just happens to be super smart too). I loved how he was able to take her into his circle of friends and make her feel warm and protected from the outside world, a place where she could just be herself and not a tennis celebrity. But make no mistake, Gemma is no weakling. She’s tough, she’s strong, and she’s one of the best tennis players there is. She’s able to deal with the pressure of being under the spotlight, especially when it comes to the high stakes matches she plays. As the pressure increases to win a grand slam though, it’s taking its toll on her. Andre is able to make her see what she needs to do to cope with the stress and find that higher level of play.
While Gemma is focusing on her career, Andre has his own job issues. He’s worked very hard at the company he’s currently with, aiming to complete some special projects so that he can get his bonus payout for time served and get out, moving on to something he wants instead of things for which people want to use him and his intellect. He’s got friends in powerful places – but he’s also got enemies. As Gemma and Andre move forward in their relationship, things start to happen around them, giving the story an edge of suspense that I didn’t expect but that made the story an exciting, page turning read. Being a sports romance there is of course plenty of tennis in the story, descriptions of what goes on behind the scenes in the locker room and practice sessions as well as on court action. Since I love tennis I enjoyed those scenes very much, and felt like it was really quite a timely story, especially when one looks at celebrity newsmakers in the sport today (women such as Serena and Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova). But even if you aren’t a tennis follower, there’s a lot to enjoy in this story as ultimately Gemma and Andre have to make choices and sacrifices if they are going to be together for the long haul. It was a really entertaining, well written and exciting romance. 5 stars.
Note: this book was purchased for review
This review appears as a blog post at: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-gam...
July 29, 2019
This book was like a clean slate as I've never read anything from this author but I think I need to change that asap. Gemma and Andre will charm you with their lives, struggles, hang-ups, and love story. It's well-written, with characters that are catching and good flow between chapters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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May 3, 2015
The Meske Review:
“The only moment that counts is now. We’re better together than apart.”
Game of Love is a well-written contemporary romance novel that will appeal to all the diehard romantics in our world. “Courtship” takes on a new meaning in this game of love, as Gemma and Andre have been tainted by players of their pasts. As I read it, and then re-read it, the story to me was reminiscent of the big-screen love that comes to life after all avenues of resistance and denial were exhausted between the characters of Rachel Marin and Frank Farmer, portrayed by Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard. While known typically as a skeptic of the romance genre, this story of “Choices and action” gives me hope, and inspiration. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
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Melissa Crockett Meske is an author, writer, reviewer, and editor. Formerly from the Midwest and now based in the Washington DC metro area, you can follow her work at http://mcmeske.wordpress.com/
“The only moment that counts is now. We’re better together than apart.”
Game of Love is a well-written contemporary romance novel that will appeal to all the diehard romantics in our world. “Courtship” takes on a new meaning in this game of love, as Gemma and Andre have been tainted by players of their pasts. As I read it, and then re-read it, the story to me was reminiscent of the big-screen love that comes to life after all avenues of resistance and denial were exhausted between the characters of Rachel Marin and Frank Farmer, portrayed by Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard. While known typically as a skeptic of the romance genre, this story of “Choices and action” gives me hope, and inspiration. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Melissa Crockett Meske is an author, writer, reviewer, and editor. Formerly from the Midwest and now based in the Washington DC metro area, you can follow her work at http://mcmeske.wordpress.com/
August 29, 2016
This was such a great book!! The characters are so interesting that they hung around with me for a few days after finishing the book. I found I wanted to know more of their story. And they were so real to me that I almost forgot they were characters in a story. Ara created such rich, complex characters that they were anything but 2-D!
Speaking of writing, Ara is so talented that I forgot I was reading a book. Instead I could see it all play out in my mind as though I were watching a (new favorite) romantic comedy. I could clearly see Gemma, tennis pro and celebrity, and her suspicion and hesitancy as she meets Andre, the driven, super genius who recognizes that life is too short to live with regrets.
'Game of Love' is the story of their relationship - how a chance meeting can change your path, and how learning to be vulnerable and trust can change your life.
If you enjoy well-written stories of second chances that have compelling characters then you must read this book.
Speaking of writing, Ara is so talented that I forgot I was reading a book. Instead I could see it all play out in my mind as though I were watching a (new favorite) romantic comedy. I could clearly see Gemma, tennis pro and celebrity, and her suspicion and hesitancy as she meets Andre, the driven, super genius who recognizes that life is too short to live with regrets.
'Game of Love' is the story of their relationship - how a chance meeting can change your path, and how learning to be vulnerable and trust can change your life.
If you enjoy well-written stories of second chances that have compelling characters then you must read this book.
June 23, 2015
Ara Grigorian is a strong new voice in romantic fiction genre. His strong characters are three-dimensional and easy to relate to, Grigorian delivers an intriguing, insider's view of the world of tennis and the life of a super star in that industry. Overcoming fear and learning to trust and love are at the heart of this novel. Although, Game of Love, is not the type page-turner I am usually drawn to, it was a most enjoyable read. At the beginning of each chapter the author has inserted a meaningful quote about tennis as it relates to life. Since I tend to be and adrenaline addicted reader, I found that the quotes, slowed the pace and momentarily dropped me out of the story. However,I tend to be impatient. Many of you will love the time and attention Grigorian took to find and include these relevant quotes.
May 18, 2015
It's the first book I've read set in the professional world of tennis and I have to say that it created a lot of excitement and tension. Especially from the point of someone being 'at the top of their game' and the pressures surrounding that success. As Gemma Lennon's focus is firmly set on winning, she can't ignore the fascination she feels when an accident at breakfast means her path crosses with gorgeous Andre, Dr Reyes. He starts to get under her skin and life becomes complicated, as it does when everything you do is in the public eye. A story that will keep you turning those pages and also willing Gemma on to win! I also loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, it was a nice touch. An ace debut novel.
May 7, 2015
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
To be fair, I’m not always a romance fan. Or a sports fan. But THIS BOOK. It had me laughing, crying, cheering, and actually enjoying both romance and sports. I also love that Gemma is the celebrity athlete, and that I connected to her almost immediately. And Andre. Oh, Andre <3. More than anything, GAME OF LOVE is a wonderful, fantastic story, and Ara is an amazing storyteller. This book provides a much needed breath of fresh air in the NA Contemporary Romance world, and I enjoyed every word of it. I’m eagerly waiting Ara’s next book!
To be fair, I’m not always a romance fan. Or a sports fan. But THIS BOOK. It had me laughing, crying, cheering, and actually enjoying both romance and sports. I also love that Gemma is the celebrity athlete, and that I connected to her almost immediately. And Andre. Oh, Andre <3. More than anything, GAME OF LOVE is a wonderful, fantastic story, and Ara is an amazing storyteller. This book provides a much needed breath of fresh air in the NA Contemporary Romance world, and I enjoyed every word of it. I’m eagerly waiting Ara’s next book!
April 1, 2015
This is an incredible story about a young tennis star dealing with the struggles of identity in the public eye and the incredible power love has in demolishing the protective walls we build around ourselves. Gemma and Andre are driven and passionate when handling their careers and all that energy comes through in a masterful series of serves that catapults us into their world all the way through to the end. Tennis anyone?
August 14, 2015
Absolutely LOVED this story, such a great summer read if you like NA romance. There IS a PLOT, this is definitely not one of those NA romanace novels that is sex scenes with a spattering of story so if you are looking for that sort of novel move along. That said this is such a refreshing read for me, it wasn't babying about sexual interest but it also wasn't pandering, and I adored Andre as a character. Definitely pick it up, a light read not without depth.
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