Perfect Game by Casey Cameron (Legendary Pairs #1)
Released: January 1, 2017
M/M Contemporary Novella
Self Published

Reviewed by Mandi

I love a nerdy romance and this fit the bill quite nicely. Neil is an awkward guy – a research biologist getting his PhD, living in a new city has Neil a little lonely. One thing that gets him out of the house is playing in Legendary Pairs tournaments. Legendary Pairs is a fast-paced card game – I don’t know what I can compare it to – but it features characters that have powers and you play against one opponent. Neil is pretty good at this game and finds a local place called the Ogre’s Den that has weekend tournaments. He walks in and knows this is his kind of place. Small, well used, with a crowd of people that he feels comfortable with. Right away he notices a tall man who seems quite cocky and sure of his Legendary Pairs abilities. This man is named Robin and he is cocky because he wins a lot at this game. Neil appreciates his card talents…and the way he looks.

Robin is a caterer who could care less about his job – he wants to go pro with Legendary Pairs. The stakes and money winnings isn’t like going pro with poker, but a win could get him in the tens of thousands. This card game is his passion – he just needs the push to try for pro. He hits it off with Neil and then he gets an idea – Neil could come with him to the pro tournament. They could split gas and hotel room and it would fun to have a new friend in tow. Neil reluctantly agrees, and off they go.

This is a cute book – told all in Neil’s POV, we don’t get to know Robin as well but I liked what I got. They dance around each other for some time, Neil being a bit too awkward and unaware to notice that Robin is flirting and putting out hints. Sharing a hotel room with the ole’ “Oops, we got one king bed” routine, is sure to put some awkward morning wood into the romance equation. Once that wood is out there, the sexy times begin. There is nice chemistry between these two.

This book is novella length, so we get a fast and dirty version of their courtship, with a rushed HEA at the end. Their love was bordering on the “insta” line and could have used more time to develop. I definitely believed they had the beginnings of feelings for each other but HEA love seemed not reachable yet.

I was happy that we get a good emphasis on the card game and the atmosphere at the tournament both at the pro level and the small tournaments held at weekend at the Ogre’s Den. Cute, fun story.

Grade: B-

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