The Game by Vanessa Fewings
Series: The ICON Trilogy #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publish Date: August 29, 2017
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Page Length: 352
Reviewed by Tracey
Blurb: Chasing Icon, the world’s slickest art thief, was the most seductive thrill of London art investigator Zara Leighton’s career…until the clues led her to the man who holds command of her body and heart, Tobias Wilder, an American billionaire with charisma to spare. Her duty to capture him is complicated by the intensity of their passion. Her will to end their connection is tinted with red-hot need to never let him go.
Tobias’s heists are about more than money and ego. His plot to orchestrate the perfect deception in Los Angeles is destiny. No one—not even Zara—knows the depths of his motivation. And no one suspects the truth behind a single artifact that holds the secrets to an entire civilization. Forced to deny one calling to satisfy another, he knows something must be sacrificed: his code of honor or his loyalty to Zara.
The Game is the second book in the ICON Trilogy by Vanessa Fewings. I made a big mistake by not reading the first book, because this is far from a stand alone novel. I was lost from page one concerning the plot. I could follow along okay with the art talk and the sex scenes…but any motivations and feelings were beyond me without the backstory of the book one. I really thought this was going to be my kind of book…art, sex, love, danger…all the great ingredients you need for a wonderful story. It ended up as a DNF for me. I hate that I couldn’t finish it, but I just don’t have the time to keep reading a book where I have missed half the story.
This book does read as if it is one of an older generation for romance novel. It’s one of those novels where the man is all powerful and masterful, and would never dare make a real life mistake or even have some real life feelings…except lust. The lust is definitely there. The heroine, Zara, slowly began to grate on my nerves as I read. She seemed like she was going to be one of those heroines I liked, strong, willful, intelligent and beautiful, but by the time I stopped reading, I kind of didn’t like her anymore. She just seemed to lose any rational thought and most of her spine when the hero, Tobias, was around. I do realize this type of writing is common in some romance novels, but to me, if a woman is saying “no, no” she should mean a big NO, because this is what the man is hearing. And a man who just keeps on with the seduction and sex when a woman is saying no, well, he isn’t my kind of hero. If you mean yes…then say yes and then own it. I would like any young woman who picks this book up to know that when someone says no, it means no. It also bothers me to see sex used as a power play. Sex should never be portrayed as a power struggle. Maybe an inner struggle against yourself, but never a struggle against your partner.
“Why are you doing this?
“Because I know what you need.”
“My body thrummed with need but, despite wanting this, my mind demanded I at least try to maintain my power.”
This hero is so masterful that the heroine was able to climax on demand. During sex, he is soooo good that she doesn’t come until he tells her it okay, and she does so instantly. They should really hold classes for this ability, people would be lined up for years.
The part of the book I read, which was up to 37% was based in LA, and from the story I’m guessing the first book was based in London. The descriptions of the homes and locations of the story were beautifully descriptive. Every item of clothing Zara wore was described in detail, including who the designer was…down to even her underwear. I personally don’t like that much clothing description, especially naming designer names, because if the book is great and going to be a reread for you, it will date the book at some point in the future. And it really bothers me when the hero buys the woman expensive clothing and then demands that she wear it…but I don’t like force no matter how innocuous. It comes off as sexier, for me, if she gets out of bed and puts on a shirt of his…not a fabulous designer negligee that he bought her. At one point in the book, the heroine’s idea of rebellion was to not put on the shoes he picked out for her…that’s some harsh way to show the guy you’re rebelling. I know that everyone has different types of romance novel kinks, that’s what makes this genre so awesome, there is something for everyone, but this just wasn’t my kind of read.
Grade: D
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