The Single Game: Amanda Black

Blurb:

In this third, stand-alone installment of Amanda Black’s Apartment Novels series, sparks fly during a sexy party game.

When Eden Foster’s parents tell her they’re moving from Chicago to the Illinois suburb of Aledo, Eden is crushed. That is, until she runs crying to her jock boyfriend, who she finds on top of her so-called best friend. Moving’s not looking so bad anymore.

Now a senior at Mercer County High, Eden is ready to re-enter the dating scene. Still burned over the betrayal of her ex, she’s looking for someone sweet and innocent. With the help of her two new friends, Zoe and Amy, Eden makes a list of what she’s looking for: an eager virgin, ready for training—and no jocks.

Eden thinks she’s found what she’s looking for in Logan Black, a shy and geeky classmate. But why are Zoe and Amy convinced that the answer to her search is a party game…with kissing?

Eden better get ready, because she’s about to play the Single Game.

Review: 4.5 Stars

Once I realized where this book was heading -- falling for a shy guy -- I was all in!  Part of me felt guilty for being so invested in a high school relationship and the other part of me was too busy reading with a cheesy grin on my face to even care.

After a bad experience with an asshole ex-boyfriend, Eden was ready to find a good guy who is pretty much the opposite of her ex.  No jocks.  No manwhores.

"...I'm tired of smarmy guys who think they're all that.  I'd rather have someone who didn't know what he was doing, but was honestly willing to learn."

Well Eden, you're in luck.  I think I'm in insta-love with Logan.  Book boyfriend alert!

"He's not the kind of guy you play games with or try to outsmart.  He isn't looking to hit it and quit it."

There's something that is simultaneously nice but scary about meeting your forever guy early on in life.  "Nice" because you don't have to deal with the dating scene bullshit.  "Scary" because you're so young and everyone talks about how much you change in your 20s.  I met my husband when I was 20...We count our anniversary as the day we started living together (which we did within a few weeks of meeting each other).  There's more to that story...but it was a bit scary to think about all the ways that arrangement could go wrong.

This book is a straight-up romance.  Minimal angst and drama.  It's refreshing, if you're cool with a low-drama read.

I love this quote (and the fact that it actually originated from the author's husband):

"I feel like I won the million dollar jackpot the very first time I played.  Why would I keep trying to get something better?  There is no better. I'm not stupid - I know how to cherish the treasure I've been given."

Oh Logan - I love you....and Luke (the author's husband) -- if you inspired that quote, points to you too!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.