Talon Gold is a lot of things: good at football, bad at love. Obsessed with scoring, refuses to play by the rules. Cruel. Relentless. Brilliant. Intoxicatingly attractive.Despite his demanding reputation and propensity for being the most arrogant a-hole ever to strut Pacific Valley University’s picturesque campus, everyone wants a piece of him: coaches, scouts, and pretty little fangirls with … fangirls with pouty lips and perfect top knots.
But Talon … he only wants a piece of me.
And four straight years of infuriating rejection means I’m almost positive he’d take a night with me over a national championship trophy.
But I’m no fool—he only wants me because he can’t have me. And with graduation approaching, time is running out. He’s more desperate than ever, pulling out all the stops and doing everything in his power to get in my good graces.
They say, “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”
But to that I say, “Why not both?”
I have my reasons …
Sorry, BMOC. This victory? Not going to happen.
more
This was so good. The characters were so well developed and the story flowed so well that I was hooked and I could actually feel for them. It was great seeing a female character actually not give in so quickly to the male character. This left Talon with so much more to work with and actually helped developed their relationship. So good!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Just finished and is a little speechless. On one side I wanted Talon and Irie’s romantic story to go on and on, but at the same time the ending was really perfect. This is one of those stories that builds, layer by layer, as if unfolds and sucks you in. I was supposed to read this one “in between”… That didn’t really work out, as I couldn’t put it down. I loved this book!
Hate the game was a deliciously sexy NA football romance with all the feels. I enjoyed Talon and Irie’s chemistry and loved how relentless Talon was in getting a chance with her. This story was sexy and engaging and I could not stop reading!
Star Quarterback, Talon Gold has always wanted a chance with Irie Davenport but his four year pursuit of her has always crashed and burned. But as new study buddy partners, Irie is forced to see a new side of Talon she never expected. But with secrets in her past and a tight fortress around her heart, Talon will have to pull out all the stops to win his forever girl.
I really enjoyed this story. The banter was great and I loved how determined Talon was in winning over Irie. He was swoony and sexy and just the most delicious thing. All together this was a fun and flirty first book in Renshaw’s new standalone Love Games series! 4 stars! ~Ratula
Talon and Irie on paper could not be more different, yet in reality they are more alike than they would ever dream. These two have been dancing around each other for a few years, and now with graduation approaching, Talon is more determined than ever to get his girl. This is a beautifully written story which had me totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I could not recommend this gifted work highly enough, as she never disappoints her readers.
3 1/2*
Talon has been trying for 4 years to convince Irie to date him. Struck by her beauty he’s determined unfortunately she’s determined she’s not falling for him.
However persistence pays off & he gets his one date. Can he convince her they have a future & can she let go off her past?
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Nice story.
I’m not normally a fan of YA/college reads but as I enjoy this authors stories I thought I’d give it a go. While our two main characters Talon & Irie have major issues affecting their lives & future career paths it was done in quite a mature way.
Talons has sacrificed a lost a lot of his youth for football mainly due to his stepfather & Irie has family issues & things that happened before she came to live with her aunt of sorts & one that she doesn’t want to repeat.
Talon has had his sights set in Irie for 4yrs, initially not with good intentions however that has changed. Girls are always falling at his feet but is he really such a player? Both are drawn to the other & I enjoyed the slow build that bought them together.
However there’s always obstacles to the path of happiness.
I enjoyed the banter, the chemistry between our couple & how they both fought for what they wanted.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. 4.5*
I have to say ‘Hate the Game’ took me by surprise!
I am not a massive fan of college-based romances, (usually.) Being that this was a Winter Renshaw special I had to it give it a go- so glad I did! Talon and Irie’s slow-burn waltz to love and happiness had me hooked from the very beginning!
Maturity mixes with alpha persuasion and stubborn pride.
Talon has had his eye on Irie for four long years; she has kept him at a distance no matter what he threw at her!
Until fate throws him the winning pass…
A heart of hearts, sexy -n – sweet,mid-level feel drama with plenty of sass and wittiness mixed in between the storyline, with unique, quirky characters who blended well into the real feel scenario with a taste of fictional bliss!
A one-sitting digital cover to cover read- I thoroughly enjoyed!
A must-read that’s 5 PLUS stars!
This was well written, has wonderful characters that pull at your heartstrings and the storyline was amazing.
I really enjoyed this book. I would have to say it’s now one of my favorite from this author. Talon is a lot more than what he appears to be and I loved that about him. Irie was a little harder to warmer up to. Not sure what it was about her but there were times I liked her and there were times I didn’t.
Great college romance story! Sweet, angsty and fun! I really enjoyed Irie and Talon and loved watching their love bloom! Awesome read! Beautiful story!
This is a YA romance that has one of the secretly sweetest guys. He may be the college star QB and destined to go pro, and he may have women throwing themselves at him, but he has his eyes set on one girl, and one girl alone. Unfortunately for him, she doesn’t fall for his charm and due to a past relationship that didn’t end so well, she is forced to rebut any and all advances he tries to make on her. Unfortunately for her, he is assigned as her study partner. These two characters are both lovable. While certain things of their past slowly reveal themselves throughout the book, we learn the reasoning for some of their actions. Both have good and kind hearts, though they sometimes have to come across as hard. The side characters play minor roles, but a couple have a greater impact to the story. (Both good and bad.) It’s a fun ride as we watch the two get to know each other better. There are some heavier moments as we learn their secrets. There is some sexual content, but it doesn’t go into graphic detail. (I’d say its safe for 16/17+) It is a well written story, and moves smoothly and quickly.
I received an ARC of this book.
What a fantastic story!!
Irie has been dodging Talon’s advances since freshman year. Now that it’s their senior year in college, Talon is stepping up his game cause he intends on having Irie before he graduates. Too bad for Talon, Irie doesn’t just hate the player, she hates the game as well. This is a wonderfully emotional read and I highly recommend it!
Hate the Game by Winter Renshaw a five-star read you can ride to Victory. I adore Winter Renshaw and this one is some of the best writing from her, Talon and Irie just take you with them, they make you feel like you are part of their game. The slow burn, the football, the drama, it all makes for a compelling story, be warned once you pick this up you won’t be able to put it down. Winter Renshaw thank you for being amazing, please keep it up and don’t ever stop writing.
Irie was going to focus on her studies, she’s been ignoring Talon Gold the star quarterback, ladies’ man who thinks he’s a god since they were both freshmen. They’ve been playing cat and mouse, continually at war with her body and her mind reminding her he only wants her because he can’t have her, then she gets paired with him as a study partner.
Irie might fool some but not him, he knows she wants him, just as much as he wants her. He knows Irie isn’t like the other girls who throw themselves at him, she wants nothing to do with him no matter how hard he tries.
Going to a party Irie never expected to see Talon, or that he would be wanting to spend time with her. He won’t give up, so she lets him know he’s not her type she doesn’t hate him but knows all about him. He surprises her letting her know she’s the reason for his warpath. He is tempting, but she can’t she knows, she needs to get away from him, she won’t be put in that position again.
Having had a few drinks, he needs to know why she’s repulsed by him, she she’s running. He lets her know that he doesn’t accept failure, she thinks she’s a game to him but she’s not, she’s what he wants and always has. He just wants her to let him prove to her that he’s genuine she’s not a game. He wants to know who built the fortress around her, the one he’s going to pull down brick by brick.
Hate the Game is a story by Winter Renshaw. It is a slow burning romance with stunning characters and a believable and engrossing storyline. Intensity flows anxiously, with the attraction between the primary characters beating from the pages. My heart was a fluttering mess the whole way through. This story had me turning the pages deliriously happy to discover what was on the other side, but also trying to savour each moment and give it the attention it deserved. The highs were high and the lows were heartfelt. It was brilliantly written. The only downside was that it had to end. 5 stars.
Talon is the perfect book boyfriend!!
At first I thought this was going to be a frenemies to lovers story…But it so much more than that. Irie has been on a single minded path to graduation and her future since she arrived. Talon, the BMOC, quarterback with the pros in his future, knew she was the one he could spend his future with. If he can just get a foot in the door. And by the vagaries of chance, they both find themselves taking the same class and the door opens up. Talon is much more than the campus golden boy, or playboy as Irie thinks. Irie isn’t ready to trust him and he works to earn her trust and time. A slow sweet burn! They both have things, people, family, who have failed them in some way. This isn’t just their love story. It’s also their self discovery along the way. I love, love, loved it!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hate the Game by Winter Renshaw is a deliciously tempting college romance full of angst and drama, feels and sweet. Without giving anything away, Talon and Irie are both just amazing characters who will have you rooting for them together and separately.
Talon is a hot jock with a jerky attitude , determined to be the top dog on and off the field while Irie’s the quiet girl- the one interested in finishing college and starting her career as an interior designer.
Theirs is a slow dance yet it’s so worth it because Talon and Irie had so much chemistry and connection. Their journey towards a relationship ends up being the best read. Irie’s past will pull on your heartstrings yet the HEA that comes together in this story is amazing!! The characters, plot and feels are fantastic!
My Rating: 4.7 stars ******
Hate the Game
By Winter Renshaw
Main Characters: Talon and Irie
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
4 out of 5 stars
They are both college seniors. Talon is a QB and has been trying to get Irie to date him since freshman year with no luck. He can’t figure out why she always says no. For some reason, I just didn’t connect with this story. Perhaps it is because I like older m/c’s. I did like how Winter is able to weave a story and keep us guessing until almost the end. I absolutely loved the epilogue.
If you love slow burn, new adult sports romances, then Hate the Game is the book for you. Talon, the college football star from a wealthy family seems to have it all, but is harboring deep hurts about his upbringing. Being in a relationship was not in his plan as he was focused on making it to the NFL, that was until he met our sweet heroine, Irie.
As in many of her past books, Winter Renshaw creates characters that you want to get to know and who aren’t what they seem on the surface. That have depth and pain, and over the pages, you get to know them intimately. That is the case for these two young friends to lovers. I so admired Talon for his drive and ambition, as well as his singular focus getting Irie to at first date him, then fall in love.
He was so patient and sweet to her, and their attraction to each other was undeniable. She was a tough nut to crack due to her past as well as her lack of trust in his intentions, but little by little she let down her guard and let him in. He was young and immature at first, but grew up fast and became a better man since she was in his life. His confidence grew and he was able to stand up for what he believed in, both in his professional and personal life, and was also able to confront the people who were suppose to love him the most and let him down.
What I love most about this book is the character development and friendship that they formed during the four years that they were together in college. Over time, they were able to open up and show their vulnerability, and it was beautiful to read.
Irie was independent, hardworking, and also had her own career goals and dreams of becoming a fashion designer which I admired. I loved her Aunt Betty! But what happens when new opportunities present themselves? Do you refocus your priorities and take a chance? Do you trust your heart or listen to your head? Read Hate the Game and find out!
I especially loved the extended epilogue with a chapter in the future.
I’ve always enjoyed Winter Renshaw’s writing and Hate the Game was no different. This book was unexpected in a good way. Things aren’t as they seem when it comes to these characters and to this story.
Talon Gold. Star quarterback, big man on campus, pro prospect. Has been going after one girl since Freshman year and now he has the opportunity to take a chance. Irie Davenport. Interior design student, hard worker, has a dream internship and wants NOTHING to do with Talon.
I loved Talon. When he was first introduced you got it from Irie’s POV and she saw what pretty much everyone else did. The jerk, the player, pretty much your stereotypical football star. But as the story progressed you learned so much more about the man. There is truly more to him than what meets the eye and you can’t help but fall in love with this character. Not only did I love Talon, but also Irie. She is hardworking, she is focusing on just finishing up her college career. She has also had so many struggles in her personal life that she had to overcome and she is truly amazing and a better person than the rest of her family. The two of them together had so much chemistry and you could feel the instant bond they formed, whether they wanted to admit it or not.
Hate the Game was full of angst but it was also sweet. I LOVED every single minute of this story.