All her life, Katie has been chosen last for everything: the last picked on the playground, the last picked by her absent father, and definitely the last picked by boys–even her secret crush, Alex, friend-zoned her. This senior year, Katie is determined to come first. But then Alex asks her to help him find a date?! Alex has been living life in the fast lane, but he’s ready to slow down–with … to slow down–with a girlfriend. The last person on earth he’d consider? The girl his brother developed serious feelings for before he died: Katie. The only way Alex is going to get over Katie is by falling for someone new. And who better to help him find his new crush than the girl he can’t stop thinking about?
What can possibly go wrong?
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It’s funny and very entertaining!
The author sure knows her game, it was written so well that it inspires readers to have a wide imagination and experience a magical world of online game. There is definitely a plot twist!
It shows a lot of moral lessons even when playing – teamwork and sportsmanship. We are living in a digital world which there are a lot of players (people) who will encounter several levels and quests that challenge their styles and how they can handle each.
It was also told how a player can either be selfish (stealing all powers and loots of his teammates) or a good team leader/member. There is definitely a plot twist with the characters’ love story.
The story has been told by a 3rd-person and somehow it kind of confused me since there are a lot of characters mentioned. It was difficult for me to distinguish which is which since there are only 2 pronouns used, “he and she”, “him and her”, I’m confused whether it’s Lexi or Katie each time the author would say “she” or “her”.
It’s unique and it’s my first time to read a book that includes an online game plot. Though, I’m not sure if the book has the correct title, it should’ve been something about best-friends-turn-to-lovers, loving-a-bestfriend, liking-a-girl-that’s-not-on-the-same-team or just about the game itself.
Full review: https://www.heykymmie.com/playing-her-secret-crush-casey-griffin/
Katie feels that she has always been picked last in everything — from boys to school, and even by her father. That was until she decided that things had to change.
When I read the blurb, I was interested. There are many books with the best friend trope (I even read one before this) but what made this different from the others is that we knew how the guy felt. I was up for it.
Considering the blurb stood out to me, I shouldn’t have been surprised that it had two POVs: Katie and Alex. To me, this is both a good and a bad thing.
THE GOOD THING:
We see both sides of the story. It was interesting to know how Katie and Alex felt in every situation. I understood their feelings and hesitations better than if I only knew one side of what’s going on.
THE BAD THING:
It was frustrating. Some misunderstandings occur when people rely on assumptions and trust their insecurities more than the person. Having both sides of the story made you understand the situation but it doesn’t change the fact that you have no control over it.
One thing I wished the book could have done differently regarding the dual POV is the lack of indication as to who is speaking. Sometimes, I had to read a few sentences to figure it out. It also had multiple POVs in one chapter which could be a little confusing.
Full review: https://kookbookery.wordpress.com/2018/06/22/review-playing-her-secret-crush/
Sometimes, there are words that are better left unsaid… This was totally not one of those times! Katie and Alex have had a crush on each other for quite some time. For good reasons, they never said anything. Now that senior year is here, it’s time to turn over a new leaf. Katie wants to be more outgoing and get a boyfriend, Alex wants a steady relationship. Can they overcome their own obstacles and get out of their own way?
What I loved is this book is every nerd’s dream! Who doesn’t love talking about gaming!? Both Katie and Alex are sweet and endearing, but at the same time, they do frustrate you as a reader. You know there are things they should say but don’t, but you also know and understand why. Their chemistry was great, even with the secondary characters. I would love a second book… if it’s written in the stars!
3.5 Stars
3.5 Stars
Katie and Alex have been best friends for years. They have so much in common but they both have been hiding their feelings for each other for a long time. They both have their reasons but it doesn’t stop them from trying to find someone else so they can move on.
I really liked Katie and Alex but my favorite character in this story is Lexie!! I would love to see a book about her!! This story was cute and the gamer plot was interesting but there were way too many details about the game that didn’t really seem like they added anything to the story.
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
Playing Her Secret Crush by Casey Griffin is a friends to relationship story. Katie has a thing for her serial dater friend Alex and Alex has feeling for her too, but not only is she his friend, she is the girl his brother liked before he he died. They like each other, but are off limits. When Alex asks Katie to help him find a serious girlfriend feelings kept hidden are getting more complicated.
The gaming setting was a nice added aspect of this story and the reason behind their not getting together makes it seem the blinders that Alex has put up are grounded in a real reason. I felt that they developed a lot during the course of the story and that each became a better person in general and for each other as the story progressed.
Overall Playing Her Secret Crush by Casey Griffin was a fun, quick and quirky young adult story that takes a friends to relationship theme and adds its own thing.
(I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)
Another cute novel from Entangled: Crush. This time I met Katie and Alex, two fans of the online game Conquers of Caroon.
Katei never wanted to catch the attention of the boys but this year, she wants to do everything differently, she wants to be noticed and adored and get a boyfriend.
Alex has a crush on Katie for a long time but never considered staying with her friend because he believed that she was the love of his late brother.
Among flirting, rides and thrilling games, this couple will gradually gain strength to face their biggest fears and fight for what they really want.
I loved the plot, the other gamers of their team ( Pizzalover, Sugarplum, Lady_L) and especially the final moments.
I found it interesting how the writing was subtle and creative in creating a third element to fiddle with the couple’s feelings.
Loved this story. It’s a sweet YA friends to more story and Alex and Katie are amazing characters. While the gaming aspect of this story weren’t to my personal taste (I’m old) I can see how that would appeal to some. It seems well done and researched. Both Alex and Katie are attracted to each other but neither has tried to take the relationship beyond friendship. Now spending so much time together preparing for a huge gaming competition proves to much and it’s hard to keep their feelings under wraps. Is it finally their time??
I highly recommend this one to all YA readers.