Games of the Heart

The 'BurgGames of the HeartKristen Ashley

Sep 24

Written by Ally Talley

The ‘Burg #4

By Kristen Ashley

~ Can be read as a standalone ~

TheStory

Growing up, Mike always had a special relationship with Dusty. Throughout his adulthood, Mike has had a series of questionable relationships. But when Dusty’s brother dies, Mike thinks that Dusty is just as selfish as she was the day she left town. Soon realizing that is not the case, Mike dives headfirst into figuring out just who Dusty is now that she’s returned to town.

TheReview

Okay… this book took me on an investment roller coaster. Let me explain.

Each time I thought, “Oh, I don’t like this,” approximately 20 pages later I was so into it! Each part presented me with a scene, person, or thought process that icked me out. But then it did a flip flop and became interesting. So I couldn’t really tell if I liked it sometimes.

In the very beginning, Mike (Mr. I’m Supposed To Be Heart Broken, Damaged, and Unable to Trust Anyone) just ALL OF THE SUDDEN jumped right into trusting and falling for Dusty. Whaaaaaat. Obviously, that’s not the whole story and he does wind up having issues, but that was way out of left field for me, with almost no reasonable determination as to why he was so willing to forgive her.

Once he actually showed his damage and, let’s be real, his immature thought processes, I felt like the book took off well from there. It showed that there was growth to be had by Mike.

Rocky, on the other hand, I appreciated her character more or less form the beginning. She naturally fell into all her roles for everyone around her. She never apologized for being who she was when she was. She was funny and witty and caring. Just the whole package, to be honest.

On to my favorite part of the whole thing. FINN AND REES?! Oh my gosh. I don’t even like having kids in a romance, but these two SLAYED. I liked their relationship more than Mike and Rocky (whom I also ended up loving). BUT FINN AND REES?! I mean… truly… they became the heart and soul of this book for me.

Even the antagonists in this book were phenomenal. The crazy ex-wife seemed a little forced for me but in the end, I got it. DEBBIE. That poopoo head. I LOVED to hate her in this book. She was the absolute worst, which made her written really well.

The epilogue was perfectly long and wrapped everything up so beautifully. It was really a two, maybe three, star read for me in the beginning because I just couldn’t tell if I liked anything that was happening. There was no emotional investment for me until about 15%. Which I understand, it’s a long book. Give it time. But I should have a kernel of something by nearly 1/5 of the way through. Alas, it did pick up and got much better. However, Finn and Rees truly made this book for me. By the end, it was a solid four star.