I received an ARC of from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is a slow-burn lesbian romance set in the world of professional gaming. It follows Sam, an androgynous-looking rising esports star, and Lauren, a marketing executive who’s been told by her shithead CEO that Sam “looks too much like a guy” to be their poster girl. As their romance develops, the story also tackles the very real toxicity that women in gaming face - verbal abuse, harassment, and the constant stream of rape or death threats - and tries to consider what we and gaming companies can do to help.

I really enjoyed the romance itself - it was sweet, and I liked watching Sam and Lauren’s relationship grow. The dynamic between Sam and some of the nicer players was also a highlight, especially as she worked to prove herself to the sexist ones. However, the book sometimes felt like it was trying to explain gaming to non-gamers in ways that felt a bit awkward to me as a gamer. The male characters, in particular, came across as over-the-top caricatures of sexist gamers. I get that it was probably done to heighten the stakes, but some of the dialogue actually made me laugh and pulled me out of the story.

Overall, I did enjoy this! It was cute, and it was nice to read something adjacent to my interests. I’d rate this 3.5 stars, but since Goodreads doesn’t allow half-stars, I’m rounding up to 4. If you’re into the idea of a gamer romance, this is for you.

As an avid gamer myself, I was excited to read this one. Although I'm not very well versed in the world of esports, I could still relate to a lot of elements of this book, particularly the toxicity towards female gamers. I was glad to see it talked about as a central theme in this book and not brushed under the rug.

However, in terms of the gaming aspect itself, there were a few key moments that felt a little skipped over. For instance, the wins or losses were mostly just stated instead of actually described. This is the case for more than just the gaming as well, there are quite a few times in the book where events take place between characters or time passes and it is just told to us instead of letting us experience those moments. I wasn't as big a fan of that aspect, I feel like it can take away from the development of the story and the characters.

As far as the romance, I thought it was okay. I liked both characters individually, but together their chemistry felt lacking for me.

Overall though, this one is still a good read for fans of gaming and sapphic romance. It explores issues of toxicity in gaming, and features two strong characters 3.4/5 stars.

ARC REVIEW - *Good Game* by Suzanne Lenoir is the kind of romance that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go! It’s packed with witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and a fierce battle—not just for gaming glory, but for identity too.

Sam O’Brian is climbing the pro gaming ranks (which isn't easy... Have you heard the things gamers say to girl gamers??), but her grunge-inspired, unbeknownst kindhearted attitude isn’t something she thought could be appetizing for a professional gaming career.

Enter Lauren Johanssen, a polished marketing exec with a mission and a goal: bring more females into pro-gaming and make Sam more “marketable” while helping their eSports team clean up... Because it was a *mess* for Augustan Gaming's Siege Encounter on aisle Team Baltimore Barrage...

This book is a total win for opposites-attract trope lovers and the geek enthusiast gamers! Sam and Lauren’s dynamic is electric from the start—filled with laugh-out-loud moments, swoon-worthy tension, and plenty of heartfelt depth. *Good Game* isn’t just about gaming; it’s about defying expectations, staying true to yourself, and discovering connections where you least expect them.

An absolute five-star read for anyone who loves competitive banter, geeky fun, and slow-burn romances with an emotional core!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publisher for the opportunity 💕**

I loved this! I was hooked from the first chapter. Not only is it an adorable sapphic romance but also the way it tackles womens spaces in the gaming community was such a fresh take and also completely realistic. If you're a gamer and also enjoy sapphic romance then this is a 100% recommend.