Fluffy Romance, Video Games and Spice, What More Could You Want?
Book Review of Good Game, Gamer Girl by Reina Zoric
Published: October 1st, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars)
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Cozy Romance, Gamer Romance
Series: Good Game series (Book 1 of unknown)
Disclaimer: Thank you Reina Zoric for sending me this book. All thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.
CW/TW: sexual content, sexism, online bullying.
Meet Our Gamers
When your ex breaks up with you over a game the next logical step is obviously to level up in the game and out rank him. That’s exactly what Emma did, it may have taken her three years, but she did it. However toxic insults from a teammate ruin the celebration. The blatant sexism infuriates Emma so much that she barely speaks to the man in the internet cafe congratulating her.
It’s not until a friend sends her a video of that same man, who turns out to be one of the most famous pro gamers in North America, reaching out on to his fans to help him find his ‘mystery girl’. When Alex Thorne (aka monstrX) makes her an offer she can’t refuse, he turns Emma’s life upside down.
Cozy Gamer Romance
Good Game, Gamer Girl is a cozy gamer romance about two gamers/streamers getting to know each other and falling in love. Following the cozy/fluffy sub-genre, the story is a low-stakes story that follows the characters as they get to know each other and work together. Therefore, the pacing is more slow-to-medium.
Commentary on Serious Subjects
The author, Reina Zoric, includes casual commentary on sexism in gaming, the vastly different experiences of male gamers/streams versus female gamers/streamers and a slight mention of public relationships. Reina was inspired by not only her own personal experiences in gaming but of other female games she knows as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this representation within the book and the fact that its inclusion doesn’t consume the cozy romance.
A Fun Read But I Wanted More
I loved this Good Game, Gamer Girl and gave it four stars. To get five stars, I would have liked to see more interaction with other side characters, some side story arcs and even some more conflict – yes, I understand this is cozy, but conflict doesn’t have to be ridiculously high stakes; you can have conflict in a low stakes story, and this did, but I would have liked to see more.
After interviewing the author for the RichReads Podcast (Reina’s episode goes live on the 15th of February 2025), I’m excited to say that book two (which follows a different couple) will have more side character involvement and hopefully reappearances from Emma and Alex.
Favourite Quotes
Besides, I was way more content with the battery-operated boyfriend who lived in my nightstand than I had been with my ex.
“You hit Grandmaster over the weekend?!” I gasped and looked at Emma. My eyes felt like they were going to bulge out of my sockets. “What? Like it’s hard?” She chuckled, then laughed even harder when she saw my expression.
I was upset, I was vulnerable and I was horny—a very bad combination.
I would have to address that in therapy. And I would eventually because I could finally afford it.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Good Game, Gamer Girl is a lovely, sweet (with some spice), cozy story about love and gaming. While reading, there were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments which I absolutely loved. I recommend this for romance readers who enjoy cozy, fluffy stories, workplace romance and secret relationships.
If you’re looking for a good vibes book that will leave you smiling and warm inside, then Good Game, Gamer Girl is your next read.
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