The Name of the Game by Jennifer Dawson

The Name of the Game by Jennifer DawsonThere’s this saying about love being the other side of hate because both are strong, passionate emotions… That’s what this novel embodies with two people who think they dislike each other when really they’re hiding from their own feelings. James is less oblivious as he recognizes his physical attraction, but Gracie sees only the ways in which they’re different, and sees his choices as a condemnation of her.

You can understand the conflicts right off, and to all appearances, they are so opposite there should be no way James and Gracie attract. Yet, from the very start, they both share strong connections with friends and family who they want to make happy even if it means suffering the presence of the one person they each cannot stand.

That sense of connection in a larger family (whether blood or not) runs throughout the book and makes for a beautiful counterpoint to their early bickering. It also ties them in knots later as they worry at the consequences when their attraction becomes unavoidable despite its presumed temporary nature.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

A simple promise, extracted from each of them separately by those they love, dooms (and saves) James and Gracie. They’re asked if they can just be nice for a weekend. Trouble is, their battling is the only thing keeping them apart. No matter how much they believe they don’t suit, that they understand exactly the perfect person for the other—and they’re not it in any way, shape, or form—without the constant fighting, their passion has no other outlet.

You’d think this a sexual joyride, and it is both sensual and explicit at times as well as involving dominance games, but what captured my attention is the way the characters had to overcome their own insecurities to recognize just how perfect they are for each other.

James wasn’t always a sculpted Adonis while Gracie is far from the skinny, athletic type he seems to desire. But it’s more than their physical natures in play as Gracie made some sacrifices for her family and doesn’t seem able to move beyond those decisions when the need for them has passed. And James sees her behavior without understanding the roots so prejudges her as much as she has him. They both have to learn a lot about themselves before they can start to recognize how they are perfect for each other, which doesn’t mean they’re in any way perfect.

It’s a silly, irreverent story on the surface that still touches on very heavy topics about self-perception and how we’re quick to think our flaws the focus of how others perceive us. It’s a habit that doesn’t disappear after high school and can have serious effects on our life choices as is demonstrated here where James and Gracie almost deny their only chance at happiness first because they can’t see what makes them right for each other and then because they don’t believe it can last.

They are put in an impossible situation that is made more difficult by their poor choices, and yet, through crisis and conflict, they end up making it work and giving the reader an enjoyable tale with lingering questions to explore.

My only real quibble is his nickname for her, which seems out of place with the message of self-acceptance, but overall, it’s a strong, fun read with a real focus on community as well as the couple…and coupling of course.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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