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The Game Changer (2000)

by Marie Landry(Favorite Author)

3.61 of 5 Votes: 4

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English

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review 1: Oh, man, this could have been so good. Good characters pull you in with just enough flaws to make them seem human. So how could you not like sexy-man-about-town-meets-reserved-sweetheart, right? Unfortunately, for much of the book, I couldn't help thinking manwhore-meets-doormat. If Julian were a woman, he'd likely not be cast as the heroine, especially because there seems to be little justification for his lack of commitment to Melody. ***SPOILERS***Marie Landry writes some great banter, though. In fact, I think she excels at it. This kept me going when I found myself unable to root for Julian and Melody as a couple. Unfortunately, Landry doesn't really follow up on it. When J&M finally get together (and I do mean FINALLY, as it's 86% of the way through the book...), ther... moree's some lead up (a couple of paragraphs) and then "Julian rolled off her" in the very next sentence. What happened to the good stuff? This reminded me of Harlequin novels from my youth ('70s) where it seemed like your parents were the editors and removed every pulse-throbbing scene. Sheesh. Even worse, the setting for their final, uhh, joining, is at a really awkward moment. All I can say is if someone in my family were in his father's situation, the last thing I'd be thinking about is getting it on with my should-I-or-shouldn't-I friend. Even if I was crazy with lust, the location just wouldn't work. ***END of SPOILERS***This book is more chicklit than romance, with the difference being the amount of time it devotes to girl issues (as opposed to sexual chemistry and the characters acting upon it, think Bridget Jones as chicklit and anything by Nora Roberts as romance). I picked it up because it had been recommended by other readers on Goodreads. If I remember correctly, they even had it in the top books of '12. I'm sorry to say, I couldn't vote for it on a faves list, more of an 'ok' list. It was my first Marie Landry read and I'm not sure I'll go back for more.
review 2: I read a lot of contemporaries in 2012 and I have to say that The Game Changer is my favorite Contemporary Romance of 2012! I just loved it. The characters are awesome. I didn't feel like I was reading a story about Melody, I felt like I was along for the ride with her, experiencing it all as her friend. I wouldn't change a thing about The Game Changer. I loved that it wasn't a super short book, it actually had some meat on it. As soon as Olivia and Melody moved in together and said that they always wanted to have a cute apartment by themselves like Monica and Rachel from Friends, I was hooked! Olivia and Melody had me cracking up. I just loved watching the two of them together. But what I really loved about The Game Changer is that even the secondary characters were fully fleshed out and developed. You got to know everyone, and each of their stories was effortlessly woven into the main plot. Marie Landry makes writing seem effortless. She made me tear up in BOTH of her books. (and I am not an easy crier people!) She is just a powerful writer. I loved Blue Sky Days, but I loved The Game Changer even more. Melody meets Julian, who I absolutely loved as well, pretty quickly in the story but the romance and friendship builds between them throughout the book. No one can classify this as insta-love. This is the real, believable kind of love that will have you rooting for the two of them and sometimes wanting to hit them upside the head so they can just get over themselves and make something happen already! Because you know they are so perfect together, but just like real life things happen, there are ups and downs, and of course, there is change. The Game Changer is one of those rare books that I fell in love with one page one. I had to put it down a few times because I didn't want it to end. I want to read it again and again. The Game Changer is a must read! less

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