| Title | : | Trivialized Pursuit (Love \u0026 Games, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 251 |
| Publication | : | Expected publication July 6, 2023 |
Roxanne Sloane’s life runs on checklists. As co-owner of a game store fresh off the brink of closing, she’s focused on spreadsheets, market research, and keeping Love & Games in the public eye. When Rox agrees to a televised interview, she doesn’t expect to learn the store’s crowd-funding account was compromised or that the news station has arranged a complimentary audit. She definitely doesn’t expect comfort from her co-owner’s player brother.
Murphy Sikes is many things—a handsome doctor, an overprotective brother, and a serial dater. Beyond casual hookups, he can’t separate settling from settling down. So, when he visits the store and finds Rox with a smooth-talking auditor, Murph’s confused—his inconvenient attraction for his sister’s friend is joined by a not-at-all-brotherly tenderness. It’s definitely not jealousy when he invites her to trivia night…
With each battle of wits, their undeniable chemistry weakens their willpower to remain platonic. But Murph’s unconvinced he’ll check all her boxes, and Rox questions if he’ll ever settle down. Can they overcome their trivial hang-ups and finally win at love?
Trivialized Pursuit (Love \u0026 Games, #2) Reviews
-
Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “Trivialized Pursuit" by Mia Heintzelman
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
Roxanne Sloane manages “Love and Games”, a family business where not only nostalgic board games sell well, but the romantic chemistry that sparks within the store as well! After Roxanne’s sister and her town’s local celebrity, Harper Sloane, aka “Monopoly Queen”, hits things off with her match, she feels it’s her turn to find love and organizes a list to help her find that “one shot” at love. Murph Sikes, Roxanne’s best friend's brother, has had feelings for her for as long as he can remember, but is hesitant to make a move for fear of repeating what he assumes are the romantic strains in his parents' relationship. As a series of events start to transpire, from “Trivial Pursuit” nights to a life changing trip to Vegas, Our two protagonists start to get out of their comfort zones! Will their game of love land them a win or will their chemistry be game over before it has begun?
Ok, where to begin..I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! First off, the premise of the series overall was ingenious! Heintzelman perfectly combined Contemporary Romance with board game nostalgia! From “Monopoly” to “Trivial Pursuit”, these games being used as physical, wholesome allegories for finding love and forming connections was not only effective storytelling, but it makes you want to buy and play these games as well. To fit with the theme of the book, each chapter also comes with an exciting trivia question and answer that fits with the tone of the chapter.
Roxanne and Murph had excellent chemistry and character development. Both characters wanted to love and be loved, but relationship anxiety due to generational trauma got in their way at the start of the book. As the book progresses, the characters learn to not only let down their barriers and not be so hard on themselves, but to have faith in their hearts and not limit experiences for fear of rejection, to not define their relationships by the relationships of others. Their personality alignment also played off each other really well from their trivia gaming dynamics to their witty/wholesome dialogue with one another.
Q: This exciting “Trivial Pursuit” themed contemporary romance book and second installment in the “Love and Games” series is a can’t miss read that will hit online shelves on July 6th, 2023!
A: “Trivialized Pursuit”
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Tropes to Expect: Friends-to-Lovers, Soulmates, They Fall Fast, Sisterhood Narrative, Only One Bed, Best Friends Brother, Engagement Narrative,
Birthday Narrative, and Game Night Narrative.
- Trigger Warnings: Relationship Anxiety, Relationship Existentialism, Implications of Depression, and Mentions of Divorce. -
Fun, romantic and entertaining.
I loved the first book in this series, Monopolove, and knew I wanted to read this book too. The series features the owners of Love & Games, a game store based in San Diego. Each book is based on a classic board game.
This book features Rox’s story. It’s fun and emotional with Rox being in love with Murph, the brother of her business partner/sister’s best friend, and the things she does to get her man. Rox and Murph are destined to be together, but their journey to love is not an easy one. Rox wants commitment and Murph doesn’t do commitments. But maybe, he just hasn’t found the right woman. I was so happy when they finally worked through their differences and got there happily ever after. There are some tear-jerking moments in this book, so get your tissues ready. I also liked the fun trivia that was at the beginning of each chapter. This book is a great addition to the Love & Games series. -
I am absolutely in love with Roxanne and Murph! This is my first Love & Games read and I will be immediately reading the first story as I berate myself for why I haven't already!
I love how Heintzelman tackled difficult topics of generational traumas, separation, anxiety, and so much more. The author was able to address these topics thoughtfully without sacrificing any romance, laughter, and lots of love.
Also - the title chapters being trivia questions had to be a highlight of mine! I seriously couldn't put it down because I was too excited to read (what happens next, obviously) but also test my own knowledge with the trivia questions. Such a creative way to tie in the premise of the book. Loved it.
I absolutely recommend this book if you love: falling in love fast, friend to lovers, best-friends brother, game nights (because who doesn't), and friends that feel more like family. -
Thank you so much Mia for sending me the ARC of Trivialized Pursuit, the second book in the Love & Games series! If the first book, Monopolove, was a sweet and adorable read then Trivialized was even more so! (And I have always loved Trivial Pursuit more than Monopoly - haven't played in ages, though, and now I'm really thinking I should!)
Once again the game in question is made into an essential part of the story in so many clever ways. Both Rox and Murph love trivia games but that is not all they have in common. Even though they may seem really different - he is a bit of a player whereas she is looking for her one true love - what they have in common stems from their childhoods and the relationships they both have had around them. What it all comes down to is the importance of communication with the other person and when they both realize that the results are beautiful. Plus, they'll always have Vegas. ❤ -
I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to the author who was extremely kind and forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.
Trivialises Pursuit is book number two from the wonderful Love and Games series. At just 251 pages this book wasn’t too long and was such an easy read too.
Once I started it i just couldn’t stop reading and found myself turning the pages quicker and quicker so that i could hurry up and find out what was going to happen next!
I really love how the books in this series are based around traditional board games and it honestly made me want to play a game or two!!
Roxanne and Murph were two wonderful characters with great chemistry and i absolutely loved the friends-to-lovers trope and is actually one of my favourite tropes to read.
Overall this book was written really well, with a great storyline and was the most perfect rom com story……. -
One of my favorite games takes center stage in this fabulous book from Mia Heintzelman! After watching gaming leading her sister to love, Roxanne Soane is ready to check live off her list. She’s got a clearly outlined definition of the perfect man and all she ha to do now is find him. If only Murph didn’t keep popping up. Sure he’s a hot doctor who gives her instant sizzle, but so many red flags… right?!
Dr. Murphy Sikes is the ultimate commitment-phobe. His parents’ relationship left him with a list of enough reasons to avoid relationships to keep him firmly in the field. But, as he spends more time with Rox the pull to be with her is unlike anything before, if only she didn’t want more than he can offer.
Bonding over a shared love of trivia, these two fight their magnetized pull, but can either set aside their preconceived lists to see what this could be? I loved that there were trivia questions to kick off every chapter! This book truly delivers - with a healthy appreciation for Red Vines, a grand gesture from both Rox and Murph, and enough banter to keep everyone laughing. We also see both Rox and Murph be challenged by “truths” that had set their understanding of love and relationships. And let’s just all be grateful for friends who love us enough to call us on our crap! Check this one out and grab the first is this series, Monopolove, if you haven’t already! -
A very enjoyable story of confusion in love coupled with bits of Trivial Pursuit information. Murphy and Rox each separately harbor love in their hearts for each other. It finally blossoms with brilliant color until the blossom closes. Is it the end of something beautiful or will the sun bring back the blossom?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
