Winter Lawrence

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours as part of a review tour.

This was such a fun book! The premise is so cool and makes for an exciting read. The characters get launched into a wide range of video games and it was interesting to see how they adapted to each one.

One of the things I loved about this book was that each chapter of the book had a corresponding song to listen to, so you end up with a whole playlist of songs. I have to say that the selection of music was so good! Some of the songs were “Under Pressure” by Queen, “Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, and “In the End” by Linkin Park.

I also liked the interlude chapters which gave the point of view of Gwen’s father. Those chapters added a little bit of mystery and intrigue to the story.

Since this is the start to a series not everything was 100% resolved which makes me interested in the sequel.

One thing I didn’t like however, was that the book felt a little long and slightly repetitive. There was a lot of bickering between the characters which happened every time the characters got thrown into a new game. With a little more editing the book could have been more concise.

Overall, if you’re a gamer then you’re sure to like this one!… (meer)

Not only gaming fans, but action lovers, who enjoy a dash of science fiction, are sure to sink into every page of this fast-paced read.

Gwen, aka Teddy, isn't really a people person. And she definitely wants nothing more to do with her ex-boyfriend and neighbor. When her gaming friend, and maybe boyfriend, sends her the newest development from his father's gaming lab and it's delivered to the wrong address, horrible things start to happen. Her ex's younger brother suddenly lands in comma with no hint as to what's wrong with him. But Gwen soon suspects it has something to do with the new game. Before she knows it, she's transported into the virtual world and must find a way to defeat whatever is thrown at her. She must not only save her life, but those of the two guy's and the poor younger brother as well.

I really enjoyed reading this one and couldn't put it down until I reached the last page. It is definitely an edge-of-the-seat kind of read. Gwen is a girl with heart, who really wants to do anything she can to save— especially— her ex's younger brother. She's determined, takes risks, but doesn't always know what to do. And this is what makes her so likable. She's willing to give up the reigns and realizes she doesn't know everything. Her willingness to work with others and admit she's wrong make her easy to cheer for. But that doesn't mean she should be underestimated either. Gwen packs her own skills.

The story itself feels a little familiar—players accidentally being sucked into the virtual world and forced to play a 'real' game. But the author offers enough unique backstory and a little secret intrigue to give it a different twist. Add a difficult romantic triangle...which isn't as much of a triangle as it first appears...and the tale has several twists and layers to add just enough depth. The main characters are pretty easy to care about. And a super cute dog, who might hold his own surprises, adds a nice touch toward the end. In other words, this is a book to lean back with and simply enjoy the ride.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed reading this even more than I thought I would. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.… (meer)