I've tried twice. I just ain't got time for this. 9%

The Name of the Game is the newest addition to Jennifer Dawson's delightful Something New series. This incredibly charming antagonist to lovers romance positively sizzles with sexual tension as James Donovan and Gracie Roberts try to put aside their animosity for the sake of the friends and family. Old and new fans of the series are going to absolutely love watching this mismatched couple try to figure out their surprising relationship.

Gracie and James are complete opposites and they have been at each other's throats right from their very first meeting. Gracie is a self-taught baker whose scrumptiously delicious desserts are a huge hit with everyone. James is a tenured professor of forensic anthropology at a prestigious college and occasional police consultant. Gracie is allergic to exercise whereas James is long distance marathon runner and health food nut. Gracie is exuberant and chaotic while James thrives on control and calm. Gracie's lush figure and outgoing personality make her the center of attention. James, on the other hand, is more of an observer who hates to be in spotlight. Neither of them believes they have anything in common but their lives are intertwined through the relationships of their friends and family and both know it is time to stop making everyone uncomfortable with their nonstop hostility. However, Gracie and James are about to discover what everyone else already knows: their enmity hides a mutual attraction.

Gracie is unfailingly cheerful, flirtatious and incredibly stubborn. She has never lacked for male companionship but her relationships never seem to last. Since meeting James, she has gone a few lackluster dates that ended after one or two dates. She is genuinely pleased her friends have found love, but lately, she cannot help but feel a little jealous of their happiness. Once she and James overcome their loathing for one another, Gracie eagerly agrees to explore their mutual desire, but her fears make it impossible for her discuss their future.

James is absolutely wonderful and impossible not to love. Although he is very close to his brothers, they share little in common. His tight control often makes him appear aloof and his matter of fact, straight forward approach to life sometimes causes him to overlook subtle social cues. James is quite caring and compassionate but he too is afraid to admit he wants a lasting relationship with Gracie.

Gracie and James are reluctant to acknowledge their mutual desire but once they do, their sex scenes are blistering hot. Quiet, unassuming James definitely seizes control in the bedroom and surprisingly, this is just what Gracie needs. Their interludes slowly begin to take on a Dom/sub vibe and by the end of the novel, Gracie has to come to terms with this previously unknown aspect of her personality.

Once they agree to date, Grace and James settle fairly easily into their new relationship. For the most part, their romance is long distance and while they do not spend a huge amount of time together, they do get to know one another through daily phone calls. They find it easy to confide in each other about their pasts but they suffer from a serious lack communication about their future. Conflict arises when James takes the initiative to help Gracie solve an ongoing business issue. Needless to say, Gracie is not at all pleased with him and her reaction reflects her displeasure. Her response was a little over the top and she essentially uses this to prove her point that they are not destined to be together for the long haul. Thankfully, this conflict is solved rather quickly in a somewhat unorthodox fashion.

The Name of the Game is a heartwarming addition to Jennifer Dawson's fabulous Something New series. James and Gracie are multi-faceted, sympathetic characters and while they are flawed, these imperfections are easy to relate to. Their relationship is a fantastic blend of blazing hot sex and tender, heartfelt moments that perfectly showcase their deepening emotions. An overall entertaining and engaging love story that fans of contemporary romances are sure to love. ( )

Gracie and James are opposites. He has to think everything through, weigh the options and act according. Gracie is impetuous, self reliant and her spirited personality has caused heated exchanges between her and responsible James. The saying: where there's smoke, there's fire applies to them. That fire leads to an inferno. The combustible energy between these two leaps off the page and scorches the reader. Jennifer Dawson has written a story with sex appeal that gets better ever page. Each story I have read by Ms. Dawson is even better than the first one. I received an ARC of The Name of the Game in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

There’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. ( )

Awesome read! This is the third in the series but it can absolutely be read stand alone. However, if you have read the first two books you have enjoyed the crazy bickering and banter between James and Gracie. You always new there were sparks beneath all that heat and the chemistry flares to life in this book! It's a fantastic opposites attract story, but sometimes you find out the person you think you know isn't quite what you thought! Their better, oh so much better. You definitely want to pick up this fantastically written story and give it a try. I highly recommend it. ( )