Gaming The System

I unexpectedly really loved this one. Full of hair dye, unique style and a kick ass heroine, this book had me immediately hooked. Which was good, because I really didn’t like the cover. I know I know SHUT UP about the covers of books, but clearly that didn’t stop me from agreeing to read it. Of course, I was also wrong about how this book was going to play out….reading the description made me expect a somewhat superficial read – I was thinking instalove without instadepth. I mean, the heroine works at a sex toy shop for fucks sake…but SILLY ME FOR JUDGING. *slaps self*

I’ll save my own personal torture session for later (this isn’t that kind of book).

This is a fun read that had me walking away with a deep appreciation for these characters. While there may be instalove here it doesn’t come across that way. The progression of Kai and Luke’s relationship is natural (and pretty damn hot) as is the development of their feelings. This story gave me that warm lovey feeling that I want to wrap around myself and wear for a bit.

Kai’s a bit of an introvert who wears her Social Mask whenever necessary. In addition to the mask, she wears clothes, makeup and hair dye – all to avert the eyes from who she really is underneath it all. But from the second that Luke walks into Goody’s Goodies (the sex shop where she works) she feels like she was stripped bare. Luke, or Captain Hottie as Kai so aptly names him, is a really good guy who needs a huge favor. When Kai agrees to accompany him to his sister’s weeklong wedding affair in an effort to piss off his family, Luke thinks it will be simple to stay unattached. He’s not expecting to develop feelings for the punk and pierced firecracker. But obviously he does. and it’s adorable.

This book could have so quickly taken a turn into the land of cheesy – but it didn’t. Curtis does an amazing job of developing these characters so that you care about them and their choices. I was laughing with Kai and running my hands through my hair with Luke. The use of the word ‘fuck’ in this book is also outstanding, and for that alone I would have rated it high – but there was no need as the plot was just as much fun as the cursing.

Lots of sex and amazing chemistry has this one steaming up to 4.25 stars.

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

I really loved this book, especially the quirky characters. The author made them come alive with her descriptions and made me feel invested in their lives. From Kai with her crazy outfits and colored hair, to the slightly broken Luke with the overbearing mother.

This is a feel good story with enough quirks to make it fun and keep you engaged. I have added this author to my must read authors' list.

I gave Luke some props right off the boy admits to not knowing what goes through a girl's head when it comes to shoes, “women and their shoes. I don’t think any man really understands. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like to see them on you, but aren’t they hideously uncomfortable? Those boots today didn’t have heels, but they have to weigh a ton.” I loved Luke and his reactions to Kai's fashion, "she was bending over to pick up her chrome-heeled black stilettos when Luke walked up behind her. “Jesus, woman,” he said, running a finger down her butt, “are you trying to kill me?” I liked this book, I actually like this series the characters are memorable and lovable.

What a cute story.

The relationship between Kia and Luke was supposed to be fake.

Kia is a girl who works at a store selling sex toys and was asked by Luke to go to his sisters wedding with him, to upset his mother. She isn’t the type of girl you would bring home to your “conservative” parents. You see, Kia is the type of girl who colors her hair a different color with her crazy outfits and tattoos and piercings. Luke's parents has wanted Luke to go into politics, and having a girlfriend like that would show his mother he doesn't want to be in politics, he wants to be happy, and be a firefighter.

There is a week long of festivities before the wedding, and a lot happens during that week…some good, some not so good, but I loved the entire story.

It is a “feel good” romance with some hot sex mixed in.

This is the first book I have read of Lauren's, but it won't be my last.

Props to the author I really enjoyed reading about this couple. Kai, I love her she is what old folk call a "modern girl". She loves to dress up in outrageous outfits and loves to have her hair colors of the rainbows lol. Defiantly not the type of girl to bring home to your parents. Thats what Luke like about Kai and that she worked and a sex shop. Perfect for him to bring home. It was a fun read.

Will be up on blog on July 30th.

Gaming the System by Laura K. Curtis was a sweet and enjoyable read. The premise of the story was about a fake relationship turned real. What's not to love about a book that deals with two people from two different sides of the track falling in love. This story is definitely your feel good kind of read because I love the message that love sees no social status and its about finding the right person to fit into the world you want. When I say fit into your world, I mean a person whom you can see a future and relationship with not a person of social status and expectations. So if you are looking for a sweet quick summer read, then I suggest you give Gaming the System by Laura K. Curtis a try because what started off as a fake relationship became a whole new game when feelings of love are involved.

Readers who enjoy romances featuring opposites attracting will find themselves charmed by this tale from the first page to the last. With its colorful characters and steamy encounters evolving from a sweet and endearing friendship based on a lie you can't help but root for a HEA between Luke and Kai.

From the moment he decides to take Kai to his sister's wedding Luke knows his life will never be the same as his plan to stay far away from love and commitment brings it ever closer as he and Kai discover their supposed differences make them the perfect match. Unlike his parents, class differences don't mean anything to him as he doesn't judge Kai by her bright cover. Luke's a hardworking man who wants to forge his own path in life away from his parents machinations and Kai's to be his buffer during the week-long wedding festivities. Everything about her that upsets his parents excites him though and pulls him to her in a combustible connection that quickly morphs from friends to lovers. By story's end readers are just as surprised as Luke by their deep emotional connection and just as charmed by Kai's sparkling personality.

Kai might drape herself in a rainbow of colors but it belies a past of darkness, a past that I would've liked to know more about. She's a strong-willed and outspoken woman, full of artistic talent, but has never allowed herself to get close to others. Being with Luke though has her showing him glimpses of her true self and over their week together their supposed differences bind them together and had me cheering them on towards HEA.

This book's theme may be familiar but it's a feeling of comfort from start to finish as the characters charm you with their fun and flirty banter and honest talk. Their initial connection may be based on a lie but the feelings that result are honest and heartfelt. The sexual interludes are also scorching and further expressed Kai's carefree nature and Luke's embracing of a life lived for oneself. Surrounding this likable main couple is the intriguing and exciting backdrop of Goody's Goodies Sex Toy Store which brings in colorful customers and is staffed by an even more colorful group who slowly integrate themselves into Kai's life. Celia's the dancer and writer who wants to be so much more and still believes in love, while Joe is the sexy MMA fighter whose heart was broken by Luke's sister. Both of these characters endeared themselves to me and I hope to see more of them in the future. Readers looking for a charming and heartwarming story will get just that as well as a steamy tale proving that love comes when you least expect it.

I have a handful of authors who, no matter what they write, what genre they switch to, I will follow and read. I may not love everything but I consistently enjoy the books; Kelley Armstrong, Krista D Ball, Laura Anne Gilman, and now Laura K. Curtis. So far, she's published books in romantic suspense and contemporary romance but it's her contemporaries that have grabbed me. I love this series. So far, there are 2 full-length books and a short story which is only available to newsletter subscribers (disclosure: I did copy edits on the short story) and it's a fun, fresh series with a good mix of humor, family drama, and sexy times. And I can't help but think Curtis has had fun researching sex toys for the series. :D

Actually, one of the pluses for this story for me was how respectful Curtis is around the subject of sex stores. It would be easy to play it for laughs and not look seriously at the people who shop at sex stores and why they are there. Kai is the manager and a salesperson who is really quite good at reading customers and getting them to open up. She has a real knack and treats all of her customers with respect, even the teens who come in behaving like the juveniles that they are. She seems quite confident, fooling a great many people, including Luke. He also comes off as confident but is less so on the inside.

Kai and Luke just worked as a couple. They accepted each other, and with the exception of the inevitable big miscommunication towards the end of the story, they didn't judge each other. Although they just met prior to the wedding, they quickly come to understand each other, and know how to calm or relax the other one. There's an immediate attraction which they acknowledge and act on. Oh, and unlike so many contemporary romances, they actually discuss, before getting into bed together, STDs and pregnancy and who is using what and have they been tested. They actually behave like mature, responsible adults. Shocking, I know, but a refreshing change from most romances which either ignore the topics or gloss right over them in a rush to get to bed. It didn't slow the story down; it actually heightened their anticipation, and showed their individual characters quite well. Three cheers for Curtis!

I really enjoyed Kai and Luke, and even Luke's family. Okay, I didn't enjoy Luke's family but they were interesting and realistic. Georgie was a doll, cousin Gil was both funny and obnoxious, and Luke's mother really needs to be killed off in Curtis's next romantic suspense. Kai and Luke's problems are real, they're not perfect but they try to be good people, they're both smart, funny, and caring. I love that Kai holds her ground and doesn't let people get away with being rude or dissing her. Luke's mom is vain, pushy, arrogant, thoughtless, ruthless, and cares only about herself. Kai stands right up to her and in the process inspires Luke's sister, the bride at the wedding they are attending, to stand up to her also.

Luke's concern about his sister Georgie's wedding and whether she and her groom Brad were really right for each other did strike some false notes. He felt guilty for the years when he ignored her while growing up and now, certain that Brad is all wrong for her, Luke's determined to sit her down and talk to her, maybe talk her out of marrying Brad. He seems to think that this will somehow makeup for his misbehavior all those years ago. It was both sweet and obnoxious. I mean, Georgie is a grown, competent woman. It's really not his business who she marries or why and his reasoning for interfering just didn't quite ring true. He watches them like hawks, to see if they are really in love. He was annoying as only an older brother can be. Kai, despite her blunt ways, did better talking to Georgie, sounding her out about her feelings for Brad.

Luke and Kai were fun together, they generated some real heat, and Luke's assistance with a sexual, call it quirk, of Kai's (that's not exactly right but I don't want to give it away) was sweet and tender, and I loved that he didn't magically fix Kai. Neither one fixed the other. They're each broken in different ways but see the good in each other. They encourage each other, support each other, but they don't forget to have fun. The scene at the amusement park made me laugh, as did several other scenes. I can think of a few people I'd like to push into a pool. :D There are some serious topics addressed in the book - suicide, mental instability, child neglect, dysfunctional families, and firefighting - but it never felt like too much. The story moved along briskly and despite the short amount of time that Kai and Luke knew each other, I could believe how quickly they fell in love. Kai was used to keeping people at arm's length and it was cute at times, watching her deal, or not deal, with her emotions

"Gaming the System" was a sweet romance that delivered delightful characters, some serious themes wrapped in a layer of romance and redemption, and let's not forget the hot sex scenes. I stayed up until almost 2AM finishing this story, and even forgot to eat dinner. So, what are you waiting for? Go get a copy of this book!

How does a fake romance turn real. I like this book, it was fun watching opposites attract and fall in love. Kai and Luke keep you laughing in this truly funny tale.

This book has Laura K. Curtis' signature heart, but I found the overall story a little uneven. What I like most is Kai's unexpected secret which I thought was interesting and nuanced and handled by the author with great sensitivity. Luke's response to Kai's issue is also respectful and made me like this character very much.

Interestingly enough, the part that I struggle most with is the actual relationship itself. Near a quarter of the way into the story, Luke is totally awed by Kai: "she was damn near perfect and he wanted her with a ferocity he couldn't remember feeling int he past." I didn't really see the basis for this type of admiration. Yes, Kai is very interesting. She's got an edgy vibe about her, she wears custom made clothes, she seems worldly and caring, but his enthusiasm seems disproportionate to how much he really knows about her at this point. The beginning portion of this book is also a little slow and we really don't learn a lot about Luke, which gives a very little context for his enthusiasm.

However, the book picks up speed very quickly after Kai reveals her secret. I couldn't put the book down because I really wanted to know how Ms. Curtis would resolve this issue. I balance of the book is entertaining and I did not regret reading this book.

IN A NUTSHELL:
If you find yourself a little stalled in the beginning of this book, have a little patience. The final story is worth the wait.

Review for Gaming the System by Laura K. Curtis.

This was my first time reading Ms. Curtis' work and I really enjoyed the story. The overal plot isn't anything new, but what made this fun was how it was presented; you can't get much more opposite than a punk-goth female and the straight-laced man who will do what it takes to get his family to finally admit he isn't right for the political arena.

Luke and Kai couldn't be any more different. When he asked her to be his date for his sisters wedding, just to irritate his parents, she agrees. Who knew his mother would be such a pirana and that Luke would judge before finding out the truth about Kai's past. She should've known better.

Fantastic story. Kai is amazing! She says what she means and she means what she says and all without apology. Great characters and a fantastic story line. What more could you ask for? Thank you Laura K. Curtis for such an entertaining read. I look forward to reading more.

I was not compensated for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed is my own.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, and it is the first in the series I've read. I found it to be an easy sexy and fun read with two very likeable main characters. Kai is such a unique character, one that you don't normally see as the heroine in a contemporary romance. She has an issue that Luke is more than willing to help with, and he does so in way that doesn't make her feel bad. The story is a bit predictable with the whole pretend relationship that turns into love, but it is very nicely done. There's a little bit of everything - laughter, romance and steam. If you like a love story without a lot of angst, you'd enjoy this one. I'm looking forward to what the author has in store for the rest of the Goody's crew, especially Joe.

This was a great storyline. I l love the spunk and the humor mixed in with this story.