Review by Kayleigh
I listened to the audiobook of this novella during a snowstorm and felt like I was right there.
Book Synopsis:
Viola Bowen has the chance of a lifetime: to design a video game based on her all-time favorite book series. The only problem? Her co-lead is Jesse F-ing Andrews, aka her archnemesis. Jesse has made it abundantly clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with her—and Viola has no idea why.
When their bosses insist a wintery retreat is the perfect team-building exercise, Viola can’t think of anything worse. Being freezing cold in a remote mountain lodge knowing Jesse is right next door? No, thank you.
But as the snow piles on, Viola discovers there’s more to Jesse than she knew, and heat builds in more ways than one.
Review:
Listen, this book doesn’t show new ground in the Ali Hazelwood universe. This is a classic Ali story: a large lumbering man pining over a petite heroine. So many sexy times. And a fun cast of smart and zany characters.
It works. It scratches an itch.
Viola and Jesse are video game designers at rival companies. Their companies both have a chance to design a game that would be the epoch of each of their careers. And the owner of the rights wants the companies to work together. The problem is that there is a lot of tension between the two companies, including the CEOs who are in a situation-ship that has more ups and downs than a toilet seat at a coed party.
What is the solution? Obviously, getting snowed in at a winter retreat while the two companies figure out if they can work together or not. Viola, our main character, doesn’t know why Jesse seems to hate her, but she knows she needs to figure it out because she won’t let some (very handsome, kind and smart) guy ruin her chances to work on the project. She needs to do this for herself, and in memory of her dad, who also loved this book series with her.
Jesse, of course, doesn’t hate Viola. He obviously is actually in love with her. Our two silly dumdums dance around each other for a couple of days while tension heightens. They finally figure out how to communicate with each other, and then there are fireworks. Lots and lots and lots of fireworks. Let’s just say they work out their problems.
If you love deep pining, no third-act breakup and characters you’ll be rooting for, then Two Can Play is the perfect “snack-size” story for you.
