Synopsis

The author of Love Buzz follows her acclaimed first novel with a delightful Caribbean-set romp about an ambitious designer of apocalyptic video games with a strategy for (almost) everything who discovers what happens when her best-laid plans go off course . . .

Sloane Cooper is up for her dream job as a designer for a top video game company. During the interview, though, she somehow promises the all-male panel that she’ll remain single and fully dedicated to the work. It’s actually fine—after her last boyfriend cheated on her, she vowed to focus on her career anyway.

Enter Charlie, aka Hot Neighbor Guy, a near-stranger who shocks her with the offer of an all-inclusive trip to a Turks and Caicos resort. The catch? Charlie originally planned the trip with his ex, and asks Sloane to pose as his new girlfriend to make his old flame come running back. Against her better judgment, Sloane says yes; she can use the time away to develop a game design that will dazzle the Catapult team and get her a job offer.

Despite sparks flying in paradise, the trip can’t lead to more. As their connection deepens, Sloane is reminded that she can’t fall for Charlie and get knocked off her professional path. Besides, he’s trying to win back his true love.

Can Sloane figure out a way to move past heartbreak, land the job of her dreams, and avoid catching feelings? The zombie apocalypse would be easier to solve—at least she’s prepared for that.

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Review

Sometimes, I just need a light-hearted romance to offset everything else that I read. This book was the right choice, and I loved the characters, premise, witty banter, and women working their way into what was predominantly a male-dominated field. In this case, the gaming world.

Sloane is the kind of woman that I can root for. She is trying to break into a field that she loves while not being stereotyped by misogynist males. She gives up her job in engineering and lands an interview with a local gaming company. While it is uncomfortable watching this interview go down, let’s be honest: it is probably not uncommon to find this kind of attitude from men in the gaming world. Sloane does have someone in HR looking out for her as one of the few women in the company. It is down to Sloane and her ex-boyfriend for the position. Their task? Create a game for the company to showcase their skills. Is Sloane up for the task?

Charlie is Sloane’s neighbor and apparently is very popular for an ad he did for spray-on abs. I can only imagine this product and commercial. However, despite his good looks, his girlfriend dumps him right before a trip to the Caribbean. I think this is to Charlie’s benefit because what sane woman would turn down a free trip? So he entices Sloane to go with him as his fake girlfriend. He had planned to post photos to make the ex jealous, but what he doesn’t expect is to fall in love with Sloane.

The crux of the book happens in Turks and Caicos at a resort. Charlie and Sloane have a good time, but there are rocky moments, too. I enjoyed watching them get to know one another over the course of the week and seeing Sloane in action creating her game. I know this is a book, but there are people out there who are geniuses when creating games or any other product. The story has its ups and downs, but in the end, they do get their HEA. It just takes some time.

There were many laugh-out-loud moments, some sweet, sentimental moments, and even a few that made you want to punch something or someone.

This book was an enjoyable read, and I liked the STEM connection. We give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Neely Tubati Alexander is originally from the Seattle area and currently resides in Arizona with her husband and two elementary-aged children. If she’s not tucked away writing, you can find her at some kiddo activity, drinking wine, or watching reality television, usually the last two together. She is also the author of Love Buzz.

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