ARC Review: The Name of The Game (Something New #3) by Jennifer Dawson

Some people follow the rules. . .

A professor of forensic anthropology, James Donovan is the reasonable sibling among the passionate, impulsive Donovans. But there’s nothing reasonable about his reaction to baker Gracie Roberts. She’s all wild curls and mouth-watering curves, as deliciously tempting as the sugary treats she’s famous for–and twice as irritating. But before long, James decides that getting a taste of her is one indulgence he can’t pass up. . .

Some people play to win. . .

Independent, smart, and sexy, Gracie’s year-long dry spell has her itching for a man. Responsible, health-obsessed James? Not in a million years! She needs a guy who knows how to let loose! But when James sets out to show her just how satisfying a disciplined man can be when pleasure is at stake, she learns just how sweet–and spicy–he really is.

Have James and Gracie found the recipe for love?

I received an eARC of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So I did everything backwards with this series. I read this book first and I loved it so much [you’ll know so in the review soon ;)] that I didn’t wait even a second before ordering the first two!

Yes, this is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone – because I did it but the first two books (and my review for them) can be found here – Take a Chance on Me and Winner Takes it All.

The reason I requested this book? There is a nerdy hero and sassy heroine! That my dear, is a lethal combination and I was so glad that Jennifer Dawson proved me right!

“I like order. And Calm. You’re chaos and fire.”

James is a button down, controlled and in his mind, the most logical of beings from everyone around him. He is health freak to an extent of having an obsession. But he is oh so adorable ❤

Out of the three heroes, he is my favourite. And, no offense to Shane and Mitch, more of my kind of guy! He is the slow burning fire, the one you think can’t last long – but when it goes going, the fire lasts long enough to provide with everything – from warmth, acceptance and a place to just relax. James likes to get on Gracie’s nerves and while he knows that there is attraction between them, he also believes that they are ill suited to each other! Bah!

“How can she trust a man who didn’t eat sugar?”

Gracie is a vivacious woman who loves sugar and her baking business that she had with her mother. While the place she is in right now, might not be where she planned on ending up at, but she is a “half full” sort of girl, who has made her peace with her life and is now enjoying it – well sort off! Because ever since she met James, she hasn’t been content. James gets on her nerves and while she believes it is because she can’t stand the guy – the world and its readers know to be different!

“Why can’t you be a normal guy? I ‘m offering you sex. Can’t you just take it and quit talking about it?

“If I was just a normal guy and you were just an ordinary woman, we wouldn’t be in this situation, now would we?”

When James and Gracie decide to finally act on their attraction (after a whole freaking year!) it is explosive and something that is totally out of their control and it is hilarious to watch.

I loved James and Gracie’s not-so relationship! I mean how could I not? Both James and Gracie are struggling with issues that are so real that it could bring them down to their knees yet to see them help and support each other with those little gestures all the while saying that they didn’t want a relationship with each other? That’s the best kind of story that I could have read!

Jennifer Dawson instantly became my auto-buy author because rarely have I found authors who could do what she did – she takes what could have been easily a mediocre plot does something that makes it so brilliant that you are knocked off your axis and you couldn’t be happier about it 😀