GAME ON

An advocate for equal representation in video games tangles with the CEO of the company she's recently put on blast.

As a Black woman gamer, Samara Reynolds is used to living two separate lives, using the "ReyofSun" alias for her online presence. She's built her platform on the importance of diversity and representation in gaming, and she's never hesitated to call out companies for slacking in that department—even if it means being subjected to online vitriol. When she calls out Artemis Games for a racist depiction of a non-player character in its game Legendsfall, her video goes viral, forcing Artemis CEO Aron Galanis to sit up and take notice. He decides to meet with the mysterious ReyofSun in person, to show that he's serious about implementing change at Artemis. Samara is suspicious of Aron's intentions, so she's shocked when he flat-out offers her a job revising Legendsfall. It means she'll be a part of the Artemis team for the next few weeks—and it also means she'll be working up close and personal with Aron himself. The more time they spend in each other's space, the harder it becomes to keep things professional, and when their personal relationship eventually goes public, the internet haters may be enough to drive them apart. Although the book tackles some important real-life issues, like the heightened level of harassment faced by women of color, the story relies a bit too heavily on exposition and plot to maneuver the characters in various directions rather than letting the characters themselves drive the narrative. Still, Aron continually evolves to earn Samara's love and commitment, paying attention to her physical and emotional needs and making him the kind of hero worth swooning over.

A modern love story that any true gamer will enjoy.