The Way to Game the Walk of Shame

by Jenn P. Nguyen

[Sam@WLABB]

**Many thanks to Macmillan/Swoon Reads for the ARC furnished via NetGalley

You are the almost valedictorian of your class, endlessly studying in preparation for your future as a Columbia University educated lawyer, who is known as the "ice queen" at school, and you wake up next to the biggest player at school. Your reputation is sullied, so what would you do? If you were Taylor, you would draft a contract and convince said playboy to partake in an imaginary relationship with you.

I am a huge fan of the sweet and adorable romance, and Nguyen gave me just that. I smiled, grinned, and sighed (the good kind) quite often as I read The Way to Game the Walk of Shame. I adored watching the romance between Evan and Taylor unfold, as they realized that this imaginary relationship was turning into friendship, and maybe even something more.

Nguyen had all the ingredients for a cute rom-com with the typical combination of characters (player, good girl, quirky sidekick, nice guy, mean girl) but managed to give the characters a little more depth by unpacking some of their baggage, and making this baggage an integral part of the story (i.e. daddy issues). She did a great job of creating these very likable individual characters, but also making me fall in love with them as a pair. I love the concept of two people making each other the best versions of themselves, and that was what happened with Taylor and Evan. Also, contrary to the YA norm, the parents were present, and actually played a positive role in the story (hurray for parents!). Lots of fun, sweet, cute, and happy moments in this book, which left me a sappy grin on my face.