Played

by Liz Fichera

[bookishzelda]

Adorably addictive is how I would describe Played by Len . I couldn’t help myself from the minute I picked it up. I really enjoyed the banter between Riley and Sam and wanted to keep reading about them. I think Sam is definitely the stronger character of the two but I love how Riley can really affect him. They have a very cute romance.

This book had so many elements that I loved. It also managed to fit a bunch of them together without making it seemed weird or too fast. I had just been telling my husband (who was watching Can’t Buy Me Love at the time) that I love plots like this one. The story is fun a quarky. I love Riley and Sam’s interactions. I also enjoy the friendships that Sam has on the Rez. I’m not really sure how I feel about Riley’s friendship.

I like that there is a little bit about connecting with your family in here. Riley and Sam both have a hard time communicating to their parents and for Riley her sibling (Sam has a sister but his relationship seems fine.) Through the mistakes that are made they kind of see their parents in a new light.

I loved Sam. He’s a Native American that lives on the Reservation. His parents working at the casino. Although Sam is often judged by the fact he’s from the Rez and is really bothered by this. He can be judgemental himself at times. Especially the Berengers but he has other reasons to dislike them. Riley being one of them he is mean to her right out of the gate. Making assumptions about who she is. I liked Sam because his approach to things. He’s kind of a quiet stand offish guy but he let’s Riley drag him around but still bickers with her. I think sometimes he himself doesn’t understand why. I like how he can be really calm in a situation assessing the whole thing.

Riley is a touch character in that she has that personality where she has always felt pressure to be perfect. With perfect grades does not come perfect social life, she is kind of an outsider. Looking and observing people. Drawing is her pastime (which is only lightly touched on). She tries to break out of her mold and this is where her character can get complicated because she starts doing reckless things and becoming a bit gullible. She thinks she is helping one person but doesn’t realize that it may have consequences to others. Luckily she does come out of dreamworld at some point.

This book actually originally caught my eye because of it’s cover. Then I read the synopsis and decided to go for it. Now after reading it I can’t decide if I like it. I understand the playing field makes sense with the title but I kind of wish there was more desert or native american feel to it. Maybe include a dream basket. Now I really want a dream basket.

I really enjoyed this book, and I thought it was a fun read. Once I started I found myself addicted to the fun relationship between Sam and Riley. Wondering how long it might take for them to get together and how Riley’s mission would go. I think it’s a good book to add to your summer reading list.