My review of Hate the Game by Winter Renshaw

Talon Gold is the quarterback at Pacific Valley University and the most sought out guy on campus by everyone. Yet there is one girl who has continually turned him down since freshman year no matter how hard he has tried. He's at the top of his game and headed towards a future in the NFL.

Irie Davenport has dreams of becoming an interior designer and has an offer for when she graduates in North Malibu. She lives with her great Aunt Bette and is focused on finishing school and moving on with her life.

Yet slowly Talon breaks down Irie's walls and gets her to agree to a date but Irie has already had her own experience with a quarterback and has no desire to repeat it. With Talon and Irie heading in two different directions after graduation will each be able to overcome their own demons and find their happy ever after?

This is such a good book and I loved it from beginning to end!

At first Talon seems to be "another quarterback" but slowly we learn that there is so much more to him and he isn't happy with where he is in life. It was kind of heartbreaking as I think it really shows us how parents live their own lives through our kids and we really need to make sure that our kids are living their own dreams. I was shocked at what Talon's stepdad, Mark Masterson, was doing to him.

Irie had her own difficult past and I was surprised about everything that happened in her childhood. I definitely did not like her aunt and uncle who raised her and how they treated her and never supported her when she went through some difficult times. Again it goes back to the power of social media and how it can destroy someone. I loved her relationship with Aunt Bette and how she wanted Irie to be happy.

I really liked how Talon was able to finally get through to Irie to give him a chance and go on a date with him. Slowly he was able to get her to give him a chance and he was able to show her how much he cared and how they were both "fighting" their own demons.

I was so mad at Talon's mom and step-dad for their involvement in everything and really not caring about what Talon wanted in his own life. I loved that Talon never gave up after they interfered and was able to prove to Irie how much he cared!

The very end was awesome and I can't wait for more from this author!!

5 Stars