ARC Review: The Long Game by Elena Armas
Romance
The Long Game
Book Info
Released Date: September 5th
Publication: Atria Books
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
“Because I always love when grumpy characters fall in love”
I am just surprised by how much I ended up loving this book so much. I typically didn’t enjoy Elena Armas's previous books, so I kept my expectations low with her newest book, The Long Game. Now, I will literally explain why you are going to love this book as well.
The Long Game has multiple romance tropes that come into play. There is a small town romance, a grumpy meets grumpy trope, a next-door neighbor romance, a forced proximity trope, he falls harder trope, an opposite attracts trope, and spicy romance. With all of these romance tropes, I just knew that this book would become my favorite romance book. Why? Because I always love when grumpy characters fall in love. They would rather be alone in their time, so for them to fall in love means something. I trust that romance so much more.
Let’s get back on track, and talk about Adalyn and Cameron falling in love with each other. ‘Cause it’s a bit of a dozzy since they didn’t like each other when they first met. They are the definition of grumpy meets grumpy. They both have grumpy personalities in their own way. Adalyn may be described as cold-hearted, since she takes everything ahead. Not all men appreciate her. Good thing that we have Cameron that can. Cameron just prefers to be his own self, aka being a loner in the small town community. He doesn’t want to be bothered at all, especially when Adalyn comes into town.
They may share a grumpy personality, but they are a bit opposite of each other. Like Cameron may want to be alone all the time, but he does coach the little girl soccer team since no one else would do it. He volunteers his time for them, and goes bat for them as well when Adalyn comes into town. Adalyn knew she was cold but there was no other way to see if she was going to inherit her father's company. It’s a bit harsh that she had to be cold in order to succeed in a male environment. She may not show it, but there is more to her. She is willing to prove it when the small town community doesn’t trust her with the little girls soccer team.
It may have started off competitive between them, but sparks started to fly when they spend more time with each other. Adalyn and Cameron will soon realize that there is more to their bickering, like their feelings for each other. It may be harder for Adalyn since she had terrible men in her life, but Cameron is willing to show her his unconditional love. It’s endless for her. He doesn’t care about her cold personality or her endless ambitious goals. He only cares for her. And that’s true love. He doesn’t care what others may think of her because he truly knows who she is.
