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kaitrosereads's review against another edition
5.0
Okay first off, I love Jennifer Echols books. I don’t think she can write a bad book. So it stands to reason that The Ex Games was wonderful! I loved it. It was a perfect mix of seriousness, comedy, romance, and of course, battle of the exes.
One of the things I loved was that I was kept guessing. Nick and Hayden were always at each other’s throats. I never knew if they were going to start making out or hitting each other. Also, their friends were so funny. Of course both of their friends were dating each other so they were always trying to set them up together. And a couple times it seemed like it might work but then one of them opened their big mouths and managed to screw everything up, again. I was left wondering till the very end what would happen. And that is always a good thing!
Oh and the whole book wasn’t just about Hayden and Nick’s relationship status. When Hayden accidentally said something that upset Nick, he challenged her to a battle of the exes, snowboarding style. =] Now is one of those times I wish I could snowboard. It sounds so cool and there was quite a bit of it in the book. And while there was a lot of snowboarding going on, I didn’t feel confused about what they were talking about. There was just enough description to explain things without going overboard. I hate it when a book has too much information.
Overall, The Ex Games is probably the best Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy that I have ever read. Most of the time they are too predictable but this one stands out. If you haven’t read it yet, or anything else by Jennifer Echols go pick up a book. Like I said, they are all good so it doesn’t matter which one you start with. I am positive you will end up wanting more. =]
One of the things I loved was that I was kept guessing. Nick and Hayden were always at each other’s throats. I never knew if they were going to start making out or hitting each other. Also, their friends were so funny. Of course both of their friends were dating each other so they were always trying to set them up together. And a couple times it seemed like it might work but then one of them opened their big mouths and managed to screw everything up, again. I was left wondering till the very end what would happen. And that is always a good thing!
Oh and the whole book wasn’t just about Hayden and Nick’s relationship status. When Hayden accidentally said something that upset Nick, he challenged her to a battle of the exes, snowboarding style. =] Now is one of those times I wish I could snowboard. It sounds so cool and there was quite a bit of it in the book. And while there was a lot of snowboarding going on, I didn’t feel confused about what they were talking about. There was just enough description to explain things without going overboard. I hate it when a book has too much information.
Overall, The Ex Games is probably the best Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy that I have ever read. Most of the time they are too predictable but this one stands out. If you haven’t read it yet, or anything else by Jennifer Echols go pick up a book. Like I said, they are all good so it doesn’t matter which one you start with. I am positive you will end up wanting more. =]
snarkywench's review against another edition
4.0
As an unashamed Echolsite, the arrival of this title brought an immediate smile to my face. Echols is gifted at quick, sparky rapport and this novel is no different. Unlike many other novels in YA, Hayden and Nick have tried the relationship route and failed (albeit in seventh grade). Communication is arguably not the strength of teens and Echols mines this with thorough efficiency with numerous misunderstandings, agendas and wounded feelings. Though the conclusion of the novel is as expected, the journey there is an utter firecracker of a ride. The laugh out loud, occasionally snort-worthy humour explores the chasm between the genders but also the inherent issues in assuming another’s intentions.
Our terrible twosome snap, crackle and snipe at one another with a speed that will leave your head reeling at times. In fact in one specific interchange left be as befuddled at our heroine as, like her, I had no clue as to why their banter had taken an abrupt left turn. Nick is just as well crafted as Hayden. They are both holding tight to issues that adversely affect the possibility of a relationship. As there is four years of interaction prior to the events of the book there are issues past and present to manage but also a richness to their knowledge and understanding of one another that come through loud and clear.
Secondary characters aren’t all that well fleshed out but ultimately it is all about the rapport between Nick and Hayden (or should I say, Ex and Hoyden?) On the other side of things, it is great to see a healthy relationship between siblings as is the case with Hayden and Josh. They fight, tease, impugn but ultimately support one another and it felt very layered and real. My one issue would be the seventh grade relationship issue but that’s mostly due to my own innocence at that age. Though their first attempt at a relationship is very innocent, it was at times perplexing that Hayden was hanging on so tight to its disintegration...but Echols again ably manages to weave this through the story and the development of her protagonist.
The Ex Games may sound like a good piece of fluff.....and it is, if fluff could bite!
Our terrible twosome snap, crackle and snipe at one another with a speed that will leave your head reeling at times. In fact in one specific interchange left be as befuddled at our heroine as, like her, I had no clue as to why their banter had taken an abrupt left turn. Nick is just as well crafted as Hayden. They are both holding tight to issues that adversely affect the possibility of a relationship. As there is four years of interaction prior to the events of the book there are issues past and present to manage but also a richness to their knowledge and understanding of one another that come through loud and clear.
Secondary characters aren’t all that well fleshed out but ultimately it is all about the rapport between Nick and Hayden (or should I say, Ex and Hoyden?) On the other side of things, it is great to see a healthy relationship between siblings as is the case with Hayden and Josh. They fight, tease, impugn but ultimately support one another and it felt very layered and real. My one issue would be the seventh grade relationship issue but that’s mostly due to my own innocence at that age. Though their first attempt at a relationship is very innocent, it was at times perplexing that Hayden was hanging on so tight to its disintegration...but Echols again ably manages to weave this through the story and the development of her protagonist.
The Ex Games may sound like a good piece of fluff.....and it is, if fluff could bite!
dianasaur8's review against another edition
3.0
The only thing that kept it from a 4 was the climax. Seriously? I almost missed it since it was just a short sentence. It definitely could have been executed a lot better.
storytimed's review against another edition
1.0
Why would you, Hayden? Nick is the worst. The worsssssssst. The romance in this book is downright inexplicable, and that paired with the throwback, reductive '90s boys v. girls (but oh, they secretly like each other!) premise angers me so much. You know what might be nice? Honest depictions of the factors that make up gendered athletic coverage, a tighter plot and protagonists that acted like actual people. Every time Hayden blathered on about how much she liked Nick, I just had to think... why? Why?
mytileneve's review
I found this book quite annoying. The whole mood switch thing has really gotten on my nerves. One moment Nick is the sweetest boy ever and then he and Hayden start fighting.
The book was very repetitive: the way Nick got his hair out of his eyes with his pinky, Chloe and Liz's failed attempts to get Nick and Hayden together, the make out and the argue to death.
The only reason why I gave this book 2 stars and not one was because of the few moments where Nick acted totally sweet and caring.
The book was very repetitive: the way Nick got his hair out of his eyes with his pinky, Chloe and Liz's failed attempts to get Nick and Hayden together, the make out and the argue to death.
The only reason why I gave this book 2 stars and not one was because of the few moments where Nick acted totally sweet and caring.
charmaineac's review
5.0
Wonderful! Sweet! Sassy! The Ex Games, you win all the stars!!
It is most definitely still winter here in Canada, so I pretty much HAD to read this wintry read. As far as I know, snowboarding is TOUGH—so kudos to Hayden for kicking butt! ...Seriously, people fall on their butts a lot while snowboarding.
Okay, so this wasn't the most realistic book. Fainting at the sight of blood (at least it was explained?). A super mega rich meat heir. Nutty vegan health-freak parents. A friend with a hotel. Toss in some childhood bullying angst with teenage angst. Horrendous timing and more missed connections than Craig's List. Serious boarding skills (like, celebrity/Olympics-worthy). But hey, this is an unashamed romantic comedy! It's meant to be a zany romp! And for that goal, this book totally delivered. It didn't go all Valley girl/Disney on me (no matter how much this review is sounding like one, ahhh). The writing told the story without getting in the way.
The ending was really, really farfetched. But I'll forgive it for being so FUN. Hey book, thanks for helping me combat the winter blues. You're a gem.
It is most definitely still winter here in Canada, so I pretty much HAD to read this wintry read. As far as I know, snowboarding is TOUGH—so kudos to Hayden for kicking butt! ...Seriously, people fall on their butts a lot while snowboarding.
Okay, so this wasn't the most realistic book. Fainting at the sight of blood (at least it was explained?). A super mega rich meat heir. Nutty vegan health-freak parents. A friend with a hotel. Toss in some childhood bullying angst with teenage angst. Horrendous timing and more missed connections than Craig's List. Serious boarding skills (like, celebrity/Olympics-worthy). But hey, this is an unashamed romantic comedy! It's meant to be a zany romp! And for that goal, this book totally delivered. It didn't go all Valley girl/Disney on me (no matter how much this review is sounding like one, ahhh). The writing told the story without getting in the way.
The ending was really, really farfetched.
Spoiler
Injuries that mean nothing? Okay. Landing a HUUUGE, professional-level jump without ever having jumped before? Uh, okaaaaaaaaay.liralen's review
2.0
When the supporting characters are all, 'we're totally feminists, but he wouldn't have made such an effort to be mean to you for so long if he didn't like you, so you should totally be thrilled that he's now showing a shred of interest'...
Run away. Run away fast. Life is too short for that shit.
Also, I know nothing about snowboarding, but doesn't it seem the slightest bit unrealistic that all a girl would need to do to learn an entirely new skill category—not single skill, mind you, but skill category—is put her mind to it and stop being scared, and then she'd instantly be at a competitive level in that new skill category (snowboarding jumps, in this case) with approximately...oh...zero practice?
Run away. Run away fast. Life is too short for that shit.
Also, I know nothing about snowboarding, but doesn't it seem the slightest bit unrealistic that all a girl would need to do to learn an entirely new skill category—not single skill, mind you, but skill category—is put her mind to it and stop being scared, and then she'd instantly be at a competitive level in that new skill category (snowboarding jumps, in this case) with approximately...oh...zero practice?