A review by arizona_foster
The Long Game by Elena Armas

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This book started out a little slow even though it started out with a sucker punch for our main character, Adalyn. 

 

While it took me a bit to get into this book, boy am I glad I stuck around! 

 

These characters are outstanding. 

 

I felt terrible for Adalyn in the beginning of this story. She was prim and proper with a love of binders to keep everything orderly. Once she set foot in Green Oak, NC, all that was turned upside down, starting with her first interaction with Cameron. 

 

I loved, loved, loved Cameron, but who couldn’t love a grumpy guy who coaches a children’s soccer team, refers to his two cats as family, and is scared of goats but will still attend goat yoga? Cam’s a total swoon. He reminded me a lot of Roy Kent from Ted Lasso and that’s who I ended up picturing most throughout the book. 

 

And the spice in this book? The banter back and forth between Adalyn and Cameron was fiery and filled with a ton of tension. The pottery scene in this book might rival the pottery scene in Ghost if entered into the same, steamy competition. And oh my god, that was some first kiss… 🥵 

 

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 Spice Rating 

 

I can’t forget mentioning Josie, another amazing character. She’s like a one-person welcoming committee and the biggest sweetheart. I think I saw there’s a book coming out with a storyline just for her and I’m telling you, I’m here for it! 

 

I also loved the unexpected twist at the end of this book. I didn’t see it coming and I didn’t see the cliffhanger coming either. I’m hooked, whether I like it or not. 

 

Snag your copy of The Long Game today, friends! 

 

Thank you Elena Armas, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review! 

 

Also, looking for recipes for what might be Jose’s Campfire Fizz or Cocoa Apple Heart, if anyone knows if they’re real drinks or not!