Game On by Navessa Allen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hate that woman.

Tyler Neumann has spent years looking for his father, and not because he wants to meet the man. No, he wants to destroy him. And he’ll manipulate whoever he can to exact his revenge. 

Including Stella McCormick. She’s everything Tyler hates. Her wealth and privilege have protected her for her entire life, and Tyler thinks it’s time she finally paid the price. Whether she’s ready to or not.

I hate that man.

Stella might not believe in love at first sight, but loathing at first sight – no question. From the moment she sets eyes on Tyler in her tattoo parlor, she knows he’s the devil planning to make her life hell.

Forced to play the part of his girlfriend and invite him into her family’s glittering circles, Stella quickly clocks Tyler’s ulterior motives. But love and hate are two sides of the same coin, and soon she doesn’t know which is being blackmailed by a man who wants to ruin her, or that they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other.

Playing for Keeps: A Dark Dive into Game On

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🩷💙❤️
Spice/Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😉🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration

Character Backgrounds and Plot Summary

Tyler Neumann steps into this story already carrying emotional baggage and a complicated past. Fans of the Into Darkness series will recognize him as Josh’s former roommate from Lights Out and as Junior’s former business partner from Caught Up. Tyler is driven by a deeply personal mission to destroy his father, a man he blames for dismantling his family and leaving lasting scars on both him and his mother. Calculated and intense, Tyler is willing to manipulate situations and people to get what he wants.

Stella McCormick is his opposite in many ways. She is fiercely independent, grounded, and deeply connected to her work as the owner of her own tattoo shop. Stella has built her life through hard work and resilience, and she values her autonomy above all else. That makes her the last person who should get tangled up in Tyler’s dangerous schemes.

When Tyler realizes he needs access to certain social circles to execute his plan for revenge, he targets Stella as his way in. Using blackmail, he coerces her into a fake dating arrangement. What begins as a cold, strategic move quickly becomes more complicated as genuine chemistry builds between them. The story balances tension between Tyler’s hidden motives and Stella’s growing suspicion, creating a push and pull dynamic that drives the narrative forward. As emotions deepen, both characters are forced to confront whether their connection is real or just another part of Tyler’s game.

Highlights and Limitations

One of the strongest aspects of the book is the character dynamic. Tyler and Stella have a compelling opposites-attract energy that evolves naturally over time. Tyler’s morally gray nature adds depth to the romance, making his internal conflict engaging rather than predictable. Stella, on the other hand, is not easily overpowered by Tyler’s intensity, which keeps the relationship from feeling one sided.

The interconnected world of the Into Darkness series is another highlight. Returning characters and references add richness for readers who are familiar with previous books, while still allowing this story to stand on its own. The tension created by the fake dating trope combined with blackmail adds a darker edge that keeps the plot moving.

However, the story does have some limitations. Tyler’s motivations, while understandable, can feel repetitive at times, especially when his obsession with revenge overshadows other aspects of his character development. Some readers may also find the blackmail setup difficult to fully embrace from a romantic perspective, as it creates an uneven power dynamic early on. Additionally, certain plot developments resolve a bit too conveniently, which slightly undercuts the stakes that the story works hard to build.

Stella loves her brother Blake, but I can’t imagine what I would do in this situation, he did an unbelievably stupid thing and somehow went to an illegal gambling party and gambled away his entire three-million-dollar inheritance. Then he mentioned he didn’t want Stella to tell their parents because he didn’t want them to be as disappointed with him as they were with her when she had some sort of scandal. I hate it when a book alludes to something like that but doesn’t immediately tell the entire story.

Narration

James Cassidy and Tara Langella deliver a strong duet performance that enhances the emotional depth of the story. Cassidy captures Tyler’s brooding intensity and underlying vulnerability effectively, giving nuance to a character who could easily come across as overly harsh. His pacing and tone reflect Tyler’s internal conflict, which adds layers to the listening experience.

Langella brings Stella to life with a balance of strength and emotional openness. She conveys Stella’s independence and resilience while also allowing moments of softness and uncertainty to shine through. Her performance helps ground the story, making Stella feel relatable and authentic. I have a personal issue when listening to books Lia narrates, because her voice reminds me so much of Merideth Grey’s mother from Grey’s Anatomy so I picture her and she is older than the protagonist, so it bothers me, but she does have a very nice voice and is a great narrator, so that is just a personal issue and shouldn’t affect anyone else.

Together, the narrators create a believable chemistry that elevates the romance. Their voices complement each other well, making the transitions between perspectives smooth and immersive. The emotional beats land effectively, particularly during moments of tension and vulnerability.

Final Opinion

Game On is a dark, emotionally charged romance that leans heavily into themes of revenge, control, and unexpected connection. While the premise may not appeal to everyone due to its morally complex setup, the strong character work and engaging narration make it a worthwhile listen for fans of darker romance.

The audiobook stands out for its chemistry driven storytelling and its ability to balance intensity with emotional growth. It is not without flaws, particularly in pacing and certain plot conveniences, but it delivers enough tension and character depth to keep listeners invested. Overall, it is a solid addition to the Into Darkness series and an especially enjoyable experience in audiobook format.

Favorite Quotes

“I am not old”
“Said the woman born in the 1900’s.”

“Oh, please. You probably fuck like you’re scooting a chair closer to a table.”

“she seemed torn between wanting to choke me and fuck me. Both please! my subconscious chimed in.”

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