Publishers Weekly
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Rival gamers competing for a chance to make it big in the e-sports world must team up to achieve their dreams in this playful rom-com by Nedd (Don’t Hate the Player). Eighteen-year-old Zora is a top player of Wizzard Gaming’s battle royale strategy game. Upon learning that Wizzard is hosting a summer academy—a pseudo–boot camp designed to provide participants the tools to kick-start their own professional gaming careers—Zora resolves to attend the program at any cost, including betraying her battle partner in the arena. Having successfully secured a spot at the academy, Zora is shocked to realize that her former partner Ivan—a “washed up e-boy” facing backlash for his past involvement in toxic gaming culture—has also been admitted. After Wizzard stream viewers dub her an unlikable “ice queen,” Zora approaches Ivan with a proposal that they fake-date each other to repair their foundering reputations. The reality show competition backdrop amplifies meta gaming references, cheeky banter, and Gossip Girl–level drama that occurs both on the virtual battlefield and behind the scenes. The result is a streamer-era romance that offers a sharp critique of how influencer personae and hustle culture can blur the line between work and play. Ivan is white; Zora is Black. Ages 14–up. (Nov.)

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Ivan, once part of a famous esports team, is back at the Wizzard Games’ Summer Academy Royale, hoping for a second chance after his original team crashed and burned last year. He’s been through therapy and is trying to be a better person. Zora, who had to lie to her guardian to be allowed to attend, is looking for her only chance. Excelling at the Summer Academy could prove she has what it takes to go pro. Unfortunately, just being elite isn’t enough for the academy—they’re being scored on their social media personas and followings, and Zora’s first-day flub has her feeling radioactive. When she and Ivan agree to fake-date to improve both their scores, autistic Zora struggles with her feelings for Ivan and reactions to her best friend Cass. This romance has the works: fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, rivalry, found family, and second chances. The story picks up in the world of Nedd’s debut, so it should have a built-in audience, though new readers might find the lead-up a little slow.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Two esports contestants fake date to game the rankings at a competition. In this companion novel toDon’t Hate the Player (2021), autistic gamer Zora Lyon, 17, is ready to impress her idol, Brian Juno, co-founder of Wizzard Games, by dominating the company’s Summer Academy Royale. But she’s thrown off by the presence of 18-year-old Ivan Hunt, the misogynistic jerk she defeated at regionals. Ivan is ready to rehabilitate his image after a scandal that broke up his team and destroyed his reputation last year. Each of their plans to win is shaken when they learn that streaming popularity matters more than gaming skill. Frustrated and overstimulated during a match, Zora lashes out, alienating her peers—until being mistaken for Ivan’s girlfriend wins her approval. The rivals agree to fake date to bump their rankings, but the more time she spends with her pretend boyfriend, the more confused Zora becomes about the guy she thought she hated. Told in Nedd’s witty style, this story presents lovable characters and humorous banter balanced with serious moments, such as ones exploring sexism in the online world. Gamers will appreciate the game references and well-articulated gaming culture. Unfortunately, the chaotic pacing, resulting in truncated storylines and a rushed ending, makes it difficult to stay grounded in the story or the pair’s relationship development. Zora is Black, Brian and Ivan are white, and there’s diversity among the supporting cast. A fun story with strong worldbuilding that’s debuffed by poor pacing.(Romance. 13-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.