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Kristina "Kris" Abney has been in love with Jake Taylor for a long time. So when her friend, Ami, tells Kris Jake wants her to come to a party where they play "The Game" she is shocked. The Game is a type of hide-and-seek where the guy picks two girls and they hide in a room. Whichever one he finds first is the one he gets to do anything he wants to with for the whole night. Excitement wars with common sense and Kris goes to the party and spends the evening making love with Jake. They go steady and she waits for him to ask her to the prom. He doesn't and actually goes with another girl. Kris is heartbroken and vows to never make love to a man again unless she's in love with him. Years later, Kris returns home to teach English at her old high school and comes face to face with Jake Taylor, who also returned home and is now a teacher too.
Jake Taylor fell in love with Kristina Abney during high school. Her wit and charm drew him in and he found himself in deep. The night they make love is one of the best nights of his life. But, at that time, everything had been moving too fast for Jake, and he decided to back off. He knows he's hurt Kris badly and wants to explain but is too chicken. When she moves back to town Jake wants a second chance. The only problem is Kris won't give him the time of day. With a little help from some old friends, Jake and Kris talk and it's not what Jake was hoping for. Kris tells him she won't fall in love with him again and runs off. Will Jake get his second chance or is Kris lost to him forever?
A romance tale with a twist, THE GAME is rather unique. The idea of an adult version of hide-and-seek added an element of intrigue to this romance. Jake and Kris are wonderful, in-depth characters who keep the story moving with their relationship or to Jake's thinking lack of one. Their emotions and feelings are laid bare for all to see and it is heartbreaking at times to watch their suffering. The story moves at a steady pace and never loses the reader. Kris still loves Jake but is afraid to trust him again. Jake wants Kris and is determined to find a way to gain her trust. They have several situations that crop up along the way making their road a rocky one. But both will have to give a little in order to make their relationship a lasting one.
Author Erin Moore writes a romance that will touch your heart. THE GAME is interesting, intriguing and a quick read. Once I sat down to read it, I turned the pages quickly to find out if Jake and Kris made it or not. Ms. Moore's writing is creative and her characters multilayered. Get your copy of THE GAME today. It's not to be missed. "November, 2002., 215 pp., $ 16.95., ISBN 1-59129-370-7"
Robin Peek