Title: Gaming and IRL Boss Fights
Series: Famous on the Internet, Book Three
Genre: Gay Romance, Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella (38,000+ words)
Blurb
An internet famous geek. A sexy landlord who hates him. An unlikely duo with slim chances of beating the romance game.
Simon Cromfield’s life seems perfect from the outside. His gaming channels made him an internet celebrity, he has great friends, and he’s just moved into a luxurious apartment. Yet his gorgeous landlord did a one-eighty turn and decided he hates Simon, his family thinks he’s a total failure, and some of his fans act like they own him.
Branden Dahlman has enough on his plate. He doesn’t need that pest, Simon, who became the bane of Branden’s existence on top of a large estate he never wanted and a family that drives him insane. As he unleashes his resentment on Simon, the sexy bastard insists on proving Branden wrong about everything.
In an unlikely turn of events, when Simon hits his lowest, Branden is there to support him. But will this new-found thing between them last when the pressures of Simon’s world come crashing in?
Gaming and IRL Boss Fights is the third book in the contemporary gay romance series Famous on the Internet. If you like geeks, binge-watching online content, and enemies-to-lovers tropes, then you will love Alina Popescu’s online celebrity protagonists.
Buy your copy of Gaming and IRL Boss Fights today to join the game.
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3.5 Stars
I liked the premise of this story and I liked the first two stories in the series, so I was excited to start this one, but after reading some of the other reviews, I obviously got something completely different from the story than others did.
Let’s start with Branden: The story is told completely from Simon’s point of view, so while we don’t get much information about Branden and he really isn’t a well-developed character, what I did get, I absolutely disliked. He was sweet in the beginning then he suddenly, and for no apparent reason, turns into a raging twatwaffle! He later apologizes, after a few weeks of childish sneering and avoidance, but that just didn’t work for me. Then, the first time something goes askew in their newfound romance, he’s back to being the twat again, and again with no explanation as to why he’s mad! He ignores Simon’s attempts to call or text him to try to discover what he said or did to make Branden so mad, then when he finally tells Simon what the issue is he walks away and refuses to listen to Simon’s side of the story. He was childish and immature and in my opinion, he didn’t deserve Simon or his forgiveness. He didn’t grovel near enough to make things right.
Simon, ugh, I loved Simon, but he made himself into a doormat. He forgave Branden WAY too quickly and for me, as I said, Branden didn’t do anything to deserve his forgiveness. Simon deserved so much better than Branden. (I think Branden deserves Robert, Alina!)
I liked Branden’s younger brother, Jeydon and Simon’s best friend Salma, well, I liked her until the end when she told Simon he should forgive Branden! Simon’s parents were completely horrid, especially his mother. I wanted to throw her from Branden’s penthouse terrace.
It’s weird, I’m not a violent person, but it seem’s to me, this author loves to make me want to commit bodily harm to at least one of her characters! Haha
I’m not a gamer, but if you are, there are some great scenes here involving gaming. The author is obviously a player herself, or she has done extensive research, so if you love gaming, you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
This wasn’t a bad read, in fact, it’s well-written and flows well. It was an interesting story, but the romance portion of the story just didn’t work for me, but as I’ve said, others seemed to love it, so maybe give it a try and form your own opinion.
*copy provided by author, a review was not a requirement*
The Famous on the Internet Series
Book One – Br0th3rly
Tristan’s love life has one simple rule: his brother, Trevor, is off limits.
To fight his relentless love for Trevor, Tristan left for college at sixteen. A new city, building a new life for himself, and making new friends weren’t enough to give up what he considers sick, twisted feelings. Tristan even started an anonymous blog to cope with his love for his older brother. It made him famous on the Internet, but it wasn’t enough to get over his obsession.
Every time he goes home, a quick glance at Trevor brings it all flooding back.
When commitment-phobe Trevor introduces his serious boyfriend on one of Tristan’s rare visits home, things get a whole lot more complicated for the adoring kid brother. How far can Tristan run this time before he runs out of places to hide from his feelings?
Disclaimer: the main characters in the story are not blood relatives, the two boys were only raised as siblings.
To fight his relentless love for Trevor, Tristan left for college at sixteen. A new city, building a new life for himself, and making new friends weren’t enough to give up what he considers sick, twisted feelings. Tristan even started an anonymous blog to cope with his love for his older brother. It made him famous on the Internet, but it wasn’t enough to get over his obsession.
Every time he goes home, a quick glance at Trevor brings it all flooding back.
When commitment-phobe Trevor introduces his serious boyfriend on one of Tristan’s rare visits home, things get a whole lot more complicated for the adoring kid brother. How far can Tristan run this time before he runs out of places to hide from his feelings?
Disclaimer: the main characters in the story are not blood relatives, the two boys were only raised as siblings.
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Book Two – Travel and Spice
Famous travel blogger returns home to have his life thrown off balance by his high school crush.
Dante Sandford is at the top of his game. He’s paid to travel the world and share his spicy stories on his blog. He’s still young, gorgeous, and confident. When Dante’s high school reunion knocks on his door, he’s reminded of everything he’s lacking. More so when his old crush, Tommy Clancy, makes a pass at him. Or when the hot romance blows in Dante’s face because of his lifestyle.
Tommy has always been the hottest man in Riverbrook. Possibly the world. He’s stunning, smart, and the kindest soul Dante has ever known. He’s also read Dante’s blog along with all his steamy encounters. No wonder Tommy doesn’t trust Dante for anything more than a casual hookup.
Dante returns to hometown Riverbrook to face his past of bullying and feeling like a misfit. He instead ends up dealing with the reality of being a travel blogger: relationships are close to impossible. That won’t stop Dante from trying to convince Tommy his short-lived flings are not by design.
Dante Sandford is at the top of his game. He’s paid to travel the world and share his spicy stories on his blog. He’s still young, gorgeous, and confident. When Dante’s high school reunion knocks on his door, he’s reminded of everything he’s lacking. More so when his old crush, Tommy Clancy, makes a pass at him. Or when the hot romance blows in Dante’s face because of his lifestyle.
Tommy has always been the hottest man in Riverbrook. Possibly the world. He’s stunning, smart, and the kindest soul Dante has ever known. He’s also read Dante’s blog along with all his steamy encounters. No wonder Tommy doesn’t trust Dante for anything more than a casual hookup.
Dante returns to hometown Riverbrook to face his past of bullying and feeling like a misfit. He instead ends up dealing with the reality of being a travel blogger: relationships are close to impossible. That won’t stop Dante from trying to convince Tommy his short-lived flings are not by design.
Buy links
About the Author
Alina Popescu is an author, traveler, and coffee addict. She has published several paranormal, science fiction, urban fantasy, and contemporary series, many of them having reached the Amazon bestseller lists for their genres. Her stories often fall under the LGBTQ fiction and romance subgenres.
Born and raised in Romania, Alina has been writing for most of her life. She’s an avid consumer of stories in all their forms. She’s fascinated by myths, folk tales, and other creators’ visions of the future. She finds her inspiration in books of all genres, movies, and the occasional TV shows or anime binges.
Alina is a proud geek and needs her fast internet connection and assortment of gadgets more than she needs air.
For a free taste of her writing, visit her website at https://alina-popescu.com, subscribe to her newsletter and get a free copy of her military gay romance, Mission: Protect the Ex.
Connect with Alina on social media:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alina_
Instagram: http://instagram.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
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