Book Review: The Games We Play

• Book Blurb

  We’re tempted to play games, thinking they will give us more power – but that only works if we win.
  
  After spending the holidays with my guardian’s family, it seems that everyone in the temple has the wrong idea. The Baron isn’t my patron. He’s not even a friend. In truth, I hate the man.
  
  But the rumor mill is strong, and jealousy is running rampant.
  
  This is all just one more excuse for my instructors to hold me back, lower my grades, and try to force me to choose one path. I can’t! My god needs me to save him, and the Path of Temptation gives me the power to do that.
  
  Except that I’m drowning in the pressure, feeling like I’m failing my god. I need to make people believe in him, but how can I do that when I can’t believe in myself? All these mind games are starting to pile up, and it’s tearing me apart.
  
  But Zeal is getting stronger.
  
  That’s enough to keep me going. No matter how hard they try to push me down, I’ll just keep fighting back, learning to play this game better each time. I will not become the victim here, because I’m not doing this alone. My lovers will always stand with me.
  
  But this is not a game.
  If we fail, we’ll lose everything –
  Including each other.
  
  
  ~~~
  NOTE: There are some situations in this book that may be triggering for some readers. Please check the front of the book for the ‘Potentially Sensitive Content’ page for further details.
  
  ~~~
  *The Games We Play is book 3 in the complete Path of Temptation series.

  We’re tempted to play games, thinking they will give us more power – but that only works if we win.

  After spending the holidays with my guardian’s family, it seems that everyone in the temple has the wrong idea. The Baron isn’t my patron. He’s not even a friend. In truth, I hate the man.

  But the rumor mill is strong, and jealousy is running rampant.

  This is all just one more excuse for my instructors to hold me back, lower my grades, and try to force me to choose one path. I can’t! My god needs me to save him, and the Path of Temptation gives me the power to do that.

  Except that I’m drowning in the pressure, feeling like I’m failing my god. I need to make people believe in him, but how can I do that when I can’t believe in myself? All these mind games are starting to pile up, and it’s tearing me apart.

  But Zeal is getting stronger.

  That’s enough to keep me going. No matter how hard they try to push me down, I’ll just keep fighting back, learning to play this game better each time. I will not become the victim here, because I’m not doing this alone. My lovers will always stand with me.

  But this is not a game.
  If we fail, we’ll lose everything –
  Including each other.

  ~~~
  NOTE: There are some situations in this book that may be triggering for some readers. Please check the front of the book for the ‘Potentially Sensitive Content’ page for further details.

  ~~~
  *The Games We Play is book 3 in the complete Path of Temptation series.

• My review

  Ranking so far: Book 1 > Book 3 > Book 2

  Book 3 (The Games We Play) was way better than book 2 for me.
  However—Auryn Hadley’s signature habit for this series continues: repeating the same moment through multiple POVs. It’s the same pet peeve I had in Book 2. The saving grace? You can absolutely skim certain sections and not miss anything (and yes, now every time I say “golden” I think of K-Pop demon hunters).

  The Classes & the Worldbuilding

  One thing I hadn’t highlighted in my previous reviews, but absolutely love here, is how creative and well-built the class system is—especially for the Path of the Body.
  It fits the world perfectly and it creates very spicy moments. Hot and educational.

  “I wasn’t going to worry about lines or limits. If I didn’t like something we did, I’d just tell them, and that was all there was to it.”

  As always, you need an open mind with this series (a recurring theme).

  Characters, Romance & Series Vibes

  Nariana is still trying to find her footing, and a lot of this book focuses on that internal journey. This series works best if:

  • you love the characters,
  • you enjoy their poly relationship,
  • you want to see the group dynamic grow,
  • and you’re okay with the plot moving slowly, with one big climax toward the end of each book.

  The plot is good, but it absolutely moves at a snail’s pace at times.

  This book shines when the focus is on the bonds, the intimacy, the relationship growth, and the emotional support Nariana gets from her lovers. The slow progression is intentional—even if it tests your patience.

  Ranking so far: Book 1 > Book 3 > Book 2

  Book 3 (The Games We Play) was way better than book 2 for me.
  However—Auryn Hadley’s signature habit for this series continues: repeating the same moment through multiple POVs. It’s the same pet peeve I had in Book 2. The saving grace? You can absolutely skim certain sections and not miss anything (and yes, now every time I say “golden” I think of K-Pop demon hunters).

  The Classes & the Worldbuilding

  One thing I hadn’t highlighted in my previous reviews, but absolutely love here, is how creative and well-built the class system is—especially for the Path of the Body.
  It fits the world perfectly and it creates very spicy moments. Hot and educational.

  “I wasn’t going to worry about lines or limits. If I didn’t like something we did, I’d just tell them, and that was all there was to it.”

  As always, you need an open mind with this series (a recurring theme).

  Characters, Romance & Series Vibes

  Nariana is still trying to find her footing, and a lot of this book focuses on that internal journey. This series works best if:

  • you love the characters,
  • you enjoy their poly relationship,
  • you want to see the group dynamic grow,
  • and you’re okay with the plot moving slowly, with one big climax toward the end of each book.

  The plot is good, but it absolutely moves at a snail’s pace at times.

  This book shines when the focus is on the bonds, the intimacy, the relationship growth, and the emotional support Nariana gets from her lovers. The slow progression is intentional—even if it tests your patience.

Character & romance details

Who will love this book

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