Love is a Game: A Riveting Second-Chance Romance in Blue Mountain Lake
I picked up Love is a Game: A Stand-Alone, Spicy, Rivals-to-Lovers, Second-Chance, Small-Town Romance by Fiona Whitman with a mix of excitement and curiosity. The title itself promised a delightful romp through the ups and downs of love, rivalry, and past wounds; themes I’m always drawn to. Having read the prior books in the Blue Mountain Lake series, I knew I was in for a treat, but Whitman truly outdid herself this time!
The story centers around Penelope Miller, a high-achieving eco-conscious fashion designer, who returns to her hometown to settle her late mother’s affairs. What unfolds is not just a homecoming but a reunion with her long-time frenemy, Tuck—a fast-fashion mogul and her sworn rival. The complexity of their “friends-with-benefits” relationship intertwines with their unresolved pasts, and as the layers peel back, we watch Penelope confront her emotional barriers while navigating her chaotic family history.
What struck me the most were the rich, relatable character arcs. Pen’s struggle with her upbringing—a tumultuous childhood marked by hardship and neglect—creates a deep emotional backdrop. Her journey toward self-discovery and acceptance felt personal and poignant. Tuck, on the other hand, offers both charm and vulnerability. The chemistry between these two is palpable, and Whitman’s portrayal of their banter makes for some delightful moments. I found myself rooting for them with every turn of the page.
The pacing of the novel kept me engaged throughout, balancing the comedic highs, like a chaotic bachelorette party, with the heartfelt lows of family grief with remarkable finesse. Whitman’s writing flows smoothly, and her knack for witty dialogue had me chuckling and gasping in equal measure. I particularly loved this line: “It’s easy to play the game when you’ve mastered no strings. But one week? That’s a challenge worth taking.” It perfectly encapsulates the tension and stakes of their evolving relationship.
In Love is a Game, Whitman masterfully tackles themes of love, loss, and rebirth while keeping the reader on their toes. Each pageturn held surprises, laughter, and those tender “ah-ha” moments that come from really understanding what it means to open oneself up to love.
This book will definitely resonate with fans of second-chance romances looking for depth along with spice. If you’ve ever found yourself in a rivalry that unexpectedly turned into something more, or if you adore the trope of childhood friends reuniting under complex circumstances, this is your next read.
Overall, Fiona Whitman again proves her gift for storytelling. I enthusiastically recommend Love is a Game to anyone looking for a heartfelt escape filled with laughter, love, and maybe a few tears. It’s a reminder that sometimes, revisiting the past can lead to discovering the future we never knew we wanted. Grab your copy when it releases on May 4, 2025—trust me, you don’t want to miss it!