Title: Level Me Up
Series: A Gamer Boy Novel
Author: Lauren Helms
Genre: NA Romance
Release Date: June 5, 2017
The last thing Morgan Lawson is looking for when attending Comic-Con is love. But even prior to exchanging first words, Morgan is drawn to Dex, a drop-dead sexy gamer boy who lives and breathes video games. Before she realizes it, Morgan finds herself caught up in all things Dex.
Dex Roberts knows the moment he sees Morgan, he wants more. He falls hard and fast, but isn’t surprised when his job as a professional video gamer takes its toll on their relationship.
Once Morgan decides what truly makes her happy, there’s no time to waste. But without any warning, life threatens to destroy what both Morgan and Dex want most... each other.
Review:
In Level Me Up, Morgan and Dex meet at a Comic Con. THE Comic Con. I was so jealous. Talk about bucket list item there, folks. Through a series of coincidences, they run into each other and then start dating when they return to their hometown, Chicago.
Morgan has some issues which she can't get over but Dex is pretty amazing. However, the life of a professional gamer involves a butt load of travel. The travel aspect of this does not sit well with Morgan. She became a super insecure brat while he was away and I didn't care for that. Her friends encouraged her to talk to him and she didn't instead blowing things WAY out of proportion and breaking up with him.
Long story short, this book is about two people who meet, fall for each other very, very quickly, and Morgan getting over her past and her issues. Like I mentioned, Dex was actually perfect. He had no issues (awesome family, amazing friends, fantastic career and a degree to fall back on - he was incredibly well adjusted) and truly only wanted to LOVE Morgan. An extremely preventable and unfortunate accident throws them back together and everything works out for them.
I liked this story. I didn't care so much for the writing. There was a lot of unnecessary repetition (Dex recounts everything that happened the previous chapter in detail in his POV which got old because I JUST READ IT). Morgan and her friends "giggle" a lot, and generally act immature as a whole (they tend to act more like teens rather than women in their mid to late 20's). It was also VERY annoying how involved Morgan's friends were and just how important they thought their opinions were. It just got tiresome. I don't ususally comment on an author's writing because I'm just a reader. I just know what works for me and what doesn't. It seems this book could have used an excellent content editor and maybe some better beta readers.
So for those reasons, I'm giving this story a 3.5/5 stars. Everything ended up being an HEA but the little things just got to me in the end.
Why the heck do I feel like I’m about to do something utterly stupid, like that split second before you realize you’ve missed the step and are about to fall down the stairs?
“Hi,” he says in this perfectly male, deep voice. “How are you ladies today?”
I distantly hear Ruby reply, “Well, we’re just fine. Thank you for asking.”
And she nudges me as I realize that while he asked both of us that question, he is only looking at me, and I’m not moving or saying anything. Apparently, I'm a freaking mute. Why can't I form words? Get it together, Morgan!
"Hi," he says again, but to only me this time.
And just like that, I snap myself out of it, slap on a smile and reply, "Hi," as I reach out and offer my hand like it’s some formal introduction. Again, I ask myself, what is wrong with me?
With a smile that reaches his eyes, he grasps my hand in his as I say, "I'm Morgan, and I have no idea what a positive K/D is."
I hear Ruby stifle a laugh beside me. I'm never going to live this down. Somebody should just shoot me now. But to my surprise, Dex doesn't laugh at me. He is still smiling at me and says, “Hi Morgan, I'm Dex. And don't worry about it, this guy sitting next to me," he jerks his head to his right, "doesn’t know what a positive K/D is either, but at least you're honest."
I quickly glance to his right and see a guy with short blond hair turn toward him glaring, but then turn toward us, smile and says, "He doesn't know what he's talking about."
I slide my eyes back to Dex and realize he is still holding my hand even though the handshake stopped a minute ago. I quickly drop my hand and smile as a big bouncer type guy comes up to us and says, "Sorry ladies, you’re holding up the line. Keep moving."
Ruby apologizes, and I apologize to Dex because I'm still staring at him. But we move along, and now the gamer to Dex’s right, Simon "SezSimon" Palmer, is signing the shirt. Dex looks back at me as he finishes signing a poster and says, "it was nice meeting you, Morgan," with a warm smile. I can only manage a smile and nod as Ruby finishes getting the last signature. Then we finish and get out of the line.
We walk a little bit before Ruby stops, grabs my arm and doubles over with laughter.
Author Lauren Helms has been an avid reader from a young age. After starting a book review site, that launched her fully into the book world, she decided to take the plunge and write her first novel. Since she was working for a video game strategy guide publisher at the time, she decided to mix what she knew best, video games and romance. Jumping all in, she joined NaNoWriMo and a month later had a 50K word first draft. Lauren lives in Indianapolis, IN with her video game playing husband, two little girl book nerds, and a little boy who will hopefully be a gamer boy too some day!
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