Review - The Ex Games / Jennifer Echols

Summary - Hayden and Nick used to be a hot item, but their brief affair ended with a highly publicized break-up. Now the two are “just friends,” excluding the occasional flirtation.

When Hayden wins the girls’ division of a local snowboarding competition, Nick is unimpressed, claiming that Hayden wouldn’t have a chance against a guy. Hayden calls Nick’s bluff and challenges him to a head-to-head boarding contest. Their mutual friends quickly take sides, the girls on Hayden’s and the boys on Nick’s, making for an all-out battle of the sexes. This friendly competition is bound to get heated--and if they’re not careful, they might end up igniting some old flames.

Hayden and Nick used to be a hot item, but their brief affair ended with a highly publicized break-up. Now the two are “just friends,” excluding the occasional flirtation.

When Hayden wins the girls’ division of a local snowboarding competition, Nick is unimpressed, claiming that Hayden wouldn’t have a chance against a guy. Hayden calls Nick’s bluff and challenges him to a head-to-head boarding contest. Their mutual friends quickly take sides, the girls on Hayden’s and the boys on Nick’s, making for an all-out battle of the sexes. This friendly competition is bound to get heated--and if they’re not careful, they might end up igniting some old flames.

Review - As an unashamed Echolsite, the arrival of this title brought an immediate smile to my face. Echols is gifted at quick, sparky rapport and this novel is no different. Unlike many other novels in YA, Hayden and Nick have tried the relationship route and failed (albeit in seventh grade). Communication is arguably not the strength of teens and Echols mines this with thorough efficiency with numerous misunderstandings, agendas and wounded feelings. Though the conclusion of the novel is as expected, the journey there is an utter firecracker of a ride. The laugh out loud, occasionally snort-worthy humour explores the chasm between the genders but also the inherent issues in assuming another’s intentions.

Our terrible twosome snap, crackle and snipe at one another with a speed that will leave your head reeling at times. In fact in one specific interchange left be as befuddled at our heroine as, like her, I had no clue as to why their banter had taken an abrupt left turn. Nick is just as well crafted as Hayden. They are both holding tight to issues that adversely affect the possibility of a relationship. As there is four years of interaction prior to the events of the book there are issues past and present to manage but also a richness to their knowledge and understanding of one another that come through loud and clear.

Secondary characters aren’t all that well fleshed out but ultimately it is all about the rapport between Nick and Hayden (or should I say, Ex and Hoyden?) On the other side of things, it is great to see a healthy relationship between siblings as is the case with Hayden and Josh. They fight, tease, impugn but ultimately support one another and it felt very layered and real. My one issue would be the seventh grade relationship issue but that’s mostly due to my own innocence at that age. Though their first attempt at a relationship is very innocent, it was at times perplexing that Hayden was hanging on so tight to its disintegration...but Echols again ably manages to weave this through the story and the development of her protagonist.

The Ex Games may sound like a good piece of fluff.....and it is, if fluff could bite!

Published: October 2009
Format: Paperback, 302 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse:
Source of Review Copy: Author
Origin: USA
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http://www.jennifer-echols.com