As an avid gamer, I really wanted to love this novel. Maybe I went in with my expectations set too high but, sadly, this just really didn't work for me. Although the plot was interesting, I found the two central characters - Sadie and Sam - to be so self-absorbed and selfish that I just couldn't root for them at all. For all that the book is supposed to be about friendship, forgiveness, and second chances, I just didn't get a sense that either character learnt from or developed as a result of their experiences. I've given it several chances but, sadly, its been a DNF each time and I have eventually come to the conclusion that, for all the hype, this just isn't a book for me.

I was asked to review this quirky book from Netgalley.

Essentially this was about friendship, a lesson in love and a never ending game of life with itssecond chances, lost opportunities and endless possibilities.

I have zero experience of gaming whatsever -so inmteresting to read of this in the quirky book- the main part of this story was friendship,

I can definitely see the potential in this one, but I had to DNF it as it was a bit slow for me. However I think people that are more into literary-style books than I am will enjoy it!

It took me absolutely ages to be in the right frame of mind for this one, but once I was it had me hooked. This was a real slow-burn where not a huge amount happens but the characters were incredibly well drawn and their relationships convincing. I was blindsided by the death of Marx - didn't see that one coming at all - and I felt completely bereft by this. I am not a player of computer games but if anything was going to persuade me that they might have something to offer me then this book is the thing.

LOVED this book. Lives up to the hype.

A love story concerned with friendship rather than romance.

This is a truly wonderful exploration of friendship. Neither Sadie or Sam are flawless and the realistic intricacies of their relationship throughout the years are brilliantly written by Zevin. I loved all the characters and feel like this has to be made into a film!

It makes sense how hugely popular this book is — I loved it. It’s so absorbing and readable, and so affecting.

We follow Sadie and Sam who met at a Hospital some years ago and are brought together by fate. It covers recovery, friendship and disability. Their friendship brings in new hope and new opportunities and pitfalls of life. An engaging story.

Thank you so much for the ARC of this incredible novel. This is my favourite book of the year! Sprawling, building to the most beautiful crescendo, relatable characters and multi-layered relationships. Divine.

I was so looking forward to this one. My fiance is a gamer (and me too, sometimes) and I had heard such great things about how non-gamers had really enjoyed this one too.
I do think it would be more enjoyable for gamers- there are a LOT of video game references and I don't know if that would make people struggle to connect.
The plot was good, but I much preferred the first half to the second. It dragged on too long in the latter stages, and now I can barely remember the ending.
It was mostly enjoyable, purely for the nostalgia of the references to video games I remembered.

Oh, this book, this wonderful, captivating book - one of the best books I have read in a long time. I have little interest in gaming but I loved all the discussions, descriptions and narrative around games, creating and crafting them, and the love that Sadie and Sam shared over gaming. But it's more than just that. Relationships, friendships, work, love, loyalty and a whole other range of human complexity and emotions.

I keep thinking about this book, the little things, the 'big' things, the stunning covers of both hardback and paperback (so much so that I have bought both!), and I would desperately love to see this adapted for TV or film. Definitely on my 'to read again' pile!

Something completely different for me but I have to say that I really enjoyed it.

A plot that flowed and characters that I liked reading about.

Cannot wait to see what this author has in store for us next.

Recommended 4 stars from me.

I loved this book. The relationship between Sam and Sadie. The nostalgia. One of the best books I have read this year. Thank you NetGalley!

What can I say about this book? I was thoroughly captivated by this story in just a few pages. The video game aspect was my favourite part of the story as well the characters’ relationships. And any book that manages to tug on my emotions is a good book in my eyes. I can’t wait to read it again in future!

An absolute masterpiece, I, along with so many others, loved this book. The characters were so real and fun getting to know. I never wanted the story to end. The premise was so interesting, the pacing perfect. I will definitely read anything this author writes!

This was a moving account of a friendship exploring love in all its shades. The three main characters were beautifully conceived and drawn and it was very enlightening to see into the gamers’ minds (I am definitely NOT one myself!) the story was slow and a little sad but this in no way detracted from my enjoyment. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

One of my favourite books of last year. With complex characters, relationships, and video games! If you're even a little on the fence. about this one, just pick it up!

I get the hype. This hasn’t left my mind since finishing it and I could easily pick this up again and re-read it.

I loved this, a really interesting story about creativity and inspiration. It was refreshing to read a novel about a platonic friendship between a man and a woman. Zevin is an awesome writer.

There's a line in this book which sums up my thoughts nicely.

"These images make me feel...I don't know the word. I guess they make me feel."

That what this book does. These words, these characters and their stories. They make you feel.

The characters are so well developed, they felt so real which amplified the emotions throughout the book.

I was absolutely hooked. To the point of staying up until almost 3am to finish it.

A truly fantastic book.