This was my first book by the author and I absolutely enjoyed it.
A story on friendship and sisterhood, I also found it incredibly funny. I also found it interesting the way the writer approached the writing process of one of the characters.

It was a good read for me

It was impossible not to like the characters in this book. They're so realistic and lively that I was constantly feeling that I wanted to help to solve their problems which mostly were caused by communication errors. Everyone is different and if you care only about your own success, misunderstanding is inevitable. Whatever good are our intentions we have to know that the meaningful others in our lives can have different opinions and feelings also is different the way they express them. Every relationship in this book had big potential to work but the author showed that the sacrifice two people making when they together often is too big to make them satisfied with that relationship.

I absolutely loved Qureshi's short story collection and was looking forward to her first novel. This book started well, but never really grabbed me.

The writing is excellent and I loved how the complex relationship between two sisters is explored.

Unfortunately, I failed to connect with the characters, who behaved rather immature.

Also, Hana's decision at the end.... it was no surprise given her determination to have a baby, but I do wonder how she is going to make this work. It doesn't feel like something that fits her character and busy career.

Playing Games is the story of sisters Hana and Mira and when I first opened it (not technically, as it was an e-book, but you get my gist) I thought it would be a cosy family drama but it turned out to be yes, very much family drama but less cosy and more complex - and I mean only good things by that.

The dynamic between the sisters was fraught, tight and great to read about. The sibling dynamic is captured so well and overall, the writing is so engrossing it just pulls you in. Highly enjoyed Playing Games!

After this book, Huma Qureshi is an auto buy either for me! Absolutely loved her short story collection and this debut novel is no different.

Hana enjoys a seemingly perfect life with an ideal job, a perfect home, and a flawless marriage. Her younger sister, Mira, on the other hand, appears to be struggling with various aspects of her life. While Hana desires children, her husband hesitates, introducing a hint of uncertainty and perhaps a loss of control in her otherwise perfect world.

Mira harbours dreams of a more creative life but finds herself stuck working at a local café. She grapples with frustration towards her flatmate and faces Hana's dismissive attitude toward her writing. However, one night, a heated argument between Hana and her husband sparks something within Mira. The words from the argument resonate in her mind, compelling her to start typing. Yet, borrowing inspiration from her sister raises questions of boundaries and forgiveness.

The story explores the complex dynamics between the two sisters, their desires, conflicts, and the fine line between inspiration and intrusion in their intertwined lives.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if it were in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

What I noticed about "Playing Games" is that it reads more like a play with the narrative full of stage directions, some of which are a bit... cheesy? Like when in moments of doubt the characters tend to wrap their arms around their knees, resting in the only known position of struggle? It's not necessarily bad, because the atmosphere and the storyline makes up for the characters' "choreography".

Getting that of my chest, I honestly found myself immersed in Mira's and Hana's struggles, and in their sisterly dynamic that's not always the healthiest. Utilising both sisters' perspectives is what makes this story very dynamic and their relationship very believable, considering their shared grief and completely different coping mechanisms.

"Playing Games" feels atmospheric and raw, and the association with "Scenes from a Marriage" or "Marriage Story" won't be too far off, in my opinion. As writers, both Huma Qureshi, and her protagonist, Mira, are able to create intimate portraits of relationships, full of everyday micro gestures that signify either how strong or how weak is the bond.

A beautiful piece of work highlighting sisters and their complexities.

As an older sister, I definitely saw myself a lot in this book and found Hana and Mira’s complicated relationship very believable.

I always wonder how writers or creatives can be inspired by real life events and how this might effect people they love, and this book answers that question.

This book not only explores the sister dynamic but the dynamic of a marriage and what happens when one partner wants children but the other does not.

There’s a lot of mention of trying to conceive and a miscarriage so it can be triggering for some people but other than that this is a book that definitely makes you think.

This book firstly appeared as a light-hearted and an easy read that follows two main characters down different paths in life. However, very quickly, it was apparent that the book grips the reader quickly and takes them on a journey exploring the unfair and harsh reality of life; including themes such as marriage / sibling and family issues.

I found it fascinating that I was drawn to both main characters. I found myself comparing me to character H who finds herself in a difficult marriage. The constant mood swings H illustrates is so brilliantly written, because I was able to understand why she was acting the way she was, however desperately wishing she were able to open-up more and seek help from others. Would things have ended up differently if she had? I really liked that this novel had me thinking about it while I was doing things throughout the day. I was thinking about the characters, and feeling a variety of emotions for them.

I feel this novel is special because it uses 'every day themes' (such as marriage / relationships / family dramas), which means the reader can put themselves easily in the characters shoes and feel deep emotions and connections. This book certainly grasped me - as it explored issues that the reader can relate to, as well as scenarios that the reader can picture themselves in.

"Here it is, playing out in front of her eyes - a story about love and marriage, expectation and disappointment, two people wanting different things, just waiting to be written, to be grabbed, daring her to want it enough to try."

Playing Games is about sisters Hana and Mira. They share the same birthday, two years apart. They are polar opposites; Hana has a successful career as a divorce lawyer. She comes across as composed, practical and determined and is married to Samir. Mira, the younger of the two is struggling to make ends meet. Having dropped out of university after their mum died, she works at a cafe and is also attempting to write a play in order to win the coveted Hadley Prize. The relationship between the sisters is strained and formal to a certain extent.

After suffering a miscarriage, Hana is determined to conceive another baby. Samir seems indifferent and is no hurry to become a father. It is Hana's extreme determination to have a baby that leads their relationship becoming fractured - an almost deliberate undoing of a marriage. Mira overhears them arguing one night and this argument becomes the inspiration for the play she begins to write.

Huma Qureshi truly has a way with words that draws the reader completely into the story. She realistically brought out the characters' emotions and vulnerabilities. There were several times when it was frustrating to read about the lack of communication between not only Hana and Samir, but the sisters as well. The complexities of the characters made the story engaging and Playing Games did not disappoint.

I've read two of Huma's books. 'How we Met' and 'Things we do not tell the people we love' and would recommend them both. She's a great writer.

This is her first novel. It's about two sisters. Hana seemingly has it all together and is successful. She's married and yearns for a baby but her husband doesn't seem as keen. Mira is the younger sister and an aspiring writer and wants to write Plays. She works in a Cafe (I don't know why but everytime the Cafe was in a scene I always pictured it as the Cafe in Fleabag!) and rents a room from a girl she doesn't particularly like.

It would seem Hana can be an annoying sister but she doesn't quite realise it. Her husband is always sticking up for Mira and how Hana speaks to her. One night when Mira has been invited over for dinner she hears them arguing and eavesdrops. She's struggling with the Play that she is writing that she will submit to a Competition and so Hana and her husband's argument gets her creative juices flowing and she starts writing a different Play that seems very similar to what Hana is going through and uses a couple of phrases that Hana said in the argument.

I liked Hana and Mira and I liked the story. I have sisters myself and so I could relate to their relationship dynamic. I did find most of the plot was predictable so there were no plot twists! I really loved the very end when Mira saw that Hana had all Mira's favourite authors on her bookshelves.

This is a good debut novel from Huma but I do feel the writing wasn't as exceptional as in her previous two books I've read. It pains me to say that as I follow Huma on Instagram and she comes across as a really lovely person and very dedicated to her craft.

As always with Huma, her dedications to her husband and three sons always brings a tear to my eye and the dedication for this book was even more tear jerking with the dedication she wrote to her sons.

I look forward to reading more of Huma's novels and wish her continued success in her writing.

Playing Games follows sisters Mira and Hanna who lost their mother in their twenties. Hana is the eldest, a successful divorce lawyer whose marriage to the easy-going Samir is often scratchy, quarrels swept under the carpet unaddressed. An aspiring playwright, Mira dropped out of her degree when their mother died a decade ago. Hana is the lynchpin of her life, providing practical help but unable to talk to her sister about the loss of their mother. Nothing deflects Hana from her life plan until her assumption that Samir shares her determination to have children is challenged provoking a crisis. When Mira overhears an exchange between the couple she shouldn’t, an idea for a play is sparked.

Huma Qureshi’s novel explores family and relationship dynamics, themes familiar from her excellent short story collection Things We Do Not Tell the People We Love. The narrative shifts smoothly between the two siblings, Mira’s precarious way of life contrasting with her sister’s controlling perfectionism. An enjoyable novel that didn’t quite match last year’s short stories for me.

Very excite to acquire, read, and share this title! I’m down with an unexpected illness at the moment , but will update with a full review soon! Thank you