Review: Game On by Ki Stephens

About the Book

A sweet and swoony novel of high spice and low stakes from the Coastal Rivals series author, Ki Stephens!

She’s a college cheerleader trading in her Oxford life for one year in Nashville. He’s a star quarterback who doesn’t do distractions. But when they team up for a no-strings-attached fling, they’ll have to break their own rules to keep playing the game.

After moving from England and breaking up with her underwhelming boyfriend, Ella Davies has one thing on her mind: proving herself on Whitland University’s elite cheer squad. She’s determined to let nothing derail her focus―except maybe the annoyingly handsome quarterback who keeps popping up at the most inconvenient times.

At Whitland, Hudson Fox is synonymous with football. Known for his relentless drive and reputation both on and off the field, he’s all about control. This season, he’s sworn off distractions to keep his eyes on the prize. But Ella’s fiery spirit and unexpected presence threaten to unravel his carefully laid plans.

Desperate to keep things simple, they strike a deal: just fun, no strings attached. But when lines start to blur and feelings edge in, they'll have to admit the only more dangerous than falling off the mat is falling for each other.

Review

It took me three weeks to finish Game On. Not because I disliked it. In fact, I liked it so much that I found myself wanting to savor it. Let me be clear that this is very much a Ki Stephens book. It is low stakes, repetitive beats from previous books, and safe; however, Ella and Hudson stole the show. They clicked for me, which solidified my enjoyment of this book. They completed each other very well, and I loved watching their relationship grow.

Ella has left Oxford for a year and moved to Nashville. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend and lost a part of herself when that relationship ended abruptly. She describes herself as being steady and sure while cheering; however, she does not apply the same fearlessness to her life. I wouldn’t consider her a “black cat fmc” as described in the marketing. But she does have some bite to her. I enjoyed her character. She’s very cautious about getting too close to Hudson so that she doesn’t get her heart broken. Some might have issues with how she reacted at times, but I found her honest, and it felt realistic for her characterization.

Hudson is just as lovable. Ella describes him as being bold and self-assured. He’s such a sweet country boy who loves his adorable cat. He’s also guarded his heart and feels a need to control everything around him, so no one gets hurt. Once he meets Ella, he has a yearning to risk that which is extremely scary to him.

With Hudson and Ella, it’s an attraction at first sight. Though the more time they spend together, the more they can’t stop thinking about each other, the deeper the attraction and feelings develop. They become a constant in each other’s lives. Instead of flinching at each other’s scars, they kiss them and love them anyway.

Of course, there is an issue. Ella is leaving after a year. The end result in Game On was quite evident. As mentioned earlier, it’s a low-stakes romance. I felt the ending come too quickly. Though that could be me wanting to spend more time with these characters.

Final Thoughts

Game On is certainly a Ki Stephens book. It could be slotted in any of her other series, and it’ll fit perfectly. It has the same vibes as the others. I desperately want her to take some risks and switch it up. That aside. I did enjoy Game On.  It has consistent pacing, and I had no significant issues with it. The real stars of the show are the romance and the characters. That is what makes this a four-star read for me. I can see myself rereading this just to soak in the goodness that is Hudson and Ella one last time.

This book is scheduled for publication on September 9, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.