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Games of the Heart  By  cover art

Games of the Heart

By: Kristen Ashley
Narrated by: Rachel Fulginiti
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Publisher's summary

From the balcony of his house, Mike Haines can see the quiet, commonplace beauty of the Holliday farm. But what he remembers is the little sister of his high school girlfriend, Dusty, who grew up there. As a teen Dusty had gone off the rails, but when she was a kid she was sweet, she was funny, and she had a special bond with Mike. But after high school, she took off, and Mike never saw her again. Then tragedy strikes Dusty's family. She comes back into town, and Mike thinks she hasn't changed back to the sweet, funny girl he knew but instead continues to be selfish and thoughtless, leaving her family alone to deal with their mourning. So he seeks her out and confronts her in an effort to understand what went wrong and to force her to sort herself out. He finds out quickly he's wrong about Dusty Holliday. Very wrong. And right after Mike discovers that, the bond they had years before snaps back into place in ways he would never suspect. But Mike Haines had a bad marriage, then he played games of the heart for a good woman. And lost. In order to protect himself and his kids, he's cautious, he's careful to read the signs, and he's not interested in finding a woman he has to fix. Then he learns what happened to Dusty, and he thinks she needs to be fixed. He swings, he misses, and in this new game of hearts, for Dusty, Mike just got strike three.

©2014 Kristen Ashley (P)2015 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about Games of the Heart

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

2 for 1

I was not expecting to have 2 love stories in this book. But wow I can't get enough of Mike/Dusty and Fin/Reese. I was shocked and sadden and happy and joyful this book makes you feel all the feels. Probably my favourite book of this series and that's saying something because I got a soft spot for Joe. Some things I like about this book was No I mean come on best nick name ever! And I got say Fin totally grabbed my heart when you know you know. :) Dusty was the laid back artsy kind but totally down to earth too. Loved how she loved Mike with her whole heart right from the beginning. What to say about Mike.. I am glad he got his in the end. I was really rooting for him in Violets story but I can see how Dusty was more Mike type in the end. On to the last of the series as it stands wish me luck. Enjoy Everyone!

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

great narration with two love stories

I listened to Kristen Ashley's At Peace and absolutely loved it. We got to know Mike Haines in that story where he was a good guy and liked Vi, but was not the right guy for her. And in At Peace we also learned that Mike loved the farm next door. He bought a house overlooking it. We just didn't know yet that the reason he loved it so was for Dusty Holiday.

The two are straight shooters and waste no time getting reacquainted. I enjoyed this about the two of them.

The Burg Series is a slow build series. It's more about the journey than one specific thing happening to the couple and you really feel like you get to watch them grow. For me, personally I need the pace to move a tad faster, but that is just this series feel.

We also got a bonus love story here between Reece Haines and Finn Holiday. This was sweet. Kristen Ashley doesn't write YA but this sure had a flare of it and I enjoyed the young love story in addition to Mike Haines and Dusty Holiday.

Because I enjoyed this story but needed to feel like more was happening I would give the story a three.

Narration: FLAWLESS 5

So that's where I get my 3.75. Is this worth an audible credit? Absolutely. I think it's the type of story you can put down and pick up because Kristen Ashley sure writes lovely romance that can make you feel good despite my reader preference on pace.

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12 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Favorite of the series

This book was my favorite of the series. I loved Mike in book 2 and had been rooting for him to win Violet but it wasn't to be. It turned out for the best. Mike and Dusty were meant to be. Dusty had been in love with Mike since she was 12 and he was 17 or 18 and he saw her as his best friends little sister. In spite of a number of bumps, from annoying to life threatening, this book shows a family of blood and friends come together to form something beautiful. This book is well worth the credit.

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8 people found this helpful

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✫✫ 4.5 Stars ✫✫

I loved Mike & Dusty's story and the bonus love story of Fin & Reese! Kristen Ashley writes a perfect adult love story with single parents who know how to do it right! I love the relationship between Mike & his kids and what great kids he has. Same goes with Dusty and the relationship she has with her nephews and with Mike's kids. Mike is a great guy, he handles things so well no matter the circumstance, never once did I think "No don't do that" like I usually do with books. I love that the author doesn't create drama between the main couple just for the sake of something exciting. instead she shows us how the couples work together to handle the outside drama in their lives and I love that! Mike might be tied with Joe now!

The narration was great, Rachel Fulginiti did a great job on all the characters and keeping them easy to identify.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly Enjoyed "The 'Burg" Series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I absolutely would recommend Games of the Heart. I think I liked this book in the series more than the others. Dusty was the strong female here, had been through her on crap, and didn't take Mike's crap. She put him in his place and made him step up. It was pleasant to listen to and kept my attention.

Dusty was such a great partner for Mike. We got to learn Mike's story after his part in "At Peace" and we got to meet his ex, and Dusty's sister and her family - what a mess that all was!! There are a lot of great little touches like the family dog in the story that makes you feel like its so well thought out.

I was also surprised about the dual story line with Fin and Reece. That was handled very well and we got to see dad (Mike) grow further into his dad role and the angst that came with this.

What makes a Kristen Ashley book so great is that there is just so much going on. Between the kids and their relationship and school, Mike and Dusty are dealing with the main plot line, as well as the other folks in the 'Burg. Mike has his job, Dusty has her job and her life. It's all very well thought out and tied together really well.

It's super sexy, it's got a lot going on at once, but that didn't make it hard to follow. I don't think I would recommend picking it up first if you haven't read the others in the series because everyone makes an appearance and I think you would like it oh so much better when you know everyone. But if you don't, then I think it could likely stand on it's own. But as the final book in the series, I think it was my favorite. Definitely worth my credit :)

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5 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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fuck, shit

without the fucks and shit , only half of the book remains. makes it difficult to listen to.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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As always-great

KA has done it again. one more in the series...no doubt it is worth the purchase and time!

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3 people found this helpful

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Best of the Series so far!!

I loved loved this book!! Dusty and Mike and bonus Fin and Ressee I hope they get a book too!!

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Still loving this series

I am still loving this series. Although I can't wait to read the last book in the series I am sad knowing it will be over!

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    2 out of 5 stars
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sickenly SWEET

What disappointed you about Games of the Heart?

Good Lord, if someone said "my woman" one more time I was going to scream. Dragged on then skipped 7 years!?!?

What could Kristen Ashley have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

shortened the middle, less tarzan and Jane.

What aspect of Rachel Fulginiti’s performance would you have changed?

she felt she had to identify who she was speaking for when it was obvious.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Any additional comments?

I won't be reading one of her books any time soon!

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2 people found this helpful