Getting His Game Back

A Novel

By: Gia De Cadenet

Narrated by: Jonathan Horvath

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

“A thoroughly satisfying love story with a big, beating heart.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“This book is emotional, steamy and sweet - a triple threat! De Cadenet tackles mental health, gender stereotypes, and interracial romance with care and creativity. I loved it!” (Chantel Guertin, author of Instamom)

Khalil Sarda went through a rough patch last year, but now he’s nearly back to his old self. All he has to do is keep his “stuff” in the past. Real men don’t have depression and go to therapy - or, at least they don’t admit it. He’s ready to focus on his growing chain of barbershops, take care of his beloved Detroit community, and get back to being the ladies’ man his family and friends tease him for being. It’ll be easy...until Vanessa throws him completely off his game.

Vanessa Noble is too busy building a multimillion-dollar tech career as a Black woman before age 30 to be distracted by a relationship. Not to mention, she’s been burned before, still dealing with the lingering hurt of a past breakup. Besides, as her friends often remind her, she’ll never find a man who checks all the boxes on her famous List. Yet when she desperately needs a shape-up and happens upon one of Khalil’s barbershops, the Fade, he makes her reconsider everything. Khalil is charming, intelligent, sexy, and definitely seems like he’d treat a woman right...but he’s not Black.

Vanessa may be willing to take a chance on Khalil, but a part of him is frustratingly closed off, just out of her reach. Will old patterns emerge to keep them apart? Or have they both finally found a connection worth throwing away the playbook for?

©2022 Gia De Cadenet (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Emotional, sweet, steamy . . . this smart rom-com has it all!”—Woman’s World

“With this stellar debut, [Gia] de Cadenet thoughtfully explores the complexities of interracial dating and the impact of mental health on relationships. . . . Khalil and Vanessa set a high standard for couples with their patience, support, and respect for one another—combined with sizzling chemistry. The result is a thoroughly satisfying love story with a big, beating heart.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This book is emotional, steamy and sweet—a triple threat! De Cadenet tackles mental health, gender stereotypes, and interracial romance with care and creativity. I loved it!”—Chantel Guertin, author of Instamom

Great book

This was a very good book loved the story line and the inside working of one type of depression.

Started so well…

I enjoyed the start of this story. The main leads were endearing and quite personable. Then the male lead starting saying, ‘baby girl’ and I was confused. It seemed forced and was unappealing. Then, his mental illness which is a serious condition just seems so self inflicted. I do understand that maybe that was the purpose to bring awareness, but I need my romances with a whole lot less issues; especially with only an hour left in the audible. SMH

Complexity of dealing with mental health issues.

I enjoyed the cross culture and love story. I wish it delved more into their families. i.e. twin brother, Father with dementia, Grandmother's interracial relationship fail.

Not believable

The banter was extremely bland. Not witty or even mildly amusing. The guy had literally no flaws except occasional bouts of depression/anxiety.
In an effort to show how "perfect" he is, one scene that had me rolling my eyes: okay, so, he sees her wearing heels in a club and carries her to a chair to give her a foot massage. In public! In a club! Who does that? She was not complaining that her feet hurt... idk...it's just odd.

Anyways, the characters felt extremely flat. On believable.

Excluding the careers, this felt like it could be a coming-of-age book.

Great romance and real issues written very well!

Loved how their relationship unfolded and highlighted the good and the dark. The intimate moments were definitely written honestly with what a man may enjoy apart from stereotypical likes. Raw emotions depicting what depression can look like were enlightening. Great writing!

Good book but like 15 chapters of nothing

The book is well-written and responsibly addresses some difficult topics. My two complaints are the narrator does not match either of the characters and the first 15 chapters are as dry as wheat toast with no butter. She could have kept all that and added more to their happily ever after at the end.

Enjoyed!!

This was a great story. Kept me engaged. Narrator’s voice was inviting. Will look for more book by this author.

Charming and heartwarming story

Loved Nessa and Khalil. This story is as heartwarming and charming as it is heart wrenching. I really enjoyed this one.

Beautiful Story

I am a mental health counselor whose daughter also experiences seasonal depression. The research and care the author took in telling this story is heartwarming. These two have been placed on my list of favorite book couples. I know I will return to this story again and again. Oh, and the narrator was superb.

refreshing

the perspectives of a man with mental health issues, interracial relationships, black woman in business, both people having supportive networks.... love and understanding. it was so so so captivating, relevant and real.