Single Player: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Description

Two video game creators go head-to-head in this delightful, queer enemies-to-lovers workplace romance debut, perfect for fans of T.J. Alexander and Helen Hoang. Two video game creators go head-to-head in this delightful, queer enemies-to-lovers workplace romance debut, perfect for fans of T.J. Alexander and Helen Hoang. Cat Li cares about two things- video games and swoony romances. The former means there hasn't been much of the latter in her (real) life, but when she lands her dream job writing the love storylines for Compass Hollow-the next big thing in games-she knows it's all been worth it. Then she meets her boss- the infamous Andi Zhang, who's not only an arrogant hater of happily-ever-afters determined to keep Cat from doing her job but also impossibly, annoyingly hot. As Compass Hollow's narrative director, Andi couldn't care less about love-in-game or out. After getting doxxed by internet trolls three years ago, Andi's been trying to prove to the gaming world that they're a serious gamedev. Their plan includes writing the best game possible, with zero lovey-dovey stuff. That is, until the man funding the game's development insists Andi add romance in order to make the story "more appealing to female gamers." Forced to give Cat a chance, Andi begrudgingly realizes there's more to Cat than romantic idealism and, okay, a cute smile. But admitting that would mean giving up the single-player life that has kept their heart safe for years. And when Cat uncovers a behind-the-scenes plan to destroy Andi's career, the two will have to put their differences aside and find a way to work together before it's game over.

Reviews

Praise for Single Player:
A must-read for fans of queer romance . . . Tais storytelling is both fun and thought-provoking, making this debut a standout in contemporary romance fiction.
Library Journal, starred review

[A] bighearted debut . . . Meryl Wilsner fans should check this out.
Publishers Weekly

With the most delicious tension between the enemies-to-lovers main characters, Single Player will pull you deep into the gaming world and keep you turning pages even if you are not a gamer. A fantastic debut!
Lyn Liao Butler, Amazon bestselling author of Someone Elses Life

Single Player is the most fun read Ive had in years. If you've ever restarted a game from your last save point to salvage your relationship with a romanceable hottieand if youve ever wished you could do the same in real lifethis book is tailor-made for you. Gaymers and queer nerds of every stripe will be rooting for Cat and Andi all the way to the final boss.
TJ Alexander, author of Triple Sec

Single Player is a sparkling, heartfelt story of two fiercely talented queer heroes navigating not just gaming culture, but also their growing feelings for each other. Full of razor-sharp wit, sincerity, and beautiful writing, Single Player is a must-read rivals-to-lovers romance. A perfectly smart nerdy rom-com.
Taleen Voskuni, author of Sorry, Bro and Lavash at First Sight

Author Bio

Tara Tai is an Asian American writer living in Boston, where she spends most of her time playing TTRPGs and romancing video game NPCs. She holds degrees from Harvard University and Harvard Business School. Single Player is her debut novel.