Series Review: Gaming the System by Brenna Aubrey

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for At Any Price (from Goodreads):

Achievement Unlocked: Geek Virgin

When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she’ll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.

It’s a desperate step, but it’s the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother’s mounting hospital bills.

Difficulty Level: Millionaire CEO

Adam Drake, the enigmatic auction winner, is a software prodigy who made his first million at seventeen. Now, in his mid-twenties, he’s sexy, driven and–as CEO of his own gaming company–he’s used to making the rules. Before Mia knows what’s happening, he’s found the loophole in the rules of her auction. Every stipulation she’s made to protect her heart gets tossed by the wayside.

She can’t tell if he’s playing her…or if he’s playing for keeps.

Series: Gaming the System; Played
Author: Brenna Aubrey
# of Books: 9 (Full Reading Order Here)

There is a prequel and a short story. See full reading order for more info.

Book Order: Direct Sequels (#1-3, #6, #8-9) & Connected (Books #4 & #5)
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: Hot
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Dates: December 2013 – February 2017
Source & Format: Own–eBook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

It was the synopsis that had me interested in this series: Mia selling her virginity. It’s not your everyday premise for a NA novel that’s for sure. Well, it isn’t in a genre that isn’t pure erotica. I also liked that she was a bit of a geek and so was her potential love interest. I get a little tired of the same old leads after a while so this seemed to be refreshing.

The Concept:

As I said above, the whole virginity thing is something you don’t see often in your everyday contemporary. It’s probably something you see more in erotica. So I wanted to assure potential readers that while this book has plenty of steam, isn’t straight erotica by any means.

The Plot:

That being said, I found the first half of At Any Price (#1) did spend a little too much time on exploring Mia and Adam’s physical chemistry. I would have liked to have seen more talking between them earlier on personally. But the second half picks up as we explore their pasts and what their relationship will be moving forward.

While At Any Price was pretty predictable in terms of its drama (I knew within 2 chapters), I liked how it tested the characters in a positive way. That’s when I started to get invested in their story and the outcome.

The Characters:

I liked Mia and Adam a lot. Mia is a strong heroine so she’s easy to like. But I really found Adam’s character to be refreshing. Sure, he does have some alpha tendencies but they aren’t overbearing by any means. You know he means well and he truly does care for Mia and his family.

Well, that was the case until Book 2, At Any Turn, when we only get Adam’s POV. I really didn’t like the character he becomes and being in his mind was slightly toxic to be stuck in. It would have been ok if we got some active character development from him, but he really doesn’t learn anything until the final chapter and by then, my opinion of him was pretty crappy. And it didn’t really improve by Book 3, At Any Moment either.

The Romance:

It took me awhile to warm up to Mia and Adam simply because we don’t focus on that emotional connection right away. Which does makes sense given the nature of their agreement: it’s supposed to be one night with no attachments. But I would have liked to have seen some of those “I want more” cracks shine through a little more after some great conversations.

At times, their relationship is the definition of unhealthy (particularly in Book #2 & #3 ) and not too much is done to change that notion either in the narrative. So I found myself losing interest and finding joy in the moments of the story where the other couples shined.

Why I Didn’t Read Books #4-#9:

Honestly, the end of the original trilogy just soured my opinion of this world so I just never got around to reading the standalone spin-offs with other characters nor the subsequent sequels with Adam and Mia at the helm.