The Winged Game

Sports romance but make it fantasy. Fake dating but make it bantery. All concepts I can get fully behind. And even though the author wasn't for me in the past, I highly enjoyed this book. Not a highlight for me, but really good, unique and surprisingly deep. The Winged Game promises a fun mix of magical sports and romance - with aerial competitions and a fresh world. What surprised me most though was how much heart the story has beneath all the action. The found family aspects are wonderfully done, and there is a thoughtful exploration of grief and belonging. The romance is full of banter, tension, and fake dating shenanigans. While I wasn't completely swept away by the relationship, I had a great time following Taissa and Kion's journey and watching them being stupid and adorable. The worldbuilding can feel a little overwhelming at times, and there were moments where I felt the story was trying to juggle a few too many elements at once. But somehow it all comes together into something that feels distinctly its own. 4/5 stars Thank you @netgalley and @delreybooks for the eARC! #TheWingedGame #NetGalley #Bookstagram