The Ex Games

Hayden and Nick had a middle school romance that ended badly. Seven years later, they find themselves competing at the same ski resort, where both are professional snowboarders training for an upcoming competition. As former childhood sweethearts turned rivals, they must navigate the complex dynamics of their past while preparing for the most important competition of their careers. The tension between them intensifies when they're forced to train in close proximity. The relationship evolves against the backdrop of high-stakes snowboarding, where both Hayden and Nick face mounting pressure to succeed professionally while confronting their unresolved feelings. The Ex Games explores themes of first love, rivalry, and second chances, set within the competitive world of professional winter sports. The novel examines how past relationships shape future encounters and the challenge of balancing personal history with professional ambition.

Readers describe The Ex Games as a light, quick-paced young adult romance that captures the dynamics between former middle school sweethearts reuniting as high school students and snowboarding rivals. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of teen interactions and dialogue - Integration of snowboarding details without overwhelming the story - Chemistry between the main characters - Fast pacing and short length - Humor throughout Common criticisms: - Plot predictability - Limited character development beyond the leads - Some found the premise unrealistic - Conflicts resolve too easily Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (80+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Perfect winter read when you want something light and fun" - Goodreads reviewer "The snowboarding details felt authentic but didn't take over the story" - Amazon reviewer "Wished for more depth to the side characters" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🎿 Author Jennifer Echols was inspired to write The Ex Games after spending time at a ski resort in North Carolina, where she observed the dynamic between skiers and snowboarders. ❄️ The book's protagonist, Hayden, is a competitive snowboarder—a sport that wasn't allowed in the Olympics until 1998, when it debuted at the Nagano Winter Games. 💝 The Ex Games was originally published as a Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy, a popular teen romance line that helped launch several successful young adult authors' careers. 🏂 The novel tackles gender stereotypes in extreme sports, highlighting how female snowboarders often face additional challenges and prejudices in the male-dominated sport. 📚 Jennifer Echols wrote The Ex Games while working as a newspaper editor, drawing on her journalism experience to create authentic dialogue and detailed action sequences.