At first when i saw this book, i didnt really like the cover. But after reading the blurb of the book, i started liking it. I read the first few pages and it draged my attention away so i got the book. This book is about a girl named Kylie was being played by a guy named Ian. Ian went after Kylie for a bet, but he found out that he fell in love with Kylie. And it was kind of late when he found out. Now that Ian is trying to get Kylie back and... If you want to know, you have to read it. By reading this book, i understand more about love. Apearance is not as important as feelings. I would recommand this book to all teenagers that is interested in "love" or want to know more about it. I think this is a really romantic and attractive book. If you got a chance... Then you should read it! ( )

I had very high expectations for Played after reading Dana Davidson's incredible book Jason and Kyra. After waiting over 4 months for this book to finally become available on paperback swap, I was really disappointed with the outcome.

In this book Ian is one of the finest more popular guys in Kylie's school. And he suddenly finds interest in her. Little does she know that it is only because of a bet. A bet that consists of Ian getting Kylie to fall for him, and sleep with him, in order to be initiated into some sort of popular fraternity. If you are anything like me, you are cringing at the mere thought of a guy willing to stoop so cruelly and so low in order to be a part of a crowd.

The plot went on like any other contemporary romance, except for the opposing thoughts of the two main characters. Kylie thinking that this guy who seems so ashamed of her at school is slowing falling in love with her, and Ian thinking that he only has a limited amount of time to STEAL Kylie's virginity in order to be part of the innermost in crowd. I could never get into the romance in this book because of how cruel and fake it seemed from my perspective, but I kind of feel like that may have been the author's objective when writing this book.

Ian is a creep. He can embellish all of his feelings and motives as much as he wants, but it takes a truly cruel person to be capable of such a thing. I actually admired Kylie in the beginning of the book. She takes care of her brother and sister, is in charge of a lot of things within her household, and barely utters a complaint. But by the end of the book, I felt she was acting a little bit naive. Emotions get in the way of logic I assume.

Overall, I did not really enjoy this book. But for some reason, I think that Dana Davidson expected this to be a book that will not be welcomed as well as others since this romance didn't spring as true as the others. It may have been meant to teach a lesson, and I have to say: Message Received!

www.blackandblueink.blogspot.com

Well written book that dispelled stereotypes. ( )

Ian Striker desperately wants to join the FBI, an ultrasecret group of the coolest, most popular guys in and out of Cross High School. To do so, he and the other “recruits” must complete some tests. For Ian, he has to make a random girl, Kylie Winship, agree to sleep with him within three weeks.

At first Ian thinks his test is a royal pain. Kylie isn’t even that good-looking, and she was definitely not the kind of girl Ian wanted his friends to see him with. But as he grudgingly hangs out with Kylie in order to make her fall for him, he begins—much to his horror—to have feelings for her as well.

Kylie knows very well the type of player Ian has always been. But every time they kiss and every time he looks into her eyes, she is pretty sure she sees something in him, an emotion that’s pure and real.
What will become of the two young people when Ian’s task is revealed and Kylie is humiliated?

Once again Dana Davidson writes an easy-to-read, easy to relate to novel about young people nowadays. She is without a doubt one of the most accessible African American writers for young adults, and her books should not be missed especially by romantics! ( )

GREAT ( )