The Ex Games (Romantic Comedies Series) »

Jennifer Echols is the author of several Romantic Comedies, as well as many other young adult novels. She currently lives in Birmingham. Visit her on the web at www.jennifer-echols.com.

Brace yourself for the battle of the exes....

Hayden and Nick used to be a hot item, but their brief affair ended with a highly publicized breakup. Now the two are "just friends," excluding the occasional flirtation.

When Hayden wins the girls' division of a local snowboarding competition, Nick is unimpressed, claiming that Hayden wouldn't have a chance against a guy. Hayden calls Nick's bluff and challenges him to a head-to-head boarding contest. Their mutual friends quickly take sides, the girls on Hayden's and the boys on Nick's, making for an all-out battle of the sexes. This friendly competition is bound to get heated -- and they might end up igniting some old flames.

Children's Literature

The romantic drama heats up the snowboarding slopes in this teen-centered romp, which is part of the "Romantic Comedies" series from Simon Pulse. Engaging and page-turning from the start, the plotline centers on Hayden, an avid snowboarder and her high school love interest and ex-boyfriend, Nick. The tension between the two sizzles, and the stakes are raised when Nick challenges Hayden to a snowboarding competition, which quickly becomes the talk of the town. The book is at its best when Hayden and Nick get along; the dialogue pops and the details are immediate and relatable. Hayden is an easy-to-like narrator, and her athleticism and tendency to speak her mind set her apart and help her avoid becoming generic. The supporting cast of characters adds additional fun, especially Hayden's competitive, realistic, and hilarious brother, Josh. At times, though, the book seems to get bogged down in the creation of drama. As the story unfolds, Hayden's fights with Nick seem less and less believable as conflicts between people who secretly like each other, and the romantic tension begins to wane. Still, this is a fun recreational read, and teens in search of leisure reading will enjoy the addictive antics and satisfying resolution. Reviewer: Elizabeth McMunn-Tetangco