There are three things I know about New York so far: everybody is late for something, nobody has a freakin’ clue what sweet tea is, and King Kong himself is still alive and well and has taken the form of a growly blacksmith named Mac.
This is no shifter story and I’m not his prey, although I wouldn’t say no if he asked for a little taste. I’ve been saddled with interviewing the beast to secure my new dream job in publishing, but his intense stares and monosyllabic responses are making my job impossible. I just need to get this over with and move on to navigating my new life and career. I’ve got this, right?
But my professional and personal challenges are proving bigger than I realized, and Mac might be the only one who truly understands this game. He’ll be my biggest ally if I let him—and the way he keeps saying my name makes me really want to let him. The thing is, this city is known for breaking hearts, and it doesn’t care if you’re the new girl in town or the beast who calls it home.
USA Today bestselling author Sylvie Stewart loves bad jokes, dirty rom-coms, country music, and baby skunks—preferably all at the same time. Most of her steamy contemporary and romantic comedy novels take place across her favorite state of North Carolina, and her characters never run out of snarky banter or snacks. When her laptop closes, Sylvie is a sucker for hugs from her twin boys and a good laugh with her hot-nerd hubby. If you love smart Southern gals, hot blue-collar guys, and snort-laughing with characters who feel like your best friends, Sylvie's your gal.
Oh hey, this is real cute. The opening of this book is that the heroine's grandmother has cross stitched A CONFEDERATE FLAG on her suitcase since she's going North. The heroine observes, "Never ever disrespect your elders--especially the ones who still the the Civil War was last week and us Southerners are just taking a little breather before we rally."
RALLY TO DO WHAT, EXACTLY, RE-ENSLAVE PEOPLE. HAHAHAH. SO FUCKING HILARIOUS, AMIRITE?
After reading 7 chapters while the main characters had met briefly 3 times and exchanged very few words, I just couldn’t keep reading and my enthusiasm was completely lost... However, Poppy was a very promising character, full of attitude and spark. The storyline was high spirited but unfortunately was dragging.
Well. Ms Stewart has definitely brought her A game with this one. I mean,Holy Hotness, Mac is a fabulous growly alpha male, whilst Poppy is the perfect counter-point to him. I just love this pairing together - they work so well
And as for the book overall - I simply inhaled it. Seriously. One sitting. In fact, I could quite happily have devoured significantly more about these two.
Loved every word.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Wowza!! I loved this book so much! I do not even know where to start. A must read!!! One of my favorite things in the book is all the Cookie quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Usually I have never heard half the songs that authors talk about in stories and I actually knew these! super plus!! I live in GA (not Savannah) and am a transplant . I can relate to the southern way of things since I have been here for 15 years. I adore Poppy. Ms Stewart found a perfect way to make her southern without being backwoods or a bell. She is headstrong and sassy with quirky charm. I love these type of girls. Grrrrrrrr - we all need a growl for Mac (the beast). strong silent and growly alpha. Really what else is there to say.
OMG. This seriously might be my favorite Sylvie book to date. I absolutely LOVE Mac and Poppy. She is the perfect sassy southern belle, and he takes tall, dark and broody to a whole new level. There were several twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, and I enjoyed every minute of this book. I also loved all the words of wisdom from Cookie. As usual, Sylvie has a winner here. Two thumbs up!!
I wanted so badly to love this one but it just fell flat for me. It started out well enough, I loved Poppy’s spirit and enthusiasm. I felt her so much about wanting to spread your wings but also at the same time missing something that’s completely familiar to you—your home.
The reason why I couldn’t fully enjoy this book was because of the relationship dynamic between Poppy and Mac. I felt like he never really had to work for their relationship. Yes sure in the beginning he did all the pursuing but it was after he completely rebuffed her and made her feel like he genuinely hated her.
And then out of nowhere, he suddenly decided that he fancied her. He pursued her relentlessly, never really letting her get any word out of it. Poppy being Poppy found herself falling for him easily, each passing day. It was a whirlwind romance.
But then, conflict struck them both and Mac retreated into himself to protect her but he never really gave her a choice. It’s like, after the conflict occurred, it was all Poppy, Poppy, Poppy! Poppy was the one who had to do all the work in the relationship. It’s difficult to see because it was so one-sided.
It’s also frustrating for me to see because Poppy was so determined and so forgiving. Never once did she get angry with him. In the end when Mac finally decided he fucked up royally, he decided to show his face and of course Poppy was more than willing to have him back with open arms. Of course.
It’s just so annoying because the whole bulk of the emotional labour in this relationship was solely on Poppy’s side. Mac got to fuck up, push her away, said hurtful things to her and when he was done, he got her back, just like that.
I have to say that the only thing wrong with this book was the time it took me to actually read it.I had it in my to be read pile and I finally got to it and then regretted that I had not gotten to it sooner..But atleast I remedied the mistake and I laughed and enjoyed it sooooo.. So my friends do not make the same mistake, enjoy this southern belle Poppy and her dark and tall and handsome Macy and how well opposites do attract..Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Disclaimer: I'm usually not a big fan of so-called "alpha" heroes because, frankly, that translates to "jerk-of-a-douchecanoe" way more often than not. And just as frankly, someone like Mac would drive me absolutely nucking futs IRL. But he is so much fun to read about! And Poppy with her Southern charm and - dare I say it - sass* is a wonderful (and sometimes hilarious) counterpoint to all that silent, manly broodiness.
I especially loved the little details, like the Cookie-isms at the beginning of each chapter, Poppy's Southern posse (including Bunny!), the description of Mac's eloquent eyebrows, and the overall concept of family (not necessarily blood relations).
This story gave me all the feels, from smiles, to snorts, to laughs, to swoons, to tears. So... if you think of reading this book on public transportation: You have been warned!
* I'm usually not a big fan of "sassy" heroines, either. Go figure.
Wow... I was not expecting this book. I had this on my wishlist for a while. The author posted a scene on Facebook and I loved it. After reading some reviews, I almost gave up on this book but I kept going and I loved it. The thing I loved the most about this book was how fast-paced it was and that made the story so much more interesting to me. I couldn't stop reading it. Poppy was super funny and ready to get her place in New York. Loved Mac too. Who doesn't love a broody alpha character? I sure do.
Anyway, this was a funny, sweet and crazy rom-com. I think it was my first by this author and I'm curious about her other books, I'll definitely check it out later.
Game Changer is one of the funniest and most engaging stories I have read this year. This gem is the work of Sylvie Stewart and is hands down my favourite book of hers that I’ve read (so far)! This book is a romantic comedy- but there is so much more to this superb story- because woven through the storyline is some wonderful tension, sizzling chemistry, steamy encounters, dramatic moments, a little angsty push-pull, and lots of heartfelt emotion. I was introduced to Ms. Stewart through her Carolina Connections series and was immediately hooked. I didn’t think this story could beat the other books I’d read- but I was wrong! If I could give this more than 5 Stars, I would. It was so much fun to read, wonderfully engaging, with all the feels to give it even more depth and connectivity. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Poppy James has spread her wings and has set flight to make her dreams come true. This down home Georgia peach has left everything and everyone she loves back home to move to New York to join a national magazine as Creative Director. That’s if the team can give the publication a complete makeover, and win over the board of directors in the process. There is a lot riding on their success. This is her big chance to change her life and she’s determined not to mess it up. She is desperate to be taken seriously, so she says “Goodbye” to Georgia Poppy, and “Hello” New York Poppy. But the annoying and impossible to ignore subject of her artisan showcase interview throws an anvil in her plans and becomes a huge distraction for her- distraction with a capital D. Mac is what we’d call tall, dark, and brooding. He’s a hot hunk of tattooed goodness, the strong silent type, who has such an intensity about him that he scares most people away. That suits him fine. He doesn’t ‘do’ people. He has his workshop, his forge, and his creations- they won’t let him down. But people do. He comes with quite a lot of baggage which really weighs him down. Poppy will have her work cut out for her to even get him to agree to speak with her, let alone give her anything much to write about. But fate has a way of interfering. I LOVED Poppy and MAC- they are really wonderful characters who were so perfect for each other. Their chemistry was off the charts- electrifying!!! They really made this one deliciously Hot and Sexy read. But all the characters played their part to make this story stand out from the crowd- this was a stellar cast- with secondary characters who made an impact. Some were so loveable, like Cookie and Naveed- as well as some not so nice personalities who added an element of drama to the whole story. They all made this a very entertaining read. The wit and humour were so on point- with such funny banter, quips, and antics- I was laughing out loud quite a lot through the book. I love the addition of the ‘southernisms’ and the ‘Cookie Quotes’- it was very clever of Ms. Stewart and added more personality to the story. Poppy cracked me up with some of her analogies, and self-talk! This story was so well written I could ‘hear’ Poppy’s voice, southern accent and all, in my head as I read along. When Mac grunted or ‘spoke’ with his eyebrows, I could see/feel it. There wasn’t an element of this story that was left untouched by Ms. Stewart’s attention to detail and vividly descriptive touches- and because of that, the whole book came alive and ‘played out’ before my eyes. It takes true talent to achieve that! On an interesting note, this book seems to be a crossover with Rule Breaker by Phoebe Alexander, as the two books share characters, and other major details. I have really enjoyed both books, and the clever, entertaining, and original stories both authors have produced using the shared elements. While both books can be read as standalones, I really recommend reading both! I cannot recommend “Game Changer” highly enough! Seriously, do yourself a favour and grab yourself a copy to enjoy. You really won’t regret it! Superb!!
Game Changer is the newest romantic comedy from Sylvie Stewart, and holy hotness is about the best way to put into words how I felt after reading this book. I adored Poppy and Mac. Poppy is the sweet and sassy southern red head that finds herself transplanted right into the hustle and bustle of New York City life. Mac is quite possibly the strong opposite to Poppy. He’s a quiet and withdrawn, and often growly alpha male. He truly is balanced whenever Poppy is around. Both of their personalities shine in both the comedic relief and steamy scenes. Sylvie Stewart once again drew me in those first few pages so intently that it was next to impossible to be able to put this book down. I found myself reading well past my bedtime to find out how this book would come to a culmination. I am not even one bit sorry for the grumpy mood that ensued the next day from lack of sleep lol. Well worth every moment spent laughing and swooning with Poppy and Mac! I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book by the ever talented Sylvie Stewart!
How cute is Cookie? Seriously, adorable. Ugh, this was a fantastic read. From the first page I think you can tell I’m in love with Cookie, even when she isn’t the main character, that actually says a lot about how amazing the characters are when sides are so memorable. The storytelling is amazing and vibrant, truly transporting the reader into it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A delicious rom-com! Poppy leaves behind expectations to fulfill her dreams in NYC. She has left behind the slow southern world for the fast paced New York rat race. And maybe some of herself, since she tries to hide her accent when she gets there. She thinks she needs to be New York polished but she unexpectedly comes across a beast of a man who turns everything she thinks or thought upside down while she turns his world inside out. Mac seems like Hephaestus manning his forge, except his Aphrodite is much more faithful and has a heck of a lot of fiesty, selfless, southern charm. Fantastic jouney to their HEA. Witty, steamy, tender, tragic, and just the right dose of drama. Love, love, loved this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Game Changer by Sylvie Stewart is a winner. It is a wonderful romance story that just melts the heart. It is fun, it is hot, it is sad and most of all it has everything needed to keep you in your seat for hours just devouring it and laughing out loud, whilst also trying to keep the tears away in some places. I know whenever Sylvie’s name comes up for reading books I jump at the chance because she never lets me down. I know I am in safe hands as she take me on a journey with characters that you will love and a couple that you will not. If only we could have had more of the story in his POV as well, it would have added so much more value overall to the story but that is my opinion.
Poppy finds herself in a new town with a new job trying to be something she is not. Now she has found the one person she can be herself with, things take a turn she did not see coming.
Mac is a man of few words a little moody, ok he is a lot moody and has dealt with a lot in his life, so when he is thrust in the lime light he doesn’t cope very well. What doesn’t come easily and what he needs is a relationship, one with the beautiful red head, who is a walking contradiction, he cannot get off his mind.
Sassy and brooding are my favourite! A sassy mouthed woman makes everything much more entertaining. Poppy and Mac don’t have the easiest relationship but it’s there and they eventually make it work for them. This book had unexpected twists and had me laughing. If you love a book with a sassy southern trying to make it in the big world and a handsome broody man this book is for you!
Giant, moody and broody, Mac is nothing a girl thinks she wants but everything she could ask for. I loved the hero of this book, who spoke as often with his eyebrows and grunts as he did with actual words. Though Poppy makes a fantastic heroine (fiesty, funny and refreshing), Mac is really what made this book for me. The story follows Poppy, a Georgia girl moving out of her hometown to pursue a career in New York City. She wants to gain respect in her new position and act as she thinks a sophisticated professional in NYC would, so she hides her accent and spends most of her paycheck on designer clothing. It’s when she’s out exploring NYC for the first time (dressed as herself), that she meets Mac. She is fascinated by the mountain of a man, and winds up making a total fool of herself. When she comes face to face with him again for work, the sparks continue to fly between them and Mac seems to be taken with the loud, messy Georgia girl he first met.
What follows is a fantastic slow burn romance with great banter, heart and a hero who is just so freaking loveable once you get to know what his grunts mean. It took a little while for our couple to meet and come together, but once they do the book flies by. While I’ve seen Sylvie Stewart’s books online before, I’ve never read one and now that I have, I will definitely be reading more. The writing draws you in and makes the pages flow easily - there is plenty of humor in the book and chemistry that grows and grows.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Butter my biscuits and call me Sally! Game Changer by Sylvie Stewart has got to be one of the funniest, cutest heart-warming stories I have read in a long time. With some great Southern advice from grandma Cookie Rutledge, Game Changer is a story that can be read and enjoyed while sipping a tall cool glass of sweet tea! The story moves along and much like the Chattahoochee River it flows and never becomes stagnant. With some great inner banter from Poppy James, I quickly missed being home in the south and I just couldn’t put her story down. 5 slices of homemade cornbread for the Game Changer by Sylvie Stewart.
Poppy James is determined to make it in NYC and get a tired old magazine a facelift and relaunch her career. Little does Poppy know but NYC doesn’t offer sweet tea, quiet nights filled with the sounds of insects or the love and security that she has grow used to from her family. While fighting for a permanent job at the magazine Poppy meets Angus “Mac” McKinley, a hot, talented blacksmith that does not do interviews, at least until he sees Poppy. Mac doesn’t talk a lot, only when he has something important to say, and Poppy makes him want to spill his guts. With Mac being a success with his iron furniture making and Poppy trying to keep her job, neither one sees the nefarious minds at work around them. Poppy is a Game Changer for Mac, but is it a good one?
Game Changer: An Opposites-Attract Romantic Comedy By: Sylvie Stewart He'll Be Her "Game Changer" Alright, But It's NOT The Game Change She's Expect'n! She's a SmallTown Georgia Gal who's NEW to NYC... What's WORSE... She's Swooped in & got the coveted job, And Now She's the office Envy! Which means She's gotta PROVE HerSelf... And She'll NEED a "Game Changer" to Level the Field! That's where HE comes IN... He's Beastly, Growly, & Reclusive as can be! But He makes a Great BIG Difference... Although NOT Exactly as HE thought... or willingly! HowEver, IN the END... It's Her Game "Game Changer" that'll Change the Game ON HER! I was granted, via B00|{$P®0UT, an ARC of Sylvie Stewart's "Game Changer: An Opposites-Attract Romantic Comedy." I recommend this book to others based upon its own recommendations. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given! Until next time... Happy Reading!
Told in single POV of the h (except for the epilogue), Poppy is a small town southern gal who wants to shake up her small town life and pre-destined marriage to childhood sweetheart, Bobby Lee Collinsworth. Her break comes as a job opportunity as a magazine designer for a New York publication undergoing a shakeup itself. The fates start to mess with her life plan as soon as she gets to New York.
I loved how real Poppy seemed. She was genuine and so relatable with her insecurities in herself and her life choices. Even though she felt she had to hide her southern roots by feigning a big city accent and citifying her wardrobe, I loved how some of her southern colloquialisms and accent slipped into her speech although that petered out as the story continued.
Big, broody Mac was a sigh worthy hero but almost too difficult to get a read on as he didn’t communicate much except for the occasional grunt or eyebrow lift. You gradually deduce his story as Poppy uncovers his family history but my personal preference of storytelling is with both voices heard.
Even the secondary characters were interesting people I would like to know more about. There is a Machiavellian twist so it is not just the angst. Overall, a satisfying and angst-filled read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fantastic book! When I started this book I figured I would read a couple chapters then set it down to get some stuff done around my house, yeah that didn’t happen. I couldn’t put it down once I started. Mac could be the poster child for the strong, silent type. He was a man of few words but his face spoke to Poppy. There was an instant attraction between Poppy and Mac but Poppy didn’t know how to read Mac’s silence and angry attitude right away. Once she had a chance to watch Mac for a bit she was able to read his expressions and realize what he was trying to say without words. Even though Mac was real big on words I really liked him because even though he didn’t talk much he still had a lot of emotions. And really Poppy talked enough for both of them, lol. Poppy was a hoot and I loved her sister, Iris too. Poppy meets Mac when she goes to interview him for a new magazine she is working for even though she isn’t technically one that normally does interviews. After seeing a pic of him she realizes she had “met” him before. Although gawking at him through a window doesn’t technically count as meeting, the things Poppy does really cracks me up. Mac is a reclusive artist that avoids publicity but something about Poppy intrigued him and he grudgingly agrees to the interview. Of course everything can’t be easy and smooth and there is a misunderstanding between Poppy and Mac. The ending is great and I like how and who helps them come back together. This was a great book and one you won’t want to put down.
Sylvie Stewart is a new to me author, but I'm not sure there was a better book than Game Changer to discover her talent! It's the story of Poppy, a southern girl who moves to New York City, and Mac, the very sexy & growly bear alpha. I know that seems like a weird description, but seriously, he did a lot of growling, especially at the beginning of this story. And they way they came face to face the first couple of times were hilarious, as Poppy is just so sassy & quirky, making no apologies. Then after all the craziness & Cherry Pie, she ends up being the one person who gets to interview the very talented Mac, which no other person has been able to do. And this starts them on a crazy, hilarious, and sexy journey, as Mac decides they need to date. Yeah, decides they're going out, and basically just tells her which had me rolling because of her reaction & inner monologue. Then there's the cast of very entertaining secondaries, who almost stole the show which was a feat in itself. The crazy ladies & family back at home where Poppy comes from, then those she's met in NYC. There were even a couple of f-bomb worthy twists to really slam the amazing goodness of this story home. So, I have to say that everyone should one click this great story that I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Welcome to NYC Poppy, if you're not careful, the wolves will eat you alive, and with some of them, you just might be a willing meal.
When Poppy lands a prospective job in NYC, she says goodbye to her Savannah home, her ex-boyfriend that can't get the hint, and her family. Her new job isn't without its challenges, but she likes it. But then she meets Mr. Tall, Built, and Handsome, and it's on, or it would be on if she could get more than a few words out of him. But there's just something about him that has her hooked, and despite the fact she does all the talking, she likes being around him.
Mac is a special sort of broken, and he shows his hurt with a giant wall of protection, physically and emotionally. Poppy has such a fun and outgoing personality that it's easy for her to work on those walls and drawn him in. Poppy is the fun to his serious, the perfect balance and the sunshine he needs. This was such a fun story and I love these two together, the heat level is intense. I finished this last night and I'm still recovering, and I wholeheartedly support anyone getting a little (or a lot) of Mac in their lives. A truly fun read.
Poppy is on the adventure of her life as she leaves Savannah behind and welcomes Manhattan as her new home. Off on her own one Friday night she stumbles upon Mac a mountain of a man with a top notch brood and a force she seems to have gotten stuck in. Soon Poppy finds out this mountain of smoldering man is a sought after blacksmith that the magazine she works for is trying to interview. So as they say let the games commence. This book has it all from sweet romance to undeniable heat. As well as laugh out loud moments and times when your heart is absolutely breaking. There is suspense and deceit as well making this book that so intriguing you can't put it down. I was so sad to see it end. I wanted more Mac and Poppy. This is definitely a must read! Fabulous writing I can't wait to see what you come up with next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Game Changer by Sylvie Stewart. I loved this book and laughed until I spit my drink out! Game Changer is about Poppy James who has moved to New York from Georgia for her dream job of magazine publisher. New York is totally different from Georgia, they don't know what Sweet Tea is, everyone is always in a hurry and people are grumpy. Enter Angus "Mac" McKinley the hot talented blacksmith who is as grumpy as he is hot and he's not into giving interviews until he meets Poppy. If she doesn't get this interview and it turn out well she won't get her dream job! Sparks fly between Poppy and Mac so if she lays on the charm maybe she can get this interview. She kinda wants to figure out where this might go but Mac doesn't understand a good ole Georgia girl who spends all her money on clothes and designer shoes. Will these two people who are totally different make a spark flying relationship work? Read Game Changer to find out!
Poppy has left her home and family in Georgia and ventured to NY to follow her dream of working at Warbey’s Home Living Magazine. She is adjusting to a much different life than the one she left behind and trying to fit in isn’t without its challenges, but meeting Mac could be her biggest challenge of all.
Mac is a man with creative heart who excels at building things with metal and his hands. He is gruff and believes that actions speak louder than words, so his mannerisms say so much more than his voice. For a man who doesn’t like being around other people he is drawn to Poppy in a way that he has never felt before and can’t deny.
These two are like oil and water but couldn’t be more perfect for each other. Humorous banter, hot chemistry and two characters that you can’t help but love.
There wasn't anything I didn't like about this funny and sweet romcom. Poppy James is a Southern belle who has moved to NYC to start her life over. She has a potential job with a big magazine as a creative designer, and pulling off an interview with a reclusive but popular blacksmith would be a boon for the about to be launched magazine.
Angus McKinley, known as Mac, is unlike any hero I've ever read. He takes the strong but silent type to a whole new level; the man barely speaks for the whole book, but he's a force to be reckoned with. Poppy is the complete opposite; a bright, happy motormouth who's constantly getting herself into situations with hilarious results. But Mac takes a shine to her, and Poppy finds that the man underneath the gruff facade is truly worth loving.
This is a well-written romance that will keep you enthralled to the very end. Don't miss it.
This book was freaking awesome! From quotes shared from Cookie Rutledge to Poppy James herself I couldn't stop laughing. This author is a genius.
Poppy has the chance to land the job of her dreams but it means moving away from Savannah Georgia and her family. On the plus side she will also get a break from Bobby Lee.
Moving to New York is a dream come true and once she stumble upon Mac her heart is home. Mac is a man's man and a man of few words but he melts Poppy with just a look.
This story is a good lesson in Karma and family. Puppy's character is quirky and cute and Murphy's Law definitely applies to her. I loved all of the laughter but also the warm fuzzies that came with this book.
I will definitely be stalking this author and you should too.