Lingering Game

Great book

Disclaimer

1. This is not a bad story! The plot is interesting, the writing is expressive, and the main characters have depth.
2. I only fully read up to about chapter 50 and then kept skipping chapters until the end. So I might have missed important developments that could definitely affect my review.
3. PMS hitting hard right now, so take this with a grain of salt.

The reason I rated this three stars is mostly due to personal taste. For me, I was just too frustrated to keep going, like the frustration when you miss the goal needed to clear a game level by just one point, every single time you play.

**Spoiler**

This novel annoyed me more than anything has in a long time. Annoyed me so much I had to write this review at 3 AM. Why?

1. The main character (MC) irritates me. The author is too talented; they write his insecurity and anxiety so well that it gives me stress. I’m so, so, so annoyed by his inability to communicate properly. It’s not that I don’t like shy or tsundere characters; it’s just how he’s always led around by the male lead (ML). Sure, he does acknowledge this and sets boundaries with others (e.g., Senior) in his own way, but I just hate how his life revolves around the ML and what the ML thinks, especially considering he just LOST THREE YEARS OF HIS LIFE AND IS BASICALLY A CONFUSED, VULNERABLE PATIENT. I know it’s focused on their romance, but it’s just hard to watch a very anxious, introverted person only be reliant on some dickhead (see 2.) when he speaks about how he really wanted to make friends. They couldn’t have fleshed out the friendship between him and Yang Yue (the one friend that’s relevant) just a little bit more?

2. If my annoyance at the MC is like seeing your friend get back together with the worst guy ever because "he's changed" for the 100th time, then my hatred for the ML knows no bounds. If the ML was someone who was also in love with the MC and didn’t know how to express it openly but tried to learn to communicate and care about each other while helping the MC break past his self-doubts, then I would love this couple. I would say, "Wow, what a wholesome, cute romance!" Instead, here I am, praying I never fall for a guy like the ML.

At first, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because we were seeing him from the MC's POV, but the more I read, the more I realized the guy really is just a manipulative, emotionless SOB. I just don’t believe he really loved the MC when he knew the MC loved him, but basically pushed and pulled him constantly. Even while amnesiac, the MC couldn’t help feeling “deep sadness” because of him. Despite knowing he’s insecure, the ML does nothing to dispel his doubts when he lost his memory. A lot of the time, it feels like he treats the MC like an experiment. He knows ignoring his questions or answering vaguely will mess with his head, but he does it anyway. You can argue that the ML is not good with social cues, but HE IS! He admits he knew the MC annoyed him to catch his attention, knew that he liked him all along.

Honestly, my breaking point was when they went on the aquarium date, and the ML ruined the MC's mood by talking about how the dolphins at the show were probably depressed and harmed themselves. And why did he say this? TO GET THE MC'S REACTION!!! Argh, I hate this guy so much. It’s the fact that he’s so subtly toxic, as in he does nice things for the MC but isn’t that invested during most of their relationship.

I think this novel would be good for those who like a romance almost entirely focused on the couple, and written with very poignant emotions. The emotional connection is slow and agonizing for impatient people like me but should be quite fulfilling to others. I do have some issues with some characters, but honestly, that’s very subjective. I’m sure some may have no idea where I’m coming from. I suggest reading and forming your own opinion.