For me, the characters-especially the main characters-are the driving factor in determining if I like a story or not.  That's one of the reasons I keep coming back to Cardeno C.'s books...I know I'm going to get wonderful characters who are complex and deep, and with distinct personalities.  I'm also going to get characters that are easy to relate to, and that is clearly illustrated here in Not A Game.

A very sweet, loving and strong friendship ... We see how they've touched each other's lives over the years and how their relationship grows. It was very natural and their friendship felt genuine. It was easy to believe in their deep feelings for each other. The existing friendship made their HEA that much sweeter. ... Whew. Cardeno C. knows how to write those sex scenes. Eli and Seth were way hot together and I loved how outgoing Seth became once he and Eli were together. I love this entire series and would recommend it to any M/M reader. They're sweet, romantic and a make for a nice, easy comfort read. They're really great on audio, too, for you audiobook listeners.

The book is extremely well-written and will warm your heart, make you smile and care for the characters, make you feel heartbroken and smitten. It will make you fall in love. And make you fall in love all over again, everytime you re-read this book.

Two very strong men, both used to being in control, one who believes in fate and destiny, and the other who believes in falling in love and choosing the person to spend your life with… Buy the book. You won't regret the read, I guarantee it.

The way Cardeno C writes this novella is no different to their other excellent storylines and building of the main characters – they grow and get to know each other.