Getting His Game Back

A Novel

By: Gia De Cadenet

Narrated by: Jonathan Horvath

“A thoroughly satisfying love story with a big, beating heart.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This book is emotional, steamy and sweet—a triple threat! De Cadenet tackles mental health, gender stereotypes, and interracial romance with care and creativity. I loved it!”—Chantel Guertin, author of Instamom

Khalil Sarda went through a rough patch last year, but now he’s nearly back to his old self. All he has to do is keep his “stuff” in the past. Real men don’t have depression and go to therapy—or, at least they don’t admit it. He’s ready to focus on his growing chain of barbershops, take care of his beloved Detroit community, and get back to being the ladies’ man his family and friends tease him for being. It’ll be easy . . . until Vanessa throws him completely off his game.

Vanessa Noble is too busy building a multimillion-dollar tech career as a Black woman before age thirty to be distracted by a relationship. Not to mention, she’s been burned before, still dealing with the lingering hurt of a past breakup. Besides, as her friends often remind her, she’ll never find a man who checks all the boxes on her famous List. Yet when she desperately needs a shape-up and happens upon one of Khalil’s barbershops, the Fade, he makes her reconsider everything. Khalil is charming, intelligent, sexy, and definitely seems like he’d treat a woman right . . . but he’s not Black.

Vanessa may be willing to take a chance on Khalil, but a part of him is frustratingly closed off, just out of her reach. Will old patterns emerge to keep them apart? Or have they both finally found a connection worth throwing away the playbook for?

Critic reviews

“Emotional, sweet, steamy . . . this smart rom-com has it all!”—Woman’s World

“With this stellar debut, [Gia] de Cadenet thoughtfully explores the complexities of interracial dating and the impact of mental health on relationships. . . . Khalil and Vanessa set a high standard for couples with their patience, support, and respect for one another—combined with sizzling chemistry. The result is a thoroughly satisfying love story with a big, beating heart.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This book is emotional, steamy and sweet—a triple threat! De Cadenet tackles mental health, gender stereotypes, and interracial romance with care and creativity. I loved it!”—Chantel Guertin, author of Instamom

Great book

This was a very good book loved the story line and the inside working of one type of depression.

Complexity of dealing with mental health issues.

I enjoyed the cross culture and love story. I wish it delved more into their families. i.e. twin brother, Father with dementia, Grandmother's interracial relationship fail.

Great romance and real issues written very well!

Loved how their relationship unfolded and highlighted the good and the dark. The intimate moments were definitely written honestly with what a man may enjoy apart from stereotypical likes. Raw emotions depicting what depression can look like were enlightening. Great writing!

Enjoyed!!

This was a great story. Kept me engaged. Narrator’s voice was inviting. Will look for more book by this author.

Charming and heartwarming story

Loved Nessa and Khalil. This story is as heartwarming and charming as it is heart wrenching. I really enjoyed this one.