Hearts & High Scores

By: David Cameron

Narrated by: Blake Drummond

Insert coin. Press start. Fall in love.

Set in the neon glow of a late ’80s / early ’90s arcade, Hearts & High Scores is a nostalgic, bittersweet coming-of-age romance about competition, first love, and the places that shape who we become.

Jake Mercer is a quiet underdog who feels invisible everywhere except inside Byte Club, the local arcade where high scores matter more than popularity. When a confident newcomer, Sarah Alvarez, arrives and shakes up the fighting game scene, Jake is pulled into a rivalry that pushes him far beyond his comfort zone — and toward feelings he never expected.

As the summer heats up, tensions rise. The arcade’s reigning champion fears being replaced. Jake’s best friend Emily quietly wrestles with unspoken love and her own dreams. And behind the scenes, Byte Club itself is fighting to survive, threatened by rising rent and the slow disappearance of arcades everywhere.

With a high-stakes tournament looming, friendships are tested, hearts are bruised, and everyone must decide what they’re willing to risk — not just to win, but to grow.

Filled with CRT screens, pixelated battles, late-night conversations, and the electric hum of a place that feels like home, Hearts & High Scores is a love letter to retro gaming culture and the unforgettable summers where everything changes.

Perfect for listeners who love:

• Slow-burn romance
• Found family stories
• Retro and arcade nostalgia
• Emotional, character-driven fiction

Because sometimes the most important victories aren’t on the screen — they’re in the choices you make when the game is on the line.

©2025 David Cameron (P)2026 David Cameron

You love and you score

This was amazing story about an arcade like building were kids and young adults can be themselves without judgement from the outside world. I loved that the main character was able to find love.

High Scores and Higher Stakes

This was a beautiful, heartbreaking coming-of-age romance set in the neon glow of a retro arcade. The story blends competition, friendship, and first love in a way that feels nostalgic and emotional without being overdone. It perfectly captures that bittersweet summer where everything changes. The narration by Blake Drummond was well done and added nicely to the overall experience.

amazing

This was a great book, very well done and narrated. Excellent story line. Definitely recommend this book