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Alexis Nedd

Alexis Nedd

Alexis Nedd writes novels, cultural criticism, and narrative games. Don’t Hate the Player brings her knowledge of gaming culture into a young adult romance about ambition, secrecy, sexism, and who gets to compete in public.

Photo Source: Alexis Nedd official site ↗

Titles1
Editions2
Media4
Years covered2021

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Cover of Don't Hate the Player

Don't Hate the Player

2021 · Contemporary

2 editions: Print · 2021 | eBook · 2021

About this work & edition details

"Refreshingly voice-y, wildly smart, and genuinely hilarious." - Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue From an exciting new voice comes a funny and heartfelt YA romance set in the world of competitive gaming, perfect for fans of Opposite of Always and Slay. Emilia Romero is living a double life. By day, she's a field hockey star with a flawless report card. But by night, she's kicking virtual ass as the only female member of a highly competitive eSports team. Emilia has mastered the art of keeping her two worlds thriving, which hinges on them staying completely separate. That's in part to keep her real-life persona, but also for her own safety, since girl gamers are often threatened and harassed. When a major eSports tournament comes to her city, Emilia is determined to prove herself to her team and the male-dominated gaming community. But her perfectly balanced life is thrown for a loop when a member of a rival team recognizes her . . . Jake Hooper has had a crush on Emilia since he was ten years old. When his underdog eSports team makes it into the tournament, he's floored to discover she's been leading a double life. The fates bring Jake and Emilia together as they work to keep her secret, even as the pressures of the tournament and their non-gaming world threaten to pull everything apart. Debut author Alexis Nedd has crafted a YA combo-punch of charming romance and virtual adventure that will win the hearts of gamers and non-gamers alike.

Print · Bloomsbury Publishing USA · 2021 · English

eBook · Bloomsbury Publishing USA · 2021 · English

Podcasts & Discussion (3)

Listen & Watch

Alexis Nedd on Don’t Hate the Player

Nedd discusses the book’s commissioned premise, her gaming background, Emilia’s pressures, and her route from journalism to fiction.

Reading Middle Grade · June 16, 2021

More About Alexis Nedd

Alexis Nedd describes herself as an author, archivist, and lore expert whose work includes cultural analysis, novels, and video games. Bloomsbury’s bibliography connects Don’t Hate the Player with How We Play the Game , while her official portfolio makes clear that narrative systems and character writing now sit beside the books.

Don’t Hate the Player grew from an outside concept about a Puerto Rican girl gamer, but Nedd’s interview describes how her own reporting on games and experience with an overscheduled student life shaped Emilia’s world. The result brings professional esports, family expectations, online sexism, and romance into the same competition.

Kirkus praises the novel’s mix of tournament action and emotional vulnerability and notes its range across toxic masculinity, doxxing, gaming culture wars, and Latinx family pressure. Better Words gives Nedd room to discuss gaming, esports, and fan communities in her own voice.

Critical Reception

Don’t Hate the Player — Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus highlights the novel’s humor and sincerity, its account of gaming culture, and the way competition supports Emilia and Jake’s vulnerable relationship.

Kirkus Reviews · March 30, 2021

More Writing

How We Play the Game

Nedd’s second gaming romance follows a strategic player navigating competition, influencer culture, public image, and a staged relationship.

Bloomsbury YA · 2025
Narrative Game Writing

Nedd’s portfolio includes character biographies, lore, collectible documents, and interactive fiction alongside her books and criticism.

Alexis Nedd official portfolio

Genres

Links

Sources

  1. Alexis Nedd — official site ↗
  2. Alexis Nedd — Bloomsbury ↗
  3. Don’t Hate the Player — Bloomsbury ↗
  4. How We Play the Game — Bloomsbury ↗
  5. Alexis Nedd on Don’t Hate the Player — Reading Middle Grade ↗
  6. Alexis Nedd resources — TeachingBooks ↗
  7. Gaming, Esports and Fanthropology with Alexis Nedd — Better Words ↗
  8. Don’t Hate the Player — Kirkus Reviews ↗