SHORT-LISTED: 2024 CBCA Book of the Year, Older Readers
Selected as one of the Best Young Adult Books for 2023 – Readings Books

Sam Khoo has one goal in life: create cool indie games. She’s willing to do anything to make her dream come true – even throw away a scholarship to university. All she needs is a super-rare ticket to a game design workshop and she can kickstart her career.

So when Jay Chua, aka Jerky McJerkface, sneakily grabs the last ticket, it’s war. Knowing how their Australian-Malaysian community works, Sam issues him an ultimatum: put the ticket on the line in a 1v1 competition of classic video games, or she’ll broadcast his duplicity to everyone. Thank you, Asian Gossip Network.

Meeting in neutral locations, away from the eyes and ears of nosy aunties and uncles, Sam and Jay connect despite themselves. It’s a puzzle that Sam’s not sure she wants to solve. But when her dream is under threat, will she discover that there is more than one way to win?

‘Utterly charming. I loved this story about the intersection of culture, romance and nerdiness!’ Michelle Law, acclaimed writer of Single Asian Female

‘A gloriously nerdy debut about family, culture, passion and ambition.’ Tobias Madden, bestselling author of Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell

‘A relatable, fire-cracking story about chasing your dreams.Sam Khoo stole my heart.’ Wai Chim, award-winning author of The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling

‘Witty, charming and full of heart. I didn’t want it to end!’ Kay Kerr, acclaimed author of Social Queue and Please Don’t Hug Me

‘A super-smart, hotly competitive Asian-Australian YA gamer rom-com that celebrates burning your own path through life. This nerd loved it.’ Rebecca Lim, award-winning author of Tiger Daughter

‘An utterly gorgeous and heartwarming debut about family, creativity, ambition and believing in yourself.’ Nina Kenwood, bestselling author of Unnecessary Drama

‘Yong effortlessly weaves together breathless game playing, epic trash talk, slow-burn romance, complex family dynamics and true friendships.’ Leanne Hall, award-winning author of The Gaps

‘Funny, romantic and heart-warming. A dazzling debut.’ C.S. Pacat, New York Times bestselling author of Dark Rise

‘This charming debut won my heart. I wish this book had been around when I was growing up!’ Vanessa Len, bestselling author of Only A Monster

Author Biography

Leanne Yong is an Asian-Australian author of Singaporean and Malaysian heritage who loves writing the diaspora experience into contemporary and fantasy YA fiction. She started her career as an IT business analyst (boring) and is now an escape room creator (much more interesting). She has designed internationally recognised games with her partner that weave unique puzzle mechanics with narrative. She currently resides in Sydney for work, but Brisbane is where her home, family and heart (i.e. her cat) are. Two Can Play That Game is her debut novel.