Review: A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones

The blockbuster conclusion to the bestselling Sunshine Vicram trilogy

A HARD DAY FOR A HANGOVER by DARYNDA JONES

Series: Sunshine Vicram #3

Publication date: December 6, 2022

Published by: St. Martins Press

Genre: mystery, romance, suspense

 

SYNOPSIS

Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.

Like we said, the new day can take a hike.

Purchase your copy now!

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Praise for Darynda Jones:

(A Good Day for Chardonnay)

Entertaining...fans of zanier mysteries will welcome Sunshine's further adventures. - Publishers Weekly on A Good Day for Chardonnay

A hilarious amalgam of mystery, hot sex, and comedy of errors. Can't wait for the next episode. - Kirkus starred review

(A Bad Day for Sunshine)

Provides plenty of action. Recommended for fans of Linda Castillo and J.A. Jance. - Library Journal

Jones has a real talent for balancing suspense with laugh-out-loud humor, never losing the tension from either. - BookPage

A Bad Day For Sunshine is a great day for the rest of us - captivating characters, great writing, pace, humor and suspense. - Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author

Fans of Jones' bestselling Charley Davidson series and Janet Evanovich's romps will devour this steamy series launch, which introduces both an irresistible pair crime-busting Gilmore Girls and a quirky, mysterious setting." - Booklist

Compelling characters and a sexy, angst-filled bunch of mysteries add up to a winning series debut. - Kirkus

A Bad Day for Sunshine is everything you want from Darynda Jones ... and more! Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun with a sassy new heroine you will love. Prepare to be hooked by this witty, sexy, and thrilling new series from one of my favorite authors!" - Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author

"Swoon-worthy heroes, quirky characters, and a page turning mystery. Move over Stephanie Plum, Sunshine Vicram has arrived. Prepare yourself. This book is a keeper!" -New York Times Bestselling Author Christie Craig

Darynda Jones has done it again. With trademark humor, eccentric yet relatable characters, and masterful storytelling, she takes us on a journey we don't want to end. A Bad Day for Sunshine is a great day for readers! -#1 Bestselling Author Tracy Brogan

"Smart, sexy, and outrageously funny. Jones masterfully balances heartwarming comedy and bone chilling suspense." Marina Adair, #1 National bestselling author of Summer in Napa

"From the creative genius who brought you Charley Davidson comes your newest obsession: Sunshine Vicram. Mother. Sheriff. Warden of weird." - New York Times Bestselling Author Susan Donovan

Darynda Jones is always on my MUST READ list! No one can pull you into a book like she can!" - New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Donna Grant

All the snarky humor and engaging writing you've come to expect from master storyteller Darynda Jones. I would read her if she scribbled on a napkin. Luckily, her new story has more than just lipstick and a number. Prepare to get sucked in. Her writing is like a vortex; you can't get out until you're done and sobbing for more.- New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Eve Langlais

A new town, new characters to become friends with, same snort-in-public humor . . . you're going to love this story!" - Award Winning Author Laura Drake

A Bad Day for Sunshine is deliciously witty, fast paced and filled with laugh-out-loud dialogue. Darynda Jones knocks it out of the park with this delightful new series!" - Robyn Peterman, New York Times Bestselling Author

"Darynda delivers again! A Bad Day for Sunshine tugs at your heartstrings and tickles your funny bone. From gut-wrenching heartbreak to full-abdominal belly laughs, Sunshine is a literary workout for your core. Another unique read from a stellar storyteller!" -Diane Kelly, Award Winning Author of Hilarious Mysteries

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, certain they went away the better for it. She penned the international bestselling Charley Davidson series and is currently working on several beloved projects, most notably the Sunshine Vicram Mystery Series with St. Martin's Press and the Betwixt and Between Series of paranormal women's fiction. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

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REVIEW

A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

   Someone had been attacking girls on her watch. 

That was their first mistake. 

Their second was to think they could get away with it.

What a crazy ride the Sunshine Vicram books have been! There are very few series that hook me so deeply and keep me craving more like this one has. Typically, my attention starts to wander a little bit after the first book, but in this case, the anticipation has only grown tenfold. Once again, thanks to my book bestie Astrid for encouraging me to read outside of my comfort zone and try a genre that I didn't think I could love. Mysteries are my least favorite books, but she assured me that if anyone could convert me it was Darynda Jones. If you need a little push like I did to try something different, here's my friendly advice: think outside your reading box and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Darynda Jones has such a sharp, acerbic sense of humor that brings such life into her characters. Sunshine was absolutely hilarious. Even in the more tense, suspenseful moments, she was running her sarcastic mouth and making me laugh. That element has been consistent throughout all three books which really made the series a winner for me. Sun always has a million and one tasks on her agenda for the day and torn in so many directions you often wonder how she juggles it all with so much confidence. She's a no nonsense, suck it up and get it done type of woman who would do anything at all to keep her family and town safe. Not only will I miss her and her smart mouth, I will miss her best friend Quincy, her daughter Auri, and her kooky parents. Even the oddballs around town had so much personality and character that it's sad to see them go too. (Except maybe the town flasher, Doug.) I don't think anyone wants to see *ahem* quite so much of him.

In A Hard Day for a Hangover, we take off right where we left off in book two. (**Please be aware that books one and two end in cliffhangers, so if you haven't read the series yet, you may want to hold off on reading my review as there will be plot spoilers ahead for the previous books.**) Sunshine and Levi were finally just starting to communicate and make headway with all of their secrets and issues. Sun had come clean and...BAM!...book abruptly ends. Unfortunately, Levi left before they could fully work everything out as it was a lot to process, and Sunshine drowned her sorrows with tequila. Hungover is not a state you want to be in when you're in charge of keeping Del Sol safe. Not to mention, daughter is prone to getting herself in one dangerous situation after another, and she's as stubborn as she is impulsive.

The mystery in this book revolves around teenage girls getting attacked. There is also a bit of a suspense element from Levi's being in danger from his Uncle Clay's plot against his life. Sunshine is determined to keep the man she loves safe-not only for herself, but for Auri as well. There is also flasher Doug's stabbing, and Mrs. Fairborn's break-in, but these are minor conflicts adding a bit of action to the plot. The girls getting attacked is the most urgent mystery to be solved and both Auri and Sunshine work to find clues in order to piece the puzzle together. Sunshine tries to warn her daughter away from questioning people, but eventually she realizes that she can help her in a small capacity and they end up making quite a symbiotic team. Auri may be a bit reckless, but she's as smart as a whip and genuinely helps her mom with fantastic leads she may have not otherwise found. Typically her boyfriend Cruz would be right at her side watching over her, but after the events in book two, he's at Quincy's most of the time as he heals physically and mentally. I have to say, I missed seeing his strong presence as it was in the first two books. We still saw him, but not as heavily. They make the sweetest young couple and I always enjoy their POV scenes together.

      Sun was so hyperaware of every aspect of Levi Ravinder—

his nearness, the heat wafting off him, the darkness lying 

just beneath the glint of humor in his eyes—

it was a wonder she could think straight at all.

I've been impatiently waiting for the romance aspect of the series to finally resolve itself. There was another mystery surrounding Auri's conception, how much Levi knew about Sun's kidnapping, and the reasons the never spoke after she left town years ago. So many misconceptions, things left unsaid, and hard feelings that never came out into the open. Sun and Levi just silently pine and brood over what could have been. You are almost desperate for them to share their true feelings and maybe, hopefully, be the family they should have been. There was a glimmer of hope in the previous book, but then things are left hanging for well into this story-around 60% or so. I will say, I got a little bit impatient as the story wore on and Levi was in the wind, nowhere to be found. I'm sure non-romance readers won't be bothered by it, but I was hoping for more interactions a little bit sooner.

There were several things that were left unresolved in the plot overall after book two, so I was wondering if everything would conclude neatly without any plot holes. I'm happy to say that all questions were answered here, even the question over whether Sun's father had ever been to prison. It was a bit of a running joke throughout the series as Sun would try to guess or trip him up into admitting something to her. All in all, I came away from this conclusion a very happy reader and can't recommend the Sunshine Vicram books enough. My only reason for taking a star off of my rating was because the mysteries didn't interest me as much in this one and I felt a little impatient reading through them. I think that was partly because I was waiting so eagerly for Sunshine and Levi's story arc to resolve, and partly because the mystery didn't feel as complex or intriguing as the previous one. However, I was very happy with how everything wrapped up and it was more than a little bittersweet to say goodbye to the residents of Del Sol. Once again, I can't recommend these enough if you're looking for something to keep you laughing out loud, and turning the pages late into the night. Maybe if we're lucky there will be a spin-off series somewhere in the future. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and maybe Ms. Jones will have mercy on us all.

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Review: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

Readers and critics alike raved over USA Today bestselling author Sally Thorne’s smash hit debut,The Hating Game, which has sold in over 20 countries. Now she’s back with an unforgettable romantic comedy about a woman who finally has a shot at her long time crush—if she dares.

99 PERCENT MINE by SALLY THORNE

Series: Standalone

Release date: January 29, 2019

Cliffhanger: No

Genre: contemporary romance, rom-com

SYNOPSIS

Crush: a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach…

Darcy Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men. She’s travelled the world, and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska, whose only flaw is that Darcy’s twin brother Jamie saw him first and claimed him forever as his best friend. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.

When Darcy and Jamie inherit a tumble-down cottage from their grandmother, they’re left with strict instructions to bring it back to its former glory and sell the property. Darcy plans to be in an aisle seat halfway across the ocean as soon as the renovations start, but before she can cut and run, she finds a familiar face on her porch: house-flipper extraordinaire Tom’s arrived, he’s bearing power tools, and he’s single for the first time in almost a decade.

Suddenly Darcy’s considering sticking around to make sure her twin doesn’t ruin the cottage’s inherent magic with his penchant for grey and chrome. She’s definitely not staying because of her new business partner’s tight t-shirts, or that perfect face that's inspiring her to pick up her camera again. Soon sparks are flying—and it’s not the faulty wiring. It turns out one percent of Tom’s heart might not be enough for Darcy anymore. This time around, she’s switching things up. She’s going to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers.

Goodreads

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sally Thorne lives in Canberra, Australia, and spends her days writing funding submissions and drafting contracts (yawn!) so it's not surprising that after hours she climbs into colorful fictional worlds of her own creation. Sally believes that romance readers are always searching for intensity in their next favorite book--and it isn't always so easy to find. The Hating Game is her first novel.

Connect with Sally:

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REVIEW

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think anyone who has read The Hating Game was positively twitching with impatience for more of this author's addictive words. I was late to the party in reading her debut book, but when I did I finally understood the hype. A lot of times it's purely good marketing or a popularity contest that builds such a level of excitement, but this author is a rare talent that deserves every bit of her accolades. Thorne has such a distinct, sharp voice that sinks its claws in you and drags you into the story from page one. She has a fantastic sense of metaphorical humor that you can't help but laugh out loud at from the visual imagery. Tough as nails Darcy getting hit on by a sleazeball at work:

    “What time do you get off work?” I imagine a Ken doll left out in the sun too long, and I step on that soft tan head like it’s a cigarette. “Not for a million years.”

This book is about the dysfunctional relationship between Darcy, her twin brother Jamie, and his best friend Tom. They grew up together and he became as close as a sibling, but with that close relationship came a lot of headaches. Because Darcy and Jamie are like two alley cats fighting for dominance. They're competitive, territorial, and yes, immature. They both have very large personalities that clash at the drop of a hat. Poor Tom is pushed into the role of a placater, a referee to smooth over their squabbles. He's pulled in two different directions because he loves both of them, and not only wants peace, but to make them both happy. Always. You see, Tom? He's a people pleaser and an all around perfect specimen of a man. He doesn't like that word applied to him because he feels incapable of living up to it, but the man has a heart of gold that shines brighter than the sun.

Simply put, I adored Tom for so many reasons. He takes care of everyone around him, and has a sense of responsibility that is almost crushing in its weight. He's protective, caring, and though he's human with weaknesses like everyone else, his determination to do the right thing in the core of who he is. There were points in the book where I felt that the twins didn't deserve him. Yep, I was holding a grudge and getting mama bear protective over Tom because I could not see an even exchange in their relationship. I felt that he was taken for granted and treated like a favorite toy that they didn't want to share. In the beginning of the book, I was more than a little concerned that my frustrations would overwhelm my feelings for the romance. I bow down to Thorne's talent because she completely flipped me around and made me believe in the future of their friendships and the romance that developed.

With any friends to lovers story, or brother's best friend trope, there's a shift in the dynamic between those involved. There are fears about destroying what you already have if the romance fails, and insecurity about losing any piece of importance in that person's life. That's where the title 99% Mine comes in. In the beginning, Darcy tells us that when she was 18, Tom was 100% hers. But she messed up big time and now she wants to belong to him again. At least 99%. For the first time, they are alone in her late grandmother's house without her brother there to cause friction. When she finds out that he's suddenly become single after eight long years, it doesn't take her long to blurt out an indecent proposal. She's carried a torch for him for a very long time, and having temptation in front of her is like gasoline on a banked fire.

Darcy is blunt, in your face snarky, and knows how to out-alpha any man or woman you set in front of her. Her heart condition doesn't slow her down, and she doesn't allow it to alter how others treat her. Tom doesn't stand a chance once she sets her mind on making him hers. What did I love about her? Well, I would be hard pressed to think of things in the beginning but the woman had strength. She had a terrible habit of running from uncomfortable feelings and situations, but her stubborn ways weren't impenetrable. I didn't give up on her and throughout the book, I saw her softening, listening to others, and working hard to overcome her faults. I saw huge character growth, and by the end I understood her in a way that helped me empathize with her more.

One of my favorite things about the book was Darcy's best friend Truly Nicholson. Curvy, sassy, and one heck of a businesswoman, she was such a unique character that I can't wait to read more about. She has her own brand of underwear with snarky phrases sewn across the booty. She seems to be just as unfiltered as Darcy, but in a much more approachable way. I fell for her immediately, and with the tease of her upcoming story that's revealed at the end, I'm even more excited for Thorne's next book!! Jamie is pretty much an egotistical player who has a mean side, but there is genuine promise there. I can see who he'll turn out to be with a little polish and buffing away. I have full faith that I will enjoy every minute as I witness him being brought to his knees.

99 Percent Mine was a delight to read. I laughed out loud too many times to count, and it has cemented my love for this author's work. If you haven't read her books yet, you are missing out on a one of a kind experience. Though I did have some initial frustrations, I never once was tempted to quit because you can't help but become invested in these perfectly imperfect characters. You're guaranteed to feel the whole gamut of emotions as Tom and Darcy fight for their happily ever after.

Recommended for: readers who love rom-coms, friends to lovers, best friend's brother, and slow burn romantic tension.

    A guy like that is strong in a way that’s deeper than muscle and bones, because he wears his softness on the outside. I think I met my ideal man when I was eight, and no one else has ever measured up.

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Review: Beard Science by Penny Reid

Title: Beard Science

Series: Winston Brothers #3

Author: Penny Reid

Release date: October 11, 2016

Cliffhanger: No

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Make a deal with the devil and you might get what you want, but will it be what you need? 

Jennifer Sylvester wants one thing, and that one thing is NOT to be Tennessee’s reigning Banana Cake Queen. Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates. Jennifer is officially desperate. 

And desperate times call for Cletus Winston.

Cletus Winston is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery covered in conundrum sauce, and now he’s in a pickle. Despite being convinced of his own omniscience, extortion by the exalted Banana Cake Queen of Green Valley has taken him completely by surprise. So... what’s a maniacal mastermind to do? 

Likely, the last thing you expect. 

'Beard Science' is the third book in the Winston Brothers series, is a full-length romantic comedy novel, and can be read as a standalone.

By now everyone knows how obsessed I am with Penny Reid's books. You're probably sick of hearing me talk about all of the books I've read and loved. So it will not come as much of a surprise that I fell hard for her latest addition to the Winston series. Going in, I will admit that though I was looking forward to reading this, I wasn't quite as excited as most. I know this will make me a bit of an outcast for saying this but...

wait for it...

Cletus was not my favorite brother. You read that right, I'm not kidding. Yes, I found Cletus to be funny, but it was always Billy who fascinated me the most. Maybe it's the fact that I want to get to the bottom of his history with the woman who has him in such turmoil. Or maybe it's his evident longing and heartache that I want to see assuaged. Regardless, I started this book knowing I would get something worthwhile, but Penny has really outdone herself. Cletus is one of the quirkiest and diabolically genius characters I've come across, and he completely won me over. His unique idioms and personal standards to live by were absolutely hilarious. Ones such as this:

"I only had time for twenty-four people (tops) in my life, and I already had six siblings. Twenty-four people was an average of two birthdays a month. Ain’t nobody got time for more than two birthday celebrations a month."

He's so unapologetically wicked and shameless.

I don’t like to judge people. I love it. Writing people completely off was liberating.

He's also stealthy and devious-in a good way. Up until this point I didn't know it could be a good thing, but underneath his wily ways is a heart of gold. Cletus is one of those people who can quietly plot a revolution or maneuver people like chess pieces and no one suspects a thing. Well, with the exception of his family. They've been controlled unwittingly by his machinations one too many times to not take notice. And that is what Cletus is all about. Always enigmatic, looking at life in an objective way.

...he was always in control of himself, never losing his temper, never displaying anything but premeditated emotion. Control was his comfort zone.

So when Jennifer Sylvester comes to him with a shocking request, and demolishes all of his preconceived notions of her, he's suddenly lost. How could this quiet, unassuming girl have this kind of fire inside of her? How could he have missed it? From the outside, she's the girl who is to be pitied. Controlled and manipulated by her parents, she's easily dismissed as someone not worth his time. I myself didn't understand her at first. I couldn't explain her loyalty and obedience to the two people who cut her down and make her feel worthless. But as Cletus unraveled her secret desires, and her hidden depths, I did as well. I began to not only root for her to come out of her shell and find independence, but discover the self worth that was damaged. And it was a beautiful process, seeing her grow in strength, all while Cletus adjusts to his unexpected feelings for her.

I loved her both rationally and irrationally. And I wanted her with a ferocity that had kept me awake at night and tortured during the day.

*swoony sigh*

I don't think there was anything I didn't love about this story. Without a doubt, it's one of Penny's best books to date. Beard Science is an intelligently written book with everything you could ask for in a romance. Richly developed characters, a layered storyline, laugh out loud humor, and passionate, achy love. Even if you haven't read any in this series yet, don't miss out. These are all standalones and can be read independently. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. You're going to want to acquaint yourself with these The Winston Brothers, they're not to be missed.

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Release Blitz, Giveaway & Christie's review: Big Rock by Lauren Blakely

Title:Big Rock

Series: None

Author: Lauren Blakely

Release Date: January 6, 2016

Rating: 3.5 stars

Cliffhanger: No

It's not just the motion of the ocean, ladies. It's definitely the SIZE of the boat too. 

And I've got both firing on all cylinders. In fact, I have ALL the right assets. Looks, brains, my own money, and a big cock.

You might think I'm an asshole. I sound like one, don’t I? I'm hot as sin, rich as heaven, smart as hell and hung like a horse.

Guess what? You haven't heard my story before. Sure, I might be a playboy, like the NY gossip rags call me. But I’m the playboy who’s actually a great guy. Which makes me one of a kind. 

The only trouble is, my dad needs me to cool it for a bit. With conservative investors in town wanting to buy his flagship Fifth Avenue jewelry store, he needs me not only to zip it up, but to look the part of the committed guy. Fine. I can do this for Dad. After all, I’ve got him to thank for the family jewels. So I ask my best friend and business partner to be my fiancée for the next week. Charlotte’s up for it. She has her own reasons for saying yes to wearing this big rock.

And pretty soon all this playing pretend in public leads to no pretending whatsoever in the bedroom, because she just can’t fake the kind of toe-curling, window-shattering orgasmic cries she makes as I take her to new heights between the sheets.

But I can’t seem to fake that I might be feeling something real for her.

What the fuck have I gotten myself into with this…big rock?

BIG ROCK is a standalone, dirty romance novel written from the guy’s POV by NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely…

My dick is fucking awesome.

            But don’t just take my word for it. Consider all its accomplishments.

            First, let’s start with the obvious one.

            Size.

            Sure, some people will tell you that size does not matter. You know what I’ll tell you? They lie.

            You don’t want a tiny diamond on your finger when you can have three carats. You don’t want a one-dollar bill when you can have a Benjamin. And you don’t want to ride a miniature pony when you can saddle up on a rock-star cock at the rodeo of your pleasure.

            Why? Because bigger is better. It’s more fun. Ask any woman who’s had to utter the dreaded words, “Is it in yet?”

            No woman has ever had to ask me that.

            You’re probably wondering by now—just how big is it? C’mon. A gentleman doesn’t tell. I may fuck like a god, but I’m still a gentleman. I’ll open your door before I open your legs. I’ll hold your coat for you, I’ll pay for dinner, and I’ll treat you like a queen in and out of bed.

            But I get it. You want an image in your mind. A measurement in inches to make your mouth water. Fine. Imagine this. Picture your fantasy-sized cock; mine’s fucking bigger.

            Moving on to looks. Let’s be honest. Some dicks are just motherfucking ugly. I won’t get into all the reasons why. You know what they are, and for now, when it comes to my best asset, all I want you thinking about are these words: long, thick, smooth, hard. If the Renaissance masters were carving sculptures of cocks, mine would be the model for all of them.

            But honestly, none of this would matter if my dick didn’t possess the most important attribute of all.

            Performance.

            Ultimately, a man’s dick should be measured by the number of orgasms it delivers. I’m not talking about the solo flights. That’s cheating. I’m talking about the Os that can make a woman’s back arch, her toes curl, her windows shatter, her world rock.

            How much pleasure has my dick wrought? I don’t kiss and tell, but I’ll leave you with this. My dick has a perfect track record.

            That’s why it fucking sucks that he has to go on hiatus.

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When I came across this book, it started calling me. And NOT because of that delicious cover. Nope.

Well....all right. Let's be real here.

Can you really blame me?

Spencer, most talented player in town and his big cock rock had a proposal for his best (girl) friend. A pretend engagement that would benefit both of them and would end after a very public breakup in one short week. They both had completely platonic feelings for one another, so what would be the harm?

Charlotte and I can both appreciate each other's appearance. That's one of the great hallmarks of our friendship. I can acknowledge she is a babe, and she can do the same with me, and we're still good.

Spencer cleans up his reputation and helps his father land a business deal, and she gets her annoying ex off of her back. Win-win, or so they thought.

Yes, this has a lot of elements involved that aren't exactly original. It's purely male POV, from the charming and conceited manwhore. Friends to lovers. A short pretend engagement/relationship that blossoms to more. Yet that didn't really bother me as long as it was as steamy and chuckle-worthy as it was promising. I was in the mood for something light and fun and this seemed to fit the criteria. With a first line like this, I was grinning from the start and was feeling very optimistic about this book:

"My dick is fucking awesome."

I said, this guy is completely full of himself and not shy about letting everyone know it. PERFECT! There's just something about that cocky, unrepentant manwhore that has the ability to charm you and make you laugh at his antics. And best of all? They are the most entertaining to watch fall helplessly into love. The confusion, the panic, the scramble to try to cling to their freedom. It's so wickedly fun to see.

I can handle this. I'm not tempted at all by my best friend. My dick, however, begs to differ, the traitorous prick.

Spencer was a great character, though after the initial boasting about his size, stamina, and skill, he started a fast free fall into his evolving emotions over Charlotte and I didn't get to revel in his cockiness quite as much as I had hoped. And that wasn't necessarily bad, as I did enjoy his character for how sweet he was. He was very devoted and loyal to her-even when he didn't quite come to the realization that his feelings were not in the same comfortable place they had always been.

The sexual tension started to build very quickly. After they made their agreement to start their farce of an engagement, poor Spencer started to view Charlotte in a whole new light. He always saw her as attractive, but suddenly the sight of her body had him feeling some very lustful thoughts.

For me, that seemed somewhat too abrupt for me. To go from completely platonic feelings (brother-sister type) to full on desire like that, I would have liked to have seen it happen a little more gradually. With the one week time frame of their engagement, I understand that this was what was behind that. But it didn't feel one hundred percent natural to be honest.

My small issues aside, this did fulfill my cute and sexy requirements when I decided to give it a shot. Lauren Blakely has created a story that will hit all the right buttons for those out there who are fans of the friends to lovers trope, and manwhore POV books. Don't let my below 4 rating dissuade you from giving this a try. For me, it missed the mark a little on the "wow factor" but I can see it being a big hit for a lot of people. The humor was plentiful and the steam was pleasingly hot.

I'm hoping that Nick, Spencer's (male) hipster best friend will get a chance to have his story told soon. There's a whole lot of potential there, I was thoroughly intrigued by him. It seems I have some stalking to do over his potential book.

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