Not the story I was hoping for, unfortunately. While I usually enjoy Hughes’ work, this one didn’t strike a chord with me. Most of the relationship development happens inside the hero’s head – as in, he doesn’t vocalize any of his thoughts or feelings, and just acts like a jerk 95% of the time. So, while the reader knows what’s going on with him, the heroine does not. And I wondered why she’d put up with him. That definitely caused me to emotionally disconnect from the story, and I found the push/pull dynamic to be tiresome after awhile. Which is too bad, because there is a lot of good stuff going on here. I love a tortured hero who is healed by the right woman, but that has to come about in the correct way. Here, I just thought he needed therapy.
The story follows Hunter, one of the guys in the friend group that the SWANK series centers around. He’s a successful, attractive guy who has been battling some demons recently. When Hunter’s grandmother meddles and saddles him with an unwanted roommate (of the tantalizing variety), Hunter isn’t sure what to do. He’s dealing with nightmares and can’t get any sleep with Sabrina around – though he would never admit that to her. The longer she’s around, the more Sabrina messes with Hunter’s head, and a lack of sleep just makes him surlier and surlier. But somewhere along the way, attraction builds, and it can only be ignored for so long.
I wanted to like Hunter, I really did. The reader knows more about his reasons for acting the way he does, so it was easy to empathize with him. But he never communicates ANY of that with Sabrina; he’s nothing but a jerk to her, and their bickering isn’t really the kind that advances a relationship. The constant miscommunication is detrimental to any and all relationship development, and the continued push/pull dynamic is also a problem. I liked both characters when they weren’t together, but didn’t feel particularly compelled by their relationship. The foundation of a great book is here – I LOVE unexpected roommates, I love a grouchy hero, I love forced proximity – but it just didn’t play out all that well. With a few changes, I probably would’ve liked this quite a bit. As it stands, I didn’t.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3639GT3
Blurb:
Goldilocks has gotten a bit off track. I found her in my room, my bathroom and my bathtub to be precise.
Sabrina Mason is my new roommate. My new unwelcome roommate. Not that I have a say about it since I’m babysitting my Grandma’s apartment, which means Sabrina’s here to stay. But we’d agreed my room was off limits.
It’s bad enough my nightmares are getting worse, but having her around me makes holding it together. Her smell, smart mouth and sexy a–anyway. I can’t let her get under my skin although it might be too late. In her sloppy bun and pajamas curled up on the couch, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. But a relationship isn’t what I need right now.
It’s hard to remember that when she’s glowering at me when I’m being an ass. We’re forced to live together for only a few more month, I can hold out until I can’t.
She’s in my bathtub and she’s not telling me to leave. So I ask the question, “do you want me to go?”
And I’m shocked as hell when her answer isn’t ‘no’.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3639GT3
Start the series today!
The Sweetest Thing will read as a standalone, but The Proposal kicked off the series – and it was great! You can check out my 5-star book review here if you missed it. It’s a fake relationship/office rivals romance that’s light and sexy.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gUylPy
About the Author:
Maya Hughes, that’s me!, can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! 🙂 I’m a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.
I love writing stories that capture the possibilities of the paths less travelled and enjoy experiencing life through my characters’ eyes.
I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe, traveling with my family and Jeff Goldblum.
AUTHOR LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mayahughes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayahugheswrites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayahugheswrites
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maya-hughes
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