It’s tough to develop an emotional connection to a couple when their entire relationship is physical, and that’s where I struggled with this one. While I’ve been a fan of the series, this particular installment didn’t strike the same chord with me. Nora is known as being a man-eater and an overtly sexual woman, which was front and center in this book. One look at her new neighbor, and she was ready to eat him up. I loved her connection with his daughter and all of the neighborly interactions, but I struggled to connect with either character. Shifting things into a friends with benefits relationship where feelings are pushed to the background certainly didn’t help, so I had a tough time rooting for these two. It’s the kind of book that I really WANTED to like, but it simply didn’t play out that way.
The story follows Nora, the last single woman among her group of friends. She just purchased a new home for a change of pace, and it doesn’t take long before Nora realizes that her new neighbor is a super sexy single dad. Not at all Nora’s usual type, but appealing all the same. But Dex is anything but friendly with Nora, and he seems to be immune to her charms – or at least more resistant than the men Nora has met in the past. As Nora bonds with Dex’s adorable daughter, he realizes that there is a softer side to Nora. She might seem like a vixen on the outside, but those quieter moments draw him closer. Starting up something with your neighbor is risky, but neither Dex nor Nora can seem to keep away.
I was really excited to read this, and I dove in on release day. But it quickly became apparent that something wasn’t clicking for me, and I found myself continually putting it down so that I could read other things. I was convinced that I would like it more as I got further in, and there was a point along the way when that was true. However, I had to push myself to keep reading on several occasions, and that’s how I knew this wasn’t going to be a successful read for me. That’s disappointing, because I truly loved Faking Ms. Right and the series as a whole has been fun and sexy. This was also sexy, for sure. It’s got several spicy scenes that showcased the sexual chemistry between Dex and Nora, though I honestly didn’t feel much chemistry between them when their clothes were on. There’s SO much potential in a neighbors to lovers/single dad romance, and there was a lot about Dex’s personality that I loved. So this was filled with potential, and it simply didn’t live up to that for me. Not a bad read, and I’m sure many will love it, but pretty forgettable for this reader.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3T1Lx6M
Audio Note:
The audio is excellent, no complaints there! The audio is well done and easy to listen to, with two skilled narrators. I’m a fan of Vanessa Edwin, and she does a great job with Nora. I also like Stephen Dexter, whose voice is easygoing and enjoyable. The runtime (9 hours) is perfect for bingeing, and the story is light enough – though not overly fun – for a lighthearted listen. There really isn’t a whole lot of humor in this, so it’s got a more serious tone than others in the series. But it never gets too heavy either, which was good. In terms of the spice, it’s a slowish burn that heats up in the back half. More descriptive than some of Kingsley’s recent work, but quick and sexy. So a good audiobook for sure, but perhaps not one that you’ll want to listen to at work. If you’re going to dive in, I do recommend the format.
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3LAcaOp
Blurb:
He’ll break all her rules
Nora Lakes is sophisticated, successful, and happily single. Career problems aside, her life is fine the way it is, thank you very much. Sure, her best friends are all moving into a new season of life—full of husbands and babies and white picket fences. But that’s not what Nora wants.
Neither is the gruff, tattooed guy next door.
Tattoo artist Dex St. James has enough trouble on his hands without the distractingly beautiful woman next door. Being a single dad to a teenage girl is no joke. The last thing he needs is a flirtatious new neighbor who makes his blood run hot.
He’ll just avoid her. She’s not his type anyway.
But Nora and Dex can’t seem to stay out of each other’s way. Between a pesky nocturnal visitor, Nora’s blossoming friendship with Dex’s daughter, and their undeniable chemistry, that up-against-the-wall, brain-melting kiss was probably inevitable.
Nora has rules when it comes to men, and she has her reasons. Dex threatens to break every last one of them. She doesn’t want forever. He won’t settle for anything less. But when these two collide, the result is fire.
And maybe even forever.
Author’s Note: opposites attract in this fun, swoony, single dad romcom. A smart, sassy woman meets a rough-around-the-edges tattoo artist with a heart of gold. Daddy/daughter moments, all the banter, neighborly shenanigans, a meddling family, badass lady friendships, and a hero who’s determined to fight the heat between them—until he falls first. Flirting with Forever can be read as a stand-alone.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3T1Lx6M
More from the series!
I may not have loved this one, but I did love Faking Ms. Right! I read the series all out of order, so it’s certainly doable. There are plenty of appearances from the full cast of characters, but only minor spoilers from book to book.
“When I kissed you last night, I wasn’t pretending.”
Everly Dalton is a walking, talking, martini-drinking dating disaster. Forget kissing frogs. She can’t even get past the first date. But at work, she’s a badass—the longest-running assistant billionaire Shepherd Calloway has ever had. Her coworkers wonder how she handles the big bad wolf—and never gets bit.
Shepherd Calloway isn’t interested in being anyone’s sugar daddy. Tired of women who only want him for his money, he swears off dating, determined to focus on running his empire. Until his gold-digging ex hits him where it hurts, putting him in a difficult position.
His solution—to have Everly pose as his live-in girlfriend—is obviously crazy. But the timing is uncanny. It just so happens Everly needs a favor from her boss—a big and awkward one—and this could ensure everyone gets what they want.
Besides, Everly can totally survive a few months of faux romance.
Except there’s a problem. Shepherd is supposed to be a single-minded, unemotional robot boss. Not an actual human with a heart and morning wood. Between the awkward bed-sharing and tingly fake dates, lines are blurring. And as Everly gets to know the real Shepherd, she discovers there’s more to the man behind the bank account.
And faking it gets all too real.
Faking Ms. Right is a hot, STAND-ALONE romantic comedy.
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xnZxyG
About the Author:
Claire Kingsley is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of sexy, heartfelt contemporary romance and romantic comedies. She writes books with sassy, quirky heroines, swoony heroes who love their women hard, panty-melting sexytimes, romantic happily ever afters, and lots of big feels.
For sneak peeks, exclusive short stories, the popular (and usually ridiculous) Ask Cooper Miles advice column, and lots of awesome book news, sign up for Claire’s newsletter: http://www.clairekingsleybooks.com/sign-up/
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