RATING
I love my meet-cutes in romance and well, if you start off by hooking up with a stranger at a bar because your type A personality demands you check off items on that To Do list burning a hole in your comfiest cardigan’s pocket… then you’ve got my full undivided attention and my best highlighters ready to be uncapped!
One daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down.
When her flailing department lands on the university’s chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job and she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he presents the perfect opportunity to check off the items on her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Check…almost.
Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship—except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career.
Naya has two options. She can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life or she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she’s finally living again.
Author : Denise Williams
Title : How To Fail At Flirting
Series : –
Number of pages : 352
Publisher : Berkley Romance
Release Date : December 1st, 2020
Genre : Contemporary Romance
So I just finished THE book. 5 stars, definitely recommend! One good thing in 2020! Finally!
Yes, THE book, because unbeknownst to the author this feel good romance felt like it was written just for me!
Let me share with you all the reasons “How To Fail At Flirting” should be on y’all TBR lists:
☑ Nerdy hero and and even nerdier heroine
☑ One night stand turns into something more
☑ “To Do Lists” addiction (Naya is a closet BUJO addict!)
☑ Steamy and playful love scenes
☑ Long distance relationship
☑ Texting
☑ Flirty banter and silly jokes are the bestest combo
☑ Cheese puns FTW!
☑ Star Wars references
☑ Hero gifts the heroine STATIONARY 💜 *husband material here!*
☑ See my last point one more time. STATIONARY YOU GUYS.
I love my meet cutes in romance and well, if you start off by hooking up with a stranger at a bar because your type A personality demands you check off items on that To Do list burning a hole in your comfiest cardigan’s pocket… then you’ve got my full undivided attention and my best highlighters ready to be uncapped! Let’s do this, Naya!
But in all seriousness, this book had me smiling all throughout, I didn’t want to stop reading but at the same time I tried so damn hard to pace my reading because I didn’t want it to end! The author made it so easy to fall in love with her characters, Naya and Jake. They’re both so complex and real, you just want to make them your own. The care given to the character’s development was remarkable with fully rounded mentions of past relationships, upbringing, work, co-workers, friends.
Watching Jake and Naya attempts at seducing each other was endearingly adorable and I was here for all the awkward little moments. The chemistry on page kept me engaged and fueled my romance reader heart. I’m not going to lie, the author had me wishing with anticipation for the smallest touch, brush of fingers, flex of hands… Gah. I could even feel the way Jake was staring at the heroine, I was this much invested in their unfolding relationship. There was anticipation building and the delivery was PERFECT. “How To Fail At Flirting” was STEAMY as hell and I loved it.
The banter was ON POINT, 100% my kind of humor, the puns were of a masterful brilliance because they were so silly! I absolutely adored the dialogues, so engaging!
This was a really happy place read for me even though it deals with heavier themes like past emotional and physical abuse, digital harrasment, which made for a really emotionally balanced story in the end, bringing just enough conflict to keep their unfolding romance captivating without dipping into silly drama.
The cast of supporting characters was diverse too, I adored both Jake and Naya’s friends, they made them shine even more. Naya was an amazing leading character and I absolutely adored her but seriously we need to talk about Jake and probably make a list of all the things we loved about him. Alright, maybe another time!
I didn’t mean to write such a long review, and I must apologize because the book doesn’t actually come out before December 2020, but I’ll be sure to remind you to pick this amazing romance in a few months!
(or you can preorder it now https://amzn.to/3hmi03g or add it to GR https://bit.ly/3kb1JQJ)
Denise Williams wrote her first book in the 2nd grade. I Hate You and its sequel, I Still Hate You, featured a tough, funny heroine, a quirky hero, witty banter, and a dragon. Minus the dragons, these are still the books she likes to write. After penning those early works, she finished second grade and eventually earned a PhD. A photographer, she loves to capture moments, whether through written word, research, or images.
A diversity trainer and co-creator of a women’s empowerment group, she is dedicated to developing flawed, multidimensional characters who struggle with those issues impacting real women. After growing up a military brat around the world and across the country, Denise now lives in Iowa with her husband, son, and two ornery shih-tzus who think they own the house. Like her characters, she enjoys bad puns, frosting-laden corner pieces, and the company of good friends.
