[Review] THE JAKE RYAN COMPLEX by Bethany Crandell

Source: Received a complimentary copy through work. 

All opinions are my own.
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: January 26, 2021
Number of Pages: 258 (Paperback)

DESCRIPTION

A teenage movie crush set her standards high. Now a real man needs to meet them. Fast.

Chicago obstetrician Mackenzie “Mac” Huntress set her standards for men very high early on. It’s been over twenty years since she fell for a fictional movie heartthrob, and Mac’s content to wait for the real version to come along; it’s her nagging mother who’s not happy with the timeline. So Mac falls back on her lifelong Mom-surviving skill—lying. The latest fabrication: a handsome neurologist named Michael. Pity he’s too busy to meet her friends and family. Problem solved.

But when Mac’s little sister announces her engagement, Mac is expected to introduce her elusive “plus-one” at the wedding, leaving her with only forty days to find a flesh-and-blood stand-in for the imaginary Michael. And the only potential Mr. Right comes with a big hitch.

However, it turns out Mac’s not the only one bringing secrets to the wedding. With expectations high, and shocking truths to be revealed, Mac’s left to find her own happy ending, which isn’t as simple as in the movies…though it’s definitely worth waiting for.

G E T   Y O U R   C O P Y   N O W !
Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Indigo | B&N

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REVIEW

As soon as I heard about THE JAKE RYAN COMPLEX, I was IMMEDIATELY intrigued! While I'm not a John Hughes diehard, I do love his films, and I definitely thought Jake Ryan was one of his more swoony heartthrobs, so I went into this one expecting to love the nods towards SIXTEEN CANDLES and other classic films, and sure enough it was sweet, funny, and definitely gave me John Hughes-vibes just as the title suggested! ;) 

 

While Mac's reluctance to be honest with her mom about her singledom was a bit much at times, it did totally suit the rom-com genre...and was right out of something you'd see in a film where you just kind of shake your head at the heroines antics. It had me cringing, and laughing more than once! I also really loved the chemistry between Mac and her "Mr. Right," and I loved seeing everything in the story all come together.

 

It’s on the fade-to-black spectrum of romance, so don’t go into it expecting sexytimes on the page, but if you’re looking for ridiculous movie-like awkward scenarios because of the heroine’s antics and some epic family drama mixed in with an adorable senior dog, a sexy love interest, and some dates-gone-wrong, then you’ll love this. It’s also perfect for anyone, who like Mac, loves Jake Ryan from SIXTEEN CANDLES.

It reminded me of WAITING FOR TOM HANKS by Kerry Winfrey with the rom-com goodness, and MAN HANDS by Sarina Bowen and Tanya Eby for the handyman hotness...just not quite as steamy. ;)

Overall, I loved THE JAKE RYAN COMPLEX! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, funny rom-com with a super sweet HEA!

Star Rating:

★★★★★

Read If You Like:

Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey, John Hughes movies, and classic rom-coms.

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What do you think?

Does THE JAKE RYAN COMPLEX sound like something you'd like?

Are you a fan of rom-coms?

[Blog Tour Review] A CO-WORKER'S CRUSH (The Rooftop Crew #6) by Piper Rayne

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Source: Received an egalley to give an honest review.

Also purchased Kindle copy on Amazon CA.
Release Date: January 5, 2020
Number of Pages: 250 (ebook)

DESCRIPTION

It took me a long time to realize I shouldn’t date the women I work with. It cost me three tattoo guns, a job, five motorcycle tires, and I’m not even counting the t-shirts I never got back.

It feels different with Frankie but she comes with a little daughter and a crap load of other baggage.

I’m not the guy you take home to your parents, let alone your child. Even with everything against us, I can’t help but think maybe it could work out–then I remember who I am.

G E T   Y O U R   C O P Y   N O W !
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2GwksrJ
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/32fVpR4
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3mULY1r
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2GzMimW
Amazon DE: https://amzn.to/38kyCYx
Apple: https://apple.co/32fWZCu
Nook: https://bit.ly/38fjY4s
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2I6sR5s
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3mUNNeN

 

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REVIEW

 Awww this was such a sweet and sexy finish to the series! I’ve loved seeing Frankie and Jax banter and antagonize each other in the previous books, but seeing them fall in love was even better!!! 

 As always, I loved seeing our fave couples in their friend group make their appearances in this book. I really do think that Piper and Rayne excel at flushing out friendships and family dynamics in their stories, and A Co-Worker's Crush shows that perfectly--their group just fits together so, so well, and I really love when friends become found families. :)

 I loved getting to know Frankie and Jax better in this one. We've gotten to learn quite a bit about Jax's past in the previous books, but I loved getting inside his head, and Frankie has always kept her distance from the group a bit, so I loved getting to see more of her. She's fierce, strong, and she's one of those people you definitely want on your side--so is Jax for that matter. I also absolutely adored Frankie’s little girl, Jolie! And now that we got to see more of Frankie and Jolie, I also really loved Jolie’s grandma, Sandy. She was so sweet and supportive, and it reminded me of all of the memories I'm grateful for having with my own grandmas. :) I also love seeing Jax with Jolie...sooooo many sweet moments in this one, and that's all I'll say because I think you'll want to experience them yourselves. ;)

Overall, I absolutely adored A Co-Worker's Crush! It’s bittersweet to have this series coming to an end, but I love that this was the story it finished on—much like Frankie, Jax drove me crazy when he first appeared, but he definitely won me over. ;) The tension between this couple has been building so long, and I loved seeing it all come together! This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but I do think you're missing out on some excellent banter and tension from previous books if you start with this one first. ;P I'd recommend A Co-Worker's Crush and the rest of The Rooftop Crew series to readers who love contemporary companion series that are sweet, sexy, funny, and feature amazing friendships and wonderful relationships! ;)

Star Rating: ★★★★★

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What do you think?

Does A Co-Worker's Crush sound like a book you'd like?