Why I chose this book? I read Jasmine Guillory’s first book, The Wedding Date a few months back and just loved it. I hadn’t read anything in the romance genre in quite some time. I remember seeing the book all over the place when it came out but you know me, I usually run the other way until the fuss dies down. But I have to say the hype around the first book was definitely worth the read.
Summary
When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn’t the hard part–they’ve only been dating for five months, and he can’t even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans…
At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik’s rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He’s even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik’s social media blows up–in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can’t be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes.
About the author
My thoughts…
I went into this book with excitement for a little romance reading to take me away from the depressing news. If it was anything like the first book I knew it would be something to distract me for a bit. I really enjoyed how the book jumps right into drama for our main character, Nick at the very start of the book. From the start she comes off as a strong woman.
I really like the relationships between Nik and her friends, Dana and Courtney. They all seem to know each other well and call each other out when necessary. Which made it a pleasure to read the banter between the ladies as well as witness their supportive relationships as friends
It’s interesting how social media played a strong role in this book. It showed how it can be a delivery system for good and evil. Also as in face-to-face communications, there is also room for misinterpretations. Both were explored in this book. The way information can travel to so many at a seconds notice really changes the game. Especially in the case of the misfortune of Nik. You can’t bring it back once it’s out there.
What I like about her books is that she lets the reader into the minds of her main characters (in this book, both Nik and Carlos) and in so doing, you get to see all of their vulnerabilities and insecurities. You see how people create their own “realities” and let that guide their actions. But the truth is they don’t want to be vulnerable so they don’t open themselves up to really see the truth. I enjoyed watching the evolution of Nik throughout the book. She becomes stronger and realizes vulnerability isn’t a curse and that it is something she must lean into in order to let love in.
I also really appreciated Carlos’ story line. I like how devoted he was to his family especially after the death of his father. I like how he went back to his old neighborhood to live while practicing medicine and how the author touched on the issues of doctors being the worst patient when Carlos continually refused to get a check-up.
Of the two books, I liked the first more but I still enjoyed this book overall and will continue to read more books by this author. For these reasons, I would give this book 3 1/2 butterflies.
