Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - Vanessa Jared's Got a Man

Okay. So I ran hot and cold about this book. It never felt like I was on an even keel. There were some parts of it that were so good I was hungry for more, and other parts that were so cringey I put the book down.

So first, I love reading about women my age. Especially getting another chance at love. I love that Vanessa had a support system (they had a corny name though, lol) and that they had such a great bond. Vanessa and Michael were so very hot and I loved that too. Them falling together was sweet and very lovely. This book had a BUNCH of great highs.

*This next part of the review is completely my fault* I didn't read the synopsis, so the reason they ended up in each other's orbit threw me off a lot. But as a plot point, it was interesting enough. That ex-husband of hers was a doozy. Mess.

And Vanessa's introspection spoke a lot on therapy and the things she overcame (which I love. I love when we get the help we need), but her actions sometimes would have you believe she wasn't putting any of her breakthroughs into practice. Like, she was realizing things without actualizing them. And it was like the book wanted to give you Hallmark vibes but didn't quite make it in some places. I hate the way she looked down on their small town, but I also hated the way everyone there was so smug and the tiniest bit condescending.

Overall though, I liked it. The banter, the sex, the lusting--all great. The laughs and friendship--great too. The total Countdown to Christmas ending--wonderful, lol.

Also, fair warning--there's a third act breakup. Hated that. But I know some people don't mind.

Content Warnings

katebrownreads's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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louisekf's review

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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bookdragon217's review

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

"People have to make decisions for themselves even when they're bad ones".

Vanessa Jared's Got a Man by LaQuette was such a hit for me. It was not your typical romance. The storyline sealed the deal and the spices parts had me ready to call the fire department. LaQuette gave all the elements I look for when I set out to read romance. Thanks to @smpromance for the gifted copy.

I loved Vanessa and Michael so much. They were flawed, honest, patient and not afraid to challenge each other. Their friends were such a positive support network and really added to the overall vibe of the story. I would definitely love to see their stories in the future. (HINT, HINT)

LaQuette really knows how to keep you invested in a stroy. The pacing was perfect. I loved the banter and tension. She really knows how to turn up the heat at just right time.

What really made this story unique were the themes:
🌶 40+ female lead
🌶 divorce and aftermath
🌶 lasting effects of emotional abuse
🌶 fear of losing people
🌶 communication & consent
🌶 normalizing mental health in the Black community
🌶 making friends in adulthood
🌶 small town neighborhoods
🌶 respectful boundaries

This was my first LaQuette book but it won't be my last. This one published 9/21 and I highly recommend it if you're into sexy stories with captivating characters and a rich plot.

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ablondebooknerd's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the #gifted eARC of VANESSA JARED’S GOT A MAN!

Phew this book is STEAMY! I was not expecting that from its cute lil cover art.

I haven’t read many romance books with the MCs in their forties but after reading this one, it’s definitely something I’d love to read more of. There’s just something special about a female MC who is so confident and assured in herself. Vanessa knows how she deserves to be treated and she demands it.

I loved Michael’s POV. He instantly falls so hard for Vanessa (I mean she’s a total badass so how could he not?!). His deep sense of loyalty to his family and community was endearing. You definitely want a friend like Michael on your team.

Vaness and Michael’s chemistry was off the charts and I sped through this one to get to their HEA. Fingers crossed that we get a sequel love story for Vanessa’s bestie Janae and Michael’s bff Adam!

VANESSA JARED’S GOT A MAN comes out on September 20th!

Cw: emotional abuse, gaslighting

Content Warnings

elizabeth_delozier's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Vanessa is still trying to get back to her life following her messy divorce and has made some great, spunky friends along the way. Enter the sexy sheriff from another town who has come to convince Vanessa to help him save his younger sister from enduring the same fate with her ex-husband that Vanessa recently escaped.

This story is chock-full of sexual tension, quirky friendships, character growth, fun spice, small town charm, and drama. What more do you need?

The spice was so well written, I swooned. The friendship dynamics made me envious - I love fun, supportive female friendships. The author also set us up for a series of stand-alone romances with character crossover and I simply can't wait to get my grubby little hands on her next book. This was excellent.

The audiobook narration was excellent, keeping the reader engaged. As someone who loves typically prefers for dual POV to also have dual narration, the narrator did an amazing job at portraying both perspectives without the story feeling disjointed.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Denise Wallace, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by OrangeSky Audio in exchange for an honest review.

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brokenbodybitch's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed their relationship
I felt like the main conflict with the sister and ex husband was kinda rushed/choppy and felt slightly shoe horned in there which sucks as it’s a very large plot point for this book
I really love how this sets up for a possible series and I enjoy the level of detail to the side characters and the relationships between all characters
he is irritating at times but it is kinda addressed later on as this does HEAVILY talk about trauma and healing from it

Content Warnings

kiwi_00's review

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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