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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
i don't think i've ever given a 4.25 before but i think that's what this is. i loved it sooo much but it wasn't quite a 5 star, wasn't quite a 4.5, but was definitely above a 4. i'll probably update this with a solid rating eventually.
love matt & sabrina so much though and i can't wait for kennedy's book next! i actually think kennedy has the potential to be my favorite.
love matt & sabrina so much though and i can't wait for kennedy's book next! i actually think kennedy has the potential to be my favorite.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Matt and Sabrina are a top tier enemies to lovers trope...truly. Complete with a fake dating trope. Holy cow. The tension, the banter, the character development and feelings. I LOVED IT ALL.
And I definitely loved this book more than the first. I feel like we did get more character depth with Matt and Sabrina, and also them having history (which we find more about as the story goes on) added to it imo.
I loved seeing Lara and Kate as well as Ian and Kennedy in this story and their whole friend dynamic. It's cheesy, but I just love reading about friends like that and how close they are and how involved they are with each other. It makes me happy lol.
The ending at the gala was seriously the best and so so cute. Cheesy, obvs, but that honestly just added it to it. The Cinderella effect to the fullest in the best way.
I am so so stoked for the last book though, because I love Kate and think she is so cute and Kennedy is hands down my favorite of the boys. He better not disappoint. hahaha.
5 stars, 3.5/4 peppers
And I definitely loved this book more than the first. I feel like we did get more character depth with Matt and Sabrina, and also them having history (which we find more about as the story goes on) added to it imo.
I loved seeing Lara and Kate as well as Ian and Kennedy in this story and their whole friend dynamic. It's cheesy, but I just love reading about friends like that and how close they are and how involved they are with each other. It makes me happy lol.
The ending at the gala was seriously the best and so so cute. Cheesy, obvs, but that honestly just added it to it. The Cinderella effect to the fullest in the best way.
I am so so stoked for the last book though, because I love Kate and think she is so cute and Kennedy is hands down my favorite of the boys. He better not disappoint. hahaha.
5 stars, 3.5/4 peppers
i was intrigued by the fake dating thing but enemies to lovers is so hard to write well and this one just wasnt it. they were kinda cruel to each other and it just didnt vibe with me.
the writing and pacing felt fine but it just wasn’t memorable to me.
the writing and pacing felt fine but it just wasn’t memorable to me.
I liked this book. It was cute and sexy, they both have some explosive chemistry because they already slept together but neither wants to have a serious relationship.
Matt would like to stay a bachelor but because of the recent events, he needs to find a girlfriend. The one who is not too clingy and would know their relationship is just a pretend.
His friends suggested asking Sabrina, who can’t stand Matt. But since she’s the only choice, she agrees. What starts as a favor, ends as…? Well, you’ll have to find out 😉
Their hookups? Hot.
Their banter? Hotter.
But will they trust each other with their past, secrets, and hearts?
A wonderful story, worth 4 stars.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Slovenian review and full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/
Matt would like to stay a bachelor but because of the recent events, he needs to find a girlfriend. The one who is not too clingy and would know their relationship is just a pretend.
His friends suggested asking Sabrina, who can’t stand Matt. But since she’s the only choice, she agrees. What starts as a favor, ends as…? Well, you’ll have to find out 😉
Their hookups? Hot.
Their banter? Hotter.
But will they trust each other with their past, secrets, and hearts?
A wonderful story, worth 4 stars.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Slovenian review and full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/
DNF
The story, the characters, the plot... nothing connect with me. Nothing build the interest in me.
The story, the characters, the plot... nothing connect with me. Nothing build the interest in me.
**4.5 Stars**
Hard Sell was an easy-going and sexy read with a pair that were closer to frenemies than enemies. Having met them in the prior book, it only heightened my interest in how Layne could possibly spin their story and I enjoyed every provocative moment in which Sabrina’s calm aloofness clashed and sparked against Matt’s cocky ego. The whole fake girlfriend trope never felt so fresh and fun.
With a series that focuses on high-powered men turning to women for help, it was highly enjoyable to see Matt’s dilemma cause the dynamic between Sabrina and him to slowly break down as more pressure was placed on their relationship (or lack thereof). The depth and charm to Matt was in his lack of arrogance; that he had this well of confidence, but could be incredibly selfless at the same time. In the prior book I had trouble connecting with Ian, but I never struggled with Matt—it was an instant liking. On the same hand, some characters like Sabrina, who is cold and capable, can be difficult as a reader to like, but there was this vulnerability that wasn’t so hidden once we were in her head that made her just like any other woman—and a vivid representation of all powerful women forced to dedicate that persona to the outside world because of it being a ‘man’s world.’ They shouldn’t have worked as a couple, but that confidence they shared meshed so well when the walls came down, creating pure fire. What I felt was missing was a bit more banter to fuel their interactions which could’ve made it stronger and more effective in evoking reaction from the reader. LL is so very good at that element, especially when two characters have an intense attraction but loathe one another, and I felt it wasn’t as strong as I know her to be capable of. With that being said, it was still very much a well-written and strongly plotted novel.
My favorite in the series thus far, Hard Sell was a fast-paced ball of longing. The characters were so well-suited for one another and created a wonderful story that sucked me right in from the first page. I cannot wait for the long-awaited third couple to do the very same.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
Hard Sell was an easy-going and sexy read with a pair that were closer to frenemies than enemies. Having met them in the prior book, it only heightened my interest in how Layne could possibly spin their story and I enjoyed every provocative moment in which Sabrina’s calm aloofness clashed and sparked against Matt’s cocky ego. The whole fake girlfriend trope never felt so fresh and fun.
With a series that focuses on high-powered men turning to women for help, it was highly enjoyable to see Matt’s dilemma cause the dynamic between Sabrina and him to slowly break down as more pressure was placed on their relationship (or lack thereof). The depth and charm to Matt was in his lack of arrogance; that he had this well of confidence, but could be incredibly selfless at the same time. In the prior book I had trouble connecting with Ian, but I never struggled with Matt—it was an instant liking. On the same hand, some characters like Sabrina, who is cold and capable, can be difficult as a reader to like, but there was this vulnerability that wasn’t so hidden once we were in her head that made her just like any other woman—and a vivid representation of all powerful women forced to dedicate that persona to the outside world because of it being a ‘man’s world.’ They shouldn’t have worked as a couple, but that confidence they shared meshed so well when the walls came down, creating pure fire. What I felt was missing was a bit more banter to fuel their interactions which could’ve made it stronger and more effective in evoking reaction from the reader. LL is so very good at that element, especially when two characters have an intense attraction but loathe one another, and I felt it wasn’t as strong as I know her to be capable of. With that being said, it was still very much a well-written and strongly plotted novel.
My favorite in the series thus far, Hard Sell was a fast-paced ball of longing. The characters were so well-suited for one another and created a wonderful story that sucked me right in from the first page. I cannot wait for the long-awaited third couple to do the very same.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
I was really looking forward to reading Hard Sell and whilst it did not disappoint. I must admit the love/hate, push/pull between main characters Matt and Sabrina wasn't as prevalent as it had been during Ian and Lara's story.
But I enjoyed it nonetheless and there certainly was enough going on throughout to easily hold my interest. Plus, I liked that Matt and Sabrina's romance was slow to build and that chemistry was always present. It's just a shame the reasons why Sabrina and Matt's relationship is so rocky is never really explained and that a lot of the angst and passion between them seems to happen off the page.
Yet, it was extremely well paced, sweet and all the characters were very likable. And I'm certainly looking forward to reading Kate and Kennedy's story when its released. And I would happily recommend Hard Sell to others too.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
But I enjoyed it nonetheless and there certainly was enough going on throughout to easily hold my interest. Plus, I liked that Matt and Sabrina's romance was slow to build and that chemistry was always present. It's just a shame the reasons why Sabrina and Matt's relationship is so rocky is never really explained and that a lot of the angst and passion between them seems to happen off the page.
Yet, it was extremely well paced, sweet and all the characters were very likable. And I'm certainly looking forward to reading Kate and Kennedy's story when its released. And I would happily recommend Hard Sell to others too.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
The frenemies to lovers sparks really fly in this one! Zachary Webber and Samantha Cook were wonderful again, though it was a little weird since they voiced Ian and Lara last time.
I loved seeing Matt and Sabrina *finally* get out of their own way and find happiness. Their banter and chemistry were so good and I loved the second chance-ish feel of their romance. Things were going pretty well until the third act break up. It really bothered me that Sabrina laid it all on the line and told the truth, but Matt was just too dumb and scared to do the same. I really needed a lot more grovel after that. The epilogue was sweet though and I’m pretty much dying for Kate and Kennedy now!
I loved seeing Matt and Sabrina *finally* get out of their own way and find happiness. Their banter and chemistry were so good and I loved the second chance-ish feel of their romance. Things were going pretty well until the third act break up. It really bothered me that Sabrina laid it all on the line and told the truth, but Matt was just too dumb and scared to do the same. I really needed a lot more grovel after that. The epilogue was sweet though and I’m pretty much dying for Kate and Kennedy now!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars
CW: parental neglect and abandonment,
repeated parental infidelity, difficult/traumatic childhood, threat of job loss
CW: parental neglect and abandonment,
repeated parental infidelity, difficult/traumatic childhood, threat of job loss