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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Wow this story really got me from the start. This is a very well written story. Highly recommended
Devyn and Riley meet at college just before their freshman year starts. Riley is your typical single freshman and sees fresh meat when he sees Devyn so he makes his move. But when they start talking Devyn friend zones him and Riley finds that his disappointment is minimal because he would much rather have her around forever than just for one night. Four + years later, just as they are graduating from college Devyn drops a bomb on Riley and asks for him to take her virginity because there is no one that she trusts more. They share a night together that makes them both realize that maybe they are more than just best friends. But Riley panics and walks away. Six weeks later Devyn finds that she was left with more than just beautifully painful memories. Five years later Riley realizes that he was the biggest dummy ever and will stop at nothing to win back Devyn.
We all know that secret/surprise baby tropes are my jam and this one did not disappoint at all. I loved the progression and pacing of this one. I loved that we got to see bits of their story through their college years, then their epic "date night" and then when it came to the reunion - it was perfect IMO. While I wished that Riley had pulled his head out his butt sooner, I loved the way that their story played out. I loved all of the things with this book especially the immediate bond and relationship that Riley and Nathan formed. It was pretty heart melting. This was my first book by this author but I can guarantee it won't be my last. I truly adored every single thing about this book.
We all know that secret/surprise baby tropes are my jam and this one did not disappoint at all. I loved the progression and pacing of this one. I loved that we got to see bits of their story through their college years, then their epic "date night" and then when it came to the reunion - it was perfect IMO. While I wished that Riley had pulled his head out his butt sooner, I loved the way that their story played out. I loved all of the things with this book especially the immediate bond and relationship that Riley and Nathan formed. It was pretty heart melting. This was my first book by this author but I can guarantee it won't be my last. I truly adored every single thing about this book.
This is a great friends-to-lovers, second chance, secret baby romance. When Devyn decides it's time to lose her virginity but doesn't have a boyfriend, she decides who would be better than her very best friend Riley. Riley has been more for short flings than relationships. They make a deal, one night with no strings, but life has other plans.
Riley was absolutely amazing. Watching him go from womanizer to only wanting one woman. Not to mention the effort he puts in to their one night. Devyn frustrated me at times. I understood she didn't want to get hurt again. Nathan was the absolute cutest. So many great characters in this book.
Riley was absolutely amazing. Watching him go from womanizer to only wanting one woman. Not to mention the effort he puts in to their one night. Devyn frustrated me at times. I understood she didn't want to get hurt again. Nathan was the absolute cutest. So many great characters in this book.
This was a fun read with a little bit of everything mixed into the plot. So much so that I reached the end and immediately downloaded the next book in the series.
I’ve read Laura Lee’s Wicked Liars trilogy so I am aware that she can write a deep, evolving, twisted, and dark plot.
Deal Breakers, and what looks to be the rest of the Dealing with Love Series, is the opposite side of the coin. Ms. Lee still delivers a wonderful story with some great steam. There are engaging characters, side stories, and a solid basis for a well told series.
Our two main characters in Deal Breakers are Devyn and Riley. Riley sees Devyn from across the quad on the first day of college. Instantly attracted to her, he “accidentally” locks his bike to hers in order to force a meet cute. Which, is sort of cute. Devyn calls him on how “accidental” it really was and Riley surprisingly confesses to just wanting to have a reason to meet her. Much to Riley’s dismay, Devyn stands firm in her “just friends” trench.
Devyn is a smart, sassy, and well balanced character. She is fun, intelligent, and sticks to her guns. She’s attending school fresh off of losing her last parent. She just needs friends and people to belong to. Riley becomes her person. Surprisingly, Devyn becomes Riley’s person.
In the first half of the novel we see the two open to each other and let each other in more than anyone they date or are attracted to. When the last year of college rolls around, these two are each other’s support system.
Then the plot starts to twist a bit. After graduation Riley is off to the east coast while Devyn starts a competitive and dream job internship in Portland. There is also one last thing that Devyn asks Riley to help her with - shedding her virginity.
After a bit of wrangling back and forth, Riley finally agrees to Devyn’s request. The sparks that have been coming off of these two in their playful banter and the different times they’ve realized an attraction to one another are hot, and always cut short.
For Devyn’s request Riley pulls out all the stops. Full on seduction based around what he knows his girl loves the most. From the start of the evening Ms. Lee builds the chemistry between these two beautifully. It’s edge of your seat “just go get to the good parts!” writing. When we finally get to the “good parts” the chemistry between the two is amazing. Culminating in Devyn finally admitting to herself, and Riley, that she loves him.
Here is where we start the downfall of Riley. In typical guy knee jerk reaction..he’s scared. Then he proceeds to do all the guy things which make you want to throw the book at a wall. Dodging calls, ghosting her, leaving for grad school without a goodbye? All checks. Add in years of unanswered calls and texts till we reach the last wall - a change of number without giving Devyn the new one. Yeah. Riley is high on THAT list.
Once Ms. Lee gets us good and angry at Riley, she redeems him a bit. Riley finally grows up and wakes up. He realizes that he’s spent five years of running from the woman he loves. So he finally gets his business together, moves back out west and plans to track down and romance Devyn.
It doesn’t take long to find her though. Turns out Devyn is Riley’s new acquaintance Drew’s little sister. Drew was Brody’s old frat brother. Brody is Riley’s best friend from grad school. Drew is NOT a fan of Riley’s (unknown to either of them) as Dev has been living with Drew for the last five years. Drew knows ALL about the guy who broke his sister. The scene in the bar where Dev walks in, Riley sees her and everyone slowly yet quickly puts all the pieces together is amazing.
Dev has picked up a kick butt, blunt as a hammer, no filter, protective best friend. Rainey isn’t taking any prisoners just names. Riley AND Brody suffer her wrath through the second half of the book.
Ms. Lee also redeems Riley further by helping him grow the rest of the way up. Four years of having to struggle and compromise has left Dev even more centered with herself and her worth. Yes, there is a guy in her life, but he seems like decoration. She knows what she wants and there isn’t any more compromising.
For the first time, Riley has to work for something and someone. Not only does he have to convince Dev that’s he’s grown up and sees her for the woman he has always loved, but now he’s got to convince and get through Drew and Rainey as well.
The second half of the book is the ending the first half deserves. The frat bro grows up. He works hard to show and tell Devyn how he feels about her.
All the while, Ms. Lee is starting to build Brody, Drew and Rainey as full colored characters. Ms. Lee uses each dialogue and character interaction to give our side characters more definition, personality, traits and hot buttons. It’s very well done.
Ms. Lee also delivers a final, realistic, and happy ending to Devyn and Riley. No, it isn’t an easy road to their ending, however it does their characters justice. Even better, Ms. Lee sneakily slips in the beginning of Brody’s book as we are settling into Devyn and Riley’s ending.
The books in this series are very much stand alones, but it is a series that will pull at you so much you’ll find yourself opening the next one as soon as you finish the current book.
I’ve read Laura Lee’s Wicked Liars trilogy so I am aware that she can write a deep, evolving, twisted, and dark plot.
Deal Breakers, and what looks to be the rest of the Dealing with Love Series, is the opposite side of the coin. Ms. Lee still delivers a wonderful story with some great steam. There are engaging characters, side stories, and a solid basis for a well told series.
Our two main characters in Deal Breakers are Devyn and Riley. Riley sees Devyn from across the quad on the first day of college. Instantly attracted to her, he “accidentally” locks his bike to hers in order to force a meet cute. Which, is sort of cute. Devyn calls him on how “accidental” it really was and Riley surprisingly confesses to just wanting to have a reason to meet her. Much to Riley’s dismay, Devyn stands firm in her “just friends” trench.
Devyn is a smart, sassy, and well balanced character. She is fun, intelligent, and sticks to her guns. She’s attending school fresh off of losing her last parent. She just needs friends and people to belong to. Riley becomes her person. Surprisingly, Devyn becomes Riley’s person.
In the first half of the novel we see the two open to each other and let each other in more than anyone they date or are attracted to. When the last year of college rolls around, these two are each other’s support system.
Then the plot starts to twist a bit. After graduation Riley is off to the east coast while Devyn starts a competitive and dream job internship in Portland. There is also one last thing that Devyn asks Riley to help her with - shedding her virginity.
After a bit of wrangling back and forth, Riley finally agrees to Devyn’s request. The sparks that have been coming off of these two in their playful banter and the different times they’ve realized an attraction to one another are hot, and always cut short.
For Devyn’s request Riley pulls out all the stops. Full on seduction based around what he knows his girl loves the most. From the start of the evening Ms. Lee builds the chemistry between these two beautifully. It’s edge of your seat “just go get to the good parts!” writing. When we finally get to the “good parts” the chemistry between the two is amazing. Culminating in Devyn finally admitting to herself, and Riley, that she loves him.
Here is where we start the downfall of Riley. In typical guy knee jerk reaction..he’s scared. Then he proceeds to do all the guy things which make you want to throw the book at a wall. Dodging calls, ghosting her, leaving for grad school without a goodbye? All checks. Add in years of unanswered calls and texts till we reach the last wall - a change of number without giving Devyn the new one. Yeah. Riley is high on THAT list.
Once Ms. Lee gets us good and angry at Riley, she redeems him a bit. Riley finally grows up and wakes up. He realizes that he’s spent five years of running from the woman he loves. So he finally gets his business together, moves back out west and plans to track down and romance Devyn.
It doesn’t take long to find her though. Turns out Devyn is Riley’s new acquaintance Drew’s little sister. Drew was Brody’s old frat brother. Brody is Riley’s best friend from grad school. Drew is NOT a fan of Riley’s (unknown to either of them) as Dev has been living with Drew for the last five years. Drew knows ALL about the guy who broke his sister. The scene in the bar where Dev walks in, Riley sees her and everyone slowly yet quickly puts all the pieces together is amazing.
Dev has picked up a kick butt, blunt as a hammer, no filter, protective best friend. Rainey isn’t taking any prisoners just names. Riley AND Brody suffer her wrath through the second half of the book.
Ms. Lee also redeems Riley further by helping him grow the rest of the way up. Four years of having to struggle and compromise has left Dev even more centered with herself and her worth. Yes, there is a guy in her life, but he seems like decoration. She knows what she wants and there isn’t any more compromising.
For the first time, Riley has to work for something and someone. Not only does he have to convince Dev that’s he’s grown up and sees her for the woman he has always loved, but now he’s got to convince and get through Drew and Rainey as well.
The second half of the book is the ending the first half deserves. The frat bro grows up. He works hard to show and tell Devyn how he feels about her.
All the while, Ms. Lee is starting to build Brody, Drew and Rainey as full colored characters. Ms. Lee uses each dialogue and character interaction to give our side characters more definition, personality, traits and hot buttons. It’s very well done.
Ms. Lee also delivers a final, realistic, and happy ending to Devyn and Riley. No, it isn’t an easy road to their ending, however it does their characters justice. Even better, Ms. Lee sneakily slips in the beginning of Brody’s book as we are settling into Devyn and Riley’s ending.
The books in this series are very much stand alones, but it is a series that will pull at you so much you’ll find yourself opening the next one as soon as you finish the current book.
3.5⭐
This is pretty fast-paced, but I kind of wished it was longer so that we get more background story with Riley and Devyn's friendship. Their story has a lot of time jumps, so we don't get a lot of details about their relationship. I liked Devyn's character a lot and that she friend-zoned Riley, that's why I wanted more of her. However, I don't really prefer that she jump straight to Devyn the moment the opportunity is there. I don't really feel the romance between them.
This is a fun story, but I wished there are more details to embellish the story.
This is pretty fast-paced, but I kind of wished it was longer so that we get more background story with Riley and Devyn's friendship. Their story has a lot of time jumps, so we don't get a lot of details about their relationship. I liked Devyn's character a lot and that she friend-zoned Riley, that's why I wanted more of her. However, I don't really prefer that she jump straight to Devyn the moment the opportunity is there. I don't really feel the romance between them.
This is a fun story, but I wished there are more details to embellish the story.
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was definitely better in my memories.
Riley fell hard for Devyn from the first moment he saw her. When she friend-zoned him, they became the best of friends for the entirety of their college days. Fast forward to graduation and Devyn asks Riley to relieve her of her virginity. The consequences of their one night changed the course of Devyn's life. The two friends live on different coasts and grow apart. But Rye never forgot Dev. Five years after their parting, Dev and Rye meet up again. The two of them have a lot to unpack and feelings get revealed.
While this book had your typical new adult/friends to lovers/second chance romance storyline, the author put together a series of words that made this book enjoyable to sit and read. The progression of college to adulting in the real world was done in a unique way, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more about the secondary characters in this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.
While this book had your typical new adult/friends to lovers/second chance romance storyline, the author put together a series of words that made this book enjoyable to sit and read. The progression of college to adulting in the real world was done in a unique way, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more about the secondary characters in this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.
I loved this story!
Oh what a second chance. I was so invested in Riley and Devyn’s story. I wanted their hea so bad. OMG, Nathan?! He was the ultimate show stealer because he was an absolute hoot! Legit my favorite character from the story, I just loved his sweet innocence and realness. Laura Lee had this amazing ability to have your kindle close to melting on one page and on the next have you bursting at the seams with laughter with Deal Breakers!
Oh what a second chance. I was so invested in Riley and Devyn’s story. I wanted their hea so bad. OMG, Nathan?! He was the ultimate show stealer because he was an absolute hoot! Legit my favorite character from the story, I just loved his sweet innocence and realness. Laura Lee had this amazing ability to have your kindle close to melting on one page and on the next have you bursting at the seams with laughter with Deal Breakers!
Unrealistic characters make unrealistic choices which, along with happenstance (or FATE, blech) leads to an easily foreseen conclusion. The writing is mediocre, and the plot is tedious.