Reviews

Heart Break For Hire by Sonia Hartl

shalee84's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kiksf's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

gailalison's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed the premise of this book with the heartbreak for hire idea, even though the whole thing is pretty far-fetched. I was willing to suspend disbelief for promise of a fun rom-com. What the company does for revenge sometimes goes beyond what would allow you to consider the characters likeable. If the jobs were along the lines of the first one in the book (getting a guy to admit on tape that he scammed a woman so she could sue him), it would feel a bit less unethical. This is somewhat addressed with Brinkley’s realization about Margo and her sometimes feelings of guilt. I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters, but didn’t love that they get so graphically physical almost immediately. Just because Brinkley hasn’t been on a date in two years doesn’t mean she is going to disregard her “morals and ethics” because she “hasn’t has a man’s hands on her” in a while..
Some of the ethical problems with H2H are kind of explained by showing the owner of the company’s manipulation of the recently abused/mistreated women she’s hired-convincing them they’re doing good when they’re at their lowest. That helps keep Brinkley likeable as you feel she’s just taken time to realize her abusive, manipulative ex-boyfriend broke her down enough to fall for it. It was difficult to find Brinkley very relatable as she’s obviously very beautiful (which is one thing that makes her good at her H2H job) and an (extremely talented) artist…..just not my preferred type of rom-com heroine. But I suppose that it only makes sense considering her love interest is a modelesque guy with a PhD.
Overall, I found the writing very enjoyable and would consider reading something else written by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me access to this eARC for an honest review!

ankiaisreading's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Gaslighting

hjm6's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

mgleeson's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

This was a fun romcom about a girl who works for a clandestine company called Heartbreak for Hire, where jilted women rent these workers to get revenge on a man in their life.  Sometimes it's and "ex" they are getting revenge on, sometimes it's a coworker. Things change though when H4H's owner decides to start offering their same services to men, to get revenge on women. And when Brinkley realizes that her new coworker is a past target, things get interesting. Fun read - great for book club!

mz5family's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed this book and devoured it in a day! It was a unique romance story that I haven’t read before, and I absolutely adored Markus by the end. I’d love to read stories about the other Heartbreakers!! 

bellwoodr's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

aliasdesi's review against another edition

1.0

It’s sooooo bad. Cliche & dumb.

shannon_reidwheat's review against another edition

2.0

More like 1.5. The story was a bit different than many romances at first, but by the end pretty predictable. I only read this because I had a few patrons of my library complain about the book having too much sex in it. I didn't there was very much, but did think the author went a bit overboard in the sex scenes, they were pretty descriptive and honestly unnecessary in my opinion (the overly descriptive language). I am far from being a prude, I do want to note that!

Also the writing at times seems quite juvenile and choppy. I found Brinkley to be a weak person, and not likeable at all. In fact none of the characters were likeable, except maybe the cat, I would be pissed all the time too, if Brinkley was my owner.

Don't waste your time, there are way too many good romances to read, if that's your thing.