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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
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
lighthearted
slow-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
Very unique premise of the book with the dating show and then two contestents falling in love. Did not expect the ending with Dylan choosing someone else which waw interesting. I also liked how it showed how scriped reality TV is.
look these gay books can be hit or miss. i liked the idea, the execution was meh. i’ve seen much better and much worse.
Can I Steal You for a Second? is the second book in the Marry Me, Juliet series. It was a perfect sideways step from the first book, to follow the story of Mandie and Dylan.
Mandie is trying to get over her toxic ex and signs up to the dating show, Marry Me Juliet. She forms a friendship with Dylan at the auditions, who really helps Mandie to push past her negative thoughts and see herself for the wonder she truly is. Unfortunately, they are both completing for the same man (also called Dylan) and Mandie is struggling with her perfect the Dylans are together and her growing feelings for her Dylan.
I love how this book felt like a standalone, but still expanded upon the story from Here for the Right Reasons (Book one in the Marry, Me Juliet series). There were some sections of crossover but ultimately a lot of the story was unique to Mandie and Dylan. Mandie lacks confidence in herself, she is emotional and finds she slots well into groups when taking on a 'mum' persona. Dylan is headstrong, willing to voice an opinion and loyal. They complement each other perfectly and it was an absolute joy to read their story. The romance is slow burn and usually happening behind closed doors. But the sparks between Mandie and Dylan are evident from their first meeting.
Overall this was a quick and extremely entertaining read. I really enjoy the reality television story.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for gifting me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mandie is trying to get over her toxic ex and signs up to the dating show, Marry Me Juliet. She forms a friendship with Dylan at the auditions, who really helps Mandie to push past her negative thoughts and see herself for the wonder she truly is. Unfortunately, they are both completing for the same man (also called Dylan) and Mandie is struggling with her perfect the Dylans are together and her growing feelings for her Dylan.
I love how this book felt like a standalone, but still expanded upon the story from Here for the Right Reasons (Book one in the Marry, Me Juliet series). There were some sections of crossover but ultimately a lot of the story was unique to Mandie and Dylan. Mandie lacks confidence in herself, she is emotional and finds she slots well into groups when taking on a 'mum' persona. Dylan is headstrong, willing to voice an opinion and loyal. They complement each other perfectly and it was an absolute joy to read their story. The romance is slow burn and usually happening behind closed doors. But the sparks between Mandie and Dylan are evident from their first meeting.
Overall this was a quick and extremely entertaining read. I really enjoy the reality television story.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for gifting me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The second adult romance book by Jodi McAlister is a companion to her first "Here for the right reasons" and follows the same timeline of the "reality" TV show Marry Me, Juliet (think The Bachelor), because of this it doesn't matter what order you read the books in. While "Here for the right reasons" follows the story of Cece and 'Romeo' Dylan, "Can I steal you for a second?" follows Mandie and fellow 'Juliet' also named Dylan.
I feel like McAlister has hit her stride with these books and if anything I found Mandie and Dylan's story more believable than Cece and Romeo-Dylan with better chemistry too. I don't know if this is just because McAlister is getting comfortable in the adult romance genre or if this is a story that she feels more comfortable telling. Either way I am enjoying the story and I sincerely hope we revisit these characters because I really want to see Lucy Fireball (designated 'villain' of the season) again, I feel like her story would be an absolute cracker!
This series is a fun, modern and romantic story set in the endlessly fascinating world of reality TV dating shows. If you are a fan of The Bachelor or Married at First Sight this book will tick all the boxes!
For those who want to know: Sex scenes are in there but not at all graphic - classic Mills & Boon style.
I feel like McAlister has hit her stride with these books and if anything I found Mandie and Dylan's story more believable than Cece and Romeo-Dylan with better chemistry too. I don't know if this is just because McAlister is getting comfortable in the adult romance genre or if this is a story that she feels more comfortable telling. Either way I am enjoying the story and I sincerely hope we revisit these characters because I really want to see Lucy Fireball (designated 'villain' of the season) again, I feel like her story would be an absolute cracker!
This series is a fun, modern and romantic story set in the endlessly fascinating world of reality TV dating shows. If you are a fan of The Bachelor or Married at First Sight this book will tick all the boxes!
For those who want to know: Sex scenes are in there but not at all graphic - classic Mills & Boon style.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Can I Steal You For A Second? is the second in Jodi McAllister's 'Marry Me, Juliet' books, set in the same time as Here For The Right Reasons, but focusing on a different couple.
Can I Steal You For A Second? follows Amanda and Dylan G, as they compete in a Bachelor-style competition to 'win' the love of the show's Romeo, Dylan. We get glimpses of Cece, from Here For The Right Reasons, but we get a totally different view and look into the behind the scenes of the show. Amanda and Dylan meet at auditions for the show, and end up forming a great friendship. As they spend time in the villa with the other ladies competing in Marry Me, Juliet, they get closer and end up developing strong feelings for each other.
The show is being filmed during a pandemic, in which everyone is required to stay in lockdown. The timing of Here For The Right Reasons meant that the pandemic was still relevant, however I'm a bit over the pandemic now, and I don't particularly enjoy reliving the difficulties of lockdown. I hope that the next book in this world will be not be another version of this same Marry Me, Juliet series, and will instead move on and focus on something different, moving away from the pandemic talk and focus. I'd love to read about Lily Fireball as the leading lady in 'Wherefore Art Thou Romeo', the Bachelorette version of the show!
Amanda and Dylan are great characters, and I think Amanda definitely grew a lot in this book. She is trying to get over a very toxic past relationship where her self-esteem and self-worth took a hit. Personally I wasn't really excited for the relationship in this book, I just didn't find Amanda or Dylan particularly interesting. Having a Dylan's POV chapter would have been great, and may have helped Dylan to be a little more likeable.
I am a huge fan of anything reality TV, and I loved Here For The Right Reasons. Can I Steal You For A Second? didn't quite live up to the first book for me, but I still love Jodi McAlister's style of writing and humour, so I will absolutely continue to read anything she writes, including future books in this series (should there be any!).
Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. I did enjoy it, and I would recommend it to fans of reality TV, friends to lovers, and fans of Here For The Right Reasons.
Can I Steal You For A Second? follows Amanda and Dylan G, as they compete in a Bachelor-style competition to 'win' the love of the show's Romeo, Dylan. We get glimpses of Cece, from Here For The Right Reasons, but we get a totally different view and look into the behind the scenes of the show. Amanda and Dylan meet at auditions for the show, and end up forming a great friendship. As they spend time in the villa with the other ladies competing in Marry Me, Juliet, they get closer and end up developing strong feelings for each other.
The show is being filmed during a pandemic, in which everyone is required to stay in lockdown. The timing of Here For The Right Reasons meant that the pandemic was still relevant, however I'm a bit over the pandemic now, and I don't particularly enjoy reliving the difficulties of lockdown. I hope that the next book in this world will be not be another version of this same Marry Me, Juliet series, and will instead move on and focus on something different, moving away from the pandemic talk and focus. I'd love to read about Lily Fireball as the leading lady in 'Wherefore Art Thou Romeo', the Bachelorette version of the show!
Amanda and Dylan are great characters, and I think Amanda definitely grew a lot in this book. She is trying to get over a very toxic past relationship where her self-esteem and self-worth took a hit. Personally I wasn't really excited for the relationship in this book, I just didn't find Amanda or Dylan particularly interesting. Having a Dylan's POV chapter would have been great, and may have helped Dylan to be a little more likeable.
I am a huge fan of anything reality TV, and I loved Here For The Right Reasons. Can I Steal You For A Second? didn't quite live up to the first book for me, but I still love Jodi McAlister's style of writing and humour, so I will absolutely continue to read anything she writes, including future books in this series (should there be any!).
Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. I did enjoy it, and I would recommend it to fans of reality TV, friends to lovers, and fans of Here For The Right Reasons.
This is very cute, and I'm surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did.
It's also apparently a sequel, but I found I didn't need to read the first book, [b:Here for the Right Reasons|58581852|Here for the Right Reasons|Jodi McAlister|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1655648899l/58581852._SX50_.jpg|92091334], at all. I actually didn't realise it was a sequel until I was reading the acknowledgements.
McAlister's writing is very cute. Finding out this is a sequel does explain some of the characterisation flaws (eg Cece looks like she'll be a main character but then disappears quickly, while Dylan JM is a touch flat), as well as the possible direction of others (namely Lily and Murray).
Also, someone PLEASE tell me that Heather and Naya is actually a shoutout to the Glee actresses? Please.
I genuinely loved this book. It's very sweet and soft and a super quick read. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed a plain romance novel.
It's also apparently a sequel, but I found I didn't need to read the first book, [b:Here for the Right Reasons|58581852|Here for the Right Reasons|Jodi McAlister|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1655648899l/58581852._SX50_.jpg|92091334], at all. I actually didn't realise it was a sequel until I was reading the acknowledgements.
McAlister's writing is very cute. Finding out this is a sequel does explain some of the characterisation flaws (eg Cece looks like she'll be a main character but then disappears quickly, while Dylan JM is a touch flat), as well as the possible direction of others (namely Lily and Murray).
Also, someone PLEASE tell me that Heather and Naya is actually a shoutout to the Glee actresses? Please.
I genuinely loved this book. It's very sweet and soft and a super quick read. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed a plain romance novel.