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noeliacew's review against another edition
5.0
Dark hair. Blue eyes. Tattoos. Extremely Smart. Funny.
I mean... how am I not supposed to fall in love with Will?
I connected with Hanna so much it felt it was my story I was reading (i wish).
I am loving this series!
--
Update: I just re-read this one and I can officially say this is my favorite BB book.
I mean... how am I not supposed to fall in love with Will?
I connected with Hanna so much it felt it was my story I was reading (i wish).
I am loving this series!
--
Update: I just re-read this one and I can officially say this is my favorite BB book.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Third in the Beautiful Bastard romance series based in New York City and revolving around three friends. The couple focus is on Hanna Bergstrom and Will Sumner.
My Take
I do like that this starts off as friends. And not friends-with-benefits. Simply friends as they meet to run, to talk, to get to know each other as adults. Then there's that sense of freedom with Hanna's not having a verbal filter. It's part of what attracts Will to her.
Of course, she only likes it so far...cliché much? I did enjoy how Lauren handled the clichéd perceptions of men easily distracted by talk of sex, the thought of sex, the possibilities of sex, LOL. It was so perfect with our unfiltered Hanna!
It's an interesting twist on the usual with Hanna playing hard-to-get, although it does break down somewhat with all the silly miscommunication and past history perceptions. Although, it is a truism: men pursue what they can't have. Keep it in mind, ladies.
Lauren switches between Hanna's and Will's perspectives, and it's a treat to see inside their heads. There are some switches where I wasn't sure who was speaking, and it was due to Will having the girl worries about how Hanna feels and if she'd be interested in a monogamous relationship.
It's a warm and cozy with the getting-to-know-you part, even if it did seem a trifle long-winded. But it's a real-life story with Will having lunch with his friends. Planning his running. The teasing Will gets from Bennett and Max. Hanna's confusion over dating. And I love how Hanna expresses herself to Will as she realizes what's happening: "I didn't feel lost in him the way I get lost in you." There's something so poetic in their exchanges when they're being honest with each other.
It's exercise, frank talks about sex, that no on Will's rib, LOL, the bad puns, and yeah, a bit too much of Hanna acting like a teenager. But then again, it's that real-life portrayal, as we all have that insecurity inside us.
It's sweet, a wonderful affirmation of love, and definitely one of the stories I'd like to re-read.
The Story
The family is worried that Hanna isn't getting out—as Hanna remarks to herself: "...how to be more socially slutty". And Jensen picks the right person to push Hanna out of her laboratory: the fantasy she's dreamed for so long.
The Characters
Hanna "Ziggs" Bergstrom is a nerd obsessed with her work in the lab. Jensen is her concerned oldest brother who can't resist micro-meddling; Liv is her older sister who made out with Will when they were younger!; Niels is the middle child, a quiet one; Eric was the wild child; and, Helena. Dad (Johan) is also a scientist.
Will Sumner was the hot object of Hanna's teen fantasies when he interned with her father; he still is. Today, he's a venture capitalist working with Max. Bennett Ryan (Beautiful Bastard, 1) and Max Stella (Beautiful Stranger, 2) are his best friends.
Bennett is planning his wedding to Chloe Mills, and Sara Dillon is with Max. George Mercer is Sara's gay assistant.
Kitty and Kristy are Will's regular hook-ups. Dylan Nakamura wants to date Hanna.
The Cover
The cover makes me think of a sketchy black-and-white celluloid with its torso shot from Will's nose to his thighs as he sits, somewhat slumped, and his striped button-down sleeves rolled up above his elbows. I can't decide if he's hairy or shadowed??
The title is so very Will, for he's a Beautiful Player.
My Take
I do like that this starts off as friends. And not friends-with-benefits. Simply friends as they meet to run, to talk, to get to know each other as adults. Then there's that sense of freedom with Hanna's not having a verbal filter. It's part of what attracts Will to her.
"You've always been so obviously sexual and open about it. You're this hot, player guy who doesn't apologize for enjoying women. I mean, if I noticed that about you when I was twelve, it was obvious. Sex is natural. It's what our bodies do. I like that you are who you are."
Of course, she only likes it so far...cliché much? I did enjoy how Lauren handled the clichéd perceptions of men easily distracted by talk of sex, the thought of sex, the possibilities of sex, LOL. It was so perfect with our unfiltered Hanna!
It's an interesting twist on the usual with Hanna playing hard-to-get, although it does break down somewhat with all the silly miscommunication and past history perceptions. Although, it is a truism: men pursue what they can't have. Keep it in mind, ladies.
Lauren switches between Hanna's and Will's perspectives, and it's a treat to see inside their heads. There are some switches where I wasn't sure who was speaking, and it was due to Will having the girl worries about how Hanna feels and if she'd be interested in a monogamous relationship.
It's a warm and cozy with the getting-to-know-you part, even if it did seem a trifle long-winded. But it's a real-life story with Will having lunch with his friends. Planning his running. The teasing Will gets from Bennett and Max. Hanna's confusion over dating. And I love how Hanna expresses herself to Will as she realizes what's happening: "I didn't feel lost in him the way I get lost in you." There's something so poetic in their exchanges when they're being honest with each other.
It's exercise, frank talks about sex, that no on Will's rib, LOL, the bad puns, and yeah, a bit too much of Hanna acting like a teenager. But then again, it's that real-life portrayal, as we all have that insecurity inside us.
It's sweet, a wonderful affirmation of love, and definitely one of the stories I'd like to re-read.
The Story
The family is worried that Hanna isn't getting out—as Hanna remarks to herself: "...how to be more socially slutty". And Jensen picks the right person to push Hanna out of her laboratory: the fantasy she's dreamed for so long.
The Characters
Hanna "Ziggs" Bergstrom is a nerd obsessed with her work in the lab. Jensen is her concerned oldest brother who can't resist micro-meddling; Liv is her older sister who made out with Will when they were younger!; Niels is the middle child, a quiet one; Eric was the wild child; and, Helena. Dad (Johan) is also a scientist.
Will Sumner was the hot object of Hanna's teen fantasies when he interned with her father; he still is. Today, he's a venture capitalist working with Max. Bennett Ryan (Beautiful Bastard, 1) and Max Stella (Beautiful Stranger, 2) are his best friends.
Bennett is planning his wedding to Chloe Mills, and Sara Dillon is with Max. George Mercer is Sara's gay assistant.
Kitty and Kristy are Will's regular hook-ups. Dylan Nakamura wants to date Hanna.
The Cover
The cover makes me think of a sketchy black-and-white celluloid with its torso shot from Will's nose to his thighs as he sits, somewhat slumped, and his striped button-down sleeves rolled up above his elbows. I can't decide if he's hairy or shadowed??
The title is so very Will, for he's a Beautiful Player.
micasbookshelves's review against another edition
4.0
The unquestionable superiority of the "he's my brother's best friend/she's my best friend's sister" trope. Will and Hanna have a piece of my heart now
laura_theaudiowasbetter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lollscoloredglasses's review against another edition
5.0
I think this may be my favorite in the series. Thank you Christina and Lauren for ruining men for me with these amazing characters you have created. A sexy bastard, an adventurously hot Brit, a gorgeous reformed playboy, and last but certainly not least...the incredible women that fit them perfectly! I think I relate most to Hanna because I definitely have no filter whatsoever. Truly loved this book and the entire series thus far! Moving on to Beautiful Beginning! :)
bexonvinyl's review against another edition
3.5
This was a fun brother's best-friend romance in the series. The girl who has been in the lab and doesn't know how to date, starts hanging out with her brother's best friend to teach her to have fun. She's had a crush on him her whole life, and he's finally realizing she not just a little sister anymore.