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thedailykaylee's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll be gracious and give it 3 stars
This book gets 3 stars for the sake that I enjoyed reading about the life long pranks/torture the main couple subjected the other to over the course of their entire lives. I did laugh quite a bit. BUT there were some things I didn’t quite enjoy which is why I just can’t give it more than 3 stars. Let’s get into those reasons now:
1. I liked Connor for the most part, but several times throughout the story, even up to like 73% in, he still looked at Rory as less than him because of her being a woman. They both run a construction business that rivals the other, and Rory has spent her life learning the trade and is dang good at what she does, but apparently in Connors eyes, she should give her company up and merge with his and let him run it because she’s a woman, duh. She just needs to hush up and fetch his coffee. She should also be the one to sell her house because she apparently had help remodeling her home while he did his all himself. What?! She still designed it, and did the work, who cares if her brothers helped her do the labor or not? He also had the bright idea that he could steal her brothers out from under her and get them to work for him. HER BROTHERS who it is made clear that love their sister so much and would do anything for her. They even supported her in starting her business and chose to work for her as her employees, but he seriously thinks he’s gonna get her family to turn against her. It was just wayyyy too far fetched. In the end, Connor did realize that he would give up his business, home and everything to Rory to keep her in his life, BUT not because he knew she was a capable woman who successfully runs a construction business, or that her house is just as good as his with the work that she’s done, no, it was just simply to keep from losing her. I mean, I like that he realized she’s more important than his pride, but I wanted him to acknowledge that she’s a capable strong woman, and he never did that. Blah. And it seemed so contradicting but several times he mentioned that Rory wasn’t like other girls, she didn’t do drama, was strong willed and could hang with the boys, but when it came to business, she clearly couldn’t handle it because she was a woman. It didn’t make sense.
2. Rory was a strong female character throughout the book, but there were a couple of times I had to roll my eyes at her decisions. For example, she does an amazing thing and helps out Connors friend in a time of desperate need, but she didn’t tell Connor because she didn’t want to hurt him if her plan failed. Connor, not knowing what she was up to, got the idea that she was cheating on him. Long story short, he breaks off their engagement and once he finds out the truth he makes her apologize and forgives her for not telling him!!! I get that she should have told him what she was up to, but to go so far as to MAKE HER APOLOGIZE after he believed the worst of her and tied her up to break up with her?! Nah.
3. The violence. Okay, I read a lot of dark books, so violence isn’t really an issue for me, but this violence was just ridiculous at some parts. I know it was supposed to be funny, and at times it was, but a lot of it was just unbelievable. I mean the whole thing with her cousins and food. They literally threaten a young pizza delivery boy because the food wasn’t right when it was delivered. I understand being upset because you paid for something, but to threaten bodily harm over it? It wasn’t funny to me. Connor duct taping rorys assistant to a chair and leaving him for hours. Again, it was kind of funny, but at the same time, this isn’t his employee, and if something like that happened to me, you can bet there would be hell to pay. Again, it was just a little too far fetched and fell a little flat in the “humor” department in those scenes. Also, how do two people shut down an all you can eat buffet indefinitely? You’re telling me that they ate SO much that this restaurant is completely out of food and can’t order more from their food distributors and have to shut down? AGAIN with the far fetched thing.
4. Rorys dad. Rorys dad has always made her feel inadequate, and we later find out his reasoning behind his actions, And he does tell her how much she means to him, BUT I wanted her to give him hell for making her feel so unworthy, to acknowledge the way he made her feel all these years, she didn’t.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, but I really can’t justify giving it more than 3 stars. And 3 stars is honestly pushing it.
This book gets 3 stars for the sake that I enjoyed reading about the life long pranks/torture the main couple subjected the other to over the course of their entire lives. I did laugh quite a bit. BUT there were some things I didn’t quite enjoy which is why I just can’t give it more than 3 stars. Let’s get into those reasons now:
1. I liked Connor for the most part, but several times throughout the story, even up to like 73% in, he still looked at Rory as less than him because of her being a woman. They both run a construction business that rivals the other, and Rory has spent her life learning the trade and is dang good at what she does, but apparently in Connors eyes, she should give her company up and merge with his and let him run it because she’s a woman, duh. She just needs to hush up and fetch his coffee. She should also be the one to sell her house because she apparently had help remodeling her home while he did his all himself. What?! She still designed it, and did the work, who cares if her brothers helped her do the labor or not? He also had the bright idea that he could steal her brothers out from under her and get them to work for him. HER BROTHERS who it is made clear that love their sister so much and would do anything for her. They even supported her in starting her business and chose to work for her as her employees, but he seriously thinks he’s gonna get her family to turn against her. It was just wayyyy too far fetched. In the end, Connor did realize that he would give up his business, home and everything to Rory to keep her in his life, BUT not because he knew she was a capable woman who successfully runs a construction business, or that her house is just as good as his with the work that she’s done, no, it was just simply to keep from losing her. I mean, I like that he realized she’s more important than his pride, but I wanted him to acknowledge that she’s a capable strong woman, and he never did that. Blah. And it seemed so contradicting but several times he mentioned that Rory wasn’t like other girls, she didn’t do drama, was strong willed and could hang with the boys, but when it came to business, she clearly couldn’t handle it because she was a woman. It didn’t make sense.
2. Rory was a strong female character throughout the book, but there were a couple of times I had to roll my eyes at her decisions. For example, she does an amazing thing and helps out Connors friend in a time of desperate need, but she didn’t tell Connor because she didn’t want to hurt him if her plan failed. Connor, not knowing what she was up to, got the idea that she was cheating on him. Long story short, he breaks off their engagement and once he finds out the truth he makes her apologize and forgives her for not telling him!!! I get that she should have told him what she was up to, but to go so far as to MAKE HER APOLOGIZE after he believed the worst of her and tied her up to break up with her?! Nah.
3. The violence. Okay, I read a lot of dark books, so violence isn’t really an issue for me, but this violence was just ridiculous at some parts. I know it was supposed to be funny, and at times it was, but a lot of it was just unbelievable. I mean the whole thing with her cousins and food. They literally threaten a young pizza delivery boy because the food wasn’t right when it was delivered. I understand being upset because you paid for something, but to threaten bodily harm over it? It wasn’t funny to me. Connor duct taping rorys assistant to a chair and leaving him for hours. Again, it was kind of funny, but at the same time, this isn’t his employee, and if something like that happened to me, you can bet there would be hell to pay. Again, it was just a little too far fetched and fell a little flat in the “humor” department in those scenes. Also, how do two people shut down an all you can eat buffet indefinitely? You’re telling me that they ate SO much that this restaurant is completely out of food and can’t order more from their food distributors and have to shut down? AGAIN with the far fetched thing.
4. Rorys dad. Rorys dad has always made her feel inadequate, and we later find out his reasoning behind his actions, And he does tell her how much she means to him, BUT I wanted her to give him hell for making her feel so unworthy, to acknowledge the way he made her feel all these years, she didn’t.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, but I really can’t justify giving it more than 3 stars. And 3 stars is honestly pushing it.
owlbereading's review against another edition
3.0
I guess I may be alone in this review, however I really did not think this is one of RL's best. After finishing PFK, Perfection and reading the first two books in the Pyte and Sentenial series, I found myself in love with RL's playful and witty writing style. I had highly anticipated the release of Checkmate and constantly checked her Facebook page for information on release. On Oct 30th it was released early and I bought it and immediately began reading, but much to my surprise I just couldn't get into this book. It took me 4 days to read a 248 page book, as I would just stop reading. I felt like the feud between was not developed very well and the flashbacks were sometimes very random. I quickly became sick of her "hot cocoa" fix and their constant highs and lows. Sometimes the situations in this book were drawn out to long and I quickly lost interest in the description and skipped over their dispute. Oh and I really just need to get this out.. I'm SO tired of reading "I'm going to take you over my knee" every one of her books that I have read says that even when it isn't appropriate nor matches the character, I just roll my eyes and move on.
Although I love the Bradford family, their first appearance in this novel was really awkward. I found myself unsure about why she had even incorporated them. However because I love them, I'm glad to see them pop in for a little while.
This book wasn't over all horrible, I liked Rory, she was displayed as a beautiful tomboy who didn't take shit from anyone and the change in feelings Connor had for her over the book had me swooning at times ie: when he told her she deserves more.
Although I love the Bradford family, their first appearance in this novel was really awkward. I found myself unsure about why she had even incorporated them. However because I love them, I'm glad to see them pop in for a little while.
This book wasn't over all horrible, I liked Rory, she was displayed as a beautiful tomboy who didn't take shit from anyone and the change in feelings Connor had for her over the book had me swooning at times ie: when he told her she deserves more.
mccorbin's review against another edition
4.0
I really love Mathewson’s hilarious style of writing. Her characters are always funny with a nice twist of evilness (this is the “Neighbors from Hell series.”) The crap that Rory and Connor do to each other is priceless. What made me smile were that all these attacks on Rory were because Connor just couldn’t come out and say that he loved her. He was willing to torture her than admit his feelings. As they grew up, Connor dealt with any man that ever treated Rory wrong quietly. Many boyfriends were scared away because they were not good enough for her.
Mathewson gives great examples of why the town has forged together to keep Rory and Connor apart. The very first chapter is a break down of some of the rotten games that they have played on each other and how the town was pulled into the mess. Rules were made that they were not allowed in the same shop, class, or restaurant so that peace could be possible. So Connor decides that they will be a couple so that all the bans will be dropped. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how awkward (but oh so right) they felt in the beginning trying to be a couple but then it became second nature, it became hot!
I love friend to lover plots but I LOVE Mathewson’s enemy to lover plots even more. The way Mathewson writes their interactions together makes their love more passionate, more intense, and more needed. They harbored all those negative feelings for each other in the past years that when they get together, things explode.
Mathewson gives great examples of why the town has forged together to keep Rory and Connor apart. The very first chapter is a break down of some of the rotten games that they have played on each other and how the town was pulled into the mess. Rules were made that they were not allowed in the same shop, class, or restaurant so that peace could be possible. So Connor decides that they will be a couple so that all the bans will be dropped. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how awkward (but oh so right) they felt in the beginning trying to be a couple but then it became second nature, it became hot!
I love friend to lover plots but I LOVE Mathewson’s enemy to lover plots even more. The way Mathewson writes their interactions together makes their love more passionate, more intense, and more needed. They harbored all those negative feelings for each other in the past years that when they get together, things explode.
jetenold's review against another edition
5.0
Really liked it, might be my favorite in the series so far - but i don't know i really liked the second one:) The entertainment factor of the bradford food obsession wasn't quite as much of a story line in this one but it was still there to an extent. The relationship between the H and h was very entertaining and sweet (maybe sweet is the wrong word, but i still liked it in a disfunctional way:) ) Waiting anxiously for more of this series:)
thrawn91's review against another edition
1.0
I finished this book - barely. I really disliked the way that the main characters interacted. Rory seemed to be strong, reasonably independent and she ran her own company. It really pissed me off that,there was no scene where Connor accepted that Rory was competent and actually knew what she was doing. Plus, Connor never really shows any respect for her: when she was away donating bone marrow to save his friend's life, he automatically assumed she was cheating. When that misunderstanding was cleared up, HE NEVER APOLOGIZED. He never really trusted her. Plus, until the admittedly rushed end, he was adamant about how they must sell her house, not his. Because, since he worked on it himself, his attachment to his respective house must be stronger - although I don't remember it ever being implied that she had help.
The secondary characters also came across as very flat. Her secretary? You would think that there would be some big scene of him confessing, or trying to break up the golden couple or something, but no, once he serves his purpose as an unwilling informant, he is rarely mentioned. The brothers - who are apparently so important in her life, have very limited roles.
Random nitpicky thing - The fact that, not once, but twice, Rory mentioned being smuggled into Canada - pissed me off. The chances of her, stuck in a car trunk, of successfully getting on a ferry to Nova Scotia are low. The same goes for her getting through customs tied up and covered in a blanket in the back of a truck. Seriously, Canada does have pretty strict security if you want to cross the border...
I'm glad that the author does not keep what was her original name for Connor - Shia - based on the excerpt in her last book.
Overall, I was disappointed. The sex scenes were ok, the storyline had promise - but the flatness of the characters and the sexist attitude of Connor made me never want to read this book again.
The secondary characters also came across as very flat. Her secretary? You would think that there would be some big scene of him confessing, or trying to break up the golden couple or something, but no, once he serves his purpose as an unwilling informant, he is rarely mentioned. The brothers - who are apparently so important in her life, have very limited roles.
Random nitpicky thing - The fact that, not once, but twice, Rory mentioned being smuggled into Canada - pissed me off. The chances of her, stuck in a car trunk, of successfully getting on a ferry to Nova Scotia are low. The same goes for her getting through customs tied up and covered in a blanket in the back of a truck. Seriously, Canada does have pretty strict security if you want to cross the border...
I'm glad that the author does not keep what was her original name for Connor - Shia - based on the excerpt in her last book.
Overall, I was disappointed. The sex scenes were ok, the storyline had promise - but the flatness of the characters and the sexist attitude of Connor made me never want to read this book again.
anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Read more of my reviews and ramblings at Ana's Attic Sexy Tales
It was Halloween, and I was in the mood for a light-hearted, fun and sexy book, and that’s just what I got! I loved the first two in the series, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Checkmate, the third in the funny/sexy Neighbor From Hell Series by R.L. Mathewson (see the series reading order here). This book can definitely be read alone, but when the Bradfords show up in the second half of the book, it’s way funnier if you know their history with food.
Rory and Connor have been enemies since preschool. Growing up in a small town, the entire town knew about their rivalry. Since Rory has 5 older brothers and was brought up by just her dad, she has been treated like “one of the guys” for a long time. Gorgeous and tough, she doesn’t take Connor’s bullying lying down, she gives as good as she gets. The two of them have been banned from almost every place in town because their pranks and fights always get out of hand. From twisting nipples with pliers, to paint fights, pantsings, and supergluing gym shorts to butts, their funny, crazy rivalry knows no end.
These two are so similar in many ways that they are also next door neighbors. They both fell in love with old houses and renovated them back to their old glory. (Though I think Conner just moved there to torture Rory more). Since their balconies are only 18 inches apart, their rivalry extends to their homes as well.
Rory owns a construction company and her brothers all work for her. Connor owns a rival company. When they both bid on the same job, they are forced to work together to complete the job in less than 6 months. One thing you need to know about Rory: she is obsessed with hot cocoa, and I mean OBSESSED. One thing you need to know about Connor: despite all the horrible, torturous things he has done to Rory since they were little, he always made sure nobody else ever hurt her, and he always (in his own fucked-up way) protected her from hurt (unless it was done by him) though she never realized it. Oh! One more thing about Conner. He is a total DICK (in a sweet, sexy way). And you can’t help but root for the couple. Despite Rory hating him, she knew he was the hottest guy in town and:
“It figured that the one man that treated her like a woman was the one that made her wish she was a man so that she could kick his ass.”
Connor is not the kind of guy a feminist would like, to say the least. He was the kind of guy who thinks a woman’s place should be in the home. But maybe he just sees Rory like that because he is concerned about her getting hurt….nah, he’s an ass like that. But kind of a swoony, dreamboat ass. But since Rory would never put up with that crap it works in this book….oh sorry, I digress.
So when these two agree to “pretend” to be boyfriend/girlfriend for 6 months while the project is getting done, they really take their role playing seriously. And damn if it isn’t some hot as hell ‘pretending’ from the minute they lay lips on each other.
Then the Bradfords, Rory’s very big, very hungry cousins come to help on the project. If you have read the first two in the Neighbors from Hell series, you know that the Bradfords have a crazy, hysterical and sick obsession with food:
“Your trail mix tastes funny,” Trevor said with a cringe.
“That wasn’t trail mix, you bastard! That was potpourri!”
You are only allowed to hit each sample cart ten times and that’s it.”
“You bitch!” Trevor and Jason gasped in outrage.
Likes:
-The enemies to lovers storyline.
-Despite being an ass, I totally fell for Connor.
-I smiled and was entertained throughout the whole book.
-Rory was a feisty and fun heroine.
-I loved how the whole Bradford clan was worked into the story.
-This one seemed way longer than the others (though I can’t find a page count anywhere).
-Hot sex (well, duh… I always like that)
Dislikes:
-The rivalry went a little too far. Connor crossed the line enough times that he should be arrested, plus it interfered with their job.
-The story was told a little too much from Connor’s POV which made me have a little trouble completely connecting.
-Rory’s hot cocoa obsession was harped on just a little too much, (though it was kind of cute) but perhaps it is the Bradford blood in her.
“I tell you what, Rory. If you’re ready in an hour, I’ll buy you an extra-large cup of cocoa before we go out, one before we come home and as many as you want in between.” As many as she wanted?
Dear God, she was in heaven, she thought with a content little sigh before something occurred to her and when it did, her eyes narrowed dangerously on him.
“This isn’t some sort of sick joke, is it?” she demanded, because really, this was hot cocoa and she didn’t screw around when it came to her cocoa.”
Rating: 4.25 stars 3.75 for Heat
So I had a handful of chocolate (it was Halloween) and a fun, silly, sexy book! What more can I ask for? I didn’t love this as much as the first two, but I still loved it, and highly recommend it. The funny rivalry at the beginning and the Bradfords at the end combined with a sexy love story between people who have known (and kind of hated) each other their whole lives was the perfect combination. This is definitely one of my favorite series, and I also highly recommend any of RL’s books if you like Kristen Ashley.
It was Halloween, and I was in the mood for a light-hearted, fun and sexy book, and that’s just what I got! I loved the first two in the series, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Checkmate, the third in the funny/sexy Neighbor From Hell Series by R.L. Mathewson (see the series reading order here). This book can definitely be read alone, but when the Bradfords show up in the second half of the book, it’s way funnier if you know their history with food.
Rory and Connor have been enemies since preschool. Growing up in a small town, the entire town knew about their rivalry. Since Rory has 5 older brothers and was brought up by just her dad, she has been treated like “one of the guys” for a long time. Gorgeous and tough, she doesn’t take Connor’s bullying lying down, she gives as good as she gets. The two of them have been banned from almost every place in town because their pranks and fights always get out of hand. From twisting nipples with pliers, to paint fights, pantsings, and supergluing gym shorts to butts, their funny, crazy rivalry knows no end.
These two are so similar in many ways that they are also next door neighbors. They both fell in love with old houses and renovated them back to their old glory. (Though I think Conner just moved there to torture Rory more). Since their balconies are only 18 inches apart, their rivalry extends to their homes as well.
Rory owns a construction company and her brothers all work for her. Connor owns a rival company. When they both bid on the same job, they are forced to work together to complete the job in less than 6 months. One thing you need to know about Rory: she is obsessed with hot cocoa, and I mean OBSESSED. One thing you need to know about Connor: despite all the horrible, torturous things he has done to Rory since they were little, he always made sure nobody else ever hurt her, and he always (in his own fucked-up way) protected her from hurt (unless it was done by him) though she never realized it. Oh! One more thing about Conner. He is a total DICK (in a sweet, sexy way). And you can’t help but root for the couple. Despite Rory hating him, she knew he was the hottest guy in town and:
“It figured that the one man that treated her like a woman was the one that made her wish she was a man so that she could kick his ass.”
Connor is not the kind of guy a feminist would like, to say the least. He was the kind of guy who thinks a woman’s place should be in the home. But maybe he just sees Rory like that because he is concerned about her getting hurt….nah, he’s an ass like that. But kind of a swoony, dreamboat ass. But since Rory would never put up with that crap it works in this book….oh sorry, I digress.
So when these two agree to “pretend” to be boyfriend/girlfriend for 6 months while the project is getting done, they really take their role playing seriously. And damn if it isn’t some hot as hell ‘pretending’ from the minute they lay lips on each other.
Then the Bradfords, Rory’s very big, very hungry cousins come to help on the project. If you have read the first two in the Neighbors from Hell series, you know that the Bradfords have a crazy, hysterical and sick obsession with food:
“Your trail mix tastes funny,” Trevor said with a cringe.
“That wasn’t trail mix, you bastard! That was potpourri!”
You are only allowed to hit each sample cart ten times and that’s it.”
“You bitch!” Trevor and Jason gasped in outrage.
Likes:
-The enemies to lovers storyline.
-Despite being an ass, I totally fell for Connor.
-I smiled and was entertained throughout the whole book.
-Rory was a feisty and fun heroine.
-I loved how the whole Bradford clan was worked into the story.
-This one seemed way longer than the others (though I can’t find a page count anywhere).
-Hot sex (well, duh… I always like that)
Dislikes:
-The rivalry went a little too far. Connor crossed the line enough times that he should be arrested, plus it interfered with their job.
-The story was told a little too much from Connor’s POV which made me have a little trouble completely connecting.
-Rory’s hot cocoa obsession was harped on just a little too much, (though it was kind of cute) but perhaps it is the Bradford blood in her.
“I tell you what, Rory. If you’re ready in an hour, I’ll buy you an extra-large cup of cocoa before we go out, one before we come home and as many as you want in between.” As many as she wanted?
Dear God, she was in heaven, she thought with a content little sigh before something occurred to her and when it did, her eyes narrowed dangerously on him.
“This isn’t some sort of sick joke, is it?” she demanded, because really, this was hot cocoa and she didn’t screw around when it came to her cocoa.”
Rating: 4.25 stars 3.75 for Heat
So I had a handful of chocolate (it was Halloween) and a fun, silly, sexy book! What more can I ask for? I didn’t love this as much as the first two, but I still loved it, and highly recommend it. The funny rivalry at the beginning and the Bradfords at the end combined with a sexy love story between people who have known (and kind of hated) each other their whole lives was the perfect combination. This is definitely one of my favorite series, and I also highly recommend any of RL’s books if you like Kristen Ashley.
halffast's review against another edition
DNF @ 45%. Small town's infamous childhood rivals try not to kill each other while forced to work on a project together, but one of them is hiding feelings.
The author did a good job of making Connor and Rory's history of bullying each other feel very real, with lots of references to funny and outlandish pranks. Fun concept overall but the rest of the story was too cartoonish for me. Rory's hot chocolate hyperfixation was weird. The main characters had 25 years of animosity toward each other, and within a few days of working together they were suddenly making out for several hours straight (not exaggerating, it's in the book). The writing quality was poor enough to be distracting. For example, numerous times a particular phrase was repeated in the same paragraph, or there was redundant stuff like: "I probably should remind you [...]," Jacob reminded her.
The author did a good job of making Connor and Rory's history of bullying each other feel very real, with lots of references to funny and outlandish pranks. Fun concept overall but the rest of the story was too cartoonish for me. Rory's hot chocolate hyperfixation was weird. The main characters had 25 years of animosity toward each other, and within a few days of working together they were suddenly making out for several hours straight (not exaggerating, it's in the book). The writing quality was poor enough to be distracting. For example, numerous times a particular phrase was repeated in the same paragraph, or there was redundant stuff like: "I probably should remind you [...]," Jacob reminded her.
charlottenw1's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the hilarious romance within this book again but this was not my favourite in the series. It hit the steamy element but there was still that emotional connection with the characters that went onto a deeper level. I love these characters and how the author writes, such an easy and quick impactful read. The story has so much potential for the rest of the series and I loved the dynamic within the family.
alicia1566's review against another edition
3.0
This one didn't hit for me. I wouldn't recommend it to a friend. There was not enough romance and the enemies to lovers thing was more irritating in this book than most that I've read from the same trope. I found the plot a bit immature and unbelievable so it was hard for me to get into it.
anaday89's review against another edition
5.0
I love her books, she is such an amazing author and she did it again with such a great book!!