My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genres:
Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance,
Sweet Romance, Romantic Comedy, Inspirational Romance
Blurb:
I despise him. I despise everything about this business-stealing man who has eyes the color of hot chocolate and a perfectly sun-kissed tan I can’t stop thinking about...Like I said, despise.
Having grown up with a mom who had more boyfriends than a flower has petals, I had zero fairy tale aspirations of true love. It didn't exist. But when a dreamy man with the perfect smile and a propensity for volunteering keeps running into me, I start to think maybe I was wrong all along.
That is until I realize he's the scumbag that stole my flower shop right out from under me.
I know I should be the bigger person. Move on. But somehow, revenge seems the only answer. Pity, revenge seems to be showing me that Austin might actually be a good person instead of the villain I painted him to be.
In the end, it's all just business though, isn't it?
–––––––-–––––––––📖–––––––-–––––––––
So much for that kiss. Not that I wanted it. Ew. Gross. I hated Austin, my worst enemy. I looked back to glare at him for trying to seductively trap me. But that dang little smile of his. It just crept up, and the next thing you knew, you were grinning right along with him like an idiot.
Y'all, Summer's romcoms are always fluffy and witty...which is justttt how I like them!! And even though I adored the first book of The Wedding Business Series (If It's Perfect, aka Hope's book)–which, as a fellow type one, how could I not?–I actually enjoyed Haley's book more. 👀😱
 |
| #shook |
So, why was that? Well...honestly? This book was just so MUCH FUN! Not that Hope's book wasn't, but this was just a different kinddddd of fun. The pranks were crazy in a totally Haley-way; and while that wasn't the most mature route to handle everything, her antics (along with her accomplices) were goldennn. Maybe some of the book was a little over-the-top, BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST PARTS ABOUT ROMCOMS!
I did feel bad for Austin though, lol. Despite his sneakiness in the beginning, and his original decision of not coming clean to Haley, he really was a sweet guy. I know I was definitely swooning. 😍
Likeeeee, during a certain "car scene." Actually, a couple of different "car scenes," now that I think about it. 🤔
 |
| but this gif really only applies to ONE of the "car scenes" |
Oh, and that ending (as well as the epilogue) was ADORABLE! I loved them both! *chef's kiss*
It's timeeeee for the HIGHLIGHTS.
For the first time in my life, I obeyed every speed limit while driving. I even made full and complete stops at the stop signs. I was prolonging the time until this meeting in every way possible.
📖
She wore her glasses today, the thick, oversized frames gave her this nerdy girl look. Like, the hot nerdy girl. The one you definitely wanted to tutor you in math after school. And by tutor you really meant—
Note: 😂😂😂
📖
I reached out and grabbed the vase, shaking the flowers in my sister's face. "This is what my love life is like. A wilting, leftover bouquet from someone else's wedding. Everyone around me is finding love, and instead of screwing it up like me, they’re succeeding wonderfully."
📖
My phone buzzed. I slipped it out of my pocket to see Hope's name flash across. "Ooo, our inside informant just texted me."
"You know you're not an actual secret agent, right?"
I loved these vibes soooo much.
📖
I waved my hand distractedly, doing my best to look the carefree, artistic soul. "I just love walking through the space every so often. Really letting the walls speak to me and tell me what they want." I was a certified nut job. "I believe buildings have souls too. They just need to be listened to."
GOLD.
📖
Five. My ring size was five. I was a candle left burning too long and was now a melted pool of adoration. Had he rehearsed this speech? Was this something he told every woman he tried to woo? No, the concern was too real. Too vulnerable. He meant every word he said.
I cracked up at this part so much, lol.
📖
Someone needed to work on his people skills. A moment later, he reappeared with a cardboard box. I eyed the small container as he scooped up the little grey balls of fluff and deposited them inside. The knots in my stomach returned. "Um, is that box...secure enough?"
"Secure enough?"
Note: GAHHHHH, I AM SQUIRMING SOOOOO BAD
📖
The first thing I saw was his head, quickly followed by a shirtless pair of perfectly sculpted shoulders and torso. Unfairly, his chest and stomach were just as tan as his arms. He was a tanning salon's poster child. Although I was pretty sure his actually came from the sun, I tried not to stare at the perfect indention of each ab muscle. I could count them. Should I count them?
📖
My body ignored the danger signals going off in my head as one of my hands reached up to cradle her cheek. Her skin was soft and warm. My thumb rubbed down her jaw, the thought—
"Foul! That was a foul on Miss Haley."
A few foul, four-lettered words came to my mind.
Note: 😂😂😂
📖
He shrugged, clearly not understanding the monumentalism of this situation. "I like vanilla. I don't know if I like any of those other flavors. I'd rather get something I like than risk getting something I don't."
"So you don't like taking risks?"
His knuckles tightened around the paper cup. "Only if they're worth it." His eyes trailed my face, lingering a little too long for someone who was just a friend.
Ooooooh. 👀👀
📖
I was going to say it. My heart melted a little. I was like the ice cream right around the edge of the cone, trying to hold on strong but secretly melting into a puddle. I searched deep for my inner freeze gun and made sure to frost it right back up. Austin might be cute and adorable with these kids, but he was still the enemy.
Note: Darnnnnnn that guy for being great with kids 😂🤦♀️
📖
"You promised to love me forever last time I talked to him."
"What if I promise to clean my office space?"
There was a pause. "Deep clean?"
I knew her so well. "Deep clean. Dusting, vacuuming, the works."
Her sigh was almost comical. "Fine. Text me his number, and I'll call him."
Note: 😂😂😂
📖
"The man stalked me all last week—"
"I thought you said they were random run-ins."
"Broke into my house—"
"You invited him to dinner."
"Probably searched through my personal effects for information when my back was turned—"
"That sounds highly unlikely."
📖
My phone beeped next to me. I couldn't help jumping at the noise. Was it the girl calling me back? Had she found out I was a fraud? Maybe I should've used a payphone so she couldn't check my number. Were payphones even a thing anymore?
📖
I only reread it thirteen more times before hitting send, which, I personally thought was commendable.
Oh look, IT'S ME.
📖
"How does it look? Did I ruin it? Do we need a fire extinguisher?"
"Do you have one?" I asked, wondering how much I should mess with her.
"No. But my faucet has a spray attachment." She jumped to the sink and yanked the nozzle out, aiming the end toward me.
"Woah, wait! Don't shoot." I held my hands up in defense. "I was kidding, it's fine."
📖
"Okay, well, let's get started I guess." I untucked then retucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "This isn't my...usual pork chop recipe," I said, hoping he didn't notice my hiccup. "So you'll have to bear with me." Gripping the card like a lifeline, I read the first line. "We need to preheat the oven."
Note: I honestly feel kind of bad for laughing at her 🤣🤣
📖
I noticed his eyes wandered to my cart, and for a reckless moment I wanted to dive in front, waving my hands so he didn't see my juvenile purchases. "I was just thinking about what I should make for dinner." I blurted out, shoving the recipe card in his face. "Normally I stick to my usual...options." Which would be frozen pizza or the occasional top ramen, but he didn't need to know that. "Pork chops just sounded good though."
THEY ARE TOO PRECIOUS.
Would you believe me if I said that I had even MORE highlights than just those?? You need to read this book. It's currently has a special 99 cent preorder price, so goooooo take advantage of that!!
As far as content goes: Clean!! Any suggestive material was extremelyyyy minor, so no worries there. Dishonesty was part of the plot, and Haley's mom had some relationship struggles that were talked about...but I wasn't bothered by either of those aspects.
So, I'm going to end this review by saying that I just really loved the book. I enjoyed Haley's relationships with her sister and friends (totallyyyy spot-on, because all I could think about was me and my sisters lolll). The chemistry between Haley and Austin was TOO CUTE (all their little run-ins were just perfecttt). And even though I didn't always feel the hate-to-love vibes, they wereeee more present at certain times...and I was definitelyyyy a fan of them (HOW COULD I NOT BE?!). 👏💗
~I received an e-copy of this story from the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
–––––––-–––––––––📖–––––––-–––––––––
About the Author:
Summer Dowell is an author of clean, laugh out loud romantic comedies on the side of her main gig which is keeping her six children alive. She is obsessed with reading and creating stories.
Her most noted other skills include making a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich and doing massive loads of laundry.
Summer holds a bachelors degree in Business Marketing from Brigham Young University which mostly gets used... never.
